Naruto: From Novice to Grave

More than half a month passed quietly. Higashino Makoto meticulously carried out his training and study plan, only occasionally going downstairs to stroll around the village, enjoy the scenery, and relax.

After all, visiting famous scenic spots and eating a bowl of the famous Otsutsuki Ichiraku Ramen is one of the great pleasures of coming to the Naruto world.

Unfortunately, Ichiraku Ramen's taste is just so-so; it's not a dish that shines.

Konoha remained as usual, with villagers going about their daily lives and ninjas going about their business. There was no tense atmosphere, and there was no sign of a ninja war breaking out for the time being.

Shinya Higashino basically had little interaction with the other children his age in the village.

This seems to be an abnormal childhood, but he doesn't care. In his previous life, he actually had a pretty good childhood and didn't have any psychological trauma to make up for.

Having been given a second chance at life, he devoted almost all of his time to his own efforts.

On this day, as usual, Higashino Makoto got up early to train at the training ground, and then went home to eat and study.

Higashino Megumi usually works at the hospital until late at night before going home, so she prepares meals in the morning and puts them in the refrigerator. Higashino Makoto only needs to take them out and heat them up at mealtimes.

In fact, Makoto Higashino had said that he could cook, but Megumi Higashino insisted on doing so, and said that she couldn't be deprived of the joy of being a mother.

Higashino has not insisted on this, and it has been the same for the past two years.

Today was just a bit of an unexpected day.

When Higashino finished his morning studies and was about to have lunch, he opened the refrigerator and found that there was only enough for one meal, and the rest were ingredients.

Could it be that Mother has forgotten?

As a medical special jonin, Higashino Kei would naturally not make such a mistake.

Higashino glanced at the calendar on the wall and quickly guessed the reason.

Around 7 p.m., there was a sudden knock on the door.

Higashino Makoto put down the scroll in his hand, got up and opened the door. He saw a tall, ordinary-looking young man with black hair tied in a short, high ponytail standing outside.

The man carried a ninja sword and wore a green vest in the Konoha style. It wasn't very clean, and he looked travel-worn.

When he saw Higashino Makoto open the door, his serious face immediately turned into a sunny smile, and he gave a thumbs-up with a glint of light flashing across his white teeth.

"Hey kid, are you happy? Surprised?"

Makoto Higashino: "..."

"Hey kid, what's with that expression?"

"Welcome home, Father."

"Don't keep that long face, kid. Can't you act a little happier and give me a sense of accomplishment?"

"Is that so?" Higashino thought about it seriously for a moment, then replied, "Alright, if that's all you're asking for, I can grant your request!"

After saying that, he slammed the door shut again.

The man outside slapped his forehead, sighed deeply, and knocked on the door again in despair.

The door opened again, and Higashino Makoto, with an innocent and delighted expression, exclaimed, "Father, you're back!"

"I feel absolutely no sense of accomplishment anymore, huh?" Higashino Jiro said expressionlessly, then punched Higashino Makoto on the head. "What an unlovable son."

"What a difficult father to please."

Higashino Jiro wasn't surprised by this answer, as if he was already used to it. He walked straight into the house and asked curiously, "Shin, you seem to have known I would be coming back today?"

"Hmm, more or less?"

"Did your mother tell you that?"

"Mom didn't say, I just guessed."

"Oh? Tell me your reasoning."

"First of all, today is March 25th. Secondly, based on the pattern of your missions over the past year, I think you will most likely arrive home today."

"Still as clever and perceptive as ever, truly!" Higashino Jiro gave his son an admiring look, then suddenly thought of a question: "Did you also guess what kind of mission I'm on?"

"I guess so."

"Oh my, this is beyond Dad's expectations." Higashino Jiro happily patted Higashino Makoto's head. "Well, I'll go wash up first. Your mother should be back soon."

Higashino Makoto watched the young man walk toward the restroom, a slight smile playing on his lips.

This is his biological father in the Naruto world, Higashino Jiro.

As for what mission he was carrying out, Higashino could certainly guess.

Most of them are border patrol duties.

Aside from ANBU members, regular ninjas' routine missions within the village are like clocking in for work, requiring no travel outside the village. However, missions commissioned by clients outside the village are unpredictable and take an irregular amount of time.

Only border guard duties have standard rotation schedules.

Although there is no war now, the border is not safe. Based on the information about Naruto he learned online in his previous life, Higashino Makoto knows that World War II and World War III were essentially continuous, and the peace period in between was not peaceful. Border friction has always existed. After coming to this world, he also confirmed this situation with his parents.

Apart from Kirigakure, Konoha, Sunagakure, Iwagakure, and Kumogakure all maintain a considerable number of troops on their borders, and now they are just one spark away from war.

Higashino knew that he was waiting for someone to sacrifice, and he was talking about you, the strongest Third Kazekage.

The main force stationed on the border consists of ordinary ninjas like those from their family.

When Higashino Megumi returned home, she was carrying several large boxes.

Soon, the table was filled with food and a birthday cake.

Turn off the lights and light the candles.

After Higashino Makoto made his wish and blew out the candles, the lights came back on.

Happy birthday, Shin!

"Thank you, thank you both, Father, Mother!"

Today is Makoto Higashino's fourth birthday, and he is very happy to see his young parents in front of him.

His soul age is already 40, long past the age of youthful passion. He has no interest in, nor the ability to, bring peace to the ninja world or change the tragedies of the original characters.

But this complete and happy family is his spiritual haven in this world, something he must protect.

So my thanks just now were very sincere, and I didn't try to be cheeky like I usually do.

Higashino Jiro took a sip of his drink and sighed, "Our Shin is good in every way, except that he's a bit too precocious. He doesn't even have any friends, and no one his age comes to celebrate his birthday."

Keigo Higashino nodded in agreement: "He probably thinks those kids are too childish, after all, he doesn't even want to go to preschool."

"You'll get it when you go to the Ninja Academy," was all Higashino could say.

Konoha does have preschools, similar to kindergartens, and there are more than one. They are generally set up for children from ordinary families, as some parents are too busy with work to take care of their children.

There will also be many disciples from small and medium-sized ninja clans, such as the Yamanaka and Nara clans, who are part of the Hokage faction.

As for traditional large clans like the Uchiha and Hyuga, the preschool education of their children is completed within the clan.

The preschools established in Konoha are generally open to children as young as 3. In addition to providing basic education, they also have the responsibility of selecting students for the Ninja Academy.

After all, not all children have the talent to be ninjas. Many observations begin before enrollment. Otherwise, if they study for 6 years and still can't refine their chakra, wouldn't it be a waste of their time and the village's educational resources?

"Zhen, this is a gift from your mother!"

Keigo Higashino took out a brand new leg-binding ninja tool pouch.

"Thank you, Mom!"

Higashino accepted it without hesitation. He already had two ninja tool pouches, but they were the back-mounted type.

"Here, this is my gift."

Higashino Jiro took out a short sword and handed it to him.

Higashino took it and examined it. It was a short, straight, all-black sword, similar to the standard style of the Anbu (Anbu).

Unlike the ninjas of Kumogakure, there aren't many people in Konoha who use long katanas, aside from ninjas like the Gekko clan who are skilled in swordsmanship.

That's fine; the length is suitable for his age. The problem is that it's a wooden knife. Although it feels quite heavy and looks dense, not like it would break easily, it's still made of wood.

Higashino looked at his father expressionlessly.

"What are you looking at, brat? Is there something you're not satisfied with? This is made of black ironwood from the Land of Iron. It's very hard and perfect for practicing. Do you want a real sword? That would be too dangerous for you right now."

"Dad is right, it's too early to want a real knife now."

"No, I'm very satisfied, thank you, Father." After expressing his gratitude, Higashino Makoto said, "What I want to say is that you should teach me how to refine chakra."

The Higashino family's study contained many books and scrolls, but they were all basic materials and theories. There were no chakra refining methods, let alone ninjutsu scrolls.

It is very dangerous to refine chakra and practice ninjutsu haphazardly without guidance. Obviously, the couple had thought of this long ago and put all those things away.

Upon hearing this, the couple exchanged a glance. They had originally intended to refuse, planning to wait another year before beginning to teach.

But when she thought about her son's precociousness, and then about that equally precocious genius in the village a few years ago who graduated from the Ninja Academy at the age of 5 and became a Chunin at the age of 6, she finally made a decision.

Higashino Jiro nodded seriously: "Okay."

Higashino Makoto was overjoyed: "Yay, I'm finally about to take the most important step in my ninja career."

Then he saw his father give him a key: "Only if you can find them."

Makoto Higashino: "..."

Since things have come to this, let's eat first.