Naruto: From Novice to Grave

The following day, based on yesterday's experience, there were indications that Gekko Unmi might be the most worry-free Jonin to lead a team since the founding of Konoha.

First, in his third team, although two members have relatively simple abilities and are pure combat personnel who use knives to cut people, the remaining one has taken on professional tasks such as medical treatment, perception, and tracking.

Even Higashino's cooking skills are the best among them, so they might have an extra chef with a wide range of skills when they go on missions in the wild in the future.

Moreover, he won't be a liability and can be used as a main attacker.

Most importantly, as the first lavish meal that the Jonin leading the team treated his lovely subordinates to, Gekko Kumo didn't even spend any money.

There were two other people present at the time, Higashino Megumi and Uzuki Sakura. The two mothers, to thank their senior for taking on the role of Jonin leading their children, were vying to pay each other.

In the end, Uzuki Sakura won a great victory in this money-spraying spree.

Moonlight Cloud felt her status in the team plummeting; even her son looked at her as if she were a shameful miser.

In order to restore the glory of leading the team of Jonin, he felt it was his duty to carefully plan the path of the ninja for his team members, so that they could grow into strong and qualified ninjas as soon as possible.

He then taught all his skills to Hayate Gekko and Yugao Uzuki. As for the other team member, he was left to his own devices, so he was only taught some mission experience. As for ninjutsu, that was completely outside his capabilities.

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In the morning, after completing his daily training, Higashino Shin removed his weights, ate breakfast, washed up, tied his headband to his forehead, carefully checked his ninja tool bag, and then fastened the straps to his body, which were attached to the weapons he would use for a long time to come.

With lightning speed, he drew a short sword from behind his left shoulder, glanced at the two characters "Higashino" on it, confirmed that everything was normal, sheathed the sword, and left.

When they arrived at the training ground where the team was supposed to meet, Hayate Gekko and Yugao Uzuki were already there. Hayate was still the same as before, but Yugao had changed her clothes to a tight-fitting style that allowed for easy movement, and she was also carrying a sword on her back.

Due to their height, both he and Hayate use short swords, but they are longer than Higashino's. When they grow up, they will switch to standard long straight swords, which is determined by the fighting styles of the two families.

Higashino doesn't need to change. His attack range isn't determined by the length of the sword; the quality of the sword is more important, as it makes the techniques easier to execute.

This family heirloom sword is quite good. Although it wasn't forged entirely from chakra metal, it has great sentimental value.

If I can make a name for myself in the ninja world with this sword in the future, I might even earn the nickname "Konoha's Little White Fang," and then Kakashi could call me his godfather!

Forget it, the word "godfather" just makes me feel like I'm at risk of being stabbed.

Not long after exchanging brief greetings with the two, Moonlight Cloud appeared.

Uzuki Yugao, being straightforward, immediately asked, "Hey, teacher, shall we begin the mission? The first step is to go to the mission area in the Hokage Building's office lobby, right?"

Moonlight Cloud glanced at the three's attire, his face expressionless but secretly pleased, and replied, "You're right, but I've already accepted the mission, so we can begin immediately."

The little girl became even more excited: "What kind of mission is it? Will there be any battles?"

"I understand your desire to contribute to the village, but unfortunately, you are only genin, so you can only start with the lowest-ranking D-class missions."

"Huh? But didn't Brother Jifeng already do that? Are you going to make him go through it again?"

Jifeng was an honest man: "I don't mind, it's up to you two."

"Don't be naive. Genin have a mandatory requirement of completing at least 8 D-rank missions. Otherwise, you won't even qualify for the Chunin Exams."

After speaking, Moonlight Cloud's expression softened: "However, considering that we are currently at war and manpower is needed everywhere, I will only give you 5 days to complete at least 20 D-level missions. If you need to extend the time due to failure to complete them, then don't blame me."

"No problem!" x2.

Many simple tasks inside and outside Konoha Village were not assigned to dedicated staff and were all issued as D-level missions. This was partly to give graduating genin practice opportunities and to help them develop teamwork and strengthen their bonds.

Another function is to give those genin who have no hope of becoming chunin a chance to earn money and support their families.

If it weren't for this, many long-serving genin would only know the basic application of chakra and wouldn't have any other skills to make a living. Konoha wouldn't be able to support them for nothing; they would starve to death if they had nothing to do, like Might Guy in the past.

As for the strong teams, they can complete some challenging tasks to meet the minimum requirements for low-level missions.

Higashino Shinya understood, but he still complained, "I'm fine with it too, as long as it's not for a daimyo's family or a nobleman's pet cat."

Moonlight Cloud seemed somewhat puzzled: "How is that possible? Those guys rarely come to Konoha."

His words did not reveal much respect for daimyo or nobles, but there are relatively few ninjas like him. Most people are still very respectful to those nobles, with an unconditional loyalty in their bones, which is completely unworthy of the extraordinary energy flowing in their bodies.

The millennia-old ninja obedience education has imprinted a stubborn ideological imprint on these people's minds, and Higashino Masataka, whose thinking is not obedient enough, seems out of place among them.

Uzuki Yugao: "So, what's our first mission?"

Moonlight Clouds See: "Looking for the cat!"

Higashino Makoto: "???"

"Ahem!" Moonlight Cloud looked at Higashino's questioning face and explained, "This was originally the responsibility of the Uchiha clan, but most of their clansmen are currently on the eastern battlefield, and they don't have enough manpower to manage it."

Not far from Konoha, there is an abandoned town called Empty City, inhabited by the Ninja Cat Clan, who are closely related to the Uchiha Clan.

It's the time of year when cats are in heat, so quite a few little guys are running around Konoha trying to mate with other cats. After all, even though pet cats aren't ninja cats, they're all pretty, aren't they?

You must understand that ninja cats are different from ordinary cats, just like ninjas and ordinary people. The ninja cat clan is an intelligent species. In order for their offspring to inherit their wisdom, members are not allowed to mate with ordinary cats. They have a proper mating system, just like us humans.

So, they issued a mission to the village to capture all the kids in Konoha and bring them back.

Higashino is simply beyond words. Even the ninja cats are starting to engage in racism?

Uzuki Yugao: "If the quantity isn't large, then it should be quite simple."

Moonlight Cloud pulled out a handful of photos: "You're really disappointed. There are 23 in total, and they are all ninja cats that can use chakra. They are much faster than ordinary cats."

Maoyue Xiyan: "..."

Hayate Gekko: "Teacher, this task would be most suitable to be completed by someone from the Hyuga clan."

"You're wrong, Hayate. The Hyuga clan can't just open their Sharingan in the village. I think you all know why."

Uzuki Yugao: "Teacher, are you doing this on purpose? There are so many of them, and they're all ninja cats. How long are we going to take to catch them all?"

"Then it's up to you to see what you're capable of. This is a task I specially selected for you." Moonlight Cloud smiled slightly, summoned an extra-large metal cage covered with sealing paper from the sealing scroll, placed it to the side, and then sat on it in a flash, looking like a dead pig that wasn't afraid of boiling water.

This was definitely a special selection; if they hadn't known that someone had sensory abilities, they wouldn't have been chosen for this task.

"Leave it to me!" Higashino Makoto reached out and took the photos, carefully memorizing the appearance of the ninja cats, before handing them over to Hayate and Yugao to look at.

His senses expanded, covering the entire Leaf Village, and he quickly memorized each target point in his mind.

Uzuki Yugao: "Shin-nii, how did it go? Did you find it?"

"Found them!" Higashino Makoto quickly reported several locations to them: "These places are full of cats. We'll split up. I'll take care of the west and north, and you can handle the other two. Meet up here after you've completed the mission."

"Yes!" x2.

After determining their direction, the three of them vanished in an instant.

Ninjas don't follow the usual path; they routinely jump around on the rooftops of other people's houses.

As he flew, Higashino Makoto thought about the mission in his mind, feeling as if the higher-ups had specifically assigned this mission to test him after learning about his sensory abilities.

This way of doing things can only be described as very ninja-like.

Each ninja village adheres to strict secrecy principles, and so do ninjas. The village will not force you to fully disclose your abilities, but if you have special skills, the village will keep them in mind and can make a general judgment through some missions, without you having to take the initiative to explain.

Ninjas do this kind of thing.