Konoha's Mission Master

"I can't beat you." Yakumo admitted defeat immediately. Sparring doesn't allow for any practice; he'd rather use that time to practice his sword.

This is like playing a game and fighting but not gaining experience points, which is simply illogical!

"Don't hold back your strength, let's spar," Mori Masako insisted, genuinely curious about just how strong Yakumo really was.

"No, no... If there's nothing else, please leave. I need to practice my sword..." Yakumo coldly and decisively dismissed him. Using the Concealment Technique once costs 100 gold coins, and each use means... a day's worth of daily tasks are wasted. This woman actually wants to make his day's efforts go to waste.

He's...very busy, okay?

A 5,000-word reflection...

Two thousand words... Reflections on daily life.

Five hundred words... a diary entry.

He really doesn't have time!

"Please, Yakumo-nii~"

Mori Masako suddenly grabbed Yakumo's arm and said in a very coquettish tone.

"Not good." Yakumo's attitude remained cold and hard.

Unmoved by beauty.

Suddenly, he looked down and what came into view was not Mori Masako's usual face, which was at most an 80 out of 100, but a face that was breathtakingly beautiful.

Before this, Yakumo didn't believe that anyone could make him fall in love at first sight based solely on looks, but now he does.

Last night's fleeting glimpse was not an illusion... This is Mori Masako's true face, not the one she usually hides behind her concealment technique.

Those bright eyes seemed to contain the entire Milky Way, and the touch of red in the depths of her eyes added a unique allure. Her straight nose was perfectly proportioned, and the corners of her mouth held seven parts smile and three parts grievance.

Beautiful, so beautiful, breathtaking.

"Brother Yakumo, please?"

She called me...brother...

She's also very beautiful...

Should I just say yes to her this time?

Yakumo's unwavering resolve began to waver...

With a snap, Mori Masako was locked out of the room by Yakumo. At this moment, her face was filled with frustration and confusion. She could clearly feel Yakumo's heart beating faster... as if he would agree to spar with her at any moment... but this is what happened.

The temporary setback did not make Masako Mori give up; instead, a fierce fire ignited in her eyes.

Masako Mori is extremely curious about how strong Yakumo is; she is a girl with a cat-like intense curiosity about everything.

Yakumo gripped his ninja sword, gradually calming his inner panic, and began to give himself verbal encouragement.

"Women will only slow down my speed in drawing my sword."

"I've been grinding through game quests for over a decade, and my heart is as cold as the mouse in my hand."

"But...why is my heart racing?"

Ten minutes later, Yakumo's heartbeat gradually calmed down. He gripped his ninja sword and began his daily training, repeating the cycle endlessly, his continuous swordplay forming a loop.

This is the effect of the Hatake Secret Manual, which is about to pass the beginner level and reach the proficiency level. At this moment, Yakumo's sword dance is beautiful, but it also contains a chilling killing intent in the dark.

Chapter 21 Bond Quest

Nighttime, bedroom.

Suddenly, Yakumo sat up abruptly, and in that instant, he pulled out a kunai that gleamed coldly from under his pillow. He was sitting on a soft tatami mat.

"Huff... huff..."

Yakumo gasped for breath. He was having another nightmare. Ever since he killed the Mist Ninja spy, he had been seeing Uncle Hiratsu's blood-soaked face and his decaying body in his dreams for several days in a row.

"Even if it happened again... I wouldn't regret killing you."

Yakumo's expression was resolute.

With a click, Yakumo switched on the bedside lamp, and with a faint hissing sound, the orange-yellow light illuminated the bedroom.

Time: 03:27

The sky outside was still pitch black. Looking through the window, the streets were completely dark, with only a few scattered lights on the houses in the distance. Unlike the bustling scene during the day, Konoha Village appeared desolate and empty at night.

Holding a kunai, Yakumo moved around the bedroom, practicing the sword techniques of the Hatake Secret Manual until he was soaked in sweat. He then put the kunai back under his pillow, lay down, and continued to sleep.

Since that day, Masako Mori has frequently asked to spar with Yakumo. Unable to bear it any longer, Yakumo completely blacklisted Masako Mori, a practice known as blocking her... and stopped paying attention to her altogether.

On July 12th, the weekly tasks were refreshed.

Sharing happiness is worse than enjoying it alone.

Invite your friends to go to Q Barbecue for a big meal.

Task Rewards: 0.5 Intelligence, 150 Gold.

This is going to cost a fortune! Q Barbecue is the leading restaurant chain in Konoha. The owner is the Akimichi clan, a 500-year-old ninja clan known for their love of food. They have pushed the limits of ingredients and recipes for barbecue.

It's delicious...it must be delicious.

The downside is that it's super expensive. In the original work, Sarutobi Asuma often treated the Ino-Shika-Cho trio to barbecue at Yakiniku Q, which often left him with an empty wallet, forcing him to borrow money from Kakashi and Kurenai Yuhi.

On the left is a small amount of money that hasn't even warmed up yet, and on the right are attribute points and gold coins rewarded from the tasks that must be completed. There's no need for any hesitation. Money is ultimately external; only one's own strength is eternal.

On his morning run, Yakumo secretly glanced at the skill panel, pondering what excuse to use to invite Q to a barbecue to complete the mission.

Personal Skills

Passive: Chakra Refining Technique 'Acceleration'

Active: Water Bullet Perfect 490/600 'Acceleration'

"Perfect: Water bullet power increased by 60%"

Perfect: Activation time reduced by 50%

Basic swordsmanship proficiency 70/200 'Speed ​​Up'

Hatake Secret Manual Beginner's Guide 300/400 'Speed ​​Up'

In July, the daily high temperature in Konoha Village kept breaking records, and only during morning runs could one feel a slight chill.

"Youth...should burn brightly!!"

Not far away, Might Day was leading Might Guy running around the training field. The two were running very fast, and their green bodysuits were soaked with sweat.

His face showed no signs of fatigue, but rather was full of excitement, completely ignoring the strange looks from those around him.

Yakumo withdrew his gaze and continued running along the predetermined route. Although the Eight Gates Formation was good, he had no intention of obtaining it from Might Guy at the moment.

During lunch break, Yakumo informed his friends about the barbecue gathering after school. Time flew by, and the group met at the gate after school, carrying their schoolbags.

"This meal is on me," Kakashi said directly to Yakumo, knowing full well how poor Yakumo was...

"That's right, killing the big shots, Kakashi is very rich."

Obito Uchiha laughed heartily, clearly ready to rip off Kakashi handsomely.

"Yes...yes...let Kakashi go first."

Even... Mori Masako spoke up for Kakashi. Yakumo realized something was wrong; he had been so focused on blocking Mori Masako these past few days that he had forgotten to communicate with her.

Fortunately, he had a quick wit and spoke with a guilty expression.

"If I hadn't insisted on having a picnic in the Death Forest, we wouldn't have encountered that danger. This meal is on me!"

The attitude was sincere, and the emotional appeal was well-placed.

"I've long forgotten about that incident, there's really no need to treat me." Obito Uchiha scratched the back of his head somewhat embarrassedly.

“Alright then,” Kakashi said.

"Set off."

Half an hour later, the group arrived at the entrance of BBQ Q. Before even entering, they felt the heat and aroma wafting towards them, making them unconsciously swallow a few times.

Fortunately, since it was the height of summer, the business at Q Barbecue wasn't as booming as it was in autumn and winter, so the five of them ended up sitting down in a simple private room to order food.

The waiters here only appear once after you take your order and will not enter the private room during that time. In addition, the soundproof walls greatly protect the privacy of the guests.

After the group took turns ordering, Yakumo noticed that they had ordered relatively inexpensive dishes, and the total cost wouldn't be very high. Silently thanking his friends for their kindness, Yakumo began to continuously order food.

After looking at the menu, Yakumo handed it to the waiter. Just as the waiter was wondering why the customer hadn't ordered anything, Yakumo calmly spoke up.

"This book contains one of everything except the vegetables."

"Guests... if there's this much food, the four of you probably won't be able to finish it..." the waiter kindly advised.

"I can't finish it... I'll take it home."

The task description says to have a big meal, so you absolutely can't skimp on that money, otherwise all your efforts will be in vain... and you'll be crying your eyes out.

"Please wait a moment, sir... the dishes will be served in five minutes..." The waitress left the private room with a professional fake smile.

"Yakumo-kun, you really don't need to go to such lengths." Nohara Rin was genuinely taken aback by Yakumo's extravagant spending.

"I'll treat you to this meal," Kakashi said.

"No, this won't ease the guilt in my heart...!!"

Yakumo emphasized this with genuine feeling.

I hope everyone will forgive my recklessness!

Yakumo looked around at everyone, his face filled with sincerity and remorse, as if if they still didn't forgive him, he would have no choice but to shout that he would commit seppuku to atone for his sins.

“I’ve never taken that matter to heart, Yakumo-kun, you don’t need to feel too guilty about it.” Nohara Rin gently comforted the emotionally agitated Yakumo.

"From now on... Yakumo, you will be my brother for life... We will share the good times and the bad times together!" Obito suddenly stood up, as if moved by Yakumo, and patted his chest vigorously.

"Honestly... I don't want to share any of the hardships you'll face in the future," Yakumo thought to himself.

What did Obito Uchiha experience? Half of his life was orchestrated by others. From the death of his beloved on the battlefield of Iwagakure to hiding in the shadows for more than ten years... in the end, it was all for nothing. His whole life was like a coffee table... filled with tragedies.

Yakumo had no desire for such suffering...

Share the burden.