The office fell silent for a mont.
"Disbanded?" Nobutoshi asked.
"Mm." Onoki said, "Kintsuchi has already proven that he possesses the ability to carry out missions independently, and he's gained enough real combat experience."
"Keeping him tied to an Anbu squad any longer would only limit his growth."
"Starting today, he'll enter an independent training period and focus entirely on chakra accumulation and Dust Release training."
He looked toward Nobutoshi and Kumiko. "As for the two of you, there will be new missions and new teammates. You've worked hard during this ti."
Nobutoshi and Kumiko bowed at the sa ti. "Yes."
Kyoshin also bowed, a complicated feeling rising within him.
Life in Anbu had been tense and dangerous, but Nobutoshi and Kumiko truly had been excellent teammates and ntors.
These experiences had given him a much deeper understanding of what it ant to be a ninja.
"Alright, you can head back now." Onoki waved a hand. "Kintsuchi stays. I still have a few things to discuss."
Nobutoshi and Kumiko left the office.
After the door closed, Onoki floated up and flew over to Kyoshin, reaching out to pat him on the shoulder, "Don't get too sentintal. Anbu was only one stage on your path of growth. What cos next is the real beginning."
"I understand." Kyoshin nodded.
"Any new progress with your Dust Release training?"
Kyoshin answered, "It's progressing rather slowly."
"That's normal." Onoki smiled in satisfaction. "You've been carrying out missions, and your training volu dropped sharply. The fact that you're still making progress is already impressive."
"Rember, don't rush."
"You have plenty of ti, and Iwagakure has plenty of patience."
"What we want isn't so rushed Dust Release user. We want a true powerhouse capable of carrying Iwa's future."
Kyoshin clenched his fist slightly. "I won't disappoint you."
"I believe you." Onoki brought up another matter. "Uzumaki Chinatsu's injuries have basically healed."
"She ca to speak with . She wants to formally contribute to the village, so I assigned her to the Sealing Technique Research Division. Her knowledge and experience are very valuable to the village."
Kyoshin nodded, then asked, "What about Karin?"
"That little girl…" Onoki's expression turned sowhat strange. "She spends all day talking about becoming a ninja, protecting her mother, and… well, catching up to you."
"I had Akatsuchi arrange for her to enter the Ninja Academy. She's the sa age as you, but she started far too late. So far, the only talent she's shown is in sensory abilities. After graduation, she can specialize in that direction."
A smile appeared on Kyoshin's face. Karin really did have a stubborn streak.
"Alright, you should head back too." Onoki said. "Starting tomorrow, you're free."
"Training grounds, secret archives… however you want to train is up to you."
"But for now, don't leave the village for missions."
"Root didn't use official channels this ti, which ans they still suspect you're in the Land of Earth."
Kyoshin nodded. "Understood."
By the ti he left the Tsuchikage building, the sky had already darkened.
Lights glowed along the streets of Iwagakure, and the scent of dinner drifted through the air.
Kyoshin followed the familiar route toward his stone house.
But when he arrived, he froze.
Two people were standing outside the door.
Kurotsuchi held a food box in each hand, a bright smile on her face. In the twilight, she looked like a blazing fla.
Karin wore the Ninja Academy student uniform, her red hair tied into a neat ponytail.
She was carrying a small basket herself, her face filled with timid anticipation as her large eyes kept darting between Kurotsuchi and Kyoshin.
"Big Brother Kintsuchi!" The mont she saw Kyoshin, Karin imdiately ran over, her little face blooming with a smile. "Congratulations on finishing your Anbu missions!"
Kurotsuchi walked over as well, lifting the food boxes in her hands. "I heard you 'graduated' from Anbu, so Karin and I specially made so food to celebrate for you."
Kyoshin looked at the two of them, then at the food boxes and basket in their hands. A trace of satisfaction from a peaceful life rose in his heart.
But why did he suddenly have a bad feeling about this?
"Uh… thanks." He opened the door. "Co in first."
Kyoshin cleared off the table while Kurotsuchi and Karin placed the food boxes and basket on top and opened them.
The fragrance instantly filled the entire room.
Inside Kurotsuchi's food boxes were traditional Iwagakure dishes.
Roasted rock sheep at, a stew made from root vegetables unique to the Land of Earth, and a plate of golden crispy fried rock insects.
Karin's basket, anwhile, contained simple snacks.
Handmade rice balls decorated with cute smiling faces made from seaweed, along with several pieces of colorful candy.
"You made all this?" Kyoshin looked at Kurotsuchi in surprise.
He knew she could cook, but he hadn't expected her to be this good.
"Of course." Kurotsuchi proudly lifted her chin. "I put real effort into it."
Karin also spoke softly, "I…I helped too. I made the rice balls…"
Looking at the hopeful expressions in both girls' eyes, Kyoshin picked up his chopsticks and placed a piece of roasted rock sheep at into his mouth.
The at was tender and juicy, perfectly seasoned. It genuinely tasted excellent.
"Delicious." He said.
Kurotsuchi's smile beca even brighter.
She pulled out a chair and sat down, naturally placing a piece of fried rock insect into Kyoshin's bowl. "You need to try this too."
Then she added so vegetables.
"This helps chakra recovery. Eat more."
Then ca the soup.
"Drink so soup too. Warm up your stomach."
In less than a minute, Kyoshin's bowl had turned into a small mountain.
Karin watched Kurotsuchi's actions, blinked, then picked up her own chopsticks and carefully placed one of the rice balls she had made into Kyoshin's bowl.
"Big Brother Kintsuchi… try this too…"
Her movents were gentle and her voice tiny, but the anticipation in her eyes was no less than Kurotsuchi's.
Kyoshin looked at the rice ball in his bowl, then at the growing pile of food Kurotsuchi kept adding, and suddenly felt this al might be harder to survive than he originally thought.
Kurotsuchi noticed Karin's actions. Her brows lifted slightly, but she said nothing and simply continued putting food into Kyoshin's bowl.
"Kintsuchi's been training hard lately, so you need to eat more and keep your nutrition up."
"Here, this lamb was slaughtered fresh this morning. It's especially fresh…"
Not willing to lose, Karin placed another piece of candy beside Kyoshin's hand. "Big Brother Kintsuchi… eat candy… it's sweet…"
Kyoshin lowered his head and focused on eating, doing his best not to look up at either of their expressions.
He could feel a certain subtle tension in the air. Neither girl showed any hostility, but the faint sense of competition reminded him of certain awkward situations from his previous life.
'This is harder than dealing with Root.', He silently complained to himself.
The al continued in a bizarre atmosphere.
Aside from burying his head in food, Kyoshin only occasionally muttered "delicious" or "thank you," not daring to say a single unnecessary word.
'Finally, it ended.'
"Full?" Kurotsuchi asked as she stood up and began cleaning the dishes.
"Yeah." Kyoshin nodded. He was definitely full. Overfull, even.
Karin also helped clean up, her movents clumsy but earnest.
She carefully wrapped up the remaining snacks and placed them back into the basket. "Big Brother Kintsuchi… keep these… you can eat them if you get hungry…"
"Thank you." Kyoshin rubbed her head.
Karin narrowed her eyes and rubbed against his palm like a kitten.
Kurotsuchi saw it happen. The corners of her lips tightened slightly, but she said nothing.
After washing and putting away the dishes, she turned to Kyoshin and said, "We'll head out first then. Get so proper rest. Starting tomorrow, your new training begins."
Karin waved as well. "Bye, Big Brother Kintsuchi."
"Bye."
The two girls left the stone house.
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