Two weeks passed quickly, the days reduced to a strict routine established by Takeshi.
Each morning, very early, began with a series of physical exercises followed by kenjutsu training. Even without a teacher, his progress was surprisingly fast.
If anyone else had tracked his rate of progression, there could be only one conclusion… a genius. Still, it hadn't come without a price. The merit points he had earned through sweat and effort vanished just as quickly over time. Only 30 merit points remained.
[System] — Purchase confirmed. Your understanding of the skill (kenjutsu) has evolved.
[Status Window]
Name: Takeshi Sarutobi
Age: 15
Chakra Level: Advanced Chunin
Skills: Taijutsu (D Rank), Bojutsu (C Rank), Katon (B Rank), Kenjutsu (C Rank)
The results were fairly satisfying, Takeshi thought. From his observations, D Rank appeared to be the lowest level for skills, followed by an intermediate stage, and then the higher tier.
Another important realization was that he didn't necessarily need the system to raise his skill levels. As his understanding deepened, so did the skills naturally. However, spending points gave him a clear speed advantage.
Yet among all his abilities, they were still incomparable to the body of the Supreme Avatar. There was only one word to describe it: prodigy.
His training, along with meditation which he had recently started, not only increased his chakra reserves but also led him to an interesting discovery — he could continuously absorb natural energy. A bit like Jugo in the original story, though without the risk of going insane like him. It was only a small amount for now, but it was still significant.
"I guess it's time to go…" he sighed, standing up.
His days off were now over. It was time to report for a new mission. Another opportunity to explore this system had appeared.
He quickly took a bath before leaving his room.
Takeshi strolled up casually to the main gate of Konoha. As expected, Mei and Aiko were already there. Mei waved at him cheerfully, her pale pink hair bouncing with each motion, while Aiko, true to herself, wore her usual half-asleep, half-annoyed face — a walking mood.
But neither of them was what truly caught his attention.
No. It was her.
A little behind the others, her back turned. A jōnin with chestnut brown hair tied in a low ponytail. Tall, confident — and yet… a shiver of hesitation ran down her spine. There was no doubt. Natsumi.
That hair… that figure… how could he forget?
A vivid memory surged to the surface, crystal clear. The sheets, the moans, the hot, stolen night that defied rules and reason. It brushed across his mind like a whisper, and a smile formed instinctively on his lips.
He walked up to the group.
"Yo."
Mei almost jumped on him.
"You're late! We thought you were ditching us."
Aiko lazily raised a hand, shooting him a deadpan look.
"Seven and a half minutes. You broke your own record."
But Takeshi was no longer listening. His eyes slowly drifted toward Natsumi. At the sound of his voice, she flinched.
It wasn't her hands or back that reacted. It was… lower.
A subtle contraction. An unexpected awakening. She took a deep breath, trying to keep her composure. When she turned around, her voice was firm, professional.
"Let's keep it brief. This is a B-rank mission. We're escorting a high-profile individual from the Land of Hail. Apparently, a wealthy diplomat on the move. Your instructions are simple: stay in formation, watch for anomalies, and do not engage unless I say so."
Her eyes scanned the group, but she carefully avoided Takeshi's gaze.
He was still smiling. That insolent smile he had that night too. As if he knew. As if he remembered every second.
Aiko, arms crossed, tilted her head slightly. She watched. She knew something was up. That kind of tension wasn't natural, especially in a team made up of three chunin and a jōnin. And that story Mei had told her… after that infamous night…
She shook her head. Not my business… not my business. But the urge to throw a kunai between them just to cut through the tension was very real.
Takeshi, meanwhile, remained relaxed.
"A diplomat important enough to mobilize a jōnin and three chunin, huh… Maybe I should ask for his autograph," he muttered to himself.
Getting chunin assigned wasn't too surprising, but the presence of a jōnin changed everything.
Now that he thought about it more… it must've been this exact mission. The one that, in his timeline, put him on Natsumi's path.
"I think she said something like she was the jōnin in charge of me back then…" he tried to recall.
Fate clearly intended to toss him the same bone twice.
Natsumi inhaled, fully aware of the young ninja's gaze on her — thoughtful, amused, maybe even a little smug.
"Cocky little bastard… you'll pay for this." she thought, trying to comfort herself. But deep inside, what she wanted was… darker.
She straightened and called out:
"The convoy is ready. Positions."
And with those words, they joined the road, lining up beside silk-draped carts guarded by discreet shinobi. The journey was beginning… but it might not only be the diplomatic mission that risked going off the rails.
Takeshi began to walk, a smile on his lips, eyes on the horizon… and a gleam of challenge burning deep within.