Returning home, Mei Terumī immediately came out of the room. She was wearing a cooking apron, like a housewife, running to greet Kobayakawa Ichima.
"Welcome back, Ichima-nii," Mei Terumī took Kobayakawa Ichima's Ninja jacket and forehead protector, just like a true Yamato Nadeshiko.
Kobayakawa Ichima changed his shoes and entered the room. He handed 5,000 ryo to Mei Terumī to manage, ensuring their livelihood going forward.
Kobayakawa Ichima planned to use 15,000 ryo to marry Misato. Now that he had a child, being responsible for the child was what a father should do.
Buying another fish, Kobayakawa Ichima visited the Hirunaka family.
Uncle Hirunaka was sitting by the stove in the room. He was still thin, but much better than a month ago. Misato held their newborn, month-old child in her arms, looking at Kobayakawa Ichima with anticipation.
Kobayakawa Ichima put down the fish, sat opposite Uncle Hirunaka, and said, "I'm here to marry Misato. I can't promise to be devoted to her, but I can promise that she will live better with me."
"15,000 ryo, are you ready?" Uncle Hirunaka ultimately didn't say anything harsh. After all, for over a year, Kobayakawa Ichima had taken good care of him and Misato. If not for him, he and Misato might have starved to death in the cold winter.
Although he disliked the Mizukage Yagura's lackeys, for the sake of survival, there was no other way.
"I'm ready. This 15,000 ryo is the cost of my proposal to Misato. From now on, she will be my wife," Kobayakawa Ichima took out a stack of money and placed it on the table.
Uncle Hirunaka looked at Kobayakawa Ichima, then at Misato, and finally sighed.
If it were during peacetime, a Genin's income would not be high at all, perhaps not much better than a small merchant. But in wartime, a Genin could support a family, while small merchants had no business at all.
"Misato is my precious daughter. I hope you treat her well." Uncle Hirunaka relented. He knew that even a philandering Genin would be much stronger than himself.
Kobayakawa Ichima didn't stay long. He spoke a few words with Misato, then returned home to prepare for the wedding.
Weddings in the Land of Water were relatively simple. Kobayakawa Ichima took Misato to a shrine to pray for blessings, and they became husband and wife under the witness of the gods. Their household now had two more members.
With two more people in the household, the pressure of living also began to increase, with average daily expenses reaching 200 ryo.
Fortunately, after Kobayakawa Ichima improved his Ninja aptitude, his ability to complete missions also increased, so he could still barely cover his expenses.
Undoubtedly, in this chaotic world, the identity of a Ninja was still very sought after. Even if one was just a Genin, surviving was not a big problem.
Another half a year passed in a flash. Kobayakawa Ichima's Cloud Creation Jutsu had another breakthrough. The Ninjutsu completion rate reached 10%, and he was now able to generate water mist, turning it into the so-called Hidden Mist Technique. The three basic Ninjutsu of Transformation Technique, Substitution Technique, and Clone Technique also had different degrees of improvement, with the Transformation Technique's completion rate exceeding 16%.
At dinner time, Kobayakawa Ichima bought a fish, rested, and then discussed having a child with Misato.
By now, Misato had rested for nearly half a year, and their first child was slowly growing. Whether for the sake of improving his strength or for surviving in this world, it was time to have another child.
Misato listened to Kobayakawa's request and shyly agreed.
It wasn't until a month later that the system prompted successful conception and awarded rewards.
Name: Kobayakawa Ichima
Lifespan: 31 years
Chakra: 0.7 units
Ninja Aptitude: D (1/10)
Ninjutsu: Substitution Technique (Completion Rate 16%), Transformation Technique (Completion Rate 16%), Clone Technique (Completion Rate 14%), Water Release: Hidden Mist Technique (Completion Rate 10%).
Because it was the second time conceiving with the same person, this time the reward was halved compared to the last. The Chakra amount only permanently increased by 0.1 units, and the Ninja Aptitude only increased by 1/10.
However, Kobayakawa Ichima did not plan to let Misato have a third child. Neither he nor Kobayakawa Misato had particularly good Ninja Aptitude, so the children born would naturally not have strong Ninja Aptitude, and the rewards would naturally not be much.
Furthermore, childbirth still affects a woman's health, and constantly making Misato have children would be very unfair to her.
Now, as his Chakra amount reached 0.7 units, Kobayakawa Ichima's mind also began to become active. He wanted to learn a powerful Ninjutsu and then participate in the Chunin Exams. Once he officially became a Chunin, he would be able to take on more difficult and higher-paying missions.
A Chakra amount of 0.7 units might not seem like much, but across the entire Ninja World, this was considered a very excellent Chakra amount standard. This Chakra amount already exceeded most Chunin in Hidden Mist Village, and even surpassed some Special Jonin.
Misato was expected to become pregnant and give birth in 10 months. During this period, Kobayakawa Ichima's mission was to become stronger and find ways to earn more commissions.
In this chaotic world, a Ninja who cannot support his wife will not be accepted by any woman. Strong power and financial security are also important conditions for finding a better wife.
Amidst the buzzing of cicadas, the door of Kobayakawa Ichima's house, where he was taking an afternoon nap, was suddenly knocked upon.
Kobayakawa Ichima opened the door. Standing outside was a Ninja, wearing a Hidden Mist forehead protector, carrying a Katana on his back, and dressed in a green Ninja uniform.
Higashimura Itsuki, a Chunin, and also Kobayakawa Ichima's teacher at the Ninja Academy. He himself didn't possess exceptionally high Ninja talent, but as a Chunin, he was considered competent.
"The Village has an urgent summons. Change your clothes immediately and come with me. A dangerous individual with a Bloodline Limit has appeared. Capture or eliminate him," Higashimura Itsuki said.
Kobayakawa Ichima quickly returned to his room to change his clothes. On the way, he chatted with Higashimura Itsuki.
"Itsuki-sensei, why are even Ninja like you being assigned missions? Is the Village short-handed?" Kobayakawa Ichima asked.
Under the leadership of Fourth Mizukage Yagura, Hidden Mist Village was deteriorating day by day. Due to the conflict between Bloodline Limit Ninja and ordinary Ninja, a large number of Bloodline Limit Ninja had defected from the Village.
Those Bloodline Limit Ninja who had not escaped were like rats in the sewers, scurrying around.
Higashimura Itsuki saw Kobayakawa Ichima's concern. He sighed and asked, "Ichima, do you really think Fourth Mizukage-sama's policy is correct? The once powerful Village, now… now…"
Higashimura Itsuki frowned deeply. After a moment, he relaxed his hand, and his emotions calmed down.
"Starting this year, the Ninja Academy's graduation policy has changed. To graduate, you must kill your closest friend. I personally witnessed former classmates turn against each other," Higashimura Itsuki added.
Kobayakawa Ichima understood Higashimura Itsuki's difficulties. Under the leadership of Fourth Mizukage, the Village was weakening day by day. The current Ninja World situation was also very unfavorable. The Third Shinobi World War had not yet ended, and although the Land of Water was not the main battlefield, it could still feel the pressure.
"Higashimura-sensei, don't think too much. Fourth Mizukage's foresight is not something we can understand." Kobayakawa Ichima quickly firmed his stance. That was a close call; he almost didn't react in time.