Afterwards, Yoichi and Hayate sat down on a bench with a pretty good shade against the never-ending droplets of rain and the desolate clouds.
"He's just like you but distinct due to his disposition. He was a happy child who had a different temperament ever since he was born as a distant relative of a famous clan." As Hayate started narrating the story, Yoichi attentively listened with his mind imagining the scenes.
"At a young age of 6, he was exceptionally and extremely talented along with the sons of the famous clan, able to defeat and push these pesky and nepotistic brats."
"However, a turn of fate suddenly went against his favor. In his 12th year, he was expecting to receive benefits for his remarkable talent until the elders decided to give the resources to their direct descendants! Some elders say that it was for the prosperity and the future of the clan."
"Upon hearing the elders' answers, the child felt a little resentful but still moved on with the times as the war between clans raged for years. Still, even though he lost resources, his cunning mind and talent were incredible, surpassing such descendants with maximum effort."
"After the period of war, the child was hailed as a prodigy along with a talented and extraordinary child of the main clan. Soon, the clans began to dwindle in numbers as the villages started popping out like mushrooms in a humid land."
"In his effort and diligence, the village he served appointed him as a famous shinobi. But his misery didn't stop there, after all the things he had done for his village, his rewards weren't given to him again."
"By the orders of the higher-ups, who are the main clan's elders, his endeavors were soon put into the trash with their decision to give all the resources to the main clan's gifted child."
"Feeling betrayed by the ones he dutifully served, the thoughts of killing all the elders or betraying the village soon bombarded his mind and it didn't take him too long to decide."
"In a fit of anger, he killed all the elders in front of a celebration and even some of the ordinary people took the brunt of his wrath. A lot of shinobi tried to capture his madness until the main clan's child apprehended him with utmost measures."
"As a bunch of shinobi wanted him dead, the main clan's child took the mantle of the village leader and decided to write the thing off as an accident. But the protagonists still hated the nobility."
After Hayate's detailed narration, the atmosphere became silent and the rain felt like slowing down from countless thoughts in Yoichi's subconscious mind.
He looks really like me on the surface but they don't know I have a sugar mommy system to fund my training. Still, I required a careful decision on this matter...
"If you were in his position, would you betray the village and kill those who condemned your efforts, or endure the agonizing pain of smearing your diligent actions with the uncertainty of its end?!"
Hayate leaned backward on the bench and looked at the thoughtful expression of the child. In his mind, testing the child's ideals toward the village was quite important on his part as a Jōnin.
History was like a deja vu from Hayate's perspective. If someone didn't learn their lessons in the past, another problem would also bite their ass again with the same situation in the future.
If there's no Hashirama, who could face Madara with the Nine-Tailed Beast ready to destroy the village?
If there's no Naruto, who could change the mind of a vengeful Sasuke, who lost his clan, family, and dear brother at the hands of the village's officials?
"In my opinion, sir. I would like to be a shinobi teacher without any connection to these fools." Yoichi replied and looked at Hayate's inquisitive eyes.
"So are you saying that you will endure all of that?" Hayate was very confused by Yoichi's vague response.
"Yes and no. If I were in his position, I would certainly teach children and slowly brainwash them in my own favor. After all, where would everyone find trustworthy people? From the children!" Yoichi replied while he was leaning on the bench with contemplation in his mind.
At this point, he was merely bullshitting his way but acting true to himself, trying to answer Hayate's questions. Different problems, different viewpoints.
He's very different than Hayate since he has the experience of two lifetimes, a system, and Martial Arts as a way to break through the world of shinobi.
"And where would you get the resources?" Hayate narrowed his eyes, trying to see if Yoichi was telling the truth or not.
"I could easily say that I'm teaching children as a famous and successful shinobi. Soon, people such as the Daimyō from the other lands would give anything just to get my good graces!"
With his unconventional mindset as a modern person, Yoichi told Hayate his solution then he continued, "As you said, sir. I am a talented person and I couldn't be judged by normal means... So why the hell would I be stuck in the confines created by someone?"
"That's why I said yes and no in my answer, Hayate-sama. I know that my answer was uncommon and strange but being traditional in a way that we, shinobi, are afraid to break culture was a shackle developed by ourselves!"
Upon hearing Yoichi's declaration, Hayate's eyes widened in disbelief and he reprimanded, "Don't ever tell that to the public, do you understand?"
What a dangerous thought! This brat is too problematic and his words are too insightful but it's a hazardous feat! Hayate thought.
Ever since the establishment of the Hidden Villages, the connection between them and the Daimyō was truly a way to solve the problem of funding and legitimacy over the surrounding lands.
But Yoichi's revelation was against its policy and the overall structure of this relationship. These insightful words could truly break and revolt each shinobi with hatred against the system and the ones who were at the top, the higher-ups.
"You... Brat! You've successfully managed to divert me in our conversation. Well done... But keep those words in your mind understood?" Hayate sighed and leaned on the bench, completely tired of Yoichi's shenanigans.
"Hehehe... Sorry, Hayate-sama..." As his unusual words came out, Yoichi actually noticed and implied his inner thoughts, apologizing to his superior.
"Anyway, improve harder in two months since the last trial will be the trial of survival. It will be implemented in two months so tell your party to be prepared for the trial." Soon, Hayate revealed some information that made Yoichi frown and reflect on himself.
Trial of survival in two months... It seems Hanzō felt rushed to finish the trials this year...
Yoichi thought. Although the trial wasn't fully specified, the preparation for the last trial must be thorough and intricate to the point of 100% success.
"Is your conversation done yet? I'm hungry savoring the smell of those foods a while ago!" Subsequently, Yoichi's thoughts were interrupted by Motoyasu, who appeared to be scratching his head sheepishly.
"... Come on, kid. Let's head out and eat." Hayate felt complicated, looking at Yoichi with numerous doubts in his mind.
Although he wasn't certain if Yoichi was loyal to the village, Hayate could guarantee that the child's thinking was one step ahead of his past self.
Insightful, prudent, and talented in one child... I truly hope this kid could be our hope for the future years.
Momentarily, they ate some sushi and katsudon in quietness between them as if men understanding the silence was merely a definition for their vibe, enjoying the peace with delicious food.
...
Konoha Year 17, October.
"Damn those bastards! I can't believe the superiors in my job actually kept them in!" Haruhiko replied with a hint of anger and exhaustion in his face.
"I also have some foolish workmates! They always try to sabotage me!" Munekatsu nodded in agreement.
After 1 month, Yoichi and the rest resumed their uninteresting daily routine with some improvement in their overall performance.
[Heavenly Demon Posture: (Great Success) 242/500] (+12)
[Mountain Crushing Fist: (Entry) 95/100] (+18)
[Lightning Spear Thrust: (Entry) 69/100] (+14)
[Phantom Steps: (Small Success) 32/300] (+7)
However, his gains in Martial Arts were mostly decreased due to his frugal usage of Qi Blood Pills.
With the incoming trial ahead, Yoichi thought it would be better to lessen his Qi Blood consumption since these pills might be a game-changer or lifesaver.
As for realm progress, it was nearing the middle of the Iron Skin Stage, revealing an added 10 jin in his past 80 jin of punch force to a total of 90 jin or 54 kilograms.
Still, their lives were wearisome until the annoying events on their jobs happened on a daily basis.
From the first day of October, these problems appeared with the ordinary people messing them up. As such, even their jobs were slowly affected by these seemingly tiresome affairs.
Genji was often troubled by the same people, Haruhiko and Munekatsu almost got slammed by a metal bar in an "accident" while Towa and Hikari got harassed by a group of people.
I'm definitely certain, it was premeditated by someone. And this particular harassment was orchestrated and very familiar to me.
"Yoichi, did you think Masaru and his lackeys were a part of this scheme?" Genji felt complicated as the thoughts of Sabito leaving their group for Masaru soon were recalled.
"Remove the 'think', be confident about it. It's certainly him!" Hikari replied with crossed arms.
It seems Masaru prepared a feast for my appetite... I hope it would be delectable and sumptuous!
While hearing their complaints, Yoichi's cold eyes gleamed with satisfaction.
___________
(Current Progress)
[Heavenly Demon Posture: (Great Success) 242/500]
[Mountain Crushing Fist: (Entry) 95/100]
[Lightning Spear Thrust: (Entry) 69/100]
[Phantom Steps: (Small Success) 32/300]
___________
I'm planning to finish the arc at the 60th chapter so please bear with me!
Thanks for reading and bookmarking the novel. See ya! XDD!