Hokage Building.
The crystal orb—Hokage's Telescope Technique—could normally only observe public places.
Clan districts were protected; any sensory-type shinobi would detect intrusion instantly.
So ordinarily, the Third Hokage would never spy on an Uchiha gathering.
But today was an exception.
Because the clan head himself had permitted it.
The dark-haired man in a black formal kimono—a middle-aged shinobi with sharp eyes resembling Fugaku—watched the scene unfold inside the orb and nodded.
"Third Hokage… that genin is no ordinary boy."
Hiruzen exhaled slowly.
"I've noticed his talent—and his effort. It's just… a pity."
"Oh?" The Uchiha head shifted his gaze from the crystal ball to the Hokage.
"A pity in what sense?"
Hiruzen leaned back, pipe in hand, expression contemplative.
"With talent like his… if used on the proper path, he'd already be a remarkable jōnin.
But his ambitions are strangely small, and his brilliance is used in… roundabout ways."
The clan head chuckled softly.
"Or perhaps because he fears nothing, he endures everything. That's the only way anyone could survive over a thousand D-rank missions on sheer persistence."
Hiruzen laughed helplessly.
"Clan Head Uchiha Yano, today's events must have troubled you."
"Not at all." Uchiha Yano waved his hand.
"But I will set a condition."
He lifted two fingers.
"Two months. Mikoto will accompany him only for that long. After she ranks up to chūnin, she returns to the Police Force."
Hiruzen nodded.
He expected this.
Mikoto was a clan heiress—she would inevitably serve the Police Force no matter who her instructor was.
"And it is improper," Yano added, "for a genin to continue instructing a chūnin."
With that, he departed.
Leaving Hiruzen staring at the empty doorway with a complicated sigh.
Day 1 — D-Rank Mission: Waterfall Litter Cleanup
Done.
Kaito experienced—for the first time—the joy of delegation.
Two prodigy graduates plus one old-timer genin…
Three people working steadily meant Kaito barely had to lift a finger.
As they walked back toward the Hokage building, Kaito casually asked:
"You still can't walk on water?"
Might Duy's foot had slipped earlier, dropping him into the river.
If Mikoto hadn't sent a kunai into the wall at the perfect angle for him to grab… he might have been swept downstream.
"Ahaha… no. I can't. I'm not even very good at tree climbing."
Duy scratched his head.
"My past teammates tried explaining the trick… but I never fully grasped it."
Mikoto raised her chin proudly.
"Tree climbing is basic. Even water-walking isn't hard.
Fine—tonight this young lady will teach you! But the price is… I'm staying at your house."
She refused to return to her clan after today's argument.
Duy shrank.
"Uh… my house is very small. And… it's not inside the village…"
"...There are shinobi who don't live inside Konoha?"
Mikoto's jaw dropped.
"Yes," Kaito and Nonō said at the same time.
They exchanged a glance.
Kaito continued:
"I lived in a tiny storage shed outside the walls before. No utilities, no furniture.
Cost me 2,000 ryō a month.
If you want a room that fits two people and is hygienic… rent skyrockets."
"How… outrageous…"
Nonō had always thought her two-bedroom home was modest.
But this was beyond poor.
Duy, meanwhile, was sparkling.
"Heheh! That's why I'm so grateful to team up with all of you! We can finally earn some money together!"
He was already thinking of buying his wife extra meat tonight.
"Then, um… Kaito-sensei… do you still live in a warehouse?"
Mikoto asked without hiding her real intent.
Kaito opened his mouth, but—
"My house has a spare room," Nonō quickly interjected.
"You can stay with me."
Mikoto froze.
A full second passed before her expression collapsed into a dead-fish stare.
"T-That's… not appropriate…" she muttered weakly.
"It's fine," Nonō insisted earnestly.
Kaito cut in before the two girls could escalate.
"For now, let's focus on missions.
After a few more D-ranks, I'll evaluate your weaknesses properly."
"Huh? You can actually see our problems?"
Nonō raised a brow.
"Heh."
Mikoto scoffed. She liked his looks, not his skills.
Kaito didn't bother responding.
He listed their flaws calmly:
"Duy—your chakra control is terrible. You've been a shinobi for over ten years and still can't climb trees properly."
Duy winced.
"Nonō—your chakra control is good, but inferior to Mikoto's. Your water-walking is unstable. Practice more. These basics matter."
Mikoto smirked with satisfaction—until Kaito turned to her.
"And you, Mikoto.
Why did you throw a kunai when Duy fell?
Could you guarantee he'd catch it properly?
Not everyone reacts like you. A normal genin would panic and get stabbed in the throat."
Her face stiffened completely.
Kaito's tone remained calm but firm.
"A leader doesn't gamble their comrades' lives."
Silence.
Even she couldn't refute that.
Mission Processing
At the Mission Desk, the examiner confirmed everything was completed properly.
"Reward: 10,000 ryō.
Here is 6,000—your team share."
Before anyone could react, Kaito split the bills:
"Each of you gets 1,000.
Good work today."
Duy beamed.
Mikoto accepted with visible disdain.
Nonō accepted with trembling hands, whispering inwardly:
Father, Mother… I earned money today. I really did.
All three smelled strongly of garbage water.
Kaito held his nose.
"Rest tomorrow.
If you're free, I'll treat you to a simple meal."
"Go!"
Mikoto declared instantly.
She fully intended to bankrupt him.
"Me too!" Nonō raised her hand eagerly.
Duy scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"Th-then… sorry for the intrusion, Kaito."
"Don't worry about it."
After escorting them to the main street, Kaito excused himself, doubled back to the Hokage Building, and knocked on the third-floor door.
"Come in."
Meeting the Third Hokage
When Kaito reported everything honestly—including Mikoto's friction with her family—Hiruzen finally explained:
"Mikoto will remain in your squad for two months.
After that, she returns to the Police Force."
Then he leaned forward.
"You now qualify to exchange missions for one-time C-rank ninjutsu scrolls.
Even some B-rank techniques… I can authorize, if needed."
Kaito shook his head.
"My savings are reserved for buying a house. I've already picked a location."
Hiruzen's smile dimmed slightly.
A capable subordinate who solved his own problems yet remained stuck at the genin level…
It really was a waste.
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