Chương 42: Genin Ritsu’s Squad

Hayate Gekko didn't quite understand his father's sudden decision. At such a short distance, they could have returned quickly at a ninja's pace. Why choose to walk back slowly? Was the scenery along the road particularly beautiful? It was nothing but forest, no different from the large training grounds within Konoha. However, Jonin always had their reasons. Hayate was merely curious and did not speak up to question him. Dongye Zhen likewise didn't ask, but he quietly sensed the surroundings.

Due to his unique fusion with white natural energy, his sensory perception was special, divided into active and passive modes. Normally, if he didn't concentrate to activate it, he remained in passive mode, which provided only basic alert capabilities over a small range—enough to ensure no one could approach him silently. Ninja excelled at ambushes; for those who wanted to take him out like a "camper," this was a truly troublesome ability.

If he activated a sensory search, he entered active mode, greatly increasing both range and precision. Unsurprisingly, he sensed people rapidly approaching from behind. It was the three Genin from the village they had encountered that morning; Zhen remembered their chakra signatures. In his perception, they were just traveling normally, not appearing to be tracking them. Their missions were similar, so it was natural to meet on the way back.

What was unnatural was his teacher's decision to lead them back slowly, as if intentionally waiting for them—though based on the morning's encounter, this Genin squad did not seem to be acquaintances of his. Soon, the three who were traveling at full speed encountered the Yunmi Squad walking back. They leaped down from the trees and respectfully bowed to Yunmi Gekko. This was basic etiquette for Genin encountering a higher-ranking ninja from their own village in the field.

Meeting twice in one day could be considered fate. They exchanged names and got to know one another; as comrades of Konoha, Zhen and the others didn't show any disdain just because the others were over-aged Genin. That would be very impolite. What if it provoked someone to shout something about "Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river, do not bully the young and poor"? Wait—Zhen's squad were even younger? Then it was fine. As for why such Genin were still in the village during wartime?

Because sending them to the front lines was useless; aside from wasting kunai and shuriken, it was no different from sending them to their deaths. Perhaps the three had already been to the front lines and had simply had their courage broken. A ninja who has lost their courage will only provide the enemy with more military achievements and even drag down their own side. It was better to keep them in the village as laborers; at least they could create some economic value for Konoha.

As the saying goes: "Better a god-like opponent than a pig-like teammate." Wasn't Might Duy also left in the village doing low-level missions during the war? It was just that his situation was different; because no one knew his true strength, they naturally wouldn't take him to the battlefield. Only when he learned from returning ninja that the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist were frantically hunting Konoha shinobi did he rush to the scene.

He achieved a staggering military feat while fortunately saving his son's life. But not every ninja was Duy. The captain of the Genin squad, a young man in his early twenties, was named Ritsu. His two teammates, Yuta and Yuto, were twin brothers who were not only similar in talent but also extremely close in personality. They followed weakly behind their captain, not daring to look at the Jonin Yunmi Gekko throughout the interaction; they didn't seem particularly brave.

All three were ordinary commoners without surnames, much like the Dongye family used to be. However, because the ancestors of the Dongye family had been present at the founding of the hidden village and had become ninja with significant achievements, they had specifically taken a surname. Such surnames were often related to geographical locations, objects, or other things associated with their achievements. This was how many commoner surnames in the shinobi world originated.

Clearly, no accomplished ancestors had appeared in these three families; perhaps they were the first-generation ninja of their respective homes. As for what had happened to them, everyone tactfully refrained from asking too many questions to avoid embarrassment. This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. Ritsu seemed very interested in Zhen and the others.

"Senior Yunmi, seeing the ages of your disciples, are they this year's graduates?"

"Ah, yes. They just graduated and don't know anything yet."

"I see. Then they indeed need to do more D-rank missions to accumulate experience. However, to receive guidance from a powerful Jonin like yourself, they must be very outstanding juniors."

"Ahahaha!" Yunmi Gekko seemed very happy to hear someone praise his disciples.

"Their strength is indeed decent, but the biggest problem is that they haven't 'seen blood' yet. So, I plan to do one more day of D-rank missions tomorrow and then use higher-ranked missions to show them what a real battle looks like."

"Oh, I'm truly envious. To start high-level missions so soon... unlike us, whose talent and strength are limited. we can only do trivial things in the village."

"Don't say that. It's all contributing to the village; there's no difference in rank."

"Thank you for the comfort, Senior." Ritsu sincerely expressed his gratitude to Yunmi, as the other's words helped save some face for him in front of the juniors. After a moment of thought, he added, "As a senior to these students, I am undoubtedly a failure, but I can at least offer some suggestions based on my own experience. For example, facing a bloody and cruel scene for the first time can cause serious psychological issues. Perhaps they could transition through other means first." Yunmi showed some interest.

"Oh? For example?"

"The breeding farms outside the village post missions to clear fierce wild beasts every spring and autumn. The spring missions should be available these next few days. Although they are D-rank, there is some risk, so not many Genin are willing to do them. Perhaps they could try that to adapt to the feeling of bloody slaughter in advance."

"That is indeed a good idea. Your suggestion is a big help."

"Not at all. I'm glad Senior finds it useful." Dongye Zhen and Hayate Gekko exchanged a look, understanding where the problem lay. It was fine for Ritsu to ask a few questions after seeing outstanding juniors, but he was a bit too enthusiastic. And their own teacher was being a bit too talkative today; he had even accidentally leaked quite a bit of the squad's intelligence. This wasn't to say that the fellow villager before them definitely had ulterior motives, but doing so violated ninja regulations.

A ninja, regardless of rank, should theoretically only discuss their mission plans with teammates or superiors; they shouldn't tell everyone they meet, even if the other party is an insignificant Genin. Simultaneously, one must strictly adhere to confidentiality principles and not pry into the mission details of others. Unless two people are very close, they might occasionally mention unimportant things as small talk, but clearly, the relationship between Yunmi Gekko and Ritsu had not reached that level.

Yugao Uzuki and the other two brothers only felt that their captains were having a pleasant chat. Zhen and Hayate kept their suspicions to themselves for the time being. Yunmi Gekko was a mature Jonin; he wouldn't just speak carelessly. He surely had his own reasons for doing this. The two squads returned to Konoha together in this harmonious yet strange atmosphere.