The carriages stopped at the gate of a small village. Looking old and ready to fall down the gates of the small village had a signboard on top, the characters naming the village - "Tea Leaf".
This small village was the only village near the border of Land of Fire and Land of Tea. But most of the travelers would never enter this small village as a new and much more comfortable road was made at quite a distance from the village.
Under the gate stood a thin, tall man wearing plain but clean clothes. He welcomed Junichi and his family then started talking about how long it had been and how the small village was developing thanks to Junichi.
Junichi also responded from time to time with a smile. Their talks were going for a long time now and the Junichi"s daughter was in the carriage with her mother.
Naruto who was already fed up with the long talk turned to look at Raito who was practicing with the small stone bead.
"Hey help me too, Raito." Naruto whispered.
"I don"t know." Raito shrugged then kept to his own work.
Standing beside Hinata, Naruto grumbled. Then looking at Hinata, he asked, "Hinata do you know how?"
Looking back at Raito then at Naruto, she shook her head. "If we ask sensei a bit nicely…he will probably teach us…this time."
With a determined gaze, Naruto walked towards Kakashi while dragging Hinata holding her hand.
Looking at Naruto who was walking towards Kakashi, Raito also leaned forward shifting towards that direction. He was also hoping that Naruto would succeed in convincing Kakashi.
In this one month after the academy, Kakashi had retrained them on their fundamentals. Taijutsu, Genjutsu and the basic three Ninjutsu. Other than that, there were formations, basic ninja information, and teamwork and teamwork, which Kakashi focused mostly.
The quota for the library study under Kakashi had just finished and their quota for self-study was still left. They didn"t get to learn new Ninjutsu or Genjutsu as Kakashi said "Next time" every time leaving it for another day.
But for Raito, reading book every day was quite useful as his chakra pool kept on increasing and with that, the skills he had, also kept on increasing level. Firepower, durability, effectiveness and even duration the jutsu lasted increased as the skill level got increased. A few even had extra effects which were quite useful.
The life of a Genin was hard, especially the newly graduated Genin. Because of that Raito had not met with either Ino, Shika or Chōji. Busy with mission and library and all the other thing that is not shown in anime or manga. (Yup that"s my explanation)
Without Ino, Shika, and Chōji, Raito had taken Naruto and Hinata into the dungeon to train. And now they can easily kill the hobgoblins, of course using teamwork.
Looking at Kakashi, Raito had already given up on asking him to teach a Ninjutsu or Genjutsu. He was like a c.o.c.kroach who doesn"t know when to give in.
Kakashi shook his head to Naruto and Hinata and said, "We are on a mission right now."
Raito had tried to help Naruto learn several earth and water jutsus but it was too difficult for him. After trying for a full month.
While talking with Naruto, Kakashi already made few hand signs, which he had taught to them, calling Raito over. Raito also looked around as he walked towards Kakashi. There were a few construction works going, making new houses and pipelines were being added. The tall, thin man would bring Junichi to the different areas, telling him a bunch of things that Raito couldn"t understand.
Gathering the three in front of him, Kakashi pointed a finger in his palm. "Diamond formation."
The three nodded then got to work. Naruto immediately tagged with Junichi slightly back whereas Kakashi stayed opposite to where Junichi was facing. Raito and Hinata were left and right.
Eating while moving, Junichi let out a wide smile and looking at the development of the area. He hugged the man across the shoulder and sometimes patted his back. Junichi already had plans for this small village, developing it into a place where money could be made, skilled manpower could be developed and his name could spread.
Later that night Junichi and the company stayed at a house. The guards surrounded the house guarding the front and back. The ninjas and the mercenary stayed at the roof, balconies and the living.
"So, Naruto, this is how guarding a very important person really is like, you understand?" Kakashi stood in front of Naruto while glaring.
Naruto was looked down and nodded pitifully.
"You are not supposed to glare at everyone who looks a little dangerous."
Naruto nodded from time to time as Kakashi scolded him.
"For punishment, I am not treating you ramen when we go back. Only Raito and Hinata will have ramen."
Naruto made a huge scene as he cried his lungs out. Laughing at his misfortune, Raito made even more fun of Naruto.
After eating a hearty meal, Naruto and Hinata went to sleep while Kakashi and Raito sat on the roof the entire night.
Although Kakashi didn"t teach his Genin jutsus but he taught them various other things which are quite useful. The entire night Kakashi taught Raito various things which he could only teach Naruto and Hinata after some time.
Raito yawned for the umpteenth time signaling Kakashi that he wanted to go to sleep.
"If you keep yawning, I will not teach you jutsus." Kakashi immediately threatened to Raito"s deaf ears.
Raito rolled his eyes at Kakashi"s threat then sprawling on the roof. "Can"t you just teach us jutsus?"
Ignoring Raito, Kakashi went on his own pace changing the pace again. "It"s quite good that you can last this long."
Rubbing his eyes, Raito shot him a lazy glance, "What?"
"Nothing."
"Now go down to the room and sleep. We still have three hours until everyone wakes up. We have to stay in this village for two more days before going to capital. So, take a day off and walk around. I will take Naruto and Hinata for guarding Junichi and his family." Rubbing Raito"s head forcefully Kakashi jumped down.
Raito was now left alone in the rooftop. With a sweep of his "Chakra Sense" Raito found there was no one looking for him. With a five-kilometer range now, Raito finally felt relieved. Under the shadow of the ascending roof made from the illumination of the bright moon, Raito used "ID" and disappeared into the dungeon.
"Heal"
Killing all of the zombies, Raito waited for the bigger S1 zombie to come but in the end, it didn"t appear.
"Maybe he sp.a.w.ned somewhere really, really far." Using his chakra sense to swipe the area, Raito found an oddity which made his eyes shine.
After running for some time, Raito was standing in front of a tea leaf field mountain.
Crossing the big open gate, a notification popped up.
[You have entered "Special Grounds - Tea Field"]
After crossing the gate several columns of light sparks lit up and a monster that looked similar to zombies wearing plain clothes and straw hats were tending to tea plants. There were some who were carrying the basket to hold the harvested tea leaves.
[Tea Monster Lvl 25]
HP: 21,000
CP: 1200
STR: 40
DEX: 70
INT: 30
WIS: 30
LUC: 30
[Monsters created from the dead spirits of the worlds. These creatures have been harvesting tea leaves for a long time before death and now after death, they are still doing the same.]
Taking out his sword, Raito smiled and waved his sword. "Let"s see what can you give me?"
¬"Stealth."
CP dropped steadily and his figure seems to be transparent covered by chakra. Arriving silently towards the tea monster, Raito crouched down and crossed the katana across the other shoulder. Jumping up, Raito waved and cut off the neck of the monster instkilling or so he thought. Just before he could reach the neck, the monster moved and turned sideways, causing Raito to cut into the chest and shoulder.
The monster shrieked then took out his sickle attacking towards Raito.
Cursing, Raito reacted fast and pushed the ground. At the same time, Raito jumped back, the earth formed a wall, making a cover for Raito.
The sickle rebounded letting Raito have an opportunity.
"Rock Fist." While launching his fist, Raito casted "Rock Fist", instantly destroying the monsters face. With katana on his right hand, Raito swiped once again this time chopping off his head in one swipe.
[You killed a Tea Monster]
[You gained 680 Exp]
[You gained one packet of Bad Tea Bag]
"Eh!?" closing his mouth shut, Raito looked through his notification again then went on to his inventory to check again.
[Bad Tea Bag]
Rate 1/10
# It can be used to slap at someone"s face.
Looking at the up going hill, Raito started his killing. The more he went up the more tea bags he collected and the higher he went the better tea bags he got.
Using "Chakra Sense" Raito found that there were just eight tea monsters but the first seven were the same with the same level and same stats.
[Bad Tea Bag]
Rate 4/10
[Bad Tea Bag]
Rate 5/10
[Bad Tea Bag]
Rate 6/10
[Bad Tea Bag]
Rate 7/10
As Raito went uphill, the tea bags he got were of a higher rating.
After reaching the top of the hill, Raito saw a tall man with a sickle and small spear in his hands, looking at him with anger.
"Hu…man." Gripping the weapon tighter, the monster walked forward.
Raito frowned then took out his sword. But at that one second was greatly capitalized by the monster. It threw the short spear directly aiming for Raito"s head.
"Heh." Raito smirked then with meditation and fast thinking activated, he easily dodged the spear.
"Throw." Raito threw a couple of high ma.s.s stone after changing their shape.
But they were blocked by the sickle.
[King of the Hill]
HP: 35,000
CP: 6000
STR: 60
DEX: 75
INT: 40
WIS: 40
LUC: 40
Mastery of sickle and short spear. Highly dexterous and proficient in sneak attacks.
Skill - Roar, Poison, Fury swipes, fiery slash, Rapid Stab.
Reward - 1300 exp, Good Tea leaves (2/10)
Taking a few deep breaths Raito steadied his mental strength then stood straight with his sword on his hips.
"Heh, come." Leaning down a little, Raito started running towards the monster.
The monster threw the sickle towards Raito then took out two short spears with one in each hand and ran towards Raito.
The attacks by the monster were dangerous. Without the help of "Fast thinking" Raito wouldn"t have lasted for long. After one huge clash, the monster took a few steps back then with his spears glowing red, he waved it towards Raito.
"Clone technique." Raito shouted and multiple copies of himself stood in a group confusing the monster.
The monster didn"t stop but started hacking and slashing the clones. After the red glow dimmed, it again brightened and this time his attack was as fast as lightning stabbing few clones in an instant.
[King of the Hill]
CP: 4200/6000
Raito laughed as he saw the monster wasting energy dealing with his clones.
After destroying half of the twenty clones, the monster stepped back. But Raito had created even more of the clones surrounding the monster.
"Earth trap." Raito mouthed and activated his chakra for the last time.
The earth under the monster crumbled to nothing and the monster dropped to the huge hole whose depth couldn"t be easily measured.
The monster struggled, letting out a large roar and Raito watched from above giving a satisfied smirk. He even dodged the short spear the monster threw and when Raito finally stood up thinking it was the end now, the monster jumped high at once and again threw numerous short spears.
"You have too many spears. Just where do you hide them." Raito jumped back and with his sword blocked most of the spears but even so few got to him.
"You like projectiles? Here." Raito casted "Rock fist" growing dark and metallic-looking stones to grow on Raito"s hand then he used "Earth Bullet" when the stones flew from his rocky hands. Some hit and some didn"t.
Since the "Rock Fist" itself had leveled up pretty high, the stones made from it were far more damage-dealing than the normal ones.
The monster staggered back at which Raito smiled. "Perfect." Then with a hand sign, he shouted, "Seal."
The ground lit up with Character Seals crawling to the monster"s body.
Raito waited for a short while before releasing his hand seal, "Paralysis Seal - Complete."
Wearing a devil-like smile on his face, Raito moved towards the monster and said, "That"s the only seal I am good at."
"You should be proud because I even managed to paralyze a whole village of goblins with that." His finger moved up and down, humming, looking at his skill list.
"I haven"t tried a few of them. So well…" With a few hand seals, an earth clone appeared beside Raito.
The monster was trying to get up but all he could do was twitch a few time.
Raito stepped down on the elbow then said to the monster, "It"s going to hurt a lot."
"Seismic Step." Huge amount of Chakra gathered as Raito pressed down with his foot and as he came into contact, the huge energy suddenly rushed out and synchronized with his movement. Raito felt nothing as he pressed down but saw the earth cracking where he had touched. The monster"s elbow was destroyed and now it was turning into smoke.
[Status - Crippled (Permanent)]
"Skill Grinding." Raito said with a clear determination as he killed the last monster, destroying his head.
Finishing a bowl of rice once again, Naruto faced Kakashi and asked, "Kakashi-sensei, where is Raito?"
Kakashi glanced but didn"t answer.
"Raito-san didn"t come to sleep and I can"t find him." Hinata added after finding Kakashi not answering.
Nodding his head, Kakashi spoke, "I told him to do whatever he liked."
Hinata and Naruto blinked then looked at each other, then went back to eating.
"Heh." Kakashi smiled then continued with his book.
On Raito"s side after defeating the "King of the Hill" he went on the next hill where the situation was just the same with the same rewards. But Raito continued using all kinds of skills he had learned deciding to level them up.
One after another the hills were conquered and tea leaves were collected. But after all the investment Raito was disappointed because he didn"t gain much. After collecting three good tea leaf bags, there was no more opportunity, no more monster to kill.
Grumbling, he left the dungeon and returned directly to his room in the house and fell on the bed.
"That boy just came." The robed mercenary looked at the muscular mercenary.
With his brows furrowed, he asked, "How?"
The robed man was silent for a moment before shaking his head.
"Ninjas sure are dangerous." The muscular mercenary gripped the sword hilt with a bit more force.