The sense of accomplishment from passing Genma's intelligence test evaporated almost instantly the next morning as Team 12 stood once again before the Mission Assignment Desk. The familiar chaos of Genin teams vying for assignments, the bored expressions of the Chunin administrators, the scent of old parchment and ink – it all screamed 'back to reality'. Any hope that successfully decoding a cipher meant an escape from menial labor was swiftly dashed.
Genma arrived with his usual unnerving punctuality, took their mission scroll without comment, and led them out of the tower. "Today's task," he announced, his voice flat, revealing nothing, "Inventory and supply relocation assistance. Konoha Hospital."
Ren exchanged glances with Akari and Kenji. The hospital. That meant strict hygiene protocols, dealing with potentially stressed medical staff, and navigating cramped, busy corridors. Not exactly fence painting, but likely tedious and demanding in its own way. Ren's Observe pinged with a faint hint of anticipation – an opportunity to observe Med-nin and hospital procedures up close.
The Konoha Hospital buzzed with controlled urgency. Med-nin in crisp white uniforms moved swiftly through corridors, civilian staff pushed supply carts, and the low murmur of hushed conversations mixed with the occasional pained groan from behind closed doors. Team 12 reported to the Head Matron of Supplies, a stern, no-nonsense woman who eyed their Genin hitai-ate with skepticism.
"Jonin Shiranui," she acknowledged Genma with a respectful nod, then turned her sharp gaze on the Genin. "You three. We're reorganizing the bulk storage warehouse in Basement Sector Gamma. Bandages, ointments, sterile equipment – everything needs to be counted, checked against manifests, logged, and moved to designated shelves. Precision is paramount. Contamination is unacceptable. Do not get in the way of active medical personnel. Understand?"
They chorused their understanding. The warehouse was vast, dimly lit, and smelled faintly of antiseptic and dust. Rows upon rows of metal shelves stretched into the gloom, stacked high with boxes, crates, and containers of varying sizes. Several civilian hospital workers were already attempting to impose order on the chaos, looking overworked.
"Right," Genma said quietly once the Matron left them with clipboards and manifests. "Standard procedure applies – efficiency, accuracy. However," – Ren tensed, anticipating the inevitable twist – "we add layers."
He pointed towards Kenji. "Ito. Many of these crates are heavy. Focus on lifting technique – use your legs, stable core. More importantly, while moving, constantly assess the structural integrity of the shelves you approach. Use your earth affinity – not to do anything, just to feel for weakness, instability. Report any potential hazards before they collapse." A practical application drill disguised as manual labor safety.
He turned to Akari. "Sumire. Your task is primary inventory counting and manifest checking. Precision is key. Additionally, use your wind affinity subtly. Feel the air currents in the warehouse. Where does dust settle most heavily? Which areas have stagnant air suggesting poor ventilation? Report findings. Understanding environmental factors is crucial for infiltration and avoiding contamination." Another layer, testing her sensory application.
Finally, his gaze fell on Ren. "Ren. You oversee the logistical flow. Ensure Ito and Sumire's tasks are coordinated with the civilian staff's efforts. Optimize the movement of supplies from old shelves to new, minimize bottlenecks in the aisles. And," Genma added, his eyes sharpening, "maintain constant situational awareness of this entire warehouse sector – entry points, exit points, personnel movement patterns, any deviations from the norm. Your Observe ability, as you call it, should be active constantly but discreetly. Report anything… anomalous." A test of multitasking, leadership, and his primary System skill, all wrapped in overseeing a mundane task. Genma was specifically targeting Ren's known (or suspected) unique abilities.
The work began. It was immediately more complex than simply moving boxes. Kenji had to pause before lifting each heavy crate, placing a hand on the metal shelf, closing his eyes in concentration, trying to 'feel' for structural weakness as instructed (Kenji: Applying Earth Chakra - Rudimentary Sensing Attempt. Success Rate: Low). Akari meticulously counted bandage rolls, occasionally pausing to hold up a dampened finger, trying to interpret subtle air currents (Akari: Applying Wind Chakra - Basic Sensory Attempt. Success Rate: Very Low). Ren found himself directing not just his teammates but also coordinating with the civilian workers, using hand signals and quiet directions to prevent them from getting in each other's way, all while maintaining a constant passive Observe scan of the entire area (Observe Cost: 1 CP/sec - Sustained Ambient Scan).
[Leadership (Basic) Lv. 2 Proficiency Increased: +1.5% (Complex Multi-Unit Coordination)]
[Observe Lv. 6 Proficiency Increased: +0.8% (Sustained Broad-Spectrum Monitoring)]
Genma, predictably, didn't just watch. He actively interfered. A stack of boxes Kenji was carefully assessing would suddenly 'wobble' as if about to fall (Genma subtly nudging it with a chakra-infused thread from afar?). A gust of wind would inexplicably sweep through an aisle Akari was analyzing, disrupting the air currents she was trying to read. Ren would Observe a supply cart left unattended suddenly start rolling towards a restricted sterile zone, requiring him to react quickly to divert it without disrupting the workflow.
[Hazard Identification (Environmental) Proficiency Increased: +0.3%] (From spotting Genma's 'accidents')
It was infuriating, stressful, and intensely demanding, layered onto the physically tiring work of moving supplies. Ren saw Kenji grit his teeth in frustration when a deliberately destabilized shelf forced him to rapidly secure the load. He saw Akari nearly reduced to tears when a sudden 'draft' made her lose count of sterile gauze pads for the third time. But neither of them quit. They cursed under their breath, glared at where they suspected Genma might be hiding (he moved constantly, his position shifting silently), and got back to work, slightly more wary, slightly more focused.
Ren thrived under the multitasking pressure, his Gamer's Mind allowing him to juggle the logistical coordination, the Observe scan, anticipating Genma's disruptions, and even finding micro-seconds to practice internal chakra control. He used Observe on passing Med-nin when possible.
Observe: Med-nin (Chunin Rank). Skills: Medical Ninjutsu (Adept - Diagnostic & Healing), Chakra Scalpel (Novice+), Poison Resistance (Basic). Status: Focused, Slightly Stressed (Incoming Patients).
He filed away the skill names and descriptions. Medical Ninjutsu seemed complex, requiring immense chakra control – something Ren was already excelling at. Perhaps a future skill path? He also surreptitiously Observed the various seals on sterile equipment containers. Observe: [Sterilization Seal (Basic Fuinjutsu)]. Effect: Maintains sterile environment within container. Chakra Requirement: Low (Passive Upkeep). Complexity: Low. More data for his Fuinjutsu studies.
Around midday, while moving supplies near the main corridor entrance, they briefly saw Team 7 – or rather, heard them first. Naruto's indignant yell, "But it wasn't my fault the paint spilled on the Hokage monument sketches!" echoed down the hall, followed by Sakura's exasperated sigh and Sasuke's stony silence as Kakashi led them past, looking thoroughly unamused. Kakashi spared a brief, one-eyed glance towards Team 12 and Genma (who materialized briefly nearby), offering a minuscule nod that Genma returned before Team 7 disappeared around a corner, likely heading for their own form of D-Rank punishment. The brief glimpse served as stark contrast – Team 7's volatile chaos versus Team 12's tightly controlled, stress-induced functionality.
The grueling inventory continued well into the afternoon. Kenji managed to correctly identify one genuinely rusted shelf support before it failed. Akari accurately reported a blocked air vent causing condensation near sensitive supplies. Ren optimized the loading process enough to earn a grudging nod from the Head Matron and successfully anticipated two more of Genma's 'tests' – a deliberately mislabeled crate of potent disinfectants sent towards the general supplies, and an attempt to subtly alter the numbers on a manifest Akari had already checked.
Finally, as the last crate was shelved and the final count logged, Genma reappeared before them. They were coated in dust, sweat, and grime, every muscle aching.
"Inventory complete. Accuracy…" Genma paused, seemingly consulting a mental checklist. "Passable. Hazard identification… minimal but present. Environmental assessment… rudimentary. Situational awareness…" his eyes met Ren's, "…adequate, but reactive. Response to unexpected variables… slow, occasionally bordering on incompetent." His assessment was, as always, brutal.
"Do not confuse mission completion with success," Genma continued, his voice quiet but firm. "Every task, however mundane, is a training opportunity. Every moment requires vigilance. The battlefield isn't just spars and explosions; it's understanding logistics, managing resources, anticipating disruptions, maintaining focus under duress. D-Ranks are the foundation. Neglect them at your peril."
He gave them a final look. "Report to the usual place tomorrow, 0600. We introduce practical field survival skills alongside whatever delightful chore the village assigns us." He vanished, leaving the faint scent of antiseptic and crushed expectations in his wake.
Ren let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. Another day survived. More EXP gained, more proficiency eked out. He helped Akari and Kenji stack the empty clipboards, a small gesture of team solidarity. They were all exhausted, but Ren could see a change. The D-Rank wasn't just drudgery anymore; Genma had turned it into another layer of the crucible, forcing them to apply their training in the most unexpected, frustrating ways. The forge continued its work.