Wind Release chakra sprayed downward from the Yongquan tenketsu on the soles of his feet. Mizuki clearly felt an upward repulsive force that made his body somewhat lighter.
But it was still far from enough to actually fly. The chakra wasn't releasing in sufficient quantity or speed, resulting in inadequate repulsive force.
With his chakra control ability, he could easily release more chakra at a faster rate. However, the Yongquan tenketsu was still too tender and couldn't withstand such intense impact. Forcing a takeoff wasn't impossible, but the result would be ruptured soles and permanent injury.
"Take it slow!"
Half an hour passed, and Mizuki's chakra was nearly depleted. Continuously releasing chakra through his feet consumed too much energy.
As soon as he stopped the chakra output, his soles felt both painful and numb, as if spikes had pierced them. After enduring half an hour of chakra flow, the Yongquan tenketsu had sustained considerable damage.
Mizuki remained calm — this was necessary to practice the Sky Walking Technique. To become stronger, one must always pay a price.
He struggled home and immediately boiled medicinal water to soak his feet. The moment his feet touched the water, the stinging pain suddenly intensified, transforming into a tearing agony.
Mizuki almost cried out. His feet reflexively tried to lift, but he forcibly held them down in the water.
Endure!
Gradually, the pain subsided and transformed into indescribable comfort. Half an hour later, the medicine's effects were exhausted, and Mizuki reluctantly pulled his feet out.
"The system is really troublesome. It would be so much better if it just let me master the Sky Walking Technique directly!"
Even with the medicine's help, his soles couldn't recover immediately. He wouldn't be able to continue training the tenketsu today.
❊❊❊❊❊
In the afternoon, Mizuki went fishing by the river in the forest. While fishing, he pondered who should be his next disciple.
First, consider the Konoha 12.
The two from the Hyuga family focused on Gentle Fist. Ino-Shika-Cho practiced their clan secret techniques. Shino played with bugs, Kiba with dogs. Lee was devoted to taijutsu, and Tenten to ninja tools.
These nine all had their own inheritances, unlike Naruto and Sasuke, who had no one and were easy to sway.
"So Sakura has the best chance."
Sakura came from a civilian background. After joining Team 7, she learned almost nothing under Kakashi. In the end, she had to apprentice herself to Tsunade before learning medical ninjutsu and gaining room for improvement.
"If Sakura knew that Sasuke is also my disciple, she'd definitely follow suit."
Mizuki was confident that Sakura would take him as her master.
"Besides, I shouldn't limit myself to the Konoha 12. The orphans at the orphanage are worth considering too."
Taking orphans as disciples would likely have a higher success rate. Of course, he'd need to establish a connection with the orphanage first.
"I need to find a way to legitimize that money at home, then visit the orphanage more often."
Fishing cleared the mind and helped him think through problems. So it wasn't really loafing around.
❊❊❊❊❊
At dusk, Mizuki returned to the village and ran into Naruto at the entrance of Ichiraku Ramen.
"Master Mizuki, are you here for ramen too? Great, let's eat together!"
Mizuki raised an eyebrow, "Didn't you just walk out from inside? Why do you want to eat together?"
Naruto grinned, "Seeing my handsome master made me so happy that I got hungry again. I can eat three more big bowls."
Mizuki was speechless. This brat had learned to flatter — and gotten addicted to freeloading.
He chuckled, "I was just passing by. I didn't plan to eat ramen, so if you want to eat, go ahead yourself."
"Ah!" Naruto looked disappointed, "Never mind. If I'm by myself, I don't feel like it anymore."
Mizuki shook his head, "You got assigned to teams today, right? Who are your teammates?"
Naruto perked up immediately, "Yeah, yeah, we got assigned! My teammate is my favorite, Sakura-chan!"
Mizuki asked, "Isn't it three to a team? Besides Sakura, who's the other one?"
Naruto curled his lip, "That stuck-up Sasuke — the person I hate most."
At this, he seemed to remember something disgusting and dry-heaved twice.
Mizuki: "..."
So it seemed Naruto and Sasuke still kissed.
"What's your impression of your new Jōnin instructor?"
Naruto curled his lip again, "Pfft, he's a loser who couldn't even dodge a chalkboard eraser. He definitely bought his Jōnin qualification. By the way, Master Mizuki, we have to do a survival exercise tomorrow. Do you know what it involves?"
Mizuki said, "All graduates go through survival exercises, and each Jōnin has a different format. By the way, is your teacher male or female?"
Naruto replied, "Male. His name is Kakashi."
Mizuki nodded, "That makes it easy. Come here — I'll teach you a method that'll help you pass tomorrow."
Naruto leaned in, and Mizuki whispered a few words in his ear.
"Got it?"
Naruto grinned, "Got it!"
After they finished talking, the two parted ways.
On the side of the street, Kakashi's shadow clone — disguised as a passerby — looked at Mizuki, then at Naruto, his face full of confusion.
❊❊❊❊❊
Early the next morning, Mizuki brought his appointment letter to the mission hall in the Hokage building.
"Third Hokage, Chūnin Mizuki reporting for duty."
Hiruzen held his pipe and said, "Mizuki, from today until the end of the ninja academy's summer break, you're responsible for distributing payment for D-Rank missions. Your office is in the finance room next door. This is the safe key — you can access the money with it. There's only one key, so don't lose it."
Taking the key, Mizuki kept his face impassive, but inwardly he thought, 'Well, well!'
He was just a small assistant, yet Hiruzen was entrusting him with the safe key. And the safe contained money.
In any organization, the person handling money under the boss must be someone trustworthy. Did Hiruzen trust him?
If Mizuki really thought that way, he'd be too naive.
'This old man is trying to set me up.' Mizuki realized Hiruzen couldn't hold back anymore and was about to make his move, 'How annoying! I hope the Chūnin Exams start soon. Until that old man kicks the bucket, my life won't be easy.'
Hiruzen led Mizuki into a small office next to the mission hall.
Inside, Mizuki saw exactly what he'd expected: one desk, and he'd be the only one working here. The safe sat under the desk.
"There's currently 30 million ryō in the safe. Count it now."
Mizuki: "..."
D-Rank missions paid between 500 and 10,000 ryō. Even at the maximum of 10,000 ryō per mission, 30 million would cover 3,000 missions.
Were there really that many D-Rank missions in the village?
'He's clearly trying to tempt me into committing a crime. Too bad for him — he's going to be disappointed.'
Mizuki opened the safe and counted three times. Exactly 30 million ryō, not a bit more or less.
Hiruzen watched the entire time. He noticed that Mizuki's eyes showed no particular eagerness when looking at the money.
'This is a person with extremely deep cunning.' Hiruzen's eyes narrowed slightly.
Since becoming an assistant teacher at the ninja academy, Mizuki's monthly salary had been 3,000 ryō — barely enough to make ends meet. And yesterday he'd spent nearly 200,000 on medicine.
So Hiruzen was certain Mizuki was poor. And a very poor person, seeing so much money, would inevitably feel greedy. Once greed took hold, he wouldn't be able to resist committing a crime.
'Last time, the Scroll of Seals didn't work, but this time money will definitely succeed.'
Mizuki's recent frequent contact with Naruto and Sasuke had given Hiruzen a sense of crisis.
'He's already planning to defect, has no loyalty to the village, and has even killed comrades. If this cancer continues to stay in the village and interact with Naruto and Sasuke, his evil thoughts will spread. This absolutely cannot be allowed. So what I'm doing isn't wrong...'
Hiruzen felt completely justified. He would never admit he was jealous that Mizuki had time to fish while he didn't.
"Lord Third, I've finished counting. Exactly 30 million ryō."
Hiruzen nodded, "From now on, ninja who complete missions will come with mission completion vouchers to receive payment. You'll distribute money according to the vouchers. Count the money clearly at the start and end of each day. If there's any error, tell me immediately."
After Mizuki familiarized himself with the environment, he sat behind the desk waiting for Genin squads to collect payment. After all, only Genin took D-Rank missions.
The work was easy. In one morning, only three squads came to collect money. Out of 30 million ryō, only 3,000 was paid out...
❊❊❊❊❊
At the same time, on the training ground, Team 7 had just begun the bell test.
When Kakashi announced the start, Sasuke and Sakura immediately hid themselves.
"The most basic thing for a ninja is to conceal their presence. Not bad, everyone hid well... hm?"
Looking at Naruto standing brazenly in front of him, Kakashi was speechless.
Naruto shouted, "Let's have a fair and square showdown!"
Kakashi: "..."
Sasuke, hiding in the tree, "What a complete idiot!"
Kakashi looked at Naruto and said helplessly, "Um, is there something wrong with you?"
Naruto, "Enough talk — hand over the bells!"
The next moment, he clapped his hands together and shouted:
Tajū Kage Bunshin no Jutsu ▻ Multiple Shadow Clone Technique
Dozens of Narutos appeared. Kakashi's pupils shrank sharply. He stared intently at the boy's hands, his eyes full of shock.
"No... no hand signs?"
Although the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu only required one Ram seal to perform, that didn't mean it needed no hand signs at all.
Just clapping hands and releasing it — what was that supposed to be?
Sasuke and Sakura, hiding nearby, also noticed this wasn't an ordinary clone technique, but a special clone with physical substance. They were surprised by Naruto's transformation and felt a glimmer of anticipation.
"Everyone, charge! Take him down and seize the bells!"
A crowd of Narutos rushed toward Kakashi.
Kakashi had already suppressed his shock and said calmly, "You can't defeat me with this kind of technique."
Naruto grinned, "Is that so? Then what about this technique?"
Immediately after, all the shadow clones clapped their hands together and shouted in unison:
Harem Technique!
❊❊❊❊❊
T/N: Comment, give me Power Stones, like and favorite, it all supports me and makes me go foward with this. Appreciate my other stories as well, I guarantee the good work!
If you want to enjoy a large catalog of good novels with excellent translations: MrBlackWing
That's it and happy reading! (-‿◦)