Super Ninja

Morning greeted me with a pleasant sense of relaxation. Mebuki Haruno was lying on me, her leg draped over my body. Her chest was exposed, glowing softly in the morning light, but I chose to ignore it. Glancing at the clock, I realized one thing: if I didn't hurry, I'd definitely be late for training, which was unacceptable.

We had entertained ourselves for half the night... well, that's not entirely accurate. I tried to enjoy myself, but Mebuki felt more like a rubber doll in my hands. I quickly grew bored, so I went to sleep.

After washing up, I dressed quickly and was about to leave. But before heading out, I approached her and kissed her on the forehead.

"Mebuki, I have to run," I said softly, hoping to wake her.

"Okay," she replied, rolling over. "I'll get up soon too. I've got things to do."

"Where do you live?" I asked, nodding toward her.

"Flower Shop Street, house 13," she answered immediately.

"That's near the Yamanaka clan," I murmured. "I think I know where that is. Wait for me there with your legs spread."

"Sure," she responded, slowly starting to rise.

I opened the window, letting fresh air into the room to dissipate the scents lingering in the air, ones I didn't want to dwell on. Jumping outside, I quickly picked up speed. I still had a little time left to make it on time. If I hurried, I could arrive at the designated time. The main thing was not to be late.

Leaping from tree to house and house to tree, I landed in the clearing where nearly all the members of our three teams—captains and genin—had gathered. Today, we were supposed to switch trainers again to gain more knowledge and experience from different instructors.

"Good morning!" I greeted everyone as I landed on the ground.

"Good morning, Suzuki," Captain Kiochi said, sniffing the air. "How was your night?"

The other jonin began eyeing me with small smirks. When I glanced at Gai, he just gave me a thumbs-up, as if in approval.

"Not bad," I replied in a neutral tone, then decided to joke a little. "You were right, sensei, when you gave me the nickname 'Machine.'"

"Oh?" he drawled. "How interesting, isn't it?"

None of the guys seemed to catch on, but the girls... Shiko and Ayamane looked at me with a strange suspicion. Tenten, standing nearby, seemed intrigued. She appeared to immediately grasp what the conversation was about.

"Yeah," I shrugged.

"Alright," sensei sighed. "Today, we're switching genin again."

Our team went to train with the captain of Team 12, Sarutobi Tetsuya, who would be our instructor for the next few days. While Might Guy focused on physical training, I was curious about what Captain Tetsuya would teach us. Perhaps some ninjutsu? Or something else related to combat.

The training ground of Team 12, where we arrived with the captain, didn't differ much from ours or Team 11's. There was the same sparring area, makiwara, a small grove, and a pond. If I'm not mistaken, this pond connects to others where genin train.

"Alright, everyone," the jonin addressed us, sitting on a rock. "Sit down."

"Hai," we responded in unison.

"I know you've been training with Might Guy," the shinobi said. "As you've probably realized, he's a master of taijutsu and completely obsessed with the art. I prefer a different type of training. Today, we'll focus on meditation and listening to nature."

Oh, this sounds interesting. I haven't had much time lately to meditate or work on my chakra control. Mentally, a break from Guy-sensei's training would be helpful too. I hope the next few days offer some respite.

"Additionally," Sarutobi continued. He pulled out a cigarette from a pack labeled "Kok," struck a match, and took a long drag.

"Tch," Shiko clicked her tongue in disapproval. "Captain, you know smoking is bad for your health!"

"Not worse than a shinobi's work," he replied with a smile. "But you'll understand that soon enough. Besides that, I'll be training you in planning operations and missions. Let's start with meditation."

He handed us three soft mats to sit on, which we did. Captain Tetsuya took another long drag on his cigarette, exhaled a cloud of smoke, and stashed the butt in a small pouch filled with other cigarette stubs. Does he collect them? Or what?

Relaxing, I slowly began to sink into meditation. First, the sensations of touch faded away. Then, the feeling of chakra flowing through my chakra pathways appeared. After a while, I became aware of the yin and yang energies freely mixing within me at the source of my chakra before dispersing throughout my body toward the tenketsu. I had much more energy now compared to my early days in this world.

After such an intense night, it felt like my mind had cleared up a bit. I started seeing the world from a broader perspective. After some focused observation, I noticed something new. As I breathed, a different kind of energy entered my body along with the air. The moment I concentrated on it, the sphere of my consciousness and sensation expanded slightly. It became... wider... fuller.

The energy flowing into me with each breath was everywhere. With this realization came an instinctive knowledge that I could absorb this chakra with my whole body, not just through breathing. But on the first day, I chose not to act on it, only to observe.

Could this energy be... chakra? Maybe. It reflected everything around me, from the trees to the various animals. I could even feel my teammates and our instructor within it. They were all distinct. A random thought popped into my head, comparing it to another universe I was vaguely familiar with... one that was somewhat similar to this. What was it called? Star Wars? There was some strange mystical energy there too, called the Force. It flowed through everything, both living and non-living. Something like that... I don't remember exactly.

So, could this chakra around me be like the Force? Honestly, who knows. I won't use that term. Let's just call it natural chakra. It's easier for me.

"Suzuki, there's a bird sitting on you!" Shiko's voice suddenly pulled me out of my neutral contemplation.

"Really?" I said, surprised as I snapped back to reality. At that moment, I felt the bird scratch me lightly with its claws before quickly flying away.

"Are you planning to make a nest there?" Yamanaka teased, her voice light and playful, but not malicious.

"I'd rather live without it," I replied, rolling my eyes. "Though maybe I should've tried taming it for reconnaissance... or just roasted it over a fire."

"Hmph," Shiko scoffed.

Ayamane only shook her head silently, showing little interest. I get it. It's not exactly fascinating for everyone.

"Alright," the captain said, eyeing me with interest. "I hope that meditation helped clear your mind a bit, and that you're ready for the next set of information."

"Hai," we replied.

"So," he began. "Planning operations... what are the main rules in this matter? Let's start with the most important one."

He paused for a moment, then took out a small stick and drew the number "1" on the ground. "The most important aspect in the preliminary planning of any operation is reconnaissance and gathering information," he began, writing the symbol for 'Information' next to the number one. "Before starting any operation, it's essential to collect as much information as possible about the terrain, the target, potential threats, and other factors that could affect the mission's success. You can either conduct the reconnaissance yourself, request intelligence from comrades, or recruit agents."

He spoke as if reading from a textbook. It seemed like the captain had memorized this word for word during his own training. To be honest, I wouldn't mind having a book like that myself. Speaking of books... I'd nearly forgotten about the one on seals. I need to get back to studying it little by little.

"The second point is planning and strategy," Captain Sarutobi continued, drawing a number "2" on the ground along with the symbol for 'Plan.' "You must determine whether the operation will be loud or as discreet as possible, as this will influence the strategy. You also need to outline the primary and secondary objectives, approach and retreat routes, and methods for achieving the goal. Always have a plan B and even a plan C. Better yet, have a plan D."

"Captain," Ayamane raised her hand, "are loud and quiet operations planned the same way?"

"Yes," he nodded. "Good question. Whether the mission is loud or quiet, there can always be unforeseen complications. The third point is the preparation of necessary weapons and equipment. You must anticipate what you might need. Whether it's smoke bombs, flash bombs, more explosive tags, or materials for traps—whatever could be useful, you must prepare for it, no matter how 'standard' your kit may be."

That made sense. If you need to take down a wall, it's better to use an explosive tag than to waste chakra on an impact jutsu.

"The next thing to keep in mind is secrecy and surprise," the captain continued. "Whether the mission is loud or quiet, you must always maintain a level of security so the enemy's intelligence can't discover your plans. The best operation is when you get in, accomplish your goal, and leave immediately."

"Even if it's a loud operation?" Ayamane asked.

"Yes," the captain nodded. "A quick strike, rapid execution of the objective, and retreat. All of this leads to the next point I'd like to emphasize more in mission planning. Can you guess what it is?"

We all shrugged, indicating we had no idea and that it was better for him to tell us.

"Training and rehearsal of the operation," Captain Tetsuya said. "If you can practice your moves in an area similar to the enemy's territory, you'll spot weak points in your plan and fix them right away. During the actual mission, a ruined plan leads to improvisation. Sometimes that works, but sometimes it ends in tragedy. So... better to practice."

That made sense. Still, something told me shinobi didn't often follow this rule. I don't know why I had that thought, but something about it bugged me. Strange.

"And lastly," the captain paused for emphasis, "after the mission is completed, you need to analyze it to identify any mistakes and how they can be corrected. Many forget this, and I consider that a mistake. Any questions?"

"Captain," Ayamane spoke again, "what if the mission wasn't completely successful and there are wounded on the team?"

"It's ideal if the mission is near Konoha's base," he said. "But that's rare in peaceful times, so you'll have to handle it on your own. That requires preparation too—like setting up hidden shelters with medical supplies and food, where you can recover, regroup, and plan your next move."

"Have you ever been in such a situation?" she asked.

Captain Sarutobi Tetsuya paused, his expression shifting as he drifted into his memories. His eyes unfocused, as if he were looking through us and back to another time and place. A shadow of sadness crossed his tired face, and his lips paled slightly, as though he were recalling something deeply painful. At that moment, he deftly pulled a cigarette from his worn vest and lit it, surrounding himself in a cloud of smoke.

"It was during the last war," he began in a calm but detached tone, as if his mind were far away. "I was on the front lines against Kumo. We had a small but decisive mission to recapture a village from the Hidden Cloud. An experienced Uchiha was leading us. There were seven teams, a mix of genin, chunin, and jonin. As soon as we approached the mission site, we were thrown into battle without warning. The medics fell behind and were intercepted by Kumo's hunters, slaughtered without mercy. It all happened so fast, so unexpectedly. We didn't even realize how Kumo had prepared for such a move, cutting off our retreat. In the end, we were trapped and had to break out of the encirclement. It resulted in incredibly heavy losses."

The captain paused, his gaze filled with melancholy and sorrow as he relived those events.

"My brother was in a nearby team," he continued, his voice trembling with the pain of the memory. "During the breakout, he suffered a fatal wound. We found shelter—one of our ANBU's secret spots—and tried to recover. But my brother... he died in my arms from his injuries. There was no saving him."

Sarutobi Tetsuya fell silent again, and the atmosphere around us grew heavy and cold. Such is the life of a shinobi.

"Our condolences," Shiko said softly, unsure of where to place her hands or her gaze.

"Well, that's the life of a shinobi," the captain said, taking a sharp drag from his cigarette and finishing it off. "We walk hand in hand with death. Only by abandoning the shinobi path can you avoid such a fate. Think about it."

The captain snuffed out the cigarette butt and stashed it in his pouch, giving us time to reflect. I don't know what the girls were thinking, but I had no intention of stepping off this path. Death didn't scare me, but that didn't mean I was eager to die. I didn't want to die at all—I wanted to live long and happily. So, I needed to keep training and honing my skills. I don't want to get married; I want to study.

"Alright," the captain resumed, offering a faint smile. "In a shinobi's life, there are many different missions. From guarding to assassinations and gathering secrets from other countries. It could be protecting people or safeguarding secrets. Each mission requires thorough preparation to avoid falling victim to a 'kunai in the back' technique. I'll give you an hour to relax, and then we'll continue."

"Hai," we responded and quickly got up.

Shiko and Ayamane stepped aside and opened their food. I didn't have any with me, so I stepped onto the surface of the lake and began practicing my moves and kata. Chakra flowed calmly through my body, occasionally seeping out as a bluish mist into the air. To distract myself from hunger, I relaxed my mind, letting my instincts guide me.

Everything the captain spoke about is an essential part of a shinobi's life. But I understand that if you possess overwhelming power, many situations that would otherwise be critical no longer are. Sure, there's always a stronger opponent, but a shinobi's life, work, and strength aren't just about being stronger or weaker. Sometimes, someone can be so strong that no opponent is a match.

"Suzuki-kun," the captain called out, landing on the water's surface beside me. "I've read in your file that you're unable to learn iryo-ninjutsu. Do you know why?"

"No, captain," I shrugged. "What else did you see in my file?"

"That you're quite a talented young man," he chuckled at my attempt to fish for more information. But honestly, I didn't care much. I could always request my file from the Hokage's Administration myself, and they'd give it to me. Sure, there wouldn't be any notes from the village's secret services, but most of the information wouldn't be classified. "You've received very positive feedback from your captain. And I've seen for myself that you're ahead of the other genin in your desire to improve. But I'll give you one piece of advice—don't overstrain yourself."

"Thank you, captain," I replied.

"Your rest last night was a good way to relieve stress," the captain grinned. "But don't rely on it too much, like some shinobi in the village. Hah."

"I understand," I said. "Are there really shinobi in the village like that?"

"When you're older, you might meet one," the captain said. "If you live long enough. Many jonin are fond of him."

"Who is it?" I asked, trying to pry more information.

"I'm not going to tell you," the captain smirked. "Alright, keep training. I understand you didn't have time to pack lunch, but next time, plan ahead. Remember, planning is an important part of any shinobi's actions."

"Hai," I said. "Thank you, Captain Tetsuya."