Although he did not receive a clear answer from the Fourth Kazekage Rasa, Daimaru had generally achieved his goal. As long as it is not left alone, there will always be some opportunities.
As for possible new teammates, Daimaru has some expectations, but he doesn't expect too much. It will be more difficult for new members to integrate into a team that has been reduced due to casualties. This is already considered ideal, but it would be even worse if there were a few lone ninjas forming a team.
Most of the ninjas who don't fit into the team have some problems themselves. If these problem teenagers form a team, the possibility of no problems is too low.
"I don't know who my future teammates will be! If there were two idiots, the Chuunin exam would be very nerve-wracking," he thought to himself.
As for leading the Jonin team, Daimaru didn't have any requirements. The upper limit of the Sand Ninja is here. The ultimate strength is the One-Tail Jinchuuriki and the Magnet Release Blood Succession Limit.
The even worse ordinary Jonin can no longer provide much help to Daimaru in a short period of time.
Putting aside these troubles for the time being, Daimaru strolled down the somewhat depressed street and unknowingly arrived at the door of his house.
In a simple two-story building, Daimaru's mother, Hikari, lived upstairs as an ordinary housewife, while Daimaru's elderly grandfather, Kenji, ran a laundry on the first floor. With the climate of the Wind Country, most days of the year are filled with wind and sand. Coupled with the shortage of water resources, the cost of centralized cleaning is far lower than the cost of each household doing their own laundry.
Because of this, laundries of all sizes in the village support countless poor families. Daimaru also lived here before, leaving many unforgettable memories. Since there are no ninja missions anyway, it's good to come back and see his family.
Walking into the mottled door, the light in the hall was acceptable, and the surroundings were filled with clothes waiting to be washed. A few of them belonged to visiting civilians, but most were from nearby ninjas.
Only ninjas with higher incomes are willing to wash clothes—clothes cost money. A busy figure in the hall was Daimaru's mother, Hikari. In addition, there were two young female figures, one tall and one short.
"Welcome... Hey! Daimaru, you're back?" she exclaimed, her eyes lighting up as she wiped her hands on her apron, a warm smile spreading across her face.
"Yeah! I had some time, so I thought I'd drop by!" Daimaru replied, his voice brightening, but he couldn't help scrunching his face in annoyance at the lack of a grander greeting.
"Just in time! Your grandpa was just talking about you!" she said, her enthusiasm contagious.
"Really? Doesn't seem like it considering he is not here" he teased, crossing his arms playfully.
"Daimaru he's old and grumpy, please be patient," she said, pulling him into a hug and patting his head affectionately, her warmth easing his frustration.
"Fine, fine," he chuckled, unable to stay annoyed for long, feeling grateful for his family's love.
"Daimaru, is that really you?" a tall female ninja exclaimed, stepping forward with a bright smile. Her brown eyes sparkled, and her dark hair was tied into a ponytail, with intricate braids framing her face. She wore the standard mesh attire of Sunagakure female ninjas, emphasizing her athletic build. "It's been too long!" she said, diving in for a warm hug.
"Yeah, it really has, Sen! I missed you!" he replied, returning her embrace, his heart lifting at the sight of her familiar face.
"And you're looking even stronger!" she added, her eyes glimmering with admiration, her infectious enthusiasm bringing back fond memories.
"Thanks! I've been keeping up with my training," Daimaru said, trying to hide the blush creeping to his cheeks.
"Hey, you're back too, Yome!" he called, noticing the petite girl with twin ponytails bobbing as she jumped to greet him. Her dark hair shimmered in the light, and her bright eyes sparkled with excitement, reminding him of their playful childhood antics.
"Daimaru, you're still as annoying as ever," Yome remarked, a playful pout forming on her lips. She was dressed in a cool young girl's outfit, complete with a light yellow vest to shield her from the desert sun. "I can't believe I almost didn't recognize you! You've grown a bit!"
"Yeah, well, some of us didn't get the height boost yet," he teased, nudging her lightly with his elbow, grinning as she stuck out her tongue in mock annoyance.
"Stop teasing me! Just because you're taller doesn't mean you can bully me!" she protested, though a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.
Sen laughed, shaking her head. "Yome, don't let him get to you! Remember those desert lizards?"
"Ugh, don't remind me! I was terrified!" Yome exclaimed, crossing her arms dramatically, but there was no mistaking the laughter in her eyes.
Sen, who was more familiar with Daimaru, had grown accustomed to their dynamic. They were the same age, having become genin in the same batch as Temari, while Yome, being over a year younger, hadn't officially become a ninja until last year.
It was common knowledge among their peers, including Temari, that Daimaru was notorious for his antics, earning the title of the "king of the worst kids" in Sunagakure Village. While Yome had mostly avoided his wrath, she often found herself startled by the desert lizards, scorpions, and other reptiles that Daimaru caught.
"Yome is still a sentimental child," Sen teased, a playful smile lighting up her face. "When I heard that Daimaru died in the line of duty, I cried a lot. You made fun of me for that, remember?"
"Hey! That's not fair!" Yome pouted, crossing her arms. "You're the one who was being dramatic!"
"Just admit you cried, Yome!" Sen laughed.
"I didn't cry!" Yome shouted, a hint of embarrassment creeping onto her face as steam practically radiated from her head.
Daimaru smirked, enjoying their banter. "Well, if it makes you feel better, I didn't cry when I heard I was dead either," he chimed in, laughing.
Sen nudged him playfully. "Yeah, right! You're just pretending to be tough."
"Hmph! You probably peed your pants instead," Yome added defiantly, her posture straightening. "Unlike you, I'm a real shinobi, I would never get into a situation like that!"
Daimaru shook his head, chuckling at their antics. "I guess you both have grown up a bit, huh?"
As the three bantered back and forth, Daimaru couldn't help but feel a warmth wash over him as he looked at his friends. The laughter was a welcome reminder of the camaraderie they shared.
"I heard yesterday that you confessed your love to Temari but got ruthlessly rejected. That's quite the story!" Sen teased, winking playfully at him.
"Am I such a fragile person?" Daimaru said nonchalantly, "I don't know which bastard is spreading rumours!" He grunted in displeasure, crossing his arms as he shot a glance at his friends.
"Who knows? But it seems like you won't give up!" Sen said, her laughter ringing like a bell.
"Of course! Sincerity is the key to success; Temari will be moved by me sooner or later!" he asserted, determination in his eyes.
"Oh yeah, then I wish you success," Sen said with a smile, her eyes betraying a flicker of something deeper, a hint of unspoken feelings she struggled to hide. She waved goodbye as she helped his mother with the laundry, her heart heavy with unresolved emotions.
"See you later, Daimaru!" Yome chimed in, bouncing on her toes as she followed Sen out the door.
As they left, Daimaru's mother approached him, worry etched on her face. "Daimaru, are you really okay with all this?"
"What?" he replied, sensing her concern.
"Rumors have circulated about how many people are infatuated with Temari, but no one dares to pursue her because of the Kazekage's influence and the expectations that come with her status as a princess. Our family is just an ordinary household, and there is a significant gap between us and the royal Kazekage family..."
Outsiders could laugh at the joke, but Daimaru's mother couldn't help but feel a little worried.
"It's okay, I'm sensible, Mother. I'll go up first," he reassured her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Daimaru…" Hikari started, wanting to say more, but he had already walked away.
"Well…" he thought, his heart heavy. The struggles of a poor family in Sunagakure were beyond imagination. Fortunately, after Daimaru became a ninja, the generous mission commissions helped subsidize the family's income. However, the consumption of ninjas isn't small. The commission of a genin isn't very high. Part of it goes to his mother, Hikari, and part is spent on ninja tools. Daimaru had very little left in his hands.
Daimaru gently pushed open the door to his grandfather Kenji's room. His grandfather, who was too old and lacked energy, had already fallen asleep. Daimaru, not wanting to disturb his grandfather's rest, returned to his former room. Although he hadn't lived there for a long time, his mother had been cleaning it, so it didn't look messy.
Daimaru took off his turban and ninja vest, wearing only a white sports shirt. He looked at the budding young ninja in the mirror. His brown hair looked energetic. The colour was slightly darker than Sen's but lighter than Yome's. Together with his sun-kissed skin, he appeared healthy and vibrant.
"My appearance is passable; my face isn't bad, not ugly, and there's still room for improvement." He assessed himself, standing a bit taller. He was just of average height and not particularly muscular. "I'm only sixteen. I exercise regularly, so I should still be able to grow taller!"