"Yo—talking strategy?"
"Sensei."
"Sensei."
Tenten and Kasumi greeted him softly; Kasumi bowed her head, hardly speaking as usual.
Kakashi smiled.
"Tenten, Souma is right. Everyone's time and energy are limited. Your talent with ninja tools is exceptional—there's no need to sacrifice that just to match someone else."
"But I—"
"Your consideration is correct," Kakashi cut in gently, "but your direction is off. Your foundation is taijutsu and tool manipulation—then ninjutsu. So if you learn ninjutsu, it should be used to restrict the enemy or create room for yourself."
Souma nodded.
"Exactly. The purpose isn't to turn you into a ninjutsu specialist, but to add options to your style."
Tenten thought deeply, then asked:
"…So what kind of jutsu should I learn?"
"Defensive ninjutsu. Control-type ninjutsu. And—maybe take inspiration from Suna's puppet techniques."
Tenten blinked.
"Puppet… techniques?"
"We can't build puppets," Souma said with a faint grin, "but their principles are useful. You can use ninja tools the way they use interchangeable parts—laying traps tailored to the opponent."
Tenten's eyes brightened.
"I get it! I get it! I get it!"
She hurriedly pulled out a notebook filled with messy sketches, flipping through pages until she found space to write down Souma's points.
Kakashi nodded with relief.
…Having Souma around really made his job too easy.
Many questions Kakashi hadn't even been asked yet—Souma was already answering with the clarity of an elite jōnin instructor.
Kakashi cleared his throat.
"Well, I don't know every niche technique, but I definitely know some jutsu that suit you."
He reached into his pouch and pulled out four pieces of chakra test paper.
"Our client is still getting ready—she said she'll come out soon. So we still have a bit of time. Test your chakra nature. Souma, want one?"
Souma waved it away.
No need to test something he knew the result of. His natural transformation "absence" was a Bouddha Seed side effect; no test paper could change that.
Tenten and Kasumi tested theirs.
Tears.
Wrinkle.
Tenten: Lightning.
Kasumi: Earth.
Kakashi rubbed his chin.
"Lightning for Tenten and Earth for Kasumi… all right. Tenten's is easier to handle. I already know one jutsu perfect for you."
He explained the effect of Hardening Technique.
Tenten nodded enthusiastically.
Souma agreed—
That jutsu would give Tenten a badly needed layer of defense.
"After that, you should learn about Earth Clones and the Swamp of the Underworld. Those three will be enough for now."
Kakashi then turned to Kasumi.
"And you?"
"Eh?"
Kasumi flinched slightly.
"What are your thoughts?"
"…I'm just… not used to this."
She glanced around nervously, shrinking a little.
Souma immediately understood.
She wasn't afraid of the mission—
She was afraid of the unfamiliar environment and the crowd.
Kasumi gathered herself and blurted:
"I—I'll overcome it! As for ninjutsu, I think everything you all said makes sense. So… I'll follow your guidance, sensei!"
Kakashi nodded.
"Start by refining Lightning Release nature transformation. Once you get the basics, I'll teach you a technique."
"Yes."
But training would have to wait.
A mission allowed no distraction—and nature transformation wasn't something one mastered overnight.
One hour passed.
Souma frowned at the carriage house.
"How long does she need?"
Kasumi whispered cautiously, "Nobles are very… particular about traveling. Makeup and wardrobe alone can take one or two hours."
Tenten sighed dramatically.
"Ninjas are so much easier. We don't dress up for missions—we're just gonna sweat through everything anyway."
Souma raised a brow.
"Do you even own makeup?"
Tenten's face turned bright red.
"My mom bought it! Not me!"
Souma chuckled.
"It's nothing to be embarrassed about. Everyone likes looking nice."
"I SAID it's not mine!"
Their laughter was warm and easy—until the sharp cry of a horse interrupted.
A neighbor.
Souma straightened.
"She's here."
Instantly, all joking ceased.
A luxurious carriage rolled forward.
The curtain lifted slightly, revealing a noblewoman with bright makeup and elaborate dress.
"Lord Kakashi," she said gracefully, "my safety will depend on you."
"Rest assured," Kakashi bowed, "my team and I will protect you."
Lady Sakuraba closed the curtain.
"Then let us depart. I hope we can reach the Fire Temple by tomorrow night."
"That should be achievable."
The carriage began to move.
Souma pulled out a book and read while walking.
Tenten elbowed him.
"Hey! Hey! Don't read in front of the client! What if she complains?"
"Kyoto is safe," Souma said, not looking up. "I'll stop once we leave the city."
A pause.
"…Also, I'll probably be done by then."
Tenten squinted suspiciously.
"What are you reading?"
"Sealing arts."
Souma lifted it casually. "Want to borrow it? I have an introductory and intermediate volume in my pack."
Tenten shuddered violently.
"No thanks."
She remembered her traumatic first attempt at learning sealing—and nearly fainted at the idea of reading them for "fun."
"Shame," Souma murmured, already absorbed again.
Kasumi stood quietly, scanning the surroundings.
Souma trusted her perception—her presence made reading safe.
As for Kakashi…
He would teach them something useful, sure.
But trusting his schedule?
Absolutely impossible.
Leaving Kyoto was uneventful.
No bandits, no shinobi, no trouble.
Souma continued reading—but in truth, he had long activated his sensory abilities.
Someone was following.
He felt the presence the moment they left the main district.
Someone blending among pedestrians, watching the carriage.
Tenten turned back once, frowning—Souma flicked her a subtle signal.
Her expression shifted instantly.
Alert.
Don't react.
Stay in formation.
She continued walking normally—but scanning carefully.
Soon, she saw him too.
A wandering swordsman.
Ordinary-looking, easily overlooked—
Unless one was searching.
Once they left the city outskirts, that man vanished.
But moments later—
Another one appeared.
Same pattern.
Same distance.
Same behavior.
A clear relay of tailing units.
Souma shut his book, eyes lowering.
"…This mission definitely won't be simple."
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