Chapter 408: A Unique Gift
"Alright, I'll go right away."
Ino put down the half-embroidered hokage robe and nimbly took a storage scroll from her small pouch.
She had specifically bought this from a Ninja tool shop to store important items.
She skillfully rolled up the hokage robe and the needlework, formed hand Seals, and shouted, "Seal!" The robe and tools were securely stored inside the scroll.
After finishing this, she took the so-called "letter" from Yoshino's hand.
It was very light, without an envelope—just a simple, folded note.
Upon receiving it, she saw the writing on it, and the corner of her mouth couldn't help but twitch slightly.
It was indeed Shikamaru's familiar, somewhat casual handwriting, but the content was so brief it left her speechless:
First line: "Mom, help me give this letter to Uncle Inoichi."
Second line: "Uncle Inoichi, we need Shino's help. Have him come to the border of the Land of Bears and the Land of Rain."
That was it.
Just those two lines: the target, the location, and the requirement. Extremely concise, without a single wasted word.
Ino: "..."
It really is just like Shikamaru's style!
Taking a deep breath, she quickly refolded the note and nodded earnestly to Yoshino. "I'll give this letter to my father right away. Aunt Yoshino, I'll be going now!"
"Okay, be careful on the way."
Yoshino nodded with a smile, watching the blonde girl rush out of the flower shop like a gust of wind, clutching the storage scroll and that "concise yet powerful" letter.
As an ordinary villager who wasn't a Ninja, Yoshino watched the younger generation carry out their comrades' requests with such vitality, a knowing smile—both gratified and nostalgic—appearing on her face.
These children have all grown into Ninjas who can stand on their own and rely on one another.
Ino moved quickly. Before leaving home, she had heard her father mention that he would be at the Hokage Office this morning to handle some backlogged official business and personnel coordination.
She ran straight toward the Hokage Building.
Sure enough, in the somewhat empty Hokage Office, she found Inoichi Yamanaka buried under a pile of documents.
Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating the dust motes in the air and reflecting off Inoichi's tired but still focused profile.
"Father!"
Ino knocked on the door, and after receiving permission, she walked in quickly and handed over the note. "Shikamaru sent this back from the front lines."
Inoichi took the note, scanned it quickly, and showed no surprise.
He pondered for a moment, set the note down, picked up a blank mission form from the desk, dipped his brush in ink, and began to write.
"No need to involve a second person for the same task."
Inoichi said without looking up, his brush never stopping. "Ino, since you brought the letter, I'll trouble you to make one more trip. I'll issue a formal mission transfer order right now, and you can give it directly to Shino.
He's at the Ninja Academy, in charge of basic theory for the lower grades."
Soon, a standard mission form with a temporary dispatch Seal was ready. Inoichi handed it to Ino.
Ino took the mission form but didn't leave immediately.
She looked at her father, determination flashing in her eyes, and said clearly, "Father, I want to go too. To the border of the Land of Bears and the Land of Rain, to help Shikamaru and the others."
She could guess that needing Shino's Insect Secret Techniques was likely for tracking or reconnaissance.
As their comrade, she didn't want to just stay in the rear delivering messages.
After Ino–Shika–Chō was split up, their strength wasn't what it used to be. With Shikamaru and Choji at the front while she was in the rear, Ino felt a bit restless.
She couldn't fight alongside Naruto because his level of combat was too high; she would only hold him back.
But she should be able to help in Shikamaru's battles.
Inoichi Yamanaka looked up at his daughter.
He shook his head gently, his tone steady but carrying a father's concern and the considerations of a temporary administrator. "Ino, I understand how you feel. But the front lines have their own missions and risk allocations, and the rear has its own indispensable duties.
The Village is short-staffed right now. You, Sakura, and Hinata should focus on preparing for the Chunin Exams in the second half of the year."
He paused and pointed toward the Ninja Academy outside the window. "If you're determined to help, there's a more suitable place that's in urgent need of people right now.
Many teachers at the Ninja Academy have also been temporarily reassigned, leaving the teaching staff shorthanded.
Your Foundation in Medical Ninjutsu is good, and your theoretical knowledge is excellent.
If you have time, go to the academy occasionally as a substitute teacher. Helping to train the next generation and ensuring the Village's Foundation remains solid is also an important contribution.
You can study the New Curriculum Standards first, then teach them."
Inoichi was truly at his wit's end. The only ones left at the academy were Principal Might Guy, some senior teachers with progressive mindsets, and among the younger teachers, only Iruka, two other youths, and Shino, who had just been assigned there a few months ago.
They were indeed severely understaffed; otherwise, he wouldn't have agreed to his daughter transferring from the Intelligence Division to the hospital, let alone mention substitute teaching.
The shortage at the academy had reached the point where even he and Hiashi had to step in personally.
The two of them were now taking turns substitute teaching at the Ninja Academy, basically working around the clock every day.
It wasn't a lack of capable teachers, but rather that their mindsets couldn't keep up with current developments.
For the sake of the Village's future, they couldn't let old teachers with conservative mindsets like the Third Hokage's teach the students.
Many old teachers unwilling to change were moved to the second line or retired early.
Ino pursed her lips.
Looking at the mission form for Shino and thinking of Shikamaru's concise message, her impulse to fight alongside them eventually transformed into trust in her comrades and an understanding of her responsibility to the Village.
"I understand, Father."
She nodded and carefully tucked away the mission form. "I'll give the mission order to Shino first, then report to the Ninja Academy."
"Sigh, I was just mentioning it. You should still focus on the hospital."
Inoichi's gaze returned to the documents, but a smile of approval appeared on his face.
In the blink of an eye, these children have reached the age where they can stand on their own.
, , , , , , , , , ,
Ninja Academy.
Just as Ino arrived at the Ninja Academy to look for Shino, she encountered someone she couldn't believe was there.
Naruto.
Naruto was with Uchiha Hikari, standing at a classroom door with a Sleeping Coffin on his shoulder.
Inside the classroom, Hiashi Hyuga was lecturing.
The Hyuga Clan Chief was currently teaching the children below with great patience.
Ino's heart skipped a beat.
She instinctively lightened her steps, creeping up behind Naruto like a nimble cat and poking him in the back with her finger.
Naruto seemed to have sensed her already; he didn't move his body, only slightly turned his head.
"When... when did you guys get back?"
Ino lowered her voice, her tone full of surprise and confusion. "What about the front lines...?"
"We just finished up with Hidden Cloud Village and rushed back. I prepared a small gift for Uncle Hiashi, then we'll be leaving in a bit."
"A small gift?"
Ino's gaze involuntarily fell on the Sleeping Coffin, her brows furrowing slightly.
What kind of gift needs to be carried in something like that?
And why bring it all the way to the Ninja Academy?
"Yeah, it's the Fourth Raikage."
Naruto patted the Sleeping Coffin.
Beside him, Uchiha Hikari finally couldn't help but facepalm and turn her head away slightly.
Ino: "...Uh."
She opened her mouth, momentarily at a loss for words. Her expression was quite a sight, and finally, she managed to squeeze out a dry, "That... that certainly is... a unique gift."
Loving Book So Far? Check Out 30+ Advanced Chapters At PA Treon
patreon.com/FictionOP