Time quietly passed for more than half a month. Higashino Makoto meticulously executed his cultivation and study plan, only occasionally going downstairs to stroll around the village, enjoy the scenery, and relax his mind.
After all, checking in at famous scenic spots and eating a bowl of the famous Ichiraku Ramen was one of the great joys of coming to the world of Naruto.
Unfortunately, the taste of Ichiraku Ramen was just okay; it wasn't the kind of dish that could glow.
Konoha was the same as always. Villagers lived their daily lives, and ninjas went about their business. There was no tense atmosphere, and for the time being, there were no signs of a ninja war breaking out.
Higashino Makoto basically had no interaction with children his age in the village.
This seemed like an abnormal childhood, but he didn't care. His childhood in his previous life was actually quite good, and he had no psychological trauma that needed healing.
Living again, he spent almost all his time on self-improvement.
On this day, Higashino Makoto woke up early as usual to train at the training ground, then went home to eat and study.
Higashino Megumi usually worked at the hospital until the evening before coming home, so she would prepare the food in the morning and put it in the refrigerator. Higashino Makoto only needed to take it out and heat it up at mealtime.
In fact, Higashino Makoto had expressed that he could cook, but Higashino Megumi insisted on doing it, claiming that he couldn't deprive her of the joy of being a mother.
Higashino Makoto didn't insist on this, and it had been like this for the past two years.
It was just that today was a bit unexpected.
When Higashino Makoto finished his morning studies and was ready for lunch, he opened the refrigerator only to find that there was only enough for one meal, and the rest were raw ingredients.
Did his mother forget?
As a Tokubetsu Jonin in medical ninjutsu, Higashino Megumi naturally wouldn't make such a mistake.
Higashino Makoto looked at the calendar on the wall and quickly guessed the reason.
Around 7 PM, a knock suddenly sounded on the door.
Higashino Makoto put down the scroll in his hand and got up to open the door. Standing outside was a tall, ordinary-looking young man with black hair tied into a short, semi-high ponytail.
This man carried a ninja sword on his back and wore a standard Konoha green flak jacket. He wasn't very clean and looked travel-worn.
Upon seeing Higashino Makoto open the door, his serious face instantly turned into a sunny smile. He gave a thumbs-up with his right hand, a gleam flashing across his white teeth.
"Yo, brat, are you happy? Are you surprised?"
Higashino Makoto: "..."
"Brat, what's with that expression?"
"Welcome home, Father."
"Don't keep a straight face, brat. Can't you show a little happiness and give me some sense of accomplishment?"
"Is that so?" Higashino Makoto thought seriously for a moment, then replied, "Alright, if it's just that request, I can satisfy you!"
After saying that, he slammed the door shut with a bang.
The man outside slapped his forehead, sighed deeply, and helplessly knocked on the door again.
The door opened again, and Higashino Makoto wore a look of innocent surprise, saying unexpectedly, "Father, you're back!"
"There's absolutely no sense of accomplishment anymore, hey," Higashino Jiro said expressionlessly, then punched Higashino Makoto on the head. "What an uncute son."
"What a hard-to-serve father."
Higashino Jiro was not surprised by this answer, as if he was used to it. He walked straight into the house and asked curiously, "Makoto, you seem to know that I would come back today?"
"Mn, pretty much."
"Did Mom tell you?"
"Mom didn't say anything; I guessed it."
"Oh? Tell me the basis for your guess."
"First, today is March 25th. Second, based on the pattern of your missions over the past year, I thought there was a high probability you would arrive home today."
"Smart and sharp as always, Makoto!" Higashino Jiro looked at his son appreciatively, then suddenly thought of a question: "Did you also guess what mission I was on?"
"Probably."
"Oh my, oh my, beyond Dad's imagination." Higashino Jiro happily rubbed Higashino Makoto's head. "Well, I'll go wash up first. Your mom should be back soon too."
Higashino Makoto watched the young man walk toward the bathroom, the corners of his mouth curving slightly.
This was his biological father in the world of Naruto, Higashino Jiro.
As for what mission he was on, Higashino Makoto could indeed guess.
It was most likely a border patrol mission.
Except for Anbu personnel, routine missions for ordinary village ninjas were like clocking in for work and didn't require leaving home. Commissioned missions from clients outside the village took varying amounts of time and had no pattern.
Only border garrison missions like this had a standard rotation time.
Although war had not broken out yet, the borders were not safe. Higashino Makoto synthesized the Naruto intelligence he learned online in his previous life and knew that the Second and Third Great Ninja Wars were essentially continuous. The peace period in between was not peaceful, and border friction always existed. After coming to this world, he also confirmed this situation from his parents.
Except for the Hidden Mist Village, Konoha, Hidden Sand, Hidden Rock, and Hidden Cloud all maintained a considerable number of troops at their borders. Now, all that was missing for war to break out was a fuse.
Higashino Makoto knew this was waiting for a sacrifice to start the conflict—yes, looking at you, strongest Third Kazekage.
And the main force garrisoning the border consisted of commoner ninjas like his family.
When Higashino Megumi returned home, she was carrying several large boxes.
Soon, the table was filled with food and a birthday cake.
The lights were turned off, and candles were lit.
After Higashino Makoto made a wish and blew out the candles, the lights were turned on again.
"Makoto, happy birthday!"
"Thank you, thank you, Father, Mother!"
Today was Higashino Makoto's fourth birthday. Looking at his young parents in front of him, he was very happy.
His soul was 40 years old, long past the age of hot-bloodedness. He had no interest in peace in the Ninja World or changing the tragedies of the original characters, nor did he have the ability.
But this complete and happy family was his harbor in this world, an existence he had to protect.
So his thanks just now were very sincere; he didn't joke around like usual.
Higashino Jiro took a sip of sake and sighed, "Our Makoto is good at everything, but he's a bit too precocious. He doesn't even have a friend. No friends his age came to celebrate his birthday."
Higashino Megumi nodded in agreement. "He probably thinks those kids are too childish. After all, he doesn't even want to go to preschool."
"There will be friends. There will be friends when I go to the Ninja Academy later," Higashino Makoto could only say.
Konoha has preschools, similar to kindergartens, and there is more than one. They are generally set up for children of commoner families, as some parents are busy with work and don't have time to take care of their children.
There would also be many children from small and medium-sized ninja clans, such as the Yamanaka and Nara, who are pro-Hokage factions.
As for traditional large clans like the Uchiha and Hyuga, the preschool education for children of appropriate age is completed within the clan.
Konoha's preschools generally accept children from age 3. Besides completing introductory education, they also have the responsibility of screening students for the Ninja Academy.
After all, not all children have the talent to be ninjas. Many observations begin before enrollment. Otherwise, if they study for 6 years and can't even refine Chakra, wouldn't it be a waste of their time and the village's educational resources?
"Makoto, this is a gift from Mom!"
Higashino Megumi took out a brand-new leg-bound ninja tool pouch.
"Thank you, Mom!"
Higashino Makoto accepted it graciously. He originally had two ninja tool pouches, but they were the waist-back style.
"Here, this is my gift."
Higashino Jiro took out a short sword and handed it over.
Higashino Makoto took it and pulled it out to take a look. It was a completely black, straight short sword, similar to the standard issue for Anbu.
Unlike Hidden Cloud ninjas, aside from clans like the Gekko who specialized in swordsmanship, not many people in Konoha used long katanas.
This was not a problem; the length was suitable for his age. The problem was that this was a wooden sword. Although it was heavy in hand and seemed to have a dense texture, not looking like it would break with one chop, it was ultimately made of wood.
Higashino Makoto looked at his father expressionlessly.
"What are you looking at? Brat, are you dissatisfied? This is made of black ironwood from the Land of Iron. It's hard and perfect for practice. Did you want a real sword? That would be too dangerous for you right now."
"Dad is right. It's too early for a real sword."
"No, I am very satisfied. Thank you, Father," Higashino Makoto said after thanking him. "What I wanted to say is, you should teach me how to refine Chakra."
There were many books and scrolls in the Higashino family study, but they were all basic information and theory. There were no Chakra refining methods, let alone ninjutsu scrolls.
Refining Chakra and practicing ninjutsu indiscriminately without guidance is very dangerous. Obviously, the couple had thought of this long ago and put all those things away.
Hearing this, the couple looked at each other. Originally, they wanted to refuse; they planned to start teaching him in another year.
But thinking of their son's precociousness, and recalling the genius in the village a few years ago who was similarly precocious, graduating from the Ninja Academy at 5 and becoming a Chunin at 6, they finally made a decision.
Higashino Jiro nodded seriously. "Alright."
Higashino Makoto felt joy in his heart. "Yeah, finally, the most important step of my ninja career is about to begin."
Then he saw his father give him a key. "Provided you can find them."
Higashino Makoto: "..."
Since it has come to this, let's eat first.