"Oh? Discussing tactics, are we?"
"Sensei." ×2
The two greeted him in unison, while Tsukikage Kaza gave a polite bow but stayed silent.
Kakashi smiled lightly. "Tenten, Chiba's right—everyone has limited time and energy. You've got real talent with ninja tools; there's no need to force yourself to learn ninjutsu just to match someone else's style."
"But…"
"Your reasoning isn't wrong," Kakashi continued, "just the direction. Your strengths are taijutsu and weapon manipulation—ninjutsu should serve to control the enemy or buy yourself space to reposition."
Chiba nodded and added, "Exactly. Think of ninjutsu as a means to restrict or mislead, not as your main offense."
Tenten thought for a while, then nodded. "Got it. So what kind of techniques would suit me best?"
"Start with defensive and control-type jutsu," Chiba suggested. "You could also study the Sand Village's puppet techniques for inspiration. We can't build puppets, but their way of deploying and switching tools can be adapted—set up your weapons like traps."
"Mhm, mhm, mhm!"
Tenten nodded eagerly, pulling out a small notebook covered in messy sketches. She flipped through several pages and jotted down Chiba's advice.
Kakashi gave a small approving nod.
With Chiba around, this teaching job was almost too easy.
The boy answered questions more clearly—and sometimes more insightfully—than a jōnin sensei himself.
"I don't know much about specific jutsu," Chiba said, "but Kakashi-sensei surely does."
"Right." Kakashi glanced toward the building. "Our client's still getting ready—apparently she'll be out soon. We've got a little time left, so why not use it? Here, chakra test paper for everyone."
He handed slips to Tenten, Tsukikage Kaza, and finally Chiba.
Chiba shook his head.
He knew his own situation too well. His inability to use chakra nature transformations came from the Bodhi Seed, not from any flaw in his chakra or body. Testing it would be pointless.
As for what Kakashi had said about "a little more time"—Chiba didn't believe a single word of it.
Tenten and Tsukikage Kaza performed the tests.
Tenten's paper split cleanly apart. Tsukikage Kaza's wrinkled up.
"Earth and Lightning, huh?" Kakashi studied the results, frowning for a moment before relaxing. "Tenten's is simpler. I've got a jutsu in mind that should suit you perfectly."
He leaned close and quietly explained the Hardening Technique.
Tenten nodded repeatedly, her eyes lighting up.
Chiba also approved—it was a defensive technique that would significantly boost her survivability.
"After that, learn Earth Release: Earth Clone and Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld," Kakashi added. "Once you've got those three down, you can take a break from new jutsu for a while."
Then he turned to Tsukikage Kaza. "What about you?"
"Ah?"
Tsukikage Kaza froze for a second.
"Any thoughts on what to train?"
"I just… feel a little out of place," she murmured, glancing around, her tone faintly tense.
Kakashi smiled. "It's fine. Just a C-rank mission."
"…"
No, Chiba thought silently. She's not scared of the mission.
"I'll overcome it!" Tsukikage Kaza said quickly, as if catching herself. "As for jutsu… whatever you think is best, Sensei."
Kakashi pondered for a moment. "Start with Lightning Release nature training. Once you can handle that chakra properly, I'll teach you a technique."
"Yes."
Tsukikage Kaza nodded firmly.
The directions were set—but now wasn't the time to train. They had a mission to focus on, and nature transformation wasn't something one learned overnight.
After about an hour, Chiba glanced toward the manor and frowned. "How much longer is she going to take?"
"Be patient," Tsukikage Kaza said softly. "I've heard nobles can take ages preparing to go out. Makeup, jewelry, robes… one or two hours is nothing."
Tenten groaned. "See, that's why it's great being a ninja—no need for fancy dressing up. We just sweat it all off anyway."
"You actually own that stuff?" Chiba asked, surprised.
He'd always assumed someone like Tenten wouldn't bother with makeup or accessories.
"My mom bought it! Not me!" she said defensively.
"There's nothing wrong with that," Kakashi said, smiling. "Everyone appreciates a bit of beauty."
"Hey! I said it's not me!"
"Hahaha."
The three of them burst into laughter, the air light and easy.
Then—
A sharp whinny pierced the air.
A horse's cry.
Chiba's expression sharpened instantly. "She's here."
The laughter vanished in an instant.
Moments later, a carriage rolled slowly out from the manor. Inside, a woman in elegant attire lifted the curtain slightly, her makeup immaculate.
"Kakashi-sama," came her soft voice, "I'll be counting on you for my safety."
"Please rest assured," Kakashi said, bowing politely. "My team and I will guarantee your protection."
Sakuraba Sadatoki lowered the curtain. "Then let's depart. I hope to reach the Temple of Fire by tomorrow night."
"There should be no problem," Kakashi replied.
The conversation ended there. The noblewoman clearly had no intention of chatting further. The carriage began to move.
Chiba walked alongside, book in hand, reading as they went.
Tenten nudged him.
??
"Come on, we've got the client with us now," she whispered. "If she complains about you reading on the job, that'll look bad."
"Kyoto's safe," Chiba said lightly. "Once we're outside the city, I'll stop reading."
He paused, then added, "By then, I'll probably have finished this book anyway."
"What are you reading?"
"Sealing techniques."
Chiba wasn't like Kakashi—his books had nothing to hide. "Want one? I've got two more volumes, Sealing Arts: Beginner to Advanced. Might as well read during the trip."
"Uh, that stuff…"
Tenten shivered, remembering the nightmare that was her first attempt at learning sealing arts. To her, those books were not "light reading."
"Your loss," Chiba sighed, turning a page.
Tsukikage Kaza, as always, stayed quiet around crowds. Only among familiar faces did she relax and show her real self.
Still, her silent vigilance gave Chiba the peace of mind to read safely.
As for Kakashi…
Who knew when Kankurō would suddenly decide to give a "special lesson." Not the most reliable person to relax around.
Of course, when things got serious, "Fifty-Fifty Sensei" could always be counted on.
Everything was peaceful as they left Kyoto—no issues, no danger.
And yet, even outside the city, Chiba didn't close his book.
He kept his casual pace and lazy expression, but secretly expanded his sensory field, scanning the surroundings.
There—someone was following them.
He'd been shadowing the carriage since the outskirts.
To tail a group of ninja… that took guts.
Tenten glanced back, scowling, but Chiba caught her eye and gave a subtle signal.
She stiffened slightly—then nodded. She understood immediately.
Something was up.
She didn't speak, just maintained her position and started quietly observing.
Before long, she spotted him too.
A wandering swordsman, blending in among the passersby. Unremarkable at first glance, but if you watched closely, his eyes kept flicking toward the carriage.
Once they passed the city's edge, he disappeared—
—only for another man to appear soon after, taking up the same tailing position a short distance behind.
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