Hokage Tower.
The crystal orb, the "Telescope Technique," owned by Hiruzen Sarutobi, generally only allowed observation of ordinary areas. If it were a clan territory, any ninja with basic detection skills would notice, making peeking impossible under normal circumstances.
But exceptions existed: for instance, if the Uchiha clan head gave permission.
A middle-aged man with black spiky hair, wearing a long black kimono, observed the events through the orb. He nodded slightly.
"Third Hokage, this Genin… he's not ordinary."
"I've always noticed his talent and diligence. It's just a bit of a pity."
"Oh?" The middle-aged man, bearing a strong resemblance to Uchiha Fugaku, looked up from the orb to Hiruzen Sarutobi seated in his chair. "Pity? How so?"
Hiruzen's gaze deepened.
"This child's talent is rarely applied correctly, and his ideals are rather narrow." He exhaled a slow, weary breath. "If an ordinary Genin possessed this level of talent and professional skill, he would already be an excellent Jonin by now."
"Perhaps not. Maybe it's precisely this fearless mindset that allows him to accomplish over a thousand D-rank missions entirely on his own."
"Clan Head Uchiha, forgive the spectacle today," Hiruzen said. "But personally, I think Folken handled it perfectly. What do you think?"
"Two months," Uchiha Koseno held up two fingers. "I will only have Mikoto work with him on D-rank missions for two months. Once she's promoted to Chunin, she will return to the Uchiha to supplement the ranks of the Guard Division."
Hiruzen had no objection. Mikoto, after all, was a noble by birth; whoever accompanied her, her status and talent ensured she would eventually work in the Guard Division.
"Moreover, it wouldn't be proper for a Genin to manage Chunin-level ninjas."
After Uchiha Koseno left, Hiruzen felt a twinge of melancholy.
Day One: D-Rank Mission.
The three were assigned to a garbage cleanup task at a waterfall outside the village. Task completed.
Folken experienced the ease and satisfaction of outsourced, low-risk work. With two skilled graduates, plus his own experience as a long-time Genin, the work was effortless.
"Don't you know how to walk on water yet?" On the way back to Hokage Tower for task completion, Folken asked Mite Dai, who had fallen into the river while attempting the technique.
If not for Mikoto tossing a shuriken that anchored to the riverbank wall, Dai would have been swept downstream.
"Uh… no. Honestly, I'm not good at climbing either… a teammate once gave me a tip, but I never really grasped it," Dai said, embarrassed.
"Climbing is that simple, and you can't do it?" Mikoto, perfectly walking on water, tilted her chin proudly. "Tonight, I'll teach you! But the price is… I stay at your house!"
She was still upset after her argument with her grandfather, so returning home was out of the question.
"My house is small… and it's outside the village," Dai muttered.
Mikoto's eyes widened in shock. "Are there ninjas who don't live in the village?"
"Yes," Folken and the medic Nonou exchanged glances, responding simultaneously.
"I once lived in a small warehouse outside the village walls. It had nothing just 2,000 ryō per month. If the village needs to house two people and provide accommodations, the rent isn't cheap," Folken added.
"Wow, that's crazy," Nonou muttered. Her family was relatively modest a two-bedroom house in the village center, fully paid, plus some savings left by her parents but she hadn't experienced this level of hardship.
"Hehe. I'm really glad to team up with you all for missions," Dai said, thumbs up, thinking he could finally buy some lamb meat tonight to boost his wife's nutrition.
"So… um, Folken-sensei, do you still live in the warehouse?" Mikoto asked, face flushed. That was her real intent.
Before Folken could answer, Nonou raised her hand.
"My house has an extra room. You can stay there."
"Uh… that's not necessary," Mikoto said, her expression instantly blank.
"It's fine!" Nonou nodded sincerely.
"Alright, let's leave it at that for now. After a few more D-rank missions, I'll assess your performance and provide guidance where necessary."
"You can really see what we're doing wrong?" Nonou asked, surprised.
Mikoto snorted. Though she found Folken handsome, she doubted his ability to teach her anything of substance.
Folken calmly analyzed the day's missions.
"Dai, your chakra control is far too weak. Even after more than ten years since graduation, you can't climb a tree."
"Nonou, your chakra control is good, but slightly worse than Mikoto's. You're still unfamiliar with water-walking; practice more. This is all basic stuff."
Dai muttered under his breath at the word "basic."
Then Folken turned to Mikoto, the confident young girl.
"When Dai fell, why did you throw the shuriken? Could you guarantee it would be safely caught? Not everyone is a prodigy like you."
Dai had specialized in body techniques and had some mission experience. He instinctively used the shuriken to pull himself to shore. An ordinary Genin might have panicked, risking injury from water currents or the shuriken itself.
After explaining this to Mikoto, she was left speechless.
At the task office, Folken submitted the mission scroll. The supervising Chunin saw that he successfully led three juniors and seemed harmonious with them. Aside from Mikoto's red eyes, possibly from crying, everything appeared fine.
"No issues."
The Chunin in charge of verification spent a few minutes inspecting, then confirmed everything to the office.
"Job well done. Reward: 10,000 ryō… here's 6,000, tap it to confirm."
"No need."
Folken quickly divided six 1,000-ryō notes among the three juniors.
Dai wiped his forehead and gratefully accepted his share. Mikoto reluctantly took hers, muttering that it wasn't enough for a meal. Nonou happily received her first earnings, silently thanking her deceased parents: "Mom, Dad, I can make my own money now!"
All three smelled faintly of garbage. Folken pinched his nose. He wanted to treat them to a simple meal but decided to wait until tomorrow.
"Rest tomorrow; you've worked hard today."
"Also, if you're free tomorrow, I can treat you to a simple meal…"
"I'm going!" Mikoto gritted her teeth, determined to devour the stash of the wealthy, freeloading sensei.
"Me too!" Nonou nodded. Dai scratched his head, awkwardly pocketing the 1,000-ryō, whispering, "Thanks, Folken."
"No problem."
After escorting the three to a nearby street, Folken excused himself, returning to Hokage Tower to knock on the third-floor office door.
"Please enter."
Regarding Mikoto, Hiruzen initially feigned ignorance. After Folken's detailed report, he confirmed he had consulted the Uchiha clan head. Mikoto would participate in D-rank missions for about two months.
Hiruzen also suggested that Folken could now use mission funds to purchase scrolls for learning one-time C-rank jutsu or even certain B-rank jutsu.
But Folken planned to buy property in the village and had already picked a location, which left Hiruzen a little disappointed. A competent, resourceful subordinate relegated to the rank of Genin was truly a waste.