The next morning Taiichi woke up early again. Last night's heavy training hadn't slowed him down at all.
After finishing his morning routine, he left four shadow clones at home to keep grinding through ninjutsu and taijutsu, then headed straight for the Barrier Team. That underground archive was still waiting for him, and he was already looking forward to it.
He greeted the people he'd met yesterday, did a quick walk-through of the work areas, then immediately sent a clone to handle the actual tasks while his real body slipped into the archives.
For Taiichi, nothing else in the village held his attention like those scrolls right now.
Time passed quickly while he read.
Yamanaka Seiji had been on edge since yesterday evening. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was off, and it was affecting his work. By ten in the morning he finally finished his own tasks and started his usual rounds to check on the teams.
Everything looked fine at first—defense barriers, sensory barriers, isolation barriers. He was starting to think he'd just been overworked when he reached the final group, the ones responsible for maintaining the barriers around the hospital.
There he saw Taiichi standing with the team. The way the others were bowing and nodding made Seiji's stomach twist. Was the new jonin already throwing his weight around?
He picked up his pace, ready to step in.
But as he got closer, he heard the team members repeatedly saying things like "You're right," and "That makes perfect sense." It didn't sound like they were being scolded. It sounded like they were being taught.
Seiji's expression changed. He'd jumped to the wrong conclusion.
Still, he'd already opened his mouth.
"Jonin Taiichi, you've only just arrived. Is it really appropriate to lecture your subordinates like this?"
The entire group went quiet.
Taiichi turned around with a confused look. The team members did the same—some looked relieved, others just looked lost.
Seiji immediately realized he'd messed up. He forced a laugh and tried to backtrack. "Did I misunderstand something? What exactly were you all doing?"
One of the team leaders quickly stepped forward and explained. Taiichi had already gone around fixing problems for the other groups that morning. For their team, he was pointing out weaknesses in the hospital barriers—weaknesses he knew about because he used to work there. He wasn't scolding them. He was teaching them.
Seiji felt his face heat up. He'd just accused a jonin of bullying in front of everyone. Without hesitation, he bowed his head.
"I'm sorry, Taiichi. I spoke without understanding the situation. Please forgive me."
Taiichi wasn't the type to hold a grudge over something like this, but he wasn't going to let the opportunity slip either.
He waved it off casually. "It's fine. I actually admire how much you care about your people."
Then he smiled. "So, how was my work this morning?"
"Excellent," Seiji answered honestly. "Even I couldn't have done better."
Taiichi's smile widened. "In that case, would it be alright if I arranged my own schedule and tasks from now on—as long as the work gets done?"
Seiji only hesitated for a second before nodding. Jonin weren't expected to sit in one place anyway. As long as the barriers stayed stable, he didn't care how Taiichi spent his time.
"Deal," Taiichi said brightly.
Before Seiji could reply, the Taiichi in front of him vanished in a puff of smoke.
Seiji stared at the empty space. "…A shadow clone?"
His mind raced. Everything clicked into place—the unease he'd felt since yesterday, the way Taiichi had been everywhere at once. He turned and headed straight for the archives.
When he pushed open the door, he found Taiichi's real body sitting inside, calmly reading a scroll.
Taiichi looked up and waved with a grin. "Hey, Seiji. Didn't expect to see you again so soon."
Seiji let out a helpless laugh. "Your shadow clone technique is something else. Most people can't keep one working all day like that."
Taiichi shrugged. "I just wanted to avoid any misunderstandings later, so I figured I'd clear it up now."
Seiji accepted the explanation but still gave a warning. "Just remember—when we have to go out and inspect barriers in person, use your real body. We can't afford mistakes out there."
"Of course."
After a short conversation, Seiji left the archives feeling both impressed and a little exhausted.
Taiichi created another clone to keep working and left one Flying Thunder God kunai with it, just in case. Then his real body disappeared.
He reappeared at home, dismissed the extra clone, and started warming up while he waited for his students.
Outside the old Senju grounds, Asuma paced back and forth in front of the stone marker. He would take two steps forward, then hesitate and step back again.
Yesterday his father had told him that Taiichi would be teaching him from now on. Part of him wanted the guidance. Another part of him hated the idea of being taught by a classmate who had already surpassed him.
When Kurenai showed up, bouncing with excitement, she spotted him immediately.
"Asuma? What are you doing here?"
"Ah—Red! You're… already here?"
She glanced between him and the Senju district, then grinned. "Ohhh, you're here to train with Taiichi too, right? Come on, we're almost late!"
Before he could protest, she grabbed his arm and pulled him inside.
Asuma followed, still awkward, but slowly started looking around. The old clan grounds had a different feel from the rest of the village. Even after being converted into regular housing, something of the original atmosphere remained.
He glanced at Kurenai walking ahead of him and finally asked, "Red… is Taiichi actually that good? My dad made it sound like I had to come."
Kurenai looked back at him like he'd said something strange, but she still answered honestly. "He's really good. After just two days I can already feel my genjutsu getting stronger. If I keep this up for a year, I'll be completely different."
Asuma's suspicion only grew. Two days and that much improvement? Was Taiichi using some kind of trick on her?
By the time they reached the house, his guard was fully up.
"Taiichi's place is huge," he muttered, looking around. "Bigger than mine."
Kurenai nodded. "It's even bigger inside. Tsunade gave it to him. She's really good to her students."
She knocked on the door.
Asuma stared at the house, remembering his father's words from last night. For the first time, he had to admit that when it came to how to act and how to carry himself, he really was behind Taiichi.
The door opened.
This time it wasn't a clone.
Kurenai greeted Taiichi normally.
But when Asuma met his eyes, something in his gaze felt off. There was wariness there. Almost like suspicion.
Taiichi noticed it immediately.
Why was Asuma looking at him like that?