Early the next morning, at the North Gate of Konoha.
The leader of the caravan was a middle-aged man with a beer belly named Kato.
He eyed the ninja squad in front of him, his brows knitting tighter the longer he looked. No matter how he judged it, the group seemed unreliable.
There was a female jōnin who looked even rougher than he was, two obvious rookies—and a white-haired boy squatting on the ground, busily rubbing something together with Earth Release.
A moment later, a large roofed wheelchair made entirely of packed earth was freshly "baked" into shape.
Ruichi clapped his hands in satisfaction, pulled out a rope from his ninja tool pouch, tied the wheelchair to the carriage, and calmly sat down.
Everyone: "..."
Bang!
Anko Mitarashi kicked Ruichi clean off. The earthen wheelchair shattered into pieces.
Kid, are you here for a picnic? Get serious!
With a dark expression, Anko grabbed Ruichi by the ear and ground her teeth. The team's image had been completely destroyed by this brat.
"Jōnin Anko," Kato finally couldn't hold it in, pointing at Ruichi, "is this teammate of yours really okay? He doesn't look like a ninja at all!"
"Don't worry, Mr. Kato," Anko rubbed her temples. "He… is reliable at critical moments."
Even as she said that, her heart wavered slightly.
Is he really?
After the brief interlude, the caravan officially set out.
Ichi and Makire stayed tense the entire time, afraid of missing even the slightest movement.
These two kids will exhaust themselves in a few days if they stay this nervous, Anko thought. And we're still close to Konoha—there won't be mountain bandits this near.
At the very back of the group, Ruichi walked with his hands behind his head, strolling leisurely and occasionally pulling out snacks to eat.
"Is that guy really a ninja?" one of the guards muttered. "He looks more relaxed than I am."
Anko heard it, but didn't comment.
She knew that although Ruichi looked lazy, his perception far exceeded that of ordinary people.
The reason he was relaxed was simple—he hadn't sensed any danger.
---
Night fell, and the caravan stopped at a relatively flat clearing to camp.
"We'll stay here tonight," Anko ordered. "Prepare the campsite and set up the tents."
Ichi and Makire immediately got to work. Though clumsy, they managed reasonably well.
Ruichi glanced around, curling his lips.
"Setting up tents? Too troublesome."
He formed seals with both hands, Earth Release chakra flowing as the ground trembled slightly.
"Earth Release: Earth House."
A simple shelter soon rose from the ground.
"This…"
The merchants and guards were stunned. None of them had ever seen "setting up camp" done like this.
"Earth Release: Rock Furniture."
He even went as far as crafting basic furniture—and a rocking chair.
Ichi and Makire froze mid-task, staring blankly at him.
They were still struggling with tent poles, while Ruichi just clapped his hands and had everything he needed.
Then he pulled out an exquisite teapot and several packets of tea leaves from his ninja tool pouch. With Water Release, he condensed a ball of clear water in midair and heated it directly.
Soon, the aroma of fresh tea drifted through the campsite.
"Anko-sensei, would you like some hot tea?" Ruichi handed her a cup, pride edging into his voice.
Anko took a sip. Warmth spread from her throat through her entire body.
She had to admit—this was the most comfortable camp she'd ever experienced.
This kid… only puts in effort when it comes to enjoying himself…
She noticed Ruichi even using Wind Release to form a gentle air barrier around the shelter, blowing away mosquitoes.
"If this were everyday life, Ruichi would actually make the perfect partner…" Ichi muttered while enjoying the convenience—then hurriedly shook his head, as if terrified of the thought.
Makire, meanwhile, was deep in analysis.
Using chakra to alter the state of matter… if applied to combat, it could produce unexpected results.
The merchants' and guards' attitudes toward Ruichi quietly began to change.
Lazy though he was, his skills were undeniably real. None of the ninjas they'd hired before compared to this.
---
The journey continued, and two more peaceful days passed.
When they reached a canyon, Ruichi—who had been slacking off the entire time—suddenly stopped.
"Anko-sensei. There are quite a few people ahead. Likely an ambush. I suggest taking a detour."
"Huh?" Kato scoffed. "I've traveled this road for decades. It's perfectly safe!"
"This is the shortest route. A detour would add two days. And I didn't hire you to freeload—can't you handle a few bandits?"
He waved his hand, ordering the caravan forward.
Ruichi looked at Anko. After a brief pause, she shook her head.
"Everyone, stay alert. Prepare for combat."
And just like that, the caravan entered the canyon.
The cliffs on both sides were steep and treacherous—an ideal ambush site.
"Earth Release: Earth Wall!"
Before the sound of arrows cutting through the air could even be heard, a wall of earth rose up.
Arrows rained down, clattering harmlessly against it.
"Enemy attack!"
The guards only then snapped into action, cold sweat breaking out. If not for Ruichi's quick response, there would already have been casualties.
"Kill!"
Figures surged down the slopes—ragged men wielding blades, spears, and clubs. Mountain bandits, vicious and desperate.
Moments later, several figures with distinct chakra signatures appeared from behind the rocks—rogue ninja, clearly the masterminds.
It was the first real life-or-death battle for Ichi and Makire. Their faces were pale, movements stiff.
"Ichi, Makire!" Ruichi shouted. "This isn't a ninja errand anymore—this is a battlefield! Get it together!"
Ruichi's heartbeat quickened—not from fear, but exhilaration.
The battle-hungry blood of the Kaguya clan boiled.
His mind hated the impulse, but his body craved the fight.
He stepped away from the caravan, heading straight toward the densest cluster of enemies.
"Anko-sensei! Leave protecting the caravan to you!"
Chakra coated his palms as he casually swept his hair back.
The laziness vanished. In its place was a cold, sharp presence—like a blade drawn from its sheath.
"Water Release: Bubbles."
"Wind Release: Breeze."
Crystal-clear bubbles drifted forward with the wind.
"What the hell? Playing with kids?" one bandit sneered, poking a bubble.
Pop.
Sticky liquid smeared across his face, sealing his mouth and nose.
No matter how he clawed at it, it wouldn't come off.
Moments later, he suffocated and collapsed.
A technique once used to amuse Ayame had become a lethal killing move.
"Careful! Don't let the bubbles touch your face!"
Bandits hurriedly pulled their clothes up to block—
"Then what about this?"
A flash of cold steel. Ruichi appeared in front of one, his kunai slicing cleanly across the man's throat.
Blood sprayed.
He moved like a ghost through the battlefield, harvesting distracted enemies one by one. Each strike was precise. Each scream short-lived.
A rogue ninja formed seals in panic. "Wind Release—"
"Wind Release: Fly Swatter."
Without seals, Ruichi casually swatted the air.
An invisible wind mass slammed into the ninja's face, disrupting his jutsu.
When he tried to retreat, his feet were already trapped in the soil.
Earth Release: Soil Turn.
Good for farming—and for planting people.
Before the man could react, Ruichi was already there.
Kunai met short blade with a screech.
"Fire Release: Self-Heating Pot."
Chakra surged.
The blade heated instantly, scorching the man's palm. Screaming, he dropped it.
In the next instant, Ruichi's kunai cut his throat.
Another rogue ninja attacked with Fire Release.
Ruichi didn't even look.
"Earth Release: Earth Wall."
The wall shattered—but Ruichi was already gone.
"Where are you looking?"
A cold strike from the side. The ground rolled beneath the man's feet, and he fell just like the others.
Across the battlefield, Ruichi was a ruthless harvester.
Those lifestyle ninjutsu meant for comfort now displayed terrifying lethality.
"My god…" Ichi stared, eyes wide. "That's… Ruichi?"
Makire was speechless.
Kato and the guards were utterly stunned.
The lazy slacker… was actually a killing god.
Anko watched with complicated eyes.
She knew Ruichi was strong—but not this strong.
His jutsu flowed endlessly, faster and more precise than any jōnin she knew. It was almost comparable to the Hokage himself.
The only flaw was his limited chakra—his youth holding him back.
Once that was resolved, Konoha would gain a pillar equal to a Hokage.
But that taijutsu—fluid, dance-like—where had he learned it?
And those eyes…
Cold.
Sharp.
With a hint of excitement.
---
The battle ended swiftly.
After several rogue ninja were slaughtered with ease, the remaining bandits scattered.
Blood soaked the air.
Some survivors lay on the ground, crying and begging—feet trapped in earth.
"Please! Spare us!"
Ruichi walked over expressionlessly, finishing each one with a clean strike.
"You're not sorry. You're just afraid of dying. Be better in your next life."
He dragged two barely-living bandits in front of Ichi and Makire.
"You two haven't killed yet, right? Want to pop your cherry?"
Their hands shook violently.
The bandits cried even harder.
Ichi faltered. "Ruichi… they already know they were wrong…"
Makire turned away, struggling.
Anko frowned. "Ruichi, they're still children—"
"'Children' don't exist on the battlefield," Ruichi shrugged. "And ninjas have to cross this line sooner or later."
He paused. "Fine. I won't force you."
Then, without hesitation, he slit both throats.
Blood splashed across the soil.
"But we can't let them go. If we do, what about the people they robbed and killed?"
He wiped his kunai clean and returned it to his pouch.
"Alright. Time to clean up."
His lazy demeanor returned instantly.
"And maybe make some extra money."
Kato swallowed hard. "P-please, go ahead…"
Afterward, Ruichi fashioned a tricycle with Earth Release, loading it with spoils—and the severed heads of rogue ninja with bounties.
No one dared complain.
Anko watched his back in silence.
In this C-rank mission, Ruichi had revealed the monster hidden beneath his indolence.
She had a feeling—
This "lying-flat" monster would one day stir the entire world, all to protect his own peaceful life.