Good times are always fleeting—especially when you're too good at what you do.
At this moment, that was Ruichi's only thought.
In the open training ground of the base, the commander-in-chief stood before him, arms crossed, eyes sharp as steel.
Yui Iwashiro stared Ruichi up and down with an intense, scrutinizing gaze, his expression as rigid as stone.
"As a ninja, it's not enough to just know how to cook and renovate," Iwashiro said, his booming voice making Ruichi's ears ring.
"Even if you're assigned to logistics, in a hellhole like the border, every extra survival skill you have might buy you one more second of life."
This burly, bearded man—who now eagerly looked forward to Ruichi's cooking every single day—snorted inwardly.
This kid is a real treasure.
Earlier, while eating rice, Iwashiro had watched Ruichi casually washing dishes using Water Release, his eyes practically glowing.
"With chakra control like that, it's a waste he's not an Earth Release specialist…"
And thus, the tragedy began.
Ruichi had just finished his day's work and was about to sink into the rocking chair he'd crafted himself when a massive hand slammed down onto his shoulder.
"Kid, I see real potential in you. You're a perfect candidate for Earth Release," Iwashiro said, smiling like a wolf dressed up as Grandma.
"Come on. I'll teach you a couple of techniques that might save your life."
Ruichi's lips twitched.
"Sir, thank you so much… I really just want to be a quiet cook, honestly."
Unfortunately, resistance was futile.
This was his direct superior—and if Ruichi refused, Iwashiro was fully prepared to 'talk things through with him all night.'
For the sake of future peace, Ruichi could only follow along with a long face.
…
On the open ground outside the base.
"Watch closely! Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall!"
Iwashiro formed hand seals and slammed his palms onto the ground.
Rumble—
A thick earthen wall rose up. Though only about three meters tall, it was dense and incredibly solid.
Compressed soil for reinforcement… basically a strengthened version of an earthen wall, Ruichi analyzed calmly.
Though there's no dog head carved on it. Missed opportunity.
Iwashiro brushed the dust from his hands, looking smug.
"This is a top-tier defensive technique. It took me a full week to master it back in the day. Now you try."
Ruichi sighed and raised his hand.
No escaping this. I'll just copy it casually and go back to sleep.
"Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall."
Rumble—
An earthen wall rose from the ground, its shape nearly identical to the one beside it.
Silence fell.
Iwashiro's eyes bulged. His mouth hung open wide enough to fit an egg.
"That's it…? You're done?"
He stepped forward and punched Ruichi's wall, leaving a large crater—but it didn't collapse.
"Well, the hardness still needs work. About thirty percent of your level," Ruichi said thoughtfully.
"I'll need more practice."
Even so, this was a B-rank ninjutsu.
Ordinarily, a genin would spend a week just figuring out the basics—and this kid had replicated it almost perfectly after one look?
"Now that I think about it, you were already using Earth Release to build houses…"
Iwashiro's eyes lit up. "Fine. I'll teach you another one."
He began forming hand seals again.
"Earth Release: Earth Flow Wave!"
The ground ahead surged like rolling waves, instantly reshaping the terrain.
Injecting chakra to alter soil fluidity… Ruichi mused.
If I mixed in natural energy, could I recreate something like Inorganic Reincarnation?
Of course, that thought stayed firmly in his head. If he actually used it, people wouldn't be impressed—they'd be terrified.
"Earth Release: Earth Flow Wave."
Ruichi made an exaggeratedly strained expression. The ground only barely rippled—but even that made Iwashiro's mouth twitch.
"You're a monster… I've heard that Kakashi Hatake, the Copy Ninja, can replicate techniques at a glance. At this rate, you might end up just like him."
As Iwashiro's worldview crumbled, a soft laugh came from nearby.
"Excellent chakra control."
Shisui Uchiha had appeared at some point, watching with clear admiration in his eyes.
"If you're this good with Earth Release, you must be talented with Fire Release too. I often see you controlling flames when you cook."
Ruichi's eyelids twitched.
You too, Shisui…?
Unaware of Ruichi's inner despair, Shisui cheerfully demonstrated:
"Fire Release: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!"
Several fireballs burst forth like blooming blossoms, striking the earthen wall and leaving scorched marks.
"Want to give it a try?"
Faced with their expectant gazes, Ruichi knew refusing wasn't an option.
Phoenix Flower… compress chakra in the mouth, release it in segments, guide its trajectory.
Yes, he understood it.
And yes—his body could do it.
But if he showed full mastery here, he'd be dragged straight out of logistics and dumped onto the most dangerous front line.
Golden rule of workplace survival: never let your boss think you're overqualified.
"Fire Release: Phoenix Flower Jutsu."
Ruichi exhaled a few small flames, deliberately weakening them and avoiding complex trajectories.
"This is really hard…" he frowned.
"The chakra flow is complicated. I need a quiet place to practice slowly."
Iwashiro nodded.
"That's normal. Earth Release is about building power steadily. Go practice in the woods—but don't wander too far."
Shisui smiled.
"Be careful with Fire Release. Don't start a wildfire."
"Understood!"
Ruichi felt as though he'd been granted a royal pardon and bolted toward the forest, his retreating figure practically screaming 'I'm finally off work!'
…
For the past few days, Ruichi had been visiting a small stream not far from the camp after finishing logistics work.
Once he confirmed no one was around, he yawned lazily.
"Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall."
With a single hand seal and a light tap of his toe—
Boom!
Four smooth, curved earthen walls rose instantly, forming a cozy shelter. A carved dog's head even adorned the top for flair.
Next—
"Fire Release: Phoenix Flower Jutsu."
Small flames arced through the air, converging at one point and igniting a prepared pile of firewood.
Ruichi nodded in satisfaction, pulled out a freshly caught wild rabbit, cleaned it skillfully, and set it over the fire.
"Earth Release: Earth Flow Wave."
The ground churned and reshaped itself into a brand-new rocking chair.
"This," Ruichi said contentedly, "is what applying knowledge really means."
Blue skies. White clouds. The gentle sizzle of roasting meat. Natural energy flowing calmly around him.
Study? Screw that.
Slacking off felt incredible.
A true genius was someone who used the time others spent honing killing techniques to perfect the art of crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside barbecue.
Unfortunately, paradise never lasted long.
Just as Ruichi took a blissful bite of roasted rabbit leg—
Whoosh—bang!
A blinding red signal flare exploded into the sky northeast of the base.
An emergency distress signal.
Ruichi froze. The meat in his mouth instantly lost all flavor.
"Tch… how annoying," he muttered.
"Couldn't you wait until I finished eating?!"
Complaints aside, he stood up.
"Earth Release: Earth Flow Wave."
After erasing all traces, Ruichi turned and headed straight back toward the camp.