Chapter 202: Daily Life Of Genin In The Village Of Stars, Shisui’s Envy
The crisp morning air, carrying the unique freshness of Star Capital mixed with cooking smoke and the distant forest, slipped into Oyakushiro Chino’s slightly fluttering nostrils.
Sunlight filtered through the window lattice, casting slanted light spots on the bedding.
“Mmm…” Chino groggily rubbed her eyes, habitually reaching for the bedside alarm clock with a little bear drawing.
Her fingertips touched the cold plastic shell, and she squinted to take a closer look—
“Whoa! It’s seven fifty!” The girl shot up from the warm bedding like she’d been pricked by a needle, her sleepiness vanishing instantly.
“Oh no, oh no, oh no! Late for the first day assembly—Guidance Jonin will chew me out!” Chino frantically pulled on her clothes.
The signature deep red clan robes of the Blood Pond Clan had been changed to darker casual wear more suitable for daily activities three months ago, now wrinkled and rumpled by her tugging.
She whirlwinded into the small washroom, hastily brushed her teeth, roughly splashed cold water on her face, didn’t bother carefully combing her damp hair, let her white short hair flare out, and thumped down the narrow wooden stairs.
The living room downstairs was filled with the toasty aroma of toast and the sweet warmth of hot milk.
Her father Miyashiro En sat leisurely on a wooden chair by the window, a《Star Daily》 spread open in his hands.
The front page of the newspaper seemed to feature news of the official opening of the trade route on the border between the Land of Stars and the Land of Swamps.
Sunlight fell on his angular profile, dispelling the lingering haze from his brows that had been there in Hell Valley days, making him look peaceful and content.
He wore a pair of narrow-framed diamond-shaped sunglasses, concealing those Blood Dragon Eyes that had once chilled countless enemies, leaving only a gentle smile at the corner of his mouth.
On the table, a slice of toast spread with jam and a cup of steaming milk waited quietly for her.
“Chino, slow down!” Her mother’s gentle, smiling voice came from the kitchen doorway, apron tied on, soup ladle still in hand: “You’re a ninja now—why so scatterbrained? Like a little kitten.”
“I’m gonna be late, Mom!” Chino charged to the table like a pouncing little beast, grabbed the two perfectly toasted slices of bread, bit down hard, cheeks bulging immediately.
She mumbled indistinctly, picked up the warm milk cup with her other hand, gulped down several mouthfuls, the liquid sliding down her throat finally easing some of the heat from her sprint.
“I’m heading out!” she shouted vaguely, snatching the brand-new ninja tool pouch from the low cabinet by the door—the hefty weight filling her with reassurance and excitement.
Glimpses of metal ninja tools gleamed from the side pocket of the ninja tool pouch.
“Be careful on the road.” Miyashiro En finally lifted his gaze from the newspaper, pushed up his sunglasses, watched his daughter bound out the door like a little deer, eyes full of affection and a trace of barely perceptible sentiment.
He smiled at his wife in the kitchen doorway: “Let her go. Kids have their own paths. This is good.”
He lifted his own cup of hot tea, took a gentle sip, savoring this hard-won peaceful morning.
Freed from Hell Valley’s prison, far from Cloud Village’s blades, on this unfamiliar land of Star Capital, their Blood Pond Clan had truly taken root, welcoming new life.
Chino jogged all the way, the morning chill stinging her face but unable to dispel the excitement in her heart.
Three months ago, when the earth-shattering explosion’s white light shot skyward in Hell Valley, staining the valley with clansmen’s blood, she had been just a child shielded by her father, dazed from the shock.
It was Lord Shura, wearing the white fox mask, who descended like a god tearing through darkness, giving their clan the hope of survival.
After migrating to Star Capital, under the careful treatment of Star Ninja Village’s medical ninjas, her body gradually recovered, allowing normal activity.
The gates of Star Ninja Academy opened to her and the other Blood Pond Clan children!
Though only three short months of study, with the Blood Pond Clan’s excellent chakra control talent and her unyielding grit, she pushed through the rigorous graduation exam ahead of schedule, becoming a true Star Ninja!
The Star Ninja Academy main building looked especially solemn in the morning light.
Chino took a deep breath, steadied her panting from the run, straightened her skewed collar, then gently knocked on the heavy wooden door with the “Principal’s Office” sign.
“Come in.” A mild, scholarly voice responded.
Chino pushed the door open and entered.
The room was spacious and bright, massive bookshelves filled with scrolls and books.
Behind the desk, Nonō Yakushi set down her pen and looked up.
She wore an elegant deep blue miko outfit, thin-rimmed glasses on her nose, clear and wise eyes behind the lenses, exuding a calm and reliable demeanor.
As vice principal of Star Ninja Academy, this former “wandering miko” was now a beloved and admired elder in countless children’s eyes.
While the nominal principal Lord Shura was always elusive.
“Principal!” Chino stood straight, voice crisp with irrepressible excitement.
“Good morning, Chino.” Nonō Yakushi smiled warmly, stood, and walked around the large desk.
Her movements were graceful and composed, holding a dark-colored ninja headband in her hands.
“Congratulations on graduating early with excellent scores.”
Nonō Yakushi approached Chino, solemnly handing over the headband with both hands.
The cold metal piece touched her palm, heavy with weight.
At the center of the headband was a red five-pointed star emblem.
The symbol of Star Ninja Village gleamed subtly in the light streaming through the window.
“Thank you, Principal!” Chino took it with both hands, gripping tightly, knuckles whitening; she could clearly hear her heart pounding.
This was the symbol of the identity she had dreamed of!
Nonō Yakushi watched the blazing light in the girl’s eyes, sighed softly, tone full of elder concern: “Actually, as principal, I wish talented children like you could stay in school a few more years, build a solid foundation, enjoy carefree learning. The ninja path… is far harder than the classroom.”
She thought of that child Kabuto, equally gifted, yet burdened too early with undue weight.
After the recent mother-son reunion, Kabuto had been transferred alone to the Medical Department for deeper studies and some “special” training.
She only hoped Chino could proceed more steadily.
“Thank you, Principal!” Chino smiled: “But I come from a ninja clan—I’ll face this eventually. The Blood Pond Clan must offer the power of Blood Dragon Eye to Lord Shura and the Land of Stars!”
Chino’s eager smile reminded Nonō Yakushi of the children at the ninja academy.
Most had become orphans from disasters or war, accustomed to life and death, to the world’s cruelty, pursuing power more than many ninja village ninjas.
Without the academy’s strict graduation exams, these students would demand graduation every year.
Thus, in nearly two years of Star Ninja Village education, only three war orphans with exceptional learning ability and talent—whom the academy could no longer teach—were approved for early graduation, one being Kabuto Yakushi as a spy.
The others approved early were children who awakened bloodline limits, like Kimimaro, Haku, Yukimi—the weakest fighter Yukimi was already Chunin level, just lacking more combat experience.
All guided by Jonin, they handled D-rank and C-rank missions, then gradually B-rank bandit extermination under safe conditions.
They did not actively join ninja battles.
As for Chino, she was too eager to progress, too desirous to awaken her bloodline limit.
Nonō Yakushi looked at the persistent little girl, sighed, then her eyes filled with affirmation and encouragement: “I respect your choice and effort. Since you’ve resolved to walk this path, Oyakushiro Chino, on behalf of Star Ninja Academy, I formally bestow upon you the Star Ninja Headband.”
“May you uphold the Star Ninja way, protect the Land of Stars’ peace and tranquility, and become an outstanding ninja!”
“Yes! Principal! I will!” Chino nodded vigorously in excitement.
She eagerly tied the headband to her forehead, the cool metal pressing against her skin, a strong sense of belonging and mission surging within.
At that moment, the office door was knocked again.
“Come in.” Nonō Yakushi responded.
The door opened, and a tall, capable female ninja entered.
She wore the standard Star Ninja Village vest over a black tight combat suit for mobility, deep red long hair tied in a neat ponytail behind, Star Ninja Headband on her forehead.
Her sharp eyes held gentleness as she scanned the room.
“Teacher Natsuhi, you’ve arrived.” Nonō Yakushi smiled, introducing: “This is the new member assigned to your team today, Oyakushiro Chino, just graduated.”
Natsuhi’s gaze fell on Chino, sizing her up, lingering on the headband and her youthful yet determined face, nodding slightly, concise: “I’m Natsuhi. From today, I’m your Guidance Jonin.”
Her voice was not loud, yet carried a big sister’s gentleness.
“Yes! Teacher Natsuhi! Please guide me!” Chino straightened immediately, responding loudly.
She felt the faint pressure beneath this teacher’s gentleness—the aura of true life-and-death combat.
“Alright, Chino, go with Teacher Natsuhi.” Nonō Yakushi gave Chino a final encouraging look.
“Thank you, Principal! I won’t disappoint you!” Chino bowed deeply, then turned to Natsuhi, eyes full of expectation: “Teacher, shall we go?”
“Vice Principal Nonō Yakushi, farewell.” Natsuhi nodded slightly to Nonō Yakushi, then turned to leave.
Chino hurried after with small steps.
Star Ninja Village’s Second Training Ground was on the military zone outskirts, hard-packed dirt ground surrounded by tall trees.
When Natsuhi brought Chino here, two other figures were already waiting in the field.
A boy stood tall, wearing a similar Star Ninja Vest to Natsuhi, arms crossed, leaning against a wooden post at the field edge, face showing impatience.
He had hedgehog-like black short hair, thick eyebrows—Shita Junhito.
The other was a girl with shoulder-length light brown short hair, pretty features, fitted casual wear under standard vest, looking spirited, idly kicking pebbles—Murahashi Hazuki.
Seeing Natsuhi approach, both straightened: “Teacher Natsuhi!”
Their gazes then fell on Chino trailing closely behind Natsuhi.
Shita Junhito’s thick brows furrowed, eyeing this girl shorter than him by half a head, cheeks still babyish, eyes full of undisguised suspicion and annoyance.
“Tch,” he smacked his lips rudely, looking straight at Natsuhi: “Teacher, this is the newbie replacing Kabuto? You’re kidding—a little bean?”
He recalled Kumamoto Kabuto, glasses-wearing, always mildly smiling yet unfathomably deep; though short time together, Kabuto’s maturity and steadiness far beyond ordinary genin in missions made him reliable.
Now replaced by this tiny thing?
Shita Junhito felt irritated.
Murahashi Hazuki blinked curiously, eyes circling Chino, especially noting the new Star Ninja Headband, offering a kind smile and greeting: “Hi, new teammate! I’m Murahashi Hazuki.”
Chino’s cheeks flushed from Shita Junhito’s dismissive gaze and words, anger flaring up.
She stepped forward fiercely, puffed her small chest, glared unyieldingly at Shita Junhito, voice sharp and clear: “Hey! Big lug! Who’s the little bean? Looking down on who? I’m a Blood Pond Clan ninja! Don’t underestimate Oyakushiro Chino!”
“Blood Pond?” Shita Junhito paused—this clan name had some fame in Star Capital, after all brought back personally by Lord Shura.
But his disdain didn’t fade, instead sneering with typical ninja clan disciple arrogance: “Oh? Clan young miss? Greenhouse flower? Seen blood? Know what real missions are like?”
He had no fondness for ninja clan kids, feeling they came with halos and dragged teams down.
“You!” Chino’s face reddened with rage, fists clenched.
“Enough!” The usually gentle Natsuhi’s cold voice instantly froze the tense atmosphere between them.
Her stern gaze swept Shita Junhito and Chino: “Junhito, drop your prejudice. Chino, control your temper. Remember, from today, you three are a team—companions who entrust backs to each other! Infighting is the stupidest act!”
Shita Junhito pursed his lips, reluctantly turning his head aside.
Chino puffed her cheeks, glaring huffily at the ground, silent.
Only then did Natsuhi take a scroll from her ninja tool pouch, flick her wrist—”poof”—the scroll unfurled with a light sound.
Her gaze swept the three young genin, voice solemn:
“This mission rank: B-rank.”
“Target: Eliminate the bandit remnants entrenched in the snow forest area around Aga Town.”
Shita Junhito and Murahashi Hazuki’s expressions turned grave.
B-rank missions were quite challenging for their genin team.
Chino sensed the shift, temporarily suppressing her grudge against Shita Junhito, ears perked curiously and nervously.
Natsuhi pointed to the crude map on the scroll, detailing: “These bandits were originally active on the northern border of the Land of Demons—now the northern region of the Land of Stars—scale once over three hundred, burning, killing, looting, no evil untouched. After Land of Stars formed, multiple suppression strikes were launched.”
“They’re extremely cunning; facing strong encirclement, they flee north into Land of Snow territory to hide. After several operations, main force destroyed, but about ten core members escaped. Intelligence shows they’ve slipped back to the snow forest near Aga Town, harassing passing merchant caravans and logging camps.”
She paused, gaze sweeping them: “Don’t get careless just because they’re under ten! These are the gang’s most ferocious, cunning elites—experienced, ruthless. Reliable intel: at least three have some chakra, combat skills and experience comparable to regular genin. They know every inch of that complex, cold snow forest terrain, excel at ambushes and guerrilla tactics using environment. This mission is a severe test of your team’s coordination and real combat experience!”
“Got it, Teacher!” Murahashi Hazuki nodded seriously, hand unconsciously on her waist ninja tool pouch.
Shita Junhito, face still stern, had battle intent kindled in his eyes, prior disdain diluted by mission pressure: “Hmph, good chance to loosen up.”
Chino nodded hard, small face eager, voice crisp: “Leave it to us, Teacher Natsuhi!”
She seemed to forget the earlier spat, just wanting to prove herself.
“Depart!” Natsuhi rolled up the scroll, turned crisply, leading toward the northern road out of the village.
Shita Junhito and Murahashi Hazuki followed immediately.
Chino took a deep breath, clenched her fists, jogged to catch up.
Her new headband swayed lightly on her forehead with the run.
As the four left the training ground edge, a figure in deep blue Uchiha Clan robes passed by from another path, brushing shoulders.
It was Shisui Uchiha.
He wore a Konoha Headband on his forehead, somewhat out of place in Star Capital.
Natsuhi’s eyes met his; they nodded courteously, no more words.
Shisui’s gaze swept the three young genin behind Natsuhi—especially the white-haired girl with a pouty face and the spiky-haired boy clearly annoyed.
Watching them follow their teacher to the mission, pure, faint envy showed in Shisui’s mild black eyes.
The peace here was real.
No invisible, suffocating walls of suspicion between ninja clans and village like in Konoha.
Blood Pond Clan, Kaguya Clan, Yukigakure Clan, Iburi Clan, etc.—clans extinct or seen as freaks outside—lived peacefully here; their children learned, teamed, missioned together for the same goal.
No Warring States era ninja clan hatreds, no deep-rooted estrangement, no constant suspicion overhead.
If Konoha’s Uchiha Clan could be like this…
Bitterness rippled in Shisui’s heart.
Life in Star Capital lately was so calm he’d nearly forgotten his initial “kidnapping” unease and intelligence mission, even indulging in this rare tranquility.
