(A/N)
Sorry for the delay in chapters—life had other plans and took me out for a bit. But I'm back now, and here's the next chapter!
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"A master doesn't teach you everything. He shows you where to look."
— Ginko, Mushishi
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Location: Northern Forest – Midday
The wind rustled through the leaves, birds chirped softly in the background and the sunlight filtered through the tall trees in thin golden lines, creating a breathtaking display of nature's beauty. Otis stood near a log, arms folded, he was scanning the clearing as this was the spot for his meeting with Maruboshi Kosuke
But there was no one here.
"…Is this a prank?" Otis muttered, growing impatient after waiting for a while.
Just as he turned to leave, a soft snap of a twig stopped him midstep.
Otis turned—slowly.
A figure walked out from the shadows between the trees.
Hunched back. Simple robes. A small bag hung from his shoulder, and there was a gentle smile on his wrinkled face.
Maruboshi Kosuke was an elderly man, grey hair pulled into a short ponytail. He wore mesh armor under a short, brown, sleeveless kimono and a pair of loose grey pants. A wok was strapped to his back, along with a ladle and a sword sheathed horizontally across his lower back.
"Otis-kun?" the old man said, his voice like warm tea.
"…Yeah," Otis replied, studying him.
Kosuke smiled kindly. "Maruboshi Kosuke. I'll be helping guide you. Not just in missions—but in what it means to… stay alive".
He paused, then added with a glint in his eye,
"And if you're willing… I'll also teach you how to fight with anything. Anything can become a weapon."
Then he turned and started walking.
"Come on. We've got some D-rank missions to handle."
Otis followed without complaint.
***
Later – In the Fields
The work was… annoying and tedious. Otis raked dry leaves into piles while Kosuke cooked something in his wok over a small fire nearby.
"…This isn't real ninja work." Otis complained
Kosuke smiled, not looking up. "It's not glamorous."
Birds were chirping in the trees. Somewhere behind them, children were laughing behind them.
Kosuke glanced toward the fields,, his eyes distant.
"I've been on over a thousand missions," he said. "Many of them are just like this. There were times I wished for glory — for danger, recognition, something more. But the older I got, the more I realized…"
He turned to Otis. His voice softening.
"…It's the small things that keeps the village alive."
Otis looked down at his rake. Then at the farmers working nearby. Then back at Kosuke.
"…You could've stopped," Otis said. "You're old enough already. You don't need to do this anymore Old man"
Kosuke chuckled again, quietly. "That's what makes it matter. When you help not because you have to — but because someone needs it. It feels more than a Ninja, a Human"
He walked over and handed Otis a wooden bowl filled with food,
"And besides… when you're older, you'll realize—sometimes the smallest missions teach you the most."
Otis stared at the bowl in his hands… then looked back toward the gardens.
He got back to work — a little slower, and a little quieter.
***
Time Skip – One Year Later
Location: Main Village Gate – Early Evening
The sky was painted in gold and grey, the wind drifting through the trees.
The gates of Konoha stood open, same as always.
Otis paused in front of the gate looking nostalgic.
He had changed.
Now standing at 6 feet 8 inches, Otis looked more broad and defined than ever. Thanks to Guy's relentless training, not an ounce of fat remained on his body. His strength had grown, his muscles hardened—he looked more intimidating than ever. Otis couldn't remember a single time — client or enemy — where anyone had spoken to him rudely.
(Pic)
Even the enemies didn't look down on him.
They just assumed he was strong — the moment they saw him.
He stood at the edge of the road, a travel cloak draped loosely over his shoulders. His hair was longer now.. There was dust on his boots
Beside him stood Maruboshi Kosuke—just a bit older, perhaps, but his eyes were still sharp
They both stared at the village in silence.
"…Still standing," Kosuke said with a tired smile.
Otis looked forward, eyes unreadable. "I didn't think I'd be gone for this long."
Otis hadn't expected the escort mission to take two whole months.
He'd underestimated how big this world really was.
Still… the pay was good. So he could live with it.
Hey stepped forward to the village
Kosuke matched the pace beside him. They passed the guards at the gate — One of the guards blinked in shock.
"Wait—Otis? You're back?"
Otis gave a small nod.
The guard stared at him. "…we thought you were dead."
Otis gave a dry chuckle. "Surprise. I'm still alive."
They walked on.
Villagers glanced, some whispering. Others stepped aside automatically.
The village streets had changed — just slightly. New stalls. New paint on a few walls.Children ran laughing through the alleys, tossing wooden shuriken back and forth.
Otis scanned the streets.
A faint smile played on his lips.
They walked in silence past the Academy. Past the mission hall. And Past the bakery where Otis had once stood in line for his first mission week.
The smells, the air, the sounds — all familiar.
Yet… he had changed.
A year outside the village. Traveling with Kosuke. Doing missions, yes — but more than that. Helping distant outposts. Guarding traveling merchants. Hunting bandits that terrorized small villages. Tracking down lost farmers. Sleeping on riverbanks, with nothing but fish… or sometimes nothing at all.
Learning how to be seen—and how to disappear during assassination missions
And somehow, without meaning to, the old man had taught him more than any teacher ever had.
He had done Two hundred D-Rank missions. Twenty-five C-Rank missions and three B-Rank missions
As they approached the Hokage Tower, Kosuke's voice broke the silence.
"Are you sure you want to go straight to the Tower?" Kosuke asked softly, his voice calm, worn with years.
Otis nodded. "Yeah. I'll report the mission… then head straight home."
Kosuke gave a small nod. "We'll take a few days off."
"Okay."
The old man smiled faintly. "Good. The rest's yours to keep."
They walked in silence for a while. As they reached the steps of the Hokage Tower, Kosuke stopped.
He didn't say anything right away.
Just stood there, looking up at the building like he was remembering something from long ago.
"…You not coming, old man?" Otis asked.
Kosuke shook his head slowly. "I'm not built for towers."
Otis looked at him for a moment… then gave a slight nod.
Before turning to walk up, he stopped. Just for a second.
"Thank you," he said, without looking back.
Kosuke smiled — just a little. "Don't waste what you learned"
Otis didn't reply. He just walked.
Up the steps..
He wasn't the same kid who left the village.
And even if no one saw it yet —
— he knew.
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(A/N)
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