Kumogakure, Grandma Yanagimura's Garden
"Tch, you're really something, ignoring me like that!" Orui's voice was a frustrated growl, his massive shadow looming over Ye Liangnai. He'd been taunting for minutes, but Ye Liangnai's silence—focused solely on pulling weeds—robbed him of any traction. With no reaction to feed his ego, Orui's bravado fizzled. Muttering curses, he stormed off, his heavy steps fading into the village's hum.
From the shadows, a Cloud ANBU watched, his eyes narrowed with grudging respect. Kid's got nerves of steel, he thought. Orui's provocations would've baited most into a fight, but Ye Liangnai's restraint was almost unnatural. Too calm for his own good.
This observer was no ordinary operative. Known for assigning Ye Liangnai's codename, Jolting Swan, his background was shrouded, his authority subtle but undeniable within the ANBU ranks.
At noon, Ye Liangnai finished weeding Grandma Yanagimura's garden, the old woman beaming as she pressed a small pouch of coins into his hands. "Thank you, young man! You did a fine job—here's your pay."
Ye Liangnai flashed a warm smile, his charm dialed up. "You're too kind, Grandma. If you've got more tasks like this, I'm your guy!" His playful tone and respectful bow had her chuckling, her weathered face creasing with delight. She insisted he stay for tea, regaling him with village gossip for nearly an hour before letting him go.
The hidden ANBU's brow furrowed. He's… enjoying this? The thought was absurd. E-rank tasks were grunt work, designed to break spirits, yet Ye Liangnai seemed to revel in them, his demeanor as carefree as a retiree. What's his angle?
Seven Days Later, Raikage's Office
"So, how's Kira doing?" The Fourth Raikage leaned forward, his voice carrying a mix of curiosity and expectation. "Has he learned his lesson? Any groveling, any promises to tone down that arrogance?"
The mysterious ANBU hesitated, his usual composure faltering. "Uh… Lord Raikage, it's… complicated."
The Raikage's brow creased, his patience thinning. "Complicated? Speak plainly. What's he hiding that you can't tell me?"
The ANBU cleared his throat, choosing his words carefully. "Kira's not remorseful. At all. He's… thriving. Loves the E-rank tasks. He's out there weeding gardens, cleaning houses, chatting up every elder in the village like it's his life's calling. Half the old folks know him by name now. If there's a chore, they're calling for him."
The Raikage froze, his jaw slackening. He stared at the ANBU, his expression screaming, Are you screwing with me? "You're saying he's happy doing grunt work?"
The ANBU nodded, almost sheepish. "If you don't believe me, see for yourself. I can't figure him out."
The Raikage's eyes blazed with disbelief. With a growl, he leaped through the window, his massive frame a blur as he headed for Ye Liangnai's latest task site. Enjoying E-rank missions? Impossible. His goal had been to humble Ye Liangnai, to sand down his sharp edges for easier control. If the kid was thriving, his plan was a bust—a punch landing on air, leaving him grasping at nothing.
At Grandpa Wada's house, Ye Liangnai sat across from the elderly man, a shogi board between them. The sun bathed the porch in golden light, and Ye Liangnai hummed a jaunty tune, his voice light. "Nice day for weeding, nice day for winning! Checkmate, Grandpa Wada—I got you again!"
Wada laughed, his voice raspy but warm. "Hah! I'm getting too old for you youngsters. Come on, one more game—haven't had this much fun in years!"
Ye Liangnai grinned, resetting the board. "You're on!"
"Kira!" The Raikage's roar shattered the moment, his presence like a storm cloud rolling in. "I send you to work, and you're slacking playing games?!"
Ye Liangnai blinked, feigning surprise as he turned. "Lord Raikage! Didn't see you there—grab a seat! You here for a game too?" His tone was cheerful, his smile infuriatingly bright.
The Raikage's forehead pulsed with veins, his fists clenching. "Don't forget your place, kid! Stop acting cocky in front of me!"
Ye Liangnai tilted his head, his expression the picture of innocence. "Cocky? Lord Raikage, you assigned me these E-rank tasks to build character, right? I've been diligent, working hard, no slacking here!"
"You've got time to play shogi, and you call that working?" the Raikage bellowed, pointing at the board. "Where's the weeding? I don't see you doing your job!"
Before Ye Liangnai could respond, Grandpa Wada raised a trembling hand. "Now, Lord Raikage, don't be too hard on him. I posted the weeding task as an excuse to get him here for a game—keeps me company. Don't blame the boy."
The Raikage's face fell, a flush of embarrassment creeping up his neck. Ye Liangnai's lips twitched, a fleeting smirk of triumph flashing before vanishing. The Raikage caught it—or thought he did—but it was gone too fast to call out. Damn this kid.
Clearing his throat, the Raikage forced his voice steady. "Fine. You've done enough E-rank tasks—your character's 'polished' enough. Starting tomorrow, you're back on regular ANBU duties. A talent like you shouldn't be wasted on chores."
It took every ounce of his willpower to choke out the words, each one a bitter pill. In their first clash, Ye Liangnai had outmaneuvered him completely, turning punishment into a vacation. I lost this round, kid.
Ye Liangnai dropped to one knee, his tone dripping with mock humility. "Thank you, Lord Raikage. I'm honored."
"Hmph!" The Raikage shot him a glare, second-guessing himself. Maybe I should've kept him on E-ranks longer. But his word was given, and retracting it would be admitting defeat. With a frustrated huff, he stormed off, his cloak snapping in his wake.
Ye Liangnai turned back to Wada, his grin returning. "Alright, Grandpa, let's keep going!"
"Checkmate!" Wada crowed, laughing as Ye Liangnai groaned.
"Hey, that's dirty—you set me up!" Ye Liangnai's mock outrage sent Wada into another fit of chuckles, their game stretching through the morning.
Afternoon, Ye Liangnai's Quarters
Ye Liangnai sat cross-legged in the small courtyard behind his shack, his shirt discarded, sweat gleaming on his skin. His white-bladed katana lay across his lap, its edge catching the fading light as he cleaned it with meticulous care. Setting it aside, he rose, gripping the hilt, and began a series of precise swings, each motion a dance of muscle and intent.
The past week had been lean—only 15,000 Enhancement Points earned, barely a dent. With real ANBU missions looming, survival demanded more. The Raikage won't go easy on me. Time to bulk up.
He trained until the moon hung high, the village's lights twinkling below. Exhausted, drenched as if he'd crawled from a river, he stopped, his breath heaving. "Ten thousand points today—not bad," he muttered, peeling off his clothes and sinking into a new bathtub, bought with his meager earnings. The warm water eased his aching muscles as he opened his skill panel, its familiar glow reflecting his growing ambition.
System Panel
Enhancement Points: 25,000
Skills Available for Enhancement: Lightning Style Techniques, Barrier Jutsu, Sealing Jutsu, Swordsmanship
Ye Liangnai's eyes scanned the options, a calculating glint in them. Let's see how far I can push these before the missions start.