Chapter 13: Tree Leaf Library

Iruka smiled, leaning back slightly in his chair. "It's about an opportunity," he began. "Mizuki Hoshino, the keeper of Konoha's library, has gotten too old to manage everything by herself. Even with her granddaughter Shiho helping out, it's too much. She's looking for a young person to lend a hand. In return, you'd get free access to all the Genin-level books and scrolls."

Iruka leaned forward slightly, his tone warm and encouraging. "Are you interested?"

Shin's eyes lit up. "Really? I'd get access to all those books? Of course, I'm interested!" He paused, a grin spreading across his face. "This sounds like an amazing opportunity. I'll definitely do it."

Iruka chuckled at Shin's excitement, his own expression softening. "I thought you might feel that way."

As Shin adjusted his bag, still buzzing with excitement, a thought struck him. He glanced at Iruka, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "But why me? I mean, there are plenty of other students who could do this. Why ask me?"

Iruka regarded him for a moment, his expression turning serious but kind. "Because I think you're talented, Shin. You've shown a lot of promise, even though you don't come from one of the big clans with centuries of jutsu and techniques at their disposal."

Shin blinked, caught off guard by the compliment.

Iruka continued, his voice steady and sincere. "You've had to work harder, push yourself more, and find your own path. I see a lot of potential in you, and I don't want it to go to waste. This is a chance for you to grow and to access knowledge that others might take for granted. You deserve this opportunity."

Shin nodded firmly, determination mingling with his excitement. "Thank you, Sensei. I won't let you down."

Iruka's smile widened, and he leaned back in his chair. "That's all I ask. The library is open early tomorrow. I'll let Mizuki know to expect you."

As Shin turned to leave, he couldn't help but feel a spark of anticipation. This wasn't just about helping someone—it was an opportunity to learn, to grow, and maybe even to prove something to himself.

...

The next day, the first rays of sunlight bathed Konoha in a warm glow as Shin made his way toward the village library. The streets were still quiet, the early hour ensuring only a few villagers were up and about. Shin felt a mix of excitement and nervousness as he approached the building.

The Konoha library stood as an imposing yet serene structure. Its wooden frame and high-arched windows exuded an air of age and knowledge. The roof curved gently upward, its edges adorned with intricate carvings of leaves and scrolls—symbols of learning and growth. Inside, the library was illuminated by soft, natural light streaming through its high windows, casting golden hues over rows upon rows of meticulously organized shelves. The scent of aged paper and ink filled the air, adding to the atmosphere of wisdom and discovery.

Shin stepped inside, his sandals barely making a sound against the polished wooden floors. The vast space was silent except for the faint rustling of papers and the occasional creak of the shelves. As he took a few cautious steps forward, his eyes wandered over the sheer number of books and scrolls neatly arranged in labeled sections, covering everything from ninjutsu theory to the history of the shinobi world.

Near the main desk, Shin spotted a young girl his age with light brown hair tied into short pigtails and thick-rimmed glasses that seemed a size too big for her small face. She wore a simple white shirt and a light green vest, her appearance neat and studious. She stood on a small stool behind the counter, diligently organizing a stack of scrolls that nearly reached her height.

The girl noticed Shin and looked up, her round, bespectacled eyes studying him curiously. After a moment, she smiled brightly. "Hi there! You must be the one Iruka-sensei mentioned!" she said, her voice cheerful but a bit shy.

Shin nodded, slightly surprised by the warmth in her greeting. "Yeah, I'm Shin Hamada. You must be... Shiho, right?"

Shiho beamed, adjusting her glasses with a quick push. "That's me! I help Grandma Mizuki keep things in order around here. She's in the back right now, but she'll be out soon." She tilted her head, her curiosity evident. "You're here to help us, right?"

Shin smiled back, her enthusiasm infectious. "That's the plan. It looks like there's a lot to do here."

Shiho giggled softly. "You have no idea. But don't worry! I'll show you the ropes. Grandma said you're allowed to read as much as you want once the work is done, so it's kind of a win-win, right?"

Shin chuckled, his earlier nervousness fading. "Sounds like a good deal to me."

As Shiho climbed down from her stool to show him around, Shin couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort in the library's welcoming atmosphere—and a growing anticipation for the knowledge it held.

As Shiho led Shin deeper into the library, she pointed to a large stack of scrolls neatly arranged on one of the tables. "Okay, here's the plan. These scrolls need to be sorted and categorized according to type. There are ninjutsu, genjutsu, taijutsu, medical jutsu, and all sorts of other stuff. Grandma Mizuki is usually very particular about how everything is organized, so we need to make sure everything goes in the right section."

Shin nodded, eager to get started. He glanced at the pile of scrolls. The task seemed straightforward enough, but he quickly realized just how many there were—more than he had expected. Scrolls of all sizes, some thin and others so thick they looked almost like books, were scattered across the table.

Shiho continued, her voice full of energy as she handed Shin a large stack of scrolls. "We've got plenty of work to do, but you're a quick learner, right? Just make sure the scrolls are in the right order, and if you're unsure about something, just ask."

Shin smiled, excited to dive in. "No problem! I'll get this done."

With a determined look, Shin immediately began sorting through the scrolls. He picked up the first one, scanning the label that indicated it was a C-rank ninjutsu scroll. Without hesitation, he placed it in the correct section, then moved on to the next one. The task was repetitive, but the atmosphere of the library, coupled with the knowledge in the air, kept him focused. Each scroll was a doorway to something new—new techniques, strategies, and secrets of the shinobi world.

As he continued to work, he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in what he was doing. Despite the mundane nature of the task, it felt like he was contributing to something greater. His eyes often flicked to the shelves, yearning to explore the vast array of knowledge stored there once the work was done.

Shiho, meanwhile, worked quickly beside him, her small hands moving with practiced precision as she neatly organized the scrolls, adding new labels and making sure everything was placed just right. "You're doing great!" she said, offering him an encouraging smile as he finished another stack. "Grandma Mizuki will be happy to see everything in order."

Shin gave a small nod, already feeling the weight of his responsibility. "Thanks. I'm glad to be here."

Shiho gave him a thumbs-up before turning back to her own pile of scrolls. "Once we finish sorting everything, I'll show you where the best books are! There are so many that even Grandma doesn't get to read them all." She giggled, clearly enjoying the work, as if the library itself was a treasure trove waiting to be uncovered.

Shin's excitement grew with each scroll he handled. He had no idea how long the work would take, but the thought of diving into the vast array of knowledge afterward made it all worthwhile.

To be continued...

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How was this chapter guys? I was a bit in hurry today, so if there are some mistakes, please forgive me.

And check out my original novel, Hyperborea! You won't absolutely regret it!