Shio Ramen

"Congratulations, you barely qualify for more than possibly useful. Of the sixteen fresh genin allocated to our unit, the six of you have shown a modicum of intelligence" the Hyuuga drawls.

Pacing back and forth he runs a hand through his receding hairline, "Today, we run through the basics of scouting, something the others are given a week to learn. Why? Simply because you are expected to perfect this on your own time. It's no rocket science. For the rest of the week, we will cover more advanced concepts such as acting, disguise, infiltration, and disinformation."

Taking the cover of an old projector, he presses a button to turn it on. "Tracking is a must for this department. While some of you have superior methods like the Byakugan, it does not help if the target has long left you behind"

Finding it hard not to roll my eyes, I Ignore the sneering Hyuuga sitting next to me. Why doesn't she sit farther away? It seems like she dislikes the others just as much. Eyeing the others, I glance at another Hyuuga's covered forehead. Most likely a branch member. Nothing against branch members, but with all the restrictions and their upbringing they are essentially at the same level as decent civilians when it comes to versatility. No absolute defense jutsu. No amazing taijutsu. No ambition.

Pointing to the illuminated screen, the instructor starts with a picture of male Inuzuka strung up in ninja wire with half of his lower body missing. If the soot-covered head and charred torso are any indications, he seems to have been restrained and killed by an explosion. "This is you. You take this post because someone pulled some strings and you landed in the gifted expendable class due to some middling talent. You enter the battlefield thinking that you're safe and we'll give you easy tasks that will keep you safe, so you throw caution to the wind and take a nice stroll through the fire country woods. Guess what? Some of the enemy scouts wanting to pad their resume before retirement decided to try their luck at catching an idiot rookie. You stare at the sky and think, "Wow! I sure am lucky to be on Konoha's side!" That's when several projectiles, an explosion, or an enemy ninja kills you and goes home happy. The end."

Manually switching to another slide, he shows a landmine on the screen. "This is why we stick to the trees. Every year, dozens of idiots like you get killed by the most basic traps just because you didn't want to stick to the trees. The first thing I'll tell you is that trees are friends. Trapping a tree is much harder than laying a trap on the ground. Eight out of ten traps are made for ninjas running on the ground. If you learn anything before entering the field, it's that we are called tree huggers for a reason."

As he starts switching the slide, I pull out my notebook. Following obvious footprints, I can do. Not falling into traps is much harder. Shuffling back to the projector screen, he gestures to a chart of footprints, "Moving on to today's course. As tree huggers, we look at footprints from the trees! Do not leave the tree unless absolutely necessary!"

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"Finally, the mission types! There are three basic mission types. The first is to gather intel on known enemy formations. Simple, but accounts for the highest number of deaths. For those who have half a brain, I'll add that 90% of missions end without incident and that this category also accounts for most of the missions issued."

Adding a note in the margins, I label intel missions as the least likely to encounter confrontation. Flipping to a new page, I direct my attention to the animated Hyuuga instructor. It's funny how the most uninterested and pessimistic guy becomes excited when teaching something he loves.

"The second is establishing or re-establishing contact with an enemy. With the fewest number of casualties and the fewest number of missions assigned, this is probably something you'd do best to avoid. If you still haven't understood, the rate of missions that failed is close to 70%. Missions only fail when the squad dies or the team decides to abandon it."

Drawing a few exclamation marks next to number two, I notice that only one other person is actually taking notes. What's surprising is that it's the Hyuuga girl from before. Finding one person dozing off and one staring off at a blank wall, I decide to hold off on getting to know the people I work with. Who knows which ones will actually be useful?

"Lastly, we have the recovering lost or missing assets. Sadly, most people, including all of you, don't qualify for this kind of mission."

Glancing at the slanting rays of sunlight streaming through the window, I hold my empty stomach. We've long since missed lunchtime.

"Wrapping it up, I suggest all of you study the flora and wildlife by region. The more details you understand how to use the better. Just knowledge isn't enough!"

Adding a few bullets for possible ways I can learn tracking, I grin as the instructor bumps into the sleeping kid behind me. Hearing a thud followed by confused moaning, I close my notebook and slip the pen into a storage seal on the inside of its cover. Quickly leaving, I make my way down the mountain the right way. Sliding down the railings, I jog around the Hokage building and run to the ramen shop across Ichiraku. Why don't I go to Ichiraku's? Simply because there are cheaper options.

Walking up, I quickly read the options and order a serving of shio ramen. Nothing too fancy. With chicken broth as the base, a couple of slices of a boiled egg, seasoned bamboo shoots, some chopped scallions, and most importantly the noodles. Ichiraku may have better and more topping as well as some aroma oil, but my budget won't hold out if I eat there. While waiting, I pull out a small notebook from my pocket and open it to a new page. With all of the pages past the index made from sealing paper, I went ahead and made each page a small storage seal. One-dimensional storage seals can only seal objects who have a side that fits the actual size of the seal. With two dimensions, you can seal almost anything inanimate as two sides will be accommodated for.

What is actually complicated is three-dimensional seals. Normally there isn't any need for one, but if you want to put multiple objects in one seal, it's the only way other than sealing a singular object with multiple storage seals. Imagine sealing an object in an airtight space versus sealing an object in a room with definite dimensions.

Slipping my tracking notebook into the unused seal, I close it and slip it back into my pocket. Why not try to form a three-dimensional room? For one, It's hard to keep organized and I would need to physically remove what I want if I don't want to vomit everything out together. Second, a room is essentially a pocket dimension and they tend to be unstable. Without insane knowledge of how space works, it's just not viable.

Paying the chef 60 Ryo, I grab a pair of chopsticks and the ramen bowl. Taking a seat next to a family of three, I quickly finish the meal before leaving. Daylight's burning and there's so much to get done. First I need to learn how to hunt as well as how to process wild animals. That stabilizes a cheap but labor-intensive source of food. Second, I need to learn about the fire country's flora and how I can make use of it. I doubt I'll be leaving the fire country anytime soon, so it should be fine to put off other regions for now.

Walking down the main street, towards the main gate, I absent-mindedly start humming. Strength training is only useful to a point, after a certain point muscles become bulky. I'm not close, but it won't be too much longer before I need to stop. Without growing taller, I probably should focus more on taijutsu. Strictly punching and kicking, grappling is something you need someone to practice. I'm not sure how effective grappling is in this world, but fighting ninjas makes it more dangerous to subdue rather than kill. For now, let's make grappling a luxury. I'd rather not try to rip an arm off only for the person to explode fire in my face.

Turning left, I stop in confusion before being bowled over into the ground. Feeling someone hugging me, I recognize the soft giggling. Rolling over with her on the ground, I smirk at Kushina as she smiles back at me. Straddling her stomach, I quirk an eyebrow before bursting into laughter. White stockings paired with a red sundress go really well with her chubby cheeks and iconic hair, but the nerd glasses are too much. Taking them off, I try them on, "What's with the glasses? I know your vision is fine."

Huffing, she folds her arms and glares at the spectators, "Granny said to keep them on and to run if the lens changes color dattebane!" Fiddling with them, I return them after finding nothing. Pulling her up with me as I get up, I dust myself off. Pulling her towards my destination, I quietly ask, "A detection seal? Are you currently in danger?"

Hands around my shoulders, she slouches on my frame, "Not particularly. Grandma said the times are bad and that I should stay near the compound until things calm down a bit." Blinking at her in disbelief, I lay my head on hers while walking. Is it awkward? Yes. Does her head smell nice? Also yes. Forming a small mass of chakra in my hands, I form my crude sensing jutsu before letting it go. Feeling the feedback clog my mind, I glance at the seven Anbu members following in the distance, "So why leave the compound?"

Nuzzling her nose under my chin, she grunts noncommittally, "Oldman Hokage assigned six Anbu to watch over me. Not much is going to happen anyway." Nodding slightly, I click my tongue as the numbers don't check out. Stopping, I sling an arm around her as she looks at me in confusion. Looking in the direction of one of the hidden Anbu, I gesture for them to come out. After waiting for a few moments, causing a small gust, a male Anbu member appears in front of us. Body flicker or something else?

Looking at the paint marks on his mask, I vaguely recognize a turtle. Maybe someone who specializes in defense? Pretending to cough into my fist I ask, "Are there seven of you following her or six?" Stiffening slightly, he comes a bit closer. Rubbing Kushina's head, he slouches to get closer, "Where do you think we are hiding?" Looking at the cloudy sky, I notice he's completely blocking my mouth from any line of sight from behind him. Thinking about the formation, I quietly say, "Other than the two groups of three on either side of this street, there was one a bit farther back. On the corner house to your left under the third-floor bridge."

With a series of hand motions using his hidden right hand, he straightens up and scratches his head, "Ah, thanks for the concern. Our mission is to keep her safe so don't worry. We have everything under control." Hearing the sound of metal clashing, I frown as the Anbu quickly disappears. Is someone following her, or me? I have sided with the Uchiha for now, but it shouldn't make me a target yet. There should still be two wars before I should be concerned with being killed in the village.

Feeling a finger tapping my cheek, I find Kushina looking at me strangely, "Most people don't talk to Anbu you know? They're supposed to be the silent elite dattebane!" Smiling wryly, I pinch her nose, "Sometimes silence can get you killed. Now let's go, I need to go to the Inuzuka clan! I heard they have some of the best hunters and butchers."