Chapter 22: The significance of Inviting Someone to a meal

In the clandestine realm of ninja existence, the shadowy dance of social distinctions lingers subtly, weaving its threads even where they aren't explicitly acknowledged. In a world marked by unmistakable class divisions, the nuances of privilege and hardship persist.

For those fortunate enough to have been handed silver spoons since birth, the struggles of less fortunate children remain a mystery.

The daily battles faced by impoverished youngsters, who must patiently bide their time for an entire year just to savor the simple delight of a hamburger, are beyond the comprehension of the privileged few.

It is only on the occasion of their birthdays that these underprivileged souls are escorted to the opulent domain of the so-called "fast-food restaurant" for their inaugural experience.

Tatsuma's origins in his previous life weren't exactly privileged; he barely hovered within the bounds of the middle-class spectrum. During his college stint, a roommate hailing from a well off familly shared his living space.

In a moment of apparent financial distress, Tatsuma, thinking his roommate was struggling for sustenance, generously extended a loan of 6000 yen to help him through the tough times. However, upon probing further, Tatsuma uncovered that the roommate's financial struggle wasn't as dire as it seemed—he merely had 60000 yen left.

Adding a twist to the tale, the very same affluent roommate later invited Tatsuma to partake in a meal, creating a déjà vu scenario reminiscent of the past incident. This time, it was an extravagant self-service steakhouse—a place Tatsuma had never dared to venture before, deeming it too opulent for his taste.

Tatsuma found the prospect of spending 1500 yen on a single meal rather steep. Throughout the dining experience, his mind was preoccupied with calculating his daily budget after leaving, factoring in the substantial deduction of 3000 yen for this meal. Consequently, the full enjoyment of the first steak eluded him.

When the moment arrived to settle the bill, the affluent roommate promptly took charge, leaving Tatsuma without an opportunity to contribute. It was only after entering the workforce and slowly amassing some savings that Tatsuma came to a realization — sometimes, asking others to treat you to a meal is merely a pretext for gathering and socializing.

However, the dynamics also hinge on the individual. Some are genuinely seeking a complimentary meal, aiming to exploit the generosity of others.

Tatsuma, too, has employed this pretext on multiple occasions. Engaging in discussions about career planning and personal aspirations with colleagues or new recruits, he seizes the chance to offer guidance to newcomers. Sometimes, it's nothing more than a casual get-together.

Nevertheless, Tatsuma never allows others to foot the bill on his behalf. His proactive suggestion for someone else to treat him is merely a means to assess his standing in their eyes.

So, when the trio proposed this, Tatsuma discerned the motivations behind it easily. Well, to be precise, he comprehended Shikaku's intentions; Choza was just genuinely eager to enjoy a good meal.

Tatsuma strategically allowed Minato to take the lead in the conversation. After all, if Minato harbored reservations about the situation's worth or faced financial constraints, Tatsuma could seamlessly step in to navigate the discussion and prevent any potential unraveling.

These nuances in handling situations, while within the grasp of Minato's intelligence and precocious nature, are aspects best comprehended through firsthand experience. Tatsuma, ever the mentor, doesn't mind shedding light on such matters for him.

Upon reaching Minato's abode, Tatsuma affably patted his shoulder and offered, "Don't overthink it. From today onward, we can officially consider ourselves friends with Shikaku and the others. Would you prefer heading home to rest, or shall we make our way directly to the training ground?"

Minato pondered for a moment before responding, "I'll prepare dinner for tomorrow first. I'm concerned that training late might disturb others with the cooking."

"As considerate as ever, Minato. I'll head home and whip up a meal too. How about we meet directly at the third training ground? Let's find out who gets there faster."

Ever the opportunist, Tatsuma promptly commended Minato and unilaterally proposed a friendly competition. In the face of Tatsuma's challenge, Minato, never one to shy away, nodded and agreed:

"Sure, no problem."

The following day, instead of embarking on their usual morning training routine, the duo redirected their steps to the recommended ninja tool shop by the Academy to procure the essential instructional tools for the semester.

Lugging a stack of items to school, Tatsuma scrutinized the potion that bore an uncanny resemblance to a healing salve, and a hush fell over him. The packaging and color weren't the only familiar aspects; even the scent triggered a sense of déjà vu for Tatsuma.

A foreboding sensation crept over him. Was it possible that mastering the Escape Technique entailed enduring something arduous?

Initially assuming the so-called potion might be a substance designed to temporarily loosen the joints, allowing students to acclimate to the sensation of dislocation with the dosage gradually decreasing over time.

Yet, as Tatsuma caught a whiff of the potion, the unsettling notion persisted that the sensei intended to forcefully dislocate and reset their joints, resorting to the potion for post-injury healing.

His fears found confirmation in subsequent lessons. During the initial phases of mastering the Escape Technique, Sarutobi Atoma subjected them to the repeated dislocation of joints, exposing them to the sensations of weakness and vulnerability.

Following each dislocation, joints were meticulously reset, and the potion, along with chakra, was applied for maintenance, warding off the onset of recurrent dislocations. The process proved undeniably uncomfortable.

To Tatsuma's surprise, however, the pain inherent in this procedure was oddly manageable. After all, the majority of first-year students were merely six years old, with Minato having recently turned six and Tatsuma himself not even celebrating his yet as he was only five and a half years old.

Tatsuma surmised that the relatively softer state of their bodies, colloquially described as still having pliable bones, played a role. Combined with Sarutobi Atoma's adept techniques, it prevented any damage to their bones.

Had they been a bit older and continued their practice, the level of pain to endure might have been considerably more substantial.

Thanks to the proficient techniques, complemented by the mystical potion and chakra, it took just over a month for the entire class to acclimate to the sensation of dislocated joints in their shoulders, elbows, wrists, fingers, and more—without suddenly losing strength throughout their entire bodies.

In the ensuing month, the instruction for the Escape Technique advanced to individuals self-dislocating their own joints, a concept that initially posed a challenge for Tatsuma during the first class of this stage.

Tatsuma's acceptance came when he witnessed Minato calmly confront the situation that Sarutobi Atoma had declared—each person had to do it on their own. Without hesitation, Minato promptly pulled his left hand with his right, dislocating his shoulder joint. Gritting his teeth, Tatsuma followed suit.

With everyone having practiced joint dislocation under Sarutobi Atoma's guidance for over a month, they were already well-versed in the fundamentals of the process. As a result, the learning curve was remarkably swift, and within half a month, most individuals could effortlessly self-dislocate their joints.

The subsequent phase involved joint resetting, presenting a slightly more formidable challenge. It took about a month for Tatsuma and his comrades to grasp the fundamentals and diverse techniques for resetting joints.

Advancing further, they delved into practicing joint dislocation and resetting within confined spaces while restrained. The complexity arose not just from the restricted space but also from maintaining a less-than-comfortable position.

Unlike prior exercises, where joint dislocation and resetting were carried out with relaxed bodies, being bound by ropes, tied up, or even suspended added a notable escalation in the risks and challenges associated with dislocating and resetting joints.

This phase not only subjected their joints to a rigorous test but also imparted the skill of sewing small steel threads into the seams of their sleeves. This newfound ability went beyond joint dislocation, aiding in finding ways to untie themselves when bound.

While it took a month for the classmates in the class to grasp the basics, true mastery and practical application remained a distant goal. Some students, deterred by the challenges, opted not to continue practicing after the semester's conclusion.

In the final half-month of the semester, they delved into various methods of rope tying, different knots for diverse scenarios, techniques for binding individuals in different ways, and other intricacies that significantly heightened the difficulty of escape.

Meanwhile, in the ongoing semester, the concurrent study of the Cloak of Invisibility Technique unfolded rather seamlessly. Just as Tatsuma had foreseen, it resembled more of a handicrafts class, perhaps even an art class.

They delved into the intricacies of producing, preserving, and laying the "cloak," accompanied by the acquisition of basic breath-holding techniques.

Given the versatility of cloaks crafted from various materials like walls, rocks, and trees, they also explored the art of blending pigments to create a spectrum of colors. Interestingly, during this process, it came to light that one classmate was color-blind. Regrettably, the color-blind student had to withdraw from the class.

Tatsuma observed as the student made a solemn trip to the office. The once lively child transformed into something resembling a lifeless zombie, as if the very essence of life had lost its meaning, and their deeply held beliefs had abruptly crumbled.

While the reaction might differ in another class, Tatsuma's class was distinctive. Apart from Tatsuma and Minato, every other student had parents who held high-ranking positions within a ninja clan or served as village officials.

For these children, the expectation of following in their parents' footsteps as powerful ninjas was ingrained from a young age. The sudden revelation that they couldn't pursue a ninja path was a profound and unsettling shock.

Contrasted with the relatively smooth and harmonious first semester, the events of the second semester forced Tatsuma to confront the inherent cruelty and hardships of the ninja path. Despite this realization, he concluded the first year of ninja school with a profound sense of fulfillment.

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