*Chapter 35: "Regret? What's That?"*
Added 2025-04-19 00:30:30 +0000 UTC"Tch. You’re really gonna take all this and not even flinch?"
Orōi finally backed off, annoyed. No matter how much he provoked, Yoru refused to bite. Without an opening, the brute had no excuse to escalate.
Even the ANBU shadowing Yoru was impressed. This kid’s patience is unreal.
The observer—the same one who’d assigned Yoru his codename—was a mystery himself.
---
*Noon.*
"Young man, thank you! The job was perfect—here’s your pay."
Yoru had just wrapped up another menial task, this time for Granny Yanamura.
"No need for thanks! If you’ve got more work, I’m happy to help."
He leaned into the role of the model youth, charming the elderly with effortless grace. Granny Yanamura practically glowed, chattering away for ages before finally letting him go.
The watching ANBU blinked. Is he… enjoying this?
---
*Seven Days Later.*
*Raikage’s Office.*
"Well? Has Yoru learned his lesson yet?"
"Any signs of regret? Begging for forgiveness?"
The Fourth Raikage’s question made the ANBU hesitate.
"Uh… Lord Raikage, it’s complicated."
Regret? Yoru was living his best life. Between chores and chatting up grandparents, he’d basically retired early.
"Spit it out. Or are you hiding something?" The Raikage’s glare sharpened.
"Yoru isn’t just unbothered—he **likes* these low-rank missions. Half the village’s elders request him now."*
Silence.
The Raikage’s face cycled through disbelief, confusion, and finally, outrage.
"You’re joking."
"See for yourself, sir." The ANBU sighed. "I don’t get him either."
---
*The Raikage’s Investigation.*
"Sunshine bright, weeds just right~"
Yoru’s off-key singing led the Raikage to a garden, where the kid was playing shōgi with Old Man Wada.
"Checkmate! Another win for me!"
"Hah! Youth these days… Rematch!"
The Raikage’s eye twitched.
"Yoru! IS THIS HOW YOU ‘WORK’?!"
Yoru jolted, feigning surprise. "Lord Raikage! Here to play? Pull up a seat—"
"ENOUGH!" Veins bulged on the Raikage’s forehead. "Remember your place!"
"But sir," Yoru said, all innocence, "you assigned me these missions to ‘reflect.’ I’ve been **diligent*."
"DILIGENT? YOU’RE PLAYING GAMES!"
Old Man Wada coughed. "Ah… that’s my fault, Lord Raikage. I posted the weeding task just to get company."
The Raikage’s soul briefly left his body.
Yoru’s smirk—gone in a flash—might as well have been a dagger to his pride.
"…Fine. Your ‘reflection period’ is over. Report to ANBU proper tomorrow."
The words tasted like ash. His plan to humble Yoru had backfired spectacularly.
"Your mercy overwhelms me," Yoru said, kneeling with exaggerated gratitude.
The Raikage stormed off before he strangled someone.
---
*That Afternoon.*
Yoru wiped down his sword, shirtless, as the sunset painted the training grounds red.
15,000 enhancement points in a week. Time to invest.
With real missions looming, survival came first. The Raikage wouldn’t go easy on him.
By moonrise, he was drenched, muscles screaming—but satisfied.
"10,000 points earned. Not bad."
He sank into his new bathtub (courtesy of his ‘elderly patronage’ side hustle) and pulled up his skill panel.
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