For a transmigrator or reincarnator, knowing the storyline was the greatest advantage.
And if one could remember the finer details of the plot, it became effortless to obtain things that ordinary people might struggle for years to acquire.
Kei had been in the Naruto world for a full nine years.
At the time of his arrival, he had recorded all the story details he could recall, using sketches and shorthand notes to piece them together. Even now, he would occasionally take them out to review.
Yet, even back then, the information he could remember was quite limited—mostly major plot points rather than intricate details of specific events.
For example, he knew that Danzō had perceived Akatsuki as a threat and orchestrated Yahiko's demise, directly pushing Nagato into darkness. However, the exact method he used and whether others were involved had long faded from his memory.
"Looks like I'll have my hands full soon." A faint, uncontrollable smile appeared on Kei's lips.
If used correctly, the benefits it could bring were immeasurable.
"Sensei~ The client is here!"
From a distance, Kurenai stood at the edge of a trap pit, standing on tiptoe and waving her hand.
Her crisp voice pulled Kei out of his pleasant daydream.
Leaping down from the rooftop, he approached the large pit where the client was waiting.
After ensuring the mission contract was signed and confirmed, he called over his three young students, who had just finished retrieving their kunai, steel wires, and shuriken, and they set off on their way back.
Their four figures swiftly moved through the dense forest, taking the shortest route directly toward Konoha.
Seizing the opportunity during their journey, Kei pointed out the mistakes and weaknesses that had surfaced during the mission.
The biggest mistake was their failure to properly question the client for detailed intelligence before rushing off to face the mission target.
Secondly, when they encountered the target, they failed to observe closely, leading to a misjudgment of its defenses.
The wild boar's body bore numerous shallow wounds—marks likely inflicted by villagers using machetes and arrows.
Given that adult villagers, accustomed to hard labor, could wield these weapons with considerable force, it should have been possible to roughly estimate the boar's durability and plan accordingly.
Had they done so, they wouldn't have spent half the mission stabbing at the boar with kunai, only to enrage it instead of taking it down, almost getting injured in the process.
Lastly, being a ninja meant having more than just direct confrontation as an option.
Genma's pouch contained multiple potent hallucinogenic smoke bombs, and Kurenai carried strong anesthetics in her small medical kit. Even the wilderness beyond the village had plenty of toxic plants and venomous insects.
They weren't illiterate villagers who relied solely on ancestral experience to survive. Catching a couple of poisonous bugs or gathering some toxic herbs, then following the simple formulas taught at the Academy, would have been enough.
If used effectively, they could have taken down not just a wild boar, but even an elephant.
Kurenai, Guy, and Genma all hung their heads in embarrassment. The excitement of successfully completing their mission had completely vanished.
Noticing their dejected expressions, Kei knew that teaching kids required both criticism and praise. With a shift in tone, he began to point out their strengths from the mission.
"What's commendable is your strong sense of teamwork. You trusted each other completely, and even though it was your first mission together, you made full use of each other's strengths."
"Your ability to adapt was also impressive. When you realized the original plan wouldn't work, you quickly used the dried-up reservoir to create a deep pit trap."
"Lastly, you were mindful of protecting the client's property and minimized unnecessary losses. That's something worth praising as well."
"Overall, I'd say... hmm, I'm fairly satisfied with your performance." He smiled as he gave his final assessment.
"Yes!" The three of them high-fived, silently vowing to perform even better on the next mission.
After the brief excitement, Kurenai, ever perceptive, shifted the conversation back to the mission.
"Sensei, if you were in our position back when you were a genin, what would you have done?"
"Obviously... just one jutsu to end it instantly."
"What? But Genma's fire jutsu just made it only smell like roasted pork! How could a genin's jutsu possibly take down such a huge boar in one move?"
"I'm from the Yamanaka clan. Controlling the boar to jump into a river and drown or making it charge into a mountain and die isn't exactly difficult."
"That's such a sneaky way to win!"
"Hahaha!"
They laughed and chatted all the way until night fell, the sky turning pitch black as they finally arrived back in Konoha.
After grabbing a meal at the newly opened Ramen Ichiraku, they set their meeting time for the next day before parting ways for the night.
---
As Kei walked toward the Yamanaka clan's estate, he saw the warm glow of lights from his house in the distance. A question mark slowly formed in his mind.
Forming a hand seal, he activated his sensory jutsu.
The immense chakra inside his house was like a blazing sun, its terrifying aura barely concealed beneath the surface.
In an instant, he identified the person inside.
With such a distinct chakra signature, who else could it be but the infamous Red-Hot Habanero?
A loud crash came from inside the house.
Sensing the probe of his sensory jutsu, Kushina practically flew out the door barefoot, leaping onto the wall.
Her eyes locked onto Kei, standing at the end of the street.
"Kei~ I finally—finally waited long enough for you!"
Her voice, filled with excitement and grievance, sounded exactly like a tragic drama heroine reuniting with her lover after enduring countless hardships.
A shiver ran down Kei's spine.
He nearly turned around and bolted.
What the hell?!
Since when did she talk like this?!
Soft rustling sounds came from the surrounding houses—nosy clan members clearly sneaking around to eavesdrop on the late-night commotion.
Covering his face with one hand, he quickly used the Body Flicker, dragging Kushina inside the house.
The door slammed shut just as he activated a layered sensory barrier around the room.
He was certain that if he had been even a second slower, the clan would be gossiping tomorrow about "the undeniable connection between Kei and the orphan of the Uzumaki clan."
"Wha—wait, huh?"
Kushina stumbled as she was pulled inside.
Watching Kei set up the barrier with practiced ease, her expression shifted from confusion to curiosity, then to suspicion in the span of three syllables.
She instinctively crossed her arms over her chest, pretending to look scared. But in her eyes, there was a hint of excitement and anticipation.
You've gotta be kidding me...
Kei felt like he was about to cough up blood. It was stuck in his throat—neither going up nor down.