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Kazuki's expression suddenly changed. He turned toward the ninja who were watching the spectacle and roared:
"Is it very funny? What kind of mentality allows you to so brazenly laugh at a few children like that? Do you have something wrong with you?"
"....."
The entire camp fell silent instantly. The ninja who had been laughing and watching the show moments before hastily lowered their heads.
"Tell me, is it funny?"
The ninja caught by Kazuki's sharp, sweeping gaze all chanted inwardly:
Don't see me, don't see me.
The camp was deathly quiet.
"Ha ha ha, a bunch of idiots, ha ha..."
Just as Kazuki was about to wrap things up and assign the missions, a very discordant burst of laughter suddenly rang out.
All eyes turned toward the source of the laughter.
"Ha ha ha... uh, hic~"
Naruto, suddenly the center of attention for hundreds of pairs of eyes, was so startled he let out a hiccup.
Why is everyone staring at me?
Scratching his head nervously, Naruto hadn't yet realized he'd just done something incredibly foolish.
"Very good."
Kazuki gave a slight nod, walked over to Naruto, and grabbed him by the scruff of his neck, lifting him up like a little chick.
"All ninja who laughed just now, take your tools and lead these kids to the forest to chop trees. The camp's firewood consumption will be significant going forward. Until I give the order to stop, you will not cease. Keep going until you've gathered enough firewood. You may then rest. Behave yourselves. I don't want to have to call out names or personally hunt anyone down."
"YES, SIR!!!"
It turned out the spectacle wasn't so fun to watch after all—now trouble had arrived.
The ninja who had laughed could only reluctantly accept their fate of chopping trees and splitting wood.
The newly formed squads were also stunned.
Their mission for coming to the camp was to chop trees and prepare firewood?
What kind of mission was that?
They'd come all this way just to chop wood for the camp?
A chorus of groans and complaints rose from the rookie ninja. They'd just barely survived the difficult and terrifying transition period of their initial missions, dreaming of starting to shine and make their mark.
Unfortunately, the mission where they were supposed to shine was... chopping wood.
"You're not happy about it?"
When their squad leaders stepped in to enforce order, the grumbling and moaning rookie ninja quickly quieted down. Under their leaders' guidance, they selected tools and left the camp to chop trees.
"Kid, not bad. You've got guts."
Kazuki marched toward the forest outside the camp, still carrying Naruto. By now, Naruto realized he was in for it.
"Lord Advisor, if I said I didn't mean it, would you believe me?"
"Believe you? Of course I do."
Kazuki nodded with a smile.
"So, take your punishment willingly. Chop down a hundred trees, and we'll consider the matter closed. If you can't... well, I can only say that's a pity."
He tossed two axes onto the ground and signaled for Naruto to begin.
Fail to complete the task, and you'll get what's coming to you.
"Tch, who do you think you're looking down on? It's just chopping trees! Do you think that can stump me, Naruto?"
Seeing that playing pitiful wouldn't get him out of it, Naruto decided to drop the act.
A punishment was a punishment; he wasn't scared!
Picking up the axes from the ground, Naruto strode over to a large tree and swung one down with force.
Except his technique was... off. The axe didn't even chip off a sliver of wood. Instead, it sank straight into the trunk and got stuck.
"....."
This unlucky, troublesome brat... he doesn't even know how to chop a tree?
Who chops a tree by swinging the axe straight at the trunk? Did he think he was harvesting wheat?
'Should we give the kid a hint?'
Itachi and Shisui, who had followed Kazuki into the forest, watched Naruto struggling to pull the axe free, their eyelids twitching.
At this kid's pace, when will he ever finish a hundred trees?
"No need to remind him. For a brat like this who doesn't learn his lesson, a good, hard dose of reality is the best medicine."
Kazuki shook his head slightly, signaling to Shisui and Itachi that no reminder was necessary.
Naruto needed to suffer a bit. Only then would this kid understand the meaning of limits.
"Shisui, go hunt some game. Just watching like this is boring. We'll supervise while enjoying some food."
You like to act tough, huh? Then I'll let you know acting tough comes with a price.
Kazuki wasn't Tsunade, nor was he Jiraiya, who would endlessly indulge Naruto.
I don't care who your father was—Hokage or some nobody. Once you fall into my hands, you're in for a rough time.
"Yes, sir."
Shooting a sympathetic glance at Naruto, who remained blissfully unaware of the hardship awaiting him, Shisui quickly vanished into the forest.
Itachi took the initiative to gather some firewood from the surroundings, start a fire, and even thoughtfully set up a tent he took from a sealing scroll.
"Tch, they really know how to enjoy themselves."
Watching Kazuki sit comfortably in the tent, warming himself by the fire while supervising him, Naruto felt increasingly irritated.
Unfortunately, feeling irritated didn't mean he could act on it. Others might indulge him, but Kazuki wouldn't.
If he caused too much trouble, he'd get a beating.
Gritting his teeth, Naruto gripped the axe tightly and swung it forcefully at the tree trunk. With a thud, the axe sank right into the wood again.
Seeing this, Naruto's eyes went wide. Good grief, are you kidding me? Is chopping a tree really this hard?
"....."
Has he still not figured out the right method?
Shisui returned from his hunt carrying a small deer and two rabbits. Seeing Naruto struggling to pull the axe free again, he knew the boy still hadn't found the correct chopping technique.
Everyone else chopped at an angle, from top to bottom. But Naruto? He aimed the axe straight at the trunk and swung. Every swing, the axe got stuck. It was unbelievable.
Chopping a hundred trees would be a massive undertaking—a very high hurdle for Naruto, at least.
Kazuki wasn't in a hurry. He sat in the tent, eating roasted venison, patiently keeping watch.
"Keep it up. That tree is about to fall."
As darkness fell, Kazuki considerately lit a torch for Naruto, telling him not to rush, to take his time.
"Damn it!"
Looking at the tree before him, its trunk mangled but still standing tall, Naruto began to lose his mind. He'd been at it for over two hours, and the tree still hadn't fallen.
Judging by his current pace, Naruto wouldn't be able to chop a hundred trees before the New Year arrived.
Realizing this, Naruto started pacing anxiously.
"You can use ninjutsu."
Kazuki ate his food leisurely, offering Naruto a reminder. If you find the axe isn't working well, use ninjutsu. As long as you get the trees down, there are no other requirements.
"Really?!"
Naruto, on the verge of a mental breakdown, jumped up in excitement at Kazuki's suggestion.
However, while the idea was appealing, reality proved harsh. After getting excited for a good while, Naruto came to a sobering realization: he didn't actually know any ninjutsu that was particularly good for chopping down trees...