The next day.
Naruto slept until he woke up naturally.
After opening his eyes, he lay on the bed for a moment, then slowly sat up and stretched.
"Haaah…"
He got out of bed, washed his face, brushed his teeth, and tidied himself up.
After finishing, as usual, he poured out yesterday's leftover tea and brewed a fresh pot.
Soon, the faint fragrance of tea filled the room.
Naruto sat at the table, quietly drinking tea.
Not long after, footsteps sounded outside.
Ichiro Tsuchigen arrived right on time.
"Hey, Naruto, I'm here!" Ichiro said cheerfully. "I bought four more today. Eight in total. Eat up!"
He put the food on the table and sat down.
Naruto smiled and immediately started eating.
Ichiro poured himself some tea and watched Naruto.
"Well, not bad," he nodded. "You've got quite an appetite."
Naruto was extremely satisfied.
After finishing, the two of them left together.
After arriving at the farm, Ichiro dropped Naruto off and immediately prepared to leave.
"Let's go, Naruto. I'll pick you up this evening!"
Naruto waved.
"Got it!"
Then he followed Tomu into the farm.
However, the farther they walked, the more confused Naruto became.
This was clearly not the direction of the forest area where they chopped wood.
"Brother Tomu," Naruto asked, puzzled, "aren't we going to chop wood today?"
Tomu shook his head calmly.
"No. We're doing something else today."
"What?!"
Naruto froze.
He was finally close to understanding Ah Shuo's training method, and now he wasn't going there?
"Brother Tomu, can I still go chop wood today?" Naruto said anxiously. "Ah Shuo and I—"
"No," Tomu interrupted. "Not today. Follow me."
He walked ahead without explanation.
Naruto sighed helplessly and followed.
They walked for a long time.
Along the way, Naruto passed through farmland, fish ponds, wheat fields, vegetable plots, and orchards.
It seemed they were heading deeper into the farm area.
Finally, they arrived at the foot of a mountain.
In front of them was a huge lake.
The water surface surged slightly, and spring water continuously flowed out.
Nearby, many people were carrying water.
"We're here," Tomu said.
He pointed toward the lake.
"Your task today is carrying water."
"Like them. Carry spring water from the lake and pour it into those large barrels."
"Don't worry about the rest."
Naruto looked over.
The people carrying water were all tall, strong, and muscular.
Compared to them, he looked extremely thin.
"Brother Tomu…" Naruto tried again, "I think chopping wood suits me better…"
Tomu glanced at him, smiled faintly, and turned around.
"I'll come get you in the evening. Work hard."
With that, he walked away.
Naruto sighed.
Tomu didn't leave directly. Instead, he spoke to someone and pointed at Naruto.
Soon, a thin elderly man walked over.
He examined Naruto and smiled kindly.
"Are you Naruto?"
"Yes, sir," Naruto nodded.
The old man stroked his short beard.
"Come with me."
He led Naruto forward and explained the process.
"It's simple. Watch and follow."
Then he handed Naruto a shoulder pole and two buckets.
Naruto looked at them and sighed inwardly.
Alright… let's do it.
Nearby, the Tsuchigen Clan members watched Naruto with curiosity.
When they learned he was a guest arranged by the clan leader, their attitudes became much friendlier.
"Come on, young man!"
"If it's too heavy, carry less!"
"Be careful, don't hurt your shoulders!"
Naruto thanked them one by one.
To be honest, since coming here, he had never been looked down upon.
Instead, everyone had been kind.
He knew why.
Like the Otsutsuki, the Tsuchigen Clan also understood suffering.
Originally, they came from the same roots.
Only their paths had diverged.
Naruto poured water into the barrels and went back and forth.
Remembering his lesson from chopping wood, he worked within his limits.
He didn't force himself.
After an entire morning, Naruto gradually blended in with the water carriers.
During lunch, he learned that this water supplied the city's daily needs.
"No wonder it tastes so familiar," Naruto thought.
After resting, they continued in the afternoon.
As Naruto worked, he became more and more tired.
Sweat soaked his clothes.
At this moment, the thin old man came over.
"Young man," he said gently, "don't just focus on carrying water. Pay attention to the details."
Naruto was puzzled.
"Details?"
What details could there be in carrying water?
The old man laughed.
"If you observe carefully, you'll understand."
Then he left.
Naruto stood there, confused.
Why does everyone here talk like this? Always half-explained…
Suddenly, something flashed in his mind.
Ah Shuo.
The chopping technique.
Breathing.
Coordination.
Could it be…
Naruto's eyes lit up.
He observed carefully.
Sure enough.
The water carriers' footsteps were rhythmic.
Their breathing was steady.
Their movements were synchronized.
It was the same principle!
"It's true…"
Naruto felt as if he had been enlightened.
He immediately began imitating them.
Step.
Breathe.
Balance.
Adjust.
In the distance, the thin old man saw this and nodded with satisfaction.
"As expected of the clan leader's guest. Very perceptive."
Naruto practiced this for the entire afternoon.
Though he wasn't perfect, he had grasped the basics.
After dinner, Tomu came.
"Let's go, Naruto."
On the way back, Naruto asked:
"Brother Tomu, what about tomorrow?"
Tomu smiled.
"Still physical work."
Naruto nodded.
"Okay."
Ichiro Tsuchigen descended from the sky.
"Naruto, let's go!"
After they left, Tomu watched them disappear and shook his head.
Teaching while farming… This is harder than academy work…
Back at the wooden house, Ichiro chatted briefly and left.
Naruto turned around and noticed the second-floor window next door open again.
The girl was peeking at him.
"Hey! Hello!" Naruto waved.
She immediately closed the window.
"…?"
Naruto scratched his head.
"What does that mean?"
He considered knocking but hesitated.
I'll ask Ichiro tomorrow…
With that thought, Naruto went inside.
Tomorrow, his training would continue
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