My Techniques are a bit off

The Konoha Green Vest!

Get✓

Link eagerly tore open the plastic bag and slipped on the iconic green vest. Despite its vibrant green color, it symbolized his promotion to chunin—a badge of honor.

(Fun fact: this vest isn't exclusive to chunin. After graduating as genin, students are measured for it, and during wartime, it was standard gear for even genin on the battlefield. However, in peacetime, it's typically handed out only after promotion to chunin—a tradition of sorts.)

"Should I wash this new outfit before wearing it…"

The thought briefly crossed Link's mind, but he quickly dismissed it. I'm a chunin now! Time to show it off.

"Congratulations!" Nara Ensui appeared out of nowhere, raising a hand in greeting. With a grin, he said, "From now on, I'll be counting on you, Chunin Link."

Yes, even after a member of the team becomes a chunin, the squad usually continues its missions together, unless all members are promoted, leading to the team's formal dissolution. For example, after Kakashi became a chunin, he continued working alongside Obito, Rin, and the Fourth Hokage.

The difference is that a jonin instructor no longer has "mentor" or "babysitter" duties and instead functions purely as a senior squadmate. This shift also allows for more flexibility in mission selection, as the squad no longer has to stick to lower-ranked tasks.

"Ah, Ensui-sensei!" Link couldn't hide his grin. While he was typically calm and composed, his promotion to chunin had come sooner than expected, and there was no need to keep his excitement in check around familiar faces. "How about we celebrate with some barbecue? My treat!"

"Oh? You're feeling generous today?" Ensui laughed and nodded. "I wouldn't miss it for the world."

Link hesitated for a moment, internally wincing at the thought of his dwindling wallet, but today was a special day. "Let's meet at Yakiniku Q for lunch!"

Ensui gave him a thumbs-up and vanished with a burst of Body Flicker Technique.

"Jonin really have an endless supply of chakra…"

Link sighed, thinking about how his instructor always arrived and departed using Body Flicker, while he could only afford to use it sparingly in battle.

With his green vest proudly on display, Link took a detour to Ichiraku Ramen and bought a bottle of cola—despite it being more expensive than the vending machine version.

"Link-chan, did you get promoted to chunin?" Ichiraku's owner looked genuinely surprised. After all, it was rare to see such a young chunin in peacetime.

Not knowing if an Anbu might be tailing him, Link stuck to polite formalities. "Yes, thanks to Lord Third and Ensui-sensei's guidance."

"In that case…" Ichiraku waved his hand. "How about a celebratory bowl of ramen on the house?"

"How could I possibly accept that…" Link said, even as he promptly sat down.

Yakiniku Q would easily cost at least 200 ryō per person for shinobi with their large appetites—not cheap at all. Ninja may earn high wages, but their expenses are equally steep. Exploding tags, smoke bombs, kunai, and shuriken aren't exactly affordable. Even food costs are higher, given their caloric needs.

So when Ichiraku offered a free meal, Link shamelessly accepted.

"What would I do if peace truly came, and shinobi were no longer needed?"

While waiting for his ramen, Link's thoughts wandered. He didn't want to be a ninja forever. Even elite jonin like Sakura Haruno in the future would face financial struggles, like fainting from stress over unpaid home loans. The income just wasn't stable enough.

"Maybe I'd travel the world," he mused, for the first time letting himself dream.

Not to grow stronger or engage in deadly schemes, but to explore the unknown, experience the beauty of this world, and immerse himself in its culture. That, to him, would be a life well-lived.

"But for now, I'll keep pushing toward my goals."

"Link-chan, your ramen is ready!"

Clasping his hands together, Link said cheerfully, "Time to dig in!"

…

Training Ground Seven

"Why is the boss so late today?" Iris sat on a rock, glancing at the sun. Their usual training time had passed over an hour ago.

Ami, hanging upside down on a fragile tree branch to practice chakra control, glanced toward the horizon. "Maybe he's—wait, what?!"

She flipped to the ground, her eyes widening as she spotted Link strolling toward them, wearing a green vest.

"Whaaaat?!"

"Boss made chunin!" Iris jumped up and shouted, "Congratulations, boss!"

"Not a big deal," Link replied with mock modesty, brushing nonexistent dust off his vest. "Sorry for being late. I went to the Hokage's office with Ensui-sensei. And, well…"

"I'm a chunin now."

Delivered in the calmest tone possible, the bragging hit perfectly.

It felt great.

"Does this mean we can take on tougher missions now?!" Iris's excitement was palpable.

As someone who dreamed of becoming a strong ninja, C-rank missions had begun to feel monotonous. Konoha's reputation ensured that most missions didn't involve real danger; often, simply wearing a headband was enough to dissuade troublemakers.

Ami, however, looked uneasy. Fighting wasn't her forte, and while she couldn't avoid it as a ninja, she wasn't exactly eager for higher-ranked missions.

Link thought for a moment before replying. "We won't be tackling B-rank missions just yet."

Ami sighed in relief, while Iris's enthusiasm visibly dimmed.

"B-rank missions often involve combat with other ninja," Link explained. "I'll train you both for a month before considering any B-rank tasks."

There was no rush. The village didn't place immediate demands on newly promoted chunin, so he decided to use the time to prepare his teammates for the challenges ahead.

"Alright, enough talk—let's start today's training! Lunch is on me at Yakiniku Q!"

~~~

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