Looking out over the crowded field, I nodded at the kids who were practicing their punches, each one in a steady rhythm as they executed left jab, right jab, left jab...
While it wasn't by a lot, each kid managed to slowly improve not only their stamina, but also refine their technique; there were fewer unneeded movements, precise control over certain parts of the jabs and kicks, and each seemed more comfortable with the simple moves they were learning.
After the first day, I had thought that a few students would find this training boring and complain about the repetitive nature, but surprisingly they were rather intrigued by the training.
The Clan kids especially placed great importance on these moves, and each one readily accepted Iruka-Sensei's advice, as well as mine.
Even Shikamaru had shown improvement; in fact, his improvement was not only the fastest, but also the best.
The thin Nara Heir had refined everything down to borderline perfection, and the weight in his blows were adequately placed at certain points of the technique.
In other words, he had tinkered with the technique to require the least amount of energy while still satisfying my requirements.
Which, honestly, was rather terrifying; he had managed to do something so advanced so easily, all so he could use less energy.
The Nara's weren't the most feared Clan in the village to most, but I'd always find them to be the scariest; their intellect was frightening.
Besides Shikamaru, the only other student who impressed me a lot was Ami, the purple haired girl managing to get through each training session with an arrogant smirk before moving towards another section of the field when we were done, resuming her training alone.
Of course, I had sat the girl down and told her the importance of rest, to which she had relented and agreed to stop her hellish regimen, but...
That reckless abandon was only curbed for a day, as she utilized the entirety of the Kunoichi Class to pick my brain about how to improve her training, only to throw herself back into it.
I had decided to leave the girl alone for now, as even after observing her entirely for a day, I realized that she knew her body best, and she managed to stop herself just short of tearing her muscles apart each day, going back home and having her mother, who was a nurse, help heal her back to normal.
I had asked her mother about it, and she had only sighed and said she would continue to do it so that she knew her little girl was alright, and asked me to help guide her safely.
Ami impressed me a lot; her grit and determination was refreshing, and I rather enjoyed her cocky attitude as well, since she backed it up.
Of course, a few other students were rather good as well; Sasuke and Naruto turned the training into a competition, counting out their reps and using it to goad the other into pushing themselves further, which was actually quite useful.
I could leave those two alone since neither wanted to win by cheating, and they were adamant about winning fair and square, so that they could rub it in the others faces.
Another student who impressed me was Shino Aburame, the Aburame Heir.
While not the greatest physical specimen, he had a determination to grow stronger that almost matched Ami's, so he always pushed himself as much as he could.
When I asked the quiet boy, he told me that he wanted to strengthen himself so that he could better protect his Clan, and so that he could become a better 'home' to his friends, which he showed me.
They were a special breed of beetle that were capable of injecting a potent venom that would first paralyze and then kill the inflicted Shinobi.
Scary things, but that was the Aburame for you.
Glancing at my pocket watch, I nodded before shouting "Today is over! Clean yourselves up and get home! Rest up well, because next week we'll be going into more techniques!"
Everyone nodded, their bodies drenched in sweat as they made their way towards the Academy, where showers were located.
Kurenai made her way out of the Academy, smiling warmly at the incoming students before walking over to me, making some of the girls let out 'Oohs~' and 'Aahs~'.
Rolling my eyes at that, I smiled at Kurenai before kissing her cheek, making her grin at me.
Taking my hand, she said "Come on; I don't think Anko can wait much longer..."
We both chuckled at that, imagining our Snake Charmer tapping her foot in annoyance as time passed.
Giggling, I nodded and walked beside her, entering the Academy.
Going from the class, or learning side of the Academy towards the Mission Desk, we saw Anko chewing on a stick of Dango, the curvy woman staring at her own pocket watch as she stood besides Cameia, who was leaning against the wall.
Since it was our first weekend, I wanted to take a mission to start working at ridding ourselves of this debt that we had accrued, which would allow me to truly relax on these off days.
Besides, I wanted to know I was debt free before...
Moving onto something else...
Since it was so late, the people handing out missions were the selected Elders from various Clans; today an Inuzuka and Hyuga were sitting beside one another, the glowering man and elegant woman taking mission applications from the various Shinobi.
Giving my other two wives a quick kiss, I accepted Anko's greedy hands as she pulled me into her, rolling my eyes at her as I leaned into her embrace.
Approaching the Mission Desk, we waited for our turn to come around, conversing quietly amongst ourselves.
Cameia was surprisingly talkative, the tall Priestess speaking in a hushed tone.
"-en she wanted me to show her how to throw shuriken, which I did."
Karin had grown rather bored during the days, and even with my regimen that I had given her, the young Uzumaki had boundless stamina, easily finishing what I gave her to do.
Which led her to pestering Anko and Cameia, forcing them to show her something to sink her energy into.
Now it seemed like the young Uzumaki wanted to work on her throwing weapons, which meant we needed to buy her a set of practice shuriken.
Chuckling, I nodded at Cameia as she finished up, before asking "She wasn't to much to deal with, was she?"
She shook her head, before adding "It was rather... refreshing, teaching her that. It felt... rewarding."
That made me grin, and I was about to ask something else when we heard "Next!"
Turning towards the desk, I slid from Anko's arms and approached the Inuzaka man, who was reading the list of missions before him.
Seeing all four of us approach, he narrowed his sharp eyes before turning back to his list, asking "You're Kokoro Kanei, correct? So that means Anko Mitarashi, Kurenai Yuhi, and..."
Glancing back up at Cameia, he frowned before nodding.
"That new woman, Cameia... Lord Third told me to place her as a High Jonin when evaluating your strenght as a group... alright, we only have one mission for a group your caliber-"
Leaning forwards, I gave him a smile and asked "It's a quick mission, yes? We need to be back before the week begins anew."
Narrowing his eyes again, he stared at me in silence for a few more seconds before saying "If you work quick, you could be back as early as tomorrow morning. Does that work?"
I nodded, and he offered me the scroll, letting me read over it.
'Nukenin Hunt: A- Rank
Reward: 300,000 Ryo
Location: Land of Snow, Yukigakure
Targets: One Jonin, Three Chunin, Three Genin (All from Kirigakure)
Proof of Completion: Entire Body of each Nukenin'
Reading the rest of the scroll, I nodded to the Inuzuka Elder, who stamped the scroll.
"Well, good luck... Next!"
Walking away with my girls, I handed the scroll to Anko, who swiftly read it over.
"Huh... Shouldn't be too bad..."
I gave her a dry look, before saying "Let's grab our gear from home and make this quick..."
They all nodded, and I grinned at them as I turned around, whispering "If we make it back by tomorrow evening, maybe we can celebrate~!"
That made Anko grin, Kurenai lick her lips, and Cameia tilt her head.
Seeing that, I grinned wider before making my way to the Compound.
---
Wanted to get one mission out of the way swiftly as a group, before delving a little deeper into the Academy; after all, they still have to pay 250,000 Ryo a month in taxes, and 750,000 a month for the next 4 months, so they NEED that money...
And when the debt is gone, well...
Maybe someone feels ready for something special?
---