The next morning, Might Duy followed the address on a card to find the oddly named Shinobi Tavern.
Today, he had slicked back his hair and put on his slightly outdated, patched-free, tight green bodysuit, looking refreshed.
That was just his personal feeling; others couldn't see any difference.
But he was so serious about it for a reason.
Just last night, after another day of D-rank missions, dragging his dirty body home, he unexpectedly received a message from his son Guy.
A teacher named Natsuhiko Amou seemed to have a job for him.
Might Duy had some concerns but felt some sort of strange joy as well.
In recent years, Konoha has seen an increase in ninjas due to the lack of significant conflicts. However, the number of missions has decreased due to peaceful times.
So whenever he saw a new batch of academy graduates become genin, Might Duy, who was usually easygoing, couldn't help but feel anxious.
Konoha kept getting crowded more and more!
Even the dirty and tiring garbage missions no one used to bat an eye at had become popular among young ninjas. These freshly graduated ninjas needed these D-rank missions for team-building and to adapt to ninja life.
At his age, he naturally felt embarrassed to compete with children.
So when Might Duy learned someone had a job for him, he was naturally overjoyed.
But the fact that the teacher didn't directly post the commission at the Hokage's office worried him.
He heard that recently, many merchants or nobles liked to poach older civilian ninjas to provide security services for their properties. Due to the intense competition among ninjas, many like him chose this path.
They said the end of a ninja's career was working as a security guard.
And their salaries were even higher than when they were ninjas, with the added benefits of stability and security.
It sounded perfect.
But Might Duy felt like his ninja youth had yet to burn out.
After all, he participated in the Chunin Exams every year, hoping to achieve the title of perpetual genin one day.
So he wondered if this teacher also harbored the same intentions.
But considering Guy's increasing appetite and the rapidly emptying rice jar at home, Might Duy decided to see the situation. (Mad logic fr)
...
Soon, he found the location of the Jiren Sake Tavern(the direct Chinese translation for Shinobi Tavern) and noticed the construction work early in the morning.
Standing at the entrance were an old and young man discussing the design of the tavern sign.
"...Right! Let's call it 'Shinobi Tavern.' The letters should be big, highlighting the key points, but not too big, or it'll look cheap..."
"And then, we should convey a sense of motion within stillness….."
"Lastly, make the letters black, but with a colourful sheen!"
Just as the silver-haired young man finished stating his requirements, the construction team's master looked at him with an expression akin to indulging with a fool, then shook his head and walked into the tavern.
The master thought that, after decades of doing this job, he had never encountered such unreasonable customer demands.
And this sign wasn't the only thing.
The real challenge was when they discussed the interior decoration of the tavern earlier.
Despite his heartfelt efforts to design a perfect decor, the young man had rejected it after just a few glances.
His reason? "It's too good-looking, not suitable for the style of my tavern..."
Are you sure you're opening a tavern and not a funeral parlor?
After several modifications and reluctantly toning down the design, the young man was finally satisfied. His sense of aesthetics was genuinely despairing.
As the master walked inside, shaking his head, he thought maybe he should keep an eye on this place and see if he could get another decoration commission from the next owner within a month or two.
"Hey, hello? Why are you ignoring me? Nowadays, such an attitude is unacceptable..."
Natsuhiko waved his hand at him but failed to keep the old foreman there, only muttering helplessly, "These old folks won't get me. It seems like I have to handle these details myself."
Just then, a rough male voice sounded behind him.
"Excuse me, is this the Shinobi Tavern?"
"Yeah, but it'll take a while before it opens."
As Natsuhiko answered, he turned his head and was suddenly struck by a sight.
He saw a middle-aged man in a greasy green bodysuit who stood out from the masses.
Considering no one else in Konoha dressed like that, Natsuhiko quickly guessed who he was – Might Duy.
But Might Duy didn't know Natsuhiko's identity yet and said, "Are you from this place? Can you tell me if Natsuhiko-Sensei is here? I have an appointment with him here."
"Ah, you must be Mr. Duy."
Natsuhiko raised his finger, pointing at himself with a smile. "I am the Natsuhiko-Sensei you're looking for, but you can just call me Natsuhiko."
"You... you're Natsuhiko-Sensei….?"
Might Duy take a step back in surprise at Natsuhiko's youthfulness?
Finding out that Natsuhiko was already a teacher at the ninja school at such a young age made Might Duy feel like he had been living in the dark.
And due to Natsuhiko's identity as a sensei, Duy acted a bit reserved.
"Natsuhiko... Sensei, Guy said you have a job for me?"
"Yes, actually, this tavern is going to open soon, and we need some staff..."
Might Duy look a bit troubled upon hearing this?
Sure enough, it was just as he had thought. He never expected to be poached one day, either.
Seeing his hesitant expression, Natsuhiko understood and hurriedly explained, "This doesn't mean you have to give up your ninja status."
"Because this tavern only operates at night, leaving you free during the day for training and ninja work."
"But the requirement is that you have to live in the inn behind the tavern; there are dormitories for staff. Of course, if Guy wants, he can stay here too."
"As for the salary, see if this amount works for you."
After Natsuhiko finished, he showed him the amount.
"Oh, that's too much, too much..."
Might Duy waved his hands repeatedly, but he was very tempted.
Compared to working hard on various D-rank missions, the job Natsuhiko-Sensei offered was enticing.
With this job, he could reduce the time spent on low-level missions and have more time for training.
More importantly, he didn't have to give up his ninja status.
But the salary for this job was just too good; it almost seemed unreal, making Might Duy feel a bit uneasy.
"Natsuhiko-Sensei, may I ask why you specifically chose someone like me?" he asked.
Natsuhiko smiled, "Mr. Duy, you're too modest."
"I checked the records at the mission centre and found out that although you've been doing all those dirty and tiring jobs for years, you've never done things half-heartedly. You've been working diligently day after day."
"Although it hasn't been publicly announced, your praises are clearly recorded in every mission report."
"So people like you, Mr. Duy, aren't easy to come by."
"Our... tavern needs talents like you!"
After hearing Natsuhiko's words, Might Duy's eyes welled up with tears, and his voice was choked with emotion.
"I... I never thought all my years of hard work would be recognized... finally someone sees it..."
He never expected someone to look through his inconspicuous mission reports and praise him highly.
He didn't expect the young teacher in front of him to be the first person to acknowledge him.
Feeling Might Duy's intense gaze, Natsuhiko felt slightly uncomfortable and stepped back, saying, "Mr. Duy, you don't have to decide right away. Take your time and give me an answer later."
"No need to think about it, The eternal power of youth can't afford to hesitate!"
Upon hearing this, Might Duy made a gesture – he had made his decision with a resolute thumbs up.
"Natsuhiko-Sensei, please guide me in the future!!"
Of course, it wouldn't be complete without his genetically gleaming white teeth.
Natsuhiko, squinting slightly as if he had swallowed a flash bomb, received Might Duy's definite answer. He felt a sense of relief and was preparing to discuss the type of work he had to do and the terms and conditions of their contract.
But when he opened his eyes, he saw Might Duy's retreating figure.
"I'm going home now to pack up and move in!"
Leaving behind these words, he quickly disappeared down the street.
I am leaving Natsuhiko alone in the wind, feeling a bit messy.
After a while, he couldn't help but sigh, "These two are really father and son."
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