Chapter 59: Guard Missions

"This is it? This whole mission is mind-numbingly boring!" complained Tekku, a bit miffed. He thought that in the ANBU, he would have more challenging missions of greater importance, especially after three months of such hard training.

In these three months, he had improved by leaps and bounds. He reached at least the peak of Chunin level in all areas of being a Shinobi, even in Genjutsu, which was his weakest art. In some areas, he was even at a low Jonin level in strength; all he was missing was actual experience.

For example, in Taijutsu, if he was fighting while using his Earth Style: Spear to harden his body, he could contend with Ryota or Yugao in close combat, who were specializing in it. Sometimes, he could even pressure them enough to bring their matches to a draw.

Especially his Fuinjutsu had improved. Since he didn't focus on developing Sealing Applications only for his Puppets or Machines, but instead actual techniques for combat, his effectiveness and understanding in Fuinjutsu had massively improved. Letting him get closer to the level of a Sealing Master.

He had created a few useful techniques that raised his danger level greatly. For example, a lesser version of Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags, one that he could use without being a reincarnation since it was remote-triggered, but the amount of explosive tags were far less, only a small cluster. But still deadly, he called this technique, Cluster Explosive Tags. Good if he needed higher fire power than a normal Explosive Tag.

Another technique he developed was similar to the monstrous punches that Tsunade and Sakura could do. He was just using Gravity Seals on his arms instead of precise Chakra Control like them. Although this technique could reach their levels of strength, it had one big disadvatage, he usually had to limit his output since too much weight would break his arms. Still a great technique to pack a harder punch. Improving his close combat strength even further, and a good combination with Earth Style: Spear. Which allowed him to use the Gravity Seal in the first place, without hurting his Hands everytime from the additional force.

And that wasn't all he was practicing on, he worked hard to improve his mastery over the techniques that let's him apply seals faster, like in mid Combat. Like the finger carving technique and the Chakra printing technique.

But after all this hard work, instead of going on a mission that would challenge him with an actual combat situation or at least something outside the Village, he was stuck on C-Rank Guard and Patrol missions inside the Village.

It was so mind-numbingly boring. The most action he had was when he had to calm down a conflict in the Hospital. While on duty in the Archives, he wondered why nobody realized that he had stolen a copy of the final volumes of the Sealing Books.

There clearly had to have been an ANBU Operative that saw how he used his Clone to sneak a copy of the Scrolls. They were monitoring the Archives 24/7 after all. Until he realized that they must have not realized this application of the Shadow Clone Technique yet. It was a Chakra-intensive technique, after all, that was rarely used for reconnaissance. Such an application, like creating a clone to sneak out a clone copy of a Scroll, should be something unheard of.

"Yes, this is it! What, did you think ANBU was all 'assassinations and sabotage'?" shook Yugao her head as she was currently beside him during his patrol in the Hospital.

"Of course not. But after the grinder you guys put me through, I thought we would be doing something more challenging soon. Although I can learn a lot of techniques, there is only so much I can improve through sparring without any actual experience," replied Tekku calmly.

"Every squad has both village duties and border patrol to go along with the higher-level missions. Although your point is true, but you are also improving right now. Before we can go on any higher-level missions, you will need to have the basics like Chakra Suppression and the Chameleon Technique down. They are important for many of the high-level missions since they often require stealth. That's why we are here first. Now be quiet and go guard the front lobby," ordered Yugao, who was higher in rank than him.

Tekku sighed and headed towards his post. He got her point; by actually using the techniques in a safe environment, he was steadily improving in them. His mastery over them wasn't perfect yet. In a high-level mission, even one slight mistake like showing off one's presence could end up in the death of him and his team.

So he headed towards his position without complaining. The posts for the ANBU split each floor into two sections. Team Ro was assigned the bottom two floors while another managed the top three. From his perch, Tekku had a front-row seat to all the hospital drama. It was horribly boring, but a difficult man at the desk looked promising for a bit of action.

"Sir, please calm down!"

"I will not calm down! Not until you take me to my son. A simple C-rank to the Grass they said? Simple my ass, he's been under surgery for more than six hours!" A muscular civilian waved his fists in a threatening manner, and the nurse signaled for his intervention.

Tekku quickly notified the rest of the team over his headset before he jumped down. Appearing between the worried nurse and the red-faced father, Tekku tried to calm the situation down without any further escalation. "Sir, my apologies for any trouble, but the doctors are doing their best. Please be patient and sit down. Any distraction could endanger your son's life," he explained while pointing a finger to the nearest seat. But it didn't work at all; a fist came at him, and his quick close-quarter combat reflexes allowed him to grab the muscular fist. His Shinobi training and control over his Chakra allowed him to have higher physical strength than the much bigger man in front of him.

"Calm down?! Hell no, you ninja always order us civilians around, and I'm sick of it! He shouldn't even be a ninja! Take me to my son, now." Yugao shunshin'd behind him, knocking him out with a tranquilizer. Two nurses dragged the unconscious father away after Tekku placed him on a stretcher. After nodding towards the nurse, he once again disappeared, reappearing in his position above the front lobby.

"Well done, Owl," praised Yugao over his headset while they continued their watch. At least he was improving in Stealth, or this mission would be a big waste of time. But at least he didn't stop working on his own things, even while on a mission.

He always had a Shadow Clone in his laboratory, 24/7, continuing his research every day. Tekku regularly popped them to receive their memories before he sent a new one. Shadow Clones were just a broken technique, even if he could only use a few of them. They still could work on the things he had no time for, normally. In such a manner, he was never stopping to improve and stagnate. Always continuing forward.

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