16 - Catching a wild chicken

A few kilometers away from Konoha...

Kirito is looking at Saito sensei, who has a serious expression on his face, as he is about to start teaching Kirito.

"Hey kid, do you know why I brought you here?" Saito said with a very serious tone.

"Is it because this place is safe and we can learn without anyone disturbing us?" Kirito responded after pondering.

"No, that's absolutely wrong. Why would I be concerned about someone disturbing us? You might not know, but I am a big deal in the village. In some places, I even have more authority than the Hokage himself," Saito said, pride evident in his voice and posture.

"Really?" Kirito asked with a hint of doubt, which annoyed Saito.

"What's with that tone, kid? Don't you believe what I just told you?" Saito asked with a serious tone, as if challenging Kirito to doubt him.

"No, I believe you. I trust you," Kirito hurriedly replied, scared of Saito's stern look. He tried to change the subject by asking, "If that's the case, why did you bring me here?"

"Because of that," Saito said, pointing in the direction of the trees nearby.

Looking at the trees, Kirito noticed a group of wild chickens eating something there, and he asked, confused, "Wild chickens???"

"Yes, we are going to catch and eat them. Today will be your first lesson from me as your sensei," Saito said, nodding and smiling at Kirito.

"That's something new. So how much can I catch, and can I also bring some for my brother?" Kirito asked with excitement, feeling grateful that his sensei is so generous. He wished he could share this moment with his brother.

"You can catch as much as you want, and I'll allow you to take some for your brother too. If you want me to cook some for both of you for dinner, I'll gladly do that," Saito said with a warm smile.

"Thank you, sensei," Kirito said, a small tear forming at the corner of his eye due to his sensei's kindness.

"No, kid, I should be the one thanking you instead," Saito replied, shaking his head.

"Why, sensei? I didn't do anything. Why would you thank me?" Kirito asked, puzzled by Saito's words.

"That's because you are going to catch a chicken for me to eat," Saito said, still smiling warmly at Kirito.

"But... but..." Kirito tried to protest, not fully understanding what was happening.

"There's no 'but,' only chicken. You have to catch it for us to eat. We won't be leaving until you catch one, and the first catch will be my meal. Got it?" Saito said with a demanding tone, setting the challenge for Kirito.

"But how will I catch it? You know they are very fast, and I am just a small kid. I can't..." Kirito said with a desperate tone because he was sure he would be unable to catch a chicken.

If it was a chicken from the village, he might have a chance; after all, he had done it with the older kids in the orphanage when he was 3 years old, or at least he helped, but it took all of them just to catch a regular chicken. Now, those are wild chickens, which are a lot faster than the regular ones from before. Also...

"That is your problem. I don't care how you do it; just go do it…" Saito said as he directed Kirito in the direction of his targets.

"Fine, I will try…" Kirito said with a sigh as he walked towards the forest...

After Kirito was gone, Saito took out a fishing rod, some fish food, and a bucket to put his catch from his sealing scroll and said, "This is heaven…" as he continued fishing after taking out a small book from his pocket while thinking 'Jiraiya said he will give me the next edition in a month… hehehe~' (Imagine Jiraiya's face while watching the hot spring)

This is how Saito continued his fishing and reading his novel with no care in the world.

On the other hand, Kirito was running behind a chicken like a fox, and suddenly, a chicken came beside him and ran right past the palm of his hand.

When he saw that chicken, he stopped the chicken he was chasing and focused on the one near to him.

After 15 minutes, he was out of breath and sat on the ground to catch some air when he heard, "Kid, have you caught a chicken yet? I am starving over here..."

"Sensei, try to be patient..." Kirito said, implying he wasn't able to catch one.

"Then stop wasting time and go catch me some chicken…" Saito shouted as he continued looking at his book.

"I am going, I am going…" Kirito started running again.

After three rounds like this, Saito threw a bottle of water next to Kirito and shouted from afar, "Kid, drink and start moving; the sun is not waiting for us, you know…"

Kirito again started moving while cursing silently, 'Why didn't you buy a chicken from the village and eat it if you are so hungry?' or 'Why don't you catch it yourself if you are so hungry…'

This way, he continued to chase after the chicken for hours. Finally, when it was almost sunset, he was completely exhausted and lied down beside Saito as he said, "Sensei, I am sorry, but I don't think I can catch them."

"Fine, you did well, kid, but if you want me to teach you something, first you will have to catch at least one of those chickens.

Now, let's return to the village; it is almost evening..." Saito said as he came next to Kirito, put him on his shoulder, and disappeared from that spot.

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