9.

"Okay, kids, we are done today. In one week you have your final exams and if you haven't started to prepare, I strongly advise you to do so." - She said and closed the book in her hands.

"Haiii" - the children replied in unison.

"Yoooosh, let's go, we have to eat and have some fun, after the exams we won't have time for that." - Arata.

"I don't think you can find time to have fun even in this situation." - Shiradai said this and opened one eye.

"No, I'm going to become Hokage and for that, I have to train hard." - Arata said determined.

"Then why don't you start training hard right now?" - Shiradai asked.

"Because now it's time to relax. Anyway, let's go eat some dangos, today I feel like eating some sweet and delicious dangos." - Arata.

"We'll go with you." - Mei said and her dog barked in agreement.

"Me too." - Gonda said and Shiradai just raised his hand in agreement.

"Ichimaru-kun and you?" - Nia (Kurama) asked.

"No, Nia-chan go with the others, I have to do something." - Ichimaru waved his hand and smiled softly.

"Okayyy." - Nia hung her head and didn't ask any further.

"EEE, why can't you come? What do you have to do? You are already strong enough to compete with an average chunin, if not with a strong one, and with your clan's technique of memory control, you can pass the writing exam with 100 points or more." - Arata complained.

"No, I don't need to study, I just need to finish something." - Ichimaru replied annoyed.

"Leave him alone, he told you he has to do something." - Shiradai said, opening her 2nd eye and nodding slightly to Ichimaru so that no one would notice.

"But..." - Arata started to say something but Gonda pulled him out of the class.

"Have fun." - Ichimaru said as he left the classroom through the window in Shunshin.

Good, that someone in our team is so intelligent. Sometimes, it's hard to communicate with children. - Ichimaru sighed in his mind. - In about a year, the 3rd Shinobi World War will start, it's better if I reach the rank of Chunin before the war. I will have more freedom to move on the battlefield, I want to get some practice. - He paused and thought - 'Why do I think I talk like that snake? brrrr' - Ichi shivered as he remembered this man. - Even if it is very similar to him, I don't want to kill someone from my village just to get Sharingans. I will seal some mortally wounded or poisoned ninjas and stop their pain. Heh, after that I'll be a painkiller, does this title give more some buffs against pain? Like immunity to Rinnegan? Could be cool.' - With a grin on his face, he continued on his way home.

After 20 minutes, he arrived at the entrance of the clan and saw his cousin Inoichi Yamanaka.

"Oh Ichimaru, long time no see. How are you? If I'm right, you will finish the academy next week." - Inoichi asked as he entered the clan gate together with his cousin.

"Inoichi-Oniisan, I'm fine and yes, I finish my studies next week." - Ichimaru replied and followed his cousin since they lived close to each other.

"Another genin from our clan and not just an ordinary one, almost a genius." - Inoichi turned his head to Ichimaru - "I don't mean that you are bad when I say almost, but compared to Kakashi... "

"I don't care, I know that. He received his Chunin rank last year and he was only 6 years old. So I know that my achievements in our clan's techniques are not comparable to his." - He calmly replied to his cousin, who was relieved by his words.

"Good, then I will go home now, and if you change your mind, you can always join the interrogation department."

"Thank you, if I decide to, I'll come to you." - He bowed his head slightly and left for his house.

"Okasan, I'm home." - Ichimaru said loudly when he entered the house.

"Welcome back. Are you going out as usual?" - A male voice asked suddenly, Ichimaru was surprised.

"Yes, wow, Otosan, you are home." - He was surprised by this fact. Usually, Takeshi came back late.

"Yes, there was nothing more to do today, so I left earlier." - He waved his hand at Takeshi. - "Be careful out there, even if this is still the area within the village and Uchihas patrol there, but still."

"Yes, I know." - He nodded in confirmation.

"Okay, now eat and don't be late honey, tomorrow morning I need your help with a Fuin.

"OQQey." - He replied while eating the rice.

"Don't talk while eating." - Akino looked at him with slight annoyance.

"Sorry."

He ate and prepared everything he needed for today. Wearing his everyday clothes and a medium-sized backpack on his back, Ichimaru walked towards the ghetto. Because of the poverty, only civilians live there. After he had learned the Mystical Hand Jutsu from Tsunade. He wanted to get some practice, but in the time of peace, it's not so easy. The only options are animals, but animals are too quiet. After training with animals, Tsunade said that he was ready to work with people, but before he got Genin rank, he couldn't work in the hospital, and then he thought to combine 4 things together, a) to help people in the ghetto with their health, b) to gain some experience, c) the most profitable, to gain extra positive karma. He didn't know if he could meet IAAS in the future, but if he could, then it might be better to have extra karmic points and lastly, a good reputation with the Konoha residents, in the ghetto he is the most famous person, he is like a saint there. He even started to visit the orphanage and bring them some toys or heal them. Even if they could go to the hospital for help, no one would walk a few kilometers just for small bruises.

So 4 years ago he started to help civilians. At first he planned to help them only for 2-3 months, but he couldn't stop. He just liked to see a happy smile.

Today was an ordinary day, and after 2 hours he was done. He started to pack his medical supplies into his backpack when an old man came in his direction. Ichimaru saw his outfit and concluded that he was a monk. They have a special outfit and it is not hard to recognize them.

"Hello, young man, my name is Ichuyi Gonsu, I'm a monk from the temple near Konoha. We heard from our new brother that there is a young man here who has been helping the poor for 4 years without asking for anything in return. So I came to the village to find you and thank you on behalf of our temple. If there is anything we can help you with, just ask. - a bald old man said, bowing his head in respect. Ichimaru was taken aback.

"OoOh, I-I..." - He coughed - "Please, you don't have to bow, I just wanted to help them. I could help you so I did, it is nothing like I want something in return, only 1 thing I want in return is your smile." - Ichimaru said and thought - "F********K I hate when I have to lie, but when I have to lie, like I'm some kind of hero or saint. brrrrr. I HATE that. But wait a minute.

"Oh, young man, your soul is pure, may God bless you."

"Actually, old man, there is something you could do. I'm interested in your chkra training methods, so can I come and see how you train in the future?" - He asked with a childish voice and puppy eyes.

"Em, even though you are a ninja, if I talk to our headmaster, he will definitely allow it. So, come to us anytime and we can help you with this little matter." - The monk smiled in satisfaction. Ichimaru copied his smile, but still - "Haha, that old man. Do you really think I will become a monk? Don't even try. - but he replied that he would definitely come to the temple when he had the time. After that they parted.

Now I can see the difference between a shinobi and a monk. Even though there are books about monks in our library, a book can't explain everything like a real practice. Even though I won't have time for it in the next few years, it's still a good opportunity to explore their power.