Chapter 63 – Just a Genin 只是个下忍

During the two-month injury recovery, Lin Yuan didn't idle away.

Lin Yuan consulted his father, Inoichi Yamanaka, about the sensory ninjutsu of the Yamanaka clan, learning how to detect the positions and numbers of surrounding enemies through chakra fluctuations. As a "time traveler" who wasn't a ninja in his previous life, he didn't have a smooth start in his training. He often couldn't concentrate, and even fainted due to excessive consumption of spiritual power and chakra.

However, after repeated training, Lin Yuan gradually grasped the essentials. He could sense chakra fluctuations within a ten-meter range. Though the range was small, it could be used at first.

On the other hand, his ninjutsu teacher, Anko Mitarashi, wasn't idle either. As Lin Yuan's guiding jounin, Anko specifically arranged fire release training for him. Lin Yuan chose the Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique, which was relatively powerful but simple to cast, as his target.

Whenever Lin Yuan was so exhausted that he collapsed to the ground, Anko would always say unceremoniously, "You claim to be a fan of Jiraiya, don't you? If you're this bad at fire release, don't disgrace his name!"

In order to avoid Anko's "sharp-tongued education", Lin Yuan actually went to visit Jiraiya. Facing the "Legendary Sannin" Jiraiya, Lin Yuan pretended to be a fan. "Lord Jiraiya, I've loved your 'Make-Out Paradise' since I was little. Can you teach me about fire release?"

Jiraiya stroked his chin and seemed quite satisfied with Lin Yuan's attitude. "Oh? So you're my fan! Kid, I'm really busy. But seeing that you have good taste, I can teach you a little bit of the basics. However... you have to finish reading 'Make-Out Paradise' first and understand its essence! Heheh..."

Lin Yuan nearly spat blood. But to get better at fire release, he agreed reluctantly. "Thanks, Lord Jiraiya. Heheh..." Lin Yuan said, copying Jiraiya's tone.

...

Lin Yuan stood in front of the gate of Konoha, looking at the rising morning sun in the distance. He took a deep breath and felt the cool morning breeze brush against his cheeks. He looked at the assembled "Gratitude Repayment Squad" and muttered softly, "The 'Gratitude Repayment Squad'... It might as well be called the 'Avengers of Fire'."

Naruto beside him heard it and couldn't help laughing out loud. "Lin Yuan, that name's so lame! The 'Gratitude Repayment Squad' has real meaning. We're going to Sunagakure to assist, not for revenge!"

Lin Yuan rolled his eyes. "Naruto, don't you think the name Shikamaru came up with is a bit... tacky?"

Shikamaru clapped his hands to get everyone's attention. "Okay, don't waste time. We're the last squad from Konoha to set out. Our goal is to support Sunagakure. The key is to ensure the safety of Gaara and his two siblings, Temari and Kankuro, and try to retrieve the kidnapped Matsuri as much as possible. Everyone prepare according to the tasks assigned before. Let's go!"

Rock Lee shouted excitedly, "Yes! The youth team is off!" Then he dashed out of Konoha's gate and ran way ahead.

Kiba Inuzuka couldn't help but complain, "Hey, Lee, are you going for a race or on a mission?"

Lin Yuan looked at Lee, who was getting farther away, and shook his head helplessly. "As expected of the passionate Lee, he has so much energy."

Jiuchong Ring interjected in Lin Yuan's mind, "Host, this isn't your leisure time for a trip. There are crises at every step on the upcoming journey. Don't think about slacking off."

Lin Yuan whispered, "Don't worry. I'll be serious. After all, this is Naruto's world. Even if I'm weak, as a Yamanaka, I should do my part, right?"

In this mission, Lin Yuan's main responsibility was to sense the positions and characteristics of the enemies and cooperate with his teammates using fire release. Although he knew his strength was limited, he secretly made up his mind: he must achieve something in this mission and not be a burden anymore.

Along the way, he used his sensory jutsu from time to time to check the surrounding situation and ensure the safety of the squad.

Shikamaru saw Lin Yuan's efforts and said, "Lin Yuan, you've improved a lot lately. This mission is tough, but if we work together, we'll succeed."

Lin Yuan scratched his head. "Thank you for the compliment, but I don't dare to relax. After all, the range of my sensory ability is still too small. There might be enemies hiding even farther away."

The Jiuchong Ring snorted coldly in Lin Yuan's mind, "Host, your sensory jutsu is already better than that of most genin. Coupled with the proficiency in fire attribute I provided you with, it's enough to deal with a small-scale battle."

Lin Yuan muttered, "I hope so. I don't want to meet any tough guys..."

When they were a day from Sunagakure, the squad got new info.

The Four Celestial Symbols Men divided into three groups and launched attacks on different targets in Sunagakure. The defensive forces of the village were dispersed, and the Four Celestial Symbols Men were plotting some kind of sealing jutsu, which might be related to the abduction of Matsuri. But Lin Yuan knew that the Four Celestial Symbols Men squad was after Gaara, or more precisely, the chakra of the One-Tailed Shukaku.

Shikamaru thought for a bit, then said, "The intel says we should split up to help different areas. Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro are top-priority to protect. Lin Yuan, your sensing skills are crucial. Stick with me."

Naruto looked unhappy. "Hey, Shikamaru, I can protect Gaara too! Let me go with him!"

Shikamaru shook his head. "Naruto, your goal is to stop the enemies and rescue Matsuri if there's a chance. Your large amount of chakra makes you the best choice for frontline battles."

Hearing the task, though a bit nervous, Lin Yuan nodded. "I'll do my best. But don't count on me too much. I'm just a genin."

======================

在两个月的伤病修养中,林远并没有虚度光阴.

林远向父亲山中亥一请教了山中一族的感知忍术,学习如何通过查克拉波动探测周围的敌人位置与数量.作为一个前世并非忍者的 "穿越者" ,他在修炼初期并不顺利,经常无法集中精神,甚至因为精神力与查克拉过度耗损导致晕倒.

不过,经过一次次的训练,林远渐渐掌握了要领.他能够感知到十米范围内的查克拉波动,虽然范围不大,但已足够初步运用.

另一边,他的忍术老师御手洗红豆也没有闲着.作为林远的指导上忍,红豆专门为林远安排了火遁训练.林远选择了威力较强但释放相对简单的火遁·龙火之术作为目标.

每当林远累得瘫倒在地时,红豆总会不留情面地说道:"你不是自称自来也的粉丝吗?火遁学得这么差,可别给他的名号丢脸啊!"

为了避免红豆的 "毒舌教育",林远还真跑去拜访了自来也.面对这位 "传说中的三忍" ,林远假装书迷: "自来也大人,我从小就是您"亲热天堂"的忠实读者!不知能不能向您请教一些火遁心得?"

自来也摸了摸下巴,似乎很满意林远的态度:"哦?原来是我的粉丝啊!小子,我可是很忙的,不过,看在你识货,眼光不错,我可以稍微教你点基础.不过嘛...你可得先好好看完"亲热天堂",理解它的精髓!嘿嘿嘿..."

林远差点一口老血喷出来,但为了提高火遁能力,他还是硬着头皮应了下来. "好的,谢谢您,自来也大人.嘿嘿嘿..." 林远模仿说道.

...

林远站在木叶大门前,望着天边初升的朝阳,深吸一口气,感受到微凉的晨风拂过脸颊.他望着已经集结好的 "报恩小队" ,小声嘀咕: "报恩小队...还不如叫火之复仇者联盟呢."

旁边的鸣人听到,忍不住哈哈大笑:"林远,你这名字也太中二了吧!'报恩小队' 多有意义啊,我们去砂隐村可是为了帮忙,不是去搞复仇的!"

林远翻了个白眼:"鸣人,你不觉得鹿丸取的名字有点... 土啊?"

鹿丸拍了拍手,示意所有人注意:"好了,不要浪费时间了.我们是木叶最后一支出发的小队,目标是支援砂隐村,重点是保证我爱罗三姐弟的安全,同时尽量找回被掳走的小祭.所有人按照之前分配好的任务准备,出发!"

小李热血地喊了一声:"是!青春的队伍要出发了!" 紧接着,他一头冲出了木叶大门,远远跑在最前面.

犬冢牙忍不住吐槽:"喂喂,小李,你这是去比赛的还是去出任务的?"

林远看着逐渐远去的小李,无奈地摇头:"不愧是热血小李,体力充沛得很."

九重戒在林远的脑海中插了一句:"宿主,这可不是你的休闲旅游时间.接下来的路程可是步步危机,别想着划水."

林远低声回道:"放心吧,我会认真对待的.再说了,这可是火影世界,我再怎么弱,身为山中家族的成员,多少得做点事情吧."

这次任务中,林远的职责主要是负责感知敌人的位置和特征,并利用火遁配合队友作战.他虽然自知实力有限,但心里暗暗下定决心:这次任务一定要做出成绩,不能再成为拖后腿的角色.

一路上,他不时用感知术探查周围的情况,确保小队的安全.

鹿丸注意到林远的努力,开口表扬道:"林远,这段时间你的进步很明显啊.虽然这次任务危险,但只要我们配合得当,完成任务不成问题."

林远挠了挠头:"谢谢夸奖,不过我可不敢松懈,毕竟我感知到的范围还太小了,说不定有敌人正躲在更远的地方呢."

九重戒在林远脑海中冷哼一声:"宿主,你的感知术已经比大部份下忍优秀了,再加上我给你提供的火属性精通,足够应付一场小型战斗了."

林远低声嘀咕:"希望吧,可别真让我碰上什么棘手的家伙..."

在距离砂隐村还有一天路程时,小队收到了一份新的情报,四天象人分兵三路,各自针对砂隐村的不同目标展开行动.村子的防御力量被分散,而四天象人正在策划某种封印术,可能与掳走小祭有关.但林远知道,四天象人小队是冲着我爱罗,准确来说是一尾的查克拉而来.

鹿丸思考片刻后说道:"根据情报,我们需要分兵支援不同的方向.我爱罗,手鞠和勘九郎是重点保护对象,林远,你的感知能力对我们很重要,跟着我行动."

鸣人一脸不服气:"喂喂,鹿丸,我也可以保护我爱罗啊!让我跟他去吧!"

鹿丸摇头:"鸣人,你的目标是阻止敌人,有机会的话解救小祭.你的查克拉量大,是前线战斗的最佳人选."

林远听着任务分配,虽然有些紧张,但还是点头答应:"我会尽力协助的.不过,你们可别都指望我,我只是个下忍."