Two days passed quickly.
Naruto did not waste these two days of vacation.
On the first day, he spent the entire morning continuing to study the details of Sensory Suppression Barrier, memorizing the sequence of every hand seal and the path of Chakra guidance. He then simulated the casting process about twenty times in his mind, until he could accurately construct the barrier pattern even with his eyes closed.
In the afternoon, he went out for a trip to the public training grounds of Konoha to do some basic Taijutsu training. It was mainly running laps, push-ups, and Shurikenjutsu.
These exercises wouldn't attract anyone's attention because, in the past, Naruto had often practiced Shurikenjutsu alone at the training ground, covered in sweat. The only difference was that before, he had just thrown them aimlessly, whereas now, he was adjusting the angle and force of his wrist with every shot.
In the evening, he returned his focus to Fuinjutsu, dismantling the basic structure of the Four Symbols Seal.
His schedule on the second day was about the same, with only one extra task: he ran to a Konoha ninja tool shop and used the reward from the last mission to buy two new Kunai and a roll of rune paper specifically for Fuinjutsu.
Rune paper was a slow-selling item in ordinary ninja tool shops. The proprietress rummaged for a long time before finding a roll from a corner of the warehouse. When she handed it to him, she specifically glanced at him, probably wondering what a Genin was doing buying such a thing.
Naruto casually said it was for a school assignment, paid, and left.
Did you think it was that smooth with Naruto's identity?
Of course not.
He had used a Shadow Clone and transformed into another appearance. Otherwise, would the proprietress have sold it to him?
On the third morning.
Naruto woke up before the alarm went off. Then, he washed up and changed into a clean ninja outfit.
Afterward, he went out and walked toward the small bridge where Team 7 usually gathered.
The meeting time was 8:00 AM. Naruto deliberately arrived ten minutes early, but by the time he walked there, two people were already standing by the bridge.
Sasuke was leaning against the bridge railing with his hands in his pockets and his chin slightly raised, still wearing that 'stay away from me' expression.
Sakura was standing next to Sasuke with her hands behind her back, her body leaning slightly toward him. She was talking about something, and even though Sasuke didn't respond, she wasn't discouraged and kept talking.
When Naruto approached, he nodded toward the two of them. "Morning."
Sasuke looked up at him and let out a very soft 'hmph'.
When Sakura saw Naruto take the initiative to greet them, she was stunned at first. Then, remembering her determination to "absolutely ignore Naruto," she quickly turned her head away, huffed, and held her chin up high.
Naruto didn't mind and walked to the other side of the bridge to stand still. The three of them waited in silence like this.
Sakura was a bit surprised.
Shouldn't Naruto be asking her why she was ignoring him?
Ten minutes later. Kakashi didn't come.
8:10, 8:20, 8:30...
Naruto leaned against the railing, closing his eyes to rest, while still going over the Fuinjutsu in his mind.
Sasuke was able to maintain his posture at first, but as time went on, his brow furrowed.
Sakura, on the other hand, had been pacing in circles since the eighth minute, and by the twentieth minute, she had entered a manic state. Her fists were clenching and cracking, the veins on her forehead were visible, and she was roaring madly in her heart.
'Kakashi-sensei is late again! This time, I'm definitely going to make him pay!'
...
At 9:05, a leisurely figure finally appeared at the end of the road.
Kakashi held Icha Icha Paradise in one hand, his other hand in his pocket, walking slowly toward the bridge with a smile that showed a complete lack of time awareness.
"Ah, morning everyone. The morning mist is a bit thick today, so I got a little lost on the path of life."
Kakashi put Icha Icha Paradise into his ninja tool pouch, and said, "Today, there is a simple D-rank mission: help an old lady on the outskirts of the village clear the weeds in her field."
"Weeding again?" Sakura's face immediately fell.
Sasuke was expressionless, while Naruto nodded without speaking.
The mission location was next to a field on the southern edge of Konoha.
The owner of the field was an old woman in her seventies. Her back was severely bent, and she spoke slowly. After handing each of them a hoe, she went to sit under the shade of a tree to drink tea.
The weeds in this field were growing rampant. In the densest areas, the grass was higher than a person's knees.
Naruto carried the hoe and, while weeding, observed the surrounding environment.
This farmland was not far from the village. There were a few scattered farmhouses nearby, children running around on the ridges of the fields, and people drying rice in the distance. The flow of people was neither large nor small, and the view was too open, so it wasn't suitable.
Naruto mentally crossed out this area, then lowered his head and continued to cut the grass.
Naruto moved quickly and precisely cut the grass stems without damaging the crop roots, his efficiency a cut above Sakura and Sasuke.
Kakashi sat in a tree with Icha Icha Paradise spread out on his knees. His gaze drifted from the pages to Naruto from time to time, watching his steady movements with a thoughtful expression.