TPMITWON Chapter 48: A Test

Ninja equipment is not something that comes cheap. Every kunai, shuriken, storage scroll, or even a small sword costs quite a bit, especially for children who don't have families to support them.

If children from prominent families can easily get the best equipment, then orphans like Souta can only buy second-hand equipment that is worn out and no longer in perfect condition.

However, Souta is not just looking for a job for money. Souta's goal is actually much bigger than that. Souta wants to be in this theater, not just to dust or sweep the floor, but to observe, learn, and understand the Kugutsu technique—the art of controlling puppets, one of Sunagakure's signature techniques.

If Souta can get a job here, even if it's just as a janitor, then Souta will have the opportunity to watch professional puppeteers at work, study their hand movements, and maybe one day, Souta can use the Kugutsu technique like one of them.

On the other hand, the woman is looking at Souta with a look that is hard to interpret.

"We are indeed short of manpower to clean the theater. In the next few months, we will be very busy with performances," the woman muttered in a low voice. Where the woman bit her lip slightly, still hesitant. "But… taking a child this young as a worker?"

The woman looked at the boy in front of her more closely. Judging from Souta's stature, Souta was probably only five or six years old. Too young an age to work, even just to clean a room. However, something in this child's expression reminded the woman of herself as a child.

A strange feeling stirred in the woman's mind.

"Am I just being sentimental?" the woman thought with a soft sigh. "Or… do I see a shadow of my past in this child?"

The woman knew very well that the orphans in Sunagakure had to struggle harder than others. Their lives were never easy.

The woman's eyes then returned to the boy.

"I can't just accept this child right away… But, how about I test this boy first?"

Finally, the woman smiled slightly, then the woman crossed her arms in front of her chest.

"Alright, kid," the woman said in a lighter tone. "I'll accept you... if you can complete a test from me. How about it?"

Souta immediately raised his head. The look in Souta's eyes showed unwavering confidence.

"No problem!" Souta replied without the slightest hesitation.

The woman chuckled, slightly amused by the boy's courage. "Alright... let's see if you're really worthy."

"Then, follow me, kid." The woman walked slowly down the narrow hallway, her long robes swaying with her movements.

Her footsteps seemed calm, almost soundless, as if she was used to walking as quietly as possible. Souta immediately followed behind, while Souta looked around curiously.

The hallway they were walking through felt long, with walls made entirely of sand that was compacted until it looked as strong as stone. The air inside felt cooler compared to the scorching heat outside.

 On some of the walls, oil lanterns hung, casting dim light that danced across the sand, creating strange, eerie shadows.

After a while of walking, the passageway finally opened up into a large room—a vast main hall with a high ceiling supported by neatly carved sand pillars.

On the floor, Sunagakure’s signature geometric patterns were carved into the compacted sand, giving the impression that this was no ordinary building, but one with a long history.