TPMITWON Chapter 43: Just Want to Learn Kugutsu

Souta remained silent for a few seconds after hearing that answer. His expression did not change, still serious as usual. However, for Aomi, who knew Souta well enough, she could see something in the boy's eyes—a thought beginning to swirl in Souta's head.

After a moment, Souta finally nodded firmly. "Understood, Ma'am!"

Aomi smiled slightly, satisfied with that answer.

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Time passed, and finally, the lesson for the day was over. As soon as the bell rang, the children rushed out of the classroom with cheerful steps. Some ran towards the door, laughing and joking with their friends. However, among them, Souta walked at a leisurely pace, unlike the other children who seemed eager to go home.

"Hey! Hey! Souta, is it true that you want to become a puppeteer?" Makima's cheerful voice rang out as she quickly stepped beside Souta, her face full of curiosity.

Souta glanced over and gave a faint smile. "Of course. Didn't I just say that?"

Pakura, walking on the other side, slipped her hand into a small pocket in her ninja academy uniform. "So, does that mean you will join the Puppet Brigade as Teacher Aomi said?" Pakura asked, glancing at Souta.

Souta shook his head slowly. "I don't know yet... Anyway, I just want to learn Kugutsu techniques."

Souta's gaze swept over the dusty streets of Sunagakure. The sun was beginning to set on the western horizon, painting the sky with golden orange hues. A few adult ninjas walked past them, wearing dusty sand cloaks, indicating that they had just returned from a mission outside the village. The evening air felt slightly cooler than earlier in the day, although there was still a dry breeze carrying swirling sand.

"By the way, Pakura-chan, have you finished the homework from yesterday? I haven't, can I see yours? Hehe..." Makima approached Pakura, her eyes sparkling with hope.

Souta glanced at them with a flat expression, but there was a faint smile on his face, as he was already used to seeing Makima always looking for shortcuts in her assignments.

Pakura just sighed and then began talking to Makima.

The three of them continued walking together until they finally reached an intersection. Makima parted ways first, taking the path to the right.

"Pakura-chan! I'm borrowing your book for now! I'll return it tomorrow!" Makima called out while waving her hand.

Pakura just nodded. "I understand."

"See you tomorrow, Pakura-chan! Souta!" After that, Makima jogged off towards her home.

Now only Souta and Pakura remained. They continued their journey in silence, enjoying the evening tranquility in Sunagakure.

After a few minutes of walking, they finally arrived at their apartment. The building looked old, with several small cracks in the walls from years of wind and sand erosion.

Without much conversation, they climbed the stairs to the second floor. Once there, they headed straight to their respective rooms.

Souta entered his room, closing the door quietly. For a moment, he stood still, allowing the silence to envelop him.

Souta's eyes gazed at the ceiling, then at the open window, where the last rays of sunlight that afternoon streamed in, casting long shadows on the floor of his room.

Today ended like the days before—but in Souta's mind, he knew that his new journey had just begun.

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Somewhere in Sunagakure, inside the Ninja Academy, a classroom was filled with the sounds of laughter and chatter from the students. Some children joked with each other, while others were busy discussing their training. The bright sunlight streamed through the window, creating shadows on the classroom floor filled with intricately carved wooden desks typical of the sand village.