"Teacher Mizuki, you're joking!" Shikamaru said a little embarrassedly, "We're still far from it!"

"I'm just joking, but I also hope that since we've grown up earlier, our vacation can be longer."

Just as Mizuki and Nara Shikamaru were chatting, Asuma Sarutobi with a big beard appeared in front of them.

"Shikamaru, sorry for the wait. Hey, isn't this Mizuki? Long time no see."

"Asuma? I heard you went on a negotiation mission with the daimyo. You're back so soon?"

"Don't even mention it. Socializing with big shots is more tiring than fighting with real swords and guns!"

"That's really hard work. It's not easy to convince those big shots."

"Yes!" Asuma lit a cigarette. "Want one?"

"Thank you, but no thanks!" If I only drink occasionally for social occasions, I have no interest in cigarettes at all.

"You really don't have any special hobbies!" As he said this, Asuma blew out a smoke ring with satisfaction.

"You have such a strong smoking addiction, but Red Jonin doesn't care about you?"

"I get complained about occasionally!" Asuma admitted it generously, not as shy as before.

Mizuki exchanged a few pleasantries before asking, "Do you have a date with Shikamaru?"

"Yeah!" Asuma nodded, "Whenever I have time, I play shogi with Shikamaru, but I rarely beat him."

"He has never won at all!" Shikamaru Nara said.

"Haha." Asuma laughed awkwardly, "Indeed, I've never won before, so that's why I want to win!"

"Since you have an appointment, I won't disturb you." Shuimu said, waved goodbye and left.

Looking at Mizuki's leaving back, Nara Shikamaru asked: "Are Asuma-sensei and Mizuki-sensei familiar with each other?"

"It's okay. I still owe him a lot of favors. He's a good guy."

Although he helped Mizuki in one or two rescue missions, he had to bear more of the burden. Before Tsunade came back, Mizuki was the one who had the best effect in medical ninjutsu. If it weren't for him, Kurenai Yuhi might have died.

"I always feel that Mr. Mizuki seems a little cold in his dealings with others." Nara Shikamaru said with some confusion, "I can't tell exactly what's strange, but Mr. Mizuki doesn't seem to be as enthusiastic as his appearance and words suggest."

"Um?"

After hearing Shikamaru's question, Asuma thought for a moment and said, "It's not surprising for ninjas to have some personalities and quirks. Especially when you reach the level of Jonin, the more responsibilities you have, the greater the pressure on you. A change in environment requires a certain period of adaptation. Just like you, when you were promoted from Genin to Chunin, didn't you become more motivated?"

"Really? I'm overthinking it!"

Seeing that Shikamaru seemed to still have some doubts, Asuma patted Shikamaru on the shoulder and said, "To be able to do the job of a jonin, Mizuki is definitely not an ordinary guy. Maybe you have heard some rumors about him and know some inside information. The past is not important. As a jonin, Mizuki will definitely handle his mental state well."

Asuma was convinced of this. He had never been without troubles in the process of growing up. He even ran away from home and fell out with his father, the Third Hokage. Mizuki's little problem was nothing. His strength increased significantly in a short period of time, and the village encountered a major change. The environment also changed dramatically. It was natural for people to feel uncomfortable.

Asuma flicked the ash off his cigarette and said to Shikamaru as they walked, "When Mizuki-sensei was in Ninja School, he was a year higher than me, Kurenai, Kakashi, and Gai. He got along well with his classmates and many people in the lower grades knew him. He was an above-average civilian ninja. But later on, because he didn't have a legacy, he became just like everyone else. To say he was mediocre is actually only compared to us jonin. Seriously speaking, he was already a very outstanding talent among civilian ninjas."

Nara Shikamaru listened patiently to Asuma's reminiscences of the past.

"Later, some things happened, some true, some false, some good, some bad, and they were more or less spread outside. It was not easy for Mizuki to get through the difficulties. But now, he is also considered one of the strongest men in Konoha, and his behavior is worthy of the reputation of Konoha's Jonin!"

"Very strong?" Nara Shikamaru interjected.

"Very strong. Among ninjas of the same age, perhaps only Hatake Kakashi and Might Guy have a chance of defeating him. If we were to spar with each other, I could still fight him on equal terms, but if he gets serious, I don't think it would be possible."

Shikamaru nodded and said, "I've heard my father talk about Sage Mode. Is it really that powerful?"

"Being named 'Sage', do you think it's that simple? There are only two Sages in the village, one is Master Jiraiya, and the other is him! Although he is not as skilled as Master Jiraiya, his secret skills are still quite amazing."

"From Asuma-sensei's tone, it seems that even without Master Jiraiya, the village is not completely helpless?" Nara Shikamaru's eyes lit up, "The Chunin Exam is not actually that dangerous?"

"Of course!" Asuma said proudly, "You have come into contact with some confidential information, and you are a little worried? You should trust us seniors. At least now, it is not your turn to worry about the safety of the village. If there is real danger, there will be heroes who stand up. The will of fire will not wither."

…

He did not stay long, just took a quick look at Shuimu, and then went home contentedly. The sound of the door being pushed startled Xiaochun who was reading in the study.

"You're back?"

"I met an acquaintance and chatted for a while." Shuimu took off his outer vest and hung it up.

"Is there something you need to prepare for?"

"What's up?"

Xiaochun's words shocked Shuimu. Preparation? What else does a husband and wife need to prepare? Could it be that...

"It's about Karin. She's going to be recruited into the medical team soon, and she won't be able to work in our store anymore."

"That's it!" Shuimu breathed a sigh of relief, not knowing whether he was happy or disappointed. "Let her do whatever she wants. It's only a matter of time. She can't be a gardener forever."

"I always feel a little reluctant, like a child running away from home?"

"What's the big deal?" Shuimu walked into the kitchen and poured a cup of tea. "If you can't bear to part with her, let's just have one child and raise it however we want!"

"Yeah, that's what I think, so I'm going to be a mother!"

The teacup in Mizuki's hand fell to the ground with a clatter.

"What did you say? How can you casually say something like this?" Xiaochun's sense of humor really caught people off guard. "So, I have to think of two names now? No, I have to think of a last name first..."