TPMITWON Chapter 69: Returning from the First Day of Work

The Second, Third, and Fourth Shinobi World Wars—it's as if this world never tires of creating bloodshed.

And behind all of that, the true threat: the Ōtsutsuki Clan. Beings from beyond this world, entities that sow the seeds of death on every planet they tread.

Souta gritted his teeth. Right now, Souta is nobody. But in the future, Souta will become something, a figure of strength.

That's why Souta chose to work at the Puppet Arts Performance Theater. A place where Kugutsu users—puppet masters—practice and showcase their art.

Where Souta not only cleans the floors, but also pays attention. The movements of their hands, the flow of the controlling Chakra threads, how they manage balance and momentum. Where Souta believes that in silence, he can steal knowledge.

Finally, Souta arrived at the apartment building—a two-story structure made of solid sand and desert stone. Its walls were rough yet sturdy, with a stone staircase beside it. The atmosphere was calm. Only the sounds of night insects and Souta's own footsteps could be heard.

Souta then climbed the stairs. A small oil lamp on the wall cast a golden light. When Souta reached the second floor, he walked past the adjacent room—Pakura's.

Just as Souta reached for the doorknob, a creaking sound was heard. Pakura's room door opened, and the girl appeared, her hair half-tied, still wearing simple but clean daily clothes.

"Are you home?" Pakura asked lightly, her eyes narrowing slightly as she looked at Souta's tired yet satisfied face.

"Yeah." Souta nodded. "Oh, by the way, did you get accepted too?"

Pakura leaned one shoulder against the doorframe. "I passed. The test was pretty simple. By the way, the salary is 4000 Ryo a month, right? But they said it could increase if we do a good job?"

Souta scratched the back of his head, his face showing doubt. "I know about the 4000 Ryo, but I haven't heard anything about a salary increase."

Pakura nodded slowly, her eyes then observing Souta's face for a moment as if assessing whether he was being honest or hiding something. Then Pakura smiled faintly. "Alright. Thank you for answering. I hope we can be good coworkers. I look forward to your help, Souta."

Pakura bowed slightly, her movement appearing polite yet sincere.

Souta quickly responded. "Ah—yeah. I look forward to your help too, Pakura."

"Then I'll go in first," Pakura said, nodding and returning to her room, the door closing gently behind her.

Souta stared at the door for a moment, then took a deep breath and opened his own room door. The air inside was cold and quiet, contrasting with the bustle he had just left. Souta dropped himself onto his hard bed, staring at the ceiling.

The first day of work as a cleaner was finally over. But Souta's journey had just begun.

...

...

...

In a cramped room in the corner of Sunagakure village—a village built from sand compacted by generations of ninjutsu—the morning sun slowly crept through the gaps of the worn thin curtains.

The curtains swayed lightly in the desert wind, scattering fine dust particles that floated in the air like specks of gold. The air inside the room was still cool, carrying the remnants of the night that had not fully departed, while the sunlight began to reflect a golden hue on the rough sand walls.

A boy lay on a thin mattress supported only by some solid sand. The blanket covering the boy was worn, its edges frayed, and its color faded from frequent washing under the scorching sun.

The boy stirred slowly, his face slightly wrinkling as the sunlight touched his closed eyelids.