The next day, I got up early, made myself breakfast, and after eating while my family slept, I ran to the village to pick up my personal apprentice.
I had alerted the elder Mitarashi yesterday by sending a clone, so I was expected and Anko should be fed, watered and ready for the big moment.
Of course, I would have liked to delay the moment of her presentation to the clan head and elders so that I could practice the three initial techniques properly, but since Uncle had bitten the bullet and decided not to wait a few days....
As soon as I arrived at the door, the door opened and Akiko appeared, dressed in her traditional dark blue clothes, followed by the youngest Mitarashi, whose loose pants and tight jacket over a T-shirt were perfect for physical activity.
Her mother wanted to dress her in clothes similar to her own to make a good impression, but I stopped it in time - Shenesu and the elders wouldn't be evaluating her dress and appearance, but the potential and capabilities of my personal student, which meant physical activity, and the little girl would look ridiculous trying to navigate an obstacle course like that, let alone the result.
- Ready? - I asked them.
Naturally, with a plan to settle in the clan quarter, I decided to bring not only Anko, but her mother as well, especially since a little support wouldn't hurt at all.
- We are ready, Ryo-sama," the elder Mitarashi answered firmly for both of them.
Nodding, I wanted to put my hands on their shoulders and carry them to the clan quarter, but looking at the girl, I couldn't help but cringe, glaring at the former kunoichi.
Knowing her, Akiko had probably done her best to intimidate the child with lectures and demands to the point of nervousness and tears, but I hadn't given it much thought and was trying to get the same attitude from my student.
I realize that a meeting of this level for a clanless shinobi is very rare and significant, especially when the well-being of your family depends on it, but in this case, it is completely inappropriate and threatens to make the child nervous, chakra or no chakra.
Sometimes the local traditions and upbringing piss me off, and the awe and even adoration in Akiko's gaze that had recently appeared in her eyes was starting to get in the way, as it did in this case, and something had to be done about it, so she wouldn't make a mess of it.
Sometimes, I forget that she's not even twenty yet, she was a little snotty herself, and in recent years the former kunoichi has been very ill, rarely leaving the house, and this affects even in moments when Akiko could have realized the inappropriateness of her actions.
Sighing, I knelt down in front of my student at eye level and took her cold, sweaty paws in mine.
- Anko-chan, forget everything your mother told you, she's smart, but in some matters she's a fool, because she's still very young," I didn't soften my words, making the said person shudder and look away, and the little girl open her eyes wide, "you're already my personal student, and even the clan head and elders won't be able to do anything about it, so don't worry.
- Really? - The girl sniffed her nose.
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