The three walked side by side through the bustling roads of Konoha, the late day sun casting dappled shadows through the trees lining the streets.
"Hey, Shin..." Ryuuji suddenly said, glancing over.
"Hm?" Shin responded without looking. "What's up?"
"Can I ask you something?"
Shin chuckled. "You? Asking me something? That's new. Go ahead."
Ryuuji hesitated for a second, then blurted it out. "Why the hell do you still use those weak-ass E-rank jutsu?"
"Oh... that's because those are the only ones I know," Shin said casually, like it wasn't strange at all.
Ryuuji stopped in his tracks. "What?! You're the son of the Ashen Blade! One of the strongest ninja in Konoha!"
Even Tadao blinked, turning toward Shin. "Wait, you're the Ashen Blade's kid?"
"You didn't know?" Shin asked, raising an eyebrow. "I thought everyone did."
"Yeah, well..." Tadao scratched his head lazily. "I'm always out on missions. Can't keep track of every famous kid running around. Sigh... I need a vacation..."
Shin gave a small shrug. "My father always told me not to ride on his name. Said if I leaned on his legacy, I'd never become strong on my own."
"B-But not even one jutsu?" Ryuuji asked, stunned. "Not even a Fire Release? Or his sword style?!"
"I'm learning Kenjutsu from him," Shin admitted. "But he won't let me learn his sword style. He says it wouldn't suit me. So he's building up my fundamentals and teaching me Konoha's Leaf Blade Style. The rest is up to me."
"Tch! You... you stupid civilians!" Ryuuji suddenly burst out, fists clenched. "Instead of passing your legacy down to create a strong family, you tell your kids to go figure it out on their own! That's why you'll always be inferior to us!"
Shin blinked. "If you say so..." he replied with a shrug, not taking the bait.
"Our Shimura clan alwa—" Ryuuji began, but stopped mid-sentence. His voice froze in his throat, and a strange look crossed his face. Fear flickered in his pupils.
"Ryuuji?" Shin asked, frowning. Even Tadao looked concerned.
"A-Ah... it's nothing..." Ryuuji muttered, one hand reaching instinctively for his neck. "I just remembered I've got something to do."
Without another word, he turned and hurried away, leaving Shin and Tadao staring after him.
"...The hell was that about?" Tadao asked, scratching his head.
He was about to say more, but suddenly let out a yelp. "Owowowowow!"
Shin turned toward him—and froze. A stunning blonde woman with piercing blue eyes was yanking Tadao's ear with all the grace and fury of a seasoned kunoichi. Shin could only stare, mesmerized.
"Tadao!" she barked, voice like a whip. "You bastard! How many times do I have to tell you not to take my flowers without asking?!"
"I-I really needed them, Kaoru..." Tadao stammered, visibly shaken. The woman didn't look human—she looked like a demon in heels.
Shin blinked, stunned. Is that Sensei's wife?
He looked at her again. Flawless skin, golden hair, the kind of face you'd remember even after a decade. How the hell did Sensei land someone like her? Maybe I need to learn a thing or two... it could help me with Ayaka.
"Ahem—Ms. Takigawa," Shin said quickly, bowing politely. "It's an honor to meet you."
Kaoru paused mid-tirade and turned to look at him. Her gaze softened slightly.
"Tadao," she said, raising an eyebrow, "is this one of your students?"
"Yeah..." Tadao groaned, rubbing the new bump on his head. "This is Shin Hamada. Hiroshi-senpai's son."
Wait... Hiroshi-senpai? Shin blinked, caught off guard. Does Sensei know my father?
Kaoru's eyes lit up like stars. "Senpai's son?" she repeated, stepping closer to examine Shin's face with sudden excitement. "Yeah... you're just as handsome as he was!"
Before Shin could react, she pinched his cheeks. "No—wait—you're even more handsome! These must be Naoko's genes, huh?"
Then, without warning, she pulled him into a suffocating hug, pressing his face straight into her ample chest.
"Ahhh... Senpai was so dreamy back in the day," she sighed, holding him tight. "That aloof, mysterious aura... Only Naoko could make him open up! Such a great love story..."
I... can't... breathe... Shin thought in panic, arms flailing weakly.
Finally, Kaoru let him go. Shin stumbled back, gasping for air like a drowning man breaking the surface.
But Kaoru's face suddenly darkened. "And then there's my love story..." she muttered, her gaze shifting coldly toward Tadao. "Married to this pathetic man."
"Hey now..." Tadao said, reaching into his ninja pouch with a sigh. He pulled out a flower and held it toward her. "This pathetic man still made you fall in love, didn't he?"
Kaoru's eyes softened at first—she even blushed.
Then she got a better look at the flower.
Her fist flew.
"That's one of MY flowers, dip-shit!!" she screamed, smacking him square in the head.
...
The evening sun had dipped below the rooftops of Konoha, casting the village in a warm, golden hue. Inside Tadao's modest but cozy home, the sound of clinking dishes and light conversation filled the air.
Shin sat at the low dining table, looking a little overwhelmed but also quietly content. Kaoru had flat-out refused to let him leave after the earlier encounter, insisting—no, commanding—that he stay for dinner so she could "get to know her senpai's son better."
Across from him, Tadao munched silently, occasionally glancing at his wife as if making sure she didn't get too carried away again.
Shin took another bite of the meal and found himself almost melting.
'Sensei's cooking is really amazing...' he thought, savoring the delicate flavors. A perfectly grilled saba shioyaki—salted mackerel—was paired with soft, fragrant kinoko gohan, mushroom rice, and some light nimono, root vegetables simmered in soy and mirin. Everything was balanced, comforting, and deeply flavorful.
After a few more bites, Shin swallowed and politely asked, "Ehm, may I ask... how do you two know my parents?"
Kaoru, mid-sip of tea, choked just a little and awkwardly scratched her head. "Ah... well... we... ehm... we—"
"We and your parents actually did a lot of joint missions," Tadao cut in smoothly, placing his chopsticks down with a soft click.
"Oh..." Shin replied, nodding slowly.
Still, something in his gut—it wasn't suspicion, just instinct—told him that wasn't the full story. But it didn't bother him. If they didn't want to talk about it, there was probably a good reason.
Kaoru, visibly relieved the topic didn't go further, quickly latched onto the first sure distraction she could think of.
"Ehm—actually, Shin!" she said, perking up with a bright smile. "Would you like to learn the Sensory Jutsu?"
To be continued...
***
***
How was this chapter? Liked it?
Also, a pretty big arc will start shortly, so keep yourself ready!
Be sure to check out my original novel Hyperborea!