The next morning, as the first rays of sunlight began to filter through the window, Sora was the very first one to wake up from his deep slumber. As he slowly opened his eyes and allowed them to adjust to the dim lighting of the early morning, he glanced over toward the other side of the room, where he noticed that Naruto was still peacefully asleep, her breathing steady, quiet, and rhythmic. He turned his head toward his clock that sat on the nearby table and checked the time displayed on its face, realizing with some satisfaction that there were still two full hours remaining before the academy classes were scheduled to start for the day, so he decided not to disturb her rest just yet and let her sleep a while longer.
He carefully and quietly got out from the bed, making absolutely sure not to make too much noise that might wake her, and made his way toward the bathroom with soft, deliberate steps. Once inside the small bathroom, he began taking off his clothes piece by piece, and while doing so, he also started brushing his teeth at the same time, multitasking to save precious minutes in his morning routine.
As he stood there looking at his own reflection in the mirror above the sink, he could clearly see and observe that his current appearance looked quite similar to how he had looked in his past life.
He had the same dark black eyes that seemed to hold depths of experience beyond his years, and the same black hair that he remembered so vividly from his previous existence. However, his skin was somewhat pale in complexion, maintaining an almost porcelain-like quality, even despite the fact that he had been staying out in the sun for such a long period of time and should have developed at least some degree of tan.
He thought to himself that maybe it was some kind of skin condition or genetic trait that ran in his biological family, since he had always made absolutely sure to get enough vitamins and nutrients in his diet to maintain his health and well-being, so there shouldn't be any deficiency causing this paleness.
Given his overall appearance and the distinctive features he possessed, most people who saw him for the first time would naturally and understandably assume that he was an Uchiha clan member, given the striking resemblance to their characteristic features. And in all honesty, they might not be entirely wrong in making that assumption, though he had no concrete evidence to confirm or deny such speculation.
The identities of his parents had never been revealed to him throughout his entire life thus far, remaining a mystery, but they had left behind enough inheritance and financial resources for him to live comfortably and support himself adequately until he reached adulthood and could stand on his own two feet.
After he had finished brushing his teeth thoroughly and ensuring his oral hygiene was properly maintained, he proceeded to take a bath, stepping into the small tub. The cold water that flowed over his body and shocked his system seemed to clear his mind of any lingering drowsiness and help him focus his thoughts as he started planning out his thoughts and priorities for the long day ahead of him.
After entering the academy and becoming an official student enrolled in their program, he would finally be able to gain access to the academy library and all the valuable resources it contained within its walls. There must surely be some useful ninja technique or valuable information that he would be able to find there, hidden among the shelves and scrolls, waiting to be discovered by those diligent enough to seek it out.
But not only that, he knew with absolute certainty that wasn't his only priority or concern for the coming days. He would also need to find a way to help Naruto gain better and more precise control of her chakra, which had been a persistent and troubling problem that seemed to plague her every attempt at manipulation of her energy.
What he had done previously to help her with her chakra control issues had shown some positive results and given them both hope, but afterward he had felt strange and unusual, as though something foreign had entered his system. An almost manic feeling that he could barely control or suppress, like a wild energy coursing through his veins, had suddenly occurred within him and taken hold of his senses. He could instantly recognize and see with clarity that it was Naruto's chakra affecting him in ways he hadn't anticipated or prepared for.
He didn't fully know or understand why this phenomenon was occurring, but there appeared to be two distinct chakras existing inside her body, coexisting in an unusual manner that defied his understanding of normal chakra systems. It seemed that the extra chakra signature, this second and foreign presence within her, was a significant part of the reason why her control was so poor and inconsistent, constantly interfering with her attempts to manipulate her own energy.
After he had finished taking his bath and cleaning himself up properly, washing away the grime and sweat of yesterday, he put on a fresh set of new clothes and took the time to dry his hair properly with a towel, ensuring he looked presentable. Leaving the bathroom behind, he entered the kitchen area of his modest apartment and walked over to look inside his refrigerator to assess what food supplies he had available.
His inventory of food and ingredients was quite low and running out rapidly, the shelves looking disappointingly bare. He grabbed what little was left inside the refrigerator and started preparing to cook something that would suffice for breakfast. After this meal was consumed, he would definitely need to go shopping to restock his supplies and replenish his pantry with fresh ingredients and staples.
The only thing he could realistically make right now with the limited ingredients he had available was egg fried rice, a simple but filling dish. But it would suffice and be good enough for now to fill their stomachs before the academy day began. He added cooking oil to a pan, pouring it carefully to coat the bottom, and waited patiently for it to heat up to the right temperature, watching for the telltale shimmer that indicated readiness.
While that process was happening and the oil was gradually heating to the proper cooking temperature, he started cutting up vegetables on the cutting board with practiced, efficient movements, his knife skills honed from previous experience. After he was done preparing them into appropriately sized pieces, he threw the vegetables into the hot pan and started stirring them around with a wooden spatula to cook them evenly and prevent any burning or sticking to the surface.
After a sufficient amount of time had passed and the vegetables had cooked properly, becoming tender and releasing their natural flavors and aromas, he added seasoning and spices to enhance the flavor profile and mixed them thoroughly to ensure even distribution, and then he added the leftover rice from before, the grains separating as he mixed it all together again with deliberate, circular motions.
Then he grabbed some eggs from the counter where they had been sitting and carefully cracked them into the pan with the other ingredients, ensuring no shell fragments contaminated the dish. There were multiple different ways and methods to cook egg fried rice depending on regional variations and personal preferences, but he personally preferred to add the egg last in the cooking process because he wanted the rice and egg to mix together better and create a more cohesive dish with the eggs coating each grain rather than forming separate clumps.
As he was mixing it all together with smooth, practiced movements and bringing the dish to completion, adding the final touches, he suddenly heard the bedroom door opening from the other room, the soft creak of hinges alerting him to movement. Seeing that the food was done and ready to be served, he turned off the heat source and let it rest for a moment to allow the flavors to settle and the temperature to become more manageable for eating.
He jumped down off the stool he had been standing on to reach the stove properly, his feet landing softly on the floor, and turned around to face Naruto, who had just emerged from the bedroom with sleepy eyes and tousled hair.
"Go brush your teeth and take a bath. There's clothes in the closet," he said to her clearly and directly, his tone leaving no room for argument or delay.
Naruto nodded in understanding, rubbing her eyes briefly, and opened the closet that was positioned beside the bathroom door, taking out some clothes that would fit her and a towel to use for drying herself after bathing. Meanwhile, he made his way to the living room area and took out a pen and some paper from a drawer in the side table, pulling out supplies he would need for his next task.
It was finally time to fulfill her earlier request that she had made with such enthusiasm—she had wanted a cool weapon that would suit her style and personality perfectly. There wasn't really much of a way to make a brass knuckle look particularly cool or impressive in its basic form unless some jewelry was added to it for decoration and flair. He could also add some artistic designs and decorative elements to make it more visually appealing and unique to her character.
With that goal firmly in mind, he started the sketching process, his pen moving across the paper with confident strokes. After he had finished drawing the base structure and outline of the brass knuckles, establishing the foundation of the design, he made some small decorative drawings and patterns on the brass knuckles themselves, adding flourishes and details. He added something special that would suit her personality and character, something that would make this weapon uniquely hers.
Something that reminded him of her and her energetic, vibrant spirit that seemed to light up every room she entered. He carefully drew a small cat with a big, wide smile on its face, capturing a sense of mischief and joy. He also drew some additional lines and patterns that would make it more aesthetically appealing and visually interesting to look at, creating a balanced and harmonious design.
After he was done with the entire design, completing the last details and touches, he nodded at his creation with a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. But then he suddenly paused and reconsidered, doubt creeping into his mind as he examined his work more critically. Upon looking at it again with fresh eyes, it looked more cute and adorable than cool and intimidating, which might not be the effect she was hoping for. Would she actually like it and appreciate the design, or would she be disappointed that it didn't match her expectations?
He started contemplating and second-guessing his design choices, wondering if he should start over with a different approach, but he stopped his train of thought when Naruto finally left the bathroom, having finished her bathing and grooming routine. He put the pen down on the table carefully and stood up from his seated position, heading back towards the kitchen area where their breakfast awaited.
The egg fried rice must have cooled down to a reasonable eating temperature by now, he thought to himself as he assessed the timing. He got back up on the stool to reach the upper cabinets and grabbed two bowls from the cabinet shelf, then scooped the food carefully into each bowl, ensuring relatively equal portions for both of them.
After he was done portioning out the food into the two bowls, he got off the stool once more and placed both bowls on the kitchen table where they could sit comfortably and eat their morning meal together. Naruto, smelling the delicious aroma wafting from the food and filling the small kitchen with its enticing scent, visibly drooled in anticipation of the meal and immediately started eating with enthusiasm and gusto, clearly hungry from her sleep.
She swayed back and forth happily in her seat from the wonderful taste of the food, her enjoyment evident in every movement. Sora had not only been exceptionally good at cooking and food preparation compared to most people his age. Everything he knew and all his various skills he had learned for the sake of and from his various missions in his past life, each one teaching him something new and valuable.
His cooking skill specifically had been developed and honed when he had to eliminate someone who occasionally went to and frequented a particular restaurant in his previous life as an assassin. He had spent several long months perfecting his technique and learning from other skilled chefs to perfect his cooking abilities to a professional level, and he had finally managed to successfully get a job working at that very restaurant, where he gradually earned everyone's trust and respect through his dedication and skill in the kitchen.
And when his target had finally arrived at the restaurant on the designated day that had been carefully planned, he had used a carefully selected poison that would make the death look like nothing more than a tragic allergic reaction to avoid suspicion. After finishing his mission successfully and confirming the target's death through discrete observation, he resigned from the restaurant position, stating to his former coworkers with feigned emotion that he was deeply traumatized by the unfortunate death of the man, but it was all according to his carefully laid out plan from the very beginning, every step calculated.
But cooking wasn't the only skill he had acquired in this manner throughout his extensive career. Whether it be cooking, hairdressing, drawing, writing, or business management and strategy, he had learned it all through his missions and experiences over the years, each assignment requiring him to master new abilities, and though he wasn't necessarily the absolute best at any single one of them compared to true masters, he was certainly good and competent enough to get by in all of them and pass as a professional when necessary.
After they finished eating their breakfast and cleaning their bowls, they set off for the academy, leaving his apartment behind. While they walked along the streets of the village, Naruto saw parents and child holding hands affectionately as they passed by. She turned to Sora with a bright smile spreading across her face and grabbed his hand and held it tightly, wanting to mimic what she had observed.
He didn't refuse her gesture or pull away, and they walked hand in hand together to the academy, their steps synchronized. The villagers noticed this interaction between them and whispered among themselves, their voices low but audible. But he decided to ignore it and not react since Naruto hadn't seemed to be effected or bothered by their gossip and judgmental stares.
Soon they reached the academy building, its structure looming before them. Arriving to the front gate entrance, a ninja was stationed in front, standing guard. The ninja noticed Naruto specifically and froze for a brief moment, recognition flashing in his eyes, then nodded stiffly in acknowledgment.
He then created a clone using a hand sign, and it led us to a classroom down the hallway. Entering the classroom through the doorway, all the other students who were already present turned to see the new arrivals entering their space.
But once some of the kids noticed Naruto among the new students, they started whispering to each other behind their hands. They whispered harsh words about Naruto, repeating rumors and prejudices they had heard from adults.
Sora grew increasingly irritable as they kept whispering without any attempt at discretion. He couldn't believe that these people even poisoned their children with that mindset, passing down their hatred to the next generation.
But he didn't do anything to confront them since Naruto seemed to be unaware of their cruel words. They walked to a seat in the back of the classroom and sat down beside each other.
Eventually a person walked into the classroom to begin instruction. He went to the stand at the front of the room and smiled warmly at the assembled students.
"Hello students, my name is Iruka. I'll be your home room teacher until you graduate from the academy." He smiled with genuine friendliness.
He then took out a clipboard with attached papers and started calling names from his roster. One by one everyone was called, their presence confirmed and recorded.
After that administrative task was complete, he started opening everyone's chakra pathway through a standard technique, but Sora, Naruto and the clan heirs didn't participate in this exercise since we already had ours unlocked previously.
The clan heirs spoke amongst themselves in their own small groups while Sora and Naruto stayed together, maintaining their distance from the others. Sora took out a drawing from his pocket that he had created earlier and passed it to her carefully.
"What do you think?" He asked her, waiting for her honest reaction.
She turned to the table and spread the paper flat, and seeing the drawing her eyes shone bright with excitement and wonder. She smiled widely and wrapped her arms tightly around Sora in an enthusiastic embrace.
"It's cute," she smiled, her voice filled with genuine delight and appreciation.
The other clan heirs noticed this interaction but just looked from afar, observing without approaching.
"Can you draw me?" She asked hopefully, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
He nodded in agreement and took out another piece of paper and a pencil from his supplies. He already memorized her appearance perfectly so he started from her body figure and proportions, then he added clothes that would match her personality and style.
Using her innocent and loud nature as inspiration, he drew a sundress and a cute hat to complement the outfit. He carefully drew her facial expressions with attention to detail. He drew her with a big smile, her body dancing with unbridled joy and freedom.
He then drew a field of flowers around her to create a beautiful setting. Her feet were bare on the earth as if moving freely through nature. The sun shone brightly on her in the drawing, illuminating her figure. Though there were no colors in the pencil sketch, his technique was flawless and conveyed depth and emotion. By the time he finished the complete drawing, he smiled to himself with satisfaction.
He gently picked up the paper with care and passed it to her, presenting his work. She grabbed the paper softly, handling it delicately, and looking at the drawing her eyes widened dramatically as a bright smile similar to the one in the drawing appeared on her face in real life.
"It's amazing," she breathed in awe.
A blonde girl came closer, drawn by seeing the commotion and excitement, and peeked over to see what was happening. Glimpsing at the drawing, she froze in place. The drawing was amazing and incredibly detailed, and not only that, she realized that the one that drew it was a cute boy in her eyes, which made it even more interesting.
She smiled confidently and got closer to him, moving into his personal space.
"Hey cutie," she said flirtatiously.
His previous smiling face faded immediately and he turned to her with a neutral expression.
"What is it?" He asked plainly, his tone devoid of warmth.
She was surprised by the sudden change in attitude from friendly to cold, but she still asked her question.
"Can you draw me too?" She asked with expectation.
"No," he said flatly and definitively.
She froze in shock at the immediate rejection. No boy had refused her before in her experience. She tried to keep her smile in place despite the sting.
"I'll pay you," she added, attempting a different approach.
"How much?" He asked, his interest suddenly piqued by the financial aspect.
He wasn't expecting much compensation, but if he could already start earning money now it would help significantly for his future investment plans and financial independence.
She extended one finger upward to indicate the amount.
"1000 ryo," she said, stating her offer.
That's just a little over one bowl of ramen at most establishments, he calculated mentally. He nodded immediately in acceptance. If he could get a free meal for just a bit of his time and effort, it was worth it in his estimation.
He extended his hand to her expectantly to receive payment. Her mouth twitched slightly in irritation, but she still gave him the money as agreed. He took out another piece of paper and started drawing immediately, getting to work.
He just drew her casually with the smile she was giving at that moment. He didn't add any background elements or setting, and just drew her head and neck in a simple portrait style. After he was done with the basic sketch, he gave it to her without ceremony.
She took the drawing and paused as she examined it closely.
"There's not a lot of detail," she said to him with obvious disappointment in her voice.
He simply nodded, unmoved by her complaint.
"If you want more you need more money," he said plainly, making his pricing structure clear.
Her mouth twitched again in frustration.
"Then, if I want more details like her drawing, how much would that cost?" She asked, gesturing toward Naruto's elaborate portrait.
He started calculating the pricing in his head, considering the time and effort required.
"Full body composition goes up to 3000 ryo, with background elements is 5000 ryo, better lighting and shading is 7000 ryo, and to make better expression with vibrant and almost natural lifelike quality will go up to 10000 ryo," he said, laying out his tiered pricing system.
"T-ten thousand?" She stuttered in disbelief at the highest price.
He just nodded calmly, confirming the amount. A vein throbbed visibly on her forehead as her facial expression changed to one of barely controlled anger.