While they played, Renji quietly shifted part of his focus. His eyes traced Ayame's braids, the same ones he had drained nearly empty of Demonic Energy the day before.
Today, they held just a fraction more.
'So they _do_ recover naturally… At this rate, it would take about a month for them to return to full strength.'
He probed gently with his senses, feeling the strands in his mind-space. Alongside the energy, her emotions filtered through—giddiness, hunger, affection.
He chuckled, 'Children are so pure. She's completely transparent—excited one moment, tired the next, and now… hungry.'
Sure enough, after she wore herself out chasing him around, Ayame ended up dirtied and tired. Teuchi's voice carried from inside, calling her in to fresh up.
While she disappeared indoors, Renji lingered to help with the shop. He couldn't cook, but he greeted the customers, managed those already seated, and politely asked newcomers to wait a little longer.
Not long after, Teuchi returned and took over behind the counter. He gave Renji a grateful nod. "Can you watch over Ayame for a while? Make sure she eats her food, please."
Nodding, Renji stepped inside and found Ayame sitting at the dining table, poking at her plate with a pout. She pushed her food around, clearly in no mood to eat.
He coaxed her gently. "Come on, Ayame, you need to eat properly."
She shook her head stubbornly and stuck out her tongue.
Renji glanced at her messy braids and thought of an idea. "How about this? You finish everything on your plate—veggies included—and I'll make your hair look pretty."
Ayame froze mid-pout. She tapped her chin, pretending to think deeply like an adult, then extended her tiny hand with exaggerated seriousness. "Deal!"
Renji chuckled at her antics and shook her hand.
While she dug into her food, he sat behind her and gathered her braids into his hands. The moment his fingers touched her hair, instinct flowed through him.
Normally, styling required combs, pins, and technique—but for him, the Demonic Energy within the strands bent to his will as if the hair were an extension of his own body.
'So this is another side of Hair Manipulation… it's not just a weapon. It's control, precision. If I can refine this… there's no limit to what I could do.'
Ideas sparked in his mind, but for now, he kept it simple. He pictured a crown braid, and his hands moved almost on their own. The strands wove smoothly, braiding and tucking into place. By the time Ayame finished her last bite, her hair gleamed—neat, elegant, not a single strand out of place.
"All done," Renji said with a smile. "Good job finishing your food. Want to see?"
"Mhm!" she chirped, hopping off her chair and dashing to the mirror.
Her eyes lit up like stars as she touched the braid in wonder. "So pretty! Thanks, Renji!"
Renji smiled faintly as he watched her dash off.
'That was much easier than I thought. I really do have a knack for this… Maybe I could even style hair for a living? It'd give me money—and a steady source of Demonic Energy.'
The idea tugged at him, but his brow furrowed.
'Still… in the anime, most kunoichi kept the same hairstyles from beginning to end, with only a few exceptions. They probably cut and manage their own hair easily thanks to ninja training. So how do I attract them to a business? What benefit could I actually offer?'
While he mulled it over, Ayame barreled into the storefront, excitement bursting out of her. She practically skipped between tables, showing her braid to anyone who would look. "Look! Look! Renji made my hair! Isn't it pretty?"
Her boundless energy earned chuckles and fond smiles from the customers.
Teuchi leaned over the counter, amused. "Oh? So Renji made that for you?"
"Yup! Isn't it pretty?" she asked again, her eyes wide with expectation.
"Very pretty," Teuchi said warmly, doting as always. He patted her head gently, though he didn't think too hard about it.
Before he could say more, Ayame piped up again. "Dad, I'm going to play with my friends!"
And just like that, she bolted for the door before he had the chance to respond. Teuchi could only sigh and shake his head helplessly, though the corners of his lips tugged upward in a fond smile.
Renji stepped into the storefront, moving to help Teuchi manage the evening crowd. Teuchi gave him a grateful nod before turning back to the steaming pots and waiting customers.
By the time the shop closed, the sun had dipped low. Ayame still hadn't returned, but neither of them seemed worried. From Teuchi's calm demeanor, Renji gathered this was normal—she often spent time with her friends until late.
As they cleaned up, Teuchi finally set aside his supplies and faced him. "Renji-kun, would you like to take a look at your house now? We should also stop by the Hokage's office to apply for compensation for the damage. That'll help with the rebuilding. At the same time, we can bring Ayame back."
Renji nodded. "That sounds good, Teuchi-san. Let's go."
They walked only a block before reaching Renji's old home. The sight stopped him cold.
The house was a ruin—one wall caved in, the roof half-collapsed, debris scattered across the ground.
In that instant, memories surged inside him.
The ground shaking beneath him. The metallic smell of blood. The clash of steel ringing in his ears. And above it all—the monstrous fox, nine tails whipping, roaring toward the heavens.
A shudder wracked his body. His breath came short, uneven.
Teuchi placed a steady hand on his back. "You're alright now, Renji. It will pass."
Renji blinked, realizing with a start that he was in the middle of a panic attack.
'No matter how familiar I was with the story… it was only ever pictures and words. But this… this is my life on the line.'
He clenched his fists, forcing the trembling down.
'I know the Kyūbi was being controlled… I know it's pitiful in its own way. But still… the fear, the hatred—it's not so easy to let go.'
Drawing in a deep breath, he steadied himself. Clarity returned, bit by bit.
He turned to Teuchi and managed a small smile. "Thank you."