Chapter 46: The Girl Yakumo
With Orochimaru joining him, the weapon-making process sped up significantly. Work that was done by one person was now shared between two. Many of the difficult and complicated tasks could be handed over to Orochimaru.
The man had incredibly strong practical skills and a deep understanding of complex systems. After all, chakra was far more complicated than simple electricity or mechanics, and the human body was the most precise instrument of all. The brains of those who could cultivate their bodies to a high level were exceptionally sharp.
It was also Orochimaru's first time encountering the field of 'physics,' and he was instantly addicted. He never expected such an interesting science to exist. He even began to theorize that if physics were researched to its highest level, the human body could be replaced by machinery. Perhaps even the human brain could be transferred into a machine to achieve continued existence. Wasn't this the very immortality he sought?
For the first time, Orochimaru felt he had come to the right place. Not only could he learn fascinating new knowledge, but he was also one step closer to his ultimate goal.
The only issue was that Orochimaru couldn't go out to get the necessary materials himself. If the Anbu saw him and grew suspicious, it would be a disaster. So, Takahashi was the one who had to go out, again and again, to buy materials for their experiments.
What pained him more was the limitation of Konoha's local market. For many items, the shops simply didn't stock large quantities. After Takahashi bought out their available stock, it would take time for them to restock, which frustrated him greatly.
However, these were all necessary preparations for creating powerful weapons. It was better to test repeatedly than to be sloppy. These were items meant for the battlefield. A failure there would cost lives. More than anything, reputation was paramount.
But besides all this, he had another worry. A very sweet-looking girl had started following him, holding a drawing board, tailing him wherever he went.
Finally, Takahashi couldn't take it anymore. He turned around and said, "Please! What exactly do you want?"
The girl raised her drawing board and said seriously, "I want to draw you. If you let me finish, I won't bother you anymore."
Takahashi didn't know this girl at all. He'd just met her by chance two days ago. Ever since she learned his name was Takahashi, she had been pestering him. Somehow, they kept running into each other. Whenever she saw him, she wouldn't let him go, insisting he be her model.
Takahashi felt this girl was a bit too persistent. No matter how he refused or what he said, she didn't take no for an answer.
She also mentioned that she'd heard from Yugao that he had saved the Third Hokage, which was why she was so insistent on painting his portrait. But Takahashi was far too busy right now; how could he spare the time?
A single portrait could take a whole day, maybe even more with revisions. He was racing against the clock. Wasting time was wasting money, and wasting money was a sin.
But today, he was truly worn down.
"Alright, miss, I give up," he sighed. "Let's make a deal. Just one picture, and not a full-body one. Just a bust."
He figured a half-body portrait would take less time than a full one.
The girl's eyes lit up, and she agreed. But she said it wasn't good in the city, with people coming and going; it would affect her creative process.
In the end, he had no choice. The two of them went to a quiet spot in the back hills. Because the girl walked too slowly, Takahashi eventually had to carry her on his back.
The girl didn't say anything. She just lay quietly on Takahashi's back, resting her head firmly against him, seeming to enjoy it a little.
Takahashi was very fast, and his movements were steady. His body was strong, his back broad and sturdy. Combined with his handsome face, he was exactly the type girls liked.
They left before noon, skipped lunch, and didn't return until dusk. Takahashi had to hold the same pose the entire day.
The girl looked at the painting in her hand, very satisfied, and then put it away.
"The painting is done. Let's go back."
Now it was Takahashi's turn to be stunned. Why wasn't she giving it to him?
"Hey, little sister, isn't that painting for me?"
Hearing him call her 'little sister,' the girl suddenly became unhappy.
"We're about the same age; I'm not your little sister. My name is Yakumo. Who said this painting was for you? I worked hard all day on it. This is my result. I didn't even get to eat lunch."
Takahashi's mind was now full of question marks. What was this girl's deal? She didn't eat lunch? That had nothing to do with him; it was because she wanted to keep painting.
But he didn't say any of that out loud. He just nodded, feeling a headache coming on. Then, since he had to get back, he carried her on his back again. He felt like he had met his match.
When they returned to Konoha Village, they passed by the Ichiraku Ramen stand. Seeing how hungry Yakumo looked, he didn't have the heart to just send her home.
"Come on, let me treat you to ramen."
Yakumo walked in proudly, and Takahashi sighed, following behind.
The moment they entered, a rich, savory aroma hit them, making him involuntarily close his eyes. Food always tasted better when you were hungry.
But then a sudden voice made him break out in a cold sweat.
"Eh? Takahashi-kun! You're here for ramen too!"
That voice... it was Hinata!
Oh no, of all the terrible timing! And at that moment, Yakumo was still urging him on.
"Hurry up, Takahashi, I'm starving."
Hinata's face looked a bit off. Her expression shifted through several emotions in a short time before finally settling on a hurt, questioning look directed at Takahashi.
"Who is she?"
"She's Yakumo. I don't know any other details. She was just drawing my portrait today. We really don't know each other well."
Hearing Takahashi so clearly distance himself from her, even Yakumo felt a little offended. Was she that unbearable?
"You've been carrying me around all day, and this is how you treat me?" she retorted.
Hinata, ever understanding, didn't make a scene right there. Instead, she gave Takahashi a look that clearly said, 'I'm waiting for your explanation.'
This made him breathe a small sigh of relief. His Hinata was always so considerate.
But Yakumo, seeing her words hadn't caused much of a stir, pouted, a little bored.
The two of them sat down. Takahashi turned to Yakumo with a smile.
"Can you handle spicy food?"
"I don't like spicy food very much," Yakumo said. "And I don't like anything with a strong taste."
Takahashi immediately called out to the chef.
"Boss! Two bowls of ramen! Extra oily, extra salty, double portion, and make it abnormally spicy!!!"
(End of this chapter)