Bab 3: Aunt Noriko
The moment they arrived at the gate of Kotetsu Hagane's house, the rich, mouthwatering aroma of miso soup drifted out to greet them.
The sliding door was pulled open from inside. A woman in a simple kimono peeked her head out, and when she saw the two of them, a gentle smile bloomed across her face.
"Kotetsu, Izumo, you're finally home. Come in quickly, dinner just got ready."
She was Kotetsu Hagane's mother—Aunt Noriko.
Even though she was already a housewife, there wasn't the slightest trace of age on her face.
Her long, jet-black hair was loosely tied up, with a few strands falling softly along her cheeks, making her oval face look even more graceful. Her brows were like distant mountains brushed with color, her eyes like ripples on autumn water. Beneath her straight nose were pink lips like cherry blossom petals, and when she smiled, faint dimples appeared at the corners of her eyes.
Her figure was just as eye-catching. Even in a loose kimono, her slender, elegant curves were still visible. Her waist was slim, her posture straight, and every small movement she made carried an aura of warmth and bright beauty.
"Good evening, Aunt Noriko," Izumo said, bowing politely.
In his memories, Aunt Noriko had always taken great care of this body, treating him as if he were her own child.
He glanced at Kotetsu. Kotetsu's big, sturdy build didn't resemble his mother at all.
Kotetsu scratched his head in confusion, not knowing why Izumo suddenly looked at him.
"Come in quickly, it's windy outside," Noriko said with a smile as she stepped aside to let them enter. Her hand naturally reached out to straighten Izumo's slightly messy collar.
Her fingertips carried a warm, gentle touch.
"Just look at you, you're sweating so much. You must've been secretly training Taijutsu again, huh? Sit down for a moment. Auntie will get you a towel to wipe off your sweat."
Inside, a low table was already set up on the tatami. Steaming miso soup, grilled fish, chilled vegetables, and fragrant white rice were neatly laid out.
A tall, middle-aged man sat by the table, cleaning ninja tools. He was wearing a Konoha Chūnin uniform, his face stern, with features that slightly resembled Kotetsu. He was Kotetsu's father—Hagane Ichirō.
"You're back?" Hagane Ichirō looked up at them, his gaze pausing briefly on Izumo.
"Izumo, about what happened at the Academy today—Kotetsu already told me. Don't think too much about it. A ninja's path is never a smooth one."
"Yes, Uncle Ichirō," Izumo nodded. A warm feeling spread through his chest.
Noriko returned with a towel and a glass of chilled plum drink. She handed the towel to Izumo and poured drinks for both of them.
"Drink up first to quench your thirst. After we eat, we can talk slowly."
During dinner, Noriko kept placing food onto Izumo's plate. Grilled fish and boiled eggs piled up in front of him.
"Izumo, you're still growing, so eat more. If your parents were still here, they'd be so proud to see how hard you're trying."
As she said that, a trace of sadness flickered in her eyes, but she quickly smiled again.
"If one day you don't have any food at home, come over to Auntie's place. I'll make your favorite tempura for you."
"Thank you, Aunt Noriko. I'm sorry for always troubling you," Izumo said shyly.
"Why are you being so polite with Auntie?" Noriko laughed softly as she gently ruffled his hair. "Your mom and dad were best friends with us since we were young. Of course we'd take care of you."
The scent of this mature woman made Izumo's heart beat a little faster. He accidentally glanced toward Aunt Noriko and caught a fleeting glimpse of her full, gentle curves. He didn't dare look any longer and quickly lowered his head, focusing on his food.
After dinner, Hagane Ichirō set down his teacup and spoke to the two of them.
"Kotetsu, Izumo, didn't you say you wanted to train Taijutsu? I don't have a mission today. Go practice in the yard. I'll watch your form."
Both of their eyes lit up instantly. Hagane Ichirō was an experienced Chūnin. Getting guidance from him was far better than training blindly on their own.
On the open ground in the yard, Izumo and Kotetsu stood facing each other, ready to spar.
"Izumo, I'm going all out!" Kotetsu rolled his wrists, his eyes burning with fighting spirit.
"Bring it on!" Izumo clenched his fists. The chakra inside his body began to flow slowly.
As soon as Hagane Ichirō said, "Start," Kotetsu launched the first attack. A straight punch shot toward Izumo's face.
Izumo stayed calm. His body shifted slightly, easily dodging the strike. At the same time, his right arm bent at the elbow and drove toward Kotetsu's lower ribs.
Kotetsu jumped back at once. The two of them traded blows, locked in a fierce exchange.
The longer Kotetsu fought, the more shocked he became. At first, he thought Izumo had just returned to his usual level. But little by little, he realized something was off.
Izumo's movements were now much faster and smoother. His blocks were precise, and his counterattacks were sharp and deliberate. Every time he struck, he aimed straight for the weakest point in Kotetsu's defense.
In just a few minutes, the pressure on Kotetsu kept building. A thin sheen of sweat appeared on his forehead.
"Hey, Izumo, you've been hiding your strength, haven't you?! Why did you suddenly get this strong?" Kotetsu shouted as he kept defending.
Off to the side, Hagane Ichirō's eyes gleamed with surprise. He could see more clearly than Kotetsu ever could.
Izumo's Taijutsu wasn't just following standard form—it was showing an incredible rate of improvement. Growth at this speed was completely beyond what could be considered normal.
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