What met Musashi's eyes was a strip of green fabric fluttering in the wind.
A familiar background track seemed to play in his head.
[Once you put on this green spandex, you are no longer a normal person. The worldly desires of the ninja world can no longer touch you. From now on, Danzo will stay away from you, your teammates will despise you, and people will express their respect with their eyes: Look, another weirdo has appeared next to Konoha's Beast.]
"My favorite taijutsu training suit! Excellent breathability, keeps you moisturized, and has perfect lines for mobility. The moment you put it on for training, you'll understand its beauty!" Might Guy's voice cut through the imaginary music.
Musashi looked at the spandex in front of him and then at Might Guy, who was beaming with expectation.
He accepted it with joy.
"This is amazing! Big Brother Guy! Thank you, I will definitely wear it and train hard!"
"Oh yeah! I knew you'd understand! Musashi, I'm heading back to prep for my mission. We'll meet again on the road of Youth!"
Watching Might Guy leave, Musashi turned around and saw two figures peeking out from the doorway.
Daiki Nojiri, face full of resentment: "So Musashi, you ditched me just for that big green weirdo? You traitor!"
Ayame, face full of worry: "Musashi, that strange piece of cloth in your hand... quick! Throw it away!"
Feeling like words weren't enough, she walked up and pinched Musashi's cheeks. "Listen to your Big Sister. Throw it away. Absolutely! Absolutely! You cannot wear that strange thing. It doesn't match your face at all, do you hear me?"
"What are you doing?"
Musashi pulled her hands off his face, looking serious. "This isn't just a strange piece of cloth, and it's not just a piece of clothing."
"It is Big Brother Guy's acknowledgement of my Ninja Way of Youth! It is the guiding light that will keep me from getting lost on the path of a ninja! How could I possibly throw it away?"
"There's more than one path for a ninja, Musashi. Listen to Big Sister, pick a different lane, okay?"
"Big Sister Ayame, although I like you very, very much. On this one thing, I cannot agree."
Seeing Ayame's disappointed expression, Musashi softened. "At most... at most I promise not to wear this when I'm working at Ichiraku or hanging out with you."
"If you insist... then fine. But Musashi, you definitely can't appear in front of me wearing that weird thing!"
Daiki, seeing the two of them ignoring him, stuck his head between them. His small eyes were filled with annoyance. "Hey! Hey! Can't you see I'm still here? Musashi, is Big Sister Ayame the only person in your eyes?"
"Yeah? I like Big Sister Ayame the best, you know that right?"
"But you haven't hung out with me in ages! Since we got back to Konoha, how much time have you spent with me? Tell me!"
Daiki waved his hands around dramatically.
"Have you forgotten our time on the run? Have you forgotten the joy of splitting half a biscuit? Digging for wild vegetables in the morning, listening to cicadas at night... have you really forgotten it all?"
"Where did you put our bond! You jerk!"
Musashi: "(#-_-) ...Do you hear yourself right now?"
Daiki: "(╬￣皿￣)"
Musashi: "Alright, alright! I have to start work. I'm already late, and customers are here." Before Daiki could explode, Musashi added without turning back, "Come home with me later. I have business to discuss with you."
Daiki: "...Tch! Got it. (￣^￣)"
Under the night sky, Daiki trotted beside Musashi, chattering away about his boring life over the last two days and the new books at his family's publishing house. He specifically praised the author of Make-Out Paradise for their stable update schedule and high quality—clearly a professional writer.
Even back when they were traveling together, Musashi knew Daiki's personality, but he still marveled at how precocious ninja kids were.
A kid just a few years old was already reading "high-end art." Not only that, Daiki had once mentioned that he had learned excellent drawing skills from his father.
Back at the house, Musashi took out pen and paper and said to Daiki, "If I remember correctly, you said your drawing skills were pretty good, right?"
Daiki immediately puffed up his chest. "That's right. Don't let my age fool you, I draw a mean... a mean portrait!"
Musashi pointed to the paper and pen on the table. "Then draw. I'll give you the requirements, let's see how you do."
"A girl. Just reaching maturity. Some curves, but nothing too exaggerated."
"Clean art style. Best if it has a fresh, youthful vibe."
"Pure smile. Like the girl next door."
"That's it for now. Draw!"
Daiki was a bit confused, but he was used to listening to Musashi. He took out his own specialized art supplies from his bag and started drawing.
Ten Minutes Later
"No, 'pure smile' means pure, do you understand? Not clueless."
"Curves! Where are the curves! Youth shouldn't be flat!"
"Texture! Not fat, but the way the clothes hug the skin!"
Thirty Minutes Later
Daiki nervously chewed on his pen, waiting for Musashi's verdict. Musashi was scrutinizing the drawing, frowning slightly.
Just as Daiki was starting to sweat, Musashi finally put down the paper.
"Surprisingly good!"
"Ha! I knew it! My skills are top-tier!" Daiki immediately got cocky.
Musashi smiled at him and didn't argue.
The drawing really was quite good.
After letting Daiki gloat for a bit, he asked, "By the way, did you bring Make-Out Paradise?"
Daiki: "(‾̑ω‾̑) ...Didn't you say you wouldn't read it?"
"Cut the crap! Do you have it or not?"
"I do, I do!" Daiki pulled a book with obvious signs of wear from his backpack.
Musashi took it and flipped through it under Daiki's lecherous gaze.
A moment later, Musashi closed the book. Daiki immediately leaned in. "Well? Well? Pretty good stuff, right?"
Musashi thought for a moment and evaluated: "Average."
"Average?"
Musashi nodded. "Yes. The illustrations are high quality, the production is good, and the story is complete. But..."
"But what?"
"But the storytelling is average." The plot was passable, relying mostly on the art style and the lengthy descriptions of fresh, budding romance.
"Tch! ~" Daiki wasn't convinced. "I think you're just being difficult. This is the best thing on the market. Do you know that Make-Out Paradise is popular in all the Great Nations and Ninja Villages?"
"Fine, fine, you're right, it's a good work." Musashi changed the subject. "Daiki, do you want to make money?"
"Make money? No." Daiki shook his head. "My family runs the Shueido Company. I don't lack money."
"I mean, do you want to make some extra pocket money?"
"Nope." Daiki shook his head again. "The head of Shueido is my uncle. He treats me like his own son. I'm not short on allowance."
Musashi: "...Damn it!"
Daiki: "What are you trying to say?"
Musashi thought for a moment and said, "It's like this. I'm short on cash recently. I want to find a way to make some money, and I need your help."
"That's it? I thought it was something huge! If you need money, just tell me! What's our relationship? What's mine is yours. Just say the number."
"But you can't go disappearing all day like before."
Musashi was touched, but he shook his head. "That won't work. Even if your uncle is good to you, I can't take advantage of you. That's not a long-term solution."
"I need money for training. Ninjutsu, and especially Taijutsu training, costs a fortune just in food alone."
"And that's just the start. Ninja tools, jutsu scrolls, various training resources... it's not a small amount. I have to plan ahead."
Being a ninja was an extremely expensive profession. The weapons, the resources, including the large amounts of high-quality meat and vegetables he needed daily... a normal family couldn't sustain it.
It hadn't been long, but the profit he made from flipping the house was almost gone.
As for Kenta Ryomiya's mission merits, he didn't want to touch those yet. Common sense dictated that those points were more valuable than cash.
Daiki asked, "So how do you want me to help?"
Musashi said, "Let's publish a book."
Daiki: "Publish a book?"
Musashi nodded. "Yes! A book! I approve of your art skills! I'll provide the story, you handle the art. We collaborate, 50-50 split on the profits. What do you say?"
Daiki was instantly intrigued. He had no interest in money. But creating his own work? That was very interesting!
"Deal! I'll draw, you provide the story ideas. But is your story any good?"
Musashi patted Daiki on the shoulder and said seriously, "Trust me. We're going to make it big. We won't let Make-Out Paradise have all the glory!"
Daiki's eyes lit up.
"Okay! Musashi, let's do this! Let's start a revolution in adult literature in the ninja world!"
"Right! Let's start with a short story to practice and test the waters. Here, Daiki, write this down: Makoto is a Genin still in training. On a rainy day, a Chunin named Mina takes him home..."
Under the night sky, two little boys huddled under a lamp, creating their debut work. Sounds of "Sugoi!" and "Heheheh" drifted into the air from time to time.