A brief idea that popped into my head and germinated for three days. It seems I am incapable of a protagonist that is not manipulative, intelligent and female. I posted this in case someone likes it. I have many ideas as to the plot though I don't guarantee it will continue. But if you'd like a journey on the accrual of power, this story may be for you. Also, I like respecting my readers' intelligence and inference abilities. As such, I shall minimise hand-holding and explicitly explaining every character's motives and plans, including the plans of the protagonist. If you don't think something is sufficiently implied/justified or are having a lazy day and would just rather have an explanation, I will strive reply to reviews (this offer does not apply if the story has been abandoned for a while).

The child sat in a quiet corner, book in one hand and brush in the other. The book had been borrowed in with her caretaker's old genin forehead protector, for the child had been scoffed at for picking such a thick book. The brush was idly dipped in ink and continued writing.

One of the orphanage caretakers walked over to check her out. Glancing at the paper, she smiled.

"Wow! Your kanji are so pretty! Do you want to be a calligrapher when you grow up?"

The child put down her book and smiled sweetly at her caregiver. "Thank you! I don't really know."

"Well, I'm sure you'll grow up to be a beautiful young woman. It's fine if you don't know what you want to do. But you like writing, don't you?"

The child stopped to consider for a moment. "A little."

"Only a little? But you're always writing and reading."

"That's because writing is very important for a lot of skills. If you don't meet some minimum base level, you level up very slowly. And reading is even more important than that. Without high reading, you can't consume any good scrolls. You're almost level locked by reading in some disciplines."

It took the caretaker only a second to parse through the child's strange but familiar language. "I see." The caretaker smiled, patting the child on her head. "Riri is a very smart and hardworking girl."

Riri smiled back. "Thank you! I know the two of you work very hard. So I have to work hard at school too! If not, I can't face Takuma-kun!"

The caretaker shook her head, smile still apparent. "Takuma-kun is lazy. He may be a boy but he is… a bit of a lost cause." The caretaker leaned forward and kissed Riri in the forehead, smoothing her hair back. "You deserve his place at the school far more."

Riri tilted her head innocently. "You don't think sending a girl to school is a waste of money? I know you don't get much from the government."

The caretaker's smile tightened. "Well… even if you don't end up working, I'm sure your husband will appreciate such a hardworking and smart wife. Besides, I… I know you don't get along with many of the other kids but you are very happy at school. That's what's important in the end. You deserve a better life. All of you children deserve a better life. If something happens and you can't find a family, I'm sure you'll be able to find a good job."

"Thank you for believing in me! I won't disappoint you."

"You never have, my dear." The caretaker winked. "You didn't hear this from me but I love you the most."

Riri winked. "I love you too! It's almost lunch. Do you want me to help?"

"That's a good girl."

They'd been walking in circles for 15 minutes and Ikeda Atsuko was starting to get annoyed. The hotel should be around here. Why was Konoha laid out so weirdly? Not to mention the local folk were intimidated by her four servants and fine dress. All of them gave her a wide berth. Not a single one of them offered to help.

"Excuse me, are you lost?"

Atsuko looked down to see a cute little girl and her annoyance faded a little. "I'm looking for the Konoha Grand Hotel?" Honestly, who named these buildings? Ninja veered towards too practical and simple or overly grandiose with no in between.

The girl flashed a smile with the cutest dimples. "I know where that is! Do you want me to show you, pretty lady?"

Atsuko preened. "Of course. Thank you. What's your name?"

The girl started walking and her entourage followed her. "Lily!"

What a strange name. Who would name their child that? "Are your parents alright letting you run about?"

"I don't have parents. I've been in the orphanage for a long time."

Atsuko's heart immediately went out for her. Who wouldn't adopt such a cute girl? "I'm sorry."

"It's fine! I've never had parents so I don't miss them. Besides, everyone at the orphanage is kind to me. I don't always fit in but I care about them too," she said, ending it on a radiant smile.

Aww! "Why don't you fit in? You seem like such a good girl!"

"I don't like the things they like. I like reading."

"Reading? You go to school?"

"Yes!"

She didn't think the lower classes could afford to send their daughters to school. "You must be a very smart little girl. I'm sure you can find someone at your school who loves reading."

She pouted (her pouts were so cute too!). "I don't think people would like to read this." She then proceeded to pull out a book thicker than her wrist.

Atsuko raised her eyebrows and took the book. "The life of Iwagakure's Nidaime? You want to read something like this?"

"I've read it and I was going to return it to the library." The girl frowned. "It wasn't very good. The writer clearly didn't like the Nidaime and I'm sure a lot of it is inaccurate but I've read all of the good history books. I'd like to read one written by an Iwa-nin or just a Tsuchi citizen. But the library won't carry that."

Atsuko passed the book back. "… How old are you?"

And the smile was back. "Eight! Or ten! No one knows!"

Only ten? What a gem! What was this little girl doing, rotting away in a little orphanage? Atsuko ran her fingers through the girl's hair. The little girl didn't look too thin but she wasn't that healthy either.

When they reached the hotel, the girl's stomach growled and Atsuko immediately invited her for lunch. Oh, the girl ate like she hadn't eaten in weeks, the poor thing! The little sweetheart tried her best to be polite but it was obvious she was restraining herself.

"This is very delicious! I wish I could cook like that!" She exclaimed.

"You like cooking?"

Riri nodded enthusiastically, making sure to quickly chew and gulp down her food before replying. "The big sisters at the orphanage are always so busy so I do the cooking myself a lot!"

"That's very considerate of you!" Atsuko looked at Riri's empty plate. "Do you get enough to eat?"

Riri smiled slightly sheepishly. "Well, I know we're all supposed to get the same but Takuma-kun is very hungry. Boys need more food so I give him some of mine."

Could this little angel get cuter?! "You really take care of the other children."

"Thank you! You're a very nice lady! Ah! I know!" Riri rummaged through her bag and pulled out a piece of paper. "The big sisters say we should always return gifts! Do you want my painting?"

So sweet and well-mannered. She wished Mika was more like her… "Of course!"

The angel handed her a piece of paper. Atsuko stared at it. "… Did you draw this?"

"Yes! I can do calligraphy too! The uncle paid me today so I got new supplies! I can write your name if you want!"

Atsuko could hardly believe this young girl was so talented but looking at her bright and innocent smile, she couldn't bring herself to doubt the girl. After all, why would she lie? "That's very nice of you. Could you do that for me?" Atsuko blinked. "Wait, did you say you got paid?"

"Yes! I help out at the stalls! The uncles will give me free meat and money sometimes." The girl quickly pushed her plate to the side and Atsuko called a waiter to remove some of the dishes. The little girl laid out paper and pulled out a brush. "What kanji does your name use?"

"It's Ikeda Atsuko. Pond and rice paddy for Ikeda and for 'Atsu' it's the 'ton' from sincerity and kindness."

The girl wrote deftly and neatly, her strokes thick and thin where they were supposed to be. Atsuko didn't really have an eye for art but it looked rather like the one she'd gotten from a professional calligrapher. "You're really good at this. It looks just like a master's work!"

The girl blushed and looked to the side shyly. "No, no. A master for most trades is at least an 80."

80? Did she mean out of a 100? "Then, how would you grade yourself?"

"Hmm… 57!" She exclaimed, giving a toothy grin and making the peace sign.

Atsuko laughed. "That's a very specific number. Did you take a test or something?"

"No one teaches calligraphy." The girl looked left and right before whispering. "I actually have a secret. Promise not to tell anyone?"

Atsuko gave an indulgent smile. "Okay."

The girl held out her pinky and they pinky swore before she leaned in and whispered into Atsuko's ear. "Actually, I can feel how skilled someone is." She leaned back and grinned at Atsuko.

Atsuko hadn't known what to expect and just smiled along. "Really? That's amazing. What do you think I'm good at?"

"Flower arranging!"

Atsuko raised her eyebrows. Flower arranging was a favourite pastime but… coincidence? Lucky guess? "Wow! How did you know?"

The girl tapped her brain. "Instinct. It's just a feeling I get when I look at people. You don't really like cooking."

How did she know? The food Atsuko cooked was tolerable but everything she produced was just either bland or over spiced. She only made good food when there was a maid to guide her through and clean up her messes. "You're amazing, little angel."

The girl giggled like a little cherub. "I want to unlock everything on the jutsu tree."

"Jutsu tree?"

"Yep!" Then she held out a tissue and it stuck to her arm. "See?"

Atsuko stared, horrified. "You… you are going to be a ninja?!"

"I want to learn!"

"But there are many other things, aren't there? You could… you could be a painter or a calligrapher! Being a ninja means…"

"What?"

"…" She couldn't very well explain what being a ninja meant to the child but she knew such a sweet little angel should never have to dirty her hands. It was just wrong. She couldn't imagine her being a cold killer with her spirit broken.

The girl sensed Atsuko's emotions and her smile faded. "Normal school… it's boring. Everything they teach, I can learn by myself. There are no more books for me in the library. No one will teach me. The only thing left for me is ninja school."

Atsuko shook her head fiercely. "No. Don't worry. I'll talk to my husband. We'll work something out."

The girl blinked. "… Really?"

"Of course!" She couldn't do really do anything if Osaaki refused but she was sure he wouldn't. They'd been talking about adopting. Sure, they'd talked about adopting a boy but she could persuade him to take Riri in. After all, she was pretty, polite and smart. She'd have no trouble finding a match.

The child, dressed in a kimono of the finest make, bowed her head. "Father, Mother."

Osaaki smiled down at the child. He'd been skeptical of adopting another daughter but she was nothing like Mika. She was obedient, filial and took to her lessons rapidly. She even gave up her old name on her own suggestion. She was no longer the no name riff-raff Riri. Only two months in and she was truly Ikeda Yoshiko, a proper and gentle young lady of the Ikeda clan. Tomorrow, she would silence all those who dared criticise he and his wife for being 'too soft' and adopting another girl. He would not stand his clan's dissent on this matter.

Upon laying eyes on Yoshiko, Atsuko cast all shadows away with her brilliant smile, a smile that had hidden and dimmed since Mika's adoption three years ago. But ever since Yoshiko entered their lives, Atsuko's beams of sunshine radiated throughout the household with vigorous intensity, as if to make up for all its time behind the clouds. It was Yoshiko's great gift upon their house, more so than any competency in the fine arts could muster.

Atsuko bent down to smoother Yoshiko with a hug. "You look so cute and pretty! Everyone is going to love you!"

Osaaki nodded approvingly. "I'm sure you will be received well. Have you memorized the family tree?"

"Yes, Father. I will not disappoint you."

Osaaki patted her head. "I'm sure you won't." Her tutor had reported that she'd been able to recall all the names and positions of every member of the clan last week, something Mika still wasn't perfect at yet.

Behind them, Mika scowled. "Of course, she won't. She's already so perfect. Why do we even need to rehearse everything?"

Osaaki's smile disappeared and he turned to Mika. "This will be Yoshiko's first impression on most of the clan and will be important in her acceptance. Nothing can be left to chance."

"We didn't even rehearse my performance when you adopted me."

"Don't be difficult," Osaaki snapped. "You were already from a proper family. You knew the graces and you were already accepted. Yoshiko's position is less stable and everything needs to be perfect."

"Then why didn't you just take in a proper girl?"

"Are you questioning my decision?"

Finally, Mika had the sense not to push further and looked away silently. Yoshiko lightly pushed Atsuko away and glided over to his side, taking his hand and looking up at him with a gentle smile.

"Tomorrow will be fine, Father. It's true that I'm not very experienced and that this exercise is of my sake. I'm sorry for causing so much trouble."

His shoulders relaxed somewhat and he took a deep breath. Why couldn't Mika be more like this? "It's fine. It's not your fault."

Yoshiko bowed her head. "Thank you for thinking of me. Shall we start now?"

Osaaki nodded. "Yes. Let's get this over with quickly."

The next day

Yoshiko's song drew to a close and she bowed deeply as the audience applauded.

"Has she really only been with you for two months?" Shouta asked Osaaki.

Osaaki's proud grin was apparent. "Of course."

Shouta's wife nodded."It's impressive. For two months."

"The paintings are also done by her."

"Really? That's amazing!"

"Yoshiko is an exceptional young lady," Osaaki boasted. "I would look forward to dessert. She invented two of the recipes. She is also talented at dancing and can already play five songs on the shamisen. But she's a shy girl and isn't confident yet. Perhaps next time."

Osaaki had wanted Yoshiko to play the koto and shamisen like Atsuko but she had never touched an instrument before. Yoshiko told him that she knew a little singing and Osaaki had agreed that for now, it was more important to impress the clan. It seemed like their bet on singing had paid off. After seeing her performance, Osaaki felt like he'd be fine if she continued singing as long as she learned the koto as well.

Yoshiko walked off the stage, taking ten minutes to get to Osaaki's table as she was stopped multiple times for pleasantries. Osaaki sat waiting confidently as he watched her greet, bow and compliment beautifully. He'd hung around in the beginning in case she forgot a name but his worries had been unfounded.

Speaking of which…

"I can sing better," Mika muttered sullenly.

Osaaki scowled. He had just managed to forget about her. For once, he could sit proudly at his table and show a daughter off instead of spending half his time making excuses and apologising. "Did I invite you to speak?"

"… No."

"Then you shall stay silent."

That was the last he'd hear from her throughout the event as she spent her time sat at the main table scowling. Yoshiko floated over to the main table to give her greetings before gliding around the venue to entertain the guests. All night long, Osaaki got compliments about how beautiful, graceful and sweet she was and his chest was puffed out by the end of the night.

As the night drew to a close, Yoshiko gave a final dance and song before escorting the guests as they trickled out one by one. When the last had left, she returned to the table and bowed her head.

"Father, Mother, Sister."

Atsuko got up and hugged Yoshiko. "You did so well, darling! Everyone was talking about how pretty you were!"

"No one said your singing was that great though," Mika added in snidely.

The previous contentedness in his chest suddenly vanished as a long-stoked flame flared up. Osaaki slammed his hand on the table and everyone jumped. "How dare you?! Did I ask for your opinion?!"

Mika cast her eyes down. "…"

"Well?!"

"… No."

"Then you shall shut up! This is about your sister's great progress! Not everything is about you anymore! If you can't stop being selfish then leave!"

Mika bit her lip and tears welled in her eyes. A tense silence hung in the air.

Atsuko laughed awkwardly. "This… this is a joyous occasion, right? Let's not argue. Yoshiko did so well." She turned to Mika. "The event is over. Why don't you go to your room and retire for the night?"

Mika quickly took the opportunity to flee. Once she was out of sight, Yoshiko moved to his side and embraced him. "I'm sorry, Father. Have I made things worse?"

Osaaki grasped her small hand and patted it twice. "No, no, it's-" he sighed "-Mika is always like that. You've made your Mother and I very happy. Don't doubt that, okay?"

Yoshiko smiled. "Thank you."

"You did well. The guests loved your cheesecake and soufflé."

Yoshiko's eyes lit up. "Really? I actually have another recipe idea! I think I can get it down by next week for you!"

"You've been working very hard for the last two months. You can take a few days off."

Yoshiko shook her head. "It's fine! I want to get better!"

He laughed and embraced her briefly before standing up. "You're already very good. We could sell your cheesecakes and get a tidy profit."

Her eyes went wide. "Really?"

"Yes! After all, it's a very unique and delicious recipe. It'll be our shop speciality. High-paying clients will stop by our restaurant to taste something new and unique!" Then Osaaki blinked. Wait… that had a potential. That had a lot of potential. He already was in the business of food supplying. He could open up a restaurant or two, no problem. And wouldn't it be great? Wouldn't it be such a mark on the Ikeda name to boast that his daughter had invented all their recipes?

Yoshiko giggled. "Father is very smart! I actually have a few more recipes but I didn't think they were fancy enough for our clan. Maybe I can tweak them. If I can make three full-course meals, you can alternate them at our restaurant."

Osaaki burst into a smile. "If you could do that, that would be great! You're really a good girl. That's right, do you want anything?"

"Want anything? Hmm…" Yoshiko pondered for five seconds. "I know! Actually, I learned most of my cooking from the sister back in the orphanage. If it wasn't for them, I probably wouldn't be able to even think about something like that. I have to pay them back to thank them for their teachings. If we ever have any restaurants, can we split the profits 50-50? That way, I can pay back the sisters!"

Osaaki laughed. "There's no need for that. We have more than enough money already to pay them back. I can send money to Konoha right now."

Yoshiko frowned a little. "That would be great but that would be your money, right? I… I haven't done anything to earn or deserve that much money. It should be a gift from me."

"You've done more than enough. You've been working very hard for the past two months, right?"

She shook her head. "I'm very grateful that the two of you decided to take me in. But I'm really unworthy. There are many other girls just as hardworking and talented out there who never got the chance. They could work twice as hard for two months and just scrape by. I was just lucky. That's why taking your money doesn't seem right." She looked into Osaaki's eyes, her own filled with determination. "That's why I have to pay everyone back. I have to pay the sisters who raised me, the broken school that still taught me and most of all, the two of you who will be taking care of me from now on. I can't do that if I piggyback of the hard work of the two of you. I have to pay back with my own work. With my own money."

Behind her, Atsuko sniffled and snatched Yoshiko up for a cuddle. "You're such a good girl! You've worked so hard! You must've seen so much on the streets yet you still think about us!" Atsuko looked up at Osaaki with a half-teary glare. "We can do that, right?"

"Huh? Umm… yes. Of course." He wasn't that keen on splitting profits but it wasn't so bad. He could put up a sign saying '50% of all proceeds will go to orphanages and schools'. It would look good for their family and everyone would know how pure-hearted and talented his daughter was.

Three days later

The girl squealed with delight as she took a bite of beef. "This is a splendid teppanyaki, Akimichi-san!" She turned to talk to her bodyguard/servant standing in the corner. "Satou-san! Do you want to try some?"

The bodyguard shook his head and the girl pouted before taking another bite, a blissful smile over coming her face.

Akimichi Saburo smiled. "I'm glad you enjoy the food, ma'am. Are you here alone?" The girl had arrived at 3.30pm. No other customers arrived within 10 minutes so he was cooking (and performing) for her alone. Surprisingly, the little girl was more impressed by his cooking than his knife tricks. He'd spotted the clan crest and she was probably civilian nobility.

"I'm here with my bodyguard and handmaid. The journey was long so Sachiko is resting in the inn." She turned back to her bodyguard. "Aren't you hungry?"

"I'm fine, Ikeda-sama." Then, the bodyguard's stomach growled.

Ikeda giggled. "No need to be so cold. You can't guard me well on an empty stomach, right? Here," she opened her backpack and pulled out a bento box "I still one box of food I haven't eaten. I cooked it yesterday so it should probably be eaten soon. It won't do for it to go to waste, right?"

The bodyguard still looked conflicted. Saburo gave him a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. I was a chuunin till I retired at 35. I get the feeling but eating is important. If the client says it's okay, it's okay. Different people have their opinions on what's professional."

The bodyguard finally took a seat beside Ikeda. "Then, excuse me."

The girl presented him opened the bento box to reveal beautifully cut vegetables, meat and rice.

"That looks nice," Saburo commented. "Did you make it yourself?"

"Yes."

Well, she probably did it with the help of her maid. "That's good."

"I still have leftover soufflés as well." She pulled out another box with three… were they cakes? Bread? They looked rather misshapen. "I invented… should I say that? Well, I'm the first person in this world to have made these. Do you want to try?"

The potential of a new recipe immediately struck a chord in his Akimichi heart. The Akimichi had a giant library and vast records of every ingredient and recipe they could get their hands on. He himself had memorised more than 4000 over his life and he'd never seen something similar enough to this… sufure to be called the same.

The decision to try it was instant and he spooned a little. Tasted it. Chewed. Another spoon. Chew. He stared at the dish.

"The Akimichi will gladly buy the recipe from you. I'll introduce you to our R&D and exploratory departments."

She blinked up at him. "Well, if you like it so much, I also have cheesecake with me."

"You have another recipe?"

"Hmm… 44? If you don't count flavour and texture variations and different food/condiment combinations."

"What?!" Alarm bells ringing 'STRUCK GOLD! STRUCK GOLD!' blared in his head. If every one was as different from contemporary cuisine as this sufure dish, then this was a gem! "How long are you staying?!"

The girl scooted back, her chair screeching, and her guard tensed. "Umm… two weeks?"

Realising he was leaning forward aggressively and waving his spoon about wildly, he straightened himself, put the spoon down and cleared his throat. "Sorry for my… lack of decorum. If you swing by the clan compound tomorrow, I can have something arranged for you."

"It's fine, Akimichi-san. It's good to be passionate about your crafting discipline. Actually, Father and I were talking about opening a restaurant with my recipes. I came here to taste the Akimichi's full-course meals and to learn from them."

"That's great! The Akimichi can help with that. We are a big name amongst foodies. In exchange for recipes, we can help you create a full-course meal. If it's good, we will have no trouble recommending it. Your restaurant's name will appear in all the food magazines and tourist guides!"

The little girl flashed a blindingly sweet and childishly excited smile. "Really? That's great!"