Kitsune no Ken GAIDEN Chronicles
Written by Neon Majestic
(DISCLAIMER: The Naruto franchise and the characters therein belong to and were originally created by Masashi Kishimoto.)
OoOoO
GAIDEN 61 – Mist City Chronicles, Part 5
(N.B. This Gaiden takes place on December 25, immediately after the events of Gaiden 44, one week prior to the start of the main story.)
"Aaaaaand…done!" Roshi Ajisai said triumphantly as she set the silverware out on the table. "Okay, Mom, the table's set—let's get the food out!"
"Here it comes," her mother's voice sounded from the kitchen—and a moment later, out came the older woman with a large bucket of fried chicken. "Enough for a feast, as always."
"Yup." Ajisai nodded at her. "Now let's just hope the company shows up on time."
Her mother cocked an eyebrow. "Ah, yes, this Hanare girl you mentioned before. How much do you know about her, really?"
Ajisai turned to look in the direction of the front door, the better to keep her mother from seeing her briefly bite her lip. True, she'd previously mentioned about Hanare's visit a few days prior, but not about the purpose of the visit or about Hanare being one of the Three Paragons; she was certain neither detail would have gone over well if they were unveiled at this stage. She could only hope that, if and when Hanare arrived, the green-haired girl could somehow give a P.R. speech that might win her mother over.
"Not too much, actually; we've only just met, so it's not like I know everything about her on the first go," Ajisai answered truthfully. "But I do know she comes from some degree of influence here in Mist City, and she carries herself like a refined gentlewoman—the kind of figure you prefer to be around, right, Mom?" and she now turned and gave her mother a smirk.
"Maybe she'll work a miracle and make you more refined than you are," her mother deadpanned in turn.
Ding-dong!
"And that would be her now. I'll get it," and Ajisai hurried to the door and opened it. "And…hello."
Standing there was Hanare, true to her expectation, dressed in a thick brown winter coat, blue jeans, and brown shin-high boots, and carrying a nondescript box in her hands. "Hi there, Merry Christmas," she responded. "Sorry I'm late, I needed to make sure my gift was in tip-top shape."
"Uh, thanks," said Ajisai, taking the box from the other girl. "My mom's right inside. Come on in."
"Thank you. Pardon my intrusion, then," and Hanare stepped through the door before bending down to undo her boots.
Ajisai brought the box into the dining area, where her mother was just then bringing a jug of bright orange-colored beverage to place on the table. "She'll be along in a second, just removing her boots," she said by way of information. "She brought this as a gift," indicating the box as she put it down on the table. "I'm gonna go see if I can assist her," and she turned and left the table without waiting for an answer.
Coming back to the front door, Ajisai was just in time to Hanare setting her boots to one side. "I'm guessing those boots gave you a fight," she commented. "Uh, want me to take your coat?"
"Oh, yes, thank you," and Hanare gave her an appreciative smile as she now slipped the coat off to reveal the black cotton blouse she was wearing underneath. "And, yeah, the boots are nice for weather like we've got now, but they're a bit of a tight fit. Fashion can really be a pain sometimes."
"I wouldn't know—I'm not big on name-brand clothing or designer styles," Ajisai admitted as she took Hanare's coat and placed it on a coatrack a little distance away. "As far as I'm concerned, as long as it fits comfortably and it's not worn down too much, it's for me."
"Hmm. Sounds like you have a boring wardrobe, then," said Hanare.
"Whatever." Ajisai shook her head. "Come on, I'll introduce you to Mom."
The two girls went together into the dining room, where Ajisai's mother was just then perusing the item that had come in Hanare's box—a container with potato salad. "We're here now, Mom," Ajisai spoke up. "This is Jomae Hanare, the girl I was telling you about. Hanare, meet my mom, Honoka."
Honoka bowed in greeting. "Welcome to our home, Hanare-san. I am Roshi Honoka."
"I'm pleased to meet you, ma'am," Hanare bowed in turn. "Ajisai-san told me quite a bit about you when we first met."
"She mentioned having met you last week," said Honoka. "Thank you for bringing your gift," and she gestured to the potato salad. "This will go well with our Christmas meal. Won't you join us and eat?"
"Thank you, I will," Hanare nodded.
All three women took their seats and beheld what was on the table. Besides the fried chicken, the drink-jug, and Hanare's potato salad, there was also a large dish with coleslaw, a plate with several fluffy biscuits, and another dish with strawberry cheesecake, and at each place at the table was a small container with French fries. "All of this was pretty pricey to order in on a Sunday, but I'd say it's worth it," Honoka declared. "Dig in, girls."
"Yeah! Itadakimasu!" and Ajisai proceeded to help herself.
Taking a piece of chicken and a biscuit, Hanare took a few bites. "Mmm…this Christmas tradition will never lose its value, I'm sure of that," she beamed.
"Indeed," said Honoka, who was now spooning out some of the potato salad into her plate. It was a chunky-looking affair, she noted, with green peas and bits of green pepper and onion mixed into the mayonnaise. "Hmm, this potato salad doesn't look like the store-bought variety at all…did you make this?"
"Yes, ma'am, I did," Hanare confirmed. "My parents have always been insistent that a proper lady should be able to cook her own meals at least 80 percent of the time."
"Oh? So they're both good at it, then?" Honoka queried.
"My father runs a restaurant in the downtown district. Jomae's. It was started by my grandmother way back in the day," Hanare explained.
"Oh, Jomae's is your family's business?" Honoka looked very interested. "So the food industry must be in your blood, then?"
"You could say that. I like to cook." Hanare smiled brightly.
"Here, let's try some of that potato salad," Ajisai spoke up, taking the container from her mother and dishing out a portion onto her own plate before then tasting a forkful of it. "…mmm…mmm!" She hastily chewed and swallowed. "Whoa, this is awesome! Hanare, Mom's right—cooking is in your blood!"
"I'm glad you like it," said Hanare. "And I'm glad I picked it as the dish to bring for my visit. Potato salad happens to be my favorite food to prepare."
"So, Hanare-san, do tell us more, won't you?" Honoka prompted. "Do you also attend Mist City High? Ajisai goes there now, you know."
"Actually, no, Mist City High isn't my school," Hanare admitted. "I attend Hoshigaki Girls' Academy. It's just a few blocks away from Mist City High."
"Hoshigaki Girls' Academy, huh? Some kind of preppy private school?" Ajisai wondered aloud.
"It's a private school, yes, and it's got a pretty rich history," said Hanare. "We celebrated our 90th anniversary in April. It predates Mist City High's founding by 15 years, roughly."
Ajisai cocked an eyebrow. "In a place with Mist City's reputation?"
"Ajisai." Honoka gave her daughter a warning look.
"No, it's okay," Hanare lifted a placating hand. "It wouldn't be the first time I've heard that kind of skepticism." She looked from one to the other of them. "I understand that you are relative newcomers to Mist City, but contrary to the horror stories you may have heard, it's not all bad here. True, we do have bad seeds like Yagura and his gang here, and their stories tend to dominate the news whenever they act up, but when it comes right down to it, Mist City's not much better or worse than any other city across the country. Kumo City, Iwa City, Suna City, Konoha Town—everywhere you go has its own tales to tell."
"See, Ajisai?" Honoka shot a gloating look at the younger redhead. "Isn't that what I said to you back in September? That criminals exist everywhere you go, and Mist City's no more special in that regard?"
"Yeah, yeah, Mom, no need to rub it in," Ajisai waved her off.
Hanare took a few more bites of her meal and a mouthful of her drink; then she set the cup down. "Honoka-san, there's something I need to admit to, if I may."
"Oh?" Honoka gave her a questioning look.
Ajisai eyed the visitor keenly. Here's the pitch…
"My whole reason for coming today isn't just to meet you and break bread with you—or share fried chicken, as it were." Hanare allowed herself a small smile. "I actually wanted to ask your consent for Ajisai-san to join me in a fitness camp that's set to begin the day after tomorrow."
Instantly Ajisai face-faulted. A fitness camp? Really? That's the best you could come up with?
"A fitness camp?" Honoka frowned a little. "Ajisai, you didn't say anything about a fitness camp…"
"She only just found out about it, herself, after I told her about it during our initial meeting," Hanare explained. "I asked her to keep it close to the chest until I could meet with you and explain the details directly. It wouldn't do for you to get the information secondhand, you understand."
"I see," said Honoka. "So…what is this fitness camp about? Where will it be?"
"It's going to be held on one of the small islands just off Mist City's coast, over a period of three days this week," Hanare answered. "I believe you may have heard of the sponsor…Kurosawa Mifune."
"Eh? Kurosawa Mifune? The CEO of Kurosawa Foods?" Honoka exclaimed. "They place focus on producing top-quality foods at all their processing plants, locally and internationally! I make sure to buy their products as often as possible because of that!"
"Ah, a loyal Kurosawa Foods consumer. Well, Mr. Kurosawa is an old friend of my family, so we have a good personal and professional relationship with him," said Hanare. "Anyway, related to this matter…he sponsors this fitness camp on an annual basis, for young people in Mist City and the surrounding Water County to take part and learn, among other things, self-defense training, weight-loss tips, and even some of our local sporting figures attend as a way of training themselves and providing youth-advocacy support. It lets our local young people meet in a controlled, unified environment, gives some of the at-risk ones a clear purpose away from the less savory options of crime…there's even talk of expanding the program on a wider national scale so more youths can participate."
"Hmm!" Honoka was intrigued. "And you'd like to invite Ajisai to attend, you said?"
"It'll be a good place for her, I think. I know a few people who've benefitted from attending the camp, these past two years since it was launched," Hanare answered.
Honoka fingered her chin as she mulled over what she'd just heard. "Just a question, though…is there a special entry process she'd have to go through? Fees to pay?"
"Don't worry about that, ma'am," Hanare assured her. "Since I'm helping with the camp's organizing, I've been given leeway to bring one person of my choosing to take in this year's staging, and naturally I've chosen Ajisai-san. I know we've only just met, but I have a knack for identifying potential in young people like myself. I'm sure she'll fit right in."
"What do you say, Mom? I can go, can't I? I mean, I'll only be out of your hair for three days," said Ajisai.
Honoka took a sip of her drink. "Well…as much as I know you'd like to hear me say yes…" She eyed Ajisai. "No disrespect, but we're only just meeting Hanare-san, and I'm only just hearing about this camp. And you know I worry about you, seeing as you're my daughter…"
Ajisai rolled her eyes. "Hoo, boy."
"No worries there," Hanare spoke up. "I have Mr. Kurosawa himself in my phone contacts. If you like, I could have you speak directly to him," and she now pulled her cell-phone out of her pocket.
"I hope it won't be a bother," said Honoka.
"For him? Not likely." Hanare smiled as she began scrolling through the phone. "One moment, let's see…"
OoOoO
Elsewhere…
The elderly man, with waist-length gray hair, a pointed goatee and long thin mustache, sat cross-legged on a cushion on his balcony, looking out at the horizon beyond the sea. His face bore a calm expression, one that didn't break even as the cell-phone next to him began to simultaneously ring and buzz loudly; he merely picked up the device, looked at the caller-ID, and answered it promptly. "Hello."
"Kurosawa-sama!" the familiar voice of a girl he knew well came over the phone. "I trust I've called you at a good time, sir?"
"You have, Hanare-san. What can I do for you?"
"The young lady I mentioned to you recently, I have her mother right here in front of me, and she'd like confirmation about the three-day camp that starts on Tuesday. Would it be okay for her to speak with you?"
At this he allowed himself a knowing smile. "Put her on."
There was a moment's pause. Then an older woman's voice came over the line: "Hello, Mr. Kurosawa? My name is Roshi Honoka. Hanare-san was saying about how you're holding this camp during this coming week, and she'd like to invite my daughter Ajisai to take part."
"And so she may—with your blessing, of course," he answered. "Does your daughter have your consent, Roshi-san?"
"Well, sir, since it's you in charge, how can I say no? Of course I'd be happy for her to go."
Now his smiler grew wider. "That's very pleasant to hear, Roshi-san. I look forward to Ajisai-san's participation…if she does well in this event, it will be an experience that will stay with her for years to come, I am confident of that."
OoOoO
"Thank you for that vote of confidence, Mr. Kurosawa. Goodbye," and with that Honoka ended the call and returned the phone to Hanare. "All right, now I'm thoroughly convinced. Ajisai, you can go and have fun there—just make sure to behave yourself, that's all."
"Yes, Mom, I get it," Ajisai replied.
"I'll personally make sure she stays out of trouble, no worries," said Hanare. "So, then…shall we finish this food? It's really good."
"Now THAT I'm immediately on board with!" and Ajisai dug right back in again.
OoOoO
Elsewhere in Mist City, in the meantime…
Knock-knock. "Knock-knock!" Kimura Maki's voice sounded from the other side of her brother Mikoshi's bedroom door.
He was lying on his bed, one hand behind his head, the other fiddling with the green coin Junichi had given him. "Yeah?" he called.
Maki came in a moment later and plopped down on his bed. "Auntie just called—she'll be here with Christmas dinner in half an hour," she announced. "The line at the restaurant is pretty long, she said—but of course, that's no surprise considering where she is and the time of year it is now."
"Mmm-hmm. And then you'll eat the spicy chicken and end up on the toilet again," Mikoshi said dryly.
"That's not so! They just put weird spices on the spicy chicken, is all!" Maki said defensively.
"Isn't that the excuse you gave last year, and the year before that, and the year before that?" Mikoshi returned. "Besides, Auntie eats the spicy chicken too, and she doesn't have reactions like that. Me, though, I prefer the original-style flavor any day."
"You're boring," Maki grunted at him. "Anyhow, what's that coin you've got there?"
"Oh, this?" Mikoshi eyed the coin. "Nothing special, just a little trinket I picked up during our shopping trip the other day."
"Really?" Maki studied him. "You know, come to think of it, ever since that shopping trip you've been way more…I dunno, reserved? Like you're philosophizing in your own head about something."
He looked right at her. "So, what, you're an expert on seeing who philosophers are now?"
"Well, you'd probably fit right in during ancient Greece, being all serious like that," and Maki pulled her lower eyelid down with one finger and stuck her tongue out at him. "But, news-flash, o-nii-san, you're in the modern era now. The past is past and gone."
"…is it?" Mikoshi's eyes narrowed. "Is it, really?"
"Why not? All we have is here and now, right?" Maki's expression was more thoughtful now. "The past can't be redone, and the future hasn't happened yet. What do we have but the present?"
Her twin sighed and closed his eyes. "…hm."
Silence hung heavily in the room. Then Maki got up from the bed. "Well, I'd better go get the table ready for when Auntie comes with the food. But you're doing cleanup after dinner, got it?"
"Yeah, yeah, I know, fair's fair," Mikoshi nodded, and he glanced toward the door as Maki exited.
Again there was silence. Then Mikoshi looked once more at the green coin.
"Your father will be there."
"And he'll be at that venue."
"I look forward to seeing you at our Zenkusen."
Bits and pieces of his conversation with Junichi rang in his ears. His fingers closed tightly around the coin.
"…what do we have, indeed?" he asked softly.
OoOoO
Somewhere else, at the same time…
Poom! Poom! Poom-pa-poom-poom! Pa-pa-pa-pa-poom-poom-poom!
Ito Ryota's fists slammed into the punching bag with increasing power and ferocity. He moved around the bag in three quick steps, pounding it as he went, sweat flashing off his forehead and arms as he continued his assault. Pa-pa-poom! Poom-poom!
"You know, that bag's gonna break one of these days with all the beatings you keep giving it."
He didn't pause his exercise despite the deadpan tone ringing in his ear. "So? I'll just buy another one," he answered. Pa-pa-pa-poom!
The other speaker, a young woman with stringy shoulder-length brown hair, leaned against the doorway and folded her arms over her chest. "You've been at it for over an hour, and your share of Christmas dinner is going to get cold soon. That, or I'll eat your share. Whatever comes first."
"Gotta make sure I'm in shape to defend my title," said Ryota.
"And being in shape means knowing when to rest, doofus," the woman replied. "Now are you coming, or do I take your share of chicken to add to my own?"
Poom!
Flinging one last punch at the bag, Ryota finally turned to face her. "All right, Haori, all right, I'm coming," he growled, coming toward her.
"Good boy." Haori gave a small smile. "You're pretty fired up, though, aren't you? Expecting somebody to finally kick your ass?"
Ryota scoffed. "As if. But…" He looked to one side, a more thoughtful expression crossing his face. "There will be somebody who might show some promise. I'm just curious to see how long that person lasts against me, is all."
"Uh-huh, Mr. Macho Man." Haori placed her arm on his shoulder as he came closer. "Now come, let's eat."
OoOoO
In another place…
"Here you go," Yamazaki Omoi placed the food-box with its near-universally-familiar logo on the table in front of his father, before putting another similar box down and settling in to open it.
"Mmm-hmm," Mr. Yamazaki grunted, opening his box to look at what was inside—three pieces of barbecue-fried chicken with French fries. "Thanks," he said simply.
Taking a piece of chicken from his own box, Omoi gave his father a side-glance; this was one of the rare moments when the older man wasn't at least halfway drunk or otherwise absent due to work. Then again, he thought, perhaps even the lousiest of people might try to change their habits even partway when it came to the Christmas season. He waited until his father got well into eating—and he'd specifically picked the barbecue-fried chicken due to it being the old drunk's favorite type—and gauged the words he would say next.
"I'll be out of the area for a little while on Tuesday," he said directly.
Mr. Yamazaki glanced at him. "Oh?"
"One of the Paragons said to come to the Zenkusen." Omoi nodded as he remembered Ryota's invitation.
Mr. Yamazaki's expression didn't change. "Oh." He took another bite of his chicken. "Well, just try not to die, is all."
"…right." Omoi's gaze narrowed.
The rest of the meal was eaten in deliberate, stony silence.
OoOoO
And elsewhere, at that very moment…
"Milady…dinner is served."
Thus spoke Gushiken Junichi as he, clad in a blue tuxedo and white gloves, expertly balanced a silver tray on his fingertips while approaching a finely-decorated dining table where a young brown-haired woman waited for him. She, in turn, watched keenly as he set the tray down on the table and took a plate from it, setting it before her so she could peruse its contents—two pieces of fried chicken, a serving of French fries, coleslaw, a biscuit, and some mashed potatoes with sauce on top. "And for beverage?" she asked.
"Yes, of course, milady," and Junichi took hold of the remaining item on his tray, a plastic cup with dark red liquid inside. With his free hand, he took hold of an empty goblet near the girl, and into it he poured the drink, before setting it closer to her. "The usual yearly Christmas treat," he announced importantly.
She, in turn, nodded. "I thank you, Junichi. Once again, this year, you've managed to make a simple meal from a fast-food franchise look like a banquet fit for a queen."
A faint smile ghosted across his lips as he bowed in deference. "As far as I am concerned, Kurama Yakumo, heiress of the Kurama family, is a queen already, even though she has yet to gain her throne or her crown since the appropriate time has not arrived."
The girl cocked an eyebrow. "Are you a butler or a charmer?"
"I am whatever you need me to be, Yakumo-sama. A butler…a guardian angel…or an avenging devil." Junichi eyed her. "Whatever allows me to serve the Kurama household best."
"Heh-heh." Yakumo put a hand to her lips even as she giggled. "Right now, you're being a melodramatic."
"If it serves you best, then yes." Junichi nodded.
"Ahem. Junichi."
Both of them looked up at the sound of the voice, its owner being a long-haired man with a pencil-thin mustache. "Father, you're home!" Yakumo exclaimed.
Junichi bowed to the newcomer. "Welcome home, Murakumo-sama."
"I'm home." Murakumo nodded. "Yakumo, have you had dinner yet?"
"Just about to, Father," Yakumo answered, indicating her plate.
"I see. Well, go right ahead; I'll join you shortly," Murakumo told her. "In the meantime, Junichi, I have need of you."
"Hai, Murakumo-sama." Junichi bowed to Yakumo. "Excuse me, Yakumo-sama."
"Mmm!" Yakumo nodded once, then turned her attention to her plate.
Leaving the young mistress to her dinner, Junichi headed out of the dining area and into the adjoining hallway, where Murakumo was waiting. "Sir," he addressed his employer.
"Junichi." Murakumo's expression held no humor. "The day after tomorrow, it begins."
"Yes, sir. I know." Junichi nodded.
"And I am reliably informed that he may be making an appearance at some point," Murakumo added. "You've been in touch with his protégé recently, yes?"
"Yes, sir. I have." Junichi nodded again.
Murakumo's brow furrowed deeply. "That man is a blight on this constituency which I represent, and on Water County as a whole. Therefore, my instructions to you are as such…" His eyes seemed to bore straight into Junichi's face. "If at any point you even suspect that he is within range…Cut. Him. Down."
It was Junichi's turn to narrow his gaze. "Yes, sir. I will."
OoOoO
END GAIDEN 61
00000
NEON MAJESTIC: So now Ajisai's mother's name has been officially revealed—Honoka. Now, in canon, Honoka has no relation to Ajisai or Roshi; in fact, on the Naruto wiki page, it's been suggested that she might have been an Uzumaki, although no evidence was ever given to confirm that that was the case.
Also, the Kurosawa Mifune referenced here in this chapter is one character, the samurai Mifune from canon, whose surname comes from the name of his sword. So basically, he's a composite character, after a fashion.
As for other characters introduced here, we have Kurama Yakumo and her father Murakumo (yes, they were related in the canon anime) as well as Haori (in canon, a resident of the Land of Ancestors during Kaguya Otsutsuki's reign, she herself having no connection to Ryota's canon counterpart, the man who would become Pain's Preta Path). As for Omoi's father, who's been briefly mentioned before but is being formally shown here, in case I haven't mentioned it previously, in canon he was the Third Raikage and had no relation to Omoi (but was the Fourth Raikage's father).
For the Christmas dinner scene with the Roshi family, I drew upon a Japanese Christmas tradition where people partake in KFC meals; this tradition has been in place since the 1970s. It's not a bad tradition, actually; KFC is pretty nice in general (for those who like it, like yours truly).
Also, Hoshigaki Girls' Academy obviously isn't a real place in the Naruto-verse. It takes its name from Hoshigaki Kisame, Itachi's partner in Akatsuki, who isn't set to appear in the Kitsune no Ken world.
And so…Hanare has made it possible for Ajisai to fight in the Zenkusen, Mikoshi contemplates his reason for accepting the invitation, Ryota braces himself to defend his championship title from the tournament's previous staging, Omoi gets a cool reception from his father ahead of the tournament, and Junichi gets mysterious marching orders…
Next Gaiden chapter, there's no break with an out-of-order one-shot or other arc—the Zenkusen tournament will finally begin!