The New Normal - Return to the Capital

The next year passed in a blur.

My friends forced me to pick up my hobbies again… especially music after I played with Kanshi.

I'd managed to wiggle some adjustments into my outfit past my 'dress code'.

I still wore a grey upper robe and the black haori, but I'd taken to wearing the village standard issue grey camo trousers and scarf, and a pair of metal toed black boots. I did of course also wear the blue sash Kanshi gave me.

The most notable addition was the headband.

Shikyou handed it to me the morning after my 10th birthday with little ceremony, two years ahead of Kanshi and Isae.

I'm not surprised…

It was thanks to the- my clan that I got to stay out of things this long.

"You'll receive your first mission in a week. For now, you are expected to stock up on any supplies, and go inform your father."

I'd picked up a kunai pouch, and attached it to my right leg over some bandage wraps. It was empty, but it could serve as a decent cover for my use of storage seals. I also acquired some basics: sleeping bag, rations, etc…

Then I was ready to leave.

Argh, was the sun always that bright?

I might have complained about the brightness, but my heart danced with elation at the freedom. Being an inside person did have its limits, and two years was way past mine.

…it's warm.

The entrance to the 'village' was far away from the nearest road, surrounded by forest, and I was travelling alone. However... there was a detour I wanted to make before I could start travelling properly.

The clearing still had the yellow and green flowers, and the branch that marked the grave had been left untouched.

"Hey, it's been a while. So I'm a ninja now, which means I'm actually allowed to leave the base."

I sat down.

"I may have beaten you in the fight, but I'm the one who lost the battle. I wanted to be kind, but you gave me an impossible question. I didn't have an answer then and I haven't found one yet, but I'm still searching."

I held my head high, looking into the eyes of the mask he used to wear.

"I've made progress. Pacifism means choosing peace. If I can't fight for what I believe in, I'm not a pacifist… I'm just weak.

I got up.

"If peace isn't an option, then I will have to learn how to make it one. Then the next time I meet someone like you… maybe we'll be talking over a meal rather than a grave."

I turned to leave.

"Until next time."

Then I took off.

Feeling the wind blow past, my blood began pumping.

I could have just ran on ground level.

Instead I burst some chakra from my feet to shoot up to the tree line, catch a branch, swing round, and launch forward.

Faster!

Running some of Yuharu's obstacle courses had taught me that I was a bit of a speed freak.

On top of that, I could get my 'adrenaline junkie' self into gear by throwing in some unnecessary acrobatic flair.

When I combined both while traversing an environment like this…

"Woohoo!"

…I managed to really push my limits.

Which was how I made it to the main road in half the time expected of me.

"Wow, What a rush!"

I pumped a fist… and caught sight of the drops of red liquid that sprayed from it.

Right, must have cut myself on one of the branches.

I popped a roll of bandages and tried to patch up the bleeding gloveless left hand.

…then I sat down because I really didn't have the stamina needed to continue after a sprint like that.

I opted to walk the rest of the way along the main road, and I came up on the main gate.

"Hold it."

I paused, turning to look at the gate guard that addressed me.

"Yes, how can I help sir?"

He wasn't a ninja, probably a regular city guard.

He strolled up confidently, a strict look on his face.

"Where did you get that headband?"

I cocked my head curiously.

"Hidden Sound Village, sir."

He massaged the bridge of his nose.

"C'mon kid, it's dangerous playing around with those. If an actual ninja shows up you might get into some serious trouble."

Ah.

I pumped chakra out of my feet to shoot myself a couple metres behind him with a single step, before looking back with a grin.

"I think I'll be fine sir."

It wasn't quite a body flicker, but it was enough to flabbergast the man, who just nodded dumbly and let me go without any further issue.

Was that cool? I feel like that was cool.

I had totally been planning on how to handle the incredibly anime-like situation should it happen.

It took a while for me to lose the grin, eventually fading to a content smile.

It was refreshing, being back in a city after the three years I'd spent in a basement.

With the way I looked around at everything, I probably looked like some country bumpkin who'd never seen a proper road before.

In my defence, I'd never seen a city this way before.

A man casually spoke with a woman manning a food stall. I could smell the little extra dash of spice she added to the regular order, I could hear the subtle pleasantries underlining the conversation, and I could see the way the man fiddled with a small box in his pocket.

That was all just one encounter I picked up on with my more practised perception.

Wanting to take in more of the city life that way, I took the scenic route to the castle. Which led me to…

"Yumika?"

A large man hauling a crate with his one arm. He was dressed casually, had a blue beard, and was built like a truck… or a teddy bear.

"Yumika!"

Issai put down the crate and rushed forward, and I reluctantly had to dodge back out of a hug.

"Issae, it's good to see you again and sorry about that, but I break easily now."

I laughed, nervously.

"If you hugged me like you used to, I would have to visit a doctor."

I stepped forward and hugged him instead.

"...I missed you."

He seemed to understand, and gave me a very careful soft pat on the back.

Satisfied, I stepped back out into conversation range again with a concerned expression.

"...but why are you out here?"

[...]

We talked, and I discovered some things:

Issai got laid off. My father didn't see the point of keeping a one armed man under his employ. Luckily, Issai managed to get himself a position with a loading crew that handled a number of deliveries in town.

He often made deliveries to Natsuhi, who had apparently taken over a store that went bankrupt under her aunt's poor management. Natsuhi had some money saved up over her years working at the castle and managed to bring some life back to the business… after father had fired her because I sent her home.

Tatara just disappeared one day. Which felt like something he'd do.

While Ichino…

I can't actually believe this.

…Ichino became a celebrity musician. One of my father's guests heard them play, offered them a gig, and things just exploded from there. Once it was clear they had something going on, they quit their old job and started touring the country.

"I'm off in 10 minutes. If you can wait, we can visit Natsuhi together!"

"Sure, can I help?"

"Haha, your uncle Issai's got this."

'Uncle' Issai?

Pfft.

Of course he would call himself that now that father can't order him not to.

I smiled to myself.

"Sure thing 'uncle'."

The general store was a quaint little thing, occupying the first floor of a three story rowhouse. There was no wall out towards the street, but there was a shutter that could close over the opening. Kind of like typical supermarket stores.

We came up the side, from the road, and Issai called in.

"Natsuhi!"

"Issai, I'm not expecting any deliveries today."

"Don't worry, this is a surprise you'll be happy about."

Which I took as my cue to make myself visible.

She looked different dressed casually, in a t-shirt and trousers. Her hair was tied back simply to get it out of the way.

She seemed content.

It's been two years. I'm not her job anymore. Does she remember me? Does she still care?

The little inkling of illogical doubt bubbled to the surface.

"H-hi."

A moment of shocked surprise.

Then it morphed into a calm smile.

"Yumika."

I rushed in, careful not to knock into anything, and gave her a hug, which she carefully reciprocated.

"So much has happened…"

I ended up sitting on a stool behind the counter recounting everything that had happened the last two years. Natsuhi had to keep working.

No rest for small business owners.

"Issai, if you're just going to loiter, then you can either help or leave."

"But Yumika is just sitting there."

"Yumika is allowed."

I glowed at the privilege.

Eventually, the sky started to go orange with the sunset and I had to go.

"I'll come back."

"You're welcome anytime."

There was one more stop I had to make before meeting father.

There was a specific house near the castle with nothing outwardly strange.

I landed in the walled garden and knocked on the window in a very specific pattern.

I heard the backdoor unlock, and made my way inside quietly.

Once inside, I saluted.

"Yumika, reporting in. I'm going to be on standby here, and need to check in with a medic. Sir."

I couldn't see anyone, but I knew they were there.

Someone appeared in front of me, too quick for me to catch the movement.

"So you actually did it, welcome back."

"Thank you sir."

"Aren't you a little young?"

"It was determined that my service skills were best improved in practice, sir."

"Very well. Why do you need a medic?"

"I need to check in regularly sir."

I heard him mutter something about spoiled brats under his breath as he waved a signal.

The abandoned room was filled in again as all the ninja returned to their rest.

One appeared by a door and beckoned me to follow.

"What's the issue?"

I sighed.

"Could you please just check me? It's quicker than explaining."

They didn't seem pleased with the suggestion, but understood what I meant once they finished.

"I've fixed up what I can so you're clear for now. Your limbs are still strained, so lay it off tomorrow."

"Yes sir."

Time to visit father then…

I noticed the signs of father's shinobi interaction protocol almost immediately one I made my presence in the castle lobby known.

The courtiers I met didn't tell me when I had an appointment, they told me when the daimyo was available.

I was still vaguely aware of how father operated, so I knew when the most convenient time to enter the court was.

"Father, I return successful. I am now a genin of the hidden sound village."

I said kneeling.

"Ah, son, it is good to have you back. Word of your success gladdens me and comes as no surprise. Though I am proud to hear that you managed to accomplish your goal ahead of schedule."

Now that I knew, I could see so clearly how he avoided looking directly at me.

"Thank you father."

"Your old room is now available to you, should you need it. Welcome home."

I nodded, and left. Nothing but a slightly clenched fist indicating my feelings on the matter.

I found him.

"Brother."

"Brother? Brother!"

Standing face to face, the difference in gender between the supposed identical twins was a bit more obvious. Not that either of us actually cared.

Stepping back from the hug, Yorihiro equipped a frown.

"I was starting to get worried because I hadn't heard from you in two years!"

I scratched the back of my head sheepishly

"Hehe, sorry? How have you been?"

[...]

It really was nice talking again, a lot more than we used to. I couldn't actually say much about what I'd been up to, but I managed a censored version, one with fewer injuries and shinobi clans.

He really does take the best of our parents doesn't he?

Hearing it again, the whole ideal lord spiel he had going on sounded just like how Natsuhi described mother… if perhaps a bit more theatrical. On the other hand, he clearly also had picked up on father's charisma and problem solving skills, without the heavier greed.

I wondered if maybe this is what father's rule was like before hatred planted its claws in him.

He's going to do so well…

"Yorihiro, if you ever have any questions about shinobi, don't be afraid to ask me, okay? I'm a real ninja now, and I have a lot of ninja friends. I'm sure I can tell you a lot more than father."

…especially if I can spare him from father's prejudices.

Line Break

My old room…

I'd missed it when I'd left, but… it felt barren now. Cold.

All the room gave me was faint echoes of the people I cared about.

I tried to lie down. I tried to sleep.

I couldn't.

I didn't feel safe here. I didn't feel at home here.

Without any further thoughts, I gathered my things and snuck out of the castle, easily getting past the servants and sound village patrols.

This is still my home turf.

The thought gave me a smirk.

Though I doubt I'm going to be playing tag with Yorihiro anymore.

I ran along the roofs silently, stopping to drop outside a certain lit window.

Knock knock.

The window slid open.

"Yumika?"

"Can I… stay here tonight Natsuhi?"

She smiled.

"I said you were welcome anytime."

So that's where I stayed the week leading up to my first mission.

Yumika Nogawa

Affiliation: Hidden Sound Village

Rank: Genin

Clan: Shiin (Branch)

–

Ninjutsu: 1

Taijutsu: 2

Genjutsu: 0.5

Intelligence: 3.5

Strength: 1

Speed: 1

Stamina: 0.5

Hand Seals: 1.5

–

Total Score: 11

–

Jutsu Known (uses before chakra exhaustion): Clone (36), Shadow Clone (1), Substitution (26), Transformation (28)

Other Skills: Bow and Quarterstaff; Wall and Water walking; Strength and Speed technique.

Unique Abilities: Walking Storage Scroll.

Strategy Journal

I am weak, and there are a lot of strong opponents out there. If I want a chance I need to be able to think ahead and prepare countermeasures. This journal is to note down ideas and solutions that could be useful in the future.

…

Starting off easy: Kiba Inuzaka (1).

The show shows how the Inuzaka strong sense of smell can be turned into a disadvantage. Invest in Stink Bombs.

AN: So that's the end of 'The New Normal' A shorter part that's really just a glorified time skip. Rushed a bit to get this done before 'life' things kicked in and forced me to drop the upload pace.

Huh, 100000 words... woot.

In case of failure, keep distance and pray he doesn't enter close quarters.