DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO (RIGHT NOW I'M THE PROUD OWNER OF A SPLINTER IN MY THUMB -_-, F ME...)

Ch.36 - The Interrogator's Handbook

- Somewhere South of Yugakure -

In the heart of the dense forest, a young man could be seen dashing through the undergrowth, his breath forming small puffs of vapor in the crisp air. Rays of sunlight filtered through the thick canopy, casting fleeting patterns of light and shadow upon the forest floor. His destination was Yugakure (Village Hidden in Hot Water), nestled in the exotic lands of Yu no Kuni (Land of Hot Water), a place he had only read about in books.

As the young man pressed on through the forest, he found himself momentarily caught in a narrow clearing, allowing a gentle breeze to caress his face. He paused, catching his breath, and couldn't help but voice his thoughts aloud. "I hope this mission ends early," he muttered, his gaze drifting upward toward the dappling sunlight. "If all goes well, I might get a chance to visit some hot springs there."

A soft chuckle escaped his lips as he imagined the blissful warmth enveloping him, washing away the fatigue and tension from his body. But his excitement was short-lived as he knew the pressing nature of his task. Fishing out the map from his bag, he traced his route with his finger, trying to orient himself. "I've never been to Yugakure (Village Hidden in Hot Water) myself, though I've read about it in books. I sure hope that it's as good as what the books I've read claim," he remarked to no one but himself, his eyes scanning the intricate details on the parchment.

As he rolled the map and stored it away, the forest's ambiance enveloped him in a serene symphony of rustling leaves and distant bird calls. His mind now split between the beauty of nature and the gravity of his mission. He pondered the implications of a successful outcome, wondering if this achievement would open doors to new opportunities and advancements in his shinobi career.

In the distance, he caught the distant murmur of a stream. He hastened his pace, realizing he must cross it to continue on his path. As he reached the bank, he spotted a group of locals fishing together, their camaraderie evident in their laughter. He approached them cautiously, introducing himself with a polite bow. "I'm on my way to Yugakure (Village Hidden in Hot Water). Could you tell me the best way to get there?" he inquired, hoping their local knowledge might provide some valuable insights.

One of the fishermen smiled warmly, pointing him in the right direction. "Keep following the path, and it'll lead you to Yugakure (Village Hidden in Hot Water). You can't miss it," he said cheerfully, his genuine hospitality putting the young man at ease. "Thank you so much," he replied gratefully, a sense of relief washing over him as he continued to make his way to his destination

With their directions in mind, he bid them farewell and continued on his journey. Each step brought him closer to Yugakure (Village Hidden in Hot Water), and with every passing moment, the young man's anticipation grew. His heart was now set on completing the mission efficiently, so he could embrace the warmth of the hot springs and, perhaps, forge lasting bonds with the people of this extraordinary village.

- In Yugakure -

(Town Square)

In the vibrant and bustling Town Square of Yugakure (Village Hidden in Hot Water), Team 8 found themselves amidst a relentless warmth that seemed to particularly irk Kiba. His impatience became evident as he shifted uncomfortably, seeking respite from the oppressive heat. Though the surroundings exuded a charming allure, Kiba's frustration couldn't be contained. "Ughhh... What's taking this guy so longgg?" he voiced, his annoyance evident.

Sakura, too, felt her own irritation building, and couldn't resist snapping back. "Can you please stop complaining every five minutes?! Your whining is getting on my nerves..." she retorted, her tone sharp.

"I'll stop complaining when the guy we're waiting gets here... I can't stand how warm it is in this village," Kiba grumbled, fidgeting with his shirt collar and futilely unzipping his hooded fur-lined coat. Even Akamaru, his loyal companion, panted heavily, affected by the heat.

"Kurenai-sensei... Do you have a fan or something?... I could really use one. I feel like a freaking boiled egg ever since we stepped foot in this place," Kiba pleaded in desperation.

"Sorry, Kiba, I don't have a fan with me, and besides, fanning yourself in this humid environment is counterproductive. You'll only feel hotter," Kurenai explained calmly, aware of her student's temperamental nature.

Kiba groaned, feeling defeated. "Don't worry, Kiba, I'm sure the specialist will arrive on time. How about having some chips? It might distract you from the heat," Choji suggested, trying to ease the tension.

"No, thanks," Kiba replied half-heartedly, still irritated by the weather.

Moments ticked by, and Kiba couldn't resist another complaint. "Why can't we just wait for him in the manor? I mean... He can meet us there," he suggested, yearning for some relief from the heat.

"Ughhh... There you go again! Of course, we have to meet him in person, Kiba! It's called common courtesy, and if you're going to complain, can you keep it to yourself?!" Sakura retorted, her patience wearing thin.

"Whatever..." Kiba rolled his eyes, the disagreement with Sakura only fueling his frustration.

Kurenai stepped in once again, her voice firm. "Enough! Both of you. Arguing won't make him arrive any quicker. Just a little bit longer, I'm sure the specialist is already near," she reassured, attempting to restore some semblance of harmony. She couldn't help but recall some stories about Asuma occasionally refereeing Naruto and Ino's fights. "I guess Asuma has it rough as well," she mused to herself. Pushing aside those thoughts, she noticed a figure approaching on the horizon. Her keen observation finally paid off as she recognized the person they had been waiting for. "I think that's him," she pointed out.

The three of them turned their attention towards the young man making his way towards them. Identifying the familiar flak jacket and hitai-ate, they knew he was one of their own.

The man then approached them and caught his breath before speaking, "Sorry for the wait. I hope I didn't keep all of you waiting for too long," the young man apologized.

Before Kiba could utter any sarcastic remarks, Sakura quickly covered his mouth, shooting him a warning glance. "It's quite alright. I'm Yuhi Kurenai, and these are my students," Kurenai introduced them, trying to maintain civility.

"Hello," Choji greeted, "Yo", Kiba said and nodded in acknowledgment, and Sakura offered a polite nod along with her "Pleasure to meet you."

"It's a pleasure to meet all of you. My name is Yamanaka Iku. I look forward to working with all of you," he said with a warm smile.

Yamanaka Iku, a young man in his mid-twenties, possessed a striking appearance. His ash-blonde hair cascaded down to his shoulders, and his dark green eyes exuded a sense of intensity and focus. He donned the Konoha (Hidden Leaf Village) flak jacket, left unzipped, revealing a light green shirt underneath, along with a kusari, a protective chainmail garment, underneath the shirt. A sturdy belt adorned his waist, to add style to his overall look.

His attire continued with long black fingerless gloves, adorned with metal bracers for added protection. Dark brown pants hugged his legs, and a kunai holster was strategically strapped to his right thigh for quick access to his weapons. Completing his ensemble were sturdy black boots, equipped with metal bracers as well.

A bandana with the metal plate displaying the prestigious Konoha (Hidden Leaf Village) insignia adorned his forehead. Iku's long ash-blonde hair was neatly tied into a ponytail, which passed through a hole at the back of the bandana. This practical hairstyle kept his hair out of his face during intense combat.

With his distinctive appearance and well-equipped attire, Yamanaka Iku exuded the aura of a skilled and dedicated shinobi, ready to fulfill his duties as an interrogator and protector of Konohagakure (Village Hidden in the Leaves).

"Nice to meet you, Yamanaka-san. I apologize for the short notice about this mission," Kurenai replied to him.

"No need to apologize, I don't mind. In fact, I'm quite excited to be a a part of this mission since it's my first time here in Yugakure (Village Hidden in Hot Water). And please, call me Iku instead," Iku replied, radiating enthusiasm.

"Alright then, Iku-san. Allow me to brief you about this mission. Essentially, our client, who is related to a wealthy businessman around these parts, hired us to protect him. His life was threatened not too long ago. According to him, he was ambushed by an unknown assailant weeks ago. Additionally, an intruder infiltrated his manor and attempted to take his life, but Kiba managed to intercept the assailant, who escaped. Fortunately, the intruder hasn't returned, but it's only a matter of time until they make another move," Kurenai explained to Iku.

"I see... If that's the case, then my skills are at your disposal," Iku replied with a smile.

"Thank you, Iku-san. Now that our specialist is here, we can return to the manor," Kurenai said, which relieved Kiba since he would soon find refuge from the sweltering heat in Tamayori's manor.

- In Tamayori's Manor -

"Wow... You weren't kidding about this manor, Kurenai-san. This place is enormous..." Iku expressed in awe, marveling at the opulence of the grand estate. The lavish paintings, luxurious furniture, and the overall grandeur of the place left him impressed.

"We were also quite taken aback when we first came here," Kurenai admitted with a hint of surprise in her voice.

"This client of ours must be extremely wealthy to afford such a place," Iku remarked.

"You're not wrong there. Our client, Tamayori-san, is the heir to his late father's business here in Yu no Kuni (Land of Hot Water)," Kurenai explained, giving Iku some insight into Tamayori's affluent background.

"No wonder he's loaded, wow..." Iku responded, still slightly amazed by the wealth displayed before him.

The group proceeded to Tamayori's office, where they were greeted by guards standing by the door. Kurenai informed them of the specialist's arrival, and they were granted access to enter the office. Tamayori was engrossed in his work when they walked in, and Kurenai silently admired his determination despite the peril he faced. "Ahhh, Yuhi-san. How can I help you?" Tamayori asked, looking up from his desk.

"I'd like you to meet our specialist for this mission. Go ahead, introduce yourself," Kurenai said, gesturing towards Iku with a smile.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Tamayori-san. I'm Yamanaka Iku, and I'll be assisting in the interrogation for this mission as the team specialist," Iku greeted with a warm smile.

"Ahhh, I see. Well, that's good news. Now that our specialist is here, I suppose we can commence our investigation," Tamayori acknowledged.

"That's right, Tamayori-san. Among the three suspects, who do you believe would be the best option to visit first?" Kurenai inquired, seeking his insight.

"Hmmm... Among the three of them, I think it's best to pay a visit to my rival, Otake Nao, first. I've heard from my contacts that he's back in town for a visit. I'm not sure how long he'll be here, so it's best to move quickly before he leaves. I'll be contacting him to inform him that we'll be paying him a visit, so our arrival won't be unannounced," Tamayori suggested.

"I see. Well, that settles it. My team and I will gear up and meet you at the front door, Tamayori-san. We'll proceed to visit Otake-san," Kurenai confirmed. With nods of agreement, they all left Tamayori's office to prepare the necessary equipment and supplies for their upcoming investigation.

- Tamayori's Manor -

(At the Front Door)

As Team 8 and Iku awaited Tamayori's arrival, Iku busied himself with preparing the various tools and equipment needed for his interrogation procedures. The curiosity of Kurenai's students got the better of them, prompting Sakura to inquire about Iku's preparations.

"What do you need all that stuff for, Iku-san?" Sakura asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Well, you see... The art of interrogation is quite complicated; there are various ways to extract information from one person. You could get it from them peacefully or... You could take another route and do it, uhmmm... Forcefully... For lack of a better word..." Iku chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his head. His ambiguous explanation left Sakura and her teammates puzzled about what he meant by the term 'forceful.' Sensing their confusion, Iku glanced at Kurenai, who nodded, giving him consent to elaborate further.

"Well... I am a member of a special division in Konoha, known as T&I (Torture and Interrogation Force), the name is pretty self-explanatory, don't you think?," he explained, hoping his answer would suffice.

"Does that mean you'll torture our suspects?" Kiba blurted out with a brash tone.

"Heavens no!... Well, I do hope it doesn't reach the point where it's necessary. It's quite complicated, Kiba-san. The methods an interrogator can use, wildly depend on the person they're interrogating; if the person they're interrogating is cooperative, then there is no need for harsh methods to get an answer from them. And if they're not, well, then that's when the 'other' methods come into play, so to speak." Iku clarified, seeking to dispel any misconceptions.

"If that's the case, then why do you need scrolls for interrogation?" Choji inquired between munches on his chips.

"Ahhh! You see... I use these scrolls to help me probe someone's mind more effectively. Back at T&I (Torture and Interrogation Force), there's this machine called the Mind Reading Amplification Machine; we just call it the MRAM for convenience. It's this massive contraption where the person we want to get information from is held and placed. A lot of jutsu-shiki (technique formula) is involved to make it work; the main interrogator then comes into direct contact with the person to probe their mind; others can help as well by lending chakra to aid in the probing process. But it would be impossible for me to carry that thing here, which is where these scrolls come into play. I've been working on these for a couple of years now, and I think they're functional enough to use in practice. It took a while for me to get the jutsu formulas and whatnot right. These scrolls contain my chakra, which then fuels the scroll to activate a certain jutsu formula I've devised to help me probe someone's mind, kind of like a portable version of the MRAM back at the office. But it's far less powerful compared to the original, but it works. I've yet to conduct enough tests to conclude that it increases the effectiveness of the probing process, but I'll get to that eventually," Iku explained with enthusiasm.

Kurenai found Iku's ingenuity impressive, remarking, "That's remarkable, Iku-san. You must have invested a lot of time and effort into creating this."

"Thank you, Kurenai-san. Indeed, it required a lot of effort. And someday, I hope to present this invention to my superiors at T&I (Torture and Interrogation Force)," Iku replied with a hopeful smile.

"I wish you the best of luck with that, Iku-san," Kurenai encouraged.

"I appreciate it," Iku responded gratefully.

At that moment, Tamayori emerged from the front door, accompanied by guards for added protection during the mission.

"Now that Tamayori-san is here, we can head to our first destination and meet our first suspect," Kurenai announced, signaling the beginning of their mission.

- Somewhere in Yugakure -

(The Opposite Side of the Village)

As Team 8 and Iku made their way through the vast and spread-out village of Yugakure (Village Hidden in Hot Water), Tamayori took the opportunity to share more information about their first suspect, Otake Nao.

"He and I are roughly the same age, he's very competitive as well. And, Choji, I must say, there's a resemblance between the two of you," Tamayori remarked, causing Choji to pause in his chip-crunching and look at him in surprise.

"Me?" Choji asked, unsure of how to take the comparison.

"Yes, indeed. Otake's build is quite big, so to speak. He's on the heavier side of things, I suppose," Tamayori continued, trying to find the right words. Kurenai and Choji's teammates understood what was going through Choji's mind. They knew he disliked being referred to as "fat" and preferred terms like "big-boned" or "chubby." Hoping for the best, they kept their fingers crossed as they observed Choji's reaction. Tamayori pondered for a moment and finally settled on a word. "Ah, I got it! He's rather stocky, which is normal for someone his age," he said, relieved that he found a suitable description.

Oblivious to the tension, Tamayori went on to explain his relationship with Otake. "Otake and I aren't close. Our relationship is strictly professional. We only talk about business and work, nothing more. That's why I suspect him; he wouldn't care if I were killed. But until then, I'll give him the benefit of the doubt," Tamayori confided.

Curious about Tamayori's insights, Iku asked about their professional relationship. "If you don't mind me asking, Tamayori-san, how is your professional relationship with Otake-san?"

"It's quite alright. Whenever we see each other, we usually nod, but that's about it. We aren't antagonistic to one another, but who knows what he's truly thinking," Tamayori explained.

"I see," Iku responded, his curiosity piqued. "If you don't mind, I'd like to share some insights regarding this matter." Tamayori nodded, signaling his interest, and Iku proceeded to explain his perspective on interrogations and the unexpected nature of culprits. Iku then shared his own experience as an interrogator, advising Tamayori to consider the people he trusts as potential suspects. "The culprit is often someone unexpected, but sometimes it's the person you trust the most," Iku suggested.

"I suppose you have a point. I'll consider that too. I appreciate your insight, Yamanaka-san," Tamayori replied gratefully.

After a lengthy walk, they finally arrived at their destination - a grand and bustling manor. Inaudible voices emanated from within, suggesting a lively gathering. Tamayori approached the gate and knocked, prompting it to open slightly, revealing one of the manor's guards.

The guard inquired about their identity, and Tamayori introduced the entire team. Once the guard confirmed their information with his companion, he nodded and allowed them entry. As they stepped inside, it became apparent that a significant celebration was underway.

Curious about the occasion, Tamayori asked the guard, who informed him that it was Otake's 15th Wedding Anniversary. A wave of embarrassment washed over Tamayori, he slapped his forehead in embarrassment for forgetting the occasion as he realized he had forgotten such an important detail. He quickly reached into his coat and pulled out a checkbook, intending to rectify the situation. Team 8 and Iku couldn't help but sneak a peek at what Tamayori was writing, and their jaws dropped in amazement at the number of zeros on the check. "There, that should be enough for an all-expense-paid trip to Kawa no Kuni (Land of Rivers)," Tamayori mused aloud.

Realizing he needed to accompany the check with a proper letter, Tamayori requested a piece of paper. One of the guards promptly handed him a sheet, and Tamayori began to write a heartfelt message. As he finished, he handed the letter and check to one of the guards, along with a generous one thousand ryo bill as a token of appreciation. The guard's grin widened, pleased with the unexpected tip, while his partner looked on in awe and a hint of jealousy. Tamayori had managed to turn his initial embarrassment into a thoughtful gift for Otake's special day.

- Tamayori's Letter -

Dear Otake,

Congratulations on your 15th wedding anniversary! Your enduring love is truly inspiring. To celebrate, enclosed is a check for an all-expense-paid trip to Kawa no Kuni. May your bond continue to grow stronger with each passing year.

Warm regards,

Tamayori Okuda

- End of Tamayori's Letter -

"May your bond continue to grow stronger with each passing year. Warm regards, Tamayori. And... Done! Now all I need is an envelope to put all of this in," Tamayori said aloud, satisfied with his heartfelt message. The other guard, hoping for a similar reward, quickly rummaged through their belongings and managed to find an envelope to offer to Tamayori.

"Ah, perfect! Thank you, my good man. Take this, for your troubles," Tamayori said graciously, handing over another one thousand ryo bill to the grateful guard.

With the letter and check safely placed in the envelope, Tamayori sought directions to find Otake. "Can you give me directions where I can find Otake?" he inquired.

With the guard's directions in mind, Tamayori expressed his gratitude once more and confidently walked down the hall, heading towards Otake's celebration to deliver his thoughtful gift. The rest of Team 8 and Iku followed closely behind, still in awe of Tamayori's generous gesture and the amount on the check.

- With Tamayori and Team 8 (Plus Iku) -

As they followed the guard's directions, Team 8 and Iku found themselves amidst a sea of guests attending Otake's lavish wedding anniversary celebration. The manor was bustling with activity, filled with elegantly dressed attendees and adorned with decorations befitting the occasion. Tamayori asked his personal bodyguards to accompany him as they approached Otake, leaving Team 8 and Iku to observe the grand affair.

Kiba was fascinated by the attire worn by the guests, marveling at the formal and opulent outfits. Sakura noticed the melodious music playing softly in the background, setting a serene ambiance for the festivities. Choji's eyes lit up at the sight of the delectable spread of food, making his mouth water with anticipation.

Kurenai took a moment to remind her students to conduct themselves appropriately as guests. She advised them to stay together to avoid getting lost in the crowd, and they all nodded in agreement, understanding the importance of representing their village with grace and respect.

As they continued to observe, Iku couldn't help but remark on Otake's apparent wealth, particularly after witnessing Tamayori's generous gift. "This Otake Nao person must be extremely wealthy as well," he mused.

Kurenai chuckled and made a playful reference to Tamayori's check. "I sure hope our pay for this mission is as impressive as the number we saw on that check earlier, Kurenai-san," he joked.

Kurenai joined in the banter, understanding the lightheartedness of the moment. "Let's hope for the best, Iku-san. I suppose that amount is just pocket change to him, given how casually he wrote it down," she joked back which elicited a chuckle from Iku

- With Tamayori -

As Tamayori made his way through the crowd, he finally found Otake talking to some of the guests, accompanied by his wife. Tamayori straightened his coat and approached them.

"Thank you all for joining us tonight. I'm glad you could make it," Otake greeted one of the guests.

"Yes, we're delighted to have you here. It's been too long since we last met," his wife added with a nod.

"Why, of course! Cheers to your 15th Wedding Anniversary! Here's to many more years of happiness," one guest raised his glass.

"Absolutely! May your love continue to flourish, and your wealth grow even more," the other guest chimed in, laughing.

"Thank you both. We're grateful for your well-wishes and the joy you bring to our lives, isn't that right, dear?" Otake smiled and looked back at his wife.

"Indeed," she replied and kissed her husband. "Your friendship means the world to us. Let's enjoy this splendid evening together, shall we?" she suggested.

As the celebration continued, Tamayori greeted Otake, waving hello. "Otake-san!"

"Tamayori-san, I received your message earlier. I didn't expect you to attend my wedding anniversary celebration, but regardless, welcome, and please do enjoy yourself," Otake replied, intending to continue entertaining his guests.

"I have a gift for you and your wife for this momentous occasion," Tamayori said, handing over the envelope to Otake. Curious, Otake and his wife opened the letter and found the check Tamayori had written earlier, along with his heartfelt message. They read the letter intently.

"Wow... Thank you for your generous gift, Tamayori-san. You shouldn't have," Otake said, feeling grateful.

"Don't worry about it, it's nothing. Though... I do have a favor to ask you, if that's alright?" Tamayori said, prompting Otake to inquire further.

"Alright, what is it?" Otake asked. However, Tamayori insisted that they talk in private, so they found a spot away from the crowd to speak confidentially.

"What is this about, Tamayori-san?" Otake asked, a hint of concern in his voice.

"Would you mind if a group of shinobi I hired asked you a couple of questions? This will only take a second," Tamayori requested. Otake was taken aback and questioned the reason for such an inquiry. Tamayori then explained the situation, shocking Otake.

"That's outrageous! Why on earth would I do such a thing?!" Otake said, raising his voice. Tamayori quickly shushed him, and Otake decided to keep his emotions in check to avoid spoiling the celebration.

"I can't believe you, Tamayori-san. You came to my wedding anniversary celebration only to accuse me of trying to have you killed? Unbelievable... Sure, we aren't close to one another, but I would never resort to such tactics. What kind of person do you think I am?" Otake expressed his anger.

"I apologize, but I'm just making sure to cover all the bases. But, be honest—if the shoe was on the other foot, wouldn't you do the same?" Tamayori countered, leaving Otake speechless.

Sighing, Otake relented and agreed to Tamayori's request. Tamayori nodded and told him that he would fetch the group of shinobi he hired. Otake suggested they talk in his office, where it would be more appropriate, and Tamayori agreed, heading back to Team 8 and Iku.

- Inside Otake's Home Office -

As they all entered Otake's sleek and modern office, a clear contrast to Tamayori's rustic one, they took their seats. Otake sat behind his desk, and Tamayori was in front of him, ready to get the interrogation over with.

"Go on, let's just get this over with. But after this, I want all of you out of my manor," Otake stated, and they all agreed. Kurenai gestured to Iku, prompting him to begin his procedure. However, Iku decided to start with traditional questioning before resorting to jutsu-based interrogation.

"I am Yamanaka Iku, a trained interrogator from Konohagakure (Village Hidden in the Leaves). I'll be asking you a couple of questions. Afterward, I'll probe your mind to countercheck your answers. Do you have any questions?" Iku introduced himself.

"Will this probing procedure hurt?" Otake inquired.

"Not at all, you'll barely feel a thing. I'll simply put my hand on your head to establish a link between me and your inner psyche," Iku reassured him.

"I see, go on then," Otake agreed.

Iku proceeded to ask various questions about Otake's whereabouts and dealings, to which Otake answered promptly and truthfully. Once satisfied with the initial questioning, Iku brought out his invention—a set of three scrolls—and performed the "Hijutsu: Saiko Denshin (Hidden Jutsu: Psycho Mind Transmission)" to delve deeper into Otake's mind. The procedure took around ten minutes, after which Iku reported that Otake's answers were all true.

"Yep, Otake-san is clean. All his answers were true," Iku informed the rest of the group.

"Great, now kindly leave the premises," Otake dismissed them. Everyone complied and left the office, and Tamayori, before departing, apologized to Otake for the intrusion. Otake simply nodded without uttering another word. Tamayori, who was hoping for Otake to forgive him, simply left the office and rejoined the others. "That's one down, two more to go", Tamayori thought to himself on the way out of the manor. The mystery behind the attempted assassination would soon unfold as they moved on to their next lead.

(P.S. - According to the Naruto Wiki, 1ryo = 10yen so I search for the largest yen bill there is and it's 10,000yen, so 10,000 divided by 10 is 1000, then I guess that's the largest tip someone could give I'm guessing to I'm not sure what the prices are in the Narutoverse, we only know about the bingo book and the various bounties and the payment for various rank missions and stuff so yeah)

(A/N: Hey there, wasn't able to write a story that well because of the damn splinter in my thumb. I don't know how and when I got the damn thing but it's really annoying, I have to resort to typing with only my index fingers because using my thumb hurts like hell (its also on my dominant hand - left). Anyway, hope y'all liked this chap, I also read that the dialogue of other characters were lacking, and that it seemed like they were all the same person, I apologize for that, I'll try my best to rectify that mistake to the best of my abiliities but at the end of the day, I simply write stories for fun first and foremost but I'll keep note of that comment, much appreciated)