Kyra couldn't contain her curiosity and excitement as she traveled with Jiraiya. They walked through vast forests, climbed tall mountains, and traversed picturesque villages.
The contrast between her, a regular village girl, and Jiraiya, an experienced shinobi, became increasingly apparent. He was in top condition, moving gracefully and always alert, while Kyra sometimes struggled to keep up with his pace. He skillfully caught wild animals for food using his Shuriken or Kunai, leaving her in awe. She couldn't help but feel somewhat less capable, especially when he could create fire much faster than her. (Darn it.)
After a few days of traveling, Kyra finally gathered the courage to ask the question that had been on her mind for a while. During a meal at an inn, paid for by Jiraiya (whom he naturally complained about), she stammered hesitantly, "So... Jiraiya-san, where are we actually heading? It seems like you have something specific in mind."
Jiraiya's eyes glimmered with emotion. He struck a dramatic pose and began to explain, "But don't you know yet, Ky-chan? We're on a journey to explore inspiration, love, and romance between men and women, and to capture it all on paper."
Kyra felt her cheeks burn with embarrassment as Jiraiya loudly and elaborately delved into the complexity of relationships between men and women. People in the inn burst into laughter due to his theatrical explanation.
"Okay, okay, forget it," Kyra said shyly and ashamed, knowing she would never ask him that question again.
Despite this awkward situation, Kyra began to trust Jiraiya more during their journey. They shared stories and laughed a lot, and she slowly discovered that Jiraiya, despite his flirtatious personality, had a deep insight into the human heart.
During their adventurous travels, they encountered various people. With a nudge from Jiraiya, Kyra realized that her voice could have a positive impact on others' lives. She encouraged a shy boy to be brave and confess his love for a girl. She comforted a grieving woman, assuring her that her deceased child had found peace and that it was okay to become a mother again. These moments deeply touched Kyra and showed her the true impact of her powers.
Moreover, Kyra sometimes helped Jiraiya behave like a "gentleman," just like during their first encounter. After fulfilling this request, she saw him enter the nightlife with a big smile. She absolutely did not want to know what he was up to then.
Kyra was a fascinating companion on this journey. Her curiosity and enthusiasm were infectious, and her voice had a strange effect on people. I noticed it quickly when she encouraged that young boy to express his feelings for the girl. She had a way of influencing others, something I don't often see as an experienced shinobi.
But it was precisely that ability that also worried me. I'm not naive; I know that in our world, powers like Kyra's can become coveted targets. Shinobi villages or even misguided individuals may want to capture her to use as a weapon against Konoha. And that would be an outright disaster.
I couldn't help but remain vigilant. It's my duty to protect Konoha and its inhabitants, and the idea that Kyra could become a threat to the village concerned me. However, I also saw that Kyra wasn't just a helpless girl. She had her own powers and used them in a noble way.
As we continued our journey, I became more and more impressed by Kyra. She was not only attractive but also possessed a courage and determination that I admired. Despite her difficult past and having witnessed the dark side of people, she still wanted to help others.
I realized that Kyra had a good heart, and leaving her alone would have a negative effect on the whole situation. But I didn't know what to do with her yet. Simply letting her go and risking her becoming a pawn for dark forces was not an option...
So, I decided to wait and decide later. In the meantime, I remained friendly, occasionally flirted to put her at ease, but inside, I struggled with this difficult matter.
And as if investigating the Akatsuki wasn't difficult enough, adding the responsibility of Kyra certainly brought an extra challenge. Ai ai, the life of a shinobi is never dull, I can tell you that. But the interesting part is, while I grapple with this inner struggle, Kyra is becoming an inspiration for my new Icha Icha book. A woman who controls men with her voice, now that's a new element I can't ignore. Haha, this could be a bestseller!