Enjoy the chapter! Brief AN at the bottom!
Weaving their way through the crowd, Ry followed Narisa.
There were various glances directed their way, but most of the students and their families turned back to their own business once they realized Narisa wasn't headed in their direction.
The setup was unexpected. A number of tables had been set up in the courtyard and grassy lawn in front of the Academy. Each table was claimed by a family, or families in several cases. There appeared to be students without family as well, but most of those were departing quickly.
Iroha-sensei looked up from the table where she was seated. "Narisa, Shiranui-san."
"Iroha-sensei, we're here to get the catalogues!" Narisa exclaimed. "You've got ours, right?"
Ours? Wait. Narisa was probably given a customized catalog. I imagine the Hokage was selective about what she might be allowed to take.
"Right here." Iroha-sensei said, pulling out a pair of manila envelopes.
Narisa snatched hers, grinning like a loon.
"Remember to- and she's gone." Iroha said as Narisa darted off to claim a table. "Shiranui-san, here's yours."
Ry took it amiably. "Thank you sensei."
Making his way to the table Narisa had claimed, he found her with her nose buried in the catalog, other papers spread over the table.
Taking inventory of the contents of his own envelope, Ry found them nearly identical. The course catalog he set to the side for the moment, investigating the other papers. One was a course selection sheet, which had slots for him to fill in. Ry cocked his head, looking at it, then glancing over at Narisa's.
Huh. They've already slotted us into specific blocks. This is really only about the electives. There's a lot less focus on the basics here; my bukijutsu, ninjutsu, and taijutsu have been reduced to twice a week, and even academics and genjutsu are only three times a week.
…Huh, guess that means both Tsugumi and Bitai were in remedial tracks for a lot of things. Or had to be forced into a strange schedule, given their failure with taijutsu.
Looking at the rest of his schedule, Ry saw yuwaku only once a week. There was a class called Nin Essentials, meeting twice a week, that looked to be mandatory. Other than that, the rest of the schedule, minus the end of the week school wide sparring session, was open.
"Nii-san, we gotta take structural sabotage together!" Narisa exclaimed, slapping her catalog down. "It'll be awesome."
"You just want to see your prank in a textbook." Ry replied. "But yeah, I'm fine with taking the class. Let me look at the other stuff, though."
Looking through the catalog, Ry eliminated most of the electives quickly. There were a great deal of specializations offered, particularly in taijutsu and bukijutsu. It even included a class on Gentle Fist.
Wonder if they'd let a non Hyuga take the class, just to act as the opponent? That'd be kinda interesting.
Another class was simply called Free Running. There were classes on horticulture, animal studies, and a number of other more mundane subjects that would pair well with the nin profession.
Ry could ignore most of them, since he could cheat.
In the wake of realizing the discrepancy between his own chakra reserves and even those of the Clan nin, he had pushed himself to two daily shadow clones, hanging out at his apartment. He'd started earlier in the morning; one of the clones studied, while the second was practicing chakra molding and manipulation for ninjutsu until it ran low on chakra, then it would begin studying as well. Between the two clones and himself, he was going to get three days worth of work in, everyday. It wasn't the absurd level of abuse of kage bunshin that Narisa had available, but Ry wasn't a chakra monster. Even just two clones everyday was going to make a huge difference in his capacity. He'd noticed that maintaining one shadow clone all day was far more taxing than maintaining a few over short periods of time, which would help his chakra reserves.
The extra time to study and practice chakra control was only added benefits.
Which meant he just needed to get the texts on anything he was particularly interested in studying. It wouldn't give him the practical experience, but even academic understandings would be helpful. Acquiring the texts wouldn't be terribly challenging. What Kazune wouldn't provide, Ry was reasonably certain he and Narisa could heist from the Academy's library. According to Narisa, security on it was surprisingly lax.
Ry's focus was on classes felt would give him the best chance of surviving what he knew was coming down the pipe. The events of the show he remembered were bad enough, but there were others out there, just like himself. Focusing on the show's canon would likely get him blindsided by one of the others trying to influence events in their own way.
And hell, things are already way different.
Structural sabotage was partially to appease Narisa, but Ry was genuinely interested as well. Knowing how to sabotage things also meant knowing what to look for when other saboteurs might be at work.
There was an advanced yuwaku and counter-yuwaku – a phrase Ry was curious about, but simultaneously wary of asking clarification on – class for kunoichi only. The asterisk next to the course indicated that both guardian and instructor permissions would be required to sign up for the class.
Curiosity killed the cat, and I like living. Nor do I think Narisa would make it more than six seconds in that class.
Several fuinjutsu classes leapt out at Ry, but he earmarked those for Narisa. The field was interesting, and Ry wasn't going to give up on it, but it was clear that proper studying would require more time and caution than he had available at the moment. His current plans, vague and still forming, involved getting Narisa to teach him or a clone once they had the resources.
Two electives he immediately put on his 'must take' list were the iryo courses. He was still planning to attend the morning sessions taught by Hirana, but the additional instruction wouldn't hurt. Especially given the practical application component listed in both courses.
Ry knew he probably took a little too much joy in the thought of getting to practice healing on someone other than himself, but he didn't want to think too deeply about that.
Then there were the courses circled in red ink. One was a bukijutsu specialization for kenjutsu. Another was called Applied Exercises in maintaining Homeostasis while under the Influence of Foreign Elements.
Ry would've been confused by the second course, but someone had taken the time to embellish on the red ink circle. The snake, eating its own tail with venom dripping from visible fangs, made things fairly obvious.
With the two iryo courses and the two he'd been heavily recommended to take, Ry had two electives available for personal preferences. He could always turn them into self-study blocks, which only required a guardian's and instructor's permission, but there were a pair of courses he found himself drawn to.
One was Yokai Studies. Yokai, which for the life of him he couldn't remember ever getting mentioned in the show, were a wildcard as far as his ability to use his limited foreknowledge accurately. Learning more about them was high up on his priorities.
The other's description made Ry nearly certain it was a class he should not only take, but pay the utmost attention to.
"You wanna take Knowing the Enemy?" Narisa asked as she saw him filling out his schedule. "Just get a bingo book."
"There's only so much a bingo book can say." Ry shrugged. "Knowing more seems like the smart play."
"Blech." Narisa shook her head. "I'll stick with my choices, thanks."
Looking over at her sheet, Ry read through them. Narisa's basics were less reduced than Ry's own. She was still in academics, bukijutsu, ninjutsu, and taijutsu at least three times a week. There was no yuwaku in her schedule, but she had Nin Essentials. Consequently, she only had four electives, compared to Ry's six.
I both do, and do not, want to know why yuwaku doesn't appear to be mandatory for her.
"Structural Sabotage, Fuinjutsu 101, Fuinjutsu Supply Creation, and…Calligraphy." Ry raised an eyebrow at the last one.
"The better my work is with a brush, the better my fuinjutsu." Narisa shrugged. "And I never put that much effort in before this, so I gotta correct that now. Once I've got pretty calligraphy, my fuinjutsu will take less chakra to activate and be more effective, according to some of the books that Pineapple-chan let me borrow. Gonna be able to make my tags do even more."
Ry had an awful premonition of Narisa as a Seal Master. He wasn't sure who should be the most terrified by that possibility, before quickly settling on the rather obvious answer:
Everyone.
"That makes sense." Ry acknowledged. "Though I've just had the realization that your electives will allow you to study a structure, plan out its destruction to your choosing, create the means to sabotage it all by yourself, and then set it off at your leisure. To say nothing of your army of Henged bunshin doing the setup for you."
"Ayup." Narisa grinned.
"Your genin team is going to need therapy." Ry said with a laugh.
"Mean, nii-san." Narisa's grin hadn't faded. "Yours will too."
Ry tilted his head. "You think so?"
"You're gonna learn how to cut people up and put them back together, specialize with a sword that might serve as a really big scalpel, how to survive poison while others don't and benefit from it, and all about the people you're most likely to use those things on." Narisa tapped his course selection sheet. "And study structural sabotage with me. At least I'm most dangerous to things, not people."
Ry blinked. He hadn't quite thought of it like that.
"Fair." Ry said after a moment.
"Itoko, Shiranui-san, good to see you." Kanami's voice floated through the air.
Ry turned at the same time as his imouto, both of them finding Kanami easily. She walked through the gathering with a short, russet-haired man behind her. Their eyes weren't the only ones tracking the redhead; almost all of the students were watching her, as were their parents.
"Hey, itoko!" Narisa exclaimed, bounding over to Kanami.
Ry couldn't help smiling as the redhead was swept up in a hug. She seemed resigned to it, judging by her face, with an indulgent smile when Narisa put her down.
"Good to see you as well, Uzumaki-san." Ry nodded.
"Feh, you don't gotta be so formal, nii-san. You don't gotta call her cousin or anything like that, but at least use her first name." Narisa said, shaking her head. "Itoko, just call him Ry, or Ry-san if you gotta. It's weird hearing family be all formal with nii-san."
Ry cocked his head, looking at Narisa. "Bit quick for that, isn't it?"
"She's my cousin, and you're my brother." Narisa shot him an unamused look. "You're family."
Ry made eye contact with Kanami. She blinked a few times, then shrugged slightly.
The motion drew Ry's eye to her bared shoulder. Unlike their previous encounters, Kanami wasn't wearing the bulky blue jacket. She'd replaced it with a blue long sleeve shirt. It looked to be made of some sort of exercise material, with noticeable portions of fabric missing over her shoulders, and her stomach below her navel. Combined with her black nin leggings, which clung to her long legs quite closely, her athletic figure was on full display.
Ry couldn't blame the guys, students and parents both, whose gazes indicated that they were firmly riveted on Kanami's rear. He imagined it was one hell of a sight.
As much of a clusterfuck as my encounter with Kina was, and with consequences that are likely going to reverberate in the future, it definitely helped take the edge off. Does give Seong-sensei's words from yuwaku a clarity I couldn't understand until now, too.
Ry grinned. "Well, who am I to refuse my adorable imouto, Kanami-san. As long as it doesn't offend you, of course."
Kanami's lip curled upwards. "Not at all."
"Good." Narisa said, nodding firmly. "And you're itoko's uncle right? Uzumaki Hidashi?"
"Indeed." Hidashi said, nodding sharply. "She's already told me quite a bit about you. It's nice to meet a fellow Uzumaki, Narisa-san."
Narisa cocked her head slowly, looking at the shinobi. "Something about you…seems familiar. Do you know Bowl-Cut-sensei?"
Ry's eyebrows furrowed. He'd lost the track of Narisa's logic. Not unusual, but whatever leap she'd made this time was completely out of the blue. There were no physical similarities between the two. Gaya was taller than Hidashi, and her trademark bowl haircut was about as opposite as it got from the perfectly horizontal buzz of Hidashi's hair, leaving barely an inch sticking up from the scalp. It stood in such a way that Ry was certain that hair products were involved, but that didn't give him insight into Narisa's sudden deduction.
From Kanami's and Hidashi's reactions, he wasn't the only one.
"Bowl-Cut-sensei?" Hidashi asked. "Who?"
"Maito Gaya." Ry interjected. "Narisa has a penchant for nicknames."
"Yeah, you and Bowl-Cut-sensei seem similar somehow, Flat Top." Narisa nodded, putting her chin in her palm. "I dunno why though."
Hidashi nodded. "I'm not sure either, Narisa-chan. You seem like a smart young woman though, and Kanami's words tell me that you carry the flame of youthful vigor."
Ry froze. He made eye contact with Narisa, who nodded at him. A mutual understanding formed in that moment.
"Just give me a heads up." Ry said.
"Hehe, yeah." Narisa nodded, grinning smugly.
The two Uzumaki glanced at them in confusion.
"Heads up about what?" Kanami asked.
"We just wanna introduce you to one of nii-san's sensei, Flat Top." Narisa said. "Do you like taijutsu?"
Kanami stepped over towards Ry a minute later, staying clear of the suddenly animated Hidashi gushing to Narisa about taijutsu.
"Is that going to be my uncle's nickname?" Kanami asked quietly.
"She does change them on occasion, but probably." Ry shrugged. "Glad he's not offended."
"He has other monikers back at home." Kanami replied. "Flat Top is mild in comparison. I'm just surprised that's what she went with."
"Narisa's logic is either profound or absurd. Or both." Ry said. "Attempting to understand it is a good way to get a headache."
Kanami smirked. "I get that. Morinoshin gives me those on occasion, as have my other cousins."
"I don't see him." Ry said.
"He's indisposed for the next few days." Kanami said.
Ry quirked a brow. Then he groaned.
"Wait, he didn't take my advice seriously, did he?" Ry asked.
"Maa, his attempt at spying on some Hyuga kunoichi suggests otherwise." Kazune said from behind where they stood.
Ry didn't jump out of sheer practice and lack of killing intent. He hadn't realized he'd been sensing it, but after the overwhelming exposure to the Inuzuka Clan's unified killing intent, it was impossible not to recognize it. More importantly, recognize the lack of it, for all the moments when Kazune liked to ambush him.
Kanami whirled, kunai drawn from a holster strapped to her bicep. She stopped a moment later, stowing the kunai away.
"Your reaction times aren't bad." Kazune said. "Better than my student's, evidently."
Ry turned around, shaking his head. "No killing intent, sensei. And Narisa didn't react."
The blonde in question had already waved to Kazune and gone back to listening to Hidashi, who still hadn't stopped talking about taijutsu. Ry could tell she was bored, but Narisa was willing to put up with a lot for a good punchline to a prank.
"Mmm. Suppose the needles have already started their work, then." Kazune hummed.
Ry frowned, then craned his neck. Buried in his calf were half a dozen needles.
"Shit." Ry swore.
"Maa, not quite." Kazune shrugged, the damnable eye smile all too apparent. "Wrong hole."
Goddammit. Instant numbing and causes vomiting…I know this one.
Gonna need water.
"Narisa, going to need your scroll full of water bottles." Ry called out.
Narisa pulled the scroll out of her pouch, tossing it to him.
Turning to Kanami, Ry offered a grimace. "If you'll excuse me, I need to go find a quiet place to expel venom and bile."
Kanami blinked a few times, then turned to Kazune. "I thought the Silver Vixen didn't specialize in poisons."
"Specialization is relative with her." Ry grumbled. "And I'd put good money on a bet that the needles aren't from her."
Sure enough, Kazune nodded. "Aoba-kun wanted to remind you not to skip training."
"Of course being knocked unconscious by killing intent doesn't count as a legitimate excuse." Ry groaned. "Again, excuse me."
Kanami watched Shiranui depart, before turning back to his sensei. "You poison him to remind him about skipping training?"
"Maa, no, I beat him up." The Silver Vixen shrugged laconically. "His other taijutsu instructor is the one who likes poisoning him. Though in this case, it's envenoming."
Glancing around, Kanami saw no sign of her aunt. Uncle Hidashi still appeared entirely engrossed in his discussion with Narisa. Kanami knew her uncle had registered the elite jonin's presence, same as she had.
"Sounds like some people I know." Kanami said.
"Mm." Hatake shifted, her visible eye shifting to focus on Kanami. "You've collected your packet?"
"We were already given ours." Kanami said.
Uncle Hidashi had both hers and Morinoshin's completed forms.
"Hmm, don't know about that." Hatake said, tilting her head in the direction of the distribution tables. "I might go check with the sensei before saying that."
At that, Kanami's uncle suddenly disengaged from his conversation with Narisa. Her cousin started in surprise as Uncle Hidashi moved, disappearing from in front of her and reappearing next to Kanami.
"They changed them?" Uncle Hidashi asked.
"More appropriate to say they were expanded." The Silver Vixen said.
Kanami wasn't sure what the elite jonin meant. All she could do was follow her uncle's cues.
"Suppose we should go see these expansions, then." Uncle Hidashi said.
Walking up to the registration table, Kanami assessed the instructor seated there.
Her aunt and uncle had already given her the basics. Umino Iroha was a chunin, having served at the Konoha Academy for four years. The woman taught academics, though the information Kiri possessed on her suggested she'd been quite capable as a kunoichi, with a possible stint in Konoha's ANBU corps.
In person, Kanami saw a woman who was already enjoying the benefits of regular chakra usage. The smile she wore was genuine, at least when Kanami compared it to Umino's chakra.
Feels like a solid, high C rank chunin, and anyone who heads up the Academy has to be talented. I'd wonder about how soon she might promote to jonin, but Konoha in particular is stingy with that rank during peacetime, unless they've got something special. I'd imagine she has at least another decade or two before being considered.
No particular leaning in her chakra, either. If she uses a particular element, I can't sense it.
It wasn't foolproof, but Kanami had long ago discovered the differences in the chakra of nin who specialized in a single elemental affinity, and those who were more diverse.
"You must be Uzumaki Kanami." Umino said, smiling. "And Uzumaki Hidashi, her uncle. We're excited for you and your cousin to attend the Academy, Uzumaki-san."
"Thank you. Umino-sensei." Kanami said, inclining her head. "We were told that you had packets for my cousin and I?"
"Right here." Umino said. "Once you're done filling it out, please bring it back."
"Of course, sensei." Kanami said.
Upon arriving back at the table, Kanami discovered the the Silver Vixen was gone, while Narisa was waiting with an eager look on her face.
"Ne, let's see what you've got, itoko." Narisa was bouncing up and down on the balls of her feet. "Maybe I can help you pick electives."
Pulling her course catalog out, she handed it to Narisa in favor of a sheet that looked partially filled already.
"Mmm, looks a lot like nii-san's." Narisa said, her eyes on the sheet in Kanami's hand rather than the catalog. "Weird that they've got you in yuwaku three times a week."
Looking at the course in question, Kanami switched with her cousin, looking in the catalog.
Counter tactics. Kunoichi are more vulnerable to anyone practicing the correct jutsu, but strange that they don't have a corresponding class for shinobi and their weakness to social and psychological seduction.
Wonder whom they'll be bringing in for shinobi stand ins.
Kanami was rather pleased with the selection. While she had the knowledge, taught to her by Kiri kunoichi who had once been part of the Seduction Corps her brother had helped revitalize, she had little practical experience.
If she wanted to keep multiple men, potentially multiple husbands, content, practical application was a must.
Preferably before she was intimate with the future fathers of her children.
Another glance at the sheet showed Nin Essentials. When Kanami read the description in the course catalog, she frowned.
This is going to be a long year, if they're just now starting on the morality and ethics of missions. Konoha feels soft, compared to Kiri.
Looking at the sheet left behind by Shiranui, Kanami saw she shared taijutsu with he and Narisa. A similar situation was apparent in ninjutsu, though less often than either Kanami or her blonde cousin.
"Huh, guess we'll be in some classes together." Narisa said. "Awesome. Nii-san said you're probably pretty strong, itoko, can't wait to find out."
"He did?" Kanami asked.
"He said I should watch out for anyone with red hair." Narisa grinned. "They're strong, maybe related to me, and could definitely kick my ass if I'm not careful."
There are few nin of prominence with red hair. Unless he's thinking of the Sanbi Jinchuriki. Or other Uzumaki.
Or nii-san.
"Blondie." The Silver Vixen appeared without warning. "Your brother could use some help. And more water bottles."
Narisa winced. "Ah. Crap. That's the stuff that made my stomach grumbly, isn't it Mask-sensei?"
Her cousin turned, shaking her head. "I'll be back in a sec, itoko. This is not gonna be pretty, so you don't have to come with me."
Kanami was in no mood to see Shiranui's self-described process of expelling 'venom and bile.' She waved the jinchuriki along, turning to see that the Silver Vixen had disappeared again.
That's growing really annoying.
While Narisa was gone, Kanami focused on the course catalog rather than jumping back and forth. Few of the courses interested her, and she suspected the option to convert extra time into self-study blocks would create more time for her to train with her aunt and uncle. Those would likely be the most efficient use of her time, with the mandated blocks earmarked for integrating herself with her new peers.
Right until she flipped to the page with the bukijutsu specializations. Her eyes slid over a kenjutsu specialization, speeding by before snapping back. It wasn't the class that caught her eye, but the instructor.
Fujimori Hiro.
Kanami folded the catalog in half, pretending to study the other half. She gave her uncle a moment to notice the change.
Uncle Hidashi's chakra flickered in a specific pattern, then another, more complicated one.
Kanami could live with his advice. She wrote down the class. A minute later, she repeated the process, except with a tracking class being taught by a Mitokado chunin. The older sister of Mitokado Baze.
Narisa returned, shaking her head. To Kanami's surprise, she wasn't alone.
"Nii-san's gonna be a while." Narisa said. "Eight-pack Sensei did a real number on him."
Kanami's eyes flickered to the pair following Narisa.
Her cousin wasn't entirely without social graces, blushing slightly. "Oh, sorry. Itoko, these are Nara Shikahana and Akimichi Chori. They're some of mine and nii-san's friends in our class. Pineapple, Crisps, this is my itoko, Uzumaki Kanami, and her uncle, Uzumaki Hidashi."
It was easy to tell the two apart. The Akimichi, who were always on the corpulent side, gave her a friendly wave while the Nara nodded her head slightly. Kanami saw the way the Nara's eyes took her in. As a Clan, they were famed for their Kage Jutsu and their raw intelligence; according to what Kanami had read in her briefings, it was rare for a Nara not to occupy at least one of the three public commander positions. At the moment, the Nara Clan Head was also Konoha's Jonin Commander.
From the gleam in this Nara's eyes, Kanami was fairly certain she was one of their fabled geniuses.
The Clan Heiress is supposed to be around this age.
"Nice to meet you both." Kanami said, smiling and bowing slightly. "I look forward to being classmates and getting to know the friends of my cousin."
Thought her position in the village was more isolated. Did Shiranui intentionally misinform? Or does he consider only a few 'friends' still potentially isolated? It's possible they've been assigned to keep an eye on their village's jinchuriki. If they know.
The edict from the Hokage really does throw that into question. It's been in existence for far longer than this mission, but it will play havoc with my ability to read those around Narisa.
"Oh, Crisps, we'll have to take her to some of your parents' restaurants." Narisa said, grinning. "Her aunt has her on this diet, we've gotta introduce her to all the good food in Konoha."
Kanami kept the smile on her face. "I wouldn't want to-"
"Ah, that'd be fun." The Akimichi grinned back, nodding. "I can get us a good discount and if you let me know what your diet's restrictions are, I can inform the chefs. They love a challenge."
"A…challenge?" Kanami asked.
"Yeah, making a tasty meal when they can't use their normal ingredients or ratios is a good challenge for them." The Akimichi nodded. "I promise, Uzumaki-san, the chefs at my family's restaurants will make the tastiest dishes for your diet that you've ever had. They even managed to figure out Shika's favorite foods."
"Troublesome." The Nara muttered.
"I'll have to check with my aunt." Kanami temporized.
Are they attempting to get on my good side early? It's nearly impossible that the Jonin Commander and her allies aren't already aware of my presence and purpose, and the Akimichi-Nara-Yamanaka alliance predates the Hidden Villages by several hundred years.
All of the Clan Heads have to be aware, for that matter. These two may have decided to leverage their daughters' 'friendship' with my cousin to gain an early advantage.
"Okay, well the invite is always open." The Akimichi said amicably. "Kaa-san says the best way to make new friends is through a good meal together."
She's enough like my cousin that I can't tell if that's genuinely friendly, a veiled invite, or just good acting.
This is going to be…frustrating.
()()()()()
()()()()()
A knock on the door caused Ry to look up.
Without a word, his clones got up from their seats and walked to his bedroom with their textbooks. They'd dismiss themselves if necessary, but Ry was trying to use his last day of free time before the Academy started up again to push his clones are far as possible.
Not to mention Ry wanted a flood of memories to help drown out the agony of his last few hours of training.
Glancing through the peephole, Ry blinked in surprise a few times.
Oh shit. Whatever this is, it's not going to end well.
Straightening up, he opened the door. "Hello?"
Tsugumi, Bitai, and Zerin stood outside of his door, along with a green haired kunoichi Ry recognized as one of the jonin escorts to retrieve the 'Uzumaki' cousins.
"Hello, Shiranui-san." Bitai said, smiling. "We're here to take you up on that dinner."
Yeah. That's what I thought.
"Huh." Ry said, lacking anything more eloquent. "I…have to admit, I was sort of expecting to be turned down."
Bitai glanced over her shoulder at the jonin. "Hana-sensei says we shouldn't turn down a free meal offered in good faith."
Ry made eye contact with the jonin. She was short, shorter than all of her genin, but there was a presence to her that reminded Ry of his aunt. Her green hair was pulled back in a bun, hitai-ate tied around her neck rather than her forehead. Her brown eyes looked bored, but there was a sharpness to them. She had a single blemish on her otherwise flawless face. The scar was faint and silvery, but it traced its way down from near the left side of her nose back to her left ear.
Welp.
Thank god auntie pays for rent and leaves a food stipend. I think my very meagre paycheck is about to evaporate.
Oh. Idea. Definitely going to send a clone out to do jobs like Narisa, once I get up to three in a day. I'll have to be careful about the jobs, but I can always just ask her how to pick them. Then filter for ones where they can practice chakra molding and manipulation while doing so.
"Let me go grab my wallet." Ry said.
"You're not going to go out dressed like that, are you?" Tsugumi asked.
Ry glanced down. He wore a pair of nin pants, multiple pockets included. A single pouch was strapped to his left hip and he'd elected to change into a tank top after he got done with training.
"Well, I can change, but you caught me about twenty minutes after a brutal training session." Ry said. "So I'll need to shower, since I'd prefer not to make the few nice clothes I have all grimy."
There was a shared, silent conversation amongst the four kunoichi.
"Shower, Shiranui-san." The jonin said after a moment. "My squad and I have the patience to wait for an all-expense paid meal."
Yeah, that sounds about right.
"Man, we're getting milked for a free meal, chief." One of Ry's clones said when he shut the door to his bedroom.
"Yup." Ry agreed, grabbing a towel and a pair of shorts. "It was a mistake on my part, just have to suck it up and bear it."
"Know where you're going to take them?" The second clone asked.
"That's just where I was about to send you." Ry grinned. "Why don't you see if Chori's helping out at one of her family restaurants?"
"Ha, we are smart sometimes." Ry's clone nodded, putting down its book before opening the window. "I'll pop myself in a bit, chief."
"Might as well go too." The first clone got up as well. "Chief, next time, maybe don't ask out an entire genin squad."
"You're me, and you know I didn't mean to do that." Ry flipped off his clone.
It grinned, returning the gesture two-fold, then fell backwards out the window. Ry walked over, shut the window, then made his way down the hallway. A glance told him that the four kunoichi had made themselves comfortable in the living room.
Five minutes later, he stepped out of the shower. He was halfway through drying off when he made the discovery that someone had stolen his shorts. He spiked his chakra, hoping to dispel a genjutsu. No such luck.
God. Dammit.
He had no idea what the jonin was going for – and it had to be her, unless one of Ry's peers had learned to utilize genjutsu through walls that could also resist being dispersed – but he wasn't going to let it bother him. Wrapping the towel around his hips, Ry made his way back to his room. He purposefully didn't look in the direction of the living room. It felt like there were four pairs of female eyes on him, but without looking, he could pretend otherwise.
A rush of memories came back to him right as Ry closed the door. He grunted; having the clone active for eight hours was nothing new, but receiving such a volume of memories still hurt like a son of a bitch. Pausing, Ry went through the hand seals for Mystical Palm. He pushed chakra through his skull, working on reducing the inflammation and irritation. It was one of the original purposes behind teaching him iryo ninjutsu, after all, and Ry couldn't imagine trying to deal with the headaches otherwise.
That, and Ry suspected it gave his instructors more excuses to concuss him. They enjoyed it a little too much.
"Well, that's easy." Ry murmured. "And difficult, at the same time."
Grabbing a pair of boxer shorts, Ry pulled them on while contemplating his closet. The particular restaurant Chori was working at had a minimum level of formal wear. Nodding to himself, Ry grabbed one of the few collared, button-up shirts he had, along with a pair of slacks. Next was the undershirt, then shoes, socks, and belt. Two minutes later, he looked himself over in the mirror. Black shirt with the top button undone, revealing the collar of the dark blue undershirt. Grey slacks, a pair of dress shoes, and a belt he could still hook a nin tool pouch to. It also would've served to attach his geom's sheath, but Ry decided against that.
He proceeded to attach the tool pouch he typically left by his bed. His usual one was with Akena, the tools within destined for a monthly inspection by the smith she used. His wallet went inside it a moment later, then Ry slapped one of Narisa's newest tags on it. It had been intended as a prank, and likely still would be used as one, but Ry was trying to convince his imouto that it had serious applications as a nin.
She just needed to figure out proximity sensing instead of direct touch. Even if it had already been invented – Ry couldn't be sure, as Academy students weren't allowed access to the village's armory until they were genin – there was every chance Narisa could introduce her own spin on things.
Still can't decide how to deal with the fact that if she does figure that out, she's about four functional steps away from creating fuinjutsu proximity mines. I'm not sure if she should know about those.
His second clone's memories came back a minute later. Ry snorted once he was done using Mystical Palm again. His second clone hadn't found Chori, but it had found one of Narisa's bunshin on lookout duty. The hushed conversation between the two bunshin was simultaneously enlightening and hilarious.
"Of course." Ry said, shaking his head. "Dinner and a show, I guess."
"Ready to go." Ry said, stepping out of his bedroom after sending off another pair of kage bunshin.
"I suppose you pass." Tsugumi said as he went to grab his keys.
"Thank you." Ry said. "Now, I've informed my wallet of the heroic sacrifice it's about to make, and it's made peace with its impending demise. Shall we?"
Bitai giggled at that, while Zerin snorted. Tsugumi rolled her eyes and the jonin merely rose to her feet.
"Glad to see you all passed Utatane-sensei's exam." Ry said as he locked his apartment door. "Can I ask what it was and how it went, or should I mind my own business?"
The three genin glanced at their jonin.
The jonin made a dismissive flicking gesture with her hand. "Tell him what the objective was."
"We had to retrieve a hidden item." Bitai said after a moment. "While Utatane-sensei was hunting us."
Ry took note of the way all three of the genin shivered at that. The slight smirk on the jonin's face told Ry she had enjoyed hunting them.
Yeah, beginning to think most jonin sensei are more than a little sadistic. Or at least like to haze people. Gaya may just be the exception.
Which, given what they take their pupils out to do, isn't terribly surprising. Wonder if that's part of the point, to instill further paranoia.
"Nicely done." Ry smiled. "Getting hunted by jonin is no fun."
As if to prove a point, the green haired jonin suddenly appeared in front and to the left of Ry. She held a trio of senbon in her hands. In the evening sunlight, it was easy to see the discoloration of the tips.
Of course.
"Sensei?" Bitai asked as they came to a halt.
"I think that I may have to ask you to get my meal as takeout." Utatane said, the senbon in her hand disappearing with a flick of her wrist. "Otherwise my genin team may lose its generous wallet to a mischievous snake."
She was gone with a flicker.
"What?" Tsugumi said, her face screwed up.
"Aoba-sensei likes poisoning or envenoming me at random times." Ry sighed, shaking his head as he started walking again. "He probably wanted to get me with something that would cause problems during our meal."
"Seriously?" Tsugumi asked.
"He and Uzumaki-chan talked about it the other day, when I brought Wako up for introductions." Bitai said. "Though I didn't realize he did it so frequently."
"Normally it's substances that are mild." Ry said, then reconsidered. "Mild by his perspective. Or I've already used iryo to remove them. He calls it cross-training."
"Ah." Zerin said.
Ry glanced her way, seeing her nod. "Ah, what?"
"That explains why you always had such an easy time with the separation portions in Hirana-sensei's class." Zerin said, her eyes narrowing.
"Well, yeah, when your only choices to deal with a toxin are waiting on a possible antidote from a markedly sadistic instructor, or learning to remove them yourself, you learn quick." Ry replied.
The girl frowned as she tucked a strand of seafoam colored hair behind her ear. "I'll have to ask Utatane-sensei to begin similar training. Without the random nature."
"Be on the lookout for the venoms that mess with your chakra control, those are nasty." Ry said. "But other than that, yeah, it's not a bad idea. Also, how long before your team starts leaving on missions outside the village?"
"Two months, at least." Tsugumi cut in, her disdain evident. "My Clan is insistent that Tai and I take part in one of the courses at the Academy."
"Why?" Bitai asked.
"Because I could use some help." Ry said. "From all three of you if I can get it, but mostly from Matada-san."
"What kind of help?" Tsugumi stopped again, crossing her arms over her chest.
Ry blinked at the hostility in her tone. He still wasn't quite sure what he'd done to piss her off, or if he was just an incidental casualty of her dislike of Seong-sensei.
Fortunately, he'd grown used to it. "I know my track isn't the most normal. I joined halfway through the third year, so I don't know how things work. But, as I've come to find out, iryo ninjutsu is an incredibly useful tool to have. And working on iryo means improving chakra control, which means better control of other jutsu. So, at least for a start, I'm trying to figure out why more nin aren't working iryo from the very start of their time at the Academy."
Tsugumi snorted. "Because they can't."
Ry chose to ignore that answer, looking at Zerin instead.
The genin shrugged, nodding at her teammate. "Yamanaka-san isn't wrong. You remember our class, in the mornings? Remember how much trouble Hadashi-san had with the exercises?"
Ry nodded. "Yeah, but he struggles with chakra control a lot."
"No he doesn't." Zerin shook her head. "Other than me, he's got the best control out of all the non-Clan nin in my year."
Ry cocked his head. "But those other students…"
His words trailed off as he thought about it. It hadn't really hit him, but of the students in the class, there were only four that hadn't been from Clans. Himself, Zerin, Hadashi Tensei, and Hokori Eiko.
The chunin was a Nara, I'm almost positive. And the genin were either Aburame or Yamanaka. While the students were a couple of Inuzuka, another Aburame, and a Hyuga.
Huh.
"So…most non-Clan nin lack the chakra control?" Ry frowned. "Can they not develop it?"
"They could, I guess." Bitai said. "I mean, I had to work on my control a bunch throughout my fourth and fifth year to figure out my genjutsu. But it's hard, and I had Tsu's help and I get lessons as a retainer of the Yamanaka Clan."
"And Tai's at least as good as Zerin." Tsugumi said. "If not better. Which is the thing you're missing, Shiranui. If a kunoichi has great chakra control, she can be far more effective utilizing genjutsu and ninjutsu. Iryo only helps after a fight. Better to have the tools to take out enemy nin first, instead of hoping to take them out and rely on healing afterwards."
"So…what, everyone who could be effective with iryo chooses to utilize genjutsu or ninjutsu instead?" Ry frowned. "Why not learn even the basics of Mystical Palm? I know I've good control, but surely the Academy could dedicate an hour a week to it."
"I think you underestimate how much talent you have for iryo, Shiranui-san." Zerin said quietly. "It took you less than four months to catch up to my abilities in it, and my nin specialty is iryo ninjutsu. I've been practicing it for years."
Shit. Did I…I think I came off as arrogant.
"And all of the studying involved." Tsugumi said. "Don't forget that. The two of you might be brainiacs, but even smart people like Tai and I would take a long time to grind through all of those textbooks you have to read. Unless you'd like me to know just enough to accidentally mis-wire the nerves in your arm next time you get a serious injury, huh?"
Right. Shadow Clone studying. And practice. Both the result of a jutsu that Ginna said were the 'you have it, or you don't have it' kind, not the 'you can work your way into proficiency' kind.
"Alright." Ry said, holding up his hands. "This is why I ask questions. If I came off as arrogant, I apologize. The only other nin I've really seen using jutsu on a regular basis were either instructors, or my imouto. Narisa's chakra control needs no explanation, and the instructors are either lecturing, or kicking my ass. I acknowledge that there's more to being a medic nin than I thought."
"There's a reason we haven't had that many since Lord Tsunenobu became the Last Senju." Tsugumi huffed. "If it wasn't for the necessity of Clan embryonic transfers and implantations, we wouldn't even have the residency program offered to genin in the Genin Corps, to assist the surgical nin."
The Yamanaka's words generated a vast number of questions in Ry's mind. First and foremost amongst them, what the hell she meant about embryonic transfers and implantations.
He chose not to ask about it at the moment. For all his curiosity, he also wanted to honor his commitment to buying them dinner. Asking any of his questions seemed like a sure way to lead into the snarled mess that was Clan marriage politics, which Ry still wanted no part of.
And momma didn't raise no fool. Don't bring up politics or religion unless you're prepared for the conversation to turn south, real quick. Which seems like a bad idea on what's supposed to be me buying them a celebratory dinner. Even if they're clearly leveraging the circumstances.
"I have so many questions." Ry said, shaking his head. "But, we should probably get to the restaurant, and I don't think my questions are the best for a celebratory dinner. So maybe I can ask them later. For now, can we agree to put the topic aside and get on with making my wallet cry?"
Tsugumi huffed at that, but nodded. Ry saw Zerin shrug, while Bitai had a frown on her face. Ry couldn't help noting that it was directed at her friend and teammate, rather than him.
Five minutes later, Ry found himself receiving three unamused looks from the genin accompanying him.
"Shiranui, why are we here?" Bitai asked, hands on her hips.
"You three wanted a celebratory dinner." Ry said, gesturing at the restaurant. "And I thought you'd be rather upset with me if I tried to go somewhere cheap. Do you not like the food here?"
The three genin looked at the restaurant.
The Red Koi wasn't the fanciest restaurant in Konoha. That honor belonged to a pair of competing restaurants in the mercantile district of Outer Konoha, who frequently one upped the other attempting to secure continual patronage from the merchants traveling to and from the city. Ry knew this because Narisa had clones working at both restaurants.
She also had a side business with both of them, where she utilized minor pranks to tarnish the image of their competitor. Given the restaurant was run by civilians, and most nin looking for fine dining went to Akimichi restaurants in Inner Konoha, she wasn't in any danger of being sniffed out soon.
The Red Koi did have a reputation for being a very good restaurant for formal dates. The kind that kunoichi and shinobi alike could splurge on, dress up in their best civilian clothes, and generally have a good time without worrying about being observed. Instead of a traditional restaurant setting, there were thirty private dining areas, separated by hallways and only giving employees access throughout the building. Each dining area was very nice, very private, and very expensive. According to Narisa and Chori both, there was a tradition of kunoichi and shinobi from the Clans using their Red Koi Room, a central pavilion with a koi pond and a singular table, to discuss marriage proposals and contracts.
Ry smirked. If they wanted to make him feel uncomfortable, like he'd overstepped by accepting his offer of paying for the entire team's dinner, that was fine. He had offered, even if he hadn't really expected to have his offer accepted.
Bringing the three genin to a restaurant known for both romantic dates in serious relationships and as a place of negotiation for marital contracts was just evening the discomfort scales.
And, as much as I think they're all pretty hot wearing their training gear, I know they're all acutely aware of the attire normally worn here. Which I qualify for – barely – thanks to their insistence on showering, while they don't.
"Ah, Shiranui-san, we didn't plan to make you spend this much." Zerin said, her cheeks slightly red as she glanced at him for a moment.
Ry raised an eyebrow. "Well, it's my choice, isn't it? Come on, we should have a room reserved."
"How do you have that?" Tsugumi asked, frowning, one of her hands combing through her ponytail.
"I sent a bunshin while I was showering." Ry said, walking to the door and opening it. "After you, ladies."
The three genin glanced at each other. Then at Ry, then back at each other. He saw the moment they came to a consensus.
Yowch, they're definitely going to make me pay for this, somehow.
Good thing I ran into Narisa, and we could improvise. She is a scary good burglar. And seamstress.
"Ah, Shiranui-san." The Akimichi shinobi standing at the greeter's podium bowed as Ry let the door shut behind him. "So good to see you again."
"You as well, Akimichi Daichi-san." Ry bowed back. "I look forward to our lesson this week."
The Akimichi grinned. "So do my nephews and nieces. They like a good challenge. If you all would follow me, we are headed to Room Twelve."
"Lessons?" Bitai asked quietly as they walked along.
"Chori is teaching me how to cook Akimichi style, and every time I end up competing with some of the Akimichi genin." Ry said with a shrug. "Narisa and Shikahana are our taste testers. I've never won yet, but it's fun to do once a week."
"The Akimichi don't teach outsiders how to cook." Tsugumi said, brows furrowed.
"Correction, Yamanaka-san." Akimichi Daichi said from where he was walking. "We do not teach outsiders our Clan recipes. Shiranui-san is merely learning how to cook common dishes in the Akimichi way. Though he has interesting ideas at times."
"Everything is better fried." Ry chuckled.
Tsugumi looked like she'd bitten a lemon.
"Here we are." Their guide opened a door. "Your server will be along shortly. Please, do enjoy, and thank you for dining with the Akimichi at the Red Koi."
The table set for five was in the center of a well lit room. It was circular, and low to the ground, with a small blaze burning in the hearth set in the center of the table. Cushions were positioned around it, all equidistant from one another.
The room itself had several murals painted on the walls. There was one wall for each season, the murals progressing in a cycle that flowed seamlessly into one another. The art was stylistic, the few humans portrayed as stick figures, while the animals and trees represented were easy to pick out based on key features.
"I cannot believe you brought us to the Red Koi." Tsugumi said as turned to examine the room.
"Why not?" Ry asked. "Feel free to pick the seating arrangements, by the way. I just asked for a room for five. Four, now that your sensei is occupied."
The three kunoichi shared another series of glances. Without words, they scooted three of the cushions together, occupying about a third of the table's space. The fourth cushion was set off to the side. Ry was left with a solitary cushion on the opposite side of the table as the three knelt down.
Eh, fair enough. I don't – oh. Shadow Clone got done. Good job Narisa.
Without complaint, he knelt on it. "Why is the Red Koi such a strange pick?"
"If you cook with Akimichi-san, then you know that this is the restaurant that nin go to for romantic dates." Tsugumi snapped, icy blue eyes glaring at him. "And you just brought three kunoichi here, in their training gear no less."
Ry couldn't help grinning. "Is your gear a problem? I thought it'd be alright to come here, given our clear mismatch in clothing. It definitely doesn't look like a date."
"True." Bitai said, biting her lip for a moment, then gesturing to the room. "But…you're clearly spending a lot more money than we thought you were going to, and it doesn't reflect well on three fresh genin kunoichi, that we're here as if we don't think we should put in an effort for our appearances to match our location."
Ry cocked his head. "I'm confused."
"You're always confused." Tsugumi muttered.
"Shiranui, even if this is us taking advantage of you, it's disrespectful to the Akimichi Clan for us, especially Tsu, to be here without at least a minimum level of formal attire." Bitai said. "You dressed up, are spending a lot of money, and presumably used the connection you have with Akimichi Chori-san to get us a room on such short notice. And we're here, still sweaty and dusty, bloody in Tsu's case, like we're disdaining your effort and the very carefully cultivated image the Akimichi Clan wants the Red Koi to have."
"I mean, you are twisting my arm, but I did ask for it." Ry shrugged. "Didn't really think about the Akimichi angle though. Is it that bad for you, Yamanaka-san?"
Tsugumi rolled her eyes. "No. But only because our Clans are so closely aligned. I may not be the Clan Heiress any more, but even with the excuse that you sprang this on us without warning, looking like I'm disregarding the Akimichi Clan's wishes here isn't a good thing. I don't want to step on their good will."
"Ah." Ry said.
Part of him wanted to say that it was a bit of comeuppance for twisting something he'd offered in good faith. It only took a mild effort to restructure that impulse.
"I might have something that can help with that." Ry said. "Though it feels a bit late, given you've already walked in the door like this."
The three kunoichi frowned in perfect sync.
"What do you mean?" Zerin asked.
"I feel like apologizing gets me nowhere, so I'll just say that when you sprang this on me, I sent a bunshin to arrange something with my sister." Ry said. "A bit petty, and I genuinely didn't think about it from the Clan relations angle, but yeah, I kinda knew this place was fancier than you were attired for."
"You…knew." Tsugumi said, then her eyes narrowed further. "And you did this because we sprang it on you."
"I knew coming here dressed in training gear doesn't happen." Ry said, nodding. "But your comment about dressing up clearly told me you wanted me to take you somewhere expensive, so I thought I'd have a little fun at your expense, since you four were going to have fun at mine. I would've gone somewhere else, maybe the Dozing Dragon, if I'd known about the Clans angle though."
"Asshole." Tsugumi said, crossing her arms.
"Sure." Ry agreed. "But showing up out of the blue, timed almost too well to not know I'd just gotten done with training of my own? Commenting that I should be dressed up but putting in no effort yourselves? Doing all of this on a day where I'm sure your jonin sensei knows I spent most of my time getting my bones splintered, fractured, and snapped repeatedly, so I could watch the procedure on how to heal them without risking giving myself cancer, deformed cells, or iron deficiencies? Doing all of this for an offer I made in a genuine effort to cheer Tebori up and show her that I believed in all of you passing your jonin sensei's test?"
Zerin's eyes went wide, and her right arm grabbed at her left.
Evidently someone's had a taste of iryo fracture training before.
Tsugumi was still glaring at him, though he thought he detected a hint of surprise in her ice blue eyes.
"But yes, please, call me an asshole for wanting to have just a bit of fun back with you, while still going along with the spirit of the request." Ry said. "I know it was petty. That's why I'm admitting to it, because I thought it was only a bit of squirming in return for the squirming you were putting me through, not that it might actually have implications between two of Konoha's nin Clans. I won't apologize for being a bit irritated, even a bit of an asshole, but I could have responded better."
"You're doing fracture training?" Bitai asked, her lips pursed.
Ry glanced at her in surprise. "Yeah. I'm surprised you know that, but then I realize you have Matada-san as a teammate."
"Zerin is starting on it." Bitai said, glancing at her teammate.
"Yeah, then she can tell you how much it sucks." Ry groused. "Look, I get how I sound. I don't want to make excuses, either for my behavior now, or the way I was too thickheaded to realize how my offer sounded back at the graduation ceremony. I get that I messed up. That's why we're even here, rather than me sulking or pouting and turning you away at my apartment door. I was just trying to have a bit of fun while owning up to my mistake. Can we get on to me trying to make a bit of amends?"
"How so?" Tsugumi asked in a sharp tone.
"Well, we have several options." Ry said, smiling. "All which include a venue for changing clothes and cleaning up, if you'd like."
"Changing?" Zerin asked.
"Uzumaki-chan." Bitai said, an eyebrow raised. "You sent a bunshin to her as well."
"Uzumaki…ah." Tsugumi nodded.
Zerin looked between her teammates. "I don't follow."
"My sister could be a very effective burglar, if she wanted to." Ry said. "She said she'd get clothes for all of you. I have no idea if she's lifting them from a merchant or stealing them from your bedrooms. She should be waiting in one of the employee changing rooms, I can ask our waitress when she gets here."
"She broke into my house?" Zerin asked, frowning.
Ry was pretty sure she'd Henged into the three women and used their bodies to judge which clothes to steal off the rack from store owners that had discriminated against her before, but he could only shrug. It was Narisa. There was no guarantee of predicting how her mind worked when it came to pranks.
"It should be more concerning that she may have broken into my house, in the interior of the Yamanaka Clan Compound." Tsugumi said, eyeing Ry. "Successfully or not, that would cause problems."
Ry shrugged again. "We didn't have that much time to plan."
A soft knock drew their attention to the door. A moment later, Chori stepped in, smiling.
"Ah, honored customers, there is a changing room available for you, if you wish to use it." Chori said.
Bitai turned to Ry. "And the rest of your options for making up for your actions?"
Ry smiled. "After you change, if you'd like."
The three kunoichi followed Chori out, who gave him a grin as she disappeared. Another Akimichi walked in the door, shutting it behind her.
Then a small puff of smoke appeared, revealing Narisa wearing a mix of grey and black clothing.
Ry's eyebrows rose. "Interesting attire?"
"Had to blend in with some walls." Narisa shrugged. "Red and blue are the best colors, but they stand out sometimes. The boss got clothes for this stupid date of yours, nii-san."
Ry rolled his eyes at the clone's words. "We both know I didn't mean for things to go like this. Everything in place?"
The clone grinned. "Yup. Both sets of idiots are right where we want them. Ya know, the boss really likes this idea of getting others to take the fall for pranks. Has real merit, and it'll probably make Pineapple-chan happier too."
"Fortunate timing." Ry said. "Wouldn't have happened at all if you weren't already trying to mess with them already."
"Mmm." The clone nodded. "Alright, the boss was in the changing room, so she probably made a bunch of bunshin to help. I'm gonna hide in the corner. I'll disperse myself if you give a signal."
A moment later, there was an extra, empty bottle on the unobtrusive table sitting in the corner.
Ry still ended up cooling his heels for nearly twenty minutes.
When the three kunoichi walked back in, Ry found himself distracted, and then immediately annoyed that they'd caught him right after a rather chakra intensive training day.
Zerin, the first in, had on a white dress with a green ribbon around the waist. Her hair had been pulled down into a braid, draped over a bare, pale shoulder. Her eyes, partially hidden by the light reflecting off her glasses, went to him immediately. Ry wasn't sure why, because he knew Zerin wasn't interested in him like that given their interactions in morning iryo classes, but there was a pleasantly surprised smile on her face as she cleared the doorway.
Dunno. Might be as simple as getting a reaction out of me. She's a kunoichi, it's rare to meet one that isn't good looking. Not on the level of our new 'Uzumaki' or Kina as a hound waifu, but she'd command attention amongst the civilians.
Maybe because so many of the shinobi in training are obsessed with Saneko? No idea, spitballing won't help either.
Bitai was next, wearing a dark blue dress that clung to her curves. It was close to what Ry was fairly certain was called a contour dress, or maybe something close to that, back on Earth. This one was fairly conservative in only showing a small portion of what could've been extremely generous cleavage, and the dress went to her mid-thigh, but while it covered all her curves, it didn't hide their generous proportions at all. Ry's eyes slid up and down her form, locking up on her legs as she strode in on a pair of heels.
The kunoichi's smile was wide as she ran a hand through her waves of dark brown hair, pushing part of it back over her ear as she strutted closer.
Tsugumi wore a similar dress in purple, and brought an immediate descriptor to mind: ice queen. She was beautiful, knew it, and walked like she owned the room. Ry couldn't really help the involuntary up and down his eyes did of her svelte figure, ending on her ice blue eyes. He didn't miss the small upturn of her lips. It was less the pleased surprise of Zerin and more smugness.
It fit, and the arrogance in it didn't detract from the look.
She'd have civilian guys eating out of her hand. Most shinobi too, I imagine, if it weren't for Saneko.
I should probably stand up.
Ry got to his feet. "Wow. You three clean up even better than I thought possible."
"Been daydreaming about the three of us dressed like this?" Tsugumi smirked.
Ry grinned. "All three of you? No. But seriously, you three look amazing. My sister apparently selected to your tastes?"
Bitai snickered. "You have no idea where these clothes are from, do you Shiranui?"
"I don't, but it's either an expensive store, or she really did manage to break into your houses." Ry said. "At least judging by that question."
"Given her normal attire, she has better tastes than I thought." Tsugumi said.
"And we can keep them." Zerin said, sounding surprised.
Well, that confirms the clothes aren't from their closets.
"I imagine she left money in the stores themselves." Ry lied with a shrug. "Would you ladies like to take a seat?"
Once they were seated around the table again, Chori stepped back through the sliding door. "Please fill these out, and we will have your meals to you as soon as possible."
The items in question were questionnaires, each on a small clipboard with a red koi engraved on the back of it.
Tsugumi and Bitai started filling out their questionnaires immediately.
Ry read his over with an eyebrow arched. He'd known how the Red Koi operated, but seeing their questionnaire put things in perspective.
Turning, Ry saw Zerin staring at her own questionnaire with trepidation.
"Just fill in your preferences." Ry said. "They do a seven course meal, with each course being customized according to the preferences you filled in for it. If there's anything you won't eat, no matter what, put that in the little extras box."
"Here, I'll go through it with you." Bitai said, gesturing for her fellow genin to put her questionnaire down on the table. "Tsu's taken me here before, it's amazing, trust me."
Ry filled in his own quickly enough, and found Tsugumi staring at him. He tilted his head questioningly.
Tsugumi raised an eyebrow in return. Ry matched that with a shrug of his shoulders, smiling blankly.
Tsugumi sighed, rubbing her forehead. "The other options to make up for putting us, myself in particular, in a tight spot?"
"Ah." Ry nodded. "Well, you have several options. Option one involves messing with your brother. Option two involves joining Narisa in practicing deceiving nobility. Option three involves both."
"Deceiving nobility?" Bitai looked up from Zerin's questionnaire.
"Narisa's been using her prodigious chakra reserves and her bunshin to multi-task." Ry said. "Part of that includes her penchant for pranks. She's got something cooking, a long term prank, that I think is aimed at the merchants who are supported or owned by some of the local nobility. I'm not entirely sure what she's up to. I find it's better if I don't ask, and don't know. Plausible deniability."
"She's pranking nobility?" Tsugumi sounded torn between appalled and appreciative.
"I'm not sure if there's anyone that Narisa considers above her pranks." Ry said, then paused. "Well, with one exception. And that's not me, to be clear. I just made sure she wasn't planning to do any long term damage to them or their finances. She said something about an embarrassing scene, though I'm pretty sure that's for the merchants and store owners, not the nobility. I'm not sure how the nobles themselves factor into things."
"Let's avoid nobility for the moment." Tsugumi said.
Ry heard a hint of regret in her voice. He was curious, but not curious enough to pry.
"Then, if you're wanting to mess with your brother, he and a few other shinobi in training are planning a last night of fun at one of the civilian clubs." Ry shrugged.
"And how is Uzumaki-chan pranking them?" Bitai asked.
"By using her Bunshin to Henge into a series of pretty women that shoot them down repeatedly." Ry replied.
Bitai's eyebrows rose. "That's harsh."
"Narisa doesn't care for anyone who might smear Haruno-san. Yamanaka-san is among his worst detractors, to his detriment in this case." Ry said, leaning forward to collect the four questionnaires. "If you're interested, she'd be happy to have help once we're done eating. Or you can just go in under Henge and watch."
Tsugumi glanced at her teammates. "I definitely want to watch. Ikuhito's been a dick since he took over as Clan Heir."
Zerin looked less enthused. "I've never been to one of those clubs."
"They're not so bad." Bitai said, grinning. "I don't know if I want to help, or just watch with Tsu, but we should at least go. You'll be under Henge anyways, Zerin. It won't be like you have to worry about anyone recognizing you."
Zerin adjusted her glasses. "Fine. But I'm not drinking."
Bitai turned her gaze to Ry. "I might drink enough for the both of us, don't worry."
Ry arched an eyebrow. "If you say so. You'll certainly have enough food to absorb the alcohol."
Alright, we're back. Apologies for the dropped months. It wasn't intentional, but sometimes life takes you out back and introduces you to a two by four, the hard way.
Regular posting schedule will be resuming, possibly speeding up as well. It will depend on if I decide to cut the average chapter length in half.
Also, finally, finally managed to get that P-word going. AnagrammedPseudonym Writes at the P-place.
For the link, just remove the underscore: P_ /AnagrammedPseudonymWrites