Shinobi Henshin
Kanshoku POV
I woke up in bed the next morning, every muscle screaming in protest from yesterday's "training." The soreness had set in deep like I'd been hit by a truck. I groaned, stretching out under the blankets, feeling the stiffness in my body. My hand, at least, had healed up after last night's misadventure with the wall.Note to self: test new treats in a safe environment next time,I mumbled groggily, my brain still half-asleep.
Sighing, I rolled out of bed, feeling my joints pop as I stretched out my arms and legs. Each crack was like a tiny release of pressure, though it did little to chase away the fatigue clinging to me. I wasn't even out the door yet, and I already knew today would be rough.Another day of hell,I thought, grimacing at the thought of training, classes, and whatever madness awaited me at school.
I made my way to the bathroom, dragging my feet a little. Once inside, I turned the shower on, letting the hot water steam up the room. As the spray hit my skin, it was like the soreness washed away with the sweat, the hot water soothing the knots in my muscles. I let out a long sigh of relief. Showers after a brutal day were always the best. It was one of the few quiet moments in the day where I could let my mind wander without any expectations—just me, the water, and my thoughts.
After a few minutes, I reluctantly stepped out, dried off, and got dressed in my school uniform. Brushing my teeth, I made sure to be extra thorough.Don't want another cavity,I reminded myself, wincing at the memory of my last trip to the dentist. I had enough problems; adding a dental visit to the list was not something I wanted to deal with.
As I trudged downstairs, the smell of food hit me, instantly pulling me out of my sleepy haze. Dad was in the kitchen, flipping pancakes and humming softly to himself. His cooking always made mornings a little easier.
"Yawn, morning Dad," I greeted him, still rubbing the last remnants of sleep from my eyes. My voice was thick with exhaustion, and it came out more like a croak than an actual greeting.
"Morning, kiddo. You look rough. Another late-night project?" he asked, giving me a knowing glance while expertly flipping another pancake onto the growing stack.
"Something like that," I muttered, trying not to give away too much. If my dad ever found out that I was using the family kitchen to create weird, magical snacks with potentially dangerous side effects, he'd probably lose his mind.
My mom came down the stairs next, her hair still a bit of a mess from sleep. She gave me a sleepy wave as she shuffled over to grab her morning coffee. "Good morning, sweetie. How was your night? You didn't stay up too late, did you?" she asked, stifling a yawn.
"Nah, just, uh, homework," I lied, putting on my best innocent smile.
She raised an eyebrow, but before she could pry any further, Dad placed a plate of pancakes in front of me, the sweet smell of maple syrup already making my mouth water. "Eat up before you head out," he said, grinning. "You're gonna need the energy."
He wasn't wrong. Between school and the chaos that was my training with the others, I'd need every last calorie I could get. Plus, I had some extra snacks to finish.
As I dug into my breakfast, my thoughts drifted back to yesterday's training and my latest experiment.Maybe next time, I'll make something less… explosive,I mused, though a part of me was already itching to create something new. There was so much potential in these magical snacks—so many flavors, effects, and possibilities waiting to be unlocked.
But first, I had to survive another day at school.
"Hey, Dad, do you think we could order more ingredients soon? I've got a few ideas I want to try," I asked between bites of pancake, keeping my tone as casual as possible.
"More ingredients? What are you up to now?" he asked, raising an eyebrow but smiling all the same.
"Uh, you know, just working on some new recipes for the shop," I quickly added, hoping to avoid any suspicion.
Dad chuckled. "You've always been creative with your snacks. Just don't blow up the kitchen, okay?"
"Right… no explosions," I agreed, laughing nervously as I finished off my breakfast.If only he knew.
As I grabbed my bag and headed for the door, I mentally prepared myself for whatever craziness awaited me. Between the ever-increasing demands of school and my secret experiments, life was getting more chaotic by the day. But there was no turning back now.
With a deep breath, I stepped outside, ready to face the day—come hell, high water, or Flaming Fire Flakes.
As I trudged down the sidewalk on my way to school, the morning air felt crisp, but it did little to shake off the lingering soreness from yesterday. Up ahead, I spotted the familiar figures of my new teammates—my so-called comrades in arms, though it felt more like they were my personal executioners given how thoroughly they kicked my ass during training. Still, I forced a smile onto my face, trying to appear cheery despite the circumstances.
"Morning, guys," I called out, a little too enthusiastically.
Hibari and Asuka greeted me warmly, their smiles as genuine as ever. Ikaruga, ever the professional, gave me a respectful nod, while Katsuragi smirked mischievously, no doubt already thinking of some way to mess with me. Yagyu, on the other hand, said nothing, her gaze cool and unreadable as always. Her silence spoke volumes. Together, we all headed towards the old school building, the tension of another brutal day of training hanging in the air.
When we finally arrived at the hideout, a cozy little spot tucked away in the forgotten recesses of the school, we sat down for what I thought would be a moment of peace. I was wrong. Smoke filled the room, curling and twisting like a living thing, as Kiriya-sensei made his dramatic entrance. His voice, deep and commanding, cut through the haze like a blade.
"Today, we will begin with shinobi basics," he announced. His gaze lingered on me for a second longer than necessary. "Especially because we have a newcomer."Great,I thought, already dreading what was coming. "Get dressed and meet me in the mountains."
We all shouted in affirmation, but I felt my stomach sink. "Wait, the mountains?" I asked, my confusion probably more obvious than I intended.Mountains? That was definitely not in my mental map of the school grounds.
Ikaruga, ever patient, turned to me with a small, amused smile. "Yes, in the mountain forest. There's an area where we can train without worrying about… well, destroying the school."
"Right, of course." I nodded, trying to mask my unease. "But, uh, you'll have to guide me there."
She agreed with a reassuring nod, and before I knew it, we were all changed into our training gear and headed up the mountain path. The hike wasn't long, but the moment we arrived, it was clear this was no ordinary training ground. Kiriya-sensei stood there waiting, his tracksuit somehow not looking out of place in the wilderness, a stern expression on his face.
"Today," he began, his voice taking on an even more serious tone, "we will show our new member one of the most important techniques in a shinobi's arsenal: theShinobi Tenshin."
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued.Shinobi Tenshin? It sounded cool, at least.
"The Shinobi Tenshin is the art of transforming into your personal battle attire. This not only provides a major boost in defense—your clothes will take the hit instead of you—but it also increases your overall combat effectiveness, enhancing your ninja arts," Kiriya-sensei explained, his gaze settling firmly on me. "We shinobi use scrolls as a medium for this transformation, which we keep hidden on our person at all times. Asuka, please step forward and demonstrate."
"Hai, Sensei!" Asuka responded confidently, moving to the center of the group. I watched with curiosity, eager to see what this technique was all about.
She held her hands out in front of her and shouted, "Shinobi Tenshin!" In an instant, a bright light enveloped her. But what happened next completely shattered any expectations I had.
Her clothes exploded.Literally. Gone. Asuka was suddenly standing there, completely bare, as naked as the day she was born. And there was… a lot of jiggling. My mind froze. I mean, I knew there were weird aspects to ninja training, but this was… different. Thankfully, within seconds, the light reformed her battle attire— a tan sweater over a white uniform with a green plaid skirt, and a red scarf tied around her neck.
Still, the image of that brief,veryawkward moment was burned into my brain. I just stood there, mouth agape, my brain trying—and failing—to process what had just happened.
"Kanshoku-kun, please stop staring," Asuka said, her face bright red as she instinctively tried to cover herself, even though she was now fully dressed.
I blinked, snapping out of my daze, and quickly averted my eyes, but it was too late. I could feel the weight of everyone's stares. Katsuragi was grinning from ear to ear, clearly enjoying my discomfort.
"Kan~Sho~Ku~Kun," she teased, leaning in with a predatory gleam in her eye, "if you wanted to watch me transform, all you had to do was ask."
I felt my face heat up, stammering something incoherent before Ikaruga stepped in, whacking Katsuragi on the head with a swift, practiced motion. "That's enough, Katsuragi-san. You're overstimulating our new member," Ikaruga said firmly, though there was a hint of amusement in her eyes.
"Eh-hem," Kiriya-sensei cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention back to him. "Your outburst aside, Kanshoku-kun, it's time for you to try it. I've prepared a scroll for you, so please, come up and begin."
Gulp.I stepped forward, nerves crawling up my spine. The scroll felt heavier in my hands than it should have. My mind raced, imagining all the ways this could go horribly wrong.Would I explode?What if I couldn't transform?The image of Asuka flashed in my mind again, and suddenly, I was very aware of how awkward this was going to be.
With a deep breath, I hold the scroll out and try to channel all my energy into it. "Shinobi Tenshin!" I yell.
Nothing happens.
Katsuragi giggles from the sidelines. "You've gotta do it from the heart, Kanshoku-kun!" she calls out.
"Shinobi Tenshin!" yet again nothing happens.
"Shinobi Tenshin!"
"Shinobi Tenshin!"
"-nobi Tenshin!"
"-Tenshin!"
I grit my teeth and try again. "Shinobi Tenshin!" Still nothing. I can feel my face turning red.Why won't this stupid scroll work?
By now, Yagyu is snickering under her breath, and Katsuragi's teasing has only gotten worse. "I didn't know watching someone fail could be so much fun," she says with mock sympathy.
Finally, Kiriya-sensei steps in before I explode from embarrassment. "Don't worry, Kanshoku-kun. You'll get it eventually. For now, let's move on to the next part of the lesson—Secret Ninja Arts."
As I slink back into the group, my head hanging in shame, I can't help but wonder how long it'll be before I actually master anything in this crazy shinobi world. But hey, at least I didn't spontaneously combust… right?
"Secret Ninja Arts are unique techniques, deeply personal to each shinobi," Kiriya-sensei begins, his voice carrying a certain gravity. "These techniques come from the shinobi's guardian spirit animal, and during their use, the spirit often manifests, enhancing the technique's power."
I try to take it all in, feeling my heart beat faster. Unique, personal techniques? Derived from a spirit animal? The words alone sound like something pulled straight from fantasy, yet here I am, standing among real shinobi. The weight of it all presses down on me. Kiriya-sensei's voice snaps me out of my thoughts.
"We'll go one by one. Each of you will demonstrate your Ninja Arts, to show our new member what true shinobi power looks like. Ikaruga, you're up first."
Without a word, Ikaruga steps forward, her odachi, Hien, in hand. She moves with a precision that feels almost mechanical, yet graceful in a way that sends chills down my spine. Her stance is firm, her eyes sharp.
"Hien Hōsen: Mode One," Ikaruga calls out.
In the blink of an eye, she charges forward, her sword a blur of motion. I can barely track her movements as she slashes through the air with such speed that after-images of her blade linger for a moment before fading. Each cut seems to hang in the air like echoes, and just as quickly as it began, Ikaruga finishes, calmly sheathing her sword. A beat of silence passes, and then—BOOM. The aftereffects of her strikes explode all at once, devastating invisible enemies with surgical precision.
I stand there, mouth open. My brain tries to process what I just witnessed, but it feels impossible. It was like something ripped straight out of an anime fight scene. The way she moved, the sheer power and grace behind every slash—it was unreal.
Before I can regain my composure, Kiriya-sensei turns to the next shinobi.
"Katsuragi, you're next."
Katsuragi grins widely, clearly excited to show off. She steps forward, radiating a wild kind of energy. "Tornado Spindle!" she shouts, her voice full of enthusiasm.
In an instant, she plants her hands on the ground and begins to spin, faster and faster, until her legs blur into a whirlwind. It's like watching a break-dancer on steroids. The wind picks up, swirling around her in a growing tornado. The force of it rips through the air, kicking up leaves, dust, and anything unfortunate enough to be nearby.
I instinctively take a step back, feeling the raw power of the wind she's whipping up. The sheer energy in the air is electrifying, and Katsuragi looks like she's having the time of her life, laughing as the tornado intensifies.
"Holy shit," I mutter under my breath. My head is spinning almost as fast as she is. This is the kind of power I'm supposed to wield? The sort of insane strength do they expect from me?
I glance down at my hands, feeling a creeping sense of inadequacy. My Treat Trigger, the snacks I've been developing, they seem so… small compared to this. How could a candy gun, or a sweet, ever measure up to tornadoes and sword slashes that defy physics? I can't help but feel like I'm way over my head.
As Katsuragi slows down, landing gracefully and throwing me a wink, Kiriya-sensei calls out again.
"Yagyū, you're next."
Without a word, Yagyū steps forward, her signature umbrella in hand. She holds it above her head, spinning it slowly at first. "Sweeping Legs," she says calmly.
A ripple of energy flows through the air as Yagyū's guardian spirit—a large squid—begins to materialize atop the umbrella, its translucent tentacles extending outward, shimmering in the sunlight. She spins faster, the umbrella creating a vortex of air as the squid's tendrils lash out, sweeping the ground beneath them in wide arcs. Dust and debris are sent flying as the speed of her movements increases, making it seem as though a storm has broken loose within the training field.
The sheer control and precision of her attacks send a chill down my spine. Anyone caught in that storm of tendrils would be at her mercy. The squid spirit moves fluidly with her, and it's clear Yagyū has mastered this technique. I gulp. This level of skill is unreal.
When she finally comes to a graceful stop, Hibari squeals in delight. "That was calamarific, Yagyū!"
Yagyū says nothing, only giving a curt nod as she steps back into line, ever the stoic shinobi.
Kiriya-sensei clasps his hands together, bringing the attention back to him. "As you can see, these techniques are devastating for those unfortunate enough to be in their path. However, your secret Ninja Arts are unique to you—each technique is forged from your own bond with your guardian spirit. We'll help you discover yours. But first, we need to help those of you who have not yet manifested your spirit. Let's focus on that."
His gaze falls on me, Hibari, and Asuka. I can feel the pressure mounting. I've never even considered what kind of spirit I might have. A guardian spirit animal? My heart is racing just thinking about it. Hibari, ever the cheerful one, bounces with excitement.
"Hibari, we'll start with you," Kiriya-sensei says. "Think of an animal you feel connected to. Picture it clearly in your mind, and focus on drawing it out."
Hibari squeezes her eyes shut, her brows furrowing in concentration. For a moment, the air is still, tension building as we all wait. Then, out of nowhere, a burst of pink smoke erupts around her. My eyes widen, and when the smoke clears, there stands a gigantic, fluffy pink rabbit. Its oversized ears flop lazily as it blinks, looking almost as surprised to be there as we are.
Hibari's face lights up with pure joy. "Awww, you're so cute!" she giggles and jumps onto the rabbit's back. With a giggle and a shout of, "Let's go!", the rabbit bounds forward, bouncing around the training field, its massive feet flattening everything in their path. Trees shake, the ground trembles—Hibari is laughing the entire time, completely in sync with her new companion.
"Rabbitceptional, Hibari!" Kiriya-sensei calls out, entirely unfazed by the chaos. "Now, hop off, we need to continue." Hibari reluctantly slides down from her mount, waving goodbye as the bunny vanishes into a puff of smoke.
Kiriya-sensei turns to Asuka. "Now, Asuka, your turn. Focus and picture your guardian spirit clearly."
Asuka takes a deep breath, her face set in determination. She closes her eyes and concentrates hard, fists clenched at her sides. Several seconds pass. The air hums with tension. Then... nothing. No smoke, no spirit, just silence.
"Mouu~," Asuka whines, opening her eyes with a pout. "Why won't my guardian spirit manifest?!" Her shoulders slump, and she kicks at the dirt in frustration.
I feel a pang of sympathy. Asuka's always been so capable, and to see her struggle like this... I know that feeling all too well. With a hesitant step, I move toward her and give her a gentle pat on the back. "Hey, don't worry about it," I say softly, trying to offer some comfort. "It's your first try, right? It's no big deal. I'll probably fail at this too, so we can learn together."
She looks up at me, a small, grateful smile tugging at her lips. "Thanks, Kanshoku-kun. That helps."
I smile back, feeling a bit lighter myself. Now it's my turn, though, and the pressure's back on.
I take a deep breath, closing my eyes just as Kiriya-sensei instructed. Focus. Think of an animal. Something I relate to… Something that embodies me… I try, and I mean really try, but nothing comes. Just as I feared, no guardian spirit appears. I sigh, opening my eyes. It's just like I thought—I'm way behind everyone else.
Hibari, noticing my gloomy expression, skips over with her usual bubbly energy. "Ne, ne! Kanshoku-kun, you said something interesting yesterday! You said your snacks give you powers, right?"
"Yeah," I reply, a little unsure of where this is going. "Why?"
"Can I try one? Pleeease?" Her eyes light up with excitement.
I blink. That's unexpected. But before I can answer, I notice Yagyū in the background giving me a look that could kill—she's fiercely protective of Hibari, and I can practically feel her daring me to refuse or do anything remotely risky. Not wanting to become squid bait, I quickly reach into my bag.
"Uh, sure. Here, try one of these." I hand her a Bouncing Gummy, explaining, "These are Bouncing Gummies. When you eat one, you get these gummy pads on your feet that let you bounce around like a rubber ball."
Hibari's face lights up with excitement as she eagerly pops the ninja star-shaped gummy into her mouth. Almost instantly, gummy-like pads form under her feet. She bounces around the training field like a pinball, giggling with each jump.
It works perfectly, just as I planned… except for one unexpected side effect. As Hibari bounces around, her chest starts to move with equal enthusiasm, and the vigorous bouncing causes her, well, assets to follow suit.
I try to look away, feeling my face heat up. "Uh… maybe I need to tweak that recipe a little," I mumble, catching Yagyū's murderous glare once again.
Hibari, completely oblivious, just laughs louder. "This is so fun! Kanshoku-kun, your snacks are amazing!"
I smile awkwardly, scratching the back of my head. "Thanks, I guess…" This world of secret Ninja Arts is beyond anything I could've imagined. One thing's for sure—if I want to keep up, I'll need to step up my game, and fast.
After that, the day passed in a blur. Classes went on as usual, though my mind was elsewhere, stuck in a whirlwind of frustration. By the time the final bell rang, I was exhausted—not physically, but mentally. My lack of progress with the guardian spirit weighed heavily on me. While the others showed off their impressive abilities, I was left standing in the dust. It was embarrassing, to say the least.
With a deep sigh, I decided to head to the park. Maybe a change of scenery would help clear my mind. The park was quiet, a gentle breeze rustling through the leaves. The setting sun bathed everything in a warm golden light, but it did little to ease the knot in my chest.
I found an empty bench beneath a large oak tree, the shade providing a bit of relief from the day's lingering heat. Sitting down, I let my head drop back and stared up at the sky, watching as clouds lazily drifted by. 'Maybe I'm just not cut out for this,' I thought bitterly. 'I can't even summon a guardian spirit. Even Hibari—clumsy, scatterbrained Hibari—figured hers out. And she's nowhere near as serious about training as the others.'
I sighed again, rubbing my temples as self-doubt crept in. 'What kind of shinobi am I? Just some snack-obsessed guy with a gimmick?'
"What's got you down in the dumps, boyo?" a gruff voice broke through my thoughts, startling me.
I snapped my head to the side to see an old man standing there, hunched slightly but with a lively twinkle in his eyes. He had a full head of gray hair, neatly tied back, and a matching beard that looked like it had seen its fair share of winters. He wore traditional Japanese robes, the kind you'd expect an old hermit to wear. The man moved slowly, but with purpose, and he took a seat next to me on the bench with a groan.
I blinked at him, still a bit thrown off by his sudden appearance. "Don't sneak up on me like that, old man," I muttered, trying to mask my surprise.
He chuckled. "I'm old, I can sneak up on whoever the damn hell I please. And right now, I see a boy who's stewing in his own misery. Now, why's that?"
For some reason, maybe it was his unbothered attitude, I found myself actually answering him. "It's... nothing," I sighed. "I'm just... not as good as my classmates. They're all so amazing at what they do. They're strong and skilled, and I can't even do the most basic thing right like they can." I hunched over, staring at the ground. "I'm just... me."
The old man didn't respond immediately, and for a moment, I thought maybe I'd bored him. But then he spoke, his voice softer, yet firm. "You're you, huh? And who exactly is that?"
I glanced at him, confused. "What do you mean?"
"Well, from where I'm sitting," he began, stroking his beard thoughtfully, "I see a boy trying to be someone he's not. You're so caught up comparing yourself to everyone else, that you can't see what makes you special."
"Special?" I scoffed. "I'm nothing special."
"Ah, that's where you're wrong." He tapped his cane against the ground. "Instead of wallowing in self-pity, why not use what youaregood at to tackle the problem? You've got skills, don't you? Unique skills. Just because you can't do something the same way as the others doesn't mean you can't do it at all. You need to stop trying to fit into their mold and start shaping your own."
His words hit me like a jolt of electricity. He was right. Ididhave my own skills. My snacks, my creativity with them—it wasn't like the others, but maybe that didn't matter. Maybe that's exactly what set me apart.
"My... own... way!" I shouted, springing to my feet as the realization struck me. My mind raced with ideas, a plan forming faster than I could keep up with. I had my own unique path, and I'd been too blind to see it.
"GOTCHA! Thanks, old man!" I exclaimed, excitement bubbling over as I started to rush off. I needed to get home, to start experimenting, to figure out how I could usemyabilities in a way that suited me. "I owe you one!" I called over my shoulder as I sprinted down the path.
As I disappeared into the distance, the old man chuckled to himself, watching me go with a knowing smile. "I have no doubt you'll be a great shinobi someday, Kanshoku," he murmured. His gaze softened, and he leaned back on the bench. "My granddaughter speaks highly of you."
The wind picked up for a moment, rustling the trees as the park fell quiet once more. The old man sat there, content as if he'd seen exactly what he needed to see.
Rushing back to the shop/house, I bolted through the front door, nearly knocking over a stack of empty crates by the entrance. The small bell above the door jingled loudly, alerting everyone inside—my parents, the customers, and even the neighborhood cat, which darted off in a panic.
My mom looked up from behind the counter, mid-conversation with a customer. "What's got you in such a tizzy, sweetie?" she asked with a soft smile, wiping her hands on her apron.
"I've got an idea, and I can't let it slip out of my head!" I called over my shoulder, still moving at full speed toward the back, where our 'creation center'—my personal lab of snack-fueled wonders—was located. I didn't even pause to explain, too consumed by the rush of inspiration.
Fumi Kenkichi's POV
From behind the counter, I watched my son dart through the shop like a whirlwind, leaving a wake of startled customers and disarray in his path. "What am I going to do with that child?" I muttered, shaking my head with a mixture of exasperation and affection.
Kanshoku had always been this way—hyper-focused when something sparked his imagination as if the world outside his thoughts ceased to exist. It was both his greatest strength and his biggest flaw.
My husband, Michi Kenkichi, who had been quietly working in the back room, suddenly stepped into view. He was watching Kanshoku leave with a look I knew all too well—a mix of pride and concern. There was something unspoken between them, a shared understanding that I could never quite put my finger on. Michi was always so silent when it came to Kanshoku's wild ideas, but I could see the worry hidden behind his calm eyes.
Kanshoku's POV
I burst into the creation center, my personal space of magic and chaos, and slammed the door behind me. The walls were lined with shelves crammed full of ingredients, machines, and half-finished projects—tools of the trade for a snack maker. I let out a breath, finally letting the flood of thoughts spill out.
"If I can make a working gun out of spare parts and candy, why not a scroll?" I muttered to myself, pacing back and forth. The idea had come to me in a flash on the way home, and I knew if I didn't act on it now, it might slip away, like trying to hold water in my hands.
I rummaged through my supplies, pulling out a fresh batch of gummy mixture. Red and blue—just like my goggles. Something about that color combination felt right for this project. I could feel it in my bones. I started heating the mixtures, working quickly but carefully, ensuring the consistency was perfect. The smell of melted sugar and fruit filled the room, thick and sweet.
Once both mixtures were ready, I took the scroll I'd been given during class earlier. It was supposed to be a training tool, something to help me learn how to manifest my guardian spirit. But what if I couldinfusethe scroll with something more? Something uniquely mine?
Without hesitating, I tossed the scroll into the pot with the candy mixture and held my breath.
For a few seconds, nothing happened. Then, suddenly, the entire room was bathed in a blinding flash of red and blue light. I instinctively shielded my eyes with my arm, my heart racing. The light was so bright it seemed to sear through my eyelids, leaving a trail of glowing spots in my vision.
When the light finally died down, I blinked and looked around. The air smelled of burnt sugar and... something else. Magic? I cautiously approached the pot, peering inside.
It was nearly empty.
"What the—" I muttered, leaning over the edge to get a better look. Where I'd expected to find a fully formed scroll, there was only a single rolled-up candy. A medium sized, detailed candy shaped exactly like a scroll. Half-red and half-blue, shimmering in the dim light of the room.
"That's it?!" I shouted, staring down at the lone Roll. "Onlyone? Are you FREAKING kidding me?" My voice echoed in the small space, frustration boiling up inside me. I'd been expecting something grand—something that would blow everyone away! Instead, I got... one measly Roll? Really?
Grumbling, I reached in and grabbed the treat, holding it up to inspect it more closely. Despite my disappointment, something was captivating about it. The details were surprisingly intricate as if the scroll's design had been perfectly replicated in miniature. And the colors—vibrant reds and blues—swirled together in an almost hypnotic pattern.
I sighed, deciding to stow the gummy away for later. There had to be something more to it, even if it wasn't immediately obvious. "I'll figure it out," I muttered, sliding the gummy into a small pouch on my belt.
As I glanced at the clock, I realized I still had some time left before dinner. With the rush of energy still coursing through me, I turned back to my shelves. If this experiment didn't pan out, maybe I could work on some new snacks to showcase. Something to keep me from feeling like a total failure in front of my classmates.
I pulled out ingredients for some fresh batches—gummy stars, explosive licorice, and maybe even a new variation on my Bouncing Gummies. The possibilities buzzed in my mind as I set to work, determined to create something that would blow everyone away.
"Onigiri sounds nice," I say as ideas form in my head. I head into the kitchen to grab some ingredients, "Rice, nori, ooh we have some bonito flake and some green onions as well, might as well." With my haul successful I grab an onigiri mold and head back up to begin concocting my newest delight.
In the rice, I mix in bonito flakes and some green onion before making sure it is thoroughly mixed. In the mold I add another layer of bonito flakes as well as some sesame seeds, then the rice mixture and add some more seed on top. I mold my onigiri before taking it out laying it on a nori sheet and folding it. Once that action was done it started to glow in a greenish brown light before dying down.
Before trying my newest creation I repeated the process so I have more to use after as well as an additional one for testing purposes. Once I had a nice batch I took my test Onigiri and took a bite, "Umai!, the bonito flakes and Green onion provide a nice mix of flavor only enhanced by the sesame seeds." One thing became perfectly clear after my bite, I couldn't move and now my hands had a metallic film on them. The effects left as soon as they came, "Interesting, I think I'm going to call these Tungsten onigiris!"
With the time I still had I decided to make a salty snack. "I think pretzels would work well," Luckily Mom showed me how to make them. Grabbing some dough we have prepared as well as baking soda, water, and salt. I divide the dough into small portions and roll them into rods.
Afterward, I shape them into little pretzels while I preheat the oven to 177C, I prepare the baking soda bath. Once the boil is simmering at medium-high heat I blanch my doughy delights for 15 seconds, where I put them on a baking sheet and sprinkle them with sea salt. Once the oven is set I place the tray inside and wait around 33 minutes or until they are brown. Once they are done golden light fills the oven and once it dies down I take the tray out and look at my handiwork.
Before I can even try my new snack Mom calls me for dinner so I bag up my pretzels and head downstairs for dinner.
Michi Kenkichi's POV
From the doorway, I watched Kanshoku at work, his movements filled with the same fervor and passion that always made me both proud and nervous. He had a gift—there was no denying that—but he still had so much to learn.
"Don't push yourself too hard, son," I murmured, though I knew he couldn't hear me. He was already lost in his world, chasing after that next big idea.
And maybe, just maybe, this time it would lead him somewhere extraordinary. I just hope he doesn't turn out like me.
The Next Day
Kanshoku POV
After my creation binge yesterday, something strange happened—I actually went to bed on time. I woke up early enough to catch Dad humming softly as he flipped a few pancakes alongside the usual breakfast spread of grilled fish and miso soup.'Huh, maybe being a shinobi gives you a better sleep cycle,'I thought idly, watching the steam rise from my miso bowl as I ate with my parents. A peaceful breakfast, one that felt almosttoonormal considering everything going on.
But there was no time to linger. After scarfing down the food, I grabbed my newest creations and rushed out of the shop. Today was the day. I had something to prove, not just to myself, but to my entire squad. As I darted through the streets, I could feel the weight of the experimental snacks in my pocket. My mind raced alongside my body, wondering how they'd turn out.
When I caught up to my squadmates at the school gate, I barely gave them time to breathe before launching into my story.
"So," I began, barely able to contain my excitement, "I met this old man yesterday in the park who gave me some advice. Kinda reminded me of the same process I went through when I created the Treat Trigger. So I followed his advice and, uh, made something similar. I haven't tested it yet though."
There was silence. The kind that makes your stomach flip. Ikaruga's eyebrow twitched, and she gave me a look that was half confusion, half bewilderment. Katsuragi looked like she was one smirk away from bursting out laughing. Asuka was doing her best to be supportive, giving me a small thumbs up, while Hibari blinked at me with wide, uncomprehending eyes. Yagyu, however, simply stared as if I had declared I was about to blow up the school.
By the time we made it to the hideout in the old school building, I felt a little more nervous. Kiriya-sensei, ever the enigma, puffed on his cigarette as though he hadn't already increased our secondhand smoke intake for the week.
"So, let me get this straight," Kiriya began, exhaling a cloud that circled his head like an aura of wisdom and nicotine. "You used asecret ninja scroll, something steeped in centuries of tradition and power, to create…a new snack?"
I nodded, feeling the weight of the moment.
"That would be correct," I replied, my voice as steady as I could muster.
Kiriya's eyes narrowed behind the smoke. "If this doesn't allow you to transform, you're looking at a solid month of detention."
Detention. One month.The words hung over me like a looming shadow, but I couldn't let fear take root. I had to trust my instincts, just like I did with the Treat Trigger."If my gun works, then this should work as well,"I muttered under my breath, hoping to convince myself more than anyone else.
Taking a deep breath, I pulled out the Treat Trigger MK1 and my newly crafted scroll gummy. My heart pounded in my chest as I loaded it into the gun."I hope this works,"I whispered, feeling the weight of Kiriya's ultimatum hovering in the back of my mind.
And then, it happened.
"NI-CHANGE SCROLL!"My weapon's robotic voice announced, as upbeat music suddenly filled the air. Bright, colorful lights flashed under my feet as a blue and red shuriken formed on the ground, spinning rapidly. Images of sweets—lollipops, chocolates, and gummy stars—began swirling around me like a tornado of sugar-fueled madness.
I could feel every pair of eyes on me as the air vibrated with excitement. Katsuragi's laughter vanished. Ikaruga's mouth opened slightly as if to ask how the hell this was possible. Even Kiriya's ever-stoic expression seemed to falter. And me? I grinned. The widest, most triumphant grin I'd ever worn.
Without hesitation, I pointed the Treat Trigger upward, yelling from the bottom of my soul:"HENSHIN!"
The world seemed to explode in a burst of color. A beam of light shot from the gun, arcing into the sky. A massive scroll, blue and red, unfurled above me, wrapping itself around my body in a glowing cocoon.
"Dare ja? Ore ja! Ninja!"The mysterious voice boomed from the heavens like some cosmic narrator had tuned into the show. Inside the cocoon, warmth spread over my entire body, an electric pulse that made my skin tingle. Light burst from the cocoon, and with it, a transformation unlike any other.
"SHINOBI SNACK ATTACK!"
The cocoon shattered into colorful particles, and there I stood—no longer just Kanshoku, the snack guy. I was something more, somethingshinobi. My outfit had transformed into a sleek black dress shirt and pants. My brown overcoat now bore intricate images of various snack foods, from candies to chips, each more colorful than the last. My goggles, once just a quirky accessory, now had an ethereal glow to them, reflecting every bit of the magic I had poured into that scroll gummy. And to top it all off, a blue scarf draped around my neck, flowing as if caught in an endless breeze, even though the air was still.
The hideout was dead silent. The music faded, leaving only the soft rustle of my ever-moving scarf. I stood there, reveling in the shocked faces of my classmates, the disbelief etched into Kiriya's eyes.
"W-wait, did he actually just…" Asuka muttered, eyes wide with awe.
Katsuragi, for once, was speechless.
Even Kiriya-sensei blinked a few times, his cigarette dangerously close to falling from his mouth. "Well…I'll be damned," he said finally, his voice filled with a rare hint of amusement.
I couldn't help it. I struck a pose—gun pointed out, other arm adjusting my goggles—and shouted with all the confidence I could muster,"Kanshoku Kenkichi, Shinobi of the Snack Sanctuary, has arrived!"