Gera and Pakin feasted on the gourmet spread in front of them. Gera let out little squeals and moans of pleasure as she wolfed down a lamb chop, dipping it in five different sauces that came with the meat. She’d started using one sauce at a time, but now she combined them by dipping a chunk of meat into multiple sauces. She’d make a contemplative noise for some combos and giggle in bliss at others.

  Pakin ate more reservedly, taking bites of the different dishes and trying each thing on the table one at a time. This fish is crazy, what kinda spices are they cooking this with? It’s spicy and sweet without a sauce. These veggies are nuts, I don’t recognize half of them, and they’re all cooked differently. The noodles in this dish are soooo good, they’re bouncy and have such a good umami flavor. And god, what is with these fruits? They’re drizzled in some kind of honey or sweet syrup that envelops each fruit’s flavor in this delicate blanket of complementary taste.

  Toshi ate as well, but with much more decorum. Most of his enjoyment seemed to be from watching Pakin and Gera’s reactions to the food. Pakin watched as he chuckled at Gera and pointed out a dollop of sauce on her cheek. She wiped it off and smiled broadly at her teacher.

  Gera piped up over as she devoured a portion of pork belly wrapped in grilled cabbage, saying, “Pakin, you’ve got to try this! It’s soooo good!”

  Pakin grabbed a wrap and took a bite, making a pleasantly surprised noise as he chewed. Once he’d finished the wrap, he said, “That is good! Just don’t eat too much cabbage, I don’t want a repeat of that night in Kumiguri, when you ate all those clams.”

  Gera pointed threateningly at Pakin with a wrap and stated, “That’s not fair, I hadn’t eaten clams before and didn’t know they would do that to my stomach! Also, if it’s really that bad, you can sleep on the couch tonight.”

  Pakin shivered and whined, “No way! Mr. Kintaro snores so loudly that I can hear him from your bedroom some nights. I don’t wanna think about how loud sleeping in the same room as him would be.”

  Gera munched thoughtfully on her wrap and offered, “Alright, well in that case I’ll sleep facing the middle of the bed. That way it’ll be directed away from you.”

  Pakin snorted and said, “Yeah, and that’ll last the whole night, right? How many times this week do you think I’ve woken up with you splayed across the entire bed?”

  Toshi coughed lightly into his hand, and Pakin realized he’d just been talking about Gera’s potential flatulence in front of the older man. Pakin’s cheeks gained a little color as Toshi asked, “So Pakin is staying with you and Miss Chie, then? That’s very kind of you, but I’m a bit confused, dear student. Are you two sharing a bed?”

  Gera looked curiously at her teacher and replied casually, “Uh-huh. I didn’t want to sleep on the couch, and my bed’s pretty big, so it’s no big deal. Pakin and I shared a room at every inn we stayed at on the way here, and there weren't any issues, so I figured he could just bunk with me while he waits for his apartment.”

  Toshi looked deeply confused for a moment, before schooling his expression and saying, “That’s awfully generous of you, Gera. I suppose it’s good to know that you’re taking such good care of your student.” He turned to and asked, “This doesn’t bother you, Pakin? You’re alright staying with her? If you wanted, I could prepare a room for you at the Shomei estate. We have plenty of space and I’m sure it would be… less strenuous for you.”

  Wow, Master Toshi sure is nice. He’d offer a boy he’d just met a room at his home to make me feel more comfortable? Pakin thought before answering, “No, that’s alright, Master Toshi. It’s really convenient since Gera sensei and I train together so early in the morning. Plus, I’d hate to leave Mr. Kintaro by himself. He’s a great conversationalist, and I think he gets lonely since Chie doesn’t come home from work before we’re all in bed.”

  Gera nodded and added, “Don’t try to steal my precious student from me already! I swear this kid’s more popular than me! I brought him to one of my regular sparring meet-ups, and Tsuyo and Sho immediately wanted to make him their student!”

  Pakin giggled self-consciously, and Gera tousled his hair affectionately. Toshi's eyes flashed through several thoughts before he said, “Ah, I see. Apologies, I’m sure you’re in good hands with Mr. Kintaro and Chie watching over you as well.” He picked up his tea and took a light sip, revelling in the warm liquid. Pakin and Gera continued to dig into their meals until all the plates were bare, only bones and the occasional smear left.

  A group of waiters silently entered and removed the plates from the table. The most senior waitress offered a slight nod towards Toshi, who smiled and nodded in return.

  Man, these high-class places are something else. I guess owning a restaurant you’re eating at is completely different from eating at some random food spot. Pakin’s simple background and scant college lifestyle from before left him inexperienced with the kind of dining he’d just enjoyed.

  “So,” Toshi started, “You mentioned it briefly, but tell me, Pakin, what kind of training is my student having you do?”

  Pakin looked over to Gera, who motioned for him to speak.

  “Since we arrived in Kumo, my regular training schedule starts with Kusarigama training, followed by breakfast. Then…” Pakin recounted his daily training schedule to Toshi, who remained silent throughout his explanation.

  Once Pakin finished, Toshi placed his hands into his billowing sleeves and hummed thoughtfully. After a moment, he said, “Well, it seems my student has you on a rather fruitful regimen. From what she’s told me of the program and my chats with Jonin Osako, you’ll be very well prepared. If you ever feel the need, I’d be more than happy to assist you with your training should Gera be indisposed.”

  Pakin was momentarily confused before he remembered, Right, Gera’s a shinobi. She’ll have to leave for missions eventually, so she’ll be gone for weeks at a time while I’m taking classes. He turned back to Toshi and thought, I’m glad he brought that up. It’ll be good to know some adults I can talk to if she or Chie are out of town.

  Pakin bowed his head and said, “Thank you, Master Toshi. I’ll be sure to call upon your guidance should I require aid.”

  Toshi let out a soft, bouncing laugh and said, “Excellent! I’ll be awaiting your arrival at the Shomei estate.”

  Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.

  Pakin nodded, and Gera chimed in, “I actually wanted to ask you about Pakin’s training, Master. Do you remember the research I was doing before I left? That was for Pakin. He has a special condition, and I was wondering if you had any advice on his kusarigama, given that fact.”

  Toshi’s eyes grew wide with understanding, and he replied, “Right! You asked me to connect you with that chakra disease specialist.” He rubbed his chin and said, “Well, given the delicate and nuanced nature of chakra diseases, it’d be remiss of me to offer advice without knowing more. To start, can you explain Pakin’s condition and, of course, what weapon he is training in?”

  Gera had Pakin pull his scroll from his deel pocket and detailed the effects chakra wasting had on Pakin’s body.

  After Gera’s explanation, Pakin rolled out the scroll and released his weapon from its seal.

  Wow, it’s still awesome every time I see it. Pakin marveled at the kusarigama, enthralled by the gift that his teacher had given him. Toshi scanned the weapon with his eyes, and then scanned Pakin himself.

  He rose from his seat and asked, “Pakin, could you join me for a moment? I’d like to see a demonstration of your capabilities.”

  Oh no. I was not ready for an impromptu demonstration. Pakin felt the sweat drip down his back as he rose to join Toshi in a slightly open deck section. Toshi instructed Pakin to move through a few basic kata motions and then had him pick up the kusarigama. He didn’t have Pakin move with it; Toshi just asked him to hold it at different angles and with various grips.

  Without warning, as Toshi observed Pakin’s underhanded grip of the scythe and unspooled grip on his chain, a kunai flew blindingly fast from his left sleeve towards Pakin’s side. Pakin reacted quickly, choking up on the handle of the scythe till he was gripping just under the blade, and tried to parry the kunai. Pakin reacted a tad too slowly, so the knife pinged off the blade at an awkward angle, careening up past Pakin’s nose.

  Toshi said, “Ah, the picture is coming together.” He approached Pakin, who tensed and moved his scythe and chain into a neutral stance. Toshi smiled at his subconscious action, and Pakin apologized, “I’m sorry, Master Toshi, I didn’t mean to-”

  Toshi interrupted Pakin immediately, waving the boy’s apology away, “No, no, Pakin. That is a good response. Gera has been teaching you well, and you seem to be retaining instincts and techniques very well. You’ve only been using the Kusarigama for a week, correct? You’re choice to grip the top of the handle to deflect was intelligent. However,” Toshi lifted Pakin’s left arm, the one with the chain wrapped around it, and said, “I can tell you are still green because you focus on the scythe too much, your chain hand forgotten in your movements and grips. That isn’t bad, and I’m sure Gera is building up to this, but you must remember that the Kusarigama is not two weapons in one. It is a single weapon with two useful parts.” He traced a finger around the tightly wrapped chain and continued, “The chain of most shinobi-crafted kusarigama functions as an excellent arm guard when in neutral position.”

  I’d never even thought of that! He considered the metal covering his left arm and thought, Does that mean I should always have it wrapped tight? No, that would keep me from launching the chain or using it freely to attack. But then, maybe a looser wrap could catch stray blows without restricting the chain’s uses.

  Toshi must’ve read the thoughts behind Pakin’s eyes, because he chuckled. The sound drew the boy’s attention back to him, as the older man turned to Gera and said, “He’s quick to consider how he can use his weapon in new and better ways. I get why Tsuyo and Sho were trying to steal him, he shows potential, Gera.”

  Gera laughed and said, “That’s right, sensei, and I found him first! So, don’t even think about it, he’ll be paying my retirement home bills when I’m retired.”

  Toshi’s eyebrows lifted, and he asked in a curious tone, “Does that mean you’ll be paying my bills when I retire? I’d surely appreciate you taking care of the maintenance costs for the clan when I’m too old to work.”

  “Uhhhhhhhhhhh.” Gera muttered, and Pakin laughed heartily at his flummoxed teacher.

  Toshi chuckled as well, before looking out at the night sky outside the deck. He considered Pakin and then Gera and said, “I believe I have some suggestions I could give you. However, it’s quite late, and I’m sure Pakin has night-time studies to complete before he retires. How about I have a friend escort you home, Pakin? Your teacher and I have some catching up to do anyway, and I’d hate to bore you with our reminiscing.”

  Aww man, I’d actually love to stay and hear more about that! Pakin tried not to let the disappointment show on his face, but Toshi chuckled, clearly catching on.

  He said, “Don’t worry, Pakin. I promise you’ll see plenty of me while you’re in Kumo. You are my precious first martial grandson, after all. I simply must spoil you more while I can!”

  Gera harumphed and asked, “Where was all this spoiling when I was your first student?”

  Toshi ignored his student, rolling up his sleeves to reveal his tattooed arms. They were both incredibly toned, with script flowing across every available centimeter of skin. The ink crawled past his exposed arms and into the folds of his luxurious kimono. Toshi bit his finger, a small bead of blood beading on his thumb, and smeared a crimson line across the same two characters that he’d displayed to Pakin earlier. His hands flashed through seals faster than Pakin could count, but he guessed there were about thirty or more.

  Holy shit, he’s about to do a crazy jutsu.

  Toshi finished his seals and placed his hand on his chest. A circle of formula script crawled across the front of Toshi’s chest with incredible speed. A rush of chakra blasted from the man as a sound like a striking blade rang out from his chest. Toshi slowly raised his hand from his chest, and emerging as if from within, a kunai rose from the circle.

  That’s a weird one. Pakin didn’t recognize the model of kunai upon first inspection, but as it rose from Toshi’s chest, he remembered Gera’s description of the first kunai. They were originally a kind of agricultural trowel, sharpened and used by farmers during times of war. The blade now floating above Toshi’s hand matched that description. Its blade was sharp, but lacking the eight sides he was used to. Instead, it is more classically leaf-shaped, almost flat, resembling a spearhead. The handle was longer than he was used to, with worn leather straps covering the long iron down to the finger ring ending in a . Inscribed on the bottom fourth of the handle was some kind of unreadable character.

  Pakin gaped at the casual display of ninjutsu, and Gera groaned from her seat. The weapon floated above Toshi’s hand as he said, “Pakin, I’d like you to meet Kechizu. She’ll be escorting you home tonight.”

  A feminine voice emanated from the kunai’s blade, high-pitched and almost ringing, “Toshi! I am not some hussy, you can’t just call me up and tell me to escort young men through the night!”

  Toshi tutted at the kunai and said, “Be nice, Kechizu. This is Gera’s student, so he’s a part of the family now.”

  Kechizu’s tone instantly changed, taking on a more affectionate lilt as she exclaimed, “Well, why didn’t you start with that! You never tell me any of the important stuff, Toshi!” She twirled and floated over to Pakin, the voice speaking again, “It’s lovely to meet you, Pakin! Oh, you are such a precious little thing, aren’t you? It’s about time Gera started growing the family. Speaking of!”

  Kechizu flipped through the air and flew blade first towards Gera, who caught her lazily from the air and said, “Hello, Auntie Kechizu. It’s good to see you,” Gera said begrudgingly.

  “Oh, little Gera! It’s so wonderful to see you! It’s fantastic you’ve finally got a little one of your own. Now, if only you’d stop and settle down with a nice young weapon. You’ll never be happy until you come to Mount Sakahoko and meet someone. You know I’ve been chatting with Mikazuki, and she introduced me to this lovely bo staff. Now I know, bo staffs might seem a little boring or unadventurous, but when I tell you this boy was hoot! You’d love him. Anyways, are you eating well? Have you been taking care of your skin like I taught you? You know you’re not getting any younger! Speaking of-”

  Pakin’s mouth was agape, as a vein visibly throbbed on Gera’s forehead. Kechizu, for her part, seemed blissfully unaware of Gera’s frustration as she continued chatting with Gera.