65 Changing the Prize

It was just bad luck, nothing more, but now Pakura doesn't know how to get over that awkward moment. A shame, I must admit; we were really just one step away.

It didn't hurt me; she was the one left with a bump on her forehead from the unexpected hit, and I only felt a slight shake in my jaw.

Being perceptive, I gave her some space in the room to vent her frustration while I took another stroll through Iwagakure, eating an apple. Some women approached to flirt with me, but I politely dismissed them.

I don't know if their interest is genuine or if they are on a mission to try to get information out of me; either way, none of them met the minimum standard to pique my interest.

The ambiguous atmosphere with Pakura ignited a fire within me, but I wasn't foolish enough to make a HUGE mistake driven by my impulses.

If only Ameyuri were here, everything would be much simpler...

After sending the eighteenth woman away with a look of pity, I finally found something that could keep them off my back.

Kurotsuchi saw me from the end of the street and ran up to me, demanding more caramel apples. As long as she's a few meters from me, no kunoichi can muster the courage to try to seduce me in front of Onoki's granddaughter.

If, by chance, Kurotsuchi suddenly felt the urge to put on makeup and try to imitate some of her "seduction tricks" to prove that she's older, most likely their heads would roll as soon as Onoki found out where his granddaughter learned those moves.

Now, considering that Kurotsuchi ate five caramel apples, I think her teeth have had enough sugar for one day. So, I gave her some natural apples, earning me an indignant look from the very young kunoichi.

Hey, those are the best apples!

So, I proposed a simple game, seeing that there was another park nearby. She had to catch me if she wanted more caramel apples, and as a restriction, I would blindfold myself. If she lost, she'd get a basket of apples as consolation.

Needless to say, the girl didn't hesitate and agreed, probably thinking she would achieve it without much trouble since she started her ninja training years ago.

Well, I spent the next half-hour blindfolded, easily dodging Onoki's granddaughter, practicing my Mantra without using my devil fruit powers.

Thinking carefully, I should have done like Kakashi and set an alarm or something, but I don't have one with me, so I started counting the time mentally.

After about an hour of dodging, I got bored and told her that time was up. I thought she would be stubborn and demand that we continue until she succeeded, but instead...

"Can we do it again tomorrow?" she asked with an excited and expectant look, while the poor girl was breathing heavily with disheveled hair, covered in dust, dirt, sweat, and mud.

Her mother will probably have a fit when she sees her so dirty; I have no doubt she'll give her a triple bath to get all the dirt off.

But I still don't understand why she's so happy; most kids in her place would be frustrated at best.

Wait, could it be...?

"Kurotsuchi, don't you usually play with other kids often?" I asked with a doubtful expression.

Yes, it clearly hit the mark when I saw her stiffen. Now everything makes sense; it seems that being the Tsuchikage's granddaughter has some drawbacks.

I suppose parents are somewhat concerned that their children might do something that bothers Onoki's granddaughter, so they probably prefer to have their games without notifying or looking for her. They would still play with her if they accidentally ran into her, but it's not the norm.

Kurotsuchi's own parents must also be busy running the village, making her the typical case of a family working to give the best to their own but forgetting to have time for those important people in their lives.

In short, Kurotsuchi probably doesn't even see her grandfather or her parents during meals, spending more time with caretakers.

Or maybe it's all in my mind, and there's a completely different reason, who knows.

"I have to leave tomorrow," I told her, despite knowing she would be sad. "But I could play again, after lunch before I leave. What do you think?"

Kurotsuchi thought it over, and I saw her eyes wandering from left to right, so she must be thinking of something strange.

"Can I change the prize?" she asked with an innocent smile, which I'm sure is not as innocent as it seems. Call it instinct.

"And what would you want instead?" I didn't refuse as I raised my left eyebrow; I'm curious about what she might want instead of the tasty and sweet caramel apples.

"It's... a secret!" She averted her gaze and blushed adorably while murmuring and tapping her index fingers against each other, constantly shifting her weight, awaiting my response with furtive glances.

Oh...

Damn, I think Onoki might have a heart attack.

Will Pakura and I really be able to leave in peace tomorrow?