Making history

—Did I perhaps ask for too much?" I pondered while crouched at the highest point after spending the last two days exploring the Sky Island.

I was amazed by my own ideas and how comprehensive the island had become. I don't recall asking for certain rooms, but they were there. Whether it was for domestic needs, entertainment, experimentation, or others, there were enough facilities for hundreds of people to live on the island comfortably. I didn't originally intend for there to be so many people, but this is my private domain, even though I've named it a village. However, you never know, it's better to have this space and not need it than to need it and not have it.

I'm pleased with the navigation system that allows me to move the island and the camouflage that makes it appear as a solitary cloud, changing shape with the wind from the outside. Weatheria had a huge bubble at the bottom of the cloud, which was undoubtedly eye-catching to anyone who paid constant attention to the clouds, like the people from the Nara clan.

Haku has been working hard to take care of Pakura and worm his way into her cracked heart, repairing the fissures with his presence and increasing the chances that she'll decide to stay.

I was honest with the options I gave her. Even if she chooses to join me, she'll still feel nostalgia for Sunagakure, but as long as they don't provoke me, I see no reason to bother with them. They are literally the poorest and most resource-deprived village among all, including the smallest ones and mine, so I have no reason to waste my time going there. Unless the condition for Pakura to join me is to kill Rasa as revenge, in which case everything is different. One life for Pakura's loyalty seems like a bargain, and if I'm honest, I would actually be doing a favor to his children and his village, based on what I know about him.

I asked Pakura if they had any unique specialties once I brought her the food, but apart from her pioneering research on ninja puppets, some rare metals, and unlimited quantities of sand, it seems that the village really doesn't have anything noteworthy, or she chose not to disclose it.

Observing Pakura and Haku using Mantra was good practice for eavesdropping on distant conversations. If I had attempted something like this in the village, it would be like having dozens of people talking in my ear at once, as I still haven't figured out how to be selective about what I want to hear.

I also came to the conclusion that requesting the cloud foxes was a great move. The little ones take care of the garden and other places without me having to tell them anything, as if they were little elves tending to the house. That means that even if I'm gone for a few days, the foxes and Haku shouldn't have any issues in my absence, aside from possibly feeling a little lonely.

Today, I'll ask Pakura for her decision. Using Mantra, I was able to listen in on her conversations with Haku discreetly, gathering information about me, my personality, or how she met me. Haku is quite innocent, but it seems he's not as clueless as he appears. While he happily explained most things to her, he selectively omitted a few, like when I showed him that he couldn't harm me or where I got my apples.

The fact that he didn't inquire about this place despite its obvious uniqueness makes me wonder if it was a conscious decision or if there was another reason.

I've read some fanfics where the MC used Enel's abilities to examine someone's body's nervous response to determine if they were lying or not, but I simply don't know the principles behind that or if it's even possible.

Another thing to add to the to-do list for experimentation.

—How are you this lovely morning? —I asked Pakura as I examined her from top to bottom, checking the bandages that were no longer stained with blood.

—Thanks to all of you, I'm feeling much better —Pakura thanked me but became a bit uneasy upon seeing me, and I knew the reason, but I couldn't help but laugh a couple of times at it.

At some point during her conversations with Haku, she thanked him for bandaging her wounds, but Haku told her that I was the one who did the work, and that added a hint of pink to her cheeks the next time she saw me. Even more so when I had to change her bandages, and she was conscious this time.

No, I didn't accept her idea of doing it herself. That was a dangerous idea! What if she didn't apply the bandages correctly or tied them too tightly? I have to take care of my patient/guest properly, and I can do that since I received medical knowledge mainly during these nights.

Could it be that the knowledge I need takes priority when I'm asleep? Because if that's the case, I won't complain.

I told her she could treat me as a doctor if that made her more comfortable, as people generally don't find it embarrassing to expose their bodies to a doctor.

And it worked, I think. In fact, if I think about it a bit, Pakura is an elite kunoichi who received strict training, and it's impossible that she didn't take a lesson or two on seduction or something like that at some point, right? Then she should have better control over feelings like embarrassment or shyness in theory. Now I'm wondering if she's pretending or if she's relaxed enough with us to act like herself.

Oops, I'm rambling. Let's get back to reality.

—Mr. Enel, did I do well? —she asked me with a smile. She knows the answer, but she still wants to hear me say it. She really is a child.

—Thank you for your hard work these days, Haku —I raised my hand and patted his head. I realized that he loved it when I did that, so if it made him happy, I saw no reason not to indulge him. His hair has also become softer, straighter, and silkier since I taught him how to properly clean it, which unintentionally makes him look more feminine. Even Pakura asked him the secret of his hair! According to her, it's not easy to keep your hair hydrated and beautiful in such a warm climate.

—Can I hear your decision? —I asked Pakura as I sat down next to the bed. I found a lower chair to minimize my height, but it doesn't make much of a difference unless I sit on the floor.

—What do you expect from me if I join? What would be my job, responsibilities...? —I see where this is going, and I like it. The fact that she hasn't refused shows that she's seriously considering it.

I gathered my thoughts for a moment and explained to her bluntly what I wanted her to do and what I expected from her, some necessary restrictions, and the benefits she would receive.

—In summary, you want me to become Haku's teacher? —Pakura asked, amazed.

Without asking her to kill someone, steal supplies, or obtain confidential information?

—Do you find it too challenging? —I said with a teasing tone.

—Pakura, will you become my sensei? —came the moment of the surprise attack.

Haku used a combination of moves: Puppy eyes + pouting lips.

Pakura receives a critical hit! (♡‿♡)

—Alright, from today... I will be a kunoichi of Seimeigakure. I will be in your care in the future —Pakura seemed to expend all her strength saying that, but a wave of peace washed over her when she did. She had been thinking about it a lot and realized something disheartening. Even if Rasa was the one who wanted to kill her, it was impossible for the higher-ups to ignore the decision. But no one told her anything, not a warning sign or a subtle hint of what would happen. They simply gave up on her. Did they really think she would accept to die like that?

—Well, there's just one last step —I took out two headbands and a kunai that I had extracted from Pakura's arm earlier (which, luckily for everyone, didn't touch bone) from the nightstand next to the cloud bed. One was the headband Pakura originally had when I found her, showing the symbol of Sunagakure. The other had a bitten apple on it, and the fabric was a warm and pleasing shade of yellow, as if it had been dyed with turmeric.

I got the idea of the golden apple. Does it show too much? Oh, I don't care.

Pakura received the three items and understood what I expected her to do, an act to demonstrate that she was cutting ties with her past and accepting a new phase in her life. She felt particularly moved when, despite taking two minutes to look at them, I patiently waited for her to act.

Taking a deep breath, Pakura firmly held the kunai with familiarity and with a single motion, personally made a notch in her Sunagakure headband.

From that moment on, there was no turning back.

—You've just become the first official ninja of Seimeigakure in history. Congratulations!

Pakura looked excited and suddenly widened her eyes. What had I just said?