21 Something Sweet on the Side

Ah, the ramen we ate was very delicious. Judging from the procedure and the taste, I have already discerned what ingredients are used and how they're made. I'll have Emiya and Tamamo Cat recreate this masterpiece. I can't wait to taste their versions of ramen. Oh yes, I can't wait for it.

After the meal, we said thanks to Teuchi, and then went out the shop. We then walk around the village, noting the architecture and the way the streets are laid down. Although they're quite ancient, they can also seems to border modern times too.

Walking for a while, we eventually arrived to a dango stand. Me being a minor sweet tooth, I proposed to get some dangos on the way. The others agree with me, since they want to have something sweet after walking around for a while.

And so we stopped on a local dango stall not far away from our location at that time. When we arrived there, we saw another character from the series who is a dango lover, former disciple who ran away from Orochimaru, with a Curse Mark on her neck.

Seeing us approach us the dango shop, Anko saw us with surprise on her face. Well, she was surprised on Tsunade coming to a remote dango shop along with some randoms, which is us. What a let down.

"Fancy seeing you here, Tsunade-sama, Shizune-san. Are the other your friends?" Anko asked, wanting to know more about us.

"Yes," Tsunade replied, "I met them outside Konoha and now I'm showing them around the village. They said that they want to see the Chunin Exam Finals, and since I'm their friend and this is my home, it is my duty to show them around."

"I see," Anko replied. She then took a look at me, and then suddenly she goes, no offense to Anko fans, slut mode and tried to flirt with me.

"Hey there, handsome," she said while approaching me, "Didn't see you around these parts. Are you new here?"

I kinda flustered for a bit when Anko approached me and even invaded my private space. And then I cool down, courtesy of Gilgamesh inside me. I just looked at Anko with a deadpan stare, and she retreated not long after she realised that I'm not an easy guy.

While we are having this tryst, the rest were looking at us with envy, knowing look and embarrassment on their faces. The envy look is from Shizune, Tsunade and surprisingly Yukihime. Hmm, that's something unexpected, but a welcome one. The knowing look is from Yajima, while mattering "Ah youth," from his mouth. The embarrassment look is from Izuku who had yet to scratch the surface of love affairs.

"So, you guys are also watching the Finals then?" asked Anko. Having heard from Tsunade herself, she wanted to know more about it.

Tsunade was about to talk things out of it, but I beat her to the punch, "Yes, I've heard it from Tsunade herself. Me and my friends here were interested in watching it so I asked her to help for this matter. We'll watch the finals and clean up whatever obstacle that may come to disturb it."

To someone else, this will be gibberish to understand, but to Anko, she knows what this mean.

Prior to the time before we came to Konoha, Tsunade had reported about the attack on Konoha to the 3rd Hokage. After making sure of its authenticity, he immediately summons all Chunins, Tokubetsu Jounins and Jounins to his office and tell them about the matter. Anko was there, and let's just say she is pissed off that her former teacher Orochimaru, had dare to return and attack Konoha. She has the right to be pissed, after all Orochimaru did to her, the Curse Mark evident on her neck.

When she heard that the news come from Tsunade's friends, she was skeptical, just like the 3rd Hokage when ne first heard it. That is, until she saw them with Tsunade coming towards the dango shop that she just happened to be.

Once she sees them in their sight, she immediately knew that they were Tsunade's friends, the source of the news. Her flirting with me is just her doing her things. As for the questions she asked, she want to know if they are participating in preventing someone disturbing the Final Exams. They, or I have confirmed it.

After a while, she just smile and said, "Well, I'll hope you have your fun watching the Final Exams. And preventing 'someone' from disturbing the Finals."

Anko then left, having bought our fill of dango to do whatever she wants.

We also bought our fill of dangos and returned to the Senju estate.

By the time we have returned, the sweet and delicious dango were already in our stomach. It was also evening, perfect time to return and turn in for the night.

But that's not what we'll be doing immediately. The Finals will be held in 3 days, and we need to discuss how to limit the casualties. Not that there will be any from Konoha anyway.

Once we arrived and took our seats in the living room, the discussion starts.

"So," Tsunade said, "What will we be doing at the attack?"

"Hmm, I think that the 3rd Hokage will have you by his side in secret, and when Orochimaru start the attack, you, Jiraiya and the Hokage will fight him," I said, putting my chin on my right hand.

"What about us?" Yajima added, "There is something that we can do right?"

"There is," I answered, "If there are no mishappenings during the attack, you and Yukihime will protect the shelters where the villagers will stay. As for Izuku, there is nothing he can do for now."

Hearing my statement, Izuku clenched his fist, lamenting on his weakness on being unable to hellp protecting people.

"Do not fret, Izuku," I said, knowing what the cinnamon bun was thinking, "You have just started your training and you have yet to receive your power. Not to mention, you will get some sort of power or weapon as a reward after we finished this mission. More will come too."

Izuku then relax, but that did not dampen his resolve. In fact, my words had seem to add fuel to the fire, making his desire to grow stronger to protect those he love. A characteristic that I approved of.

Hmm, should I let Izuku meet Might Guy and have him train Taijutsu under him? And while he's at it, maybe train the boy in 'that' technique. I'll give him the manual of course, but it is best to learn under professionals, isn't it?

Yukihime and Yajima nodded at the same time I said those encouraging words to Izuku. They are old, and they know the way of life, unlike a silver-haired ninja that got lost in it.

After the discussion is done, it was night and we all turned in to bed. Especially for Izuku, cuz he is going to see something he have never expected to see. I hope that will temper his mind further than norm.