Hit the Ground Stumbling

"The shinobi academy…." Unlike his mother, his father mused at Kinjo's declaration and maintained an unreadable expression. "Why?"

"You told me that a shinobi saved your life a few years ago. I want to be a shinobi to help people and protect all of you. I'm serious about this and am willing to dedicate my life to it."

The two parents looked at each other, remaining silent as an uneasy peace reigned in the room. Kinjo's mother's expression softened, but her scowl remained. His father frowned, a facial expression Kinjo rarely saw from him. "I see."

Makoto lumbered towards his son and towered over him. "I'm not entirely surprised. The moment Izumi mentioned her family name… Well, I suspected it."

"Uchiha," The man's wife spat. "I should've guessed. They hardly leave their compound unless they're shinobi."

"Aya, please stop scaring Izumi. She's a kind, friendly girl. I'm sure she had nothing to do with our son's decision."

The Uchiha moved to the side to see Kinjo's father smiling reassuringly at her, which she returned. He looked at his eldest child, who stood defiantly. "You remembered what I told you."

"Yes, I did," Kinjo answered stiffly.

"I didn't tell you the whole story then, but I guess it's the right time to tell you."

"Mako, just tell him no and be done with it…." Aya urged.

"Give us some space."

As his father dragged him away to his parent's bedroom, Kinjo slowly waved to Izumi. She hesitantly waved back, shrinking when Kinjo's mother turned to her. When he glanced at his mother, all he could see was the depth of her anger in her eyes.

The master bedroom was noticeably spartan, with only a futon, some sewing equipment, and two dressers. After they entered, his father pulled out a coin from his pocket and fiddled with it before speaking. "You see, son, a shinobi saved my life two years ago. I'm sure you're smart enough to figure out what was happening then."

An eerie image of a giant monster destroying entire neighborhoods popped up in Kinjo's mind.

"I do."

"When the demon attacked our village, I was visiting a friend's house near the center of the village, right by the old marketplace. I was in the direct line of fire. The demon unleashed some sort of power and destroyed the entire block I was in." He gripped the coin tightly and closed his eyes. "My friend didn't make it. I only survived due to dumb luck."

"A shinobi?"

His father nodded. "My legs were pinned by the rubble of my friend's house, and I was too weak and injured to lift it off me. The house was still standing but on the verge of collapse. So I waited for my death in the dark for several minutes as the house creaked and groaned. I yelled for help, but I was sure I would die. It was loud that day, son. There was screaming and crying everywhere, and I was one of thousands calling for help."

"Then, a miracle happened." The man rubbed the coin and looked past Kinjo. "Someone had heard me and dashed through an opening in the walls. He lifted the rubble off me and carried me out just minutes before the house caved in. Before I could thank him, he collapsed in my arms."

He placed the coin right in front of his son's face. Kinjo stared at the foreign coin and noticed red marks on the surface.

Dried blood.

"He was dying," Makoto whispered. "When I lifted him up, I noticed a torrent of blood on my arms and clothes; he had a gaping hole in his stomach. I got him to the hospital as fast as I could limp, but he died shortly after arriving. He managed to wake up for a minute before he passed away. He handed me this coin, telling me it was a good luck charm for him and wanted me to have it.

"After he died, I asked for his information, to know who my savior was. I was told he was fighting the demon and evacuating civilians on the frontlines that terrible day. He was rushing to the hospital after receiving a mortal injury. He might have been alive today if he didn't stop to rescue me. He was an orphan who went against all odds to become a fine chunin. His name was Toya Satoshi. "

"Satoshi," Kinjo repeated, his eyes widening at the name.

"Yes, like your younger brother. It was the least I could do for the man who sacrificed himself for a nobody." Makoto let out a bitter laugh. "Our village lost a good man that day, and I sometimes wonder if I should've been the one to perish instead of him."

Kinjo only offered a tentative nod as he listened to his father ramble.

His father smiled. "Ha. And now, my eldest son is trying to run away from the family business and go about his own path."

"It's what I want to do,"

"I know. I can tell. I am your father, after all. When you were working in the store, you never seemed happy. If anything, you looked bored and uninterested."

"Yet, when you told me you wanted to attend the shinobi academy… I saw a fire in your eyes. Something that I have never seen from you before."

His father sat on the floor and gingerly placed the coin on his lap. "I'm not going to try and stop you. You're determined, and even if I try to stop you here, you'll try to find a way regardless of my opinion. Now, before I let you enroll there, I need to make sure of something."

"Shinobi have a reputation for being ruthless killers, soldiers that carry out the will of the village. But that man… Satoshi had something more that made me realize that shinobi aren't that shallow. He had a heart, even as a shinobi."

"Can you promise me that even if you become the greatest shinobi this world has ever seen, you will still retain your heart? To always be my and your mother's son and the older brother to your siblings? A shinobi with a soul?"

"I… Of course. Yes."

Makoto handed him the coin and slapped his back. "Then you have my permission, son. Go out there and let everyone know about the great Takashi Kinjo: part-time general store worker and full-time shinobi."

Kinjo accepted the coin and carefully placed it in his pocket. "I won't let you down."

"I know you won't... You know what? Maybe I should've taken up that offer to buy soldier pills. I have to support my son somehow, after all."

Kinjo sighed at his father's attempt at a joke. "Just when I thought you were a little cooler than before."

"You mean you didn't see me as an amazing father? I'm hurt, son."

The father laughed as the son groaned. "Also, don't be too harsh on your mother. She wants what she thinks is the best for you, and I understand her views. And she's not entirely wrong about her worries either. Since you've made this important decision, I trust that you've been working hard not to make us worry in the future?"

"I've been training every day, and I can even control my chakra… somewhat."

"That's my son. You'll be in the Academy for several years, so you have all the time you need to improve your shinobi skills. By the time you graduate, I'm sure you'll be more than strong enough to take care of yourself. Now, let's go out there and face the music, shall we?"

When the two left the room, the occupants of the dining room turned toward them with expectant eyes. Kinjo's mother waited patiently with her arms crossed, glancing at the Uchiha occasionally. Izumi was silent and squirming in her chair, her gaze avoiding the Takashi matriarch. Though Mika was busy playing with Takashi, her head was turned toward her father and brother.

"He's going," Kinjo's father announced.

"Makoto!"

"Aya, trust me. It's something he absolutely wants to do. There's no point of us chaining him here when he wants to go out there."

The woman's face reddened as she massaged her temples. "Do you not care that our son might die in some foreign land, never to return home?"

"You're underestimating him. He's already determined to become a great shinobi. He wakes up earlier than me so that he can train."

"Even if he's the best, he isn't immortal! Lord First was killed in battle, even though he is considered the greatest shinobi in history! And what about Lord Fourth? A freak of nature killed him! Our son can't deal with the threats out there!"

"And if our village is attacked again, who better than our own son to protect us? He is growing up very fast, Aya. I think he might be smarter than me already. If he continues to grow at this rate, then I'm sure there will be very few people that can threaten him by the time he grows up!"

"They'll send him to war when he's twelve, Makoto! Twelve! Some kids are being sent out much younger than that!"

"Then he has six years to train and prepare himself. He's already training hard now. Imagine what he'll be like in six years!"

"Even if he turns out to be a skilled shinobi, I don't want to lose our son! He'll be turned into a mindless killing machine, like all the other ones in this village!"

"He won't." Kinjo's father turned to his eldest son with a grimace. "I know he won't. Kids, I think you should step outside while the adults talk."

The argument between his parents had captured Kinjo's complete attention, to the point where he finally realized that his brother was crying and waving his fists while screaming, "Mama!"

Kinjo ushered Izumi and his siblings to the store, which was still closed. As he listened in on the commotion upstairs, Izumi tapped his shoulders and bowed her head. "I'm sorry if I caused you any trouble."

"No… I think this might be for the best. They needed to discuss this now instead of later. It's my fault anyway; you have nothing to apologize for." Kinjo answered.

"I think your mom hates me now."

"She's just overreacting. I'll tell her how great you are when she's done arguing with my dad."

Izumi looked at the floor and rubbed her hands. "Still, I feel like I messed things up."

"I'm sure things will die down soon. Until then, can you show me a few katas?"

"I can't show you any of my clan stuff," Izumi replied with a frown. "I can show you other ones, though!"

"I thought you only knew your clan's forms?"

Izumi scoffed. "That would make me way too predictable. I'm the best at taijutsu, remember? I know a bunch of forms and katas. Come on, let me show you."

She ran into one of the aisles and started to demonstrate her knowledge. Kinjo barely managed to stop her from accidentally side-kicking a shelf. He tensed his shoulders as he watched her go through a series of motions slower than before, his attention drifting away from his parents to focus on the overeager Uchiha.

He never discovered what his father said to persuade his mother, but several hours later, both of his parents gave him permission to enroll at the Academy. His mother looked defeated when they reaffirmed his father's decision, while his father smiled jovially.

He was going to be a shinobi.

+++++

"Come on, Kinjo. You have to try harder than that."

"Easy for you to say, Izumi."

Kinjo focused on the girl before him, aiming at her torso and striking quickly with his fists. She was weaving and dodging all his strikes without breaking a sweat. The two were in a small park that was a five-minute walk from the Takashi family's store. It was a tranquil recreational area with a pond, an open field, and numerous trees that towered over the narrow footpaths. The park was in a quieter part of the neighborhood, and only a few people were inside the park, making it a perfect location for the two future Academy students to train.

It had been a few days since Kinjo's parents agreed to let him join the Academy, and he was learning the basics from his friend in preparation for the Academy, which started in a month and a half. The duo had been "sparring" for over an hour, but the boy had yet to hit her. His Taekwondo kata was useless for sparring, as he was too slow to utilize it, and the moves were too predictable. Meanwhile, Izumi had only been evading his hits instead of attacking, as they knew she could knock him out in one go.

"You're trying to punch too hard," Izumi commented as she redirected Kinjo's punch with the palm of her hand. "You can't leave any gaps when attacking. Otherwise, someone better than you will wallop you while you're off-balance."

Her partner didn't respond verbally but shortened his punches and jabbed while his forearms protectively guarded his core. She grinned as one of his punches grazed her guard. "Better. I'm going to fight back now, so try to keep up."

In a flash, her right fist was just inches away from his face, and Kinjo stepped back in a panic.

A blink and her legs were barreling towards his stomach, which he blocked with his arms. His bones creaked as he pushed her leg away and aimed a knife hand at her throat.

Izumi grabbed his hand and struck his jaw faster than he could raise his guard. While being hit, he flailed out with his right leg, wobbling from the blow and the sudden imbalance from his attack.

"Always keep your eyes on your opponent. You're as good as dead if you don't know where your opponent is," Izumi advised as she grabbed his leg, pinning him while striking his chest with her right palm. "Also, if you look away while attacking, your attacks will be weaker and miss. It also makes your opponent more aggressive."

Kinjo staggered back, gasping loudly. Izumi came up to him and began to babble. "Are you ok? Do you want to stop for today? I'm sorry if I hurt you."

"It's fine." He assured her while rubbing his aching chest. "I can keep going."

Usually, Izumi was carefree and excitable. However, when she started sparring with him, her expression turned serious, and she emitted an air of professionalism and maturity. To Kinjo, the contrast was jarring. It was as if she had aged several years in seconds, her analysis and comments about his fighting style reinforced by wisdom beyond her years.

She nodded hesitantly. "Don't flinch when you get hit. If your opponent hits you, stay calm and focus on landing a clean hit so that you can hit them back."

Then the beating continued.

She was graceful as a ballerina when she fought, shifting her feet swiftly and moving with practiced ease. Her ability to fluidly switch between various forms made taijutsu look like an art, a choreography.

However, instead of spinning into the air in front of an entranced audience, she was pummeling him into the ground with ruthless efficiency.

Several minutes later, Kinjo was lying on the ground in a heap while Izumi stood over him with a sheepish grin. He could taste dirt and a hint of iron in his mouth.

"I don't think I'm that good at teaching." Izumi sighed.

"No, you were fine." The young boy groaned as he pushed himself off the ground. "I learned a lot from this… This wasn't even a spar; I was basically a punching bag."

"You're a lot better than when I first started sparring. You'll get better over time." Izumi insisted as she helped him up. "I'll teach you something called Araki-ryu the next time we spar. It's really cool, and there's a lot of grappling! Let's move on to the next part of our training today."

They took a short break to recuperate and sat on the fresh grass in the clearing. She picked up a dandelion and blew on it, watching as the small fuzzy petals floated off into the cloudy winter sky. "Is your mom still mad at me?"

"Yeah, she's just being childish," Kinjo frowned as he recalled his parents' fight two weeks ago. "I think we just need to give her some time. After all, I'm the first in my family to become a shinobi. This entire experience is new to my family."

His mother conceded the battle but not the war. She continued to treat Kinjo affectionately but tried using her relationship with him to make him reconsider his enrollment in the Academy. The Takashi matriarch also shunned Izumi, warning him of the dangers of hanging out with a "dangerous girl" like her and grumbling about the Uchiha clan.

As such, Izumi was barred from visiting his family home, though she occasionally visited the shop and played with Mika.

"I like your mom, but she's scary," Izumi confessed.

"It's not just you. Mika was wary of my mom for a few days after the argument. Even dad looked like he wanted to sleep in his shop instead of his room."

"Maybe you can visit my house and meet my mom. She's a lot nicer."

"Isn't the Uchiha Compound off-limits to outsiders?" Kinjo inquired.

Izumi tilted her head. "Who told you that? Anyone can visit as long as a Uchiha accompanies them."

"Huh, I didn't know that."

"Eh, I'm still getting used to the rules too." She waved her hand as she looked up at the sky. "I didn't want to move to that stuffy place, but my mom said we had to. She said it was a new rule or something."

Kinjo froze as he digested her words. The seeds of rebellion were already planted. All he could hope was that it wasn't too late to uproot them.

"Back to training!" Izumi exclaimed as she shot up from the ground. "I'm gonna teach you the easiest jutsu you need to master to graduate from the Academy: the Transformation Jutsu."

"Why is it the easiest?"

"Because you don't need to have good chakra control to use it. And you told me you're having trouble with your chakra control."

"I'm not that bad at it." Kinjo retorted. "I can stick the leaf on my forehead without craning my neck… for like a few seconds. Does it usually take this long to master that exercise?"

He still practiced his chakra control and stamina daily, but it took longer to see results than expected. Sticking the leaf on his forehead was only the first step of the exercise. He still had to learn how to rotate it in the direction of his chakra and then rotate it in the other direction.

At times, he couldn't tell if the leaf was sticking due to his chakra or sweat.

"Maybe? I think it depends on the person. I took a while to master that too." Izumi scratched her head. "I'm not that good with ninjutsu, but I'm pretty sure I'm better than you."

"Ouch."

"It's true! The elders might think I suck 'cause I can't use my Sharingan or learn all their complicated jutsu stuff, but I know how to use the three basic jutsu."

The boy patted her shoulders, "You don't suck. You might not be great at ninjutsu, but you're great at taijutsu. Besides, you know three more jutsu than I do, and you're good enough to teach me."

Izumi blinked before smiling. "I never thought I would be lectured by a kid that's younger than me, but thanks."

"Again, you are only one year older."

"Still older," She teased. "Anyways, Transformation Jutsu. The hand signs are simple: Dog, Boar, and then Ram. When trying to use it, you should imagine your body shifting into the person you want to turn into. Picture your chakra changing your outer appearance, kinda like changing your clothes."

"That's a bit… weird, but yeah, I hear you. What should I transform into?"

"Hmm… It's easier to transform into something close to your size and shape… So how about you transform into me?"

"What?" Kinjo stared at her with widened eyes. She stared back with a quizzical smile.

"What? You're only a bit shorter than me, and you can look at me before transforming. It'll turn out more accurate if you transform into me!"

"If you say so, sure…."

Kinjo observed his counterpart with a reluctant gaze, noting all her prominent facial features and visualizing his face turning into hers. He also noted her clothes and limbs, imagining the correct shade of purple and blue for her shirt and shorts.

He tried not to overthink about turning into a girl.

"I think I'm ready," Kinjo declared as he warmed up his fingers.

"Remember, dog, boar, and ram. You got this!"

Kinjo loosened his shoulders and placed his hands together, calling upon his chakra to change his outer appearance. His mind recalled the hand signs that Izumi had shown several days prior.

Left-hand flat over his right fist.

Both of his wrists inwards and touching each other. He winced while maintaining the awkward position.

Hands together vertically, with the left thumb on top.

"Transformation Jutsu!"

A puff of smoke surrounded him, and when he saw his body again, he noticed some peculiarities.

Such as the fact that his transformation didn't go all the way.

He remained a dude, that was for sure.

Kinjo looked around and realized he could see Izumi eye to eye without any support. His fingers were longer and more slender, and his hair was lighter and reached his shoulders. Glancing at his clothes, his shirt was brighter than Izumi's, and his pants were slightly too long.

"This is really weird."

Izumi giggled as she walked around him to inspect his handiwork. "Mmm… First off, you don't have any eyebrows."

"What?"

"Come and take a look."

The duo scurried to the pond, and Kinjo stared at his reflection. His jaws dropped as Izumi laughed uncontrollably next to him.

He had no eyebrows, the anti-Lee. And he noticed his nose and ears remained unchanged.

"Remember, you have to focus on all aspects. You got my eyes, my mouth, and my mole right. But you got a lot of things wrong," Izumi lectured.

"Yeah, like the fact that I'm still a guy."

"Oh." Izumi blushed. "That is definitely wrong."

"I think I might've messed up the boar hand sign. That sign is uncomfortable to form."

"You get used to it. That's why you should also exercise your wrist every day. You need flexible wrists to do the hand signs fast and to throw things like kunai."

Kinjo nodded as he rotated his stiff wrists. "Anything else?"

"Mmm. Make sure you're thinking about sending the chakra across your body when doing the jutsu. That might be why you stayed as a boy."

"Got it, thanks. I guess I'll practice transforming into my siblings and parents too."

Izumi giggled again. "Make sure not to transform into your mom without eyebrows. I don't think she'll ever forgive you for that."

They laughed together as Kinjo dispelled his jutsu and tried not to imagine his mother without eyebrows.

+++++

Only a week remained before the Academy started, so Kinjo decided to expand his skillset before his first classes.

Located in the northeastern parts of Konoha, the Uchiha Compound sat in a forgotten corner near a lowly populated residential area. It was detached from the central business districts of the village and away from the major entrances. The Hokage Tower loomed to the west like a watchtower, an eye carefully observing the clan. The Konoha Military Police Headquarters was located between the two, an unsteady middle ground between Konoha and the Uchiha.

He stood in front of the entrance to the Uchiha Compound: a tall, intimidating gate with two Uchiha banners adorned on the top. Several large buildings peaked over the area's walls, while the open gates revealed an ordinary-looking street filled with shops and people.

At first glance, the compound seemed like any other part of Konoha. Yet, the intense gaze of an Uchiha chunin sitting in front of the gate, the endless walls, and the lack of civilians entering the district suggested otherwise.

It wasn't its own district; it was its own nation like San Marino, surrounded by a much larger Italy.

Kinjo frowned. "I thought the compound was smaller than this."

"Our clan is one of the biggest in Konoha, with over a thousand people. A lot of them are shinobi, but some are civilians too." Izumi remarked.

"So, everyone in the clan lives here?"

"Pretty much. Maybe a few people with some Uchiha blood live outside, but they're only distantly related to the clan."

"Huh."

They walked through the gate, with Izumi smiling and waving at the chunin watching them. Surprisingly, the shinobi waved back, his expression softening at the girl's antics.

Izumi noticed Kinjo's stiff shoulders and patted his back."Takeshi is nice. He watches over my training sometimes. He just likes to glare at people 'cause he thinks it makes him look scary."

"Does he just sit there all day?"

"No, silly. He's only there once a week for a few hours. He's not the only entrance guard."

The pair strolled through the streets, with Kinjo eyeing the various shops and houses. The buildings were noticeably more traditional and were painted in darker shades than he had seen in his home's street. Tiled roofs, sliding doors, and front yard gardens appeared to be the norm in the district.

He also counted more than a dozen Uchiha banners in a single street alone, reminding him of his hometown in his other life. It was also quieter than he was accustomed to, with only faint whispers and sounds of movement reaching his ears.

"Here we are!" Izumi announced as she placed her hands on her hips. "Home sweet home."

Her home was on the topmost floor of a two-story weathered apartment. The apartment was a mix of traditional and contemporary design: a modern complex with old-fashioned windows and doors. It was in better shape than his own house, but it certainly wasn't luxurious. Yet, Kinjo marveled at the apartment appreciatively as he climbed up the stairs with her. "Where did you live before you moved here?"

"In the southeast, near where the Nara Clan lives. Why?"

"Just wondering." Kinjo fidgeted as they reached her apartment, labeled as "206." "Is your mom ok with me visiting?"

"Yep! She likes it when my friends visit. I think she gets more excited than me sometimes." Izumi chattered as she smiled. "I'm sure she'll like you too."

She opened the door and threw her shoes aside while running in. "Mom, I'm home!"

The apartment was surprisingly well-furnished with a clean kitchen, a modest living room with several couches, a balcony that oversaw much of the Uchiha Compound, and two bedrooms. A woman was sitting on the living room sofa when the duo walked in.

"Welcome back!" Izumi's mother hugged her daughter with a grin. After she finished hugging Izumi, she turned toward Kinjo. "This must be your friend from outside the compound! It's nice to finally meet you, Kinjo. My daughter has talked about you almost every day."

She was a physical inverse of her daughter: dark caramel eyes and jet-black hair, which fell loosely at her hips. She was significantly taller than Kinjo's father, yet her warm expression ran contrary to her large presence.

Then again, his mother was kind until she was angry.

Kinjo prayed that he would never anger Izumi's mother.

"I'm just gonna grab dad's stuff and go out to train with Kinjo!" Izumi shouted as she stormed off to her room.

"Would you like any cookies?" Izumi's mother asked as she pulled out a container from the kitchen cupboard. "I baked them yesterday."

"Sure, thank you."

He graciously accepted three matcha cookies and chewed them softly. "These are good, ma'am."

"That's good to hear. I was afraid Izumi would eat all of them by herself, but thankfully, you dropped by." She sat on one of the dining room chairs and motioned for him to sit on the sofa. "She hasn't beaten you up, has she?"

"Uh…" His thoughts betrayed him, and images of his best portrayal of a human rag doll popped into his head. "No?"

Izumi's mother sighed. "That girl… She gets far too overexcited at times. I'm sorry if she hurt you badly."

"It's alright. I'm used to it."

"Well, you shouldn't be." She frowned unhappily. "I swear, she's too much like her father."

He stopped eating and looked at her, his eyes widening at the comment. "Is she…"

"She's looking at pictures of her father. He passed away two years ago while doing his duties as a shinobi." Her tone was rather monotonous and dispassionate at the mention of her dead husband.

Kinjo's brows furrowed as he placed the last cookie on the table. "Is there something wrong, ma'am?"

"It's nothing. Just give my daughter a few minutes, and she'll be out."

Instead of inquiring further, he slowly ate the last cookie as a heavy silence permeated the room.

"I'm back!" Izumi announced as she kicked open the door to her room and rejoined them. She was carrying a small pouch of kunai and shurikens, along with a tanto. "What were you guys talking about?"

"We were just waiting for you, sweetie. Make sure to practice safely and come back home before six."

"Of course, mom! Come on, Kinjo, let's go!" Izumi practically dragged Kinjo away as his eyes remained on her mother.

Something wasn't right, but was it his place to ask?

+++++

Kinjo flicked the kunai towards his target, his fingers lightly holding the bottom half and releasing it with minimal resistance. It spun several times before bouncing off the wooden dummy's arm.

The practice range was only a short walk from Izumi's apartment, and the two were training their shurikenjutsu with varying degrees of success. Thankfully, bare wooden walls covered the range's perimeter, preventing loose projectiles from hitting a passerby.

"That's better! Aim for the body, though, since it's the biggest target on a person," Izumi suggested.

Another flick. This time, the kunai spun only three times before lodging into the dummy's stomach.

Izumi grinned and patted Kinjo's shoulder. "Nice!"

"At least I'm better at this than the tanto." Kinjo winced as he recalled his poor attempt at swinging the tanto. It involved a partially destroyed fence, a sliced bonsai, and a scolding from a chunin for his reckless swinging.

"Now watch me again when I throw the kunai. I think you're using your hands too much when throwing. You should only be flicking your wrist with a small burst of chakra. That'll make the kunai go straight and fast."

She took several steps back from Kinjo's position and turned into a blur as she released the kunai directly into the dummy's head.

"Can you do it a bit slower?"

"Sure?" Izumi shrugged. She winded up slowly, throwing the kunai with minimal use of her dominant left hand.

It landed on the target's neck.

"Right, I think I get it." Kinjo copied her motions with his right hand and launched a kunai straight into the stomach. Another attempt resulted in a hit to the shoulders.

"Let's practice a bit more, and then we can go back to my house to eat!"

He nearly accepted without much thought but quickly shook his head. "I think I'll go home after this. I need to… help my parents with a few errands."

"Oh." She looked down at the ground with a pout. "Ok. My mom is cooking tonkatsu, and it's really good! Maybe you can stay for a little bit?"

"Maybe next time. By the way… your mom mentioned your dad earlier."

Izumi stiffened. "She did?"

"Yep."

"Did she tell you about… you know."

"Him dying during the Attack?" Kinjo finished.

"So you know now." She picked up a kunai and threw it shakily, striking the dummy in the leg. "She probably told you I was looking at his pictures while you were waiting."

"She did."

Izumi took a deep breath and sat on the ground feebly. "My dad died a hero. He died fighting the Nine-Tails and protecting the village. He didn't need to be there, but he was. He wanted to protect the village, so he died fighting."

"I… I was near the Nine-Tails when it attacked, and my dad saw me. He rushed to save me while fighting and died. That was when I got my Sharingan."

Kinjo remained silent for a few moments before speaking. "I'm sorry… for asking. And for your dad dying."

"It's ok. You're my friend, so you should know." Izumi smiled bravely. "He's why I want to become a great shinobi."

A stream of tears trailed from her eyes, and Kinjo gently hugged her from behind. He patted her head as she sniffled. "He would be proud of you."

As he held her, he wondered why Izumi's mother reacted the way she did to the mention of Izumi's father. Was there a problem with their marriage before his death? Or was something missing from Izumi's recollection?

Whatever it was, he hoped it wouldn't jeopardize the relationship between the two.

These moments gave him the motivation to continue his work. He could never be truthful to the people around him, but perhaps it was for the best. Exploiting his meta-knowledge to change his surroundings would help people.

At least, that was what he kept on telling himself.