[80] Inageya Ice Cream Shop

After feeling his energy return, Kaoru decided to explore the village of Gohsa without informing his companions. He snuck out, enjoying a brief moment of freedom under the clear sky. The village streets remained serene, far from the hustle and bustle of crowded Tokyo. Although there were signs of modern development here and there, Gohsa had successfully preserved its natural beauty and tranquil atmosphere.

'It's so peaceful here...' Kaoru thought as he inhaled the fresh air mixed with the scent of grass and wood. Even though the air was clean, the summer heat was scorching, prompting Kaoru to think about finding something to cool him down.

As he wandered aimlessly, his eyes caught sight of a small shop at the end of the road, with a simple sign reading "Inageya." From the outside, it looked like an ice cream shop. Without hesitation, Kaoru pushed open the wooden door and stepped inside.

"Excuse me," he called softly, but there was no response. The inside of the shop felt quiet, almost too quiet. Kaoru called out again, this time louder, "Excuse me!"

Soon after, soft footsteps could be heard from the back of the room, accompanied by a faint muttering. From behind the curtain separating the store and the kitchen, an old woman appeared. Her hair was white, neatly tied at the back of her head, and her eyes were a piercing blue—sharp but full of wisdom. She wore a kimono paired with a deep blue hakama, resembling a figure from an older era.

The woman exhaled smoke from the wooden pipe she held casually. With a faint, mysterious smile, she greeted Kaoru.

"Oh my~ Welcome to Inageya, young customer," she said in a calm tone, but her voice resonated with a charisma that was hard to ignore.

Kaoru paused for a moment, somewhat captivated by the aura the woman exuded. The shop's atmosphere, filled with the scent of wood and a thin veil of smoke, gave an odd yet soothing impression. 'Who is this woman?' he thought. But the heat and thirst soon overcame his curiosity.

"Do you have ice cream?" he asked, trying to match the strange vibe in the room.

The old woman nodded slowly. "Of course. The ice cream here is made with ingredients from this village. It's simple but refreshing."

Kaoru smiled slightly. 'This place… is truly unique.' As he waited for his ice cream, he felt as though he had stepped into another world—a dimension where time moved slower, and everything felt more meaningful.

Kaoru picked out one of the ice creams from the freezer in the small shop. Without delay, he unwrapped it and took a bite. The not-too-sweet taste spread through his mouth, offering a cooling sensation in the midst of the scorching afternoon.

"Hmm... Nice. This is delicious, Baa-chan!" Kaoru exclaimed with a smile, looking at the old woman with a satisfied expression.

The old woman chuckled softly, her blue eyes observing Kaoru warmly yet with a hint of curiosity. "Fufufu~ I'm glad you like it," she replied, puffing out another thin cloud of smoke from her pipe. After watching Kaoru enjoy his ice cream for a moment, the old woman asked in a deeper tone, "I haven't seen you around before, child. Are you an outsider?"

Kaoru turned, still holding his ice cream, and nodded. "Yeah... I'm from Tokyo. I came here to accompany a friend," he answered briefly, making it clear he was just passing through the village.

The old woman nodded slowly, seeming to ponder for a moment before continuing. "I see. We rarely have tourists here. Are you from the West?"

Kaoru was momentarily surprised, then chuckled lightly. "Ah, no. I'm half. My mom is Japanese, and my dad is Russian." He shrugged, trying to explain simply.

"Oh, an interesting combination," the old woman said with a satisfied tone, as if she already knew something more than just Kaoru's mixed heritage. Her eyes sparkled with mystery, as if she were seeing beyond just the young man's appearance.

"Yeah, something like that," Kaoru added briefly while continuing to enjoy his ice cream, though a strange feeling crept into his mind. This old woman, with her quiet demeanor, seemed to know more than she let on.

After finishing one ice cream stick, Kaoru felt the urge to try more. He chose two more, savoring the different flavor combinations. With a wide grin, he approached the old woman and handed over his money.

The old woman had to tilt her head slightly to look up at Kaoru, who stood at 190 cm tall. She smiled, admiring his tall and sturdy figure. "Young man, you're really tall!" she said in a soft yet cheerful voice, creating a warm atmosphere inside the small shop.

Kaoru laughed lightly, feeling a bit shy. "Thank you, Baa-chan. Can I pay with digital money?" he asked, pulling out his phone.

Since it was now the year 2082, the use of physical money had become quite rare. Although some elderly people still used it, even they had mostly adapted to the technological advances of the time.

The old woman nodded in understanding and smiled. "Ah, just scan here." She pointed to a small device on the counter that served as a digital payment terminal.

Kaoru looked at the device with curiosity. "So, Baa-chan, you're already used to this new technology?" he asked while tapping his phone to the scanner.

"Of course! Though I prefer the traditional methods, sometimes this is more convenient," she replied enthusiastically, signaling how important it was to keep up with the times, even in her old age.

As the payment went through, Kaoru felt happy seeing the old woman's delighted reaction. "Thank you, Baa-chan! Your ice cream is really delicious, and I really appreciate your service."

"Fufufu~ Thank you, young man. Come back anytime, okay? I always enjoy welcoming new customers," the woman replied, her eyes sparkling with joy.

After Kaoru left the shop, a magical transformation occurred inside. Without anyone noticing, the old woman suddenly morphed into a young woman with long, shiny white hair, wearing an outfit that accentuated her charm. Her stunning figure and seductive smile graced her face. "Fufufu~ What an interesting young man," she said, her tone playful.

She was Inage Natsu, a retired Taimanin and the owner of the Inageya sweet shop. Thanks to her ninja abilities, Inage could rejuvenate herself, restoring her vitality and allure that had faded with age.

With her new appearance, her old traits of teasing and dominance resurfaced. Inage now looked at the world differently; she could feel youthful energy flowing through her once again.

As she observed Kaoru using his ninja art, Soul Art, Inage felt a deep attraction. "Interesting," she thought, "the young man's soul shines brightly but is cloaked in darkness, like an eclipse within." The image of his soul was so unique, so contrasting, and utterly captivating to Inage.

In all her life, she had never seen a soul image like that. "This boy has potential he doesn't yet fully understand," she murmured to herself, a mysterious smile playing on her lips as she planned her next move.