A simple question, and yet a bright, radiant smile bloomed on Yugito's small face.
Standing up from the shadowed corner of the stone pillar, she bathed in the sunlight.
Her smile was pure and untainted—something so rare and precious.
It was only now that Yamanaka Shinno truly noticed—Yugito's hair wasn't golden like his own but rather a pale, wheat-blond color.
Not as dazzling as gold, but softer and warmer in its own way.
"Your hair is really pretty, Yugito."
Shinno offered the compliment sincerely.
"T-Thank you!"
Yugito's face flushed slightly. The unexpected praise left her at a loss.
Throughout her years as a Jinchūriki, genuine kindness had been a rare thing for her.
At first, some people had treated her kindly, not knowing her identity. But the moment they learned the truth, their expressions twisted with deeper disgust and fear than they showed to others.
...
A simple breakfast—two fried eggs, a small portion of beef steak, Kumogakure's specialty, along with a side of corn noodles and toasted bread.
Accompanied by a glass of sweet and tangy fruit juice.
In less than ten minutes, Shinno had prepared a meal that left Yugito in awe.
As she ate, her eyes narrowed in sheer delight.
Shinno took a moment to sense the presence of two Anbu stationed outside. They weren't the same ones from yesterday—small details had changed in their chakra signatures.
But he didn't act. Instead, he casually took a sip of his juice and struck up a conversation about Yugito's daily life.
Perhaps it was because the Eight-Tails frequently went berserk while the Two-Tails was more manageable.
Or maybe the upper echelons of Kumogakure simply valued the power of the Eight-Tails far more.
Whatever the case, it was clear Yugito had never received the same level of attention as Killer B.
Their training paths were completely different.
From the moment Killer B became a Jinchūriki, he had been under the direct tutelage of the Third Raikage's son—the future Fourth Raikage.
Yugito, on the other hand, was sent through the standard curriculum of the Ninja Academy.
Every now and then, an Anbu member would deliver scrolls containing training methods for Jinchūriki, but that was the extent of her support.
Shinno could more or less guess the Third Raikage's reasoning.
Perhaps he believed that, as a girl, Yugito needed the companionship of her peers.
And that the bullying and ostracization she faced were just the result of her not being strong enough yet. After all, children always idolized the powerful.
In short—the Third Raikage had some consideration for her well-being, but not much.
Kumogakure had always been a place where strength was paramount.
But the kids at the Academy, who had yet to witness the brutal reality of the ninja world, wouldn't understand that.
And forced companionship would only deepen Yugito's loneliness and anxiety.
...
"Thank you for the meal!"
After finishing breakfast, Yugito pressed her small hands together in gratitude, her face glowing with happiness.
"Want to play a game? Shogi? Cards? Or do you have a better suggestion?"
Shinno casually cleared the table, tossing the dishes into the sink.
Musai, that little brat, had grabbed some bread and bolted first thing in the morning. Washing dishes? That was a perfect task for him later.
The ninja world was ruthless.
If you weren't strong enough, someone would sleep in your bed, beat your kids, and spend your money.
...
"I... I don't really know how."
Yugito hesitated, fidgeting awkwardly with her fingers.
She had never played these games before. She had only watched from afar when her classmates played, barely understanding the rules.
"That's fine. I'll teach you. Let's try them all and see which one you like."
Shinno smiled, easing her discomfort.
From a small box under the table, he pulled out shogi, Go, sugoroku, hanafuda, and a deck of playing cards.
Yugito listened eagerly as he explained the rules of each game.
Like Fū, the future Seven-Tails Jinchūriki of Takigakure, she was quick to pick up on the mechanics.
In the end, she chose sugoroku—a game similar to Monopoly. Players rolled dice to determine their movements on a board filled with various challenges. The first to reach the goal won.
Her luck, however, seemed a bit questionable.
She kept landing on bizarre penalty spaces—having to bark like a puppy, spin in place with her eyes closed, alternate between laughing and crying three times in a row, or balance a book on her head while walking gracefully.
Yet, each time, she laughed with pure joy.
The small room was filled with the sound of her bell-like laughter.
For her, moments like these were so rare and precious that they felt almost unreal—like a dream.
...
Outside, the two Anbu watching this scene were stunned.
Playful, cheerful, a little naïve but endearingly innocent.
Was this really the same Yugito they knew?
The cold, aloof girl who walked through the Academy with her head held high, distant and proud?
...
Lunch was also prepared by Shinno.
After eating, they switched to different games, yet Yugito never once felt bored.
Only when it was nearing 8 PM, after dinner, did the Anbu finally knock on the door.
They reminded Yugito that she needed to head home—she had class tomorrow.
Reluctantly, she left, turning back every few steps as if unwilling to part.
Shinno leaned against the railing, glancing at the Anbu who remained.
With a sigh, he spoke first.
"Do I need to report to the Anbu for questioning?"
"No one suspects you. The Raikage is pleased to see someone accepting a Jinchūriki."
The one speaking was the same squad captain from the previous night.
"Then?"
"I heard you're trying to get your kid to retire?"
"Life is about accepting that your parents are ordinary, that you yourself are ordinary, and that your child is, too... I just... don't want him to die on the battlefield."
Shinno lied with ease.
The Anbu captain followed his gaze, looking out at the cityscape of Kumogakure—houses standing tall in the clouds, lights glowing in the night.
Hearing the tired sigh in Shinno's words, he unexpectedly found himself relating.
With a small nod, he vanished.
...
"Maybe I should just die once on my way out. Otherwise, this would be too unfair."
Watching the Anbu disappear, Shinno started to understand why spies couldn't stay in the same place too long.
Connections formed between people—inescapable bonds.
Someone had vouched for him, keeping him from being taken in for questioning.
Even though he knew that mercy toward an enemy was cruelty toward oneself...
Still...
For Yugito's sake.
For other reasons, too.
Perhaps dying once was the best choice?
...
Footsteps pounded against the ground.
Musai burst through the door, kicking off his shoes.
"Old man! What's for dinner?"
"Check the kitchen."
"Old man, am I even your real son? There's only leftovers!"
"Kid, there's something I never told you. I'm actually your stepfather. That snowy night, you were barely breathing in the snow..."
"No wonder I get beaten six times a week! You—ow! Wrong, wrong! I was wrong!"
Thud, thud, whack—
After some heavy-handed fatherly love, Musai obediently ate his leftovers.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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