You are a shadow clone of Uzumaki Naori, the one now spoken of in hushed tones as the ‘shadow’ of Queen Sāra of Rōran - for good reason. Over the years you’ve rarely had to use any of your abilities to protect her, because as it turns out if you do a job right you only ever really have to do it once. In saving her life during the fall of her kingdom and its evacuation, you became infamous for cutting down not one but two teams of Kirigakure anbu in front of numerous witnesses from their regular forces.After that, it seemed like other shinobi rarely wanted to cause any further trouble for the queen, and by extension for you. So it’s been a long time since you used this technique, which others might call an ‘assassination-jutsu’ but which for you is simply proper application of the basics.“How… did I lose?” the Ōtsusuki’s severed head wonders aloud with what must be the last of its waning energy, still somehow able to speak even if just for a few seconds.Because there are still thoughts going through his mind, you find that it feels appropriate to offer an explanation. “Before the shadow clone you struck dissipated I switched places with it, and immediately hid in your shadow. That was where I struck from.”After a few seconds of silence, you reason that the Ōtsutsuki can no longer answer you - his chakra has either disappeared or faded to such an extent that you can no longer sense it even with your senjutsu still moulded. And so, you finally allow yourself to relent and sheath your sword.“That was a hell of a technique,” Jiraiya-tono admits in a slight growl, still poised as though wary of you. “Attacking from out of the victim’s own shadow while using silent killing… he didn’t stand a chance.”You shake your head. “Yeah no, were it not for the proper timing he may still have avoided death.”You glance at Sasuke-han. “Well done.”“Some of our techniques do seem to dovetail fairly nicely,” Sasuke-han admits. “Are you okay?”“Fine,” you confirm. “Just a little tired. Yourself?”“I’ve been better,” he replies in something of a grumble.Now that the Ōtsutsuki has been killed, the younger shinobi who narrowly avoided getting dragged into this fight move to join you. Boruto-kun and Naruto-kun seem shocked at the scene, while your own future son immediately gets to work by pulling out a small scroll.>1/2
>>5673330Shiki seals away the Ōtsutsuki’s body first as Naruto-kun and Boruto-kun continue to gawk at the display. You can tell that neither of the latter has ever seen a man decapitated before, let alone one who was so obviously powerful.“I’ll need the head,” Shiki-kun informs you, his tone rather delicate and controlled.You glance at him. “Yeah, of course. It doesn’t belong here.”“Thank you.”While he continues to take care of that, Jiraiya-tono gestures to you with a subtle nod… and you find a moment when Sasuke-han is talking to Boruto-kun and Naruto is going on about something while Shiki’s working to join Jiraiya.“I think you know what we have to discuss now,” he tells you quietly.>What do you want, Jiraiya-han?>Sure. But just know that I won’t be able to answer every question.>No comment.>Other?
>>5673604>>Sure. But just know that I won’t be able to answer every question.
>>5673604>Sure. But just know that I won’t be able to answer every question.
>>5673604“Of course,” you reply calmly, “but just to make it clear - I won’t be able to answer every question you might ask, though I will answer the ones I can.”Jiraiya-tono nods in understanding, before beginning. “Let’s dispense with the pretenses, shall we?”“Sure.”“Then what do you intend to do from here?” he asks you sternly.“Simple,” you insist. “What I’ve already done once, apparently.”“Can you be more specific?”“Yeah, so I conveyed certain information,” you explain. “Memories, breakthroughs in technique, and so on.”“Do you see why I might have a problem with that?”“I do,” you admit. “But if I don’t do what I did last time, the results could be catastrophic.”“What sort of techniques are we talking about here?” he frowns. “Hiraishin?”“Yeah no, among other things.”“... sage mode,” he realizes.“Don’t be too worried,” you sigh. “I was her once, so I can tell you - she’ll be judicious.”“I wish that were enough of a reassurance,” Jiraiya-tono continues to frown. “I’ve seen evidence of her potential already, even at her age. Evidence that should what you say prove untrue, would suggest that she could become the greatest threat to Konohagakure in a generation.”“What would you say to that argument? The elders of my village may never have said it like that, but slow as they are they’ve already begun to consider things from that perspective.”>I can offer you no guarantee but this - that should we deviate from my intended plan, I’m confident it will spell disaster for us all.>Ignore all the nonsense and consider whether she is, underneath it all, still a human being. I already have my own answer to that.>You really don’t have much of a choice in the matter. We’re going to erase all trace of Shiki and Sasuke-han’s group having been here.>Other?
>>5675076>I'd say our kids get along well enough that i don't think it's a problem. In fact... the fact that we have children at all says a lot.>Whatever the future may hold, i think we can both look forward to it.
>>5675082+1though sadly, they won't really get to experience it...
>>5675076>>5675082Support.
>>5675076>>5675082This
>>5675076“Jiraiya-tono…” you frown. “In their time, I married a former ANBU from Kusagakure. We have a son and a daughter together, and my son came here with a girl from Kirigakure, Sasuke-han, and Naruto-kun’s son. What does that tell you about the world they must have grown up in?”Jiraiya-tono considers this point. “It sounds nice.”“It does,” you agree.He sighs softly, watching Shiki-kun end an argument between Kōshū-kun and Boruto-kun by bopping Boruto over the head with the scroll he sealed the Ōtsutsuki’s corpse into. “I won’t get to see it.”You shake your head. “No.”“Well, that’s too bad,” he shrugs, before putting on a smile and joining his student. “Well, seems like things went better than expected!”“I barely got to do anything, ya know!” Naruto protests.“You managed to pull a fast one on that guy with a transformation technique,” Jiraiya-tono contends. “Sometimes outsmarting and outlasting is enough.”…You are Uzumaki Shiki, and your mission in the past is over.“So what now?” Boruto asks, after you manage to get him and Kōshū to stop bickering over who got a chance to do what to help in the final fight.>Well, the turtle probably just needs to be charged with chakra. That will just take time.>We need to erase all traces we were ever here - you need to retrace your own steps.>There are still some things I’d like to go over with Naori-san and Sasuke-san.>Other?
>>5676259>>Well, the turtle probably just needs to be charged with chakra. That will just take time.
>>5676259>>We need to erase all traces we were ever here - you need to retrace your own steps.
>>5676259>We need to erase all traces we were ever here - you need to retrace your own steps.
>>5676259>>There are still some things I’d like to go over with Naori-san and Sasuke-san.
>>5676259wait a second, how does this Naori know about Makoto? She has to have Sharinganed that out of Shiki's brain, no way she deduced it from his shampoo or something dumb like that
>>5676763I figured Shiki would have mentioned it some evening before bed. Seems like a pretty obvious thing to mention.>writing
>>5676259“We need to erase every trace that we were ever here,” you declare flatly. “So that means you need to retrace your own steps with Sasuke-san while we do the same with Naori-san.”“Can you do that?”“Yeah, yeah,” Boruto-kun sighs, waving his hand.“This is serious,” Kōshū insists. “Come on, dude.”“Okay, fine!” Boruto-kun protests. “I’ll make sure I get it done, alright?”“So, what’s going on over here?” Naruto asks curiously. “Why’re you all arguing like that? And did you just say Naori? Like, that freakshow from the chūnin exams?”“... we’re going to have to leave it at that, Naruto-kun,” Sasuke-san insists curtly, before putting Naruto-kun under using his sharingan.>1d6, best three of four
Rolled 2 (1d6)>>5676902
Rolled 1 (1d6)>>5676902
Rolled 6 (1d6)>>5676902
Rolled 3 (1d6)>>5676902
>>5676902It’s not hard to retrace your steps through the previous few days, and at each step of the way Naori-san carefully eradicates the memories of every single person you met who spoke with you, or who got to know you at all. That means of course that most of Naruto-kun’s friends get a double-dose of mind-altering genjutsu. Finally, you come to a familiar face.“Ah, Shiki-san,” Hanabi-chan greets you with a restrained cheer, as if forcing herself to show poise despite being pleasantly surprised. “Funny we ran into each other again like this.”You and Naori-san tracked her down to a grocery store again.“Hanabi-chan,” you smile, ever so slightly. “I just wanted to say goodbye to you before we left the village.”“That’s thoughtful of you, Shiki-san,” she smiles back. “If you or your aunt ever come back to our village, let me know - the Hyūga clan can show you proper hospitality.”“I’d like that,” you bow politely. “Thank you for your generous offer.”Hanabi-chan glances at Naori-san, who takes the blindfold off her eyes. “Ma’am, I thought you were…”Then she pauses mid-sentence, her pale eyes slightly unfocused. Before she comes around a few seconds later you both step around the corner of the aisle.“... I could have sworn…” you hear her mutter, before she goes about her business.…“Everything settled, Sasuke-han?” Naori-san asks once you meet again back at the training ground, having been careful to ensure that you weren’t observed.He nods. “Everything.”“Okay then,” she nods. “Then prepare the turtle.”As Sasuke gets your group ready to swing the pendulum back forward to your own time, Naori-san catches your eye. She approaches, resting her hand on your shoulder. “So yeah, see you in a couple of decades, Shiki-kun.”You give her a little smile. “And I’ll see you in a couple of minutes.”>1/2
>>5677545Even before Sasuke puts the turtle away, you realize that you haven’t come back to an empty field like what you left. What you returned to was familiar faces - the ones that you should expect to see in this ‘now’. Naori-ue and Ryūzetsu-ue are here, along with Makoto-kun… and Hanabi-sensei.>Mom, did you release the genjutsu on Hanabi-sensei?>... how many people know now?>Just… let things go however they go from here. Today should be a nice day.>Other?
>>5677554>Mom, did you release the genjutsu on Hanabi-sensei?Man, Shiki really missed the ultimate opportunity to create a decades long plan for gathering Hana stamps
>>5677554>>... how many people know now?
>>5677554>... how many people know now?
>>5677554>>... how many people know now?>>5677555Fuck I forgot about the Hana stamps
>>5677554“... how many people know about this?”Naori-ue smiles. “Well me, Ryūrin, and your sister obviously. Naruto-kun and Kakashi-han were involved so I told them both, and Tsuna-han was Hokage at the time so I figured she should know too. And then there’s Hanabi-kun, your sensei - who if memory serves, you were quite sweet to when she was little.”“You’re going to get about a half-dozen Hana stamps for that, Shiki-kun,” Hanabi-sensei grins a little wider. “And I think I promised you and your mother tea - so as soon as the formalities are dispensed with why don’t you come to the Hyūga compound and we can make good?”…“So that’s your report?” Naruto-dono summarizes.You nod. “That’s right.”“I remember all that now,” Naruto confirms. “So you were certain to clean up after yourselves?”“Yeah, dad,” Boruto-kun grumbles. “Sasuke-san and Naori-san were with us, ya know.”Naruto-dono nods once. “Sure. I just want to hear you say it, for the record.”“We understand that,” you jump back in. “I can guarantee you that we didn’t miss anything.”“Then I see no reason why we shouldn’t wrap this up here,” Naruto sighs. “This whole thing was dangerous, ya know. So please, at least try to avoid doing anything like it again?”“I won’t pick up any more turtles,” Boruto-kun promises.“That’ll do. Shiki-kun, please remain here for a moment.”After Boruto-kun spares a glance over his shoulder before stepping out of the room, Naruto-kun addresses you directly. “So what did you learn from Naori-san’s shadow clone?”>Nothing. Just a few building blocks, basic elements of other techniques.>I may have progressed in a few techniques that might freak your elder council out.>With due respect, Lord Hokage, if you want to know you should ask Naori-ue.>Other?
>>5678092>>I may have progressed in a few techniques that might freak your elder council out.
>>5678092>Nothing. Just a few building blocks, basic elements of other techniques.Hokage or not, he's got no business knowing about our techniques. Neither does the council.
>>5678092>>Nothing. Just a few building blocks, basic elements of other techniques.>about a half-dozen Hana stampsThis pleases me
>>5678092>Nothing. Just a few building blocks, basic elements of other techniques.
>>5678092>I may have progressed in a few techniques that might freak your elder council out.Pretty sure they'll notice if you omit too much, they were there after all.It's not like they're going to be obnoxious about us progressing? Right? Riiiiiight?
>>5678092>Nothing. Just a few building blocks, basic elements of other techniques.>“You’re going to get about a half-dozen Hana stamps for that, Shiki-kun,”OH FUCK YEAH
>>5678092“I learned a few puzzle-pieces,” you summarize, rather more obliquely than Naruto-dono probably would have preferred. “Though your village elders would probably find the picture at the end a little troubling.”“And what do you think about that?” he asks you, folding his hands and resting his chin. “It used to be the case that a shinobi who worried the elders of a hidden village, like your mom did, would find themselves in trouble, ya know?”“Should I have thoughts about it?” you frown. “For that matter, why should it be anyone’s business so long as I’m not breaking any laws?”“There are laws, and then there are politics, Shiki-kun,” Naruto-dono replies. “Like it or not, an Uzumaki will always have to deal with the latter eventually.”“So again, what do you think?”>I think I should point out that I am a guest in your village, not officially under your village’s jurisdiction.>I think if my learning to fight enemies like the Ōtsutsuki bothers anyone, they can fight those enemies themselves.>I think that in the pure abstract sense they have a point - but the Shinobi Union already addresses that point.>Other?
>>5678750>I think that in the pure abstract sense they have a point - but the Shinobi Union already addresses that point.I'd like to believe Naruto's probably going somewhere with this
>>5678750>Politics should be left to politicians. Right now, it's not my concern.>All i care about is keeping everyone safe and ensuring i'm strong enough to do so. If anyone has a problem with that, they were an enemy from the start.
>>5678750>>I think that in the pure abstract sense they have a point - but the Shinobi Union already addresses that point.
>>5678750“Well, in the most abstract sense I think they have a point,” you admit. “But it’s a point the Shinobi Union was built up specifically to address. So it really feels like anyone making that point is simply doing so to complain… at best.”“And at worst?”“They’re still stuck in the kind of thinking that led to four world wars,” you frown. “I may not have lived my homeland’s history, Lord Hokage, but I’m very familiar with it.”Naruto-dono nods thoughtfully, weighing your words for a moment. Then he leans back in his chair, and spins around to look out the window behind his desk. “A lot has changed since we first met. But it wasn’t all that long ago, ya know.”“I’m aware,” you offer calmly. “Most of that change has happened in my own lifetime.”“I think we oughtta be proud of that,” Naruto muses. “But not everyone’s on the same page.”“Where is this going, Naruto-dono?”“Your mom and I talked earlier,” Naruto explains, “when she restored my memory. About promoting you to tokubetsu jōnin a little earlier than I really intended.”>I’ll discuss that with my family and sensei, then.>... why? I’d like to hear your complete reasoning.>What would that entail, in practical, daily terms?>Other?
>>5679698>>... why? I’d like to hear your complete reasoning.
>>5679698“May I hear your reasoning?” you ask, somewhat stiffly.Naruto-dono nods. “A jōnin like Hanabi-san having a high opinion of your team is one thing - but when she’s been drinking, apparently it’s you your sensei always raves about. And if I had to guess, you and your sister are probably six months to a year from getting senjutsu down, so it’s totally obvious you guys have the skill.”“But it’s not about skill, is it?”He shakes his head. “No. Your mom filled me in on the details of how you handled the mission when I wasn’t around, and you did really well - especially given how dangerous and complicated the situation was. It showed the kind of maturity and judgement that make for a good jōnin.”“What about Boruto-kun?” you ask curiously. “He handled himself pretty well too, all things considered.”“I plan to talk to Sasuke about that,” Naruto-dono admits with a weary sigh. “Like you said, it’s only about fifty percent skill - and as talented as Boruto is at ninjutsu and taijutsu I think he’s still missing something, ya know?”“Like something to push him into maturing?” you guess.Naruto glances at a photograph on his desk. “Yeah, something like that. For me, I had Sasuke’s leaving the village. For my parents, they had a war to fight. For your mom, it was…”When he pauses, you supply a euphemism. “Complicated. For both of them.”“Very,” he agrees. “And for you and your sister, you have firsthand knowledge of what a shinobi who can wipe out entire countries is like - and an awareness that there are more out there who aren’t like Naori-san.”“How do you mean?” you ask.“She’s loyal, wholehearted, courageous, loving, and I think she’s just generally good at heart,” Naruto observes. “Which makes her the truest friend you could ever ask for, but also sometimes a pain in the ass. Sometimes at the same time.”“And not everyone with her obscene level of power and skill is like that,” you summarize.Naruto-dono nods in agreement. “That’s what I was getting at, yeah.”>1/2
>>5680146“Of course you’ve got a point,” Naruto-dono eventually admits. “It’s not my decision, it’s Naori-san’s. But I certainly won’t stand in the way of whatever decision she makes.”You offer a polite bow. “Thank you, Lord Seventh.”“Sure,” he replies. “And do me a favor - let Sasuke know on your way out that we should talk now. He’s standing outside the door.”AH, so that’s who that was. You were starting to wonder.…“So,” Naori-ue muses politely as you join the others at the Hyūga mansion - after being escorted to the garden by the clan’s internal security detail, naturally. “Did you and Naruto-han have a constructive chat?”“I think so,” you tell her, sitting down at the low table. “I assume you talked to him yourself first?”“Yeah, for sure,” Naori-ue confirms. “I wasn’t about to just toss him in there without some orientation.”“And how about you?” you ask Hanabi-sensei.“Me?” she asks, a little bit awkwardly.You nod. “How are you handling it, knowing we met as kids and all?”>1d6, best three of four
Rolled 5 (1d6)>>5680310Come ooooooooon give us the Hana Stamps
Rolled 1 (1d6)>>5680310
Rolled 5 (1d6)>>5680310
Rolled 3 (1d6)>>5680310
>>5680310I hope 13 is enough for the secret dark horse Hanabi route
>>5680310“It was a little weird finding out that my top student was also my first childhood crush,” Hanabi-sensei admits candidly, “but it doesn’t really bother me - because that was a long time ago from my perspective.”“I see,” you sigh. “It’d suck if…”Your words are cut short by something unexpected - a gentle kiss to your forehead.After a second - or maybe several - Hanabi-sensei backs away with a smile. “You don’t have anything to worry about… I may not be in ‘the game’, but I am going to be the best wing-man you never asked for. So when the time comes just rely on me, okay?”After the surprise eventually wears off, you return that smile. “Right… thanks, Hanabi-chan.”“Not a problem, Shiki-san.”…The next morning you awake later than normal for you - probably because you’re tired from your mission before. Your first task is to prepare breakfast, followed by hot tea out on your balcony as you write up a brief note to share with the Shrike clan detailing your misadventures in time. It’s while you’re writing that you’re joined by your teammates.“What’s up, Shiki?” Wasabi asks you curiously. “I heard from sensei you’ve been up to some weird stuff since yesterday?”>Sorry, can’t talk about it. VERY classified. But anyway, let’s hang out today.>Let’s head to the training grounds and I’ll tell you what little I’m allowed to.>I was just tying off some really weird loose ends. So what’s new with you two?>Other?
>>5680416>>Let’s head to the training grounds and I’ll tell you what little I’m allowed to.
>>5680416>Let’s head to the training grounds and I’ll tell you what little I’m allowed to.
>>5680416>Let’s head to the training grounds and I’ll tell you what little I’m allowed to.>It was a little weird finding out that my top student was also my first childhood crushYES YES YES YES YES>I may not be in ‘the game’NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
>>5680416>Let’s head to the training grounds and I’ll tell you what little I’m allowed to.I WON'T ACCEPT THIS! HANA-STAMP ROUTE HIDDEN BEHIND SOME BULLSHIT ROLLS!
>>5680780Worse, it's hidden behind an OC named koshu who basically exists because the qm actually wanted us to fuck temari and we didn't.
>>5680785Especially with the discord guiding polls trending Sumire... Also Shikamaru and Itachi was robbed.
>>5680816We all know he can't stand making a quest without a lesbian protagonist, he was never gonna let it happen
>>5680416>>Let’s head to the training grounds and I’ll tell you what little I’m allowed to.>I may not be in ‘the game’saddness
>>5680859Damn, how’d I miss the extra d
>>5680416>Let’s head to the training grounds and I’ll tell you what little I’m allowed to.Y'all complaining about a route we basically locked ourselves in ages ago.
>>5680887>be given choices a, b, c or d>our heart lies in number e>"you did this to yourselves!"trash, behave yourself.
How many Hana stamps do we have to turn in to get Hanabi's heart? She's truly the best option out of everything presented.
>>5680922It was never really about the hana stamps.Simply put, we can't give up just because she said she's not in the game.We need to spend more time with her, and take every opportunity to impress.Never give up, never surrender. Keep moving forward for the sake of a brighter future. That's our ninja way.
>>5680932You've lit a fire in my heart anon. It's time to start pushing for Hanabi with every write in when applicable.
>>5680416“You have no idea,” you sigh. “Let’s head over to the training grounds, and I’ll tell you what I can.”“So, it was one of those incidents,” Sumire glances at you, a very knowing expression on her face. “How is it that you keep getting dragged into them?”“Talent, I guess,” you shrug. “Come on, let’s go.”…“Man, it’s nice to not have something crazy hanging over my head,” you stretch dramatically, enjoying the sun and the warm breeze and the sound of the river flowing through its bed nearby. “This time yesterday I’d been sent back in time. Meeting Hanabi-sensei when she was six was nice and all, but other than that everything got pretty stupid.”“Stupid how?” Wasabi asks curiously.“Every conceivable way,” you reply. “At every conceivable level. It was fractally stupid.”“Can you even tell us what made it so bad?” Sumire asks you.You shake your head. “Sorry. Classified.”“Eh, well that figures,” Wasabi grumbles. “So’d you at least get anything out of it?”“I worked on senjutsu and hiraishin,” you tell them.They both blink awkwardly at first - they know what those two words mean of course, but the simple, straightforward way you told them must be surprising. After all, you wouldn’t even have told the Hokage about it in such clear terms.“That’s big news,” Sumire observes. “How does Lord Seventh feel about it?”“Nervous,” you admit. “Just what he guesses I’ve been up to could turn into a political problem.”“And you’re just gonna…” Wasabi frowns. “Tell us?”You nod. “Sure.”“You’re not worried we’ll spill it if someone asks?”“Not really.”>1/2
I can imagine hanabi's expression when she realizes shiki's genuinely after her.Surprise, flattery, embarrassment. I can picture the look on her face when he flirts with her and she has to deflect it casually, but they both know he's serious.How long can she dismiss it as just a kid's prank?Shiki's only 14 now, but what about when he's 15 or 16? If he's still at it, will she be able to brush it off so easily?Don't give up. Not now, not ever.Stick it out for as long as you have to. It's worth it.We'll become a man that she can't help but acknowledge.
>>5681189like hell we will, jerk off before posting anon, or gtfo
>>5681192Jerking off got nothing to do with it.Whenever i imagine hanabi-sensei's smile, i can feel fireworks bursting in my heart!
I want Hanabi to light up Shiki's sky. We need more firework pickup lines, this is important
>>5681176“Well, it’s good to have you back,” Wasabi nods thoughtfully. “It feels like it’s been a while since we’ve done much together.”“That’s bound to be the case eventually,” Sumire observes. “As we grow in skill, we become more able to work independently, or as part of another team.”“Yeah, I know,” Wasabi counters. “But still, it’s nice to be together again.”“... I feel the same way,” you admit.>That’s why I kind of want to just… you know. Hang out. Go camping, fish, maybe spar a LITTLE. But mostly just hang out.>You’ve both been training hard, right? Show me what you’ve got.>The two of you are going to try for chūnin again, probably pretty soon. So let’s consider that for a while.>Other?
>>5681254>That’s why I kind of want to just… you know. Hang out. Go camping, fish, maybe spar a LITTLE. But mostly just hang out.>Maybe we should invite hanabi-sensei, too. I'm sure she needs some time to relax every once in a while as well.
>>5681254>>You’ve both been training hard, right? Show me what you’ve got.
>>5681254>>That’s why I kind of want to just… you know. Hang out. Go camping, fish, maybe spar a LITTLE. But mostly just hang out.
>>5681254>That’s why I kind of want to just… you know. Hang out. Go camping, fish, maybe spar a LITTLE. But mostly just hang out.
>>5681254>That’s why I kind of want to just… you know. Hang out. Go camping, fish, maybe spar a LITTLE. But mostly just hang out.>Maybe we should invite Hanabi-sensei, too. I'm sure she needs some time to relax every once in a while as well.
>>5681254>That’s why I kind of want to just… you know. Hang out. Go camping, fish, maybe spar a LITTLE. But mostly just hang out.>Maybe we should invite Hanabi-sensei, too. I'm sure she needs some time to relax every once in a while as well.HANABI ROUTE LETS GO
>>5681254“That’s part of why I just want to… you know,” you muse. “Just hang out for a while. Do normal campout sort of stuff - fish in the river, hike around in the woods, toast marshmallows, go stargazing. Train a little and maybe spar if the urge takes us, but not go into it with that in mind.”“What do you two think?”There’s a pause.“Actually,” Wasabi muses, “that sounds nice. Sumirin?”“Like a summer break.”“Exactly!” you insist. “I feel like we need a vacation - like a real vacation, not just some time set aside to train.”“Well, then let’s all get some supplies and meet back here in a few hours?” Sumire suggests.“Yeah, let’s do it!” Wasabi declares, pounding her fist into her hand.…You settle on a division of responsibilities - a single tent, three lightweight sleeping bags with pillows, food, water, a small telescope, and so on. All these things are sealed away for lighter packing, along with spare clothes, swimsuits, fishing gear… a lot of stuff, really. Were it not for fūinjutsu it would be a silly amount of stuff.“Are you sure that’s everything?” Sumire asks you - her tone only just hinting at sarcasm.“You think I should leave the tent?” you ask, glancing back at her. “I could do without it, honestly, if you think we brought too much.”“That’s fine,” Sumire answers immediately, her bluff called. “So where are we going?”>The Naka river runs through a valley just outside the village walls. That could be nice.>There’s a spot to the north where you’re supposed to be able to dig your own hot spring.>The forests to the south are supposedly a good place to forage for wild berries and mushrooms.>Other?
>>5682799>>There’s a spot to the north where you’re supposed to be able to dig your own hot spring.
>>5682799>The Naka river runs through a valley just outside the village walls. That could be nice.River sounds more cozy than hot springs desu.
>>5682799>>The Naka river runs through a valley just outside the village walls. That could be nice.
>>5682799>>There’s a spot to the north where you’re supposed to be able to dig your own hot spring.Hot spring fans unite!
