Bidding farewell to Yoko, Mai leapt off the white wall and began walking properly along the road home. Her steps, however, betrayed a light-hearted skip.
The thought of mastering the chakra skill to overcome gravity and finally applying what she had learned in the Ninja Academy brought a subtle upward curve to her lips.
As young as she was, Mai hadn't thought much about the distant future. For her, the simple act of learning something new and enriching herself, which is a feeling rare in her life before, was now a source of joy as each small accomplishment built her confidence.
As she passed a row of homes, familiar faces of men and women occasionally appeared. These were the neighbors she had gotten to know since she and her brother moved here. Mai greeted each of them politely, receiving warm and even affectionate responses in return.
With her innocent face and sweet, well-mannered personality, Mai had quickly won over the hearts of the adults in the neighborhood, especially the housewives. Once they learned about the siblings' circumstances as newcomers from outside the village, their sympathy only deepened into a nearly overwhelming fondness.
Of course, to other children her age, Mai was nothing short of an annoyance. Despite her angelic appearance, she seemed to bring misfortune. Whenever they got into trouble, their parents would scold them while lamenting, 'Why can't you be more like Mai?'. Nothing was more infuriating to a child than being compared to 'someone else's perfect kid'.
To their frustration, Mai didn't play in the mud like other kids. This thwarted their plans to smear dirt on her face as revenge. What's worse, since Mai wouldn't play with them, they couldn't rely on her immense popularity to score free candy from the merchants at the street.
When Mai reached the street corner at a four-way intersection, two Ninja responsible for the area's security approached.
Spotting their uniforms and forehead protectors, Mai's expression instantly turned serious. Remembering her status as a student of the Ninja Academy, she adopted the demeanor of a future elite Ninja, walking up to them and bowing respectfully as she passed.
"Good afternoon, Fujita-san, Jiro-san. Thank you for your hard work."
The two Ninjas, both middle-aged and nearing retirement, had limited potential for further advancement. As a result, they had been assigned to security tasks near their residential district.
Seeing the usually adorable Mai put on this strange, overly formal act in front of them, they couldn't help but exchange weary smiles.
"Mai, why are you always so distant with us?" Fujita asked, patting Jiro on the shoulder in shared exasperation.
Mai shook her head earnestly and replied, "It's not about you, uncles. It's because..."
"Because you're a student at the Ninja Academy now, and there's a high chance you'll become a Ninja in the future. As a junior facing seniors in the profession, you must show the proper attitude and demonstrate the spirit of a new recruit..."
Having heard this speech numerous times, Fujita cut her off, finishing her sentence for her.
The amusing familiarity of it all caused Jiro to burst out laughing uncontrollably.
Mai's cheeks reddened, but she maintained her composure. However, Jiro's laughter proved infectious, and even Fujita joined in. Embarrassed, Mai stomped her foot and puffed her cheeks before running off.
"Hahaha, Mai, wait! Haha! We didn't mean it..."
Although teasing a child wasn't exactly right, Fujita and Jiro found Mai's adorable seriousness too endearing to resist.
Mai didn't bother trying to understand the good-natured humor behind their laughter. She continued down the street, her surroundings slowly becoming more familiar with each step. The shops and greenery she passed etched themselves deeper into her memory during her walk.
The scene was lively in the late afternoon light. Women carrying groceries and men finishing up work for the day filled the peaceful, bustling streets. This warm and stable atmosphere calmed Mai's heart.
It was a far cry from the monotony of her small fishing village, where the unending sea breeze and the stench of fish dominated daily life. Here, the sunlight was warm, lasting, and dependable.
Sometimes, Mai thought about how much better it would have been if she had come to the Land of Fire earlier. Initially driven by a fleeting figure and a half-remembered phrase from a dream, she had grown to truly love this place.
…
"I'm home." A tired voice came from the small entryway. It was Mai's brother, Hase Kazuya.
"Welcome back!" Mai responded cheerfully.
Kazuya removed his shoes and set down what he was carrying, rubbing his neck as he walked into the room, "Didn't I say that I don't need such courtesy..."
Mai, who is busy setting the table with dinner, didn't pay him any mind.
A little over a month ago, the Hase siblings had embarked on a long journey to the Land of Fire, coincidentally arriving just as Konoha was under attack. Normally, settling down in the village wouldn't have been easy, given the security policies and their unfamiliarity with the area.
However, Konoha had suffered heavy losses during the Otogakure and Sunagakure's assault, leaving the village in a state of recovery.
Kazuya's physical strength proved useful, and with neither sibling showing signs of Chakra training, the likelihood of them being spies was deemed negligible.
After an initial temporary stay and passing the village's security evaluations, the siblings were granted permission to officially reside in Konoha.
Their assigned living quarters were modest, to say the least. The capsule-style apartment utilized every inch of its limited space and was located in a secluded area within a residential district.
Despite the less-than-ideal conditions and the looming prospect of having to sustain themselves entirely after a three-month subsidy period, both Mai and Kazuya were content. At the very least, it was a marked improvement from their small, shabby house in the fishing village.
Their lives here are also more promising.
Mai and Kazuya sat cross-legged on tatami mats, sharing a meal on a well-worn table of indeterminate age.
"I'm done eating. I'm going to review my lessons in my room." Mai said as she placed her bowl and chopsticks in the sink.
Kazuya watched his sister's diligent demeanor, hesitating to speak. He was genuinely happy his sister had the opportunity to get education, but the Ninja Academy wasn't exactly an ordinary school. Ninja life, as he had heard, was fraught with danger.
As he was already too old to be considered for training, Mai's placement at the Academy as a suitable-aged child weighed on his mind. The village's welfare system provided this opportunity, but Kazuya couldn't help but worry whether it would bring good or ill in the future.
"Mai, I think you should consider attending a regular school instead. There's one nearby, and you wouldn't have to walk as far..."
"No need, big brother. How many times do I have to tell you?" Mai refused without hesitation.
Kazuya stopped talking and sighed in his heart, 'As expected, her resolve was unshakable.'
'When had she decided to become a Ninja?' Kazuya wondered in frustration.
He sighed again, resigning himself to her decision, "Fine. Oh, by the way..." Kazuya then pulled out a letter, "A teacher from the Ninja Academy delivered this earlier. They said you seem to have a natural talent for Medical Ninjutsu, something about great Chakra Control. I didn't quite understand, but they're recommending you study at the village's medical center. They wanted to hear what we think..."
Kazuya recited this with little enthusiasm, holding up the letter. After hearing this, Mai's eyes lit up, and she immediately snatched the recommendation letter, clutching it tightly. The excitement on her face was impossible to hide.
She had suspected something like this might happen, but she was still thrilled to have it confirmed. Compared to cautiously integrating into a regular Ninja Academy's class, she felt this alternate path is a better route to becoming a Ninja.
"Big brother, I want to go! What do you think?" Mai's earlier aloofness was gone, replaced by wide, sparkling eyes.
Kazuya looked at his sister speechlessly. Right… besides not knowing when she'd decided to become a Ninja, Kazuya also didn't know when his sister stopped being the little girl who used to cling to him and act spoiled.
Feeling somewhat betrayed, he waved her off with a mock-stern face, "Whatever, whatever..."
Mayi hopped in a circle around their cramped apartment before retreating to the single private room they had.
Once on her bed, Mai rolled over twice before staring up at the ceiling. She ran her fingers over her smooth collarbone, letting her body relax.
The image of an uncle, one who had seemed so rough but had kept her company during the dull, endless days on the fishing village's beach, flashed in her mind. Mai remembered him well.
Though time and her growing body had blurred some details, the feelings from back then remained vivid. It was his influence that had altered the trajectory of her and her brother's lives.
After arriving in Konoha, the bustling crowds, which is far more overwhelming than those in the Land of Moon, had made her realize how naïve her impulsive idea of seeking him out had been.
It wouldn't be easy to find someone to thank in such a vast, unfamiliar place.
"In the name of Konoha's Ninja, I solemnly accept your commission."
There was always a way. Since he was a Ninja, Mai figured that she would just become one too. That way, she would definitely be able to find him.