Chapter 17: Conversation
Achoo!
Just as Tsuruma Nobuyuki was deep in thought about his "Konoha Skynet" project, a loud sneeze broke the silence outside the mushroom house.
Turning around, he saw a familiar sight—his elk companion peeking in curiously, its large head tilted slightly.
"You're still awake too?" Nobuyuki chuckled, stepping outside and patting the elk's head.
He wasn't entirely sure what kind of routine the elk had in the forest, but ever since moving into the Tsuruma household, its schedule had gradually aligned with human habits. Early to bed, early to rise.
"Maybe it sensed that you weren't in the best mood today," a gentle voice came from the wooden veranda of the main house.
Standing there, bathed in the soft glow of the moon, was his mother, Reiko.
Nobuyuki instinctively touched his face.
"Was it that obvious?"
Reiko smiled, her eyes curving into crescent moons. "Yes. Even though you always seem calm, you're surprisingly bad at hiding your emotions."
"You've been like this since you were little."
Nobuyuki blinked in surprise. Thinking back, it did seem like every time he was in a bad mood as a child, something good to eat would mysteriously appear in the house over the next few days.
Back then, he hadn't given it much thought. But now, it was obvious—it had been his mother's way of comforting him, of quietly watching over him.
For a moment, he felt embarrassed.
Since coming into this world, he had always viewed his family with a sense of detachment, even superiority. He considered himself more mature, more rational. He thought of himself as the one taking care of others.
But in reality, he had been the one receiving care all along.
Reiko noticed his shift in expression and covered her mouth with a soft chuckle.
"Are you feeling shy?"
Nobuyuki let out a small sigh and sat down beside her on the wooden floor of the veranda.
"Maybe a little," he admitted. Then, shifting the topic, he asked, "But it seems like you've been in a good mood these past few days?"
Reiko smoothed the hem of her kimono as she sat down as well. "Yes," she said warmly. "Ever since you brought home this elk, things have been much easier for us."
"Even though the neighbors don't pay to borrow him, they always bring something useful in return."
"And the mushrooms you've been cultivating? Their quality is incredible! People have been coming to thank us personally after receiving them."
"Some even asked if we'd consider selling them."
As she spoke, Reiko's face glowed with pride.
Nobuyuki felt conflicted.
On one hand, he envied her ability to find happiness in such simple things. On the other, he couldn't help but think that, in this harsh ninja world, contentment with something so small felt… naïve.
Still, seeing her so happy because of his efforts gave him a sense of satisfaction.
But when she mentioned selling mushrooms, his mind immediately started racing.
Could this be an opportunity?
Should he expand his mushroom cultivation? Build an entire business empire? Become the ninja world's first mushroom tycoon?
The thought was exciting for exactly one second before he dismissed it.
Business required social skills. And no matter which life he was in, Nobuyuki knew he wasn't exactly a smooth talker.
If he tried to start a business, he'd probably end up bankrupt before he even got his first customer.
"Still, even if I can't run a business, I could at least help others earn a little."
Turning back to his mother, he said, "It's good that people are interested in the mushrooms."
"I remember there are a few families in the neighborhood who lost ninja in battle and are struggling financially."
"When you have time, maybe ask if they'd like to learn how to cultivate mushrooms like we do."
"It won't make them rich, but it could help ease their burdens a little. And there's no real risk—just a bit of wood, chaff, and time."
Reiko looked at him in surprise, as if she hadn't expected him to say something like that.
But after a moment, her expression softened, and she smiled proudly.
"You're already thinking about helping others in the community," she said. "Shin, you really are growing up."
Nobuyuki lay back on the veranda, staring up at the vast night sky.
Reiko's voice became a soft murmur in the background.
The elk stretched its neck lazily, chewing on a nearby branch as if it had no care in the world.
As the night deepened, Nobuyuki felt himself growing drowsy. He meant to get up and head back to his room, but for some reason, he couldn't be bothered.
Eventually, sleep took him right there on the veranda.
A while later, Reiko noticed and carefully carried him inside.
---
The Next Day
Nobuyuki woke up feeling completely refreshed.
After his usual morning jog to the academy, he arrived early and found that Iruka-sensei hadn't arrived yet.
Not wanting to waste time, he started practicing his taijutsu alone.
Halfway through, a rustling noise caught his attention.
Glancing out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Naruto Uzumaki and Kiba Inuzuka sneaking around.
Wait—there was someone else.
Shino Aburame.
Naruto and Kiba were whispering and shoving each other, while Shino stood three meters away, as composed as ever.
"Hey, Naruto," Kiba grumbled. "What kind of secret move did Iruka-sensei teach that guy Nobuyuki?"
Naruto stammered, clearly struggling to answer.
"Uh, well, you know… it's that kind of… special move!"
Kiba narrowed his eyes. "What kind of special move?"
"You don't know, do you?"
Naruto immediately jumped up, flailing his arms. "Of course I do!"
"I watched him learn it with my own eyes! Using my incredible stealth skills, I saw everything!"
"If I weren't being nice and letting him have a chance, I'd be the top student in class right now!"
Nobuyuki, who had just finished his warm-up exercises, glanced at them with a mix of amusement and helplessness.
Naruto was still bickering with Kiba, loudly proclaiming his "elite lurking abilities."
Meanwhile, Shino pushed up his sunglasses and spoke in his usual monotone voice.
"That's impossible," he stated matter-of-factly.
"Why?" Naruto huffed.
"Because," Shino replied, "your stealth ability is essentially nonexistent. There is no way you could spy on Iruka-sensei, a trained ninja instructor… or on Nobuyuki, who is already allowed to sit in on advanced lessons."
Naruto blinked.
Kiba smirked.
Nobuyuki sighed.
Just another morning at the Ninja Academy.