After discussing and explaining the situation regarding the girl, Shiokko, with Eiji, he and Keiko naturally did not oppose her and her mother moving in.
The expansion of the house was Rin's achievement, and they were not ungrateful.
That night, the family made a big pot of hot miso soup and gathered to eat together.
Originally, Shiokko was nervous and uneasy, but under Eiji and Keiko's gentle persuasion, she accepted the bowl of miso soup they handed her.
It had been so long since she had enjoyed such a meal that Shiokko could barely hold back her tears.
But thinking she shouldn't trouble Lord Rin, she held back and quickly sipped the hot soup.
Rin noticed but said nothing.
After all, everyone needs time to adjust to a new environment.
After she finished her bowl, Rin took it and refilled it, saying softly,
"Eat more. If your body isn't well, you won't be able to complete the tasks assigned to you in the future."
Shiokko nodded seriously.
Beside them, Haku gently bit her finger, wide-eyed and curious about everything.
By now, Haku was no longer as shy as before. With Pikachu's company, she was much happier.
She and Pikachu sat on either side of Rin, both clinging to him.
From behind, the scene looked very warm, like a happy family eating by the fire.
Kuroro and Shiokko's mother weren't there.
Due to her illness, Shiokko's mother couldn't eat, so she drank some medicinal broth prepared by Kuroro and rested in the house.
Kuroro had disappeared somewhere, leaving Rin feeling helpless.
But he couldn't force it. After all, he knew that, no matter what, Kuroro's world was different from those around him.
And he... was about to enter that world too...
...
In the morning, after breakfast, Rin and Kuroro prepared to leave.
"Pika!"
Pikachu came bouncing from Haku's side, excitedly calling out to Rin.
Rin scratched his head and asked uncertainly,
"Do you want to come training with me, Pikachu?"
The little yellow-furred Pikachu's face lit up, and it nodded eagerly.
"No, you need to stay at home and play with Haku. That's your mission, and you can't avoid it, understand, Pikachu?"
"Pika..."
Hearing Rin's firm refusal, Pikachu drooped its ears and let out a sad cry.
Seeing it so downcast, Rin felt a bit guilty.
He bent down and gently rubbed its furry head, speaking softly,
"I know you're very capable, Pikachu, so it's even more important for you to protect Haku and the house. When I've improved my strength, I'll take you out to see the world, okay?"
"Stay home with Haku, and I'll be back tonight."
It was as if a child had received a promise from their father. Pikachu's previous gloom disappeared, and it happily cried,
"Pika Pika!"
It seemed to be saying, "It's a promise then."
Rin smiled, patted its head again, and then left with Kuroro.
Pikachu watched from the veranda until their figures disappeared, then hopped back into the house.
...
On the way, Kuroro suddenly said calmly,
"That strange creature actually has quite good strength. It can release electric currents... a very rare ability..."
Rin chuckled wryly.
"That child is called Pikachu. You should show some respect. No wonder Pikachu always has issues with you."
"And... Pikachu's power isn't even 'nen'... Well, who knows what it is..."
Rin's expression became serious as he continued softly,
"Anyway, neither Pikachu nor you, Kuroro, are strong enough in this world..."
"Everything we have could be wiped out in an instant, so I need to improve my strength quickly..."
Kuroro glanced at Rin and then looked away, saying nothing more.
But a shadow crossed his deep eyes.
Rin's changes...
Is it because of me?
Burdening Rin with all this... I really am despicable...
With his nen abilities sealed, Kuroro had no good way to improve his strength.
Therefore, Rin was desperate to improve his own strength.
If he could proficiently use nen, he could at least leverage its mysterious nature to compete with some ninjas and not always be on the defensive.
He absolutely did not want anyone to disturb their peaceful life!
Thinking of this, Rin's eyes turned cold, and he said slowly,
"Let's go. We'll head to the village chief to bring one of those guys over and start combat training today."
The two soon disappeared at the end of the street.
...
In a snowy clearing in the forest outside Snow Village, a bandit, covered in dried blood, stood shivering. His face was bruised and swollen, clearly having been badly beaten by vengeful villagers last night.
"Sir... please... spare me..."
His words were slurred due to missing teeth.
Standing not far in front of him, Rin, now dressed in a white kimono made by the villagers, watched him calmly, saying softly,
"I should have asked you initially, and you already answered..."
"Since you can casually rob and kill passersby and women weaker than you..."
"Then today, it's only natural for us, stronger than you, to rob and kill you..."
The bandit's body trembled at these words.
Rin glanced at him and continued seriously,
"I'll give you a chance to leave alive. If you can kill me, you can leave here."
The bandit's eyes widened in shock at this, then he glanced at Kuroro leaning against a tree nearby.
"Don't worry. That guy follows my orders. If I die, you can leave here unharmed," Rin explained calmly, understanding his thoughts.
The bandit, cornered, could only accept this choice, his eyes turning fierce.
"In that case... we both aim to kill each other..."
"So don't complain about the outcome..."
With these words, Rin readied himself, his small body taking an offensive stance.
Neither had weapons, standing in the snow, ready for hand-to-hand combat.
Seeing no hope in begging, the desperate bandit rushed at Rin.
Rin met him head-on!
The size difference was clear, with the bandit in his twenties and Rin only six years old.
Though heavily injured, the bandit briefly burst with energy in his desperation!
"Boom—"
The bandit aimed a punch at Rin's head!
Rin's pupils contracted, and his body, trained by Kuroro, instinctively dodged to the left.
The bandit, surprised Rin dodged, grabbed his kimono.
Rin's eyes narrowed, and he chopped at the bandit's arm joint.
But the blow lacked power!
"Die!"
The bandit, in pain, roared and flung Rin to the ground!
Damn!
Rin, unable to react, was slammed into the snow. The bandit, ignoring his own injuries, pinned Rin, choking him.
"Brat, die!"
The bandit's face was twisted in a beastly rage.
Rin's blows had little effect on the bloodied bandit, who, driven by desperation, felt little pain.
Choked, Rin's face turned red, his expression just as fierce.
Nearby, Kuroro's eyes grew cold, his hand rising.
"Schunk—"
Suddenly, Rin's hand stabbed into the bandit's leg wound!
"Argh!"
The pain made the bandit scream, and Rin quickly pushed him off, escaping.
"Ha... ha..."
Rin gasped, his lungs heaving for air.
He glanced at his bloodied hand in surprise.
Was that... nen at work!?
His small body shouldn't have been able to pierce the bandit's skin.
No time to think, the bandit charged again.
Rin's legs trembled but he didn't retreat, taking a deep breath and attacking.
Recall the feeling just now!
If he could use his inner energy, he could end this in one blow!
The two clashed head-on.
The bandit swung at Rin's head, while Rin aimed a palm strike at his chest.
"Bang—"
"Schunk—"
Rin was punched hard, flying back.
But the bandit, in agony, fell to his knees. Blood seeped from his chest, quickly staining his clothes.
"I... I..."
His pale, terrified face stammered a few words before he collapsed, blood soaking the snow.
"Cough, cough..."
Rin struggled up, his right cheek swollen, gasping for air.
"I... killed him..."
"Yes, he's done for..."
"Rin, you won."
Behind him, Kuroro's calm voice spoke.
Kuroro crouched, inspecting Rin's face, then stood, saying softly,
"Don't worry, the facial injury will heal in a few days without lasting effects."
Rin, his right cheek badly swollen, looked down, nodding silently.
"Today's training ends here. Let's go back..."
After speaking, Rin slowly got up and began walking towards the village.
Kuroro glanced at the body, then followed Rin.