Chapter 6: A new partner or two?
The walk home through the village was surreal, every step reinforcing the reality of his situation. Kōzaru found himself constantly amazed by the smallest details—the way the afternoon sunlight filtered through the leaves of the trees lining the streets, casting dancing shadows that his enhanced vision could track with perfect clarity. The sounds of daily life in Konoha surrounded him: merchants calling out their wares, children playing in distant courtyards, the rhythmic thunk-thunk-thunk of weapons training from various clan compounds.
His heightened senses were still overwhelming at times. He could smell the ramen broth and other food stalls from three blocks away, distinguish between the different soap each person he passed had used that morning, even detect the faint traces of explosive tags from the weapons shop he'd walked past ten minutes ago. Every scent told a story, every sound provided information his brain was still learning to process.
This is going to take some getting used to, he thought, pausing at a street corner to let a cart loaded with vegetables pass by. The merchant driving it had the callused hands of someone who worked with earth—probably a farmer from outside the village walls. How he could tell that just from a brief whiff as the man passed was still beyond his understanding, but the Inuzuka bloodline seemed to come with instincts he was only beginning to discover.
The Inuzuka compound came into view as he rounded the final corner, and Kōzaru felt a strange mix of familiarity and foreignness wash over him. His implanted memories knew every stone of the path leading to the main building, every weathered wooden post of the training grounds, every carefully maintained kennel where the clan's ninja hounds lived and trained. But Frank's consciousness still marvelled at seeing it all in person, in perfect detail that no anime could have captured.
The compound was larger than he'd expected, sprawling across several acres with multiple buildings connected by covered walkways. The main house where his family lived was a traditional two-story structure with dark wood and clay tile roofing. Surrounding it were various outbuildings—kennels, training facilities, storage sheds, and what looked like a veterinary clinic for treating injured hounds and other animals.
As he approached the main entrance, his enhanced hearing picked up the sounds of his mother before he could see her. Mika Inuzuka was in the kennel area behind the house, her gruff voice alternating between gentle cooing directed at the dogs and sharp commands as she supervised their care. The sounds were accompanied by a symphony of barks, whines, and the soft padding of paws on wood and dirt.
Kōzaru made his way around the house, following a well-worn path that led to the kennel complex. What he found there made him stop in his tracks, his mouth falling open slightly in amazement.
There had to be at least thirty ninja hounds of various breeds and sizes in the compound. Some were massive, easily the size of wolves, with intelligent eyes and confident postures that spoke of years of combat experience. Others were smaller, built for speed and agility, their lean frames practically vibrating with contained energy. A few were clearly puppies, tumbling over each other in playful fights that nonetheless showed the beginnings of serious combat training.
And overseeing it all was his mother.
Mika Inuzuka was exactly as he remembered from his implanted memories, but seeing her in person was still strange. She was a woman in her early thirties with wild brown hair that seemed to have a life of its own, much like his own unruly locks. Her face bore the same red fang markings that adorned his cheeks, though hers were more pronounced, darker, speaking of years of clan tradition and pride. She moved among the hounds with the confidence of someone who had grown up surrounded by these magnificent creatures, and they responded to her with obvious respect and affection.
She was currently examining a large grey hound, running her hands along its flanks while murmuring what sounded like medical observations. The dog stood perfectly still, understanding that this was important, though its tail wagged slightly at her gentle touch.
"Kōzaru!" she called out without looking up, her enhanced senses having detected his approach long before he'd made any noise. "About time you got home, runt. How did the evaluation go?"
The casual way she'd known he was there reminded him once again that his enhanced senses were nothing special in this family—they were the baseline, the minimum requirement for being an Inuzuka. Everyone in his clan could do what had amazed him so much during the fights.
"It went well," he replied, making his way over to where she worked. "Really well, actually. I made it into Group A—the advanced training class."
That got her attention. Mika looked up from the hound she'd been examining, her sharp eyes studying her son's face with the intensity of someone reading an opponent in combat. "Group A, huh?" She stood up, wiping her hands on a towel tucked into her belt. "Only the top students make that cut. How many others?"
"Eight others, including me. Out of twenty-three students total."
A small smile tugged at the corner of her mouth, though she tried to hide it behind her typical gruff demeanour. "Not bad, runt. Not bad at all." The pride in her voice was unmistakable, even as she tried to play it off casually. "Your father would have been proud."
The mention of his father—a man who existed only in Kōzaru's implanted memories—sent a complex wave of emotions through him. Grief for someone he'd never actually met, pride at living up to a legacy he'd inherited rather than earned, and a strange sense of responsibility to honour a memory that wasn't quite his own.
"Thanks," he said quietly, not trusting himself to say more.
Mika studied him for another moment, then nodded decisively. "Well, if you're in advanced training, then it's time." She turned toward a section of the kennel complex that Kōzaru's memories identified as the puppy area. "You'll need a partner if you're going to represent the Inuzuka name properly."
His heart rate spiked. Was this it? Was this the time? The moment he'd been wondering about since waking up in this world. His ninja hound, the partner that would fight alongside him for years to come. The five skill points he'd invested in this enhancement during character creation were finally going to pay off.
"Time for what?" he asked, though he already knew the answer.
"Time to choose your ninja hound, obviously." Mika walked toward the puppy area, gesturing for him to follow. "I've been watching several candidates, waiting for the right moment. Your performance today proves you're ready."
As they approached the puppy enclosure, Kōzaru felt something strange happening. The familiar flicker appeared in the corner of his vision, and suddenly his interface expanded to show something he'd never seen before.
NINJA HOUND SELECTION AVAILABLE Please choose your preferred partner configuration.
Three options materialized before him, complete with detailed descriptions and what looked like preview images. His eyes widened in shock—this was far more detailed than anything he'd expected from the system.
Option 1: Raikō – Stormfang.
Type: Sleek wolf-dog (speed + power hybrid) Design: Lean, ash-gray fur with electric blue streaks. Sharp blue eyes. Built like a wind-hound, agile and quiet.
Traits:
Speed Burst: Wind-infused sprint for sudden acceleration Silent Pounce: Moves nearly soundless for stealth attacks Tandem Reflex: Naturally syncs well with the user for combo jutsu
The preview showed a magnificent creature that looked like a cross between a wolf and a greyhound. Its ash-gray coat seemed to shimmer with an almost ethereal quality, and those electric blue streaks looked like captured lightning frozen in fur. The intelligence in its sharp blue eyes was unmistakable, and even in the static preview image, Kōzaru could sense the coiled power in its lean frame.
This would be perfect for hit-and-run tactics, he thought, analysing the option with both Frank's strategic mind and Kōzaru's inherited combat instincts. Speed and stealth, perfect for reconnaissance and surgical strikes. The tandem reflex ability sounds like it would make combination attacks incredibly fluid.
Option 2: Goro – Ironhide Mastiff
Type: Large bullmastiff-style brute (tank + strength) Design: Broad-shouldered, tan fur with black markings. Stocky body, heavy paws, and deep growl.
Traits:
Ironhide Pup: Naturally tanky, reduced physical damage Ground Slam: Heavy paw strikes that shake or stagger enemies Body Block: Will protectively intercept danger.
The second option was the complete opposite of the first. Goro was massive even as a puppy, with the kind of build that promised incredible strength and durability. His tan and black colouring gave him a regal appearance, but there was something intimidating about the way he carried himself. Even in puppy form, he looked like he could take a hit and keep fighting.
A tank, Kōzaru mused, considering how this would fit with his fighting style. Perfect for frontal assaults and protecting teammates. The Body Block ability could be a lifesaver in dangerous situations, and Ground Slam sounds like it could control the battlefield.
Option 3: Yuki & Riku – Twin wolf hounds Type: Pair of fluffy wolf pups (tactics + coordination) Design:
Yuki is white and tan with icy blue eyes (quiet, thoughtful);
Riku is black and tan with a thick, sharp-looking mane (bold, headstrong, enjoys combat—more aggressive of the two) Traits:
Twin Sync: Communicate and act as one unit for combo attacks Dual Strike: Bonus when attacking from multiple angles Distraction Play: One baits while the other strikes or sets traps.
The third option made Kōzaru's breath catch. Two puppies, clearly siblings, with contrasting but complementary personalities evident even in the preview images. Yuki had a serene, almost meditative quality to her posture, while Riku looked ready to pounce on the nearest moving object. Together, they represented something he hadn't expected—a true team dynamic.
"Something wrong, runt?" Mika's voice broke through his concentration. "You've been staring at the puppy area for almost a minute without saying anything."
Right—she couldn't see his interface. To her, he was just standing there looking dazed. "Just... thinking about which one would be the best fit," he said quickly, which was technically true.
As he considered his options, Kōzaru found himself thinking about his fighting style and preferences. During the evaluation matches, he'd discovered that his enhanced Taijutsu level gave him incredible good combat ability, that combined with his heightened senses could prove powerful. His Inuzuka senses provided real-time combat analysis that bordered on precognition, with a high Taijutsu level, it could prove most useful.
Raikō would complement my speed and tactical abilities perfectly, he reasoned. We could strike fast and hard, then disappear before the enemy could respond. Very efficient, very clean.
Goro would give me incredible staying power and the ability to protect my teammates. In the brutal world of ninja combat, having a partner who could tank damage and dish it back could be invaluable.
But Yuki and Riku...
The more he thought about the twin option, the more appealing it became. Two partners meant twice the tactical options. While other ninja relied on a single hound for combination attacks, he could potentially create three-way combinations that would be completely unpredictable. The distraction play ability alone opened up countless strategic possibilities.
Plus, there was something that appealed to both Frank's gaming instincts and tactical mind about the idea of controlling multiple units simultaneously. It would be like having a small pack under his command, each member playing a specific role in combat.
"Two for the price of one," he murmured to himself, remembering how effective Tatsuma and Aotaka had been with their enhanced abilities. If raw power and stamina was their advantage, then tactical flexibility could be his.
Besides having two partners with different strengths and personalities would give me the most options in any given situation, no matter what choices I want to make.
His mind made up, Kōzaru focused on the third option in his interface and mentally selected it.
SELECTION CONFIRMED: Yuki & Riku – Twin wolf pups bonding process initiated...
The interface faded, and suddenly Kōzaru became aware of two specific scents among the many in the puppy area. His enhanced senses locked onto them immediately—one carried notes of winter pine and fresh snow, while the other smelled like summer storms and wild grass. Before he consciously realized what he was doing, his feet were carrying him toward a specific kennel.
"Those two, huh?" Mika said, following his gaze to where the two wolf puppies were engaged in what looked like a carefully choreographed wrestling match. Her expression immediately shifted to one of concern. "Hold on there, runt. You can't just pick both of them."
Kōzaru paused, his hand already reaching for the kennel latch. "What do you mean?"
"I mean handling two ninja hounds simultaneously isn't something you just jump into." Mika crossed her arms, her tone taking on the authority of someone who'd been training with these creatures for decades. "Even experienced jōnin struggle with dual-partner techniques. Most clan members work with a single hound their entire careers. The coordination required, the chakra management, the split-second decision making—it's exponentially more complex than working with one partner."
She gestured toward the two puppies, who had stopped their playing to watch the conversation with alert eyes. "These two are from one of our best breeding lines, sure, but that makes them more challenging, not easier. They're bred for intelligence and independence, which means they'll test you constantly. Add in the fact that you'd be trying to bond with both simultaneously..." She shook her head. "It's a recipe for disaster, especially for someone just starting out."
Kōzaru felt a sinking sensation in his stomach. The system had offered him this choice, but his mother clearly didn't think he was ready for it. "But what if—"
"What if nothing," Mika interrupted firmly. "I've seen too many promising young ninja bite off more than they could chew and end up with poorly trained partners who don't trust them. One strong bond is worth more than two weak ones. Pick one, focus on that relationship, and maybe in a few years we can talk about adding a second partner."
The puppies seemed to sense the tension in the conversation. Yuki approached the front of the kennel, her icy blue eyes studying Kōzaru with an intensity that seemed far too mature for her age. Riku joined her, his black and tan form pressing against his sister's side as they both focused on him.
Pack, the thought came again, stronger this time. Not just from his own mind, but somehow from theirs as well. The sensation was so clear, so undeniable, that Kōzaru took an involuntary step forward.
"Mum," he said quietly, his eyes never leaving the two puppies. "What if they've already chosen?"
"What are you talking about?"
As if responding to some unspoken signal, both puppies began to whine softly—not the demanding whine of animals wanting attention, but something deeper, more plaintive. They pressed themselves against the front of the kennel, their eyes locked on Kōzaru with an intensity that made his chest tighten.
"I can feel them," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Not just smell them or hear them. I can feel what they're feeling." He knelt down in front of the kennel, and both puppies immediately pressed their noses through the gaps in the wire, trying to reach him. "They're... they're sad. Confused. They don't understand why they can't come to me."
Mika's expression shifted from stern disapproval to surprise. "That's... that's not normal for a first meeting." She moved closer, studying her son's face with the intensity of someone reading chakra patterns. "The empathic bond usually takes weeks to develop, even with a single partner."
Kōzaru reached out slowly, letting both puppies sniff his fingers through the kennel mesh. The moment his skin made contact with their noses, the sensation of pack intensified tenfold. It wasn't just his own enhanced senses anymore—he could feel their excitement, their recognition, their absolute certainty that he belonged with them and they with him.
"They know me," he said, wonder creeping into his voice. "Somehow, they already know me."
For a long moment, Mika stood in silence, watching the interaction between her son and the two puppies. Her experienced eye noted details that would have been invisible to most people—the way the puppies' breathing had synchronized with Kōzaru's, how their body language had shifted from playful to protective, the subtle changes in their scent that indicated a bonding response.
Finally, she sighed and reached for the kennel latch. "Well, I'll be damned," she muttered. "In thirty years of working with ninja hounds, I've never seen anything like this."
The moment the kennel opened, both puppies bounded out, but instead of the chaotic energy Mika had expected, their movements were coordinated, purposeful. Yuki approached Kōzaru's left side while Riku took his right, and they both sat in perfect symmetry, their eyes never leaving his face.
"This is impossible," Mika breathed, watching the display. "This level of coordination, this immediate bonding—it usually takes months of training to achieve."
Kōzaru knelt down, and both puppies immediately pressed against him, their soft whimpers of contentment filling the air. The connection he felt with them was unlike anything he'd experienced, deeper even than the enhanced senses his bloodline provided. It was as if some fundamental part of his soul had been missing, and these two creatures had filled that void perfectly.
"I know it seems crazy," he said, looking up at his mother while both puppies settled in his arms. "But I can handle this. I know I can."
Mika studied the scene for another long moment, her expression cycling through disbelief, concern, and finally something that might have been grudging respect. "The bond is real," she admitted. "I can smell it on all three of you—that pack scent that only forms when there's true compatibility."
She crouched down, examining the puppies more closely. Both allowed her inspection without moving away from Kōzaru, another sign of their secure bonding. "Yuki and Riku," she said finally. "Sister and brother from some of our best breeding pairs. They've been inseparable since birth, refusing to bond with anyone who approached them individually."
"They were waiting," Kōzaru realized. "Waiting for someone who could accept them both."
"Seems that way." Mika stood up, brushing dirt from her knees. "Against my better judgment, and against everything I know about proper ninja hound training..." She paused, meeting her son's eyes with a mixture of pride and concern. "I guess we'll see what happens."
Relief flooded through Kōzaru, so intense that both puppies responded with excited yips. "Thank you," he said, meaning it with every fibre of his being.
"Don't thank me yet," Mika warned, though her tone had softened. "This is going to be the hardest training you've ever experienced. Dual-partner techniques require perfect synchronization, absolute trust, and more chakra control than most ninja achieve in their entire careers. You'll be learning skills that most clan members never even attempt."
She handed him the bag of puppy kibble and training treats she'd prepared earlier. "But if anyone can pull this off, it might be you, runt. The way you handled your evaluation today, the natural bond you've formed with these two..." She shook her head. "Your father always said the most talented ninja were the ones who did the impossible and made it look easy."
As Kōzaru headed toward the house with both puppies secure in his arms, he couldn't help but smile. Tomorrow would bring challenges he couldn't even imagine, but tonight, he had two new family members to get to know.
This is really happening, he thought as Yuki settled in for a nap and Riku continued his energetic exploration of every surface he could reach, letting Kōzaru know he could be in for a long night.
However, the adventure was just beginning.