"Tomorrow is the last day of classes at the Academy," Inuzuka Rin said, her gaze fixed on Ryoto in the dojo. "What are your plans for the vacation?"
"Mom, are you asking about my plans?"
"Of course," Rin replied, rolling her eyes.
"And does my opinion even matter?"
"You bet it does," Rin's eyes flashed.
"Then you decide," Ryoto said, thinking to himself, Then why did she bother asking?
"Be ready to come with me to work," Rin announced. "And forget your usual mischief; you're to be on your best behavior."
"Will I still get to visit Brother Sakumo?"
Rin smacked Ryoto on the back of the head.
"What's this 'Brother' nonsense? Don't call him that! Unless something extraordinary happens, you'll go to his place every day!"
Ryoto had already managed to become quite good friends with the White Fang.
"Mom, are you calling me to work just to be your errand boy?" Ryoto inquired.
"How perceptive of you," Rin answered.
"Why? Are you short-staffed?" Ryoto asked. "Or are there too many casualties in the village?"
Konoha's medical services were formidable, but they had their weaknesses. The shortage of medical-nin had always been a headache for Tsunade, which was why, during particularly strenuous times, the wounded were sent to the ninja animal care unit. Last year, the Village Hidden in the Clouds had launched a surprise attack. During a truce, casting aside all warrior's honor, they had sent a delegation to Konoha for negotiations while simultaneously attempting to abduct the Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails. Namikaze Minato rescued the beauty, but the incident was hushed up, and the Cloud shinobi returned home as if nothing had happened. Although the truce formally continued, this year had been restless, and minor skirmishes never ceased.
"Don't worry about it…" Rin said. "You've studied medical ninjutsu, so you need someone to practice on."
That makes sense…
"Will there be a salary?"
"I told you not to worry about it," Rin said, smiling at Ryoto.
Damn it…
"Mom, give me some pocket money," Ryoto held out his hand.
"How much do you need? And for what?" Rin asked warily.
"I'm always eating at the Hatake clan's house, so I should prepare some kind of gift. Give me what you think is right."
Reasonable!
Rin nodded, took out her wallet, counted out several bills, and handed them to Ryoto.
"Buy something worthwhile; don't be cheap."
"I know what Brother Sakumo likes," Ryoto said, counting the money and wondering where he could get more, though nothing came to mind for now.
"Kage!" Rin called out.
Lying nearby, Kage rose and spoke softly in a low voice, "Clan Head."
"This summer vacation, you will accompany Ryoto and keep a close eye on him."
Hearing this, Ryoto grimaced.
I knew it. This Kage is a real traitor.
"Then…" Kage asked, "in what capacity?"
"As a ninja," Rin replied.
Ninja clans supplied the village with a large number of shinobi, and not all of them were Academy graduates. A single school was not enough to train everyone, so for a clan head to arrange for someone to enter service was a trivial matter.
"I understand."
With the activation of the Human Beast Mimicry Technique, Kage assumed a human form. Moving in a human body was far more convenient than in the body of a ninja hound.
Ryoto stared at Kage, his pupils trembling in astonishment. Before him stood a mature, fair-skinned, and beautiful woman with long, blonde hair, who looked like an older sister. Dressed in a classic maid's dress, Kage knelt, bowed, and smiled with a voice as gentle as flowing water.
"Master, from this day forward, I am at your service."
She called me Master! The Inuzuka Clan is simply incredible!!!
Ryoto's pupils quaked as if in an earthquake! Goosebumps erupted all over his body, and his hair stood on end.
"I won't have time to watch over you at work, so you'll be helping Kage. Be sharp," Rin said. "You'll work in the morning until lunch, you can play after lunch, and in the evening, you'll go to the Hatake house."
Everything is planned down to the last detail, but at least she remembers I'm still a child.
Ryoto looked at Kage. Before, when she didn't speak human language, he hadn't noticed, but now…
She's nothing short of a temptress!!! No! A demoness!
So, Ryoto turned to Smarty, who was sitting nearby, and smacked her on the head.
"Smarty! Speak!"
"Woof!!!" Smarty looked at Ryoto in bewilderment.
What did you hit me for?
Ryoto breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, Smarty had not yet learned to speak human language. The sight of that cute and goofy little face calmed him.
"Kage is one of the few medical-nin in the ninja hound clan. She can identify an illness by scent alone, has an excellent knowledge of medicinal herbs, and is proficient in medical ninjutsu," Rin said. "Learn from her properly."
"Got it…" Ryoto looked at Kage and said, "Big Sis, I'm begging you, don't call me Master."
Kage tilted her head in confusion, looking both mature and innocent, then glanced at Rin.
Rin nodded.
"Then what should I call you?" Kage asked.
"Woof-woof-woof!" barked Smarty. (Dog General!)
Ryoto clasped his hands above his head in a pleading gesture.
"Please! Anything but that!"
Kage looked a little disappointed and stared at Ryoto in confusion, blinking her large eyes.
This child… is utterly baffling.
"Have you rested enough?" Rin asked. "If so, get up and continue your training!"
Ryoto stood up, trying not to look at Kage.
She's a dog! She's a dog! She's a dog! I can't fall for her charms!
Smack!
Ryoto was sent flying and crashed to the floor. Rubbing his bruised face, he looked innocently at his mother.
Why the sneak attack?
"What are you daydreaming about again?! Focus!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
Thoughts swirled in Ryoto's head like bees. Now he understood why the Human Beast Mimicry Technique was ranked alongside Fang Over Fang and the Four Legs Technique.
That bond with a beast… is it even proper? The Human Beast Mimicry Technique is divine!
…
The next day, Monday, was the last day of school; there were no classes or training sessions. Sato Takeru stood at the blackboard, announcing the semester's grades.
Without a doubt, Ryoto's grades were abysmal. But that was actually a good thing—he was last in the class. A report card like this would only upset his mother and give her a reason for corporal punishment, so… it was better to destroy it. In a few swift motions, Ryoto tore the report card to shreds and stuffed the pieces into his desk. Mai, who had been watching the scene, raised an eyebrow.
As if casually, Mai showed Ryoto her report card with a wide smile and said, "What a pity, I'm not first. But what can you do? I did miss a lot of classes."
Ryoto pretended not to hear. Over the semester, the three of them, as deskmates, had managed to become friends.
How dare you, with your twentieth-place ranking, so shamelessly claim you're not first?
Miyoko looked at her report card and began to cry softly. Seeing Mai's radiant face, she flushed with anger and kicked her. Mai was not one to back down. Both were unhinged, so there was nothing to fear. They started fighting again. Ryoto, already used to their strange friendship, simply moved further away.
Sato Takeru praised Hatake Kakashi for taking first place. Kakashi, with a stone-faced expression and eyes as lifeless as a dead fish, stared at Ryoto.
This first place is a sham!
Right now, all he felt was irritation.
Uchiha Obito was beaming with happiness.
I'm not last! Hooray! Thank you, Ryoto! You're a true friend!
Some of the girls stole glances at Kakashi, finding him very attractive.
Then, Sato Takeru summarized the semester, praising each student and offering emotional support to all. After that, he reminded them of the safety rules for the vacation. He particularly insisted that the children should not, under any circumstances, leave the village alone.
He handed out vacation assignments in small notebooks that were to be signed by their parents to confirm completion.
After all the commotion, around noon, classes ended, and summer officially began.
It only needs a seal for confirmation, why involve parents?
Shoving his backpack into his desk, Ryoto walked out, unburdened. There was still plenty of time, so he decided to go buy a gift. Behind him, with a backpack slung over her shoulders, followed Nohara Rin with burning eyes. Not far away, hiding her face with her own backpack, Yūhi Kurenai secretly trailed them, watching Rin with anxiety. She was a little worried that a matter like a love confession could go awry.