Raven's infant body stirred faintly in her crib, the soft pink walls of her bedroom glowing in the morning light. Two months had passed since her resurrection by the Outsider, and though she remained trapped in the body of a newborn, her mind had only grown sharper. Downstairs, the scents of cheese, dough, and roasted garlic drifted up from the Krusty Kunai, where her parents were already in full swing.
Seijirō Kamazaki's booming voice filled the pizzeria, his tone carrying the same weight he reserved for grand declarations. "Step right up! Another order of cheesy knots, with the wisdom of destiny baked inside!" He set down a basket of golden-brown pizza knots before a wide-eyed customer.
The man cracked one open, chewed thoughtfully, then fished out the folded slip of paper hidden within. He squinted, then read aloud: "You will find the love of your life beneath the moonlight while sharing a cheesy Krusty Kunai pizza tonight." His eyes went wide, his face alight with sudden inspiration. "Genius! Absolute genius! Give me a large cheese pizza to go—I have to eat it under the moonlight tonight!"
Seijirō puffed up proudly, his hands resting on his hips as though he had just delivered prophecy. "Another satisfied believer in the wisdom of the crust!"
Across the counter, Chiyo Kamazaki stopped kneading dough mid-motion, her narrowed eyes snapping toward her husband. "Seijirō, are you giving out love advice again in those ridiculous fortune crusts?!"
Her husband stroked his beard and tilted his chin toward the heavens as though appealing to a higher power. "Yes, and business is up forty-two percent since I started doing it! Every time I give one out, customers swear it changes their lives!"
Chiyo slammed her rolling pin down on the counter, making flour leap into the air. "You Genius … At this rate, we'll have enough to buy our daughter the best ninja gear money can buy. And don't you dare think otherwise."
Seijirō's eyes gleamed with mock solemnity as he placed a hand over his heart. "Of course! Only the finest ninja tools for Raven—though perhaps a casino trip or two for her father wouldn't hurt…"
The rolling pin shot up into Chiyo's grip, her glare cutting sharper than any kunai. "You bet your ass every coin is going to Raven's future! Touch a single Ryō for gambling and I'll beat you flat, Seijirō."
Seijirō yelped, ducking out of reach with surprising agility for a man his size, grabbing a tray of fresh pizza as a shield. "All right, all right, back to work! Serving the people!" He hurried off toward a table of waiting customers, leaving Chiyo to pinch the bridge of her nose and mutter under her breath.
From her crib upstairs, Raven's small body stirred again, her wide infant eyes rolling upward as though she could see through the ceiling. She let out the faintest sigh in the privacy of her mind. "My parents are absurd," she murmured telepathically, her voice brushing across Yumi's awareness though the fox was not in the room. "But I love them."
She listened as footsteps clattered below and the aroma of pizza mingled with laughter and complaints from customers. Slowly, her lashes lowered, and she allowed her infant body to slacken, feigning sleep. The pink crib creaked faintly as her breathing slowed.
Outside the Krusty Kunai, a puff of smoke hissed into existence, chakra rippling as her adult shadow clone form emerged. Long white hair cascaded down her back, Rinnegan eyes glowing faintly beneath the shadow of a black mask. Her kunoichi attire clung to her frame, her cloak whispering against the evening air.
Yumi was already waiting at the edge of the alley, golden eyes glimmering, tails swishing lazily. "Were you watching your parents being eccentric again?" she asked, her tone laced with amusement.
Raven adjusted the mask across her face, her gaze flicking toward the bustling restaurant windows. "Every day," she replied quietly. "And every day I'm reminded why I love them. They're ridiculous—but good people."
Yumi's expression softened, her ears twitching. She inclined her head slowly, her voice carrying a note of approval. "Then cherish them, Raven. Such bonds are rare."
Join my patreon today to read up to chapter 73 in advance your support is my inspiration join for only to 3 to 5$
patreon.com/everstone