Chapter 10: The Sushi Shop Rendezvous
"Are all shinobi from the Land of Lightning that resilient?" Kurenai Yuhi mused, politely declining the candy Asuma offered. She was always mindful of her diet.
Asuma Sarutobi, something of a childhood friend, shrugged. "Someone in my clan fought Kumo-nin in the last war. They said their stamina is inhuman." He pictured the typical Kumogakure shinobi in his mind: dark-skinned, heavily muscled, and towering. Takumi, with his lean frame and pale complexion, didn't fit that mold at all. "But Takumi's not exactly... dark."
"I've heard that too," Kurenai replied. "Though my father says that while most from Kumo have darker skin, there are exceptions. The one common trait seems to be their physical power." She wondered how they trained for it.
"Who knows," Kurenai said, shaking her head. She wasn't particularly interested in Takumi's physical prowess. What truly piqued her curiosity was his potential for genjutsu. Her own father, a master illusionist, had dedicated his life to the art. She found it hard to believe the clan lore that any Uchiha who awakened the Sharingan could naturally surpass a lifetime of dedicated study. Among her peers, only Takumi had unlocked those famed eyes, an event significant enough to draw the attention of a Sannin like Tsunade.
Takumi felt a lingering gaze and looked up, meeting Kurenai's crimson eyes briefly before she glanced away. What was that about? He dismissed it, focusing instead on the translucent panel only he could see.
[Entry: Distance Runner (Novice) - ACQUIRED.]
[Effect: Your lower body strength and endurance are enhanced. You are more efficient at long-distance travel. Your base leg strength is increased by 5%.]
[Note: This skill is capable of further evolution.]
"A new entry from a single class," he mused internally. A warm, energizing sensation flowed into his legs, solidifying the muscles and tendons. He could feel the tangible improvement, a slight but noticeable boost in power that would benefit his taijutsu, particularly his kicks.
I wonder if other forms of training will trigger similar entries, he pondered. Rock climbing, shurikenjutsu... the potential is systematic.
"Takumi! Are you contemplating the profound depths of youth?!" Might Guy's voice boomed, his eyes sparkling as if he'd found a kindred spirit.
"..." Takumi offered no reply, his silence a sufficient answer.
After a short break, Instructor Mizuki called the class back to order and began announcing the results of the run. "Might Guy, first! Kakashi, second..." He continued down the list, eventually landing on, "...Takumi, sixth!"
Takumi's expression remained neutral. To jump to sixth place after such a short time training was a clear testament to his latent physical talent, likely the Yotsuki heritage Yakushi Nono had mentioned. While others had been conditioning for semesters, he had surpassed them through raw potential and his system's efficient optimization.
"Alright, everyone, dismissed! Remember, preparation for the sparring matches begins next week. I'm posting the pairings now," Mizuki announced, pinning a list to a notice board. The addition of a transfer student had disrupted the even number, leaving one person without a partner. His eyes scanned the class and landed on Obito, who was yet again trying to chat up Rin. "Obito! You'll be sparring with Takumi next week. The roster rotates weekly from now on."
Obito's head snapped up, a slow grin spreading across his face. This is my chance! He could defeat this outsider decisively in front of Rin and prove who was truly worthy of her attention. "Understood, sensei!" he declared, a little too loudly.
"Good," Mizuki nodded. Obito's grades were mediocre, but his attitude was usually positive. Pairing him with Takumi, whose physical skills were now clearly decent, would be a good challenge for both of them.
With class dismissed for the day, Takumi once again approached Nohara Rin for chakra control training. This time, both Kakashi and a newly motivated Obito were present, turning the session into a silent, competitive affair. Takumi focused intently, practicing tree climbing on progressively taller and more demanding surfaces, requiring sustained and precise chakra output.
As the afternoon light began to wane, casting long shadows through the training ground, Takumi was the first to take his leave.
"Leaving so early today, Takumi-kun?" Rin asked.
"I've been in Konoha for a month now," he replied. "I thought I'd explore the village a bit and try some of the local food."
"Oh, I see! There are some wonderful street vendors," Rin said, smiling. "A friend of mine, Anko Mitarashi, is always raving about a place that serves red bean soup with sweet rice dumplings."
Takumi didn't head home. Instead, he wandered the bustling streets of Konoha, his path seemingly aimless but his destination clear. Eventually, he paused in front of a nondescript shop with a simple sign that read "Ocean's Roll Sushi." He stepped inside, the bell above the door chiming softly.
He had barely taken two steps when a waitress approached him. She had short, sleek blonde hair and an apron that struggled to contain a truly impressive bust, hinting at the grey shirt underneath.
"Welcome. Are you here to try our new special, grilled squid sushi?" she asked, her voice cool and composed.
Samui! Takumi's mind instantly supplied the name. This was one of the few women in the shinobi world who could rival Tsunade in a certain… department. But something was off. She looked young, too young, more like a teenager than the seasoned kunoichi he remembered. A butterfly effect from my arrival? he wondered.
"I'll try the squid sushi," he said, playing along.
Samui gave a slight nod. "Excellent. You're the first to try it. The chef insists on using only the freshest squid. If you'll follow me, I can show you the selection process."
She led him past the main dining area, deeper into the restaurant, to a back room lined with large glass aquariums filled with various fish, their filters bubbling softly. Without breaking stride, Samui pressed her hands against a seemingly ordinary section of the wall. Black sealing formulae flickered to life, and a section of the wall slid away silently, revealing a dark, descending passageway.
At the far end of the passage, a man with his hair styled in thick dreadlocks turned to face them, his posture tense and his expression serious.
"Yotsuki Takumi," the man said, his voice a low rumble. "A pleasure. I am Samui's associate. You can call me D."
"Yotsuki is a name from my past," Takumi replied, his voice calm and even. "I am Uchiha now."
(End of Chapter)