REVIEWS AND POWERSTONES PLSSS!!!!!Chapter 39: The Girl's Feelings—A Changed Wish
August 18th.
Yoru woke early, energized as though injected with adrenaline.
While washing up, he looked at his reflection in the mirror with anticipatory eyes.
Today was Yoru's birthday. Before age three, his parents from this life had celebrated with him.
After Satsu and Mio Gojo's sacrifice, Yoru never celebrated birthdays again.
Until his sixth year—which made Yoru eagerly anticipate this day's arrival every year afterward.
Four years ago today marked Yoru's first evolution.
That perfectly timed evolution, Yoru called "Space-Time's gift."
If such gifts would arrive again, Yoru believed the timing should still be his birthday.
So every August 18th, Yoru secretly anticipated.
Unfortunately, the following three years brought no such evolution. Would this year be different?
After washing up, Yoru began preparing breakfast.
"Yoru, I'm here!"
Just after filling two milk glasses, a girl's voice reached Yoru's ears.
So loud it seemed to echo throughout the entire house.
Then Kushina Uzumaki came running upstairs in slippers with rapid footfalls.
Watching Kushina arrive right on time, Yoru couldn't help teasing: "I specifically woke early to cook today, yet you're still this punctual. Did you secretly install surveillance cameras in my house?"
Though currently only Konoha Year 34, scientists and computers already existed. Surveillance wasn't an unfamiliar term.
"Hehe, I also woke early today. This proves our synchronization grows stronger!"
Kushina first washed her hands, then pulled out a chair and sat down, grabbing a sandwich Yoru made and eating without any politeness whatsoever.
Placing a milk glass before Kushina, Yoru habitually ruffled her hair, but noticed white powder on her bangs. He couldn't resist mocking: "What, did you wake this early just to demolish your house? You came over without even cleaning dust from your hair. Were you that impatient?"
Speaking, Yoru reached to remove the dust from Kushina's hair.
Unexpectedly, Kushina—mouth holding her sandwich—covered her head with both hands, preventing Yoru from touching her hair.
If the sandwich in her mouth became a bone and her protective hands formed claws, Kushina would resemble a small dog even more.
"N-no need for help. I'll handle it myself." Kushina devoured her sandwich in a few bites, then stood and ran into the bathroom. Water sounds quickly followed.
Yoru felt somewhat puzzled. Why had this tomato suddenly become so reactive?
He didn't dwell on it much.
After breakfast, Yoru and Kushina headed together toward the abandoned training ground.
Orochimaru hadn't arrived yet, so Yoru and Kushina played hide-and-seek.
One hid, one searched. Getting touched meant losing.
Any ninjutsu could be used.
After so many survival exercises with Orochimaru, neither cared for taijutsu duels or no-rules battles anymore—they couldn't trigger adrenaline rushes.
Conversely, their little game excellently trained their respective strengths.
They trained until 10 AM when Orochimaru finally appeared.
Orochimaru first guided them for over an hour in ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu, then gave them lunch break time.
Afterward, as usual, he separated them. His shadow clone took Kushina for sensory training while his real body took Yoru on missions.
Over a month had passed, yet Orochimaru still showed no intention of taking Yoru outside the village for missions.
Yoru didn't proactively ask either.
Whatever Orochimaru told him to do, he did—embodying the shinobi as an obedient tool.
This composure requiring no tempering deeply satisfied both Orochimaru and the secretly observing Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Evening.
Orochimaru looked at Yoru with a somewhat meaningful smile: "Today's training ends here. Go home and rest well. Oh, and happy birthday."
Yoru paused slightly.
Coming to his senses, he discovered Orochimaru had already vanished.
Yoru wasn't surprised Orochimaru knew his birthday—he'd probably reviewed his file.
However, Yoru internally complained.
Not even a gift? Did he suddenly remember just now?
Finishing today's missions, Yoru didn't immediately return home but returned to the abandoned training ground.
Kushina had already finished training early, waiting for Yoru by the wooden training posts.
"Let's go. Not eating outdoors today. Come to my house for dinner." Yoru beckoned.
However, Kushina didn't approach as usual.
Instead, she stood in place, her expression awkward: "Um... I need to return home today. I might not be able to eat dinner with you."
Yoru felt somewhat surprised but still smiled: "That's good news. Means you've grown closer to them. You waited here just to tell me this?"
"...Yeah." Kushina scratched her face, her gaze evasive.
"Alright, hurry back. See you tomorrow."
Knowing the girl must feel quite embarrassed right now, Yoru said nothing more.
"Okay, see you tomorrow."
Kushina waved at Yoru, then transformed into white smoke and dispersed on the spot.
Yoru instantly regretted this. Had he known, he would've mocked her earlier.
He'd actually thought Kushina felt embarrassed. This girl was probably already eating a feast at the mansion.
For the first time not leaving with Kushina, Yoru rarely felt discomfort.
Returning to Central Street, Yoru initially planned to find somewhere to grab quick dinner.
But reconsidering, he dismissed that idea.
For health's sake, he'd grown accustomed to cooking for himself.
Buying fresh fruit and milk, Yoru carried the bag home.
"Hm?"
Just after removing his shoes, Yoru immediately sensed something wrong.
At the entrance, one pair of slippers was missing.
Yoru raised an eyebrow, then opened the shoe cabinet. As expected, he saw a familiar pair of ninja shoes hidden inside.
"This Tomato-na..."
Yoru vaguely guessed something and couldn't help smiling as he walked upstairs.
The sun had long since set, leaving only crimson sunset glow.
The second floor without lights appeared somewhat dim.
Sizzle sizzle sizzle...
Just reaching upstairs, Yoru heard sparking sounds.
Looking toward where the sound originated...
From the kitchen emerged a familiar figure, both hands holding a cake with sparkler candles, walking toward Yoru.
"Ta-da! Surprised I'm here?"
Kushina presented the cake before Yoru, smiling: "Happy birthday, Foul-Mouth Yoru!"
Though vaguely guessing and somewhat mentally prepared, seeing the cake before him still moved Yoru's heart.
The cake in Kushina's hands wasn't large—insufficient for even her alone—and misshapen, unable to maintain even a complete circle.
However, the flour, cream, and egg liquid on the girl's small face, hair, and apron conveyed profound sentiment to Yoru.
He finally understood why the girl had acted so strangely during the day.
What was on her hair wasn't dust but flour not yet completely cleaned.
For this cake, Kushina began preparing very early, though even now she couldn't make it well.
Calming his surging emotions, Yoru grinned: "Tomato-na, this is trespassing. Aren't you afraid I'll throw you in prison?"
Kushina was about to retort when she immediately urged: "Never mind that—hurry and blow out the candles!"
"Should I make a wish?" Yoru asked with a smile.
"Of course! Otherwise the birthday's wasted. Remember to make a prayer gesture."
"Alright."
Watching the girl's bright eyes, Yoru set down his bag, made a prayer gesture with both hands, and closed his eyes.
After several seconds, he opened his eyes and blew out the candles surrounding the cake sparklers.
Previous years, he'd always prayed for evolution's return. This time, Yoru rarely changed his wish.
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