Chapter 124: An unexpected encounter? (part 1)

Two weeks had now passed since Homura found out what his chakra affinities were, but sadly he was not able to find the location he desired to conduct his training in total secrecy.

The Uchiha tough abandoned and outside the center of Konohagakure was overall in a rocky area even though it was next to a forest.

If there were any hideouts they were either well hidden far away from Homura's prying eyes or were non-existent due to the terrain.

And the forest was overall largely open except for the areas that were densest with trees.

Homura realized how closed off the Uchiha clan truly was, sure they were close to no camera's in the training grounds and woods, but if anyone did not take Homura's secret passage, they would be immediately found out.

Or at least seen by someone.

It was not a coincidence they were sent to such a remote location.

They were more or less enclosed in their own area.

A little city village inside a village.

So since Homura was unable to find the location to conduct his secret training what did he do exactly during these 2 weeks?

Mainly the same as always training taijutsu and working, but as soon as nighttime would come around he would sneak out and look for locations around Konohagakure with very little population, mainly the many forest and outskirts to find a cave or something similar to it.

But not today, not this night.

Since today is a special one.

It is some sort of festival that Homura isn't really in the know about as to what exactly it entails, Homura hardly pays attention or cares to remember anything that is deemed unimportant to him, he still didn't remember all the faces of his classmates or their names.

Mainly due to hardly ever talking to them and using nicknames when referring to them, most consider him a bit snobbish if not unruly.

But today wasn't about Homura's misgivings with his classmates, today is about making money as easily as possible.

By doing odd jobs, it has now become a well-known fact to some of them that Homura is oddly capable and people in Konohagakure to some degree acknowledge that he is oddly capable for a child, so rumors of him being a more or less at the academy do circulate for those in the know.

Not that Homura himself knows anything about it, the people that know of him are still in the minority.

Regardless of his increasing popularity with the villagers, today all he knows is that he was asked by many of his usual vendors to deliver several things and help them set their stands.

Which he gladly obliged since he needed the extra money.

So he was working since early morning without having time to complain.

It took so long that by the time he realized what time it was, it was already noon, and it was nighttime by the last task he had to complete was finished.

Unbeknownst to him, it was that kind of job ethic that was increasing his fame, at least in regard to the people he worked for and their small circles of acquaintances.

But if someone has a goal in mind there are few things one cares besides accomplishing them and for Homura it was absolutely the case.

As no matter how much he tried to forget the past events and future events that would occur in less than a decade away, would plunge the entire world into unparalleled danger.

Though the path he wanted to take was still murky, either betray the village and become stronger on his own or stay but act in the background to make sure that none of his friends and those close to his family survive.

However, tonight…tonight he wasn't up for such a heavy choice.

Tonight, he just wanted to go home.

Nonetheless, as Homura strolled down the bustling street, the atmosphere buzzed with the excitement of a lively festival. The air was filled with the tantalizing aroma of street food and the vibrant melodies of traditional music that echoed through the crowded thoroughfare.

Amidst the throngs of festival-goers, the main character observed a group of children, their laughter and joyful squeals cutting through the bustling ambiance. The children, younger than him, zipped past him with boundless energy, their carefree spirits get on his nerve as they almost made him drop the crates he carrying with him.

- …Stupid brats…If were free I'd go teach them a lesson…(but they probably have older siblings…I'd better stay away…)...huh?!

As the children disappeared into the crowd, Homura's attention was captured by a small stall nestled among the vibrant market booths. In the stall, a display of traditional crafts and trinkets caught his eye, including a small puppet wearing a delicate kimono.

The puppet, with its intricate design and traditional attire, reflected the cultural heritage of the festival. However, to Homura's surprise, he found himself unimpressed by its appearance. He considered it somewhat ugly and overly traditional, failing to resonate with his personal taste.

Nor was he one to play with puppets, much less girl puppets.

He was still a boy after all, but the details on the puppet made it hard to believe that it was made for children it was too well crafted.

But it also reminded him of something else.

-...Creepy.(This puppet is too hyper realistic, stuff of nightmares...I feel like it could attack me at night...But still, puppets this detailed in the land of fire, I've never seen it before…I wonder if it comes from the land of wind?)

He stood there, momentarily lost in thought, contemplating why others might find the puppet appealing and why something like the puppet in front of him was being sold in a stall instead of a store…it was simply too good.

The amount of effort put into that object was certainly a cut above the rest, especially since on the same stall there were plushies being sold that seemed quite plain or outright ugly.

Animals that were too realistic to be seen as cute.

To Homura, he knew that it wouldn't sell well.

People like cool designs or cute designs, it was the same in any world.

If the talks that he sometimes heard in class were to be believed, seeing this display poor display of capitalism gave him an idea.

But he wouldn't be acting on it any time soon, as the person that was owed the stall entered from the back.

- Welcome, would you like to…Oh, it's you. (???)

As the owner of the store catches a glimpse of Homura's face as their eyes met, the owner's face went from tired to a bit annoyed.

- Huh…

Homura had no idea what just happened.

-…Seriously, you don't even remember me? At least you could pretend.- Said the shabby man that seemed to be in his late 30s or early 40s.

His messy traditional clothes looked more like pajamas or clothes that one would wear at home, before going to sleep, or before having breakfast.

- Oh! It is you…Old man?

Homura said pretending to know the person in front of him, but could not for his life remember.

- Tch! At least try to act harder, you're really an annoying brat. Well, whatever I don't have time to deal with you I am busy today. (???)

-!?- Homura looked to his left and right and nobody seemed to pay any attention to the stall, in fact, people passed by without even glancing in his direction.

-…But there's no one here.

- Mind your own business, they will come…(Eventually) (???)

Said the man in an annoyed voice as he knew that Homura's words rang true, he thought he had a customer when Homura appeared but after realizing who he was dealing with.

- Are you sure? you're stuff is a bit…old (lame). Who is this even for?

Hearing Homura's honest reply the man, felt like a sharp nail hit him.

Or more likely a lightning bolt, he didn't want to admit Homura's words but they rang somewhat true, and he didn't know what to do.

None of the things he tried to do worked.

The man didn't want to make plushies or some of the items on display but he was still a merchant.

-Kuh…I am not taking marketing advice from you. Just go away already, I am busy. (???)

- I think you're mistaking me for somebody else.

- No, I am not…*sigh* If you are going to annoy me, at least buy something. (???)

- Buy something…?

Homura looked at the items on display and truly didn't like any of them, and he was planning to save his money on something else.

Likely more chakra induction paper.

As per C's recommendation to him to do it, however, Homura now really wanted to buy a chakra blade more than ever.

He was really disappointed in the jutsus inside the scroll, Homura really wanted to have something closer to fire release or water release.

He wasn't even sure how many wind jutsus were in the manga, but by his lack of knowledge on the matter he knew that it wasn't a lot; to say the least.

-…Is my stuff really that bad that even a cheap stake like you has to think that much about buying something…I know that I am not the best at sewing but is it really that bad? (???)

- I think you're too much of a perfectionist.

- Perfectionist? (???)

- Yeah the stuff you sell is a bit too realistic…most likely no parent or child would buy that. Or that- Homura pointed at a mask of a very realistic lion and at a plushie of a bear that had a similar problem.

They were so detailed that they were quite good, but to Homura, it was just the wrong crowd, perhaps a rich merchant or someone who enjoys having trophies of animals.

- …Is that really that bad? (???)

- no it is too good, you truly have a knack for this better than anyone I ever saw.

-…Thanks, I guess. (???)

The man started scratching his head and looked away.

Seemingly proud and not expecting Homura's compliment.

-(What is this? An old man…tsundere? That's a bit much…But since was so apprehensive about me, I am starting to think he truly knows me. Most people that know of me, don't seem to like me…The old man at the weapon shop only took a few minutes to dislike me.)

- …So… (???)

-Huh?

-You know how to sew, huh? It's pretty impressive for a child. (???)

Homura crouched and looked at the merchandise of the man on display below the glass see-through counter.

- Not really. I am an orphan…I used to get my clothes messed up all the time so, the sister at the orphanage I used to live in, had me learn how to sew.

-…I see. Still, if you're an academy student should be training to become a shinobi, right? So why is it that you buy so many parts of old machines? I thought you were an apprentice to some kind of repairman or something like that… (???)

-Huh? How do you know that!?- said Homura hurriedly getting up as the words that came out of the man's mouth scared him.

He wasn't on edge before but now his senses are on high alert.

This stranger that he never seemingly met, knew so much about him.

- How do I know? *Sigh* Because I am the one selling them to you.(Is his head that bad that he doesn't remember or something?) The store located next to the junkyard. You try to barter for everything you can to get a cheaper price. I'd ban you if you didn't ultimately buy most of the stuff that I need to get rid of. (???)

Hearing the man's story Homura suddenly calms down.

Now the words that came out of the man's mouth prior are starting to make sense.

Normally the store is so dark and the man is even more disheveled from his current appearance, that Homura almost didn't recognize him.

But suddenly the picture of the man in his memory and the man in front of him align, which makes Homura remember

-…You…It is you…(He's that damnable guy! And he just admitted it, but I knew he was ripping me off!...Wait. I don't feel any better discovering that! )

-… (???)

The man just rolled his eyes thinking how slow and weird the child in front of him truly was in some aspects.

- My bad…(Still I need to play my cards right...Who knew he was actually good at something.)

-huh? (???)

- …For a moment I thought you were a teacher or something.

- Ha? At the academy? Do I look like I work at the academy? (???)

- I don't know… maybe in administration…groundskeeping. Like really in the background?

-… Just when I was beginning to tolerate you too… (???)

The face of the man was clearly annoyed by Homura's nonsensical comment, which made Homura panic since he was just warming the man in front of him in order to ask something of him.

- Did you make this?- said Homura while pointing at the old-looking traditional doll.

- Huh? Why are you going to say it is bad too or something, sorry but I do-! (???)

- N-No IT IS GOOD VERY GOOD!!- Said Homura very loudly.

-!!! (???)

Which almost made the man flinch, as the unexpected reaction showed beyond his expectations.

- Can you teach me how to make puppets?!

- C-Calm down! People are starting to look over here. (???)

As the man said that both Homura and the man saw the passerby looking at them and both became embarrassed by their antics and stopped talking for a few seconds and people seemed to have lost interest.

-*sigh* Aren't you an academy student? Why do you even want to make puppets? Aren't you busy enough?- asked the man with a touch of cynism in his voice.

He was a resident of Konohagakure, he knew how hard it was for kids to get in Konohagakure.

It wasn't particularly hard, but the number of available spots granted each year meant that they only took those who had more or less an aptitude to become ninjas or were likely to endure the brutal training.

And not every child was cut out for the job or even the life that entails when one becomes a shinobi.

It is not sunshine and roses.

Death is a major concern and could happen at any time.

At least, far more than for a farmer or a restaurant owner.

So the man's concerns were obvious, he didn't particularly care for Homura but if he took Homura as an apprentice or taught Homura something he didn't need he would simply be wasting Homura's time; and potentially… life.

Thus, Homura's answer had to convince him, but even if it did he was convinced he didn't plan on taking Homura as an apprentice.

-…I want to know everything I can.

- Is that it? (Shinji)

- Yes. I have a talent for machinery and many other things... I want to use it as much as I can…I owe it to some...

-…Still, I can't al-! (Shinji)

But before the man had a chance to finish his sentence, he was cut off by Homura.

- I don't care if you take me as an apprentice or not, I don't think I can do it. I don't even have enough time in my hands.

-…So why did you ask? (Shinji)

Asked the man slightly confused, about Homura's answer.

- I told you I want to be the best. And learn as much as I can…

-…? (What is this kid on about?)(Shinji)

- So how about we make a bet?

- A bet? (Shinji)

- There are 2 days left till this festival ends, so I will make you a plushie myself, no, how about 5 of them! If they sell I will give you the design and if they don't I will buy five any five of yours (ugly ones) on display.

-… (Shinji)

The man was surprised by Homura's words, but even more than that about the confidence that Homura was displaying. It wasn't the confidence any random child his age should have.

But this entire ordeal did make a little bit curious, all day he practically talked to anyone, which was fine to him, but he was a merchant as well.

And he hadn't been amused by someone in a long time and the odds were in his favor.

Even if he unlikely lost there wasn't really much to lose, he could teach Homura how to make a puppet, but since he was a child he was likely to not understand and give up.

-*sigh* Fine kid. I will make you pay for the really expensive ones, if you lose. You sure about that? A true man never goes back on his words.- Said the man with a cocky voice in his voice. (Shinji)

It had been a long time the man had been so amused by something, the stakes were low, but he wanted to see how determined this weird child in front of him would react if he lost.

Besides he did somewhat make fun of his merchandise, he was about to give Homura a touch of reality, it might even serve as a good lesson to Homura.

- Right back at you! No take backs! I expect you teach me everything I need once I win.

Homura said with a cocky look in his face, in his mind he had already won, now all that he needed to do was learn how to make plushies.

He already knew how to sew, so making plushies would be a piece of cake.

- kukuku…I see. Very well my name is Shinji, better call me that next time instead of old man. (Shinji)

He wanted to add "I am not that old yet you sh*t brat" but he refrained as instead took out a cigarette and after lighting it up started smoking.

Keeping his image intact.

- Sure. Mr. Shaggy hair.

- Pfft! *Cough* *Cough* (Shinji)

The man now know as Shinji almost swallowed his cigarette after learning Homura's answer and started coughing due to inhaling too much smoke.

-Mr. Shaggy hair? Stop giving me weird nicknames and just call me by name already?- Blurted out the man in a fit of exasperation.

-…I-I don't remember…was it Momotaro san?

- It's Shinji! Shin~~ji. (Shinji)

- S-shinji? Ok, got it…(Note to self have C make a name tag for him every time he shows up or something)

-*sigh* so…aren't you going to tell me your name too?!- Said the man almost in a defeated tone of voice, he felt stupid having to get so exasperated over a kid.

Even if the child in front of him was quite weird.

- Huh? why?

Homura asked in a confused.

-…You're a bit slow aren't you? (Shinji)

- No. I am a genius. - Homura said with a confident look on his face while crossing his arms in a manner to ascertain confidence.

- Of course, you are.- Said Shinji before exhaling a puff of smoke.

Chapter end.