Chapter 313: A Break from the Hustle
"Yeah, they didn't have many options at the moment, so I just learned three jutsu and came back," Kaida replied.
"You're the only person who'd say learning three jutsu in a day and 'just' in the same sentence," Yomi chuckled.
"Umm, no, I think I know some more people with the same problem," Kaida said, chuckling as well.
"So, what were you doing?" he asked.
"Nothing much. Aside from playing with Kenta, I was studying for my Chunin exam, because unlike you, I don't have some super strength to breeze through it," Yomi sighed.
"You praise me too much," Kaida said, acting shy before continuing.
"Since I haven't learned this anyway, let me accompany you in your learning, my lady," Kaida said with over-the-top etiquette, bringing his hand forward.
"Hehehe, sure," Yomi chuckled, letting Kaida hold her hand.
"But let's eat something first. I was about to have lunch. You're hungry too, right?" Yomi asked.
"Yeah, I'm starving," Kaida replied.
They shared a hearty meal, followed by a study session until Hae came back in the evening, her expression resembling that of an employee from a dark company after a typical 15-hour workday.
"Who the hell said rich people don't have to work? I'm almost considering going back to being a housewife after all that work," Hae exclaimed.
"I know, Aunt, but I'm sure you'll handle it. If you want, I can come to the bathhouse with you tomorrow. I may not be able to help much, but I can share some of your workload," Kaida said, handing her a cup of tea with a calming effect, a lighter version of the one he'd made during the Danzo incident. Yomi went behind the sofa where Hae was sitting and started massaging her shoulders.
Sip
"That'd be great, but not tomorrow. You can help after that. Tomorrow, you have to go out with Yomi," Hae said.
"What about me?" came a voice from the backyard.
"Naruto, why are you coming from there?" Yomi asked.
"I went to introduce Kenta to Hiruzen, but that's not important. Aunt, what about me? Brother said he'd play with me too!" Naruto exclaimed.
"Yes, yes, I know. I was about to say your name as well," Hae chuckled.
"Phew! I was worried for nothing. I already told my friends that big brother would play with us tomorrow," Naruto said, concerned about his reputation.
"Sure," Kaida replied with a smile.
After this, Yomi and Kaida went back to studying while Hae started cooking dinner. Though Kaida had suggested multiple times that they hire someone to cook, Hae always turned down the idea, saying, "I like to cook for my children, and it's not tiring for me at all."
At 6 PM, Shisui came back, visibly exhausted.
"I shouldn't have left the Uchiha clan," Shisui said, taking a glass of water from Kaida.
"What happened, brother?" Kaida asked.
"That old man isn't as nice as I thought he was. Now that I'm under his command, he's overworking me to the bone. He just gave me a mission to complete within a day!" Shisui grumbled.
"And? Why is that a problem?" Kaida asked.
"Any other Jonin, even an elite Jonin, would need three to four days for the same mission, but he said, 'That's for normal people. You're not one of them, my boy, and we can only grow by pushing ourselves out of our comfort zones,'" Shisui said, imitating Hiruzen.
"Hahaha, that's so true," Kaida chuckled.
"Laugh all you want. I can see it as clear as day—you'll soon join me in my misery," Shisui said with a click of his tongue. Kaida understood the implication but didn't pay much attention to it.
"Brother, since you're free, why don't you help us with our studies?" Kaida asked.
"I'm way too tired to even reply. I'm going to my room to rest. Wake me up when it's dinner time," Shisui said before heading to his room.
Another day passed. Once again, everyone returned to their routines. Hae went to the bathhouse with a firm warning to Kaida not to work today and to enjoy his outing with Yomi and Naruto. Naruto went to the academy after reminding Kaida at least a hundred times to pick him up and take him to his secret location afterward. Shisui almost made an excuse to take a day off, but an Anbu ninja arrived to fetch him on Hokage's orders. "I'll arrange the best medical ninja for your stomachache, so come to my office," was the message sent with the Anbu.
"That old man is really going to work me to the bone," Shisui muttered before following the Anbu ninja.
With everyone gone, only Kaida, Yomi, and Kenta remained at the house.
"Hey, do you think Kenta feels cramped in our house? You said he used to live in the forest, but now he only has a small backyard. He must miss his old life," Yomi said.
"I doubt it, but let's ask him. If he feels that way, we can always take him to the forests around the village," Kaida replied as they headed to the backyard.
Kenta had just finished a heavy meal of beef and rice with honey-flavored sauce and was about to nap when his new friends arrived.
"Hey, Kenta, how are you doing here?" Kaida asked, patting the bear's head.
Guah! Kenta released a small but happy roar, indicating his contentment.
"Yomi thinks this place is too cramped for you. Do you want to go to the forest—"
Guah! The bear let out a cry almost resembling that of a young boy about to lose everything.
"I mean for a walk in the forest," Kaida clarified.
The bear released a sigh of relief before declining the offer.
"Okay then, enjoy your sleep. We're heading out," Kaida said, patting Kenta's head before leaving.
"How did you know he wasn't missing his old home?" Yomi asked as they walked.
"He's just too lazy to care. In the wild, he only left his cave when he was hungry or if another predator entered his territory. The rest of the time, he just slept. Here, he doesn't have to worry about food and can sleep all he wants. Why would he be sad?" Kaida replied matter-of-factly.
"Now that I think about it, he is pretty lazy," Yomi chuckled.
"Anyway, since we're going out after so long, is there anywhere you'd like to go?" Kaida asked.
"How about we revisit all the places we went to on our first outing?" Yomi suggested.
"That's a great idea," Kaida agreed.
They began their journey at Ichiraku Ramen, where they set a new personal record. Afterward, they visited various shops and parts of the village, ending their day atop the Hokage Mountain, gazing down at the peaceful, quiet village.