Chapter 4: Yataro (Part 2)

Chapter 4: Yataro (Part 2)

The moment Kazama got a clear look at the object, his entire body tensed.

Damn it!

It was snake skin.

And not just any snake skin—it was python skin.

Who the hell left a giant python skin hanging here to scare people?

"Whoever did this, come out! I swear I'll beat you senseless!"

Kazama was fuming.

"This is the 'python' you were so terrified of? Hahaha! My grandson is such a coward, scared by a piece of shed skin! Hahahaha!"

Kosuke Maruboshi burst into laughter. Ever since Kazama had grown older and more knowledgeable, there had been fewer opportunities for amusement.

But now?

Kazama had just handed him a golden moment.

"Ahhh!!"

Embarrassed and enraged, Kazama vented his frustration on the nearest tree, kicking and punching it in fury.

How humiliating! He had scared himself and even believed it!

There was no way he would admit to his own mistake.

The only thing he could do now was lash out.

Kazama then turned to the snake skin, stomping on it repeatedly to vent his anger.

But just as he was furiously trampling it—

Something moved under his feet.

The snake skin inflated, bulging outward as if it were a balloon filling with air.

Then—

It transformed into a real python.

And Kazama was standing right on top of it.

"SNAKE!!!"

His already shattered nerves completely collapsed.

Just as he was about to scream his lungs out, a firm pair of hands grabbed his shoulders.

Strong, steady hands.

A wave of calm, cooling energy flowed into his body, snapping him back to reality.

Right.

His grandfather was here.

Why was he panicking?

What was there to fear?

Kazama's scattered courage returned as he turned his gaze downward.

…Wait.

Wasn't this just a python skin?

What the hell had just happened?

"Grandpa, I swear it was just snake skin before! But then—somehow—it became a real python!"

He wasn't lying!

"I know."

Kosuke's expression darkened.

Someone had cast a genjutsu.

He had sensed the subtle presence of illusionary chakra when Kazama stepped on the snake skin.

Someone had deliberately set up this trick to scare a child.

What kind of grudge did they have to go that far?

Fortunately, the genjutsu wasn't strong—it was only meant to create an illusion, nothing that could actually harm a ninja.

Still, it was troubling.

Kazama had been affected only because he was still young, with little chakra in his body.

If a more powerful illusionist had done this, Kazama could have suffered serious trauma.

Kosuke's eyes narrowed.

Whoever did this had crossed a line.

No one scared his grandson and got away with it.

With his senses sharpened to the limit, Kosuke scanned the area.

Then—

He found them.

Without hesitation, he flicked a kunai.

Kazama barely caught a glimpse of a black blur streaking past his vision before he heard the distinct thunk of metal embedding into wood.

"You've been discovered. Why not come out?"

Kosuke's voice was calm but firm.

He could feel a faint chakra response where his kunai had struck.

Not just that—when the kunai hit, there had been a sudden surge of chakra activity.

The target was there.

But since they refused to come out—

"Very well. I'll help you."

Kosuke drew his blade.

With a swift stab, he pierced the exact spot where the kunai had struck.

The tree bark splintered open, revealing a hollow space within.

And inside—

A shaking, terrified squirrel was pinned in place, Kosuke's blade hovering dangerously close to its tiny throat.

The poor creature had already fainted, its little legs twitching as a damp patch spread beneath it.

For a moment—

Silence.

Kazama and Kosuke stared at the squirrel.

Then—

"HAHAHAHA!!"

Kosuke rubbed the back of his head, letting out an awkward laugh.

"HAHAHAHA!!"

Even Kazama couldn't hold it in.

Even his legendary grandfather could misfire sometimes!

"Alright, I won't mention this if you don't mention me getting scared."

"Deal."

The two sealed the pact.

---

Later That Night – The Treehouse

The warm glow of the campfire cast flickering shadows across the treehouse, creating a cozy, serene atmosphere.

Kosuke, despite his years as a shinobi, had often been relegated to the team cook due to his Genin status. Decades of experience had made him an expert chef.

Tonight, however, their usual peaceful dinner had a third guest.

"Come on, don't be so petty! Sure, we destroyed your home, but you scared me first! Besides, your old nest was too small—how about I build you a new, bigger one?"

Kazama was sweet-talking the squirrel.

"…?"

The little creature sat on a wooden log, completely dejected, as if the entire sky had collapsed and crushed only his house.

"How about this—I'll help you find all the nuts you stored for the winter."

The squirrel's ears twitched.

"Chii?!"

"Yep, I promise! And I won't even steal any."

"…"

"Seriously, I've been to way bigger forests than this one. I know where to find the best, most delicious nuts!"

Kazama was relentlessly convincing.

Kosuke just sat back and watched, neither encouraging nor stopping him.

It was just a squirrel, after all.

Even with chakra and a bit of genjutsu talent, there was only so much it could achieve.

At most, it might become a low-tier ninja pet—maybe Chunin level at best.

If Kazama could tame it, great. If not, no big deal.

Still—this was a free pet with a natural talent for genjutsu.

Why not take it?

Who says the ninja world can't have pet-based combat?

The Three Legendary Sannin all had their summoning beasts, right?

If he couldn't have a toad or a snake—why not a squirrel?

"Alright, I'm giving you a name—Yataro. Look at your big, strong teeth! You can crack open nuts better than anyone!"

"…Chii?"

"That's right! Yataro means your teeth are the strongest—no one else can compare!"

Kazama kept pushing the narrative.

A small squirrel, even one with a bit of intelligence, couldn't possibly outthink a reincarnated man with over 30 years of life experience.

Kazama's smooth-talking overwhelmed the tiny creature's resistance.

Yataro fully bought into it.

At this point, if Yataro were human, they would've already sworn a blood pact to Kazama.

By the next morning—

They were inseparable.

Yataro sat proudly on Kazama's shoulder, squeaking and pointing deeper into the forest.

Kazama nodded.

He had made a promise—he wouldn't break it.

If Yataro was going to be his partner, he needed to prove he was trustworthy.

Gathering nuts? No problem!

Kazama grabbed a basket, fully prepared to carry Yataro's stash back.

But when they arrived…

Kazama's face fell.

He had underestimated just how much a squirrel could hoard.

Piled on the ground were several massive heaps of nuts—

Easily hundreds of pounds worth.

Kazama wanted to cry.