Chapter 26: The Chair Chose Death
"A man grows with the weight he carries."
— Thors, Vinland Saga
--
The Next Day – Konoha Library
The library was quieter than usual.
A few genin sat around low tables, whispering over beginner mission logs and chakra diagrams.
One young Chūnin snored gently in the corner, a book covering his face.
Then came the sound of heavy footsteps.
Not rushed and loud.
Otis ducked slightly under the main entrance frame. His presence turned a few heads. Some stared. But he didn't notice. Or didn't care.
He made his way toward the Restricted Section, where only Chūnin and higher could enter. The librarian at the desk, the same older woman with half-glasses, glanced up and gave him a nod.
"Back already?"
Otis nodded once. "Earth Release."
She pointed with a brush to the right. "Second shelf, scrolls marked with red clay seals. The bottom ones are older — they've got more experimental theory. Don't smudge the ink."
"Got it."
Otis moved through the wooden aisles with practiced ease. The earth-nature section had its own smell — older parchment, faint dust and mud between the cracks of ancient storage cases.
Otis knelt before the bottom shelf.
His large hands carefully sorted through the scrolls — one by one. He paused when he found a set marked with stone symbols and inked edges:
"Chakra Manipulation: Earthen Constructs"
"The Spine of Stone: Core Earth Jutsu for Mid-Ranks"
"Shaping and Compression: Efficient Chakra Use in Ground Alteration"
Otis unrolled part of the last one.
Inside, ink diagrams showed how chakra could be pressed into a point underground, forcing rock upward — useful for traps, barriers, or even breaking terrain during battle with enough chakra.
He grunted softly. "Could use that to break footing… or redirect movement."
He rolled it back and took the second.
The next scroll had something more practical: a list of basic Earth Release jutsu, each with breakdowns on chakra control, posture, and hand seal flow.
One stood out:
"Earthen Grasp: A low-level technique using chakra to form a grabbing hand from the soil. Limited range. Useful for halting enemies"
Otis paused.
These… could work.
Later – At the Checkout Desk
He returned with three scrolls including 'Basic Earth Release Technique: Mud Wall', bundled tightly in a sling. The librarian adjusted her glasses as she saw the titles.
"You don't pick flashy ones."
"No need," he said.
She stamped the scroll log. "Three days."
Otis nodded. "Thanks."
Outside the Library – Noon
Otis stepped out into the sunlight, scrolls slung over one shoulder, a thoughtful expression on his face.
No excitement.
Just plans.
"Earthen Grasp."
"If I can anchor targets or disrupt footing before a throw..."
His pace quickened slightly as he headed back toward the riverbank clearing.
***
Location: Konoha Library – next day
It was too quiet.
The kind of quiet where even a cough felt like a crime.
He stepped into the Chūnin reading area. Scrolls lined the shelves. A couple of shinobi glanced up — then quickly back down. No one wanted to look directly at the mountain
Otis stood in the library's study section, holding a scroll in one hand, eyeing the seating options like a man preparing to commit murder.
The chairs were old — carved wood, thin legs, stiff backs. The kind designed for the average shinobi who barely hit 5'5" and weighed less than a mission satchel.
Otis had muscles and a daily protein intake that could probably bankrupt a small family.
Otis scanned the room. Found a table.
The chair waiting for him was all bones — thin wood legs, shallow seat, creaky joints.
The kind of chair that made noise when wind passed by.
He eyed it.
The chair… stared back.
He looked at the librarian.
"You got anything sturdier?"
She didn't even look up. "Nope."
"Steel frame?"
"This is a library, not a blacksmith."
He grunted.
Then began his descent — slow, careful, respectful.
Like he was trying not to disturb the soul of the chair.
And the chair held.
For three seconds.
Then it let out a sound like a dying animal.
A Genin two tables down visibly flinched.
Otis adjusted slightly.
Then—
SKREEEEEK—POP—KRRAK.
It folded in on itself — like a building.
One leg shot out. Another cracked sideways.
The entire thing gave up on life like it owed Otis money.
And Otis went down.
Straight down.
No panic. No yelp.
Just slow, silent disappointment — eyes blank like he was letting fate decide.
(Pic)
The sound echoed through the entire building.
The librarian didn't even look up.
Scroll still open. Otis's expression remains unchanged. Sitting in ruins.
The library went dead silent.
The Genin stopped mid-note-taking.
A Chūnin behind a pillar peeked out cautiously.
One shinobi muttered under his breath:
"That chair saw death and said, 'I lived a good life.'"
Otis stood up and looked at the wreckage beneath him.
The librarian sighed.
"This is why we stopped letting the Akimichi use the reading corner."
Otis didn't even blink.
She pointed toward the broom in the corner.
"You break it, you sweep it."
Otis paused, still calm
"You got something built for men, or just decorations?"
The librarian raised an eyebrow. "Try the floor."
He sat cross-legged, back resting against a wall beam that creaked in fear.
***
Later — Market Street
Sayuri: "Heard you broke a chair."
Otis: "It broke first."
Hinata (quietly): "Did it... scream?"
Otis: "No. But I heard it whisper 'I lived a good life.'"
***
Next Day – Library Desk
The librarian stamped his scroll log again, staring at him over her glasses.
"You sure you don't want a floor mat instead?"
Otis glanced at the reading area.
"I'll just lean on the wall."
"Wise choice."
She scribbled a note in her ledger.
"Reminder: Reinforce study chairs in Chūnin section."
--
(A/N)
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