31 Chapter 31 : Far From Home (1/2)

I won't make any excuses for yesterday. ~sob~ I'm...I'm sorry my peeps. lol. Esketit.

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Kenji traveled on and off with Jiraiya for a few weeks. Once he got to know the man, he wasn't so bad. He was a hardcore flirter and Kenji had to manage the money, but his training was no joke. It wasn't straining, but Kenji wouldn't even know it and he would be learning a lesson. Jiraiya got the jist of Kenji's situation through messages from Minato, so he tried to model lessons that would help the boy over time. There was a time frame, given the movement inside the mist, but Jiraiya knew he couldn't rush something like this.

Kenji's first lesson started as a habit he was supposed to adopt. Jiraiya made him stare at himself when he woke up and went to sleep. Whether it be in the water or a mirror, Kenji had to remind himself everyday why he was doing this. What pushed him to live in this world. Jiraiya told him not to use that pain for anger, but fuel to push himself forward and eventually, Kenji would find his place in the world. So every day Kenji forced himself to remember...everything. He tried not to dwell on the pain, but the few happy moments he had in the schoolyard and home. Bonding through hell with his team. He still didn't feel any better though.

Through two weeks, this is all he worked on. He hoped Jiraiya would teach him a few things, but the respect he harbored for Jiraiya through a philosophical standpoint stopped him from asking too much.

The two always walked in silence, like both had a lot on their mind. Jiraiya would occasionally ask Kenji a few questions, probably to tinker with his plan. The two approached a terribly small town. Only twelve homes faced each other on each side. All were about the same size.

”Hmmm, I guess this is a good place to stay for a while. How about it?” Jiraiya cupped his chin in satisfaction.

”Here?”Kenji asked.

”Yes.”

”But there's probably not that many women to chase around.”

Jiraiya looked like he was powering through mentally. ”Sadly no, but that's ok. I passed through this village on my way to the Leaf. I told them I'd bring help. They need it. I want you to live here for three months. I'll arrange you to stay somewhere. Do whatever they tell you and try to form at least some relationship with the villagers. Watch closely how everyone interacts with each other.” He grabbed Kenji's shoulder. With every sentence Jiraiya spoke, Kenji dreaded the stay even more. ”And lastly, don't kill anyone. Under no circumstances. That's my challenge to you. I'll return in three months to see what you learned. If I'm not satisfied, that's three more months.”

Kenji didn't have any room to argue. He was curious what this old man was trying to show him.

”Alright, lets go.”

They waded through the narrow dirt road. Jiraiya seemed to know where to go. He probably planned this right when he found this place. The last door on the right was the destination. Jiraiya knocked on the door. To Kenji's surprise, a skin and bone girl answered the door. She barely reached Kenji's waist. The look on her face when she saw Jiraiya was priceless.

She hugged his left leg with what little strength she had. ”Daddy!!! The Ninja man back!!!!” A tall, thick man with a rough, unshaven face came to the door. ”Oh you're back!” He said.

Kenji's eyes lit up. It couldn't be. ”Old man, Is that really you?”

The huge man noticed Kenji, He never forgot his patients. ”Well. Your eyes look better.”

Kenji couldn't help but notice. The man looked different. Something had happened. And why was he here? His village wasn't that far from the Mist. They had been traveling North for two weeks.

”It's nice to see you again Kenji.” The man had found hope again.

”You too, Mr. Kaito.”