"Hey old man I'd like to sign up for that cooking competition! Jaden yells out admis the crowd."
"Hey, you brat I'm not old! I'm still in my prime I have you know! And get lost you brat the Daimyo's Autumn Elections is a serious competition of the highest honor."
So run along and go play in the dirty and make your mud cakes. Shu. Shu. 'The older man makes a moving motion with his hand dismissing the boy in front of him.
"Hey, wait there's no age restrictions to withhold me from participating." Jaden says.
'The man looks down at the child figuring the boy just doesn't understand the significance of such an event.'
"Daimyo Chi holds the election exams once a year with the winner taking on his former chefs in the ultimate battle of culinary excellency, to have the right to be known as the greatest chef in all the elemental nations. People from all around the world gather here to just have a chance to smell the fragrance of the dishes the Itamae-domo creates. Itamae-domo is known as the most powerful cooking-nin in the entire world. One dish alone he creates is a masterpiece that's worth 10s of millions of Ryu.
The Man named Hakkaku looks down to the young boy, sure he's not inspired to stop these foolish jokes and to respect the culinary art. But to his utter shock when he looks down at the boy he sees him picking his ear with his pinky finger.
The boy stops to blow his finger. Oh, cool are you done old man, look I don't want to waste any more time just sign me up so we can both just go our separate ways.
You Brat! Fine! Whatever here sign this paper. Hakkaku hands over the sign-up sheet to the boy.
After finishing the signup sheet, he hands Jaden a circle number tag. The number tag reads 99.
Huh 99, I'm sure that was Killua's number in HunterxHunter, cool.
Jaden makes his way inside the daimyo's palace, taking Konan by the hand. The guards try to stop Konan, but Jaden manages to get them to leave the mater alone once he says she's, his assistant. Seeing how she is still a child they decide to let the issue go as they can always just catch her and throw her out if she makes trouble.
Jaden and Kona wait by their section for the competition to start. The section wasn't anything special, they were giving a table for holding utensils and bowls. A large cutting board. A couple pots for boiling water. A pan. A small grill for cooking with a ice cooler.
2 hours later
**Chapter 27: The Aftermath**
Jaden's forehead collided with the stone wall of the hotspring, the cool surface offering little relief from the boiling frustration bubbling inside him. *Thud.* He leaned against the wall, muttering incoherently as the staff tried—unsuccessfully—to get him to stop banging his head in defeat.
"Sir, please! You need to stop!" one of the attendants begged, reaching out to grab his shoulder.
"I *lost*... I lost, how?! I had god and anime on my side" Jaden growled, his voice muffled by the stone.
Konan stood nearby, her hands clasped together, trying to act the part of the apologetic assistant. She shot the staff an apologetic smile as she stepped toward Jaden.
"I'm so sorry," she said, bowing her head in earnest. "He's... he's just frustrated. He really thought he could win. Please... don't mind him too much."
The staff exchanged uncertain glances. One of them, a short woman with a stern expression, sighed and gave up on trying to reason with the boy.
"You can do what you want with him," she muttered, turning to walk away. "But don't damage the hotspring. It's the only one left with a decent temperature."
Jaden barely acknowledged them, too busy sulking. He straightened up, wiping his wet forehead with the back of his hand and glaring into the water. His confidence had been shattered, not by the competition itself, but by his crushing failure in front of the entire Daimyo's court.
Konan hesitated, watching Jaden's dejected form. Then, unable to hold it in any longer, a soft giggle escaped her lips.
Jaden turned his head to shoot her a glare, his voice heavy with bitterness. "You're laughing, aren't you?"
Konan put a hand over her mouth, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "I'm sorry! It's just... you were so sure you were going to win, and now you're sulking like a little kid."
Jaden scoffed and crossed his arms, sinking lower into the water as though the warm pool could somehow drown his embarrassment. "I had *every* right to be confident. It's not my fault that—"
"You got second place?" Konan finished, her smile widening. She couldn't help herself now, and her laughter bubbled up freely. "You didn't *lose*, Jaden. You came *second*. That's still amazing!"
Jaden slumped deeper into the water, his posture one of total defeat. "Second place means nothing. *Nothing* at all. I had *one job*... and I couldn't even manage to take the top spot." He stared into the water like it held the answers to the universe, but all he could see was his own reflection, drowned in shame.
Konan stepped closer, still smiling but with a gentleness that softened her earlier amusement. "Jaden, you don't understand. Do you know what second place means?" She held out her hands as though offering him a gift. "It means you're *second-best* in an entire nation. The fact that you even made it that far, after just a few weeks of training—"
Jaden interrupted her, shaking his head. "That's not the point. I failed. I failed myself, my confidence, and... well, you."
Konan placed a hand on his shoulder, and he flinched slightly, but she kept it there, steady and comforting.
"Jaden..." she said softly. "Look, we won 5 million ryu. That's a huge amount of money. The fact that you *won* it—no, *we* won it—is something to be proud of."
Jaden let out a long sigh, staring into the water again. "Yeah, yeah... but I still lost to a bunch of amateurs, Konan."
She tilted her head. "Amateurs?" she asked with a raised eyebrow. "Jaden, the person who came first was a famous chef. A *real* chef. You're... you're an eight-year-old kid, and you made it all the way to second place. That's nothing to be ashamed of."
Jaden's lips curled into a small, reluctant smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "I guess so," he muttered, the weight on his chest lifting ever so slightly.
Konan sat beside him, dipping her feet into the warm water. "You can't be perfect all the time. And hey, next time you enter a competition, I'm sure you'll do even better. Second place just means there's room to improve, right?"
Jaden huffed, but the smile on his face was a little more genuine this time. "Yeah, room to improve, huh? Maybe. But I still feel like I'm the laughingstock of the whole competition."
"Not at all," Konan said, her tone firm. "If anything, everyone else will be talking about the kid who almost beat the greatest chefs in the world. You're a *legend* in the making."
Jaden finally turned to face her, a real grin creeping onto his face. "You really know how to make me feel better, don't you?"
Konan shrugged playfully. "I try." She leaned her head back and stared at the sky, which had cleared a little since they arrived at the hotspring. "But seriously, Jaden, you *did* amazing. And besides, 5 million ryu isn't something you get every day. I'm sure we'll find a way to put it to good use."
Jaden nodded, his thoughts lingering on the future. "Yeah... good use." He leaned back against the edge of the hotspring, feeling the heat seep into his muscles, relaxing him little by little.
"Now, how about we go spend some of that 5 million ryu? You know, on something more fun than cooking competitions?" Konan teased, her smile wide.
Jaden chuckled softly, finally relaxing. "Sounds good to me."
--------------------------
The sun had begun to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows over the peaceful landscape. Jaden and Konan sat on the roof of their small inn, their legs dangling off the edge as they gazed out at the distant mountains. The two spent a week here at the inn, We spent the rest of the week touring the city, eating at the most amazing food stalls"
"I can't believe how many times you got us kicked out of restaurants for eating too much," Konan teased, nudging him with her elbow. "I still don't understand how you managed to clear a whole table of food by yourself in less than an hour."
Jaden grinned sheepishly. "I'm just built different, Konan. You know I can handle my food." He rubbed the back of his head, remembering the endless plates of noodles, dumplings, and skewered meats they'd devoured. "But it wasn't all just about eating, though. We went sightseeing too. You liked the hot springs, didn't you?"
Konan's eyes softened at the memory. "I loved them. It was so relaxing. And those little gardens we explored... the ones with the koi ponds. I could have stayed there all day."
"Yeah," Jaden agreed, his tone a little more reflective. "Those were nice. But, y'know, there's been more than just the sights and food. Konan's light laughter from earlier still lingered in his ears, but his mind was a bit more preoccupied now.
That girl... the Hyuga. Jaden couldn't help but replay the moment she stepped into the room. There was something magnetic about her, something that made everything else fade into the background. He'd seen beautiful women before, sure—he just saw Tsunade up close. But the way she carried herself... there was this undeniable confidence in her presence.
Jaden found his thoughts drifting back to the way she moved, her posture strong, but graceful at the same time. She had a way of holding herself that made her stand out, and he couldn't deny that her figure was striking. She was well put together, with curves that caught his attention more than he expected, and a chest that made me think she'd have to to be Hinata's mother or was close cousins.
"Man," Jaden muttered under his breath. "She was... something else."
The things I'd do to them, maybe get a lap pillow first, motorboat those things, suck on them for good luck, or maybe drive my pent-up aggression in those things
He shook his head, trying to push the thoughts away. It wasn't like him to get distracted like this, especially not over someone he barely knew. Still, the image of her lingered in his mind, and he couldn't help but think that, maybe, that Iwa genin had a point. There was something captivating about her—a mixture of beauty, strength, and a kind of energy that made your manhood stick up in attention.
"Why am I even thinking about this?" Jaden mumbled, shaking his head again. "Focus, Jaden. Focus."
Konan, who had been quiet for a moment, glanced over at him. "Something on your mind?"
Jaden quickly tried to change the subject, his face flushing a bit. "Nothing. Just... thinking about. What's next for us?"
------------------------------------
The morning sun streamed through the window, bathing the room in a soft, golden glow. Jaden slowly woke up, his eyes flickering open as the events of yesterday came rushing back—Konan's laughter, the cooking competition, and the beautiful Hyuga girl.
He let out a groan and rubbed his face, shaking off the lingering thoughts. There was no time to dwell on that nonsense. He had more important things to do now.
Konan was still asleep beside him, her gentle breathing a reminder of the new life they had built in this strange world. The money he had won from the competition—5 million ryu—wasn't just a bonus. It was the means to an end, a ticket to what he'd been planning since the moment he'd set foot in this world.
Jaden had come here with a purpose, after all. And that purpose was to get to the Ninneko.
With the money in hand, he was finally ready to make contact with the legendary cat shinobi. The Ninneko—rumored to be able to lend their skills to the most discerning of clients—were rumored to reside in a fortress, deep within the Land of the Cats. In Naruto lore, it was a place known for its mystique and connection to the chakra of the feline beasts that roamed the land. The Ninneko were experts in various forms of ninjutsu and espionage, providing services ranging from reconnaissance to high-level assassination.
Jaden hadn't made it to the Land of the Cats yet, but he knew where to go now. He had the resources. The 5 million ryu would be enough to pay for a Ninneko's services, and more importantly, it was his way of ensuring he could get information and skills that could push him closer to his goals in this new world.
He dressed quietly, careful not to wake Konan, and prepared himself for the journey ahead. His goal was clear.
Hire a Ninneko. Learn what they knew. Become even more dangerous.
The money wasn't the only thing he was after. The Ninneko held knowledge and expertise that could prove invaluable—especially in the complicated political landscape of the ninja world. A cat shinobi would offer him a level of subtlety and skill that could be the difference between success and failure in the future. And Jaden wasn't one to rely on brute strength alone. He needed strategy, information, and a way to move unseen.
As he packed his things and prepared to leave the inn, he couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. This wasn't just another trip—this was the next step in his plan. One that would push him closer to the power he sought.
Jaden thought as he left the room, closing the door behind him.
He had a long journey ahead, but with his resources and determination, he was certain that the Ninneko would be the key to unlocking the next phase of his journey in this strange world.
Jaden had heard stories of the Cat Fortress—a place cloaked in mystery and guarded by ninjas who were rumored to be as cunning as the feline creatures they resembled. What he didn't expect was the chaotic, almost absurd experience that awaited him when he finally reached it.
After a long journey through winding paths and dense forests, Jaden stood before the towering walls of the Cat Fortress. The entrance was guarded by two stoic-looking ninjas, who gave him a suspicious glance before allowing him inside.
"You here for a Ninneko?" one of the guards asked, already raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah, I heard you guys have the best in the business," Jaden replied, trying to sound confident.
"Right. But before you go inside, you'll need to wear this." The guard handed him a ridiculous-looking, oversized cat hat.
Jaden blinked at the hat, then at the guard. "Is this... really necessary?"
The guard simply nodded. "It's tradition. You'll need to wear it inside."
With a sigh, Jaden put the hat on, his hair sticking out awkwardly from the sides as the guards let out a knowing smirk. "Enjoy your time in the Fortress," they said, watching as Jaden stepped inside.
The entrance hall looked more like the lobby of a budget hotel than a top-secret ninja base. The floor was cracked, the wallpaper peeling off, and a single, flickering light hung overhead. Jaden walked deeper into the fortress, dodging the occasional wayward cat who darted past him.
Soon, he found himself in what could only be described as "Cat Apartments"—a rundown, smelly hallway with crumbling doors and the distinct scent of tuna lingering in the air. Cats of various shapes, sizes, and fur colors wandered around aimlessly, some napping, others muttering under their breath.
"Can I help you?" a voice called out from behind.
Jaden turned to see a cat lounging on a windowsill, his fur a patchy white with some black spots. The cat looked at him with an air of practiced indifference, but Jaden couldn't help but notice how sleek and professional the feline appeared.
"Are you one of the Ninneko?" Jaden asked.
The cat straightened up dramatically, flicking his tail. "I am Snowball, the finest Ninneko in all of the Cat Fortress. You've come to the right place, human. I can offer you everything you need—stealth, wisdom, you name it."
Jaden raised an eyebrow. "Right…"
But before Jaden could say anything else, a door creaked open down the hall, and a large, burly cat with a grumpy expression stomped toward them. His fur was matted, and he looked like he hadn't slept in days.
"Snowball, you haven't paid your rent again!" the new cat bellowed, his voice rough. "This is the third month in a row! You can't keep dodging it, buddy!"
Snowball's confident demeanor faltered, and he quickly adjusted his posture, trying to maintain his dignity. "Ahem, well, you see, I've been busy securing high-profile contracts for the most prestigious clients," Snowball stammered, flicking his tail in irritation. "But my accounts... they're, uh... temporarily frozen. Yes, that's it! Temporarily frozen."
The landlord cat, clearly not buying it, narrowed his eyes. "Frozen, huh? Well, unless you plan on paying in tuna again, you need to come up with the rent, Snowball. You're on your last warning."
Jaden chuckled softly under his breath. "Sounds like you've got some... financial issues."
Snowball shot him a glare. "I'm a professional. The best there is. These things take time. Besides, who wouldn't want to hire me? I'm Snowball, the Ninneko of legends!"
"Legends?" Jaden raised an eyebrow. "You're getting kicked out of your apartment and you're telling me you're a legend?"
"Shut up!" Snowball hissed, now clearly flustered. "I've had clients. Big ones. Just... just wait until my next big deal, and I'll pay my rent and buy myself a new litter box, alright?"
Jaden couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of the situation. This wasn't the elite Ninneko he had envisioned. But hey, he wasn't here for legends—he was here for results. If Snowball was the one who could help him, then he'd make it work. Besides, 5 million ryu was more than enough to pay for a little... unconventional service.
"You know," Jaden began, leaning against the doorframe. "I came here to hire a Ninneko. I'm willing to overlook the whole... rent problem if you can actually deliver the goods."
Snowball's eyes gleamed as he straightened up. "Of course! I can do anything you need! Need to sneak into the Hokage's office? Done. Want to learn the secret to perfect ramen? I got you covered. I'll be your right paw, human."
Jaden crossed his arms, a smirk playing on his face. "Well, you better deliver, Snowball. You're the best I've got, and I'm counting on you."
Snowball's puffed-out chest deflated slightly as he noticed the skeptical look on Jaden's face. "Trust me, kid. I'm the best, and I'm about to make my comeback. You'll see."
But as the landlord glared at Snowball from down the hall, Jaden couldn't help but wonder if he was really getting the best—or just the most desperate.
Either way, this was the beginning of an interesting partnership.
Jaden took a step back and crossed his arms, eyes narrowed as he gave Snowball a skeptical once-over. The cat, who had just finished puffing up his chest with exaggerated confidence, now seemed to shrink under Jaden's critical gaze.
"Alright, Snowball," Jaden said, tapping his foot impatiently. "This isn't a charity. Show me your resume. What are you good at?"
Snowball blinked, clearly caught off guard by the sudden seriousness. He cleared his throat and, with a flick of his tail, motioned to a dusty old filing cabinet behind him. "Resume? Oh, you want the real deal, huh? Alright, alright, just give me a second."
Snowball shuffled through a pile of crumpled papers, rummaging through what looked like old tuna cans and half-eaten fish bones. After a few moments, he pulled out a wrinkled sheet of paper and cleared his throat.
"Here it is! The esteemed Snowball's Official Resume—guaranteed to impress!"
Jaden raised an eyebrow. He wasn't sure whether to be more impressed by Snowball's confidence or by his ability to pull off such a ridiculous stunt. With a flick of his wrist, Snowball tossed the resume at Jaden, who caught it effortlessly.
Jaden unfolded the crumpled sheet and started reading.
Snowball's Official Resume
Name: Snowball, the Ninneko of Shadows Specialty: Espionage and Stealth Operations Level of Combat Expertise: F (Academy Genin) Mission Success Rate: 45% (only the most challenging missions count, mind you) Combat Skills: Lacks coordination in hand-to-hand combat, poor with kunai, terrible with shuriken. Stealth Skills: S (Top-tier, can sneak into rooms undetected even when there's a rat in the house.) Information Gathering: S (Once gathered intel on a diplomatic meeting from three different nations while curled up in a sunbeam.) Discretion: S (Can go unnoticed in the most crowded of parties, even when he sneaks into the kitchen to steal fish.) Signature Move:Purrfect Disguise – blends into surroundings by hiding in plain sight as an adorable kitten.
Jaden blinked and looked up from the paper, his face blank with disbelief. "F for combat... but S for espionage? You're basically a spy cat. This... this isn't exactly what I had in mind when I wanted a Ninneko."
Snowball, sensing the growing tension, puffed out his chest again, a grin spreading across his face. "Hey, hey! You can't expect a cat to be good at everything! I mean, sure, I can't throw a kunai for my life, but if you need intel, stealth, or, well... if you want to get into places unnoticed, I'm your guy."
Jaden rubbed his temple. He had been expecting something more impressive than this. "So, you're telling me you're basically a walking, purring spy network... but with the combat capabilities of a scared kitten?"
Snowball nodded proudly. "Exactly! Perfect for subtle, high-stakes operations. You want someone to break into a safe without anyone knowing? I'm your cat. Want to steal a forbidden scroll while the Hokage's in the next room? I can do that too."
Jaden sighed deeply. The Ninneko was certainly not what he was expecting, but something about the absurdity of the situation had its charm. "Alright, alright. So, how much is all this going to cost me?"
Snowball's grin widened. "Well, you see... standard rates for espionage services are 10,000 ryu per request. Plus, there's a small handling fee for... well, handling you, since you're a human. So, you know, 10,000 ryu each time you want my help."
Jaden froze. "Wait, wait, wait. Ten thousand ryu every time I ask for your help? You're out of your mind, Snowball."
Snowball's eyes narrowed. "Hey, you want the best? You gotta pay the price. I'm a top-tier Ninneko. Do you know how many times I've snuck into highly guarded facilities and returned with intel that changed the course of history? You're getting a bargain, kid."
Jaden couldn't help but laugh. "I think the only history you've changed is the number of tuna cans you've eaten."
Snowball's ears twitched, but he quickly regained his composure. "Okay, okay, so maybe I've had a little too much fish, but that's beside the point! You're getting a skilled professional here. If you want to break into the Hokage's office undetected, or sabotage the enemy's plans without anyone knowing it was you... I'm your guy. Trust me, kid, you won't regret it."
Jaden paused for a moment, looking at Snowball thoughtfully. "Fine. I'll take you up on your offer, but this better be worth it."
Snowball's tail flicked back and forth with excitement. "Deal! You won't regret it. And hey, next time I'll show you my Purrfect Disguise move. It's legendary."
Jaden couldn't decide if he was impressed or terrified. But either way, he had made the decision. Snowball might not have been the top-tier Ninneko he had imagined, but if espionage was his thing, maybe he'd come in handy after all.
"Alright, Snowball," Jaden said, turning toward the door. "Get your paws ready. We've got work to do."
Snowball leapt up from his chair, tail high with pride. "I'll be ready, human. The name's Snowball—remember it."
Jaden gave a wry smile, nodding to himself. This was going to be... interesting.
Jaden took a step back and crossed his arms, eyes narrowed as he gave Snowball a skeptical once-over. The cat, who had just finished puffing up his chest with exaggerated confidence, now seemed to shrink under Jaden's critical gaze.
"Alright, Snowball," Jaden said, tapping his foot impatiently. "This isn't a charity. Show me your resume. What are you good at?"
Snowball blinked, clearly caught off guard by the sudden seriousness. He cleared his throat and, with a flick of his tail, motioned to a dusty old filing cabinet behind him. "Resume? Oh, you want the real deal, huh? Alright, alright, just give me a second."
Snowball shuffled through a pile of crumpled papers, rummaging through what looked like old tuna cans and half-eaten fish bones. After a few moments, he pulled out a wrinkled sheet of paper and cleared his throat.
"Here it is! The esteemed Snowball's Official Resume—guaranteed to impress!"
Jaden raised an eyebrow. He wasn't sure whether to be more impressed by Snowball's confidence or by his ability to pull off such a ridiculous stunt. With a flick of his wrist, Snowball tossed the resume at Jaden, who caught it effortlessly.
Jaden unfolded the crumpled sheet and started reading.
Snowball's Official Resume
Name: Snowball, the Ninneko of Shadows Specialty: Espionage and Stealth Operations Level of Combat Expertise: F (Academy Genin) Mission Success Rate: 45% (only the most challenging missions count, mind you) Combat Skills: Lacks coordination in hand-to-hand combat, poor with kunai, terrible with shuriken. Stealth Skills: S (Top-tier, can sneak into rooms undetected even when there's a rat in the house.) Information Gathering: S (Once gathered intel on a diplomatic meeting from three different nations while curled up in a sunbeam.) Discretion: S (Can go unnoticed in the most crowded of parties, even when he sneaks into the kitchen to steal fish.) Signature Move:Purrfect Disguise – blends into surroundings by hiding in plain sight as an adorable kitten.
Jaden blinked and looked up from the paper, his face blank with disbelief. "F for combat... but S for espionage? You're basically a spy cat. This... this isn't exactly what I had in mind when I wanted a Ninneko."
Snowball, sensing the growing tension, puffed out his chest again, a grin spreading across his face. "Hey, hey! You can't expect a cat to be good at everything! I mean, sure, I can't throw a kunai for my life, but if you need intel, stealth, or, well... if you want to get into places unnoticed, I'm your guy."
Jaden rubbed his temple. He had been expecting something more impressive than this. "So, you're telling me you're basically a walking, purring spy network... but with the combat capabilities of a scared kitten?"
Snowball nodded proudly. "Exactly! Perfect for subtle, high-stakes operations. You want someone to break into a safe without anyone knowing? I'm your cat. Want to steal a forbidden scroll while the Hokage's in the next room? I can do that too."
Jaden sighed deeply. The Ninneko was certainly not what he was expecting, but something about the absurdity of the situation had its charm. "Alright, alright. So, how much is all this going to cost me?"
Snowball's grin widened. "Well, you see... standard rates for espionage services are 10,000 ryu per request. Plus, there's a small handling fee for... well, handling you, since you're a human. So, you know, 10,000 ryu each time you want my help."
Jaden froze. "Wait, wait, wait. Ten thousand ryu every time I ask for your help? You're out of your mind, Snowball."
Snowball's eyes narrowed. "Hey, you want the best? You gotta pay the price. I'm a top-tier Ninneko. Do you know how many times I've snuck into highly guarded facilities and returned with intel that changed the course of history? You're getting a bargain, kid."
Jaden couldn't help but laugh. "I think the only history you've changed is the number of tuna cans you've eaten."
Snowball's ears twitched, but he quickly regained his composure. "Okay, okay, so maybe I've had a little too much fish, but that's beside the point! You're getting a skilled professional here. If you want to break into the Hokage's office undetected, or sabotage the enemy's plans without anyone knowing it was you... I'm your guy. Trust me, kid, you won't regret it."
Jaden paused for a moment, looking at Snowball thoughtfully. "Fine. I'll take you up on your offer, but this better be worth it."
Snowball's tail flicked back and forth with excitement. "Deal! You won't regret it. And hey, next time I'll show you my Purrfect Disguise move. It's legendary."
Jaden couldn't decide if he was impressed or terrified. But either way, he had made the decision. Snowball might not have been the top-tier Ninneko he had imagined, but if espionage was his thing, maybe he'd come in handy after all.
"Alright, Snowball," Jaden said, turning toward the door. "Get your paws ready. We've got work to do."
Snowball leapt up from his chair, tail high with pride. "I'll be ready, human. The name's Snowball—remember it."
Jaden gave a wry smile, nodding to himself. This was going to be... interesting.