Chapter 196: Through Iwagakure
After hours of intense discussion and paperwork, Malik finally stood from his seat. The conversation with Ōnoki had been fruitful, and the plan they had crafted was solid. Malik had managed to secure an agreement that would not only help bolster the Kamizuru Clan's future but would also provide Iwagakure with a much-needed economic uplift. The old Tsuchikage, despite his stern demeanor, had softened, even shaking Malik's hand in the end—a gesture that was not lost on Kurotsuchi. She watched with guarded interest as her grandfather, who rarely gave respect so freely, seemed to genuinely consider Malik's ideas.
Kurotsuchi, leaning against the wall with crossed arms, watched Malik curiously. Despite herself, she had to admit—at least in her mind—that Malik wasn't the fool she had initially pegged him for. He was clever, resourceful, and clearly had something going on behind that disarmingly charming smile. But she'd never say that out loud, at least not to his face.
Suzumebachi, on the other hand, was still slightly star-struck. She and her brothers had never expected to encounter someone like Malik, let alone be part of such a grand scheme for their clan's future. Even Jibachi, who often found reason to complain, seemed too absorbed in thought to throw out one of his usual sarcastic remarks.
After a few more signatures and some parting words, Malik stood up and turned toward the group. "Well, thank you all for your time, Lord Ōnoki," he said with a respectful bow. "I know you've got a lot of work left, so I'll take my leave."
Ōnoki gave him a long, appraising look, his expression unreadable for a moment before he simply nodded. "We'll see where this goes, Malik. But don't think this village is easily swayed. Actions will speak louder than words."
"I wouldn't have it any other way," Malik replied, offering another bow before turning to leave, followed closely by Suzumebachi, Jibachi, Kurobachi, and Kurotsuchi.
As they exited the building, Jibachi finally broke the silence. "So what, we're gonna become farmers now? I didn't spend all that time perfecting our clan's techniques to start growing crops."
Malik chuckled softly, glancing over his shoulder at the younger Kamizuru brother. "Jibachi, it's not as simple as that. Farming is just a part of the bigger picture, a way to give your clan a strong foundation. Bees are incredibly important for the environment and for agriculture, and with your unique abilities, you could revolutionize how things are done here. But don't worry, there's much more in store for the Kamizuru Clan than just farming."
Kurotsuchi, walking alongside Malik, raised an eyebrow, half agreeing with Jibachi's frustration. "Bees might be useful, but this village doesn't need another farmer's guild. You better have something more exciting planned."
"I do," Malik said with a wink, "but that's a conversation for another time. Let's just say that your clan's abilities go far beyond pollinating crops. Think of it as the first step toward something much bigger."
As they walked, Malik explained the environmental and economic benefits of bees, especially in a village like Iwagakure, where natural resources were so heavily relied upon. He talked about the Land of Snow's innovations, mentioning that once the connections were made and resources started flowing, the benefits would become apparent.
While Suzumebachi and Kurobachi listened intently, taking in Malik's vision with interest, Jibachi seemed more bored than ever. He yawned loudly, cutting Malik off mid-sentence.
"Yeah, yeah, bees are great and all, but this is starting to sound like a lecture."
Malik laughed, "Well, I guess I can't make everyone excited about bees, can I?"
Kurotsuchi, despite herself, found a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. "He's right, though. You're not exactly selling it as the most exciting career path, Malik."
"Give it time," Malik replied confidently. "Trust me, when this all starts heating up, you'll all see the results a lot faster than you think."
As they stepped outside, Malik took in the surroundings, his eyes scanning the rugged beauty of Iwagakure. The towering cliffs, the stone streets, the bustling life of the village. This was a place of strength, where the harsh landscape had shaped an equally strong people.
Malik stretched his arms above his head, a grin spreading across his face. "This would be a great time to go sightseeing."
Kurotsuchi rolled her eyes. "You plan on getting lost in a village you don't live in? Good luck with that. We don't have guides here for wandering tourists."
Malik looked at her with that same mischievous smile. "Would you show me around, Princess?"
Before Kurotsuchi could respond with a snarky retort, Suzumebachi stepped forward, her tone much softer. "We'd be honored to show you around, Malik. You've done a lot for us already. The least we can do is—"
Malik shook his head, cutting her off gently. "No, no, you and your brothers need to go home and rest. You've been through enough. Go see your family, relax. I'll be fine on my own."
Suzumebachi frowned slightly, clearly wanting to insist, but Malik raised a hand. "If I get into trouble, I'll come find you at the Kamizuru Clan compound. I promise."
Kurotsuchi crossed her arms, her tone more teasing than before. "You're seriously going to just wander around? We can't have the 'Wonder Boy' Malik getting stabbed or mugged in our village. Plus, you don't even know where The Kamizuru Clan compound is, just come with us, our place is huge, especially because our clan is so small at the moment."
Kurotsuchi narrowed her eyes at him, her skepticism still evident. "You better not get yourself killed out there, Wonder Boy. The old man will kill me if you do."
"Don't worry," Malik replied with a wink. "If I do, I'll make sure it's spectacular."
Malik winked at both her and Suzumebachi. "I'm tougher than I look. But seriously, I'll be fine." With that, Malik lifted off the ground, floating effortlessly into the air. "I'll see you all later!"
Kurotsuchi's eyes widened in surprise, her mouth slightly agape as she watched him hover above them. "You can FLY!?"
Malik gave her a playful salute. "Catch you later, Princess!" And with that, he shot off into the sky, leaving the group behind in a mixture of awe and confusion.
As Malik flew above the village, he took in the sights. Iwagakure was unlike any other village he'd seen. The architecture was integrated into the rocky landscape, with homes and shops carved into the stone itself. The people below bustled about their day, tough and resilient like the mountains they lived in.
He scanned the streets, his eyes searching for one of his bakeries. A smile crept across his face as he spotted one in the distance. It wasn't as grand as the ones in other villages, but it stood out with its warm, inviting atmosphere and the unmistakable smell of fresh bread wafting through the air.
Malik descended, landing gracefully in front of the bakery. As he walked in, the bell above the door chimed, and the staff immediately recognized him.
The moment he entered, the warmth of the bakery enveloped him. The shelves were lined with pastries, cookies, and loaves of bread, all freshly baked. A handful of villagers sat at small wooden tables, chatting over coffee and tea. When Malik stepped inside, the customers glanced up, recognition dawning on their faces.
"It's him," one of them whispered excitedly. "That's Malik!"
Malik gave them a friendly wave. "Hope everything tastes as good as it smells!" he called out, making his way to the counter.
The young woman behind the counter—clearly nervous but excited—greeted him with a wide smile. "Welcome, sir! It's an honor to have you here."
Malik chuckled. "The honor's all mine. What's the house specialty?"
The girl blushed, fumbling with a tray of cookies. "Our honey-glazed pastries have been really popular. We... we use local honey."
Malik's eyes sparkled. "Perfect. I'll take one, please."
As the girl handed him a warm pastry, Malik took a bite. The sweet, sticky glaze melted on his tongue, and he closed his eyes in bliss. "Mmm... delicious," he said, savoring the flavor. "This is what I call love baked into food."
The other customers smiled at his reaction, some raising their cups in silent cheers. Malik finished the pastry and leaned against the counter, chatting with the girl and a few of the customers about how the bakery had been doing since it opened.
After spending some time in the bakery, Malik decided to explore more of the village. He walked the streets with a relaxed air, waving at curious onlookers and chatting briefly with anyone who approached him. Some were skeptical of his intentions, but most were charmed by his friendly demeanor.
As the sun began to dip lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the stone streets, Malik paused at a high vantage point overlooking the village. The view was breathtaking—rolling hills and jagged cliffs surrounding the village like protective walls.
He smiled to himself, feeling a sense of contentment. Iwagakure had its challenges, but it was a place with heart and potential. And Malik intended to help it thrive.
With a deep breath, he spread his arms again and lifted into the sky, the wind carrying him higher and higher. There was still much to do, but for now, he let himself enjoy the moment—the freedom of flight, the warmth of the village below, and the knowledge that, step by step, he was building something extraordinary.
"Let's see what the rest of today brings," he whispered to himself as he soared through the twilight, the stars beginning to twinkle overhead.
Malik returned to his bakery after the long day, moving silently through the streets of Iwagakure, his magic allowing him to meld effortlessly into the shadows. When he reached the bakery, he used his abilities to melt through the walls, appearing in the center of the shop with a soft smile on his face. The staff didn't even flinch, used to Malik's sudden and magical entrances by now.
"Well done keeping this place so spotless," Malik complimented as he floated towards the back.
The staff smiled at the praise as Malik moved into the rear of the shop. With a subtle wave of his hand, a hidden door appeared, and Malik walked through it, stepping into a private space: the bedroom he shared with his wife, Shisui. Inside, Shisui lounged in bed, dressed in a pair of sleek, black pajamas that hugged her figure, her large breasts noticeable despite her otherwise casual attire. She was focused, cleaning her tanto while reclining in the bed, her black hair tied neatly into a bun.
Her piercing gaze lifted to Malik, revealing a blank, annoyed expression that sent a wave of realization through Malik. This was not going to be a conversation he'd enjoy.
Malik, undeterred by the tension, gave her a soft smile. "You know you're cute when you're mad, right? Actually, you're cute all the time."
Shisui's eyes remained locked on him, unamused, her expression never wavering. Malik's shoulders sagged slightly, knowing he had to do more than charm his way out of this one. With a sigh, he relented, "Okay, I'm sorry."
After a few hours of reconciliation and explaining the day's events, Malik took a moment to update Shizune on what had transpired, knowing she would relay the information back to Tsunade. Finally, it was time for him to return to the streets of Iwagakure, but this time with company. One of his most trusted bodyguards, Daichi "The Boulder" Yamamoto, met him at the bakery's entrance, standing tall and imposing.
Daichi gave Malik a thumbs-up, a bright smile lighting up his face. "Ready when you are, boss."
Malik grinned. "Thanks, Daichi. Shisui and the others gave me a good scolding for going off alone, so you're officially on protection duty while I'm here. Let's get going."
The two set off into the night, Malik floating just above the ground while Daichi walked beside him, his massive frame causing most people to give them a wide berth. As they wandered through the streets of Iwagakure, Malik paid close attention to the people they encountered, curious about the village's nighttime activity.
Night Shift Workers passed by—individuals working in essential services like security and healthcare. Despite the late hour, there was a sense of life in the village, people working to make a living. Malik noted this with interest; though the economy was struggling, the village seemed alive, its people resilient.
Further along, they passed by street vendors selling food, drinks, and small goods to groups of late-night patrons. Malik couldn't help but smile at the bustling atmosphere. The smell of grilled meats and fried snacks filled the air, and it was clear that these vendors were thriving, even at such late hours. Despite the economic challenges Iwagakure faced, there was still a sense of community here.
At one point, they came across a homeless man, sitting quietly on the edge of the street. Malik, never one to turn away from someone in need, approached the man and offered to buy him food. The man accepted gratefully but was hesitant when Malik offered him a job at one of his bakeries.
"I don't know how to cook," the man said, shaking his head.
Malik smiled softly. "That's okay. We'll teach you. There's more to running a bakery than just cooking. Come by tomorrow, and I'll give you a chance."
The man looked up at Malik, his eyes filled with a glimmer of hope. He thanked him again, telling Malik that he had a warm place to sleep tonight and that he would think about the offer.
As they continued walking, Malik turned to Daichi. "What did you think of him?"
Daichi, a former convict who had turned his life around, shrugged. "He seemed fine. Sometimes life just beats you down. Doesn't mean you're out of the fight."
Malik nodded thoughtfully. "I like that answer."
They continued their journey, passing by nightlife participants—groups of people enjoying a night out, visiting bars and small entertainment venues scattered throughout the village. Law enforcement and ninja patrolled the streets, ensuring that everything remained peaceful, but their presence didn't seem overly oppressive. The village felt safe, alive, and welcoming, even in the dead of night.
As they approached yet another street vendor, Malik decided it was time for a snack. After all, he couldn't resist the smell of grilled meat and warm bread. He and Daichi stopped at the tenth vendor they had seen that night, ordering a meal and sitting down to enjoy it.
Daichi tore into his food with gusto, grinning between bites. "Man, I love the food here. All this stone and earth makes you appreciate the little things, like a good meal after a long day."
Malik chuckled. "I'm glad you're enjoying yourself, Daichi."
After finishing their meal, the two men made their way back to Malik's bakery. As they arrived, Malik snapped his fingers, and with a wave of magic, a second floor appeared above the shop, complete with beds and cozy accommodations for the night.
"Well, it's been a long day," Malik said with a satisfied yawn. "Let's get some rest."
Daichi nodded, already stretching his arms. "Sounds like a plan, boss."
The two settled in for the night, knowing that tomorrow would bring more challenges, but for now, they could rest, content in the knowledge that Iwagakure was slowly beginning to open up to Malik's presence—and the changes he intended to bring.