Chapter 47 - Gifts
After my brief meeting with Kakashi, I headed towards the training ground, my mind already shifting to the tasks ahead. As I approached, I noticed a familiar figure—Uzuki, the purple-haired kunoichi, was deep in her swordsmanship practice. Her movements were fluid, each strike precise, yet I could see the determination in her eyes as she pushed herself.
I joined her, and we practiced together for about thirty minutes, exchanging strikes and honing our skills. Uzuki's focus was admirable, and I could tell she was giving it her all. Wanting to test her, I suddenly put all my strength into an attack, aiming directly at her sword. She managed to dodge the blow, but the force of my strike was too much for her weapon. It snapped in two, and Uzuki's face fell, her expression turning gloomy.
Feeling a pang of guilt, I reached into my system inventory. I had bought a new sword for her, anticipating that her current one might not hold up much longer. As I presented it to her, her eyes widened in surprise. The gloom was instantly replaced with excitement.
"Ruki, this… this is amazing!" Uzuki exclaimed, her voice filled with gratitude. She took the sword from my hands, testing its weight and balance. "It's perfect. Thank you!"
I smiled, relieved to see her so happy. "You've been working hard " .The sword I gave Uzuki was no ordinary weapon; it was a finely crafted katana, forged with care and precision. The blade was made of high-quality steel, its edge gleaming with a razor-sharp finish that reflected the sunlight. The hilt was wrapped in deep purple silk, matching the color of Uzuki's hair, and provided a firm, comfortable grip. The guard was intricately designed with a floral pattern, adding a touch of elegance to the weapon.
But what truly set this sword apart was the subtle chakra-infused metal that made up the blade. It wasn't just a tool for combat; it was a weapon that could channel and enhance its wielder's chakra, making each strike more powerful and precise.
The sword was perfectly balanced, light enough for quick, agile movements, yet sturdy enough to withstand the force of intense battles.
When I handed it to Uzuki, her eyes widened in awe as she took in the details. She could feel the difference as soon as she gripped the hilt, the weapon seeming to respond to her touch, almost as if it was an extension of her own strength and will.
It was a sword worthy of a skilled kunoichi, and I knew she would wield it with the grace and power it deserved.d, Uzuki. You deserve it. Besides, I couldn't leave you with a broken sword."
Uzuki grinned, her confidence restored. "I'll make sure to put this to good use."
[Ding !!]
[Uzuki Yūgao's favourity increased to 85]
We continued sparring for a while longer, and I could see the difference the new sword made in her movements. It was sharper, more balanced, and it seemed to give her a renewed sense of purpose. After we finished, Uzuki thanked me again, her spirits visibly lifted.
....
As the day went on, I made my way around the village, delivering gifts to the people who had supported me. My next stop was my mother's house. She greeted me with a warm smile as I handed her a carefully wrapped package.
"What's this, Ruki?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.
"Just something I thought you might like, Mom," I replied, watching as she unwrapped the gift.
Inside was a beautiful silk scarf, embroidered with delicate patterns that reflected the style of our village. My mother's eyes lit up as she ran her fingers over the fabric.
"It's lovely, Ruki. Thank you so much," she said, pulling me into a tight hug.
[ Favourity increased to 69]
I returned the embrace, feeling a sense of contentment. "I'm glad you like it. I wanted to give you something special before I leave."
....
Next, I visited Nami-sensei. Though she wasn't a particularly strong ninja, she had always been there for me, providing guidance and support when I needed it most. I found her at home, enjoying a quiet moment with a cup of tea.
"Ruki, what a surprise!" she said as I approached.
"I wanted to give you something, Nami-sensei," I said, handing her a small box.
She opened it to reveal a set of intricately carved kunai. They weren't meant for battle, but rather as a decorative piece, a reminder of her past as a ninja. Nami-sensei's eyes softened as she looked at them.
"These are beautiful, Ruki. Thank you. You've always been so thoughtful," she said, her voice filled with affection.
"I owe you a lot, Nami-sensei. This is just a small token of my appreciation."
Finally, I made my way to Nami-sensei's house. She had been a tough teacher, but one who had taught me valuable lessons. As I handed her a carefully wrapped scroll, she raised an eyebrow in curiosity.
"Ruki, what's this?"
"Open it and see," I replied, a hint of a smile on my lips.
Nami-sensei unwrapped the scroll and unrolled it, revealing a detailed map of the village and its surrounding areas, annotated with notes and tips that I had gathered during my time in training. It was a tactical guide, something she could use in her teaching or pass on to other students.
"This… this is incredible, Ruki," she said, her voice tinged with surprise and admiration. "You've really thought this through."
"I learned a lot from you, Nami-sensei. I figured this might be useful for your future students."
Nami-sensei nodded, clearly touched by the gesture. "Thank you, Ruki. I'll make sure this is put to good use.
...
As the day went on, I made my way around the village, delivering gifts to the people who had supported me. My next stop was Juri's home. Her house was modest, but warm and welcoming. Juri greeted me at the door with a curious smile.
"Ruki! What brings you here?" She ask in curiosity.
I gave her a small, reassuring smile. "Hey, Juri. I just wanted to let you know that I'll be leaving the village tomorrow for a few months. I came by to say goodbye and give you something."
Her eyes widened in surprise and concern. "You're leaving? That's sudden. Is everything okay?"
I nodded, trying to ease her worries. "Yes, everything's fine. It's just something I need to take care of. I wanted to leave you with a small token of appreciation."
I reached into my bag and pulled out a beautifully crafted bracelet. The metal was polished silver, adorned with intricate patterns that caught the light. I handed it to Juri, who accepted it with a mixture of surprise and delight.
"This is beautiful, Ruki. Thank you so much," Juri said, admiring the bracelet.
"I'm glad you like it," I replied. "It's just a small gift to remember me by. I'll be back before you know it."
Juri's mother joined us, her eyes lighting up as she saw the gift. "What a lovely bracelet! And so thoughtful of you."
I smiled warmly. "I have something for you too, Aunty."
I presented her with a delicate necklace, crafted from the same polished silver as the bracelet. It featured a simple yet elegant design, with a small charm that resembled a leaf—symbolic of the village.
"Oh, Ruki, this is wonderful!" she exclaimed, her eyes misting with gratitude. "Thank you so much."
[Ding!!!!]
[Favourity increased to 69]
"You're welcome," I said, feeling a sense of satisfaction. "I wanted to make sure you both had something to remember me by."
We spent a few more moments chatting, enjoying each other's company before I had to leave. As I headed out, I felt a deep sense of contentment. I had managed to give something back to those who had supported me, and it made me feel a little bit closer to home.
Evening.
To be continued.