The next morning, golden rays casted a warm glow over the village, which was already buzzing with activity. People bustled about, vendors setting up stalls, and shinobis preparing for the day ahead.
Yet, amidst the traditional attire and armor-clad shinobi, one figure stood out—Kūga, his white hair contrasting against the black suit he wore, draped with a black cloak lined with white fur. The Konoha symbol was proudly engraved on the back of his cloak, marking him as one of their own, though his fashion seemed almost too modern, too sleek for the era.
Kūga strode confidently through the Hokage Tower, drawing glances from shinobi and staff as he made his way toward Hashirama's office. His attire wasn't the only thing that felt out of place—it was his aura, a carefree yet commanding presence that left an impression on anyone who saw him.
Inside the office, Hashirama was seated at his desk, going over a set of scrolls. When Kūga entered, the First Hokage looked up with a welcoming smile. "Kūga," he greeted, setting aside the paperwork. "I was expecting you."
Kūga approached, his blue eyes glinting with their usual calm confidence. "I assume everything is ready?" he asked, his tone casual yet direct.
Hashirama reached into a drawer and pulled out a small parchment, neatly rolled and tied with a red ribbon. "Here it is," he said, handing over the official business permit. "This will allow you to operate your water supply business in the village."
Kūga took the permit and examined it briefly before tucking it inside his cloak. "Thanks, Hashirama," he said, his voice carrying a hint of amusement. "Now I'm officially a businessman."
Hashirama chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "Well, you've always been full of surprises. When are you planning to start?"
Kūga gave a nonchalant shrug, his hands resting in the pockets of his cloak. "Probably once I've got some extra cash during the war. I'll need to gather some funds, maybe rent a place near the village center. That way, people can access the water easily."
Hashirama nodded thoughtfully, his brow furrowing as he considered the logistics. "I have a space I could lend you," he offered after a moment. "It's about a hundred square meters, near the center of the village. You can pay rent once the war is over, although the debt will accumulate in the meantime."
This offer took Kūga by surprise, though he didn't show it outwardly. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully, his fingers brushing against the light stubble there. "A hundred square meters, huh?" he mused, his eyes narrowing slightly as he calculated the possibilities. "That's more than enough."
After a brief pause, Kūga nodded, accepting the offer. "Alright, I'll take it. But," he added with a sly grin, "I'm gonna need a little more than just space."
Hashirama raised an eyebrow, curiosity flashing in his eyes. "Oh? And what would that be?"
Kūga leaned against the desk casually. "Let me borrow a couple thousand ryos, and I'll have a fully functioning water station in no time."
Hashirama's laughter filled the room, rich and genuine. "A couple thousand ryos, huh?" he repeated, shaking his head in amusement. "For someone as strong as you, I would've thought you'd be rolling in money."
Kūga shrugged, completely unfazed. "I don't really need it," he admitted. "I travel light, and, well..." He paused for a moment, remembering a recent event. "There was a slave trader from the Land of Wind. Let's just say... he doesn't have a bounty anymore because there wasn't much left of him after I was done... unfortunately."
Hashirama blinked, his laughter fading as he shook his head with a resigned smile. "That sounds like you." He sighed. "Alright, I'll get the funds together, but you'd better make sure this water station of yours is a success."
Kūga smirked. "I always make sure of my success," he said with confidence. "It'll be up and running before you know it. And once it is, the people of Konoha will have all the clean water they need."
Hashirama's eyes softened as he regarded his friend. "You know, Kūga, you always have a way of taking care of people, even when they don't realize it. You've done so much for this village already. The water station will be another step toward making Konoha a better place for everyone."
Kūga gave a dismissive wave of his hand. "Yeah, yeah. I'm not doing it for the gratitude, Hashirama. I'm doing it because it needs to be done. We've built something special here, and I want to make sure it lasts."
Hashirama smiled warmly, his eyes reflecting his deep appreciation for Kūga's efforts. "And that's why I'm grateful," he said softly. "You always see the bigger picture, even when others don't."
Kūga straightened up, his casual demeanor never wavering. "Well, someone's got to," he replied with a small smile. "Anyway, about that couple thousand ryos..."
Hashirama laughed again, shaking his head. "Alright, alright. I'll make sure you get it. Just don't blow it all on fancy suits, okay?"
Kūga smirked, glancing down at his outfit. "What can I say? I have a reputation to maintain."
As the two friends shared a lighthearted moment, the weight of the coming war still hung in the air, but for now, they could enjoy the peace they had helped create. Konoha was more than just a village—it was a dream that they had turned into reality, and no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would protect it together.
With a final nod, Kūga turned to leave the office, the business permit secure in his cloak and a plan already forming in his mind for the water station. Hashirama watched him go, his expression a mixture of fondness and respect.
"Take care of yourself, Kūga," Hashirama called after him.
Kūga paused at the door, glancing back over his shoulder. "Always do," he said with a wink before disappearing down the hallway, ready to take on whatever came next.
Kūga stood at the designated address, the slip of paper with Hashirama's handwriting still in his hand. He glanced at the small scrap, then back at the overgrown lot in front of him. His eyebrows raised slightly, a faint smirk pulling at the corner of his lips.
"I guess this is the place..." he murmured to himself, pocketing the note as he surveyed the wild mess before him.
The lot was nestled between a lively tavern and a few shops, but its current state was far from ideal—overrun with wild plants, bushes, and an occasional weed as tall as a shinobi's waist. The ground was uneven, stones and debris scattered haphazardly.
It didn't matter, though. Kūga wasn't fazed by such trivial obstacles.
With a casual flick of his hand, he manipulated the aether around him. The air seemed to hum softly as the overgrown foliage shimmered and then vanished into thin air, the entire lot clearing in an instant. The land beneath, once chaotic, became flat and clean, like an artist starting with a blank canvas. Kūga smiled, his eyes narrowing as he mentally planned out the space.
Another motion of his hand, and the earth began to shift, compressing and solidifying. The ground beneath the hundred-square-meter lot compacted tightly into a sturdy foundation.
A deep pit appeared where the foundation would rest, its walls smooth and perfectly carved, thanks to Kūga's precise manipulation of aether.
He formed the walls with aether-infused stones, adding porcelain tiles to the base of the pit. In a few swift movements, the entire excavation became a seamless, gleaming cube, as if it had been crafted by a master builder.
"Perfect," Kūga murmured as he raised his hand again.
From thin air, stone slabs materialized, laying themselves out across the lot's surface with mechanical precision.
The ground leveled out smoothly, leaving no trace of the pit underneath. Then came the walls—towering stone barriers that erupted from the ground, coating themselves with pristine marble tiles. The ceiling formed seamlessly, followed by a sturdy roof, each piece sliding into place as if it had always been there.
Kūga walked through the unfinished building, conjuring furniture as he went. Locker cabinets appeared along one wall, ready for staff use. He crafted a large counter near the entrance, perfect for a cashier, and cleared space in the back for storing the water gallon containers.
Flicking his wrist again, the exterior walls painted themselves a clean white, and an aether-infused glass door manifested at the entrance, unbreakable but perfectly transparent.
"Not bad," Kūga remarked to himself, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction.
Next, he turned his attention to the most crucial part of the water station: the water supply. Kūga thrust his hands toward the ground, and aether-infused pipes burst forth, snaking through the lot like living veins.
These pipes connected to a massive aether-powered water dispenser, designed to supply crystal-clear drinking water straight from the source. He conjured up dozens of plastic water gallon containers, neatly stacking them along the walls, ready for use.
A large hand-cart appeared as well, perfect for deliveries.
Stepping back, Kūga took in the full view of the station, admiring the work. The once messy lot had been transformed into a sleek, modern water station that stood out sharply from the rustic aesthetics of Konoha's usual buildings.
Everything had been done in minutes. Perfect, efficient, and, of course, infused with aether.
He chuckled to himself. "Now I just need some staff..." He scratched his chin thoughtfully. "A cashier, someone to lift gallons, and maybe a delivery person."
Kūga reached into his cloak, pulling out a piece of parchment. He scribbled a message in bold, slightly messy handwriting:
[WANTED:
Cashier
Staff to lift gallons
Delivery boy/girl, I don't care.
Interview next month.]
Kūga held up the flyer, inspecting his work. "Next month, huh?" He chuckled again, a little amused by the absurdity of it all. "What kind of business hires for a month later?" But then again, he had more important matters to attend to—like an impending war. With a shrug, he rolled the parchment up and stowed it away.
"There's nothing I can do about it now," he muttered, shaking his head with a grin. He had places to be, after all. The water station would open when the time was right.
.
Before lunch, Reifū found herself at Kūga's house, diligently cleaning the rooms with the aid of her aether techniques. As she moved through the house, tidying up the living room, hallway, and kitchen, she eventually reached the door to the master bedroom.
She paused, staring at the door curiously. What was in there? She blushed, her face warming at the thought, and quickly shook her head to dispel the notion. 'Don't even think about it,' she told herself.
Just then, she heard footsteps behind her and turned to spot Kenta, who had just arrived back, his body drenched in sweat. His chest heaved slightly as he caught his breath.
"Where have you been?" Reifū asked, narrowing her eyes slightly as she folded her arms.
Kenta grinned, wiping the sweat off his brow. "I was helping some folks with their daily stuff... then I trained afterward."
Reifū glanced at him, noticing the change in his physique. Kenta had bulked up significantly since the time they first saved him. Back then, he had been so skinny, almost fragile-looking. Now, his muscles were clearly defined, and he looked stronger, more confident.
"You've really bulked up," she remarked with a small smirk, though there was a tinge of fondness in her voice. "But seriously, go take a bath, kid. You stink!"
Kenta raised his arms and waved them at her playfully. "Oh? You don't like the smell of a hard-working man?" He grinned mischievously, wafting more of his odor towards her.
Reifū wrinkled her nose, rolling her eyes as she raised a hand, preparing to cast an aether technique. "Don't tempt me," she warned, her tone teasing but laced with genuine threat.
Kenta threw his hands up in surrender, backing away with a laugh. "Okay, okay, I'm going! Don't kill me!" He ran off toward his room, his chuckles echoing down the hall.
Reifū sighed in mock exasperation, fanning the air with one hand to rid the lingering smell. She shook her head and, once the smell was gone, turned back to the kitchen.
She washed her hands carefully before tying an apron around her waist. Reaching for a large pot, she filled it with water and set it on Kūga's invention—a stove powered by aether. With a quick flick of her fingers, she turned it on and began chopping ingredients for the ramen she planned to make for lunch.
As she waited for the water to boil, the door to the house opened, and Kūga strolled in. He spotted Reifū at the stove, focused on her task. With a mischievous grin, he leaned against the doorway and commented, "You know, if you keep looking this beautiful while cooking, it won't be long before I make you my wife."
Reifū's cheeks flared a bright red as she spun around, startled by his teasing remark. On instinct, she flung the knife in her hand straight at him.
The blade zipped through the air, but just as it was about to hit him, it stopped—a centimeter from his face, suspended midair by his automatic aether barrier.
Kūga raised an eyebrow, smirking as he tapped the floating knife. "You could've killed me, you know."
Reifū snorted, crossing her arms in defiance. "As if!" She turned back to the stove, trying to will away the heat from her face.
Kenta emerged from his room then, now shirtless and freshly bathed. His red hair was still wet, and water dripped down his toned chest. Kūga grinned, looking him up and down. "You've been training hard, Kenta. No one would believe you were that scrawny kid we found."
Kenta's face turned a shade of pink at the compliment, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "Thanks, Kūga. So... what's for food?"
At his question, both he and Kūga turned their heads to look at Reifū, who was still slightly red in the face from Kūga's earlier teasing.
She coughed, trying to regain her composure, and casually replied, "Ramen."
Kenta groaned. "Ramen? But we had that last night!"
Without missing a beat, Reifū shot back, "Then go outside and eat dirt."
Kenta let out an exaggerated sigh of defeat and trudged back to his room to throw on some clothes. Moments later, he returned fully dressed, and the three of them sat around the table, bowls of steaming ramen in front of them.
As they began to eat, Kūga, ever the joker, raised his bowl and slurped noisily. "You know, Reifū, this might just be the best ramen in all of Konoha."
Reifū, still blushing slightly, threw him a look, but there was a small smile tugging at her lips. "You can stop now," she muttered, shaking her head as she focused on her food.
Kenta, in between mouthfuls of ramen, grinned. "If this is what we're eating before the war, I'm all for it."
Kūga chuckled, leaning back in his seat as he took in the moment—the quiet camaraderie before the storm of battle.
It wasn't often they got to sit like this, laugh, and enjoy something as simple as a meal. But he knew, just as they all did, that war was looming. For now, though, he'd let them enjoy this rare moment of peace.
As they slurped their ramen, Kūga leaned back slightly, glancing between Kenta and Reifū with a thoughtful expression. "So," he started, his voice casual but curious, "where have you guys been stationed?"
Kenta hummed around his chopsticks, swallowing before answering. "Hokage-san told me I'll be heading to the Land of Grass with Madara." He paused, then added with a nervous chuckle, "I'm not gonna lie... that guy's scary as hell."
"Kenta!" Reifū scolded immediately, her voice sharp as she frowned at him. "Watch your language."
Kenta raised his hands defensively, "Sorry, sorry!"
Reifū sighed before continuing, "As for me, I'll be accompanying Hokage-sama to the Land of Wind. He mentioned we'd be camping somewhere between the Land of Claw and the Land of Fang."
Kūga nodded slowly as he listened. "I see," he said, swirling the broth in his bowl. "Well... I'm stationed at the camp in the Land of Hot Springs." He took a bite of noodles before looking up at them with a more serious gaze. "This is going to be your first time fighting with your lives truly on the line. It's not like the spars you've had before. But don't worry, Madara and Hashirama... they're opposites in many ways, but both are incredible leaders. You'll be in good hands."
Reifū and Kenta exchanged a glance. They knew Kūga was right, but the weight of what was coming still lingered in the air.
War wasn't just a matter of strategy and skill.
It was survival.
Kūga took another slurp of his ramen before continuing, his tone firm but reassuring.
"They may not have access to aether like you both do as they use chakra," Kūga said, pointing his chopsticks at them, "but they've led their clans for years and know the battlefield better than anyone. You'll learn a lot under their command, more than you can imagine."
The room fell quiet for a moment. Kenta's earlier confidence dimmed as he stared into his bowl. Even Reifū, usually calm and composed, seemed to lose herself in thought. The gravity of war, once abstract, was now a tangible reality looming ahead of them.
Kūga noticed their expressions and pressed on. "Listen, they won't give you any special treatment just because you use aether or because of your connection to me. They'll be harsh with you, especially when you mess up—because they have a responsibility to lead you, to make sure you survive and come back home." He paused, letting the words sink in. "So do your best, follow orders, and no matter what, survive."
Kenta glanced up, his expression conflicted. "How... how do we survive? I mean, if we're really out there, how do we make it back?"
Kūga tapped his fingers on the side of his bowl, thinking for a moment. "Hm... If you're ever caught alone," he began, choosing his words carefully, "and you run into someone who can go toe-to-toe with you—run if you have the chance. Always assume they've got backup nearby. There's no shame in retreating when you need to."
Kenta and Reifū listened intently, hanging on every word. Kūga's gaze sharpened as he continued. "And if you find yourself facing someone strong—someone who's clearly on a different level than you—don't even think about fighting them. Pour all your aether into escaping and run as fast as you can. There's no point in being brave if you don't live to see tomorrow."
Reifū, who had been quietly processing everything, nodded slowly. "We'll remember that."
Kenta, still uncertain but slightly more reassured, managed a weak grin. "So... run away when things get bad, huh? Doesn't sound too heroic."
Kūga smirked. "Being a hero is overrated. Staying alive to fight another day—that's what matters."
They all sat in silence for a moment, the quiet punctuated only by the sound of their chopsticks clicking against their bowls. The future felt uncertain, the weight of war looming large, but Kūga's presence—his calm wisdom—made the fear more bearable.
After a long pause, Kūga leaned back, smiling softly. "You'll both do fine. Just don't forget, we're all in this together. And after the war..." he trailed off, looking between them with a grin, "we'll all meet back here and have ramen again."
Reifū chuckled softly, though there was a somber edge to her laughter. "We better."
Kenta nodded, a flicker of determination returning to his eyes. "Yeah. We better."
They continued their meal, each of them holding onto the hope that they'd see the other side of the conflict. And while the uncertainty still lingered, so too did their resolve.