It was a quiet morning as Kūga arrived at his water station business, the building's blue-and-white exterior faintly glinting in the sunlight.
He stepped inside, noting the stillness of the place as he took in the dust settling on surfaces.
Kūga raised a hand slightly, summoning a wave of invisible Aether energy to sweep through the room, gathering every speck of dust from the tables, floors, and walls. In moments, the air was clear, and the station looked spotless.
Kūga muttered to himself, half-jokingly, "Alright… let's hope people actually show up today."
His gaze drifted to where he'd posted flyers and hiring notices a month ago, though the flyers had vanished sometime since. He grinned, taking it as a good sign. "Guess people might be interested after all," he murmured with a slight shrug.
He strolled over to a small couch in the corner, sinking into its cushions as he leaned back, looking up at the ceiling. He couldn't help but think about the money he easily accumulated... wealth that he would've died for in his old world.
It felt strangely useless to him now.
"With everything I've got," he sighed to himself, "there's not much point to it… I mean, I could just make a house with Aether if I wanted. And flying? Way easier than bothering with a car, especially with an unmodernized setting."
He crossed his arms, his expression somewhere between thoughtful and bored.
He continued musing, letting his thoughts drift, until a light knock on the glass door snapped him back to the present. Kūga turned, watching as the door slowly filled with a line of people—seven of them, to be exact.
His smile widened; it seemed there had been more interest than he expected.
Rising from the couch, Kūga gestured with his hand, unlocking and opening the door with a soft pulse of Aether.
"Good morning!" he greeted, his voice warm and welcoming as he took in the faces of his potential employees. "Thank you all for coming by. Please, come in and make yourselves comfortable."
The group filed inside, exchanging polite nods as they took seats on the couch and the few chairs in the waiting area.
Kūga looked them over briefly, noting their mixed expressions. Some looked eager, others nervous. He waved a hand, conjuring a round table and two chairs near the center of the room.
"We'll get started with the interviews in just a sec," he continued, giving them an encouraging nod. "You can relax for now. I'll call each of you one at a time to chat with me."
.
He gestured to the first person in line, a young woman with dark hair tied back in a loose ponytail. She approached, offering a shy smile as she took the seat across from him.
Once she sat, Kūga discreetly cast a sound barrier, ensuring their conversation remained private.
He smiled, his tone casual. "Alright, let's start with some basics. What position are you interested in here at the station?"
The young woman's name was Aya, and she returned his smile, answering earnestly, "I'd like to work as a cashier."
Kūga nodded. "Good to know. Just so you're aware, the cashier position pays 150 ryo per month. Is that something you're okay with?"
Aya nodded quickly, her expression brightening. "Yes, that's perfect!"
Kūga glanced at her calmly, sensing the honesty in her response. He continued with a few more questions, his tone light. "Are you married, Aya?"
She shook her head, answering simply, "No, not yet."
"Since when have you been in Konoha?" he asked.
"About two years now," she replied. "I came from a small village to find more work."
Kūga nodded, listening with an attentive but easygoing expression. After a few more questions, he offered her a warm smile, thanking her as she returned to the waiting area.
The next applicant, a tall young man named Hiro, took a seat. Kūga smiled, greeting him before asking the same basic questions.
Hiro straightened in his seat, speaking in a confident tone. "I'd like the delivery position."
Kūga nodded, making a mental note. "Good choice. For delivery, the pay is 170 ryo a month. How does that sound?"
"That's perfect," Hiro replied with a nod, and Kūga's subtle sense confirmed the man's truthfulness.
They continued through the questions, Kūga's relaxed attitude making the process flow smoothly. He asked if Hiro was married, to which he answered no, and found out Hiro had lived in Konoha since it became a village, searching for steady work.
The next in line, a woman named Yuna, approached with a hint of nervousness in her expression. Kūga offered her a friendly smile, putting her at ease as he began.
"What position were you looking for, Yuna?" he asked.
"Staff," she replied, nodding shyly. "Lifting and carrying gallons, I mean."
"Alright, that role's paid at 120 ryo per month," he informed her, watching for her reaction.
Yuna smiled gratefully. "That works for me," she replied, her tone genuine.
As he worked his way through the remaining applicants. Riku, Nao, Tomo, and Saeko... Kūga kept up his easy, approachable manner, reading each of their responses with his natural ability to sense truth.
While most of them answered politely, only three of the applicants... Aya, Hiro, and Yuna answered every question with clear honesty.
Once the interviews finished, Kūga canceled the sound barrier with a subtle flick of his hand. Rising, he looked over the group with a gentle smile.
"Thank you all for coming today," he began, his voice friendly and open. "I'll be hiring three of you, as that's the number we need at the station."
He gave each applicant a small nod before meeting the eyes of Aya, Hiro, and Yuna. "Aya, Hiro, and Yuna. You're hired."
The three beamed, bowing gratefully as he welcomed them with a smile.
Turning to the remaining applicants, he added with genuine warmth, "Thank you for your interest. I wish you the best in your search, and I'm sure you'll find something soon."
The others nodded, a few managing polite smiles despite their disappointment, and soon they left, exchanging farewells with Kūga as they exited.
Kūga returned to the new hires, his expression calm but encouraging. "Alright, I'll get you all started tomorrow. For now, feel free to get familiar with the station. Welcome to the team."
.
After welcoming Aya, Yuna, and Hiro to the team, Kūga clapped his hands lightly, signaling the start of their training.
"Alright, let's get you all familiar with how things work around here," he began with an encouraging smile. "We'll go through each of your responsibilities one by one."
He gestured for Aya to follow him to the front area, where a wooden counter and several record books were laid out.
"Alright, Aya," Kūga started, placing a hand on one of the books. "You'll be managing this section, handling the money and keeping track of our records."
Aya nodded, her eyes wide with attention as she took in the setup.
"We use these record books. You'll have to log every transaction, especially deliveries. Do you know how to read, write and do basic math?"
Aya gave a small, proud smile. "Yes, my mother taught me before she passed," she replied.
"Umm... Good," Kūga said with a nod of approval. "That'll come in handy here. Every time a villager comes to get water themselves, they get it free. No charge as long as they're picking it up directly."
Aya's brow furrowed in thought, but she nodded as he continued.
"Our earnings come mostly through deliveries. Anytime someone asks for a delivery, you'll need to record it here." He opened a record book, flipping to an empty page, and pointed. "You'll write down the delivery address, the name of the customer or their business, and the price according to the distance."
Aya leaned in, studying the layout and taking mental notes.
"For deliveries within 1 kilometer, it's 1 ryo," Kūga explained. "Up to 5 kilometers, it's 3 ryo. Anything beyond 5 kilometers will cost 5 ryo. Got it?"
Aya nodded confidently. "Yes, that makes sense."
"Good," Kūga replied, satisfied. "If anyone asks about deliveries, they'll talk to you, and you'll handle the payment. Make sure all transactions are logged here."
She gave him an earnest nod, showing she understood, and Kūga moved on to the next section with a wave.
Turning to Yuna, he guided her to the back of the station, where two large faucets and several empty gallon containers were arranged near a refilling area.
"This'll be your main area, Yuna," he began, gesturing to the faucet. "The basics are simple: this is where you'll fill the gallons. Just turn this valve to start, and make sure to turn it off once it's full."
He demonstrated, twisting the faucet slightly as a steady stream of water flowed from it, filling one of the containers in seconds before he shut it off again.
"Be careful with this," Kūga warned. "The water's pressurized, so don't turn it on too quickly, or you'll get soaked."
Yuna gave a small laugh, rolling up her sleeve and slapping her bicep playfully. "I can handle it," she said confidently.
"Glad to hear it," Kūga replied with a chuckle. "Each gallon weighs nearly 4 kilograms, so you'll be loading these into the hand cart. Hiro can help when he's free, but mainly, it's your job."
Yuna nodded firmly, her expression determined as she glanced over the containers. "I'll get it done, no problem."
Pleased with her response, Kūga moved on to Hiro, who was waiting by the hand cart. Kūga tapped the cart lightly. "Alright, Hiro, you'll be in charge of making deliveries with this cart."
Hiro leaned forward, inspecting it, his gaze curious.
"Each time there's a delivery," Kūga explained, "you'll find the addresses over at the cashier's table with Aya. I've put a 'fuinjutsu' on the cart to keep it durable and light, even with a heavy load."
(It's an aether rune of his, they wouldn't know, that's why he just said fuinjutsu)
Hiro's eyes widened in surprise, his hand brushing over the cart. "Wow… makes it way easier to handle then."
Kūga nodded. "Exactly. Just make sure to double-check the addresses with Aya, and be mindful when you're out making deliveries. Communication is key."
He turned back to the group, gathering them all together. "And most importantly," he said, looking each of them in the eye, "work as a team. Keep each other informed, and look out for one another."
They nodded in unison, a sense of readiness settling over them. Kūga gave a satisfied nod, then turned back to Aya.
"One last thing for you, Aya."
He handed her a piece of paper with detailed information on the prices for water per liter and delivery fees for locations outside Konoha. "Here are the rates: the usual price for 10 liters is 1 ryo. But since Sand Village is an ally, they get a 30% discount on both water and delivery for every 10 liters."
Aya scanned the paper, nodding in understanding.
"For deliveries beyond Konoha, customers have two options," Kūga continued. "They can either wait for our next delivery run to that area, or they can go to the Hokage Office to submit a mission request for delivery—a C or B rank, depending on the risk of the location. The mission price will be the Hokage's job, we earn through our water."
Aya's eyes widened slightly, realizing the careful planning behind it.
"One last thing—no upfront payment, no delivery," Kūga said firmly. "Deny any customer who won't pay in advance."
Aya nodded with a serious expression. "Understood."
Kūga gave her a final nod, then turned back to the group. "I'll be paying you every fifteen days. And lunch breaks are mandatory. For your first month, you'll get a 2-ryo meal allowance per person each day, so make sure to take advantage of that."
The three exchanged a quick glance, looking pleased with the arrangement, and nodded in acknowledgment.
Kūga watched them for a moment, giving them each an approving smile. "Alright," he said, turning toward the door. "Get settled, and I'll see you all tomorrow. I need to stop by the Hokage's office for some mission paperwork."
He gave them a small wave and exited the water station, leaving the new hires to explore their stations and prepare for the first day on the job.
.
On his way to the Hokage Tower, Kūga strolled leisurely, hands tucked into his pockets, his mind drifting to the conversation he was about to have with Hashirama.
As he approached the main street, he spotted someone familiar... Kenta. But it wasn't just Kenta; a teenage girl was walking beside him, her cheeks faintly pink as they chatted.
Kūga's grin spread from ear to ear as he basically blinked beside Kenta, leaning in with a sly look. "Oi, oi… looks like I've been too lax with your training," he teased, catching Kenta off guard.
Kenta practically jumped, blinking as he processed Kūga's sudden appearance. Rubbing his nose with a finger, he cleared his throat, trying to act casual. "H-Hey there… ah, right! Kūga-sensei, meet Haruno Sakuna. Sakuna-chan, this is Kūga-sensei—the one I told you about."
Kūga's eyes drifted to the girl, taking in her pink hair with a curious look. 'Haruno? Sakura's grandma or something? Poor kid… that's a rough family tree to get tangled up with,' he thought to himself, amused.
Sakuna looked up at Kūga, her eyes widening. "Oh, so you're the one who saved him on the Iwa border?" Her gaze traveled up to his face.
"You're… tall."
Kenta nodded eagerly, grinning with pride. "Yeah! But don't worry, Sakuna-chan. I'll be taller than Kūga-sensei one day."
Kūga raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms and giving Kenta a skeptical look. "Hmm… first time I'm hearing you call me 'sensei,'" he commented, his tone playful.
"What's this, Kenta... try'na impress your girl?"
Kenta's face turned a shade darker. "Sensei! I'm always respectful!" he protested, clearly flustered.
Kūga shook his head, letting out a laugh as he decided to change the topic. "Alright, alright. Say, have you seen Reifū around?"
Kenta tapped his chin, thinking. "Hmm… not sure. My guess? She's with that... Azamaki-san."
Kūga's brow twitched, and he reached over, giving Kenta a quick chop on the head. "U-Z-U-M-A-K-I. Don't go disrespecting the Shodaime's wife like that."
Kenta winced, rubbing his head as he muttered under his breath, "Damn…"
He suddenly perked up, an idea hitting him. "Wait! Can't you just sense her or something? You always do that!"
Without a word, Kūga delivered another light chop to Kenta's head. "Oi, you're making it sound weird!" he said, rolling his eyes.
"Ow! Come on, sensei… you're embarrassing me," Kenta groaned, casting an apologetic look at Sakuna, who was stifling a laugh.
Kūga sighed, shaking his head with a half-smile as he gestured down the street. "Alright, alright. Go on, then. And don't forget your training."
Kenta nodded, grinning back as he led Sakuna down the path. "Okay, okay! I won't forget!"
Kūga watched them go, a small, amused smile playing on his lips as they walked away. 'That kid's finally growing up… or is it the testosterone?'
.
Kūga strode up to the Hokage Tower, the familiar weight of his coat billowing behind him. As he reached the entrance to Hashirama's office, the Hokage's secretary looked up, her face immediately firm.
"Hokage-sama cancelled all his appointments for today," she said, barely pausing to take a breath. "You can come back another day."
Kūga opened his mouth to reply, but a loud, muffled voice called out from within the office.
"It's okay, he can come in!"
Kūga turned back to the secretary with a smile, who let out a resigned sigh.
"This is killing me…" she muttered under her breath.
Kūga reached into his coat pocket as he passed her desk, placing a neat stack of ryo on the corner. The secretary's eyes widened in shock, and before she could protest, Kūga put a finger to his lips, his smile mischievous. "Fighting!" he whispered, giving her a supportive nod.
With a soft pulse of Aether, the double doors swung open, his coat fluttering slightly as he stepped inside. Hashirama looked up from his desk and grinned, taking in Kūga's dramatic entrance.
"You know," Hashirama teased, his voice light, "I don't think I've ever seen you open a door with your hand. Germaphobe, are we? Or maybe you're just paranoid?"
Kūga scoffed, rolling his eyes. "I'm not Tobirama," he shot back, prompting a chuckle from both of them.
As their chuckles faded, Hashirama leaned back, his gaze turning curious. "So, what brings the 'White Apocalypse' himself to my office today?" he asked, his eyes gleaming with interest.
Kūga smirked, creating a simple stool with Aether and setting a paper down on the Hokage's desk. "Thought I'd make use of our shinobi forces," he replied casually.
Hashirama picked up the paper, scanning it with a slight frown of concentration. Kūga went on, "Inside, you'll find details on water prices for delivery, with Sand Village getting a 30% discount, thanks to our alliance."
Hashirama's frown softened into a thoughtful expression as he continued reading. "I see… and you're thinking these deliveries could be assigned C- to B-rank missions, maybe A-rank if the delivery's high-stakes or risky?"
Kūga nodded, his eyes glinting with his usual calm certainty. "Exactly. This setup could mean big things for Konoha if it's handled right."
Hashirama placed the paper back on his desk, his face growing serious. "If we do this right, Konoha could become one of the largest exporters in the region." His gaze turned speculative as he spoke. "With such control over resources, water could eventually be used to avoid war. We could have leverage."
Kūga shook his head, a faint smile crossing his face. "It's not that simple, Hashirama. Water alone won't be enough to hold that kind of power. Even if Konoha became the main supplier of goods, a few sanctions alone wouldn't stop those who crave war."
He paused, his voice dropping slightly. "Wars aren't just fought here. They happen in places we don't even know exist, for reasons we may never understand. Konoha's fortunate, though, with people like you, Madara, and others who make its foundation strong. But…" Kūga's gaze drifted toward the window, his expression pensive. "What happens when Konoha no longer has us?"
Hashirama's face softened, his brows furrowing as he leaned forward. "That's why the Will of Fire exists, Kūga. To ignite a sense of loyalty, to ensure our people protect what we've built here."
Kūga's smile turned almost contemplative. "But what happens when those in power... the elders, officials become corrupt? When they start thinking only of themselves?"
A silence fell between them, Hashirama unable to answer right away. Kūga's gaze returned to him, a faint smile on his lips.
"I guess this is the perfect time to say that no one's perfect," he said softly. "You're the Hokage of this generation, so you just do your best. Guide your brother, and let him guide his successor, and… hopefully, the cycle will go on."
Hashirama took a long breath, his silence filled with a depth of thought. After a few moments, he looked back at Kūga, a question lurking in his gaze.
"What about you?" he asked slowly, his voice carrying a rare, quiet seriousness. "I've been meaning to ask… I have my clan. Madara has his. But you… you've always seemed alone, like you don't belong to anyone." He met Kūga's eyes, a hint of worry there. "What do you have in this world, Kūga?"
For a second, Kūga said nothing, his gaze steady as he looked at his friend. Then he smiled, a soft warmth in his eyes.
"I have you and Madara, don't I? I have Reifū, I have Kenta… I've got people I care about, people worth protecting." His voice softened. "I have people to guide, and people to guide me when I need it most."
Hashirama's mouth opened, but words failed him. Instead, he just stared, feeling his chest tighten, a mixture of pride and gratitude welling up in him.
Without a word, he wiped a single tear that slipped from his eye.
Kūga's eyes sparkled as he grinned, pointing. "Oh! Is that a tear I see?"
Hashirama jerked, blinking rapidly. "What? I'm just… sweating!" He gestured to the room around him. "It's hot in here!"
"Hot? It's almost winter, you dumbass!" Kūga shot back, laughing as Hashirama fumbled for a retort. Both of them erupted into laughter, the sound filling the room, bright and genuine.
As their laughter faded, they fell into a comfortable silence, both gazing out of the wide window across the village. Snowflakes, small and delicate, began to drift down, catching the light as they fell.
Hashirama's voice softened as he admired the scene. "It's almost winter," he murmured.
Kūga, his gaze steady, nodded with a smile. "Yeah…"