"Go on, show me your 'Air Current Dance'," He said.
Noboru nodded. In one hand he held the silvery pendant Chocho had given him, while in the other he cast the jutsu. Four hand signs later Noboru had disappeared, but unlike with Mikan, his sound hadn't been muted.
'Wind Style, Air Current Dance.' Minori said.
The boy felt a hand on his shoulder, and it was then Noboru knew that Minori was also invisible; he'd cast the jutsu using only four signs, though he used both hands. The two left the building into the cold icy rain. Luckily Minori carried an umbrella with him, unlike his older sister.
The two remained close as they trotted out of the alley toward the part of the village that was built for the Kosutta clan. As they walked onto the street Noboru wondered whether or not anyone could see the droplets of rain hitting the invisible umbrella. He thought the sight of it would look quite strange to most people.
"I suppose I should just get straight to it," Minori said.
Noboru could barely hear him in the rain, but he listened intently regardless.
"Tensions between the Kusakyu, and the Kosutta have been pretty bad the last few years, so your sister decided a marriage would solve the problem. She got the Mizukage's approval, and everything."
"I thought marriages between shinobi clans were taboo."
Noboru thought back to what Sejin told him about marriages between clans with kekegenkai. He'd explained that when members of different clans merged it would also result in the combination of multiple kekegenkai. This was supposedly considered a superpower, and so after some time the practice stopped among all the great nations; though Sejin never explained how or why that happened.
"It is taboo... But there are exceptions."
The two cut through the Kage Gullet just as Noboru and Mikan did earlier, "take our clan for example." Minori said thoughtfully, "It's never been known for its size."
Noboru knew about that as well. For as long as anyone could remember the Kosutta clan had problems with reproduction. He'd always wondered about it, but he wouldn't dare ask his parents for more information; even Minori, and Mikan wouldn't go into detail. It was another one of those taboos the clan never talked about.
"The late Mizukage had a list of potential clans all lined up for Sejin, but he denied all of them," Minori said, "I don't know what he told him, but personally I think he's more concerned with the clan's image than he is with its preservation." He looked at Noboru and smiled gently, "what do you think?" He asked.
"W-What do I think?" Noboru repeated.
He had rarely been asked for his opinion on anything, so this took him by surprise.
"Uh, well I'm not sure," He sounded deflated. "Honestly, I've just been going through the motions... Doing whatever's asked of me, it's been that way for so long I've stopped trying to process it all. Uh, so I guess I don't really know."
"Just hang in there a little longer, Noboru," Minori said, his smile disappearing, "once the exam starts, you'll have more agency. You're his heir; he can't keep you inside forever."
'Yes, he can.' Noboru thought. But what he said was:
"You're right."
Once they were a block away from Kosutta territory Noboru undid the jutsu, and the two became visible. When the gates came into view Noboru saw Matumute Ito, and Matamata Ito both standing outside clad in armor with spears in their hands.
Noboru knew them both to be brothers, and part of the Ito family. The Ito family was loyal to Amegakure, but even more loyal to the Kosutta clan. The clan only had five loyal families which was miniscule compared to the Inuzuka's ten, and the Kusakyu's twelve. Even the Akinoyo clan supposedly had more families.
Nonetheless Noboru liked the brothers most of the time, and that was because they spoke to him; told him stories about the outside world, and most other guards wouldn't even spare him a glance. As Noboru, and Minori passed under the gate the two guards bowed their heads and smiled.
"Welcome home young master," they said with a bow, "and you as well Minori," they bowed again.
It was custom to address the heir before addressing Kosutta shinobi. Noboru smiled at them as they entered the neighborhood.
Within the Kosutta walls were a small number of buildings home to the various families that were loyal to the Kosutta clan. Because they were so few in number Kosutta territory consisted of very few businesses. There was a single main street that led from the main entrance to the Kosutta complex, and smaller branching streets to the left, and right which led to family houses and businesses. Every building had three large steel raindrops placed on the outside walls representing the village. Elsewhere on each building were smaller painted depictions of the Kiidogan eye; one of the many symbols of the Kosutta clan. Then lastly depending on which family owned the residence; an even smaller family symbol was represented like the steel spears of the Ito family. The pair soon found themselves outside the largest building in the territory.
The Kosutta complex was three stories tall: and the length of several large fields. Its design was simple, and square with a large courtyard in its center. It was mostly empty since the clan only had 20 members, and of the 20 only four wielded the Kiidogan.
Before they went inside Noboru made it a point to hide the necklace under his shirt.
A number of guards were outside the complex as usual. The pair stepped inside, Minori ringing his umbrella, sitting it on a designated rack that featured a dozen more.
'Not so pointless after all.' Noboru thought running a hand through his hair.
Afterward the two removed their shoes and made their way through the main entrance.
Straight ahead a dozen or so yards away was the office where Sejin kept himself busy. Noboru's heart began to beat faster, and faster as they approached the door that led inside.
Noboru felt as though his heart was about to burst out of his chest. The sound of rain dispersing against the oriental wood outside didn't ease his anxiety. The door leading inside of Sejin's office opened, and a man walked out.
"Welcome home, young master," he said with a bow.
"Hello, Natsuki senpai." Minori said to the man bowing curtly.
'Why does he have to be here?' Noboru thought.
Natsuki was in his early twenties and a jonin, unlike Minori. When Noboru ran away from home several years ago it was Natsuki who caught him, since then Sejin has taken a liking to him. He was clad in iron armor and had blood-red tattoos around his eyes.
"Young master," he said, eying Noboru curiously. "If I'm not mistaken it was Mikan that escorted you outside of the territory. Or am I wrong?"
"You would be right," Minori said with a friendly smile, "unfortunately, Mikan had some business to take care of, and I happened to be in the area."
"Oh, I see. It's a good thing you were there, we wouldn't want our young master to get lost again, now, would we?"
"Of course, not Natsuki-senpai... Now if you'll excuse us."
The pair hurried past the jonin, and into the old, dilapidated office. Dozens of old books lined shelves, and a door off to the right led into the courtyard. Sejin was standing there with the door open watching the rain pelt the old grass with a book in his hand.