Asasu sat at the breakfast table, half awake and still annoyed about how his day had started with Soki and Ito tackling him like a pair of wild animals. He pushed some rice around his plate with his chopsticks, not in any rush to eat.
Across from him, Soki had already inhaled half her food, while Ito took slow, deliberate bites, his nose buried in a book as usual.
"Eat faster," Kosu said from the kitchen, stirring something in a large pot. "You're all helping at the restaurant today."
Soki perked up immediately. "Really?!"
Ito barely reacted. "That's unfair. I have important reading to do."
Kosu rolled her eyes. "Unless that book is about grilling meat and washing dishes, I don't care."
Ito muttered something under his breath but didn't argue.
Asasu groaned, resting his cheek in his palm. "Do we have to?"
"You want money, don't you?" Kosu shot back, giving him a knowing look.
He hesitated.
She had him there.
If he wanted to spend money, this was the only way to get it.
Kosu smirked, satisfied, and turned back to the kitchen. "Hurry up and finish. The restaurant won't run itself."
The Shozen family restaurant sat right across from their house, a small two-story building with an open front. A large red cloth banner with their family name hung above the entrance, swaying slightly in the morning breeze.
Inside, it was warm and lively the scent of grilled pork, chicken skewers, and miso broth filled every corner. The wooden counter stretched across one side, with stools lined up for customers to watch their food being prepared. Behind it, a wide, open grill sizzled, smoke curling into the air.
The tables were simple, but the place had a comfortable, lived-in feel. The walls were decorated with handwritten notes from customers, old photographs, and a framed shinobi headband belonging to Kosu's father.
Morning hours weren't as busy as the lunch and dinner rush, but there were still a few customers scattered across the tables mostly early risers and shinobi coming back from missions.
Asasu sighed as he stood behind the counter, arms crossed, watching as his mother prepared orders.
"This is a waste of time," he muttered.
Kosu didn't even look up. "Says the boy who's barely done any work yet."
Soki, already wearing a small apron that was way too big on her, was excitedly running back and forth, delivering drinks to tables.
Ito, meanwhile, had somehow found a way to wash dishes while still reading a book.
Asasu stood there, trying to look as unbothered as possible.
"Quit standing around," Kosu said, tossing him a rag. "Go wipe down the tables."
He sighed, catching it with one hand before dragging himself toward the empty tables.
The front door slid open, and a familiar voice rang out.
"Morning!"
Asasu turned his head to see Okuza Uzumaki stepping in, hands behind his head, looking way too energetic for this early in the morning.
His messy red hair stuck out in different directions, and his clothes were slightly ruffled like he'd just rolled out of bed and thrown something on. His blue eyes were deep, though, filled with the usual Uzumaki energy.
Behind him, Yasone Sarutobi walked in at a slower pace, her dark brown hair tied back in a low ponytail. She had a much calmer presence, arms folded over her chest as she scanned the restaurant.
"I still don't get why you like this place so much," Yasone muttered, glancing at Okuza.
Okuza grinned. "Are you kidding? This place is amazing!"
Asasu raised an eyebrow. "You've never even eaten here before."
Okuza scoffed. "Doesn't matter. Smells great."
Kosu turned toward them with a bright smile. "Welcome, welcome! You kids want something to eat?"
Okuza opened his mouth immediately, but Yasone shot him a glare before he could say anything.
"We don't have money," she said flatly.
Kosu waved a hand. "Ah, don't worry about it! The first meal's on me."
Okuza lit up like a firework. "Seriously?!"
Asasu sighed. "Mom, why do they get free food but I have to work?"
"Because they're guests, and you live here," Kosu said simply, already plating some rice bowls for them.
"That's favoritism."
"That's life."
Asasu grumbled under his breath but kept wiping the tables.
And then he saw him.
His father, Rentaro Shozen, was sitting at the counter as if he didn't live here, as if this wasn't his own wife's restaurant, as if he were just another paying customer.
His sandals were kicked off beside his stool, one leg stretched out comfortably while he flipped through a book with one hand.
Asasu stared at him. "When did you even get here?"
Rentaro turned a page lazily. "A while ago."
"You were literally at home five minutes ago."
"Correct."
"And now you're here. Doing nothing."
Rentaro looked up at him. "Hey, now. I'm doing something. I'm eating."
Asasu narrowed his eyes. "You're eating for free."
Rentaro smirked. "Technically, I'm taste-testing."
Okuza snorted into his food, while Yasone smirked slightly.
Soki leaned against the counter beside Okuza. "Are you guys really gonna be in the Academy soon?"
"Yep," Okuza said between mouthfuls.
Yasone nodded. "Entrance exams are in a few weeks."
Soki grinned. "Then I'm gonna be a shinobi before Asasu!"
Asasu flicked a wet rag at her face.
She yelped, dodging it. "Hey!"
Okuza snickered, while Yasone smirked slightly.
Kosu turned to Asasu, wiping her hands on a towel. "Speaking of the Academy… have you made up your mind yet?"
Asasu tensed slightly.
His mother had been nudging him toward it for a while now, but he hadn't given her a real answer yet.
Rentaro glanced up from his book but didn't say anything.
Asasu sighed, running a hand through his already messy hair.
"I guess," he muttered.
Kosu's expression softened slightly. "You don't sound excited."
"I don't know," Asasu admitted. "I don't really… have anything yet. I can't even throw a kunai properly. I don't have a clan name. I don't even know how to swing a sword."
Okuza raised an eyebrow. "And?"
Asasu gave him a flat look. "And that means I'm gonna be behind everyone else."
Okuza shrugged. "Then just get stronger. Duh."
Asasu scowled "Wow. Great advice."
Okuza smirked. "I know, right?"
Rentaro flipped a page lazily. "You don't have to be special, Asasu. You just have to be better."
Asasu stared down at his dust-covered sandals.
There was only one way to find out.