10/02/2022
1:35 pm
The café boasted an impressive aesthetic. Its modern interior showcased an array of tables, each with its own distinctive design and shape. Known as Koffee Mameya Kakeru, this venue sets itself apart from ordinary coffee shops. At the front, patrons can purchase beans and drinks to go. In contrast, the back area caters to passionate coffee lovers who wish to explore and taste different roasts through a variety of coffee tasting sessions. Although the prices were on the higher side, they didn't pose much of a problem for Sasuke.
As a shinobi, Sasuke earned significant rewards for his successful missions. As an S-ranked ninja, he was featured in the Bingo Book, a record that detailed the bounties on missing-nin. Missing-nin were rogue ninjas who had forsaken their respective guilds.
Sasuke had amassed a significant fortune, yet he chose to live in a modest, modern apartment. Although it wasn't overly extravagant, it offered a comfortable atmosphere with a touch of elegance.
He had a meeting lined up for the day, one that carried considerable weight. Today, he was due to confer with Dr. Maruo Nakano, a distinguished name in the pharmaceutical realm. Dr. Nakano had tirelessly attended to the health of countless patients and was revered in the medical community. Their conversation was expected to revolve around a particular mission, the specifics of which were still a mystery to Sasuke. It was interesting to note that Nakano was the father of five daughters, prompting Sasuke to ponder whether his involvement might pertain to their safety. After all, he was a respected ninja and the last surviving member of the Uchiha clan.
Sasuke was acutely aware of the trials that came with the rigorous existence of a ninja. Time and again, he encountered formidable adversaries, frequently finding himself in the heat of battle. As the last living descendant of the Uchiha clan, he attracted the attention of those who desired his Sharingan, especially the Eternal Mangekyou, which bestowed upon him extraordinary powers like advanced genjutsu, Susanoo, and Amaterasu. Yet, every effort to seize his eyes ended in failure.
On one notable occasion, he found himself in charge of a group of mid-level ninjas, assigned to a mission aimed at uncovering the nefarious activities of a corrupt corporation. This company was scheming to sabotage a more prosperous competitor through a significant data breach. Sasuke and his team were resolute in their efforts to thwart this malicious plan. The assignment seemed simple enough, except for the need to confront enemy ninjas along the way. It was quite surprising that a corporation of such prominence would resort to enlisting rogue ninjas from the black market. The foes they faced were none other than Deidara and Tobi from the notorious Akatsuki. The circumstances turned out to be quite formidable. Sasuke engaged Deidara in battle, though it proved to be a strenuous encounter. Yet, he found himself at a loss when it came to facing Tobi. What could be the true essence of this enigmatic adversary?
Sasuke felt an unsettling presence emanating from Tobi. While he couldn't pinpoint the source of his unease, he suspected it had something to do with the enigmatic mask the man wore. This thought prompted him to consider what might lie hidden beneath it—perhaps a grotesque scar or something far more malevolent. He was certain he had caught a glimpse of a dojutsu, and he fervently wished it wasn't a Sharingan.
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Sasuke found himself seated across from Maruo, patiently awaiting a response.
"Uchiha-kun," the doctor greeted him, his voice tinged with strain, a clear result of the relentless shouting he had endured at work. Nakano observed that his voice was starting to waver. As a result, Maruo decided to shift his focus to administrative duties for the time being, stepping back from the current hustle and bustle.
"I would like to ask for a favor from you. If you choose to refuse, I will completely understand and look for help elsewhere. Yet, I am reaching out to you because you are one of the most skilled people I know." Sasuke studied the man standing in front of him. "What do you require?" Sasuke asked, thinking it might be related to a mission, though it could also be something entirely different.
"I take it you are informed about the recent events concerning shinobi from the black market who have been kidnapping prominent figures, especially their children, to demand a hefty ransom. Sasuke blinked a few times before he replied. "Yes," he confirmed. This was certainly a mission, and he knew he had to stay alert regarding Maruo's daughters. That was where his mind was focused, at least.
"I seek your help in monitoring my daughters. I have serious concerns about their safety and the possibility of abduction. It is crucial that they do not discover your true identity as a shinobi. I need you to take on the role of their tutor. Here is my contact number; please keep me informed about their progress in academics and any other relevant matters." Maruo said, scribbling his number on a piece of paper before handing it to Sasuke, who took it with a nod. Sasuke then pulled out his phone to save Maruo's number for later use.
Maruo then pulled out a stack of documents from his briefcase and handed them over to Sasuke. "These are the middle school transcripts for my daughters up to this point." Sasuke scrutinized each transcript, his surprise evident. Could anyone really be this stupid? The subjects were far from difficult or advanced. Even Naruto, often seen as not the brightest, had managed to avoid such dismal grades. At twelve, during their time at the academy, Naruto had scraped by. If this pattern persisted, it seemed these girls were heading straight for failure. Sasuke found this situation intolerable and made a firm decision to fix this.
As Sasuke flipped through the pages, he noticed that one of the sisters had grades strikingly similar to Naruto's from their academy days. This particular sister stood out, having secured the highest scores among her siblings. At least there was one less worry for him. Yet, the other sisters were in dire need of support. He was determined to lend them a hand. "This is...abysmal," Sasuke said, grimacing at the sight. Maruo nodded in agreement, adding, "Absolutely. You can clearly see how much they require assistance. I will pay you five times the usual tutoring fee since you'll be working with all five of them. You can set the schedule as you wish, but make sure they have at least three sessions each week. Do you understand?" Sasuke replied, "Yes, sir."
"My daughters will be starting at your school. Beginning tomorrow, you will join them in their classes." Maruo then pulled out his phone, scrolling through his photos until he discovered one from their latest vacation. As he looked at the picture, a wave of nostalgia enveloped him. He then passed his phone to Sasuke. "This is a snapshot of my daughters and me from our trip to Australia six months ago." A gentle smile crept onto Maruo's face as he elaborated, "From the right, the order is Ichika, Nino, Miku, Yotsuba, and lastly, Itsuki." Sasuke, with his sharingan, carefully examined each sister's features, etching their images into his mind.
Sasuke handed Maruo back his phone, saying, "I understand." He continued, "I will take you up on your offer." Maruo let out a long breath, looking visibly relieved, as he had been uncertain whether Sasuke would consent. Many thought of Sasuke as someone who shunned trivial pursuits. His five daughters were probably seen as a nuisance to him, especially Yotsuba, who was the most challenging of the bunch. "Thank you, Uchiha-kun," Maruo said appreciatively. "I will let you go now."
"Hn." Sasuke grunted in response, a sound of recognition escaping his lips. He stood up from his chair and reached for his coffee. With a final look at Maruo, he offered a brief wish for a good day before making his exit.
'I know I'm not about to be paid enough for this,' Sasuke mused to himself.