We are family

—Aren't you a ninja as well?" Pakura asked me with trembling lips after replacing her headband—Before, with those Kirigakure ninjas, you...

—I can't even use chakra, so, no, I don't think that can be considered ninjutsu, right? —I was having a lot of fun with her reaction— Come on, you've been cooped up in here for two days; I think some fresh air will do you good. Don't you agree, Haku?

We exchanged glances, and he quickly understood what I meant, putting on a mischievous expression as if preparing to play a joke.

—Yes, definitely~ —Haku nodded happily as he helped Pakura to her feet— Follow me, Pakura-sensei; I'll show you our village!

Oh, I can see how Pakura can't help but smile when she's called sensei. It seems like Haku did a great job. I'll give him an extra apple later.

I followed them just one step behind, getting a close-up of the expression on the first kunoichi of my new village as she saw the outside.

—Are we on a cloud? —she even stepped on the ground several times to make sure it really was a cloud— It's very nice to step on, but firm —she murmured.

—We are on a Sky Island —I gave her a brief summary without going into too much depth— For now, it's just the three of us, plus the cloud foxes in this place.

Haku joined me in laughing when Pakura entered a shocked state.

—But how...?

—We have clean water, abundant food, facilities, and many things you'll see as you get used to your new life —I explained to her— It's a lot to take in, so take it easy. For now, let me show you the training grounds and where you'll be living.

I know there are many places for her to choose from, but I prefer to organize her location so that if there are more people in the future, I can easily locate them in the same area.

—And this is the training ground —I said after showing her a level that had an area the size of a soccer field— If you need additional equipment or ninja supplies, I need you to make a list, and I'll go down to the mainland to get them.

—I have a couple of things in mind —Pakura nodded, satisfied with the place.

Suddenly, I felt the urge to get some money.

—Do you happen to have a Bingo book by any chance? —I asked her suddenly.

If I remember correctly, the bodies of people like Asuma can be exchanged on the underground black market for several million ryo. Being one of the few people we are right now, I think it should last for a while if I hunt a couple of small fry.

—In fact, I have one that was published two months ago —she took a pocket-sized book from her pants and handed it to me, probably understanding my train of thought. As a newly established village, the need for money is logical.

I quickly glanced at it and nodded, understanding what my next goal would be.

Sewing some zippered pockets into my pants.

—Will our village not take missions like the others? —Pakura asked me with interest.

—We're not like the others —I replied, closing the book with a wave of my hand— Taking missions means that others can tell us what to do. Maybe we'll accept requests, but they'll have to convince us it's worth doing.

I see Pakura's mouth hanging open again.

I'm not building a village just for it to be like all the others; I prefer to do things my way, and I won't allow others to tell me what to do just because they have money in their pockets.

—Haku, if we're missing something in the kitchen like spices or utensils, you should also make a list. In the future, I hope you can become responsible for managing the island in my absence.

—I won't let you down, Mr. Enel! —Haku clenched his little fists while looking at me with determination.

—Didn't you want to become a ninja? —Pakura is probably confused because if Haku will be doing administrative work here safely in the future, teaching him probably doesn't make much sense in her opinion.

—I want him to have the strength to defend himself if he goes down to the mainland and to be able to control his ability —I replied while resting the Bingo book on my shoulder— As you may have noticed, Haku belongs to the Yuki clan, and not teaching him control can be... problematic in the long run.

—Alright, I assure you that in a few years, not even a chunin will be able to threaten him —Pakura assured.

—Do it with a jonin in mind —I encouraged her to aim higher— Focus on training him in the use of senbons, stealth techniques, and his Ice Release.

—Why senbons?

—Haku doesn't like taking lives, so making him an expert in neutralizing and paralyzing would be more desirable for him —I explained to Pakura while patting Haku's head again, happy that I wouldn't force him to kill— And if he learns stealth, he's less likely to need to fight and more likely to escape if he encounters a too powerful enemy. Delivering a ninja alive is much more desirable because their memories can be examined, providing valuable information unless they have a very powerful seal. It also makes the reward price higher than if they were dead.

—It won't be a problem, but he'll need to practice a lot and study; it won't be easy.

What Enel was asking for wasn't much different from training an ANBU. If the person being trained didn't have talent or motivation, it would be difficult.

—I'll make sure to become useful for Mr. Enel!

Wow, the feeling of being needed really runs deep in him.

—Haku, remember this. It's not about being "useful"; we're family, and we take care of each other, alright? Your life will always be the top priority above all else —I had to kneel down to look him in the eyes.

—Yes, Mr. Enel. I'm sorry...

I hugged him, hoping he truly understood.

—Family, huh... —Pakura looked enviously at the scene.

—What are you doing standing there? —I asked her as I extended my other arm— Come here.

—No, it's too embarrassing —she had just joined; she wasn't ready.

Too bad for her; I decided to ignore her response, and when she blinked, that was my moment to move Haku and me so that she was within my reach.

—Kya!

Pakura is now part of the group hug!

This is nice.

VOP Pakura

—A shirtless man is hugging me! —she thought in panic as she felt his hard chest against her cheeks— Is he sending me some kind of signal by saying we're family, or am I just imagining things? Pull yourself together, Pakura!