30 Report...
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"What's wrong with that?" Toru asked, watching Garfield from behind the cashier counter. The orange cat slumped in a corner, its mood clearly soured as it recited a list of foods.
"Alfredo... Dumplings... Burrito. Samosa... Cheesy pizzas..."
The list went on, each item spoken with a mournful tone.
Kazuhiro glanced at the scene and explained to Toru, "He damaged his dentures, and the cause was that he tried to eat an unpaid slice of pie." The matter-of-fact delivery suggested this was just another oddity in a day's work.
Toru raised an eyebrow at Kazuhiro's explanation about the cat's situation. He theorized that perhaps unpaid items do not function as they should until paid for. "I see. Did it stumble in here alone?" he asked, stifling a yawn. He was already thinking about wrapping up his day and finding a place to stay for the night.
"It did not," Kazuhiro confirmed, adding, "It was with a human. There have been no sightings of where they might be. They could be lost."
Toru's eye twitched slightly at the notion of Kazuhiro's casual demeanor. "Want me to find them?" he offered, sliding off his seat and taking a few steps forward, awaiting a response.
"It's up to you if you wish to assist," Kazuhiro replied in his typically flat tone, turning his attention back to the endless aisles of the Market. Toru stood for a moment, considering, then glanced in the same direction, contemplating the scale of the Market.
"I'll do it," Toru declared, stifling another yawn as he rubbed the fatigue from his eyes. "I need to assist one more person to complete a daily task, and," he paused, glancing sideways at Kazuhiro, "I believe they won't be as comfortable around your stature."
Unfazed by the comment, Kazuhiro merely nodded in acknowledgment of Toru's decision.
A quiet stretch of about thirty seconds passed, filled only by the ambient hum of the Market and the distant chatter from the remaining refugees. Toru, looking to fill the silence, turned back to Kazuhiro. "Have they arrived, the twins?"
Kazuhiro shook his head as he pulled out a sleek device, tapping swiftly on the screen. "No, they haven't." He navigated to a tab marked 'Workers' and selected a name: Asahi, and used the 'Hidden cameras' feature. The screen shifted to display live footage of the surroundings around the boy. "They are recovering," he noted, observing the two figures bandaged and resting on a couch within the feed.
"What?" Toru blinked, jarred from his drowsy state by the unexpected update.
"Help!" The figure, panting heavily with bags in hand, hurried closer. Both Toru and Kazuhiro turned toward the approaching noise. As the man drew nearer, his features became more distinct: light skin, curly, messy brown hair, clad in a powder blue polo, brown pants, and matching shoes.
Catching his breath, Jon addressed them anxiously, "H—have you seen Garfield? An orange cat with black stripes, chubby and—"
"He's right here," Toru interjected, pointing nonchalantly to where Garfield was perched on the nearby counter. If only Jon had looked around a little, he would have saved his breath.
"Garfield!" With no hesitation, Jon scooped up the cat in a tight bear hug. "I thought I lost you." Garfield was squeezed a bit too tightly and exhaled sharply, struggling to free himself from the embrace. "Seriously, this place is unnecessarily big for a supermarket. Did you really have to invest that much into it?" Jon questioned, mistaking Kazuhiro for a manager, perhaps deducing from his attire and, upon a closer inspection, the word 'supervisor' engraved in the ID tag, followed by their name. With Kazuhiro's strange, uncanny appearance, and the rugged, bloodied attire of the refugees, he concluded that there was some sort of event or convention that was taking place here.
Kazuhiro clarified, "This is the Market, a hub for interdimensional travel and transactions."
Jon, still holding Garfield tightly, looked around in genuine bewilderment. "Interdimensional what now?"
Observing the scene with mild interest, Toru arched an eyebrow at Jon's carefree demeanor around Kazuhiro. Given the usually daunting appearance of the Market supervisor, it was unusual for someone not to be a bit apprehensive, but judging from the talking feline, they may have oddities in their world. Speaking of said cat. "Sir, I think your cat has had enough." Toru pointed out, noticing Garfield's futile attempts to free himself were growing weaker.
"Ah! Whoops." Jon quickly relaxed his grip, gently setting Garfield down. The cat gasped for air as if he'd just surfaced from underwater. "Sorry, Garfield," Jon said, his expression turning to embarrassment as he sheepishly smiled.
Garfield, finally catching his breath, fixed Jon with a disgruntled look. "Save it, Jon. You owe me a meal for that." His words were slightly garbled due to the lisp, and suddenly remembered the cause, he snapped, "WAIT!" He turned his glare from Jon to Kazuhiro and Toru. "You! you ruined my teeth! How am I thuppothed to enjoy food from now on?!" His voice was accusatory, the lisp emphasizing his frustration.
"What? Did something happen?" Jon's confusion was evident as he noticed Garfield's anger directed towards the Market staff.
"Thomething DID happen!" Garfield turned around, opened his mouth wide, and pointed to his damaged teeth, showing Jon the extent of the mishap.
Jon peered into Garfield's mouth, cringing at the sight. "Oh, that doesn't look good at all," he murmured, scratching his head as he tried to piece together the situation. "How did this happen?"
Garfield, still visibly upset, managed to articulate despite his lisp, "Thith pie! It wath thuppothed to be thoft!"
Maintaining a professional demeanor, Kazuhiro explained, "The item he tried to consume did not function as it was supposed to because it wasn't paid for."
Toru chimed in with a practical, if not entirely sensitive, suggestion. "He could live on soup for a while. Unless you'd prefer to buy him new teeth, we have various methods available to restore his dentures."
Garfield's reaction was immediate and visceral. "No! Nada! Never in a million years will thoup replace real food!" he protested with a vehement shake of his head, his lisp making his exclamation more pronounced. To him, the thought of subsisting solely on soup was a fate almost as horrible as Mondays.
Jon furrowed his brow, contemplating the situation. It was clear that a diet of soup wouldn't do for Garfield, although it was not a bad way to get him in shape. He was also concerned about the costs and implications of dental surgery. "Is it true that you can restore his teeth?" he asked, looking between Toru and Kazuhiro for confirmation.
"It's true," Toru confirmed as he navigated through the device, exploring the various options available for dental restoration. "Options such as syringes, dental care, replacements, magical pills, healing in the form of food, the list goes on." His thumb continued to scroll before gazing at Jon. "But they won't be cheap, the cheapest comes around 680SC and that's to paste your old teeth back together and it should do its thing. Prosthetics come up a bit higher than the former option."
Jon's face fell slightly at the mention of the cost. "680 dollars? That's... steep," he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck thoughtfully. The price was daunting, but seeing Garfield distressed made it seem necessary. He pondered if Garfield's damaged teeth would hold up and wouldn't wither away until he could save enough.
"Not in dollars—" Toru started to clarify the currency, but he was cut off.
"Pleathe, Jon! You have to!" Garfield's plea was earnest as he crawled over, his paws clasped together, looking up with wide, hopeful eyes. "it's the only way I can enjoy food again!"
"Look, Garfield. We can get them back another time, it's just I'm low on cash and all and..." Jon hesitated, his practical side battling with the emotional tug of Garfield's plea. He avoided Garfield's gaze, searching the area as if the answer might appear on the walls. But the earnestness in Garfield's eyes was too much to resist. "Fine," he sighed heavily, already feeling the future pinch on his finances. "We'll do it."
"Thank you! Oh, thank you, Jon," Garfield's relief was palpable as he hugged Jon's leg, nuzzling against it with genuine gratitude.
"Then, where did you say that thing was?" Jon asked Toru, trying to keep track of the next steps in this unexpected dental saga.
"Sure, but before that. Do you know where his lost teeth are? You can't glue them back together if there's nothing to glue it with," Toru responded, his tone practical and slightly impatient with the unfolding complications.
"Garfield?" Jon turned to the cat, eyebrows raised in query.
"Uh, yeth, I know where they are..." Garfield responded hesitantly. He wasn't entirely sure, but he was willing to try retracing his steps, hoping his memory would prove reliable.
Toru sighed as he watched the pair begin their search, the cat leading with uncertain steps. They likely didn't know where the teeth were. He glanced back at Kazuhiro, signaling that this might take longer than expected. "I'll end my shift after this one," he stated, resigning to follow them and assist as needed.
Kazuhiro nodded in acknowledgment, accustomed to the unpredictable nature of events in the Market. Toru, with a resigned shrug, followed behind Jon and Garfield, preparing for what could well turn into a lengthy hunt.
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[The land of fire, Konoha's main gate.]
As Minato and his team approached the towering gates of Konoha, the village buzzed with activity. Merchants shouted their wares to passersby, and children darted through the crowd, playing endless games. Despite the lively chaos, the security at the gate was vigilant, with guards scanning each newcomer with a practiced eye.
"Hey, look, isn't that Minato and his team?" one of the guards remarked, recognizing the distinctive figures approaching.
"It really is... Hey, Minato!" another guard called out, waving to catch the jonin's attention. "Mission didn't go as planned, I suppose?"
Minato, the blonde jonin, managed a small smile as he neared the checkpoint. "Nothing bad happened, I just came back to report a finding to the Hokage," he responded with his usual calm.
"Hm, well, if it's business with the Hokage, then I shouldn't stall you here for too long," the guard said, stepping aside to clear their path. "Plus, we already know how urgent it is due to one of your students who came here earlier."
"Thank you, Gin," Minato replied, nodding in appreciation as he and his team passed through the gates.
The scene inside the village was a stark contrast to the orderly control at the gates. The village burst into life with stalls selling colorful goods and the streets alive with villagers going about their day. Children's laughter filled the air, mingling with the calls of vendors.
As they took a few steps into the village, a figure suddenly appeared in front of them. The individual was masked and wore the distinctive white gear of an ANBU.
"The Third Hokage awaits your arrival, Minato Namikaze," the ANBU stated succinctly.
Understanding the urgency, Minato nodded firmly, acknowledging the message. The ANBU disappeared as quickly as he had appeared.
"Seriously, what's this about?" Obito asked, leaning back with his hands clasped behind his head. His usual carefree posture belied his curiosity.
"Yeah, Minato-sensei, did something happen while you were gone?" Rin added, her tone tinged with concern.
Minato turned to his students with a reassuring smile. "It's nothing you two need to worry about; it's been handled," he said softly, crouching slightly to ruffle Obito's and Rin's hair affectionately. "For now, you're both off the hook. Remember, you still have chunin exams to prepare for. Don't overdo it, okay?"
"Hn"
"Hn"
They both nodded in agreement, about to part ways, when a voice stopped them in their tracks. It was urgent, filled with concern, and unmistakably familiar to them all.
"Minato!" The cry sliced through the bustle of the village, turning heads as a figure rushed towards them.
It was a woman, her vibrant red hair flowing behind her as she sprinted towards Minato. In moments, she collided with him, but Minato, ever the stalwart ninja, stood his ground, absorbing the impact of her embrace without flinching. She clung to him tightly, her head against his chest, bombarding him with a flurry of questions. "Where were you?! Kakashi told me what happened! Did something go wrong? What's this about a door? Moreover, it was attached to a tree?!"
Kushina's voice was a mix of worry and relief, her eyes scanning Minato for any sign of injury or distress. She was dressed in her usual style, a high-collared, sleeveless blouse under a long, flowing green dress complemented by a simple wristband and standard shinobi sandals.
"It's Kushina!" Rin exclaimed with a smile, recognizing the deep bond between the two.
As Kushina released Minato, her maternal instincts redirected towards Obito and Rin. She swept them up in a robust hug, her relief palpable. "Obito! Rin!" she exclaimed, her voice softening as she held them close. "So glad to see you two back with no scratches in sight. I was worried, you know! Your first C-rank mission, I felt uneasy the whole time!"
Obito, ever the spirited one, squirmed within her grasp. "As if, it's just a C-rank. Of course, nothing that bad would have happened. Even if it did, we're ninjas, we can handle it," he said, his tone laced with mild annoyance and his words were a little muffled by Kushina's hug.
Kushina didn't take that response well; the maternal warmth was replaced by a sternness only a mother could muster. Her long red hair seemed to crackle with her rising annoyance. As Obito's cavalier attitude sank in, her aura grew ominously heavy.
Feeling the shift, Obito froze, his earlier confidence evaporating under her intense gaze. A sharp "TKGYAAAAAAAA!" escaped him as Kushina's hand came down hard on his head, her worry manifesting as a brisk smack.
"AT LEAST SHOW SOME CARE WHEN SOMEONE WORRIES ABOUT YOU, YOU TWERP!" Kushina's voice boomed, a visible tick mark throbbing on her temple. She was not one to take Obito's dismissive attitude lightly, especially when it came to their safety. The lecture ensued a bit aggressively as Rin tried to ease Kushina and minimize the damage done to her teammate.
Minato was slightly distanced from the fray as this altercation unfolded. He wanted to step in but was interrupted by the steps of an approaching figure.
His other student, Kakashi, appeared, pausing to observe the scene before him with his usual impassive gaze. Minato offered a knowing smile, sensing Kakashi might have inadvertently contributed to the situation. "Had to tell her, didn't you?" he asked lightly.
Kakashi managed a slight grimace, acknowledging his dilemma. "I had no choice. She wouldn't let me go," he admitted, recalling how Kushina's formidable grip made escape impossible until he provided the answers she sought. Minato's smile turned wry, and a comical sweatdrop appeared on his head as he was all too familiar with Kushina's antics.
The scene shifted back to Kushina's fiery demeanor, well-known among those close to her. It flared as she lectured Obito: "You might think it's 'just a C-rank' mission, but every mission can have dangers, especially if you're not careful!" Her voice carried the strength of her conviction, echoing slightly in the open space near the village gate.
Obito, nursing the bump on his head, muttered a reluctant apology, recognizing the concern behind Kushina's stern words. "Alright, alright, I get it... Thanks for worrying, Kushina-san."
Rin, always the peacemaker, gave Obito a sympathetic look and turned to Kushina with a gentle smile. "He really does appreciate it, Kushina-san. We all do."
Kushina's expression softened as she looked at her charges. "Just make sure you both stay safe, alright? That's all I ask." Her tone was now one of fondness, showing her deep care for the young ninjas' well-being.
Kushina sighed as this ordeal was handled, then turned her attention back to Minato. "You." Her brows furrowed.
Sensing the shift in tone, Minato responded with a sheepish smile, "Me?"
"Yes, you," Kushina affirmed, approaching him with her arms crossed, her stance reflecting her worry. "What was that about a door?"
Minato sighed, his expression turning serious. "Look, Kushina, I can't discuss this right now. This matter needs to be brought before the Hokage first."
Kushina's eyes narrowed slightly, understanding the gravity of the situation. "I see... so it's that serious, huh?" she asked, her tone reflecting her concern.
Minato nodded solemnly. "Yes, I can't disclose more than that at the moment. It's sensitive information."
Kushina paused, processing the information, then nodded in understanding. "That's fine. At least you guys weren't harmed. Go ahead, I'll stay here and keep an eye on these three." Her smile returned, warm yet tinged with the weight of unresolved questions.
With a final nod to Kushina, Minato headed towards the Hokage's office, ready to report the mysterious events they had encountered.
Minato hurried along the well-trodden paths of Konoha, his pace swift but measured, reflecting the urgency of his mission. The familiar sights and sounds of the village enveloped him, a comforting backdrop to his troubled thoughts.
As he approached the Hokage's office, the guards stationed outside recognized him immediately and swiftly opened the door to let him through without delay. The interior of the office was quiet, the usual hustle replaced by a tense anticipation.
The Third Hokage, was at his desk, his wise, aged eyes looking up from a scroll as Minato entered. "Minato," he greeted, his voice steady. "I've been expecting you. Kakashi's report was quite concerning. Tell me everything."
Minato nodded, his posture formal as he stepped forward. "Hokage-sama," he began, his tone serious and measured, "the mission uncovered things we did not anticipate." He started by describing the unusual appearance of the door and its even stranger properties, emphasizing the peculiarities that set it apart from any ordinary object.
He then detailed the dark void that had enveloped him upon entry, an environment where he found his chakra rendered unusable, confirming that this was no simple genjutsu or illusion. The implications were concerning, suggesting a space where shinobi might be stripped of their primary defenses.
Minato's report then delved deeper into what he encountered beyond the void. He spoke of a gate leading to a place known by an entity there as 'the Market'. He meticulously described the interior: its layout, the beings he encountered, and the array of technologies and magical properties that defied the usual boundaries of their world. He conveyed how this Market maintained detailed information on countless other worlds, a concept that visibly sharpened the Third Hokage's focus.
As Minato mentioned the array of worlds accessible via the Market, Hiruzen abruptly stood, a rare break in his usual composure that underscored his alarm. With a silent gesture, he encouraged Minato to continue.
Minato then approached the Hokage's desk, presenting a document referred to as the 'Adventurer's Document.' Hiruzen took the paper with a careful hand, his eyes scanning the contract filled with rules and stipulations for those who would venture through worlds as adventurers. Minato added a few more details about the operational aspects of the Market and its impact on those who entered.
As Minato concluded his report, the room filled with a palpable tension. Hiruzen pondered the ramifications of such a discovery. A place that connected to multiple realities posed both an opportunity and a tremendous risk. The implications for the shinobi world were significant and required careful deliberation.
Hiruzen's brow furrowed in contemplation as he absorbed the new information. "You mentioned that the door disappeared after your departure?" he queried, leaning forward slightly, his interest piqued by the mechanism of this mysterious gateway.
"Yes, Hokage-sama," Minato confirmed. "However, I was told that the gate would reappear by simply envisioning the place."
"Hmm, is that so?" Hiruzen murmured, stroking his chin thoughtfully. The implications of such a gateway that could be summoned by thought alone were vast and unsettling.
Without further hesitation, Hiruzen raised his voice slightly, calling out a single word that echoed somewhat in the spacious office, "Bear!" Instantly, a figure appeared in the room, a masked ANBU operative known by his codename, adorned in the standard white combat attire of the village's elite shinobi.
"At your service, Lord Third," the ANBU agent responded promptly, his posture rigid and ready.
"Track down Jiraiya. Tell him it's urgent he comes here," Hiruzen commanded, his tone conveying the urgency of the situation.
"Yes, Hokage-sama," the ANBU agent replied. With a swift motion characteristic of Konoha's elite, he vanished as suddenly as he had appeared, leaving behind a faint swirl of leaves, a signature of the ANBU's swift movements.
Watching the ANBU's swift departure, Minato turned back to Hiruzen with a strategic inquiry. "Are you planning on sending Jiraiya-sensei there?" he asked, understanding the implications of employing someone of Jiraiya's capabilities for reconnaissance.
"Yes," Hiruzen confirmed with a nod, his voice carrying the weight of his decision. "I plan on having you join him for the time being. For now, await further orders and keep this information discreet until we have a better grasp of what this anomaly is. Dismissed."
Minato acknowledged the order with a respectful nod, "Yes, Hokage-sama." He turned to leave, his steps measured as he closed the door behind him, leaving Hiruzen in contemplative solitude.
Alone, the Third Hokage picked up his dropped tobacco pipe, a result of the initial shock from Minato's report. Lighting it once more, he inhaled deeply, the smoke swirling around him as he pondered the vast implications of their discovery. Moving to the window, he gazed out at the monumental faces of the First and Second Hokage carved into the mountainside.
"A gate to other worlds," he mused quietly, the smoke curling in the air. "Where have I heard that one before?" His eyes lingered on the stony visages of his predecessors.
Hiruzen's eyes shifted from the mountain to the village below, watching as the shadows lengthened and the first evening lights began to twinkle. Konoha was peaceful for now, its inhabitants unaware of the possible changes looming on their horizon.
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