Steadfast Belief

Mizuguma watched Hanzo of the Salamander's departing back in a daze. Like an eggplant battered by frost, he braced himself against the table and slowly sat down, utterly drained.

"Pingping-kun, don't lose heart. Chakra attributes... uh... they can be trained. It's... it's no big deal."

Seeing Mizuguma wearing a bitter smile while still stumbling over his words to comfort him, Rinto felt somewhat moved. He wiped his nose, casually stuffed the chakra test paper into the Ninja Pouch at his lower back, and a flash of blue light flickered.

Inside the unseen Ninja Pouch, the chakra test paper drifted down before clinging tightly, like a magnet, to the pouch's only kunai.

"Magnet"—granting objects magnetic force and attracting magnetic objects.

Rinto understood perfectly well what the change in the chakra test paper meant, but outwardly, he still put on a stubborn expression.

"Tch, I'm not sad. My ambition was to mooch through life and wait for death anyway!"

Seeing Rinto still pretending to be calm, Mizuguma fell silent.

After an unknown amount of time, Rinto's door was pushed open again. Salamander Shinda stood smugly in the doorway, looking down at the room.

"Oh, right, there's something I forgot to mention. Zhu Kangping, your room has been requisitioned. This is your new address."

After speaking, he contemptuously tossed down a slip of paper with an address written on it, then looked at Mizuguma, whose eyes were gradually filling with anger.

"And you, Mizuguma. Your next assignment is to continue teaching the daimyo's son. You don't need to concern yourself with Zhu Kangping anymore."

With that, he snorted through his nose, shook his head, and closed the door with a sneer. His mocking voice continued to drift over from the distance.

"Trash is trash. It doesn't have even a shred of value worth using~"

Inside the room, Mizuguma suddenly stood ramrod straight and stared at Rinto with bright eyes.

"Ping! Don't pay attention to other people. What you need to do is hold fast to your own Steadfast Belief!"

"Life is simple. Pick a target, then sprint toward it with everything you've got!"

"Pull yourself together!!!"

Seeing Rinto still looking half-dead, Mizuguma seemed to think of something, and his eyes suddenly lit up.

"Come with me! I'll take you somewhere to strengthen your belief!"

The moment he finished speaking, he rushed over to Rinto, grabbed his hand, and dragged him out of the room.

In Amegakure, where tall buildings stood in dense rows, Mizuguma led Rinto along the roads at the city's lowest level.

Because of the perpetual rain and the towering buildings, the cramped roads below were especially dim. At the same time, orange lanterns along both sides of the street gave off a warm glow, lending the place a unique charm.

After passing a street corner, Mizuguma led Rinto into a narrow alley.

At first glance, the alley seemed deep enough that its end was nowhere in sight. The walls on either side were covered in countless colorful signs.

Among them, the red lanterns and signs were particularly eye-catching. Pedestrians came and went everywhere, most with happy smiles on their faces. At the open doorways on both sides of the street, smiling older sisters waved continuously at passersby.

The voices were sweet and alluring. This lovely little alley seemed to exude an intoxicating, sensual atmosphere everywhere.

In this gloomy world, it seemed that only this faint light hidden at the bottom could bring people warmth and happiness.

Rinto raised his head with an odd expression and slowly read the sign at the alley entrance word by word.

"Kabukicho Ichiban Street?"

"Teacher, the place you meant for strengthening one's beliefs... isn't this place, is it?"

At that, Mizuguma's eyes shone as he kept scanning the older sisters soliciting customers on the street, drool practically pouring from his mouth.

"Don't you feel like all your worries and sorrows disappear once you get here?"

After speaking, he wiped the drool from the corner of his mouth and raised a fist with a solemn expression.

"As ninjas, we must eliminate the distractions in our hearts on this great Ichiban Street, achieve Seeing the True Self, fully understand the goals our hearts desire most, and strengthen our beliefs!"

Rinto covered his face with one hand.

Damn it, if you're horny, just admit you're horny. Why make it sound so righteous?

I really misjudged you. I thought you were a decent man, but you're this kind of filthy bastard.

Standing on the moral high ground, Rinto sternly condemned Mizuguma for a full ten seconds. Then, with a grave expression, he grabbed Mizuguma's sleeve.

"Teacher, do they receive children here?" After speaking, Rinto raised an eyebrow frivolously, and his expression gradually became lewd as well.

Hearing this miraculous question, Mizuguma frowned and hesitated. "That... I honestly don't know. After all, I've never tried bringing a little brat here before."

"Want to try?" Rinto asked softly, his eyes shining.

"Let's try!" Mizuguma nodded heavily.

One big and one small lecherous fellow then walked into the mysterious alley with their arms around each other's shoulders, moving in perfect sync.

Inside the alley, Mizuguma expertly led Rinto through the streets and lanes until they found a small door tucked away in a corner.

A worn red lantern hung over the door, and the sign read "Amei Free Information Office." Amid the lively alley, this place seemed rather deserted.

Rinto glanced speechlessly at the impatient Mizuguma beside him. With an innocent expression, he pointed at the brightly lit, extravagant sign across the way and the young lady standing at the entrance with advertisements in hand.

"Teacher, why aren't we going to Hanado Ichome? That place looks—"

Before Rinto could finish, Mizuguma covered his mouth.

"Shh, keep it down. If I went to a place like that once, I'd have to eat instant noodles for a whole month."

Rinto grumbled inwardly. That expensive? What, were they inlaid with gold and jade?

He pulled Mizuguma's hand away and copied his quiet tone. "Is Hanado really that outrageously expensive?"

Mizuguma nodded rapidly.

"Not just outrageous. Extremely outrageous! Only important figures like the Daimyo of the Land of Rain and Lord Hanzō can afford to spend there every day.

"I heard the owner of this Kabuki District is from the Land of Hot Water. Yugakure in the Land of Hot Water also has a Hanado Ichome Main Event."

"The Land of Hot Water..." Rinto sighed, and endless fantasies immediately welled up in his heart.

Soaking in hot springs while surrounded by girls... that life would be amazing. These damned ninjas really knew how to enjoy themselves!

Rinto could not help recalling Yasunari Kawabata's Snow Country from his previous life. That book was basically porn dressed up in respectable clothing. The part he remembered most clearly was when the heroine in a Yukata told the male lead, "You always touch one side, and now one side is bigger than the other."

Just thinking about it made his nostrils burn.

Still, there was no chance to go in and take a look right now. Mizuguma's wallet could not withstand the two of them spending like that.

Seeing Rinto still looking enviously across the street, Mizuguma gritted his teeth, trembling as he took Rinto's hand and steeled himself to head over.

"Don't!" Rinto instinctively grabbed Mizuguma, and the tremendous force nearly yanked him off his feet.

"Let's go here instead. I'm afraid you won't have enough money, and then both of us will end up being held here washing dishes!"

After saying that, he pulled the deeply moved Mizuguma into the somewhat quiet Amei Free Information Office before them.

Normally, as a Special Jonin responsible for teaching the daimyo's son, Mizuguma's pay was quite substantial.

Unfortunately, Hanado Ichome was a complete money pit. One visit could wipe out an entire month's wages. In contrast, Amei across from Hanado was much more affordable.

Mizuguma could come by every few days and still save enough money to get married.

Pushing open the creaking double wooden doors, Mizuguma strode in first with lofty confidence, showing not the slightest shame at bringing a little brat to visit prostitutes.

"Welcome!"

"Oh my, isn't this Lord Mizuguma? Why have you only just come? Us sisters have been eagerly waiting for you~"

The seductive voice was gentle and soul-stirring. Just from the sound alone, one could tell it belonged to a mature woman with bones made of charm.

Sure enough, when Rinto followed Mizuguma inside, he saw the owner of that voice—a beautiful older sister with alluring curves.

Rinto's first reaction was: Big!

And not just ordinarily big. They were enormous, at a downright cow-like level!

Three words surfaced in his mind instinctively: "Land of tenderness."

Compared to this woman, other women could only be called "Tenderness Village." They were separated by an entire administrative rank.

The seductive woman had captivating eyes like rippling water, as though one glance could peer straight into one's heart. Her small, elegant nose was perfectly shaped, while her soft, delicate red lips made one desperate to taste their sweetness immediately.

Damn, she was a demon!

Rinto silently assigned this woman a danger level in his heart.

If the more beautiful a woman was, the more dangerous she was, then this stunner was on the same level as a nuclear weapon.

The beautiful woman's eyes immediately lit up when she saw Rinto. As if she had spotted something rare, she covered her red lips and crouched down, causing another violent tremble before her chest.

Rinto instinctively shrank his head back, feeling dizzy and unable to help worrying about the quality of the kimono she was wearing.

Damn, this kimono's quality was way too good, wasn't it? It could hold all that up?!

Although Rinto had seen every corner of the internet in his previous life and could be called a professional porn connoisseur, he had truly only encountered monsters of this caliber a few times.

With a pure smile on her face, the female demon crouched before Rinto, her graceful figure fully displayed. She reached out with a slender hand and pinched his cheek.

"Little brother, you're so cute!"

"Ahem, madam, please restrain yourself!" Rinto coughed lightly and seriously slapped away her little hand.

"Hehe~ You little rascal, I'm not an auntie, you know. I'm an older sister." The demon's beautiful eyes curved into crescents as she stubbornly reached out again and pinched his cheek.

As if seeing Rinto's awkward situation, Mizuguma smiled and clapped his hands.

"Miss Mikiko, please take us inside!"

At that, the demon named Mikiko smiled and stood up.

"Of course, Lord Mizuguma. Please wait here a moment. I'll have the girls get ready."

With that, her white tabi socks stepped into Wooden Clogs, and she swayed her enchanting figure into the back room.

Taking advantage of the moment, Mizuguma quickly crouched and leaned close to Rinto's ear.

"Hei-kun, that is Miss Mikiko, the owner of this establishment.

"Don't underestimate her. Hanado Ichome across the street offered a fortune to bring her over. They even offered her the rank of 'jade,' where she wouldn't need to receive customers at all, yet they still couldn't persuade her to go."

Rinto was not surprised. A demon like that would be a disaster wherever she was placed.

"Then does she run the business herself here?" Rinto asked curiously.

"No." Mizuguma shook his head. "She only runs the place. She doesn't receive customers."

Just as the two chatted, the back room door opened. Mikiko stood gracefully at the entrance and waved at Mizuguma and Rinto.

"Lord Mizuguma, the girls are ready. Please come in~"

"Good!" Mizuguma nodded repeatedly, tears of weakness streaming from the corners of his mouth.

Still, the guy was dependable enough. He had not forgotten his comrade Rinto and dragged him into the back room.

It was not a large room. The lighting was dim, but the air was dry and warm. Directly opposite the door, a spacious sofa occupied half the room. Two fairly attractive women sat on it. In front of them stood a low tea table covered with bottles and cups of alcohol.

Mizuguma sat carelessly in the middle of the sofa, one arm around each girl, looking exactly like a lustful pig.

"What are you standing around for? Come sit!"

One woman flirtatiously poured Mizuguma a drink, while the other twisted and squirmed in his arms.

Damn it, stop squirming. Do you have a heat rash or something? Rinto thought maliciously.

Mizuguma was seriously annoying. Not only was he taking up more than his share, he was even acting like he was entertaining a guest. They had obviously all come out to have fun, yet this bastard was making Rinto sit there and watch him feast with his eyes?

Rinto, who had not been that upset before, was now thoroughly depressed!

He walked over to Mizuguma unhappily and sat beside him with the heat-rash girl between them, then wordlessly picked up a glass of strangely colored juice.

This was not entirely Mizuguma's fault. Perhaps because Rinto spoke and acted too maturely and naturally, Mizuguma often forgot Rinto's age. Even Rinto himself occasionally forgot that he was only seven years old.

Soon, the two girls left the sofa and went to stand opposite Mizuguma. One played music while the other danced.

Mizuguma leaned over to Rinto with a mischievous grin, nudged his arm with an elbow, and spoke softly.

"How about it? This is a great place, right? I didn't lie to you!" Mizuguma's crafty eyes gestured toward the performers before them.

When Rinto nodded, Mizuguma laughed in satisfaction, slapped him hard on the shoulder, and spoke again.

"That's more like it. What does it matter if you don't have an attribute? Even if you never have a chakra attribute your whole life, you can still train taijutsu!

"And let me tell you a secret. Ninjas skilled in taijutsu are more popular with the sisters on Kabukicho Ichiban Street!

"Think about it. Train taijutsu properly, become a ninja, earn money doing missions, come to Ichiban Street to strengthen your beliefs! Then use your strengthened beliefs to keep training, earn even more money, visit—ptui, ptui—find even prettier girls, and forge even firmer beliefs.

"Isn't that a perfect virtuous cycle?

"Ping, believe me. In the end, you'll definitely become a great ninja like Lord Hanzō!"

Bullshit! A massive retort lodged in Rinto's chest, nearly suffocating him.

You damned Mizuguma, you're full of crooked logic and heretical nonsense. What kind of shitty cycle is that?!

I have every reason to suspect you're a spy from the Jashin Cult sent to Amegakure!

Your goal is to turn every ninja in Amegakure into a weak-legged wreck so you can carry out your evil plot to invade the Land of Rain!

Despite saying all that in his heart, Rinto still accepted Mizuguma's crooked reasoning with a laugh and a sigh.

After all, beneath Mizuguma's unserious exterior, he could feel a sincere heart.

There were only two reasons Mizuguma had done this. First, he wanted to ease Rinto's frustration at being ruthlessly abandoned by Hanzo of the Salamander.

After spending half a month together, he had discovered that Rinto was actually someone without much of a goal. The second reason he said all this was that he hoped Rinto could find a direction to move forward in sooner.

After talking for so long, Mizuguma was thirsty. He picked up a cup of sake and gulped it down.

"What about you?" Rinto suddenly asked.

"What about me?" Mizuguma asked back with a puzzled expression.

"You. Why do you take such good care of me?"

At that, Mizuguma scratched his scalp, his gaze darting away slightly before he put on a loud laugh.

"Hahaha~ Hei-kun, don't overthink it. I'm this nice to every student! What can I say? I'm a gentle person!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the two young ladies threw themselves into Mizuguma's arms with looks of admiration.

"That's right, that's right! Brother Mizuguma is the gentlest~"

"Brother, please have another drink. This little sister admires gentle men like you the most!"

Mizuguma, utterly charmed by the girls' flattery, burst into laughter again.

Listening to the sweet words exchanged by that affectionate pair, Rinto's face immediately darkened like the bottom of a pot.

Damn it! Give me back my feelings!

Rinto stood up gloomily, silently pushed open the door, and walked out of the room.

Outside, Mikiko sat kneeling on a cushion with dreamy eyes. Much of the seductive air around her had faded, replaced by the innocent feeling of a girl next door.

"What a fickle demon," Rinto muttered. He strolled to the front of the shop and watched the crowds passing outside, Mizuguma's words echoing in his mind.

Though the theory had gone completely off the rails, Rinto had still understood what Mizuguma wanted to say.

So what about himself? How was he, a visitor from another world, supposed to live in this world?

First of all, standing out was impossible. This world was far too dangerous. There were Shinigami and the Sage of Six Paths. Even someone as strong as Hashirama Senju, who could catch the Nine-Tails like a chick, had still been schemed against by Madara Uchiha.

So lying low was the true path!

Besides, this was a world that valued bloodlines. Those without illustrious origins could only play supporting roles.

So?

Invest in real estate in Konoha?

Or invest in brothels in the Land of Hot Water?

Or hole up in the Land of Iron and make a living as a blacksmith?

Going to war was impossible. He would never go to war in this lifetime!

"Little brother, what are you thinking about?" A soft, syrupy female voice suddenly rang out behind him. Without even thinking, Rinto's body reacted on instinct. He lunged forward and put some distance between them.

When he looked back, Mikiko, the brothel owner, was crouching where he had just been standing, looking at him with an innocent expression.

"Holy crap, woman, do you make no sound when you walk?"

As Rinto spoke, his gaze swept over the Wooden Clogs at Mikiko's feet and her playful, upturned toes.

"Hehe~" Like a little girl delighted by a successful prank, Mikiko covered her red lips and giggled mischievously.

At the sight, Rinto's eyes immediately went wide. This woman's seductive powers are insane. She can pull off any style!

"I was just teasing you. What happened? Did Mr. Mizuguma kick you out?" Mikiko patted nonexistent dust from her knees, rose slowly, and looked at Rinto with a smiling gaze.

"Something like that. Men are all like this." Rinto spoke with the world-weary air of an old man as he walked over to Mikiko's low table, grabbed a cushion, and sat down cross-legged.

Mikiko rolled her beautiful eyes at him with all kinds of charm and knelt across from him.

"You say that as if you aren't a man. When you grow up, won't you crave that sort of thing too~?" Mikiko chided with a smile.

"Hey, that's not right." Rinto waved a hand and casually picked up the teacup on the table, taking a sip.

"More accurately, before I gain the ability to misbehave, all men are big pigs' trotters."

Watching Rinto hold the cup she had just used, Mikiko's pretty face reddened slightly. "And after you gain the ability to misbehave?"

"Then we'll have to discuss that properly." He took another sip of tea, smacked his lips, and changed the subject. "This tea is pretty good. Where did it come from?"

"Oh, hurry up and tell me, you little brat!" Mikiko snapped open the small folding fan in her hand, hiding her flushed face as she urged him in a sweet, coquettish voice.

If anyone else had touched her cup, Mikiko might have already drawn her sword and killed them. But this little fellow acting so maturely was, at most, seven or eight years old, and she simply could not bring herself to dislike him.

Besides, this little brat was quite amusing when he spoke.

Seeing the affectionate look in Mikiko's lovely eyes, Rinto thought: Since he could not get even a little hard to show respect, he could only feast his eyes instead.

"Once I'm able to misbehave, all the men in this world will automatically fall into two categories in my eyes."

"What two categories?"

"Uh, most men are friends. But if some man marries a beauty like you, big sister, then he becomes my enemy!"

Mikiko burst out laughing, her whole body trembling like a flower in the wind.

In that instant, Rinto felt as though flowers had bloomed throughout the room and sunlight had spread across the earth.

Damn it, this woman. Every smile and frown is overflowing with seductive charm. This old man really can't take it!

In keeping with the principle of not looking at indecent sights, Rinto lowered—my ass! Rinto declared that he was only a seven-year-old child. No one could stop him from watching a beautiful older sister tremble like a flower in the wind.

At that moment, he felt that this body of his was simply the best!

Everyone hated Momonosuke, but everyone wanted to become Momonosuke!

After laughing for quite some time, Mikiko finally caught her breath, though her chest was still rising and falling.

"Little brother, y-you really know how to talk. Am I really as beautiful as you say?"

"Yes!" Rinto nodded immediately. Compared to you, Teacher Lola, Senior Miku, and junior Miliang can all move aside.

Mikiko once again laughed until she trembled like a flower in the wind.

Every woman loved being praised. It was in their bones.

And Mikiko, as the owner of a brothel and a ravishing beauty herself, had heard too much ordinary flattery and praise to be affected by it anymore.

Yet Rinto praised her beauty in such novel and interesting ways.

As she laughed, Mikiko suddenly paused. A sly curve appeared at the corner of her lips as she leaned forward toward Rinto, revealing a breathtaking curve.

"Since big sister is so beautiful, when you grow up, would you be willing to marry big sister?"

At those words, Rinto immediately shook his head so hard it looked ready to fall off.

"You little brat!"

Seeing Rinto shake his head desperately, Mikiko straightened up, and her expression instantly turned cold.

As though he had not seen the change in her expression, Rinto continued, "I don't want to wait until I grow up. I already want to marry big sister and make you my wife!"

Mikiko froze. The frost on her face instantly melted away like spring snow, and she raised her little fan to hide her shyly flushed cheeks.

"Then it's settled~ My little man, you need to grow up quickly and take responsibility for me, okay~?"

Rinto nodded with the solemnity of a child pretending to be an adult, laughing inwardly.

Hehe, anyone who takes that seriously is an idiot. Do you really think I can't see the amusement in your eyes? You're treating me like a child and teasing me, so I'll play along. It's not like I'm losing out.

"By the way, my little man, what's your name?"

"Rin—" Rinto blurted out instinctively, then immediately caught himself and changed his words. "Zhu Kangping. My name is Zhu Kangping!"

The moment Rinto finished speaking, the inner door opened. Reeking of alcohol and covered in lipstick marks, Mizuguma pushed open the door with the support of two young women, staggering out while still clamoring for another drink.

Rinto gave Mikiko an apologetic smile, then stood and hurried over to support Mizuguma, who could barely stand.

"Sorry, I'll take him back." With that, he helped Mizuguma out of Amei Free Information Office.

Leaning against the doorframe, Mikiko watched their retreating backs with a faintly amused smile. Then, as if she had suddenly remembered something, she called after Rinto.

"My little man, remember to come see me often~ Big sister will always be waiting for you here!"

"Do you charge money?" Rinto asked without looking back.

"I do~" Mikiko's gentle, soft voice drifted over.

"Even if I'm your husband, you charge me?"

"Yes, silly. I need to eat too~" Her coquettish voice rang out again, making passersby around them stop and stare.

At that, Rinto stumbled. He turned to look at Mikiko, whose face was as lovely as a peach blossom, then cupped his fists.

"Farewell. We'll meet again if fate allows."

With that, he grabbed Mizuguma and hurried away as though some flood or beast lurked behind him, plunging into the crowd and vanishing without a trace.

Still leaning against the doorframe, Mikiko watched Rinto's disappearing back. She turned and went inside, closing the wooden door behind her. A lovely curve appeared on her lips as she murmured, "R-Rinto? Hehe~ What an interesting little brat!"