A Rainy Day Confession

It was raining again, and the cold wind kept blowing into the house.

Shin moved the table to the doorway and sat inside, watching the rain sweep in from outside. Every time a drop blew in, he released a tiny burst of Chakra from his fingertip to knock it away.

But the rain was too dense, the droplets too fine and small. Most of them still landed on the table and struck his body.

Shin paid it no mind, focusing entirely on what he was doing as he adjusted the amount of Chakra he released over and over.

Controlling Chakra felt remarkably strange, as natural as moving an arm or a finger. He could clearly sense it flowing through his body and direct it to any part of himself, releasing it from anywhere. It was just that some areas were not as easy to control as his hands.

He did not stop until the Chakra throughout his body was nearly exhausted.

He moved the table back, wiped it down with a rag, shut the door, and took a shower.

Chakra recovered slowly—at least, that was how Shin saw it. Chakra was the balanced product of spiritual and physical energy, and when it was depleted, one's stamina also dropped sharply. The only way to increase one's Chakra reserves was through relentless training day after day.

Training and practicing Chakra was far more interesting than dull physical conditioning. It was like playing a farming simulation game: every day, he could feel his progress growing, his control over Chakra deepening. Perhaps because Shin had only just found his footing, he had more room to improve.

While Shin lay on the sofa after his shower, listening to the rain and reading, Iroha suddenly came to his door through the downpour.

He said he wanted to ask Natsu out for dinner alone, but she had turned him down. He hoped Shin could give him some advice. Shin had no desire to involve himself in children dating, so he immediately said he had never even held a girl's hand and could not help him.

He wondered what this kid's reaction would be if he found out Ayari had once tried to set him up with Natsu.

Iroha was not too disappointed. He proceeded to pour out his troubles to Shin, saying Natsu's attitude toward him was subtle. He thought Natsu liked him, but he had never found a chance to take things further. Maybe he was going about it the wrong way, which was why Natsu kept him at arm's length. He did not know how to convey his feelings in a way Natsu would accept.

Shin found it rather amusing. This kid thought far too highly of himself.

He told Iroha, "If she doesn't make a move, she isn't interested."

But Iroha did not understand. He stared stupidly at Shin. "Are you telling me to take the initiative and confess directly?"

Shin: "..."

Iroha began muttering to himself. "You're right. No matter how much I hint, nothing is more straightforward than confessing directly. Natsu is a girl—even if she knows how I feel, she'll definitely be too shy to respond."

Shin: "..."

Iroha said happily, "Shin, you're so smart!"

Shin could only say, "You can give it a try."

As if encouraged, Iroha immediately stood up, his expression slightly excited. "I know! I'll go right now!"

Shin could not help saying, "Now? But it's raining."

The rain was still heavy, and a shallow layer of water had already gathered on the ground.

"Isn't confessing in a heavy rain even more romantic?" Iroha wore a look of yearning, as though he could already see his sweet, happy future.

Shin: "..."

Iroha eagerly rushed back out into the rain, leaving a speechless Shin watching his silhouette gradually blur behind the curtain of rain.

Why didn't this brat even close the door for me?

Children became close quickly. After their recent interactions, the two had grown much closer than before. Of the clan members their age, Shin was the only one at home now. Iroha felt that discussing this sort of thing with his two little brothers, Tokuma and Tetsu, would damage his dignity as their big brother, so he had come to confide in Shin.

That evening, the rain had yet to stop when Iroha returned with a dejected expression.

Shin knew what had happened the moment he saw him. He could not be bothered to ask and simply said, "Don't get my floor wet."

Iroha took off his shoes, sat on the sofa, and let out a heavy sigh.

"Why... why..." he muttered resentfully.

Shin continued reading on his own, not even raising his eyes.

"Shin..." Iroha finally could not help speaking.

"Mm."

"Why won't Natsu accept me?"

"How would I know?"

Iroha looked deeply troubled. When he had stood in front of Natsu's house, braving the rain to say those words to her, Natsu had simply replied calmly that she did not have any thoughts of dating for the time being.

Then something suddenly occurred to him. He muttered, "Could it be because of Kamado?"

Hyuga Homura?

Shin remembered him as well. He was another member of their generation in the clan, though he was currently on the front lines.

Iroha clapped his hands. "I get it! Natsu must be afraid that if she gets together with me, it'll affect my relationship with Kamado!"

Shin: "..."

From the sound of it, Hyuga Homura liked Natsu too.

Iroha immediately asked Shin, "What do you think?"

There was longing in his eyes, as though he wanted Shin's approval.

Shin said, "I think... that makes sense."

Iroha was delighted. "Natsu really is so gentle and considerate."

Then he said, "Once the war ends and Kamado comes back, I'll explain everything properly to Natsu. Kamado likes Natsu too, but Natsu definitely won't like him."

Who knew where he got the confidence to reach that conclusion? Iroha was thoroughly pleased with his reasoning. Looking at Shin, who had been reading the whole time, his eyes shifted as he said, "Shin, want me to introduce you to some girls?"

"No need." Shin refused, thinking that if Iroha knew any beautiful older women, he could introduce them to him.

He had no interest in children whatsoever.

Iroha immediately put on the air of an experienced senior. "Girls are actually easy to understand. As long as you're willing to put in some thought and time, you'll always win one over."

Shin glanced sideways at him. "Did you win one over?"

Iroha choked on his words, then quickly said, "Natsu isn't like other girls! Besides, neither of us is in a hurry."

Shin said, "Childhood sweethearts, huh."

Iroha hurriedly nodded. "Exactly, exactly!"

Shin sighed inwardly. Girls matured earlier than boys to begin with, especially a pretty and adorable girl like Natsu. Even ten more Irohas would only end up completely wrapped around her finger.

Iroha stayed at Shin's house a while longer, chatting about meaningless things. Shin answered him half-heartedly. Seeing that Shin had no intention of feeding him, Iroha soon left.

Outside the window, the night was dark. The rain poured down in sheets, endlessly battering the glass and window frames.

After reading all day, Shin stretched and looked at the large tree outside, which swayed without pause in the rain. Under the assault of wind and rain, it looked as though it might topple and snap at any moment.

Orochimaru had already set out, hadn't he...

Weather like this was the perfect time for a night raid.

How far would Konoha be pushed under these circumstances...?