Hiroshi: So I Was Being Valued After All

A few days later, in the evening, the door to the Nohara House was flung open.

"I'm home!"

Hiroshi's voice was an octave higher than usual. He floated in as if he were walking on clouds.

Shin-chan was lying on the floor drawing. At the sound, he looked toward the door. Miya poked her head out of the kitchen, spatula in hand.

Hiroshi stood in the Genkan with his hands on his hips and his chin held high. His grin stretched almost from ear to ear, and his smugness was palpable from three meters away.

Shin-chan and Miya exchanged a glance.

Then, with perfect understanding, they went right back to what they were doing.

Shin-chan lowered his head and continued drawing.

Miya turned and went back to the kitchen.

Hiroshi stood in the Genkan, pausing halfway through taking off his shoes.

Huh?

He held his pose and waited two seconds.

Nobody said anything.

He cleared his throat again, just loudly enough for everyone inside to hear.

Still, there was no reaction.

Hiroshi's smile stiffened. After changing into his slippers, he deliberately stomped loudly across the room and stopped in the middle of the Living Room.

Shin-chan shifted position without even looking up.

Hiroshi took a deep breath, walked over to the sofa, and plopped down, crossing one leg over the other.

"So, today..." He drew out the words, his voice rising at the end. "Something big happened."

Miya came out of the kitchen with a dish and set it on the table. She glanced at him.

"Mm."

Just one word.

Hiroshi's mouth twitched. He waited a little longer, but when neither of them showed any intention of asking what happened, he finally couldn't hold back.

"Ahem, ahem, ahem."

Hiroshi cleared his throat so loudly, it sounded like he could bring down the roof.

Shin-chan finally looked up and glanced at him.

"Dad, is your throat bothering you?"

"No." Hiroshi's face turned red with the effort. "I have good news to announce."

"What good news?"

Hiroshi puffed out his chest and put his hands on his hips. In a voice fit for announcing matters of state, he said, "I'm getting promoted!"

"Promoted?" Miya was taken aback, then smiled. "To what?"

Hiroshi raised his chin smugly. "Take a guess."

"Jonin?"

Hiroshi shook his head.

"Special Jōnin?"

He shook his head again.

Miya looked puzzled. "Then what?"

Hiroshi took a deep breath and puffed out his chest. "I got an invitation from Root."

Miya froze.

Shin-chan tilted his head. "What's a root? Like the kind that grows in the ground?"

Hiroshi immediately perked up and launched into a long explanation:

"Root is the most powerful Ninja organization in Konoha. They report directly to Lord Danzo and specialize in carrying out the most secret and dangerous missions. Anyone who gets into Root is an elite among elites, a master among masters."

He grew more excited as he went on, gesticulating wildly.

"Do you know how powerful Root's Ninja are? Their missions are so secret, nobody else is even allowed to hear about them. Their training is so intense, nobody else would even dare imagine it. Getting into Root means—"

"So are you going?" Miya cut him off.

Hiroshi paused, then gave an even smugger smile.

"Hold on, I haven't finished yet."

Hiroshi stood and paced around the Living Room like a peacock showing off its feathers.

Miya watched him.

Shin-chan watched him too.

Hiroshi basked in their attention for two seconds, then slowly began, "Besides the invitation from Root, I got another one."

He stopped and turned to look at Miya and Shin-chan, unable to suppress his smug grin.

"The Third Hokage personally asked for me to work at the Hokage Building, handling paperwork and coordinating missions." Hiroshi patted his chest. "Your husband is being valued by the Third Hokage!"

Miya's eyes widened slightly. "The Third Hokage personally asked for you?"

"That's right." Hiroshi nodded emphatically. "It means he's noticed how hard I work and how well I perform. Hokage-sama has been keeping an eye on me."

He finished and put his hands on his hips, waiting for Miya to exclaim in amazement.

Miya was silent for two seconds. "Two invitations?"

"Right."

"Both on the same day?"

"Right."

"What did Root say? What were they offering?"

Hiroshi hesitated. "The offer was great, of course. Double the allowance, special training resources, and I'd be assigned high-level missions from now on."

"Then where are you planning to go?"

Hiroshi didn't hesitate at all. "The Hokage Building, of course."

Miya stared at him. "Why? Didn't you say Root offered good benefits?"

Hiroshi nodded, walked over to Miya, and put an arm around her shoulders.

"The benefits are good, but the missions are dangerous. They often involve secret assignments, and I could be gone for days at a time. Sometimes I wouldn't even be allowed to say where I was going."

Miya fell silent.

Hiroshi continued, "The Hokage Building is different. Paperwork and mission coordination, nine to five, with the occasional field assignment, but all nearby."

He smiled.

"I need to be here for you two. This kid is so much trouble—how could you handle him by yourself?"

Miya looked at him, suddenly at a loss for words.

Hiroshi glanced at Shin-chan. "Besides, he's always hanging around with all those powerful people now, learning Blade Techniques and Fire Style and stuff. I need to step up in other areas, or how am I supposed to keep him in line?"

Shin-chan blinked. "Dad, are you weak?"

Hiroshi's face fell.

"What do you mean, weak? I'm a Chunin! A Chunin!"

"Then how do you compare with Dad Kakashi?"

Hiroshi was at a loss for words.

Miya burst out laughing beside him.

Hiroshi glared at her, then crouched down to look at Shin-chan. "Remember, Dad may not be the strongest Ninja, but I'll definitely be the most responsible dad."

Shin-chan looked at him and thought for a moment.

"Can responsibility be eaten?"

"..."

"Can it buy Chocolate Sticks?"

"..."

"Can it stop Mom from hitting me?"

Hiroshi took a deep breath and stood up.

"Miya, is dinner ready?"

Miya smiled as she headed back to the kitchen.

"Almost. Just wait a little longer."

Hiroshi went over and sat at the table. Shin-chan came over.

"Dad."

"Hmm?"

"Which job is more impressive, Root or the Hokage Building?"

Hiroshi thought about it.

"Working for Root is a little more impressive, but the Hokage Building job is safer."

"Which one do you want?"

Hiroshi smiled and ruffled his hair. "I want the one that lets me be with you."

Shin-chan tilted his head and looked at him. "Dad, you're kind of cool today."

Hiroshi paused, then broke into a grin like he'd just struck gold.

"Really? How cool?"

Shin-chan thought about it.

"A hundred thousand times cooler than a green pepper."

"Is that supposed to be a compliment?" Hiroshi looked conflicted.

"Sure." Shin-chan nodded. "Green peppers are awful."

Hiroshi sighed.

Whatever. Cool was cool, even if he was being compared to a green pepper.

Miya's voice came from the kitchen.

"Dinner's ready. Come help bring the dishes over."

Shin-chan jumped up and ran toward the kitchen. "I'll do it, I'll do it!"

Hiroshi stayed where he was, watching that cheerful little figure, then glanced toward Miya, busy in the kitchen. A smile spread across his face.

Being a Chunin was fine.

As long as he could come home for dinner every day and watch that kid grow up, that was enough.