Blinding.
The girl instinctively raised a hand to shield her eyes from the dazzling glare. She didn't want it to interfere with her vision, but the Land of Whirlpools' distinctive snacks sizzling fragrantly on the iron griddle had already captured all her attention.
She took the packaged snacks from the red-haired shopkeeper and handed them to the guards behind her. With the fragrance still lingering on her hands, she stood beneath the awning, shaded her eyes, and gazed toward the sparkling light.
An iron sign bearing the Konoha emblem hung from the red-and-orange roof. The circular plaque above the entrance, marked with the character for "ninja," revealed what the building was.
Konoha Ninja Academy.
The short-haired girl found it incredibly difficult to tear her gaze away from the ice drink shop nearby. Judging by the long line and the bustling crowds, it had to be a good place.
She quietly memorized its name: Ice Snow Drink Shop.
After much inner turmoil, she finally made up her mind to visit the Ninja Academy first. It was the place Rikusei had been so reluctant to leave, and she was curious about what made it so appealing.
Uninvited guests had arrived.
Setting aside the clan business he had been handling, Kaku glanced at the assignments he had finished grading, crossed the silent office, and headed for the school gate.
As the Ninja Academy drew nearer, Mao looked around, turning her eyes this way and that as she wondered to herself. It wasn't nearly as lively as she'd imagined.
The figure leaning by the entrance made her rub her eyes in disbelief. Once she was sure she wasn't mistaken, she happily waved and called out, "Uncle Kaku!"
"So it's you all. What brings you to Konoha?"
Kaku lowered his arm and warmly invited them