Request

"I'm truly sorry!" Tanaka Keishi, who had raised his head while kneeling, suddenly slammed his forehead against the floor again.

"A traitor emerged among the Tanaka Clan's upper ranks and leaked Master Samu's identity. Over the past year, Clan Head Yoshikado has used Master Samu's sculptures to win over quite a few people in the Land of Fire, but this also offended the great Sato Clan of the Land of Fire."

Samu Kokaze narrowed his eyes and smiled as he looked at Tanaka Keishi kneeling on the floor, blood flowing from his forehead. "So, Uncle Keishi, you're saying the Sato Clan was behind this incident?"

Tanaka Keishi raised his bloodied forehead from the ground and said seriously, "Master Samu may not believe it, but that is the truth. Last night, the Konoha ninja also questioned everyone who came with us. They can prove it."

Samu Kokaze neither confirmed nor denied it. He merely smiled. "Uncle Keishi, you should get up first. There are people coming and going in the hospital. With you kneeling here, it looks like I've done something to you."

Tanaka Keishi's heart turned cold. Seeing Samu Kokaze sitting on the bed with a smile on his face but a glint of chill in his eyes, he did not dare remain on his knees and hurriedly stood.

"Uncle Keishi, you came to Konoha this time because of something, didn't you? This visit is five days earlier than usual."

Looking at the standing Tanaka Keishi, Samu Kokaze asked casually.

Ever since Samu Kokaze and Tanaka Yoshikado had reached an agreement a year ago, the Tanaka Clan had sent people to Konoha every month to collect the orders placed the previous month.

It had been this way for the entire year. Yet this month, not only had they arrived early, but yesterday's incident had also occurred. How could he not be suspicious?

At this, Tanaka Keishi adjusted his wrinkled collar and nodded. "Coming to Konoha early this time was Clan Head Yoshikado's decision. In another month, it will be the Daimyo's wife's birthday. When Clan Head Yoshikado last met the Daimyo, he promised to present his wife with a life-sized sculpture carved from mutton-fat jade for her birthday."

"So Brother Yoshikado sent you to find me." Before Tanaka Keishi could continue, Samu Kokaze smiled bitterly. "But you can see my condition now. I was seriously injured because of yesterday's incident as well. There's truly nothing I can do about this."

Thud...

Samu Kokaze frowned as he watched Tanaka Keishi, whom he had just refused, kneel again.

"Please, Master Samu, help the Tanaka Clan once for the sake of your friendship with Clan Head Yoshikado."

"It is only a sculpture. Does it really have to come to this? Besides, even if I cannot carve it, there are other master sculptors. The time may be tight, but it is not impossible to finish."

Tanaka Keishi gave a bitter laugh from where he knelt. "Ever since the Tanaka Clan rose to prominence, the Sato Clan has regarded us as a thorn in its side and suppressed us everywhere. If the Daimyo had not supported us from time to time, the Tanaka Clan would have collapsed long ago."

"The other master sculptors have all been warned off by the Sato Clan. None of them dare carve anything for the Tanaka Clan."

"And if we fail to deliver the sculpture we promised this time, then even if the Daimyo does not wish to see the Tanaka Clan fall, he cannot disregard his own reputation to help us again. When the Sato Clan launches its fierce attack, the Tanaka Clan alone will absolutely be unable to withstand it. So... please, Master Samu."

As he spoke, he viciously slammed his forehead into the ground again, producing a dull thud.

"I see." A contemplative look flashed through Samu Kokaze's eyes. Looking at the kneeling Tanaka Keishi, he said in a deep voice, "Uncle Keishi, go back first and let me consider it. I will give you an answer within three days at the latest."

"Master Samu!" Tanaka Keishi abruptly raised his head, wanting to say something. But when he saw the refusal in Samu Kokaze's eyes, his expression darkened. He stood and nodded. "I'm truly sorry for disturbing your rest, Master Samu. I will remain in Konoha these next few days and wait for your answer."

Watching Tanaka Keishi head for the door, Samu Kokaze picked up an apple from the table and took a bite. Silver light flashed in his eyes from time to time. "The Tanaka Clan! The Sato Clan! The Daimyo! Heh... interesting!"

Konoha's streets.

The biting cold wind surged recklessly through the streets.

A chubby boy trudged down the street with an enormous food container on his back, beads of sweat the size of beans constantly forming on his forehead and dripping to the ground.

"Naruto! Are you sure Kokaze can really eat this much?!"

Choji raised a hand to wipe the sweat from his face. He looked doubtfully at Naruto beside him and spoke between gasps.

"Of course it's true!" Naruto shouted at Choji's skeptical look.

"Don't worry, Choji! You didn't see how much Kokaze eats. Once you see it for yourself, you won't doubt it anymore."

Ino remembered what she had seen last time and swallowed.

"Fine!"

With a miserable expression, Choji looked at Konoha Hospital ahead, delight flashing through his eyes. A sudden burst of strength appeared in his nearly exhausted body, and he strode toward Konoha Hospital.

Bang...

"Kokaze! We came to visit you!"

The ward door was violently pushed open, and Naruto's ever-energetic voice rang through the room.

Samu Kokaze, who had been eating fruit, gave a bitter smile at the door being pushed open yet again. But when he saw the huge food container on Choji's back, his eyes lit up.

"Choji! Did you bring me food? That's great! I'm practically starving to death!"

He swallowed as his extraordinary sense of smell caught the faint fragrance spreading through the air, saliva continuously filling his mouth.

Bang...

Choji, drenched in sweat, walked in and set the food container from his back onto the floor with a tremendous bang. Even Samu Kokaze, lying in bed, could feel the vibration.

"Whew..." Choji let out a long breath. "That wore me out."

After catching his breath, Choji abruptly opened the food container. A rich aroma of food filled the room, and Samu Kokaze, whose stomach was growling with hunger, nearly had green light shining from his eyes as he greedily stared at the enormous container.

Ino could not help laughing at Samu Kokaze's expression. She picked up a bowl and chopsticks, then handed him some sliced food.

Samu Kokaze did not stand on ceremony. After taking them from Ino, he began wolfing down the food.

After a while, Choji stared at the completely empty food container, then at Samu Kokaze's stomach, which showed no sign of swelling. He swallowed, his chubby face utterly blank.

"How about it? I told you Kokaze could really eat, didn't I?" Naruto ran over and whispered to Choji.

"Yeah!"

Choji nodded with a vacant expression, still unable to recover from the shock.

"Ah! Ah! I'm half full at last. I finally feel alive again!" Samu Kokaze patted his completely flat stomach. Feeling warmth spread throughout his body, he let out a comfortable hum.

"Half full..."

Hearing that, the corners of the others' mouths twitched. They did not know what to say.

"Thank you so much, Choji." Samu Kokaze rubbed his stomach and thanked Choji, whose clothes were soaked through with sweat.

"It's nothing! I'll bring you even more tomorrow." Choji said stiffly.

"Then I'll be troubling you!" Samu Kokaze's expression brightened at once, and he readily agreed.