The sky was still at the same time, barely beginning to lighten.
The sandy ground of the training field still carried the chill of the night. Four green figures, as usual, were shouting and running in the morning mist, their sweat flying behind them and melting into the dew-covered grass.
Shira ran in the group, each step more forceful than usual, her breathing deeper.
It's as if I want to remember as much as possible about this land, the smell of the morning air, the heavy breathing of my companions, and Senior Kai's ever-loud slogans.
Today's training exercise was weighted frog jumps around the field. Each person had sandbags strapped to their legs and a sizable rock on their back, and they had to squat and jump forward.
Their postures were comical, and the load was heavy. After just a few laps, their thighs felt like they were on fire, and their lungs ached terribly. Naruto was the first to start grimacing, and Rock Lee's face turned a deep purplish-red. Only Guy was still able to keep up the rhythm while jumping.
Shira didn't speak, just kept jumping silently. Sweat dripped down his chin, making small craters in the sand. He looked at Kai's ever-straight green back ahead, and listened to Naruto's "Heave-ho!" encouragement and Rock Lee's suppressed groans behind him.
The emptiness that had arisen in my heart before leaving seemed to be slightly filled by the real, tearing pain and the presence of my companions beside me.
The training session came to an end, and the four men collapsed on the sidelines of the training field, gulping down water from their bottles.
The sun had already risen, its golden light shining on the soaked green clothes, causing a faint warmth to rise from them.
"Ha--! That felt great!"
Kai wiped his mouth, revealing gleaming teeth, and patted Shira's shoulder forcefully. " Shira! You're in great shape today! Looks like yesterday's 'special nighttime training' worked! Youth is about constantly pushing your limits!"
The so-called "extra practice at night" was actually just Shira practicing on her own for a while last night.
He didn't explain, he just smiled and felt the warmth from the strong hand on his shoulder.
"Teacher Kai," Shira said, her voice still a little hoarse, taking a moment to catch her breath, "I might have to ask for leave from this morning's training."
"Oh?" Kai raised an eyebrow and looked over.
Rock Lee and Naruto also looked over.
"I have some personal business to take care of," Shira said vaguely, not specifying whether it was shopping or saying goodbye. "I came to Konoha and wanted to bring back some things for my family and friends in Sunagakure. I need to go out and wander around the streets."
Kai paused for a moment, then nodded knowingly, a different meaning creeping into his smile, "Bringing gifts for family and friends! Excellent! That's what youth is all about! Don't forget family during missions, don't forget friendship during training! Go on, go on! You don't need to come to training this morning! Take your time choosing!"
Although Rock Lee was a little disappointed that he couldn't spar with Shira in the morning, he expressed his understanding. "Okay! Shira, make sure you pick out a good gift!"
Naruto blinked his blue eyes and asked curiously, " Shira, what do you want to buy? Konoha has delicious food! Ichiraku Ramen... but you can't take it back with you, right?"
"Haha, let's go take a look. If we see something we like, we'll buy it." Shira stood up and stretched her sore legs. "I'll go now. If I have time this afternoon, I'll come back."
"Alright! Be careful on the road! Shopping is also part of your training, so be as focused as you are when choosing ninja tools!" Guy added, waving vigorously.
Shira nodded to the three of them, then turned and left the training ground. He didn't return to the guesthouse immediately, but instead walked to a small grove of trees on the outskirts of the training ground. He took out a clean, ordinary dark gray training uniform from his ninja tool bag—this was one he had brought with him, not the green one.
He deftly changed out of his sweat-soaked, wrinkled green bodysuit, carefully folded it, and placed it in a separate compartment of his ninja tool pouch.
His fingertips brushed against the rough yet sturdy green fabric. He paused for a moment, then zipped up the zipper.
Changing into ordinary clothes and walking on the streets of Konoha, felt different. It was as if I had suddenly returned from a burning, green dream to the real, colorful world.
The air was no longer filled with Kaina's deafening slogans, but with various hawking cries, the sound of wheels, and the buzzing of pedestrians talking.
The sunlight felt warm and comforting on my skin, carrying with it the lively, everyday atmosphere of the city.
He first went to a fairly famous ninja souvenir shop on the commercial street. The shop was not big, but it had a wide variety of items, from Shuriken and Kunai of all shapes and sizes to towels and stationery.
With a clear goal in mind, Shira walked straight to the counter displaying kunai (a type of Kunai ).
His gaze swept over the standard Kunai that gleamed with a cold light, finally settling on a row of samples with a rather unusual color in the corner.
Those were what the shopkeepers called "collector's edition" or "female ninja-themed" Kunai, available in pink, blue, and gold, some with small flowers engraved on the handle or tassels attached.
He thought of Ameno. The girl in the Ninja Academy who would quietly hand him water, who would diligently train with her still-unskilled Water Release, and whose eyes were clear yet held a touch of stubbornness.
She seems to like brighter colors? At least she changes the color of her hairbands quite often.
"This one, the pink one, could you please show it to me?" Shira pointed to one of the kunai, which was entirely pink, with only the blade retaining its original metallic color, and Kunai pink anti-slip rope wrapped around the handle, and said to the shop assistant.
The shop assistant, a smiling middle-aged man, took out the Kunai and handed it to him. "Young man, you have good taste! This is a style that's very popular with girls lately. It's lightweight, good-looking, and the blade is sharpened—practical! Is it a gift?"
"Hmm." Shira took it and weighed it in her hand. It Kunai, making it more suitable for women with less strength or beginners.
He checked the blade; it was fairly sharp, and the workmanship was meticulous. It was just the color... He imagined Ameno holding it; she probably wouldn't dislike it, right?
"I'll take this one. Wrap it up."
Shira didn't hesitate much. Ameno of his few close friends of the same age in Sunagakure.
This gift, at least, is a token of affection.
Next, he went to another shop that specialized in selling all kinds of utensils. This shop had a wide variety of items, from pots and pans to farm tools.
Shira wandered around the shop for a while, her eyes drawn to a row of gourds on the shelf. The gourds varied in size, some with natural curves, their surfaces polished smooth, some varnished, and some left their original color.
Shira then thought of Gaara.
He chose a small, dark brown gourd that was of moderate size, symmetrical in shape, and had beautiful natural patterns on its surface. The gourd's mouth was fitted with a cork stopper, which was very tight.
He shook it; it was empty. "This will do. At least it's something different."
The gift for his parents was relatively simple. He went to a kitchenware store and picked out a set of fine iron knives and a small pot made from the Land of Fire for his mother, Rira. They were said to be particularly durable and had fast heat transfer.
For her father, Shiya, she bought a uniquely shaped, finely crafted tea caddy—he occasionally brews some inexpensive tea flakes to relieve fatigue. It wasn't expensive, but it was practical.
Thinking about the expressions her parents might have when they received it, Shira felt a warmth in her heart.
Then came Granny Chiyo and Ebizo. These two highly respected elders couldn't stand ordinary things. Shira found out about a long-established shop selling Chinese herbal medicine and health products.
On the recommendation of the shop assistant, he bought several packets of precious herbal tea, which was said to be a specialty of the deep mountains of the Land of Fire and had the effect of calming the nerves and replenishing qi. He also chose a pair of health balls made of warm jade, which were said to promote blood circulation.
The items weren't cheap, and they nearly cost him half of his remaining savings. But thinking of Granny Chiyo's kindness and Ebizo's silent care, he felt the money was well spent.
Stepping out of the health product store, Shira touched his wallet, which had become noticeably thinner, and sighed. He bought a small Konoha locally brewed, well-regarded sake from the weapon shop owner who had given him a discount when he sold him the sword.
For the strict Genjutsu master, I Fūgetsu, he chose a finely crafted Kunai maintenance oil and a set of high-grade grinding stones—the master was almost obsessive about the maintenance of ninja tools, so this shouldn't be wrong.
Jonin Baki? How about a miscellaneous book about the geography and climate of the border between the Land of Wind and the Land of Fire? Perhaps it will be of some reference value to that always thoughtful Jonin.
There were also the two brothers in Fūi. When Shira passed by a ninja tool accessory shop, she picked out a special ninja tool bag buckle for each of them that could be hung on their belts, making it easy to access and not easy to fall off.
Practical and understated, they should like that.
After walking around for a while, the sun was already high in the sky. Shira was carrying several packages of various sizes in her hands, and another one on her back. Her wallet was completely empty, and she had even touched some of her emergency savings.
But he felt a strange sense of peace. It was as if by bringing these things back, he could bring back a part of Konoha —even a tiny part—and share it with those who were waiting for him in Sunagakure or those he had interacted with.
He stood on the street corner, tidied up his things, and prepared to walk back. As he passed a flower shop, a rich, fragrant scent wafted over. He subconsciously slowed his pace and glanced into the shop.
The flower shop was filled with a dazzling array of flowers, all vibrant in the sunlight. A girl with a golden ponytail, the ends of her hair tinged with a light lavender, stood with her back to the door, tiptoeing, carefully pruning the leaves of a pale purple hydrangea.
Her movements were light and focused, her profile serene amidst the flowers. Sunlight streamed through the florist's glass window, casting dappled patterns on her.
Oh, it's a wild Ino Yamanaka.
Shira had seen him a few times from afar while she was doing "green morning exercise" with Kai and the others.
He didn't plan to go in, nor did he know the other person. He just thought the scene was quite beautiful, completely different from the sweat and sand of the training ground. It was a different kind of tranquil vitality belonging to Konoha.
He glanced at it a couple more times, then looked away, picked up his bags, and joined the flow of people on the street.
Everything's bought. Everything I needed, everything I could think of, I bought. Even though I'm out of money, I'll still get a reward when I return to Sunagakure and turn in the mission.
The few bandits I killed on the road should be enough for the bounty. That should be enough for now.
He carried his hands full of "gifts" as he walked back to the guesthouse. The sun was so hot that it made him feel a little hot, and the packages in his hands made his fingers turn red.
But he felt calm, even a little expectant.
I'm looking forward to seeing Ameno's expression when she receives the pink Kunai, Gaara's reaction to the little gourd, my parents' appearance when they use the new kitchen utensils, and Granny Chiyo's reaction of complaining about "buying useless things" while secretly putting away the health tea.
The reality of parting gradually became clearer with the preparation of these concrete and weighty gifts. But it seemed that it wasn't so hard to face anymore.
Because some things don't disappear even after a person leaves.
Like these gifts that are about to cross the Land of Fire, like the growing strength in my body, like the flame of "effort" that has been ignited in my heart.
The cityscape of Konoha gradually faded behind her. Shira quickened her pace.
Sunlight filters through the gaps in the leaves, casting dappled shadows, as if time itself has been fragmented into countless pieces.
In the afternoon, the clouds in the sky drifted lightly like cotton candy, giving people a lazy and comfortable feeling.
However, this afternoon held special significance for Shira —she was bidding farewell to her time in Konoha, a farewell to her "youth."