Reborn in the Shinobi World with an Arceus Inside

Kaito followed the woman to her home. On the way, he learned her name was Shiori.

Her thin frame was hidden inside a large raincoat, and she swayed as she walked. Kaito worried she might fall over.

"We're here. This is it." Shiori went ahead and opened the door. Before she could say a word, a small figure rushed out from inside and threw herself into her arms.

"Konan, what's wrong?"

Konan looked up, her little face tear-stained. "Mommy, I thought you went out and wouldn't come back, just like Daddy."

"How could that be? Didn't Mommy come back?"

"Mm-hm!"

'Konan?' Kaito observed the little girl from behind. She did look a bit familiar. 'My luck is pretty good; I've found one of them. Now I wonder if I'll run into Yahiko. It's not likely Nagato is here, though.'

He had established the sanctuary not only to build his reputation but also with the hope that his fame would draw refugees like Yahiko and the others to him. It was much more convenient than searching for them himself. And, if things went well, he might be able to plant a new seed of hope in the Land of Rain.

"Sir, please excuse us."

Konan had cried herself to sleep in Shiori's arms. After putting her to bed in the bedroom, Shiori came out and spoke to Kaito apologetically.

"It's no problem. Her name is Konan, right? She's very cute. She looks a lot like you," Kaito said, his eyes crinkling into a smile.

"Yes, her name is Konan." Shiori's expression darkened. "We haven't been able to give her a good childhood. We've failed her."

"Not at all. You've done a wonderful job." Kaito gestured with the ingredients in his hand. "Don't worry. Things will get better from now on. Let's make some food first."

"Yes! The kitchen is this way. I'll help you."

"Hmm, that won't be necessary."

A moment later, Shiori watched, stunned, as slices of fish were rapidly stripped from the bone and fell into a bowl.

"So fast..."

"Miss Shiori, I prefer it when people praise me for being strong."

Kaito mashed the fish meat into a paste, formed it into balls, and then tossed the fish balls, the fish head, and the mushrooms all into a soup pot, turning the heat up high.

Before long, a delicious fish head and mushroom soup was ready.

"My apologies for the poor service!" Kaito placed the full pot on the dining table and lifted the lid.

A sweet, fresh aroma filled the entire house.

"It smells so good!" Shiori couldn't help but swallow.

"I was a bit rushed for time. If it had simmered a little longer, the soup would have been even more delicious. Also, this soup is best enjoyed poured over rice." Unable to achieve perfection, Kaito sighed with a hint of regret.

"You don't have to go to so much trouble! I think it's already wonderful!"

"Heh. Go wake Konan up. It's time to eat." Kaito waved a hand. "My work here is done, so I'll be leaving now."

"What? So soon? Aren't you going to have some?"

"No need. I ate a lot earlier. I'm already full."

"But… you haven't told me what I owe you for this meal," Shiori said, nervously tugging at the corner of her clothes.

"The price?" A mysterious smile suddenly appeared at the corners of Kaito's mouth. "Ma'am, you wouldn't want Konan to be unable to eat such delicious meals in the future, would you?"

"Ah?" Shiori's expression shifted, and finally, biting her lip, she nodded, her voice barely a whisper. "...No."

"Ahem. What I mean is, I feel a connection with Konan and would like to take her as my student. What do you think?"

"Is that all?"

"What else?"

Shiori's face flushed a deep red. She said hurriedly, "It is Konan's good fortune to be able to learn from you, sir. Of course, I agree. But this isn't enough to express our family's gratitude to you. So… so at least let me wash your dirty clothes. You can also take a bath at our house."

"Er, that won't be necessary," Kaito refused decisively. "You don't need to feel burdened. For now, please enjoy this dinner with Konan with all your heart."

Without waiting for Shiori to reply, Kaito turned and left, his figure disappearing into the night.

"..." Shiori wiped away a tear, closed the door, and went back to the bedroom to wake Konan.

When Konan came out of the bedroom, rubbing her eyes, she was overjoyed to see the steaming fish soup on the table.

"Mommy! Did Daddy come back? Did he bring us food?!"

"Hmm, no. A nice big brother, who is just as kind as Daddy, made this for us." Shiori stroked Konan's hair, a happy smile on her face that hadn't been there for a long time. "From now on, we won't have to go hungry. Konan, you must be sure to properly thank that big brother."

"Okay, I will!"

The next morning, Shiori brought a sleepy-eyed Konan to the village entrance.

After drinking the fish soup the night before, Shiori's complexion had improved considerably. Now, with Konan standing beside her, she looked like a miniature version of her mother.

"What can I do for you two?" Kaito asked, a little puzzled as he looked at the mother-daughter pair.

"We came especially to express our gratitude." Shiori bent down and whispered to Konan, "Quick, say thank you, sir."

"Th-thank you, sir," Konan said. She was clearly a little shy, but with her mother's encouragement, she bravely spoke the words.

"You're very welcome," Kaito said, his face wreathed in a smile.

Infected by his friendly grin, much of the nervousness in Konan's heart faded away.

"Um, Lord Kaito… last night, when you said you wanted to take Konan as your student, were you serious?" Shiori asked anxiously.

"Of course, I was," Kaito nodded. "However, that will have to wait until the reconstruction of Komorebi Village is on the right track. At that time, I will establish a school, and all the school-aged children in the village can enroll. Konan will be no exception, and I will be the school's principal and a teacher."

"Oh, so that's what you meant by taking Konan as your student?" Shiori couldn't hide her disappointment. She had thought Konan would receive special treatment.

"Of course, Konan is special."

"Eh?" Shiori looked up in surprise.

"She has a talent that surpasses that of ordinary people," Kaito said with a smile, patting Konan's head. "Feeling better now?"

"Yes." Realizing Kaito had seen through her, Shiori blushed, then said with determination, "Sir, you are our savior. So I want to help you here. Otherwise, my heart won't be at ease."

"Alright, then." Kaito nodded nonchalantly. "In that case, you can help us with the interior design of the house. It's not safe for Konan to be home alone, so she can stay here. Yuto, do you have any paper?"

"I do. Is this size okay?" Yamabiko Yuto handed over a palm-sized piece of white paper, which he had previously used for writing intelligence reports.

"Perfect." Kaito took the paper and crouched down. "Konan, you can play with origami here."

As his fingers flew, a lifelike paper crane appeared before Konan's eyes.

"Isn't it pretty? Do you want to learn how to make one?"

Konan stared at the paper crane without blinking and nodded emphatically. "I do!"

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