A small choice plants a seed—one that may reshape a girl's fate.
"Please don't lie to me!"
Ajisai spoke earnestly, her small face tense with urgency.
"I saw your real face that day! Your eyes were covered with bandages…"
As she spoke, her gaze cautiously lifted toward Gen, searching for his reaction.
At this age, she was still younger than when she would later appear—undeveloped, thin, her skin slightly sallow from long-term malnutrition.
"…?"
Gen mentally raised a question mark. He didn't have time to play guessing games with a kid.
Lowering his voice, he said, "You know too much."
"Ah—!"
Ajisai gasped, only now realizing—
In the shinobi world, information was everything. Even appearances could be classified intelligence.
"P-please don't kill me!"
Her face turned pale, her breathing quick and shallow.
"Hahaha."
Gen chuckled, dropping the teasing tone as he adjusted his sunglasses.
"Why do you want to be my maid?"
Ajisai hesitated, then stammered, "Because… you're a good person."
"After that day, I kept looking for you… watching from a distance. When I found out you were someone important in the village, I applied to work in the tower…"
Gen picked up a piece of sushi, chewing thoughtfully.
Not bad.
Ajisai's voice began to tremble with emotion.
"I want to learn ninjutsu from you!"
In truth, what moved her was the moment she saw him standing beside Konan, casually saving two children.
A powerful man. Visually impaired. Yet overwhelmingly strong—and kind.
"If not for you, the meteor would've destroyed the village… my mother and I would've died."
"I know you can't see… so please, let me take care of your daily life!"
Gen paused mid-motion, holding his bowl.
…If not for me, you wouldn't have seen Chibaku Tensei either.
Ajisai—
In the future—
Would lose everything.
Her mother likely didn't have much time left.
Tragedy like this played out daily in the shinobi world.
He finished the porridge in one go, warmth settling in his stomach. Setting the bowl down, he looked at her—then lowered his sunglasses slightly.
Revealing a pair of crimson three-tomoe Sharingan.
"Sorry. I can see."
"…Ah?"
Ajisai stared at those red eyes, lips parting in shock.
Gen pushed his glasses back up.
"Now tell me—what do you really want from me?"
The words struck her like a blade.
Her excitement cracked, revealing the sorrow beneath.
After a moment of silence, she spoke honestly.
"My mother is sick. The children at the orphanage are weak too…"
"The village is improving… but resources are limited."
"I want to help people like me."
Gen nodded.
"What can you offer me?"
"I can cook, clean, wash clothes—anything other maids can do! And if you don't mind, I can even scrub your back!"
"…That part won't be necessary."
Gen sighed lightly. Internally, he couldn't help but think—
Watch closely, Nagato. This is how you use the Animal Path.
Then, bluntly, he said, "You don't have any advantage."
"Older maids are better at taking care of people. Compared to them—you're not competitive."
"I…"
Ajisai's voice faltered. Her eyes grew watery.
"…I still can't…?"
She lowered her head.
Click—
Gen pulled out a scroll from his pouch.
The Salamander Blood Contract Scroll.
It contained the summoning technique.
"Rain doesn't raise useless people."
"If you want to be my personal maid—learn summoning."
"Then tame a salamander summon."
"Prove that you have something irreplaceable."
For a moment, it felt like she had fallen to rock bottom—only to be lifted straight back up.
This… was the opportunity she wanted.
Ajisai's dull golden eyes ignited with light. Without hesitation, she bowed deeply.
"Thank you, my lord!"
"No need."
Gen waved it off.
"One thing—salamanders carry deadly poison."
"I understand!"
She nodded vigorously, determination burning in her gaze.
"I will complete your task!"
"I will become worthy of being your personal maid!"
"Good. I'm going to rest."
"Take the tray."
"Yes!"
"Oh, and one more thing," Gen added casually.
"From now on, you'll take your meals from the tower kitchen. If anyone objects, tell them to take it up with the Angel."
"…Why?"
She hesitated, then explained, "Since the 'god' came to the village, under Lady Angel's rule… we can already eat enough."
Gen replied calmly, "As a maid, don't ask so many questions."
"Who doesn't want their maid to have a good figure?"
"…!"
Ajisai's face flushed instantly.
She glanced down.
Flat.
Completely flat.
Meanwhile, her childhood friends—Suiren and Fuyō—were already developing.
"…I-I'll be going now!"
She grabbed the tray, eager to escape—
When suddenly—
A flash of silver flew toward her.
She caught it instinctively.
A key.
"I'll be leaving the village for a while," Gen said. "Take care of the place."
"Yes!!"
Her face lit up like sunlight. Clutching the key tightly, she ran out, her voice bright.
"You can count on me!"
…
After finishing her duties, Ajisai walked through the streets, smiling softly.
An umbrella in one hand. The key pressed to her chest in the other.
Though it was cold metal, it felt warm.
As she neared home—
Two figures stepped out from an alley.
Suiren.
Fuyō.
"What's got you so happy?" Suiren asked.
…
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