V

━━━━━━┓༻❁༺┏━━━━━━

Arc V Chapter 11

━━━━━━┛༻❁༺┗━━━━━━

The meeting dissolved and Fumihiko followed Asami, or rather tried to follow her as he had something to discuss with her.

But such was easier said than done because Fumhiko lost sight of her. Asami exhibited the annoying habit to disappear into thin air. Her steps were light, her stature quite short for her age, which made her easy to overlook.

Fumihiko peaked around the corner without luck. Asami was nowhere to be found.

Fumihiko gave up. His search proved unsuccessful. Asami got away…

Fumihiko halted. He registered a soft humming in the distance. He recognised her voice. He always would.

Fumihiko picked up the pace and continued his pursuit.

A smirk crossed Asami's face. “Fumihiko~, so you finally found me?”

Fumihiko froze and blinked. Her words didn’t make any sense unless … unless her humming was no coincidence.

Fumihiko lowered his head, discouraged. “So you knew…”

“That you were searching for me? Obviously.“ Asami gifted him with a sunny smile.

“Your stealth skills are not the best. They are certainly improvable.”

Fumihiko despaired. Asami destroyed even the last remnants of his pride. ”If you knew, why didn’t you wait for me?”

...

...

...

“Good question.” Asami tilted her head.

“I guess I was curious how long it would take you to find me.“

“Anyway, what does my most trusted vassal desire?”

Fumihiko blinked. Did she really call him her vassal? He appreciated her, but …

Fumihiko scratched his head. “You see, you put me in charge of the right flank, and …”

“And what?“

“Do you really think that is a good idea to choose me?”

“Why not?” Asami didn’t understand.

“I am just a simple chunin. I fear I don’t have much experience when it comes to commanding troops.”

“I understand.” Asami drew her sword.

”Could you please kneel down for a moment?”

Her request startled Fumihiko, but he obeyed and knelt.

Asami knighted her loyal retainer. ”By the powers vested in me by the Hokage and the village council, I promote you hereby to jonin.”

Asami sheathed her weapon. ”See, problem solved. You are now an inexperienced ... jonin. Incredible how quickly you grew up.”

“Do you want another field promotion? Captain, Mayor, Colonel? My mood is good today.”

Fumihiko’s incredulous eyes. ”But ... But ... But ... Is this even legal? Promoting random people to jonin.“

“Who knows. Most likely not, but who cares. What Konoha doesn't see, Konoha doesn't know.“

Asami tapped her chin. “But I wonder, which promotion are you even talking about, Fumihiko? I don’t remember any.“

The fresh jonin blinked bewildered.”I am talking about my promotion…”

“Your promotion? Congratulations, Fumihiko, I didn’t know you become a jonin. When did that happen?”

“...“ Fumihiko finally realised, Asami played with him, once again.

Asami pinched his cheeks. ”It seems we understand now.”

“And don’t worry about the promotion, I have met enough jonin with dubious qualifications that attained their rank under much more questionable circumstances.”

Fumihiko, however, was confronted with more pressing issues. “Aasaammi, coouullssshhhdd you plleaashhhhhe stop pinnncching mmme. It hurrttshhhh.”

━━━━━━┛༻❁༺┗━━━━━━

Shibi and Tsume wandered through the crowded streets on their way home.

Shibi used the opportunity to break the silence, but not without reason.

Shibi pondered his words, nothing unusual for the Aburame clan.”What do you think about Asami?”

“What do I think about her?“ Tsume's annoyance was written all over her face, her dislike obvious.

“I dislike her. Her arrogance, her insolence, her holier than thou attitude. No respect, no apology, nothing. The girl gets on my nerves.”

Shibi chuckled. “Aren’t you a bit quick to judge her, Tsume? She seems like a good girl.”

Being part of one of Konoha’s most prominent clans offered a few advantages. The Aburame clan provided a sizeable number of ANBU recruits, which in return provided them with a wealth of information.

Shibi had his doubts, but her personality confirmed his suspicions. Her mannerism, her careless attitude. No doubt, Asami and her were the same person. He finally met Her Highness in person.

“I don’t get it, why did the Hogake put an airhead like her in charge of this entire operation?“

“The girl is a spoiled brat. She barely left the academy and somehow attained her jonin rank. ”

Shibi declined to comment. He merely smiled.

Tsume's eyebrow twitched. ”Seriously, who does her majesty think she is, the future Hokage?”

The most dangerous kunoichi Konoha’s ANBU had to offer.

But Shibi kept silent. ”Who knows, but I have to admit her persona is certainly ... memorable.”

“Memorable, my ass, I don’t care, I dislike her and I won't change my opinion.”

”Even Kuromaru doesn’t like her, and he is a good judge of character. He finds her presence ... disturbing.” Her dog nodded.

“Why?” Her statement piqued his curiosity. So he wasn’t the only one who did so.

Tsume grinned. “Kuromaru, tell him. Shibi wants to know.”

Kuromaru “Woof woof arf ruff. Woof ruff woof arf arf ruff woof arf ruff ruff woof. Arf arf, woof ruff woof arf ruff woof. Woof arf ruff woof arf. Woof!”

He didn't understand a word, but Tsume was kind enough to translate.

“See. Kuromaru agrees with me. He also thinks she is a spoiled brat.”

━━━━━━┛༻❁༺┗━━━━━━