Chapter Nineteen: A Chance Encounter

Watching Naruto disappear into the distance, Yu Higashino slowly turned around and walked down another path.

He decided to go home first and wait until later to "retrieve" the money.

As he approached his neighborhood, the surroundings grew increasingly lively—after all, his home was situated on the most bustling street in Konoha. Even though it was night, the hour wasn’t too late, so the streets were still filled with people shopping and strolling about.

At this time, places like izakayas did even better business than during the day; after all, the busy ninja of the village were finally free to relax.

So, after returning home, Yu Higashino opened up his own shop again—just in case a customer happened to come by.

But, as expected, his hopes were dashed. This shabby odd-jobs shop never saw any business, and no amount of foot traffic could save it.

Recognizing this reality, he quickly gave up, locked the door, and went upstairs.

There was a television upstairs. He had to admit, the technology in this world was rather inconsistent—televisions and computers existed, yet there were no cell phones.

Unfortunately, the programs on TV were pitifully few, and all terribly dull. After flipping through the channels, Yu Higashino switched off the television and picked up a book instead.

He had bought this book a few days ago, written by Jiraiya. It wasn’t from the Icha Icha series, but rather “The Tale of the Utterly Gutsy Shinobi”—the very book from which Naruto’s name was drawn.

The quality was mediocre. To Yu Higashino, the plot felt somewhat formulaic, but it sufficed to pass the time.

He had read about a quarter of the book when the sounds from the street below faded into quiet—the night had grown deep.

Setting the book aside, he prepared to change his clothes and head out, but then decided it was easier to use the Transformation Jutsu to alter what he was wearing.

Activating the Transformation skill, Yu Higashino changed his usual attire into a well-fitted outfit for moving at night. He also altered his face and made himself appear a bit taller.

Preparations complete, he slipped out the window in the blink of an eye.

With most shops now closed, the streets were no longer as bright as before. Moving swiftly, Yu Higashino became a shadow, perfectly blending into the night.

Before long, he was on the rooftop of the shop he’d visited earlier that day.

Since the money had been created with his Transformation skill, Yu Higashino could sense its location and knew it was still inside.

Finding a suitable spot, he used his Transformation and Swordsmanship skills to easily slip into the building.

Eventually, he reached the shopkeeper’s bedroom, where the money was stored in a safe beside the bed.

The middle-aged shopkeeper was fast asleep, his snoring loud and clear.

Standing by the bed, Yu Higashino glanced at the man—he slept in a mess, utterly without dignity. No wonder he was still single.

He turned his gaze to the safe.

Though the owner was right there, Yu Higashino felt no anxiety—his Swordsmanship skill at level 4 allowed him perfect control over his body, ensuring he made no unnecessary sound. He was confident he wouldn’t wake the man.

He approached, wrapped sword energy around his fingers, and, with a few deft movements, dismantled the safe. Inside, the stacks of money were neatly arranged.

Most of the cash was what Yu Higashino had given the shopkeeper earlier that day, with only a small portion being the man’s original savings.

To avoid suspicion, Yu Higashino had no choice but to take all the money.

Shrinking it and tucking it into his pocket, he then set about ransacking the room, making it look as though someone had searched for valuables.

With that done, he looked at the sleeping shopkeeper once more, but ultimately abandoned the idea of doodling on the man’s face. Instead, he left quietly.

He walked home much more slowly than he had come, pausing now and then to take in the nightscape of Konoha.

A bright crescent moon hung in the sky, and a sprinkling of stars could be seen. As he moved soundlessly over the rooftops, the stars and moon accompanied him all the way.

The late-night breeze was cool and refreshing, putting Yu Higashino in a good mood. The serene surroundings were exactly the atmosphere he loved.

He thought, “I should come out more often at night.”

Just then, he noticed someone walking alone under a streetlight in the distance. At first, he intended to slip past quietly, but then realized the figure seemed familiar.

It was Ayano Natsukawa, whom he had interacted with earlier that day. Yet she looked different now.

During the day, Ayano Natsukawa had struck him as cheerful, polite, and gentle.

But now, beneath the streetlight, she appeared desolate, as if a heavy weight pressed upon her heart.

She walked slowly, the light casting a solitary shadow behind her, making her seem all the more lonely.

Yu Higashino remembered that Ayano Natsukawa had once been a ninja but had since retired. What had driven her to leave?

For reasons he couldn’t explain, Yu Higashino’s own steps slowed as well, and he watched her from afar.

She seemed to have been drinking; though she moved slowly, her stride was unsteady, as if she might fall at any moment.

And indeed, she stumbled and fell.

Yu Higashino did not go to her right away, but stood atop the roof, watching as she picked herself up and staggered onward.

She fell again, but this time, before she hit the ground, Yu Higashino flashed over and caught her.

“Are you all right?” His voice, disguised, was a little hoarse, but his tone remained cool.

“Ah? I’m fine, I’m fine. Thank you—I nearly fell again.” Her voice was just as polite and gentle as it had been during the day.

“I’ll walk you home.”

“No need, I can make it myself, but thank you.”

Yu Higashino didn’t respond, simply continued to support her as they walked—a detour he didn’t mind.

The two of them made their way forward in silence. Even when they reached the entrance to her home, their parting words were brief.

“You’re home.”

“Huh? Oh! Thank you again for tonight.”

“No need to thank me. Goodbye.”

“Goodbye.”

With that, Yu Higashino vanished into the night. He circled back a little and, seeing that Ayano Natsukawa was no longer at her door, returned home himself.

The night was deep. He went straight to bed.

The next morning, Yu Higashino was once again roused by Naruto. Glancing at the clock on the wall, it was only seven—slightly later than yesterday, but still very early!

He washed his face to wake himself up, then trudged downstairs to let Naruto in.

“Yu-nii!”

“I told you to come a bit later, didn’t I?”

“But it’s already so late!” Naruto replied as he stepped into the shop.

Yu Higashino let out a helpless sigh. Would he ever get to sleep in again?