(T/N: There is now a p.atreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early release of up to 30 chapters edited
smoothly. /INeedRest)
Ps: Leave reviews and comnts, thank you.
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Yakiniku Q was a famous barbecue restaurant in Konohagakure.
Its renown stemd from its premium pricing.
This was a high-end yakiniku establishnt using only the finest top-quality ats.
Rumor had it even shinobi were hired to raise the livestock.
Such extravagance gave most ninjas pause before splurging on a al here.
But for Colt, cost was no object.
Unlike Chōji, he wouldn't bankrupt a jonin with just two orders.
The salaries at Konoha Hospital were quite generous. After years of saving, his personal treasury was more than ample.
...
"A table for one, please."
"Certainly, right this way."
After a brief exchange, the host led Colt inside.
Suddenly, a voice called out to him.
"Yo Colt! Over here!"
Following the call, he spotted Kiba Inuzuka seated with Shino Abura beside a woman with distinct fang markings on her cheeks.
"Go on ahead." Waving off the host, Colt approached the group.
"Didn't expect to run into you here."
"Hey there, Akamaru."
The puppy perched atop Kiba's head barked twice in greeting.
"You ca alone? Where are the others?" Kiba asked as Colt took a seat.
"Oh, let introduce you. This is my older sister, Hana Inuzuka."
"No need, I know Kamiyo Colt already," Hana smiled warmly.
"Thank you for your help with my uncle before."
Colt pondered a mont. "You an Rin Inuzuka, right?"
He once treated a shinobi from the Inuzuka Clan, that must be the uncle she referred to. "Correct."
Shino remained quiet while Kiba looked a bit confused.
"Sis, what are you talking about? When did Colt ever help Uncle Rin?"
Hana explained the situation to her younger brother.
Kiba's eyes widened. "I didn't realize your dical ninjutsu was so powerful!"
Colt just shrugged it off noncommittally.
He shared a good rapport with Kiba, no need to be too formal.
As the group chatted and ate, the atmosphere grew livelier.
On a whim, Hana ordered a couple of bottles of shōchu, eliciting a pang of envy from Colt. After all these years, he still hadn't tasted alcohol since vendors refused to sell to minors. Now, watching soone indulge right before him, he couldn't help feeling a tad wistful. Eyeing Akamaru sprawled over Kiba's head, Colt finally voiced a long-held curiosity. "Say Kiba, Akamaru is four years old this year, right?"
"Yeah, he was born during my year at the Academy. Why d'you ask?"
Kiba seed puzzled, while Akamaru's crimson eyes blinked curiously at Colt.
"Well, why hasn't Akamaru's body changed much over the years then?"
Kiba grinned. "Ah, so that's what you wanted to know."
"It's a secret Inuzuka technique. For the first few years, every ninken is fed special compounds to fortify their physiques, retarding any major growth spurts."
"This regin continues until their bodies can no longer endure it. My Akamaru here is the finest ninken of this generation!"
"According to the Elders' projections, it may still be several years before Akamaru's adult form fully manifests."
Speaking with evident pride, Kiba affectionately ruffled Akamaru's fur, the pup responding enthusiastically.
'So that explained it.'
Colt suddenly recalled harboring this sa curiosity in his past life over Akamaru's dramatic size increase during Shippūden.
He too wished to have a faithful animal companion soday.
"Do you have any spare ninken pups in your clan? I don't need one for combat, just an
obedient, cute pet."
"Well..." Kiba glanced at his sister. As the future Clan Head, he technically held authority, but was still quite young after all.
No need to overstep his bounds just yet.
"That would be fine," Hana assured, tapping her chest. "I'll definitely pick out a suitable
ninken for you, Colt."
She felt indebted to Colt for treating her beloved uncle so well after his career-ending injury. Hana had grieved deeply over Rin's retirent back then.
Providing Colt with a companion was the least she could do to express her gratitude.
"Thank you kindly, Hana-san."
Colt smiled appreciatively. His ho did feel rather empty at tis - a ninken would make a wonderful housemate.
After finishing their al, Colt moved to pay the bill, only for Hana to wave him off
dismissively.
In her eyes, they were all still children - how could she let them pay?
With their respective clans' residences lying in opposite directions, the group soon parted
ways amicably.
The Abura and Inuzuka compounds neighbored each other closely.
Along the path ho, Kiba voiced a lingering doubt to his customarily reticent teammate.
"Say Shino, you hardly ever talk to Colt whenever we hang out with him. What's your take on the guy?"
While being the class heart-throb, Colt's reputation among their generation was nonetheless
good.
Yet Shino never contributed more than brief pleasantries during their interactions.
It was a puzzling behavior that made Kiba quite curious.
Shino adjusted the shades he insisted on wearing, even at night, before shaking his head.
"No, I have an extrely positive impression of Colt. He is a friend worth cultivating."
Kiba grew even more perplexed. "Then why are you so distant with him?"
Shino sighed helplessly.
"My clan's insect techniques are quite...intuitive regarding potential threats."
Kiba nodded in understanding. The symbiotic relationship between the Abura and their kikaichû broods was well known.
Shino continued his explanation. "Every ti I'm around Colt, the kikai in my body prevents
from approaching too closely out of self-preservation."
"If I attempted to get within proximity by force, it's highly likely they would attack him
instinctively."
"The aura he exudes is far more potent than even our Academy instructors after all."
"So, unless the kikkai can definitively identify Colt as an ally rather than a threat, I have no choice but to maintain my distance."
Kiba and Hana were both startled at this revelation. They never expected such unassuming reasoning behind Shino's standoffish conduct.
His gaze turned pensive as he glanced back the way Colt had departed.
If that terrifying pressure unnerved even Shino's insects, then the Abura heir could
scarcely bring himself closer to its source.
Not even his esteed father, the current Clan Head, could project such an overwhelming
aura of nace.
An uneasy silence fell over the trio for a long while after.
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