Average Tomfoolery [Ryota]

Spoiler:

There had been a bar fight, a threat to abandon the village, several cups of sake, a deceleration of eternal friendship, and a nap. Maybe some were crying, to make no matter, but that was how Hiroshi had been convinced to help with something as mundane as shipbuilding. As far as he knew, there would be no physical labor but the finishing touches.  This was a fraction better but still was a few steps away from his favorite type of occupation - no work at all.  Still, culture demands that a word shared over sake is a bond to be kept, strong as oak.

As Hiroshi made his way to the shipyard, he couldn't help but take in the sights and sounds of the bustling village around him. The chatter of merchants hawking their wares mixed with the clanging of metalworkers shaping new tools and weapons. He walked with purpose, his steps measured and deliberate, as if he were always ready for battle.

When he finally arrived at the shipyard, he was greeted by the sight of a large vessel under construction. The hull had already been completed, and the workers added the finishing touches - sanding, painting, and attaching the rigging.

Hiroshi made his way over to the foreman in charge and introduced himself. The foreman, a gruff older man with weathered skin and calloused hands, looked Hiroshi up and down skeptically. "So you're the one who's going to help us with the finishing touches, eh?"

Hiroshi nodded, "That's right. I may not look like much, but I assure you, I have a steady hand and an eye for detail." The ex-bandit said, putting up a friendly front.

The foreman grunted and gestured for Hiroshi to follow him. "Well, we'll see about that. Follow me."

As Hiroshi followed the foreman onto the ship, he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. Despite his initial reluctance, he was now part of a team working together to create something tangible and essential for the village that served as his temporary residence. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for the task ahead, and focused on the details of the ship's construction. It seemed a few other ninjas had signed up for the job.

[WC: 434]

Hiroshi picked up the paintbrush and began to work, applying the paint carefully and evenly across the wood of the ship's deck. It wasn't the most exciting work, but there was something satisfying about seeing his progress as the wood transformed from dull gray to a rich, glossy brown.

As he worked, he couldn't help but think about his conversation with his friend the night before. They had argued over something trivial, but it had escalated quickly, and for a moment, he had considered abandoning the village and all of his responsibilities.

But now, as he worked alongside Ryota, he realized he had made the right choice in staying. This ship, this village, these people were all a part of him, and he couldn't imagine leaving them behind.

As he continued to paint, he noticed Ryota returning with a water bottle. The two men worked in silence for a while longer, the only sound the soft swish of the paintbrush on wood.

Finally, after what felt like hours, they finished their section of the ship. Hiroshi stepped back to admire their work, feeling a sense of pride in what they had accomplished together. He turned to Ryota and smiled, "Not bad for a day's work, eh?"

Hiroshi would then clean up their tools and exit the ship, ready to tackle whatever task came their way next. Hiroshi couldn't help but feel grateful for the chance to work alongside someone like Ryota, who seemingly took pride in his work and was willing to teach others—moments like this reminded him why he had stayed in the village - for the camaraderie, the shared purpose, and the chance to make something meaningful together.

[WC: 280]

Hiroshi let out a small chuckle. "Yes, I have. I was born and raised in this village. It has changed quite a bit, but I still love it here." Hiroshi assumed Ryota was not originally from here, but it was starting to feel like home—an educated guess from an uneducated man.

Hiroshi turned to Ryota with a curious expression. "If you don't mind me asking, where are you from?" Suppose Ryota hesitated momentarily before answering or refused to answer Hiroshi wouldn't hold it against him. Most of us are not used to sharing personal information with people we don't know. Suppose that Ryota's answer was satisfactory to the red-haired ninja.

"It's good to have some experience before settling in one place. I've always been content with staying in Hoshigakure, but I can see the appeal of exploring the world."

The rest of the walk was filled with small talk and idle chatter, and before long, they arrived at the business district. They had time to kill before Jamil finished his project, so Hiroshi suggested they grab a bite at a nearby ramen shop. They ordered their food and sat down at a table, continuing their conversation about life in Hoshigakure and the different types of missions they had both been on. It was nice to have some company, and Hiroshi enjoyed the day more than he had initially anticipated.

[WC: 235]

As Hiroshi returned to his apartment, he couldn't help but feel grateful for the day's events. He had made a new friend and work partner in Ryota, and the mission had been successful despite the unexpected change of plans. He also had a decent amount of money from the job, which would help ease his financial worries for a little while.

Upon arriving at his apartment, Hiroshi collapsed onto his futon, exhausted but content. He knew he had a few things to take care of the next day, but he allowed himself to relax and unwind. As he closed his eyes, he thought about the day's events and the people he had met, feeling optimistic about the future. Tomorrow was a new day, and he was ready to face it head-on.

A few days later, a mission request arrived at Hiroshi's apartment, requesting his services from Nakahito. The man had been impressed with the performance of the duo. As it turned out, Nakahito was a landlord who owned property in Hoshigakure.  A local family failed to pay rent to him for several months but refused to leave their apartment. Now Nakahito is requesting Ryota's and Hiroshi's help removing the intruders. 

Hiroshi quickly contacted Ryota and informed him of the new mission request from Nakahito. The two agreed to take on the job together, as they had worked well as a team.

They arrived at the apartment complex and found the unit in question. The door was locked, but the sound of people inside could be heard. Ryota knocked on the door, and after a few moments, a woman's voice answered.

"Who is it?" she asked.

Hiroshi explained that they were there on behalf of Nakahito and requested that they be allowed inside to discuss the situation. After hesitation, the door unlocked, and a woman in her mid-thirties opened it. She looked nervous and seemed to be holding back tears. Ryota and Hiroshi introduced themselves and asked to speak to the tenant behind their rent. The woman led them to the back of the apartment, where a man was sitting on a couch, staring blankly at the wall.

The man was disheveled, and it was clear that he hadn't left the apartment in days. Ryota and Hiroshi explained the situation and requested that the man vacate the apartment. The man didn't respond, and instead, the woman who had let them in began to plead with them, explaining that her husband had lost his job and they couldn't afford to pay the rent. She begged for more time, promising they would immediately catch up on the payments.

"How do you want to handle this?" He asked Ryota with a frown as the woman went on. 

Hiroshi sympathized with their situation but explained that they had been hired to ensure the apartment was vacated. After a brief discussion, the couple agreed to leave the apartment peacefully, and Ryota and Hiroshi helped them gather their belongings and move out.

Once they were gone, the two men inspected the apartment to ensure it was left in good condition. They then reported to Nakahito and informed him that the apartment had been vacated. Nakahito was pleased with their work and paid them generously for their efforts.

Ryota and Hiroshi reflected on the situation as they walked from the apartment complex. They had done their job, but it didn't feel entirely satisfying. They knew they had helped Nakahito but couldn't help but feel sympathy for the family who had fallen in hard times. Nevertheless, they were glad that they had been able to handle the situation peacefully and professionally.

After the day, Hiroshi said goodbye to Ryota and went. The whole thing had left a bitter taste in the redhead's mouth. He thought he had stayed away from this line of work when he turned his life around. Thankfully he hadn't left the best part of it behind, which was alcohol. Hiroshi entered his favorite inn and ordered a bottle of sake at the counter. On a booth at the shop's end, an old veteran ninja and mentor to Hiroshi was seated.

"Bad day, Hiroshi?" the old ninja asked.

Hiroshi let out a sigh and nodded. "Yeah, it's been rough. I got pulled into a job I didn't want to do."

The old ninja nodded in understanding. "I know how that feels. Sometimes we have to do things we don't want to do to survive."

Hiroshi took a sip of his sake and looked down at the table. "But is survival worth it if it means compromising our values and morals?"

The old ninja placed a hand on Hiroshi's shoulder. "That's a decision only you can make, my young friend. But know that sometimes our path isn't always clear, and we must navigate it the best we can."

Hiroshi sighed deeply, then looked at the older ninja. "It's just that I thought I was done with this kind of work, you know? I wanted to leave all the violence and confrontation behind when I turned my life around. But now, here we are, being asked to remove people from their homes by force. It just doesn't sit right with me."

Atarashi nodded in understanding. "I get where you're coming from, Hiroshi. But sometimes, we must do things we don't necessarily want to do to make a living. And besides, it's not like you were hurting innocent people here. These guys haven't been paying their rent for months, and they're refusing to leave. You were enforcing the landlord's rights."

Hiroshi looked at Atarashi for a moment, then nodded. "You're right, of course. It's just hard sometimes, you know?"

"I know," Atarashi said, clapping him on the shoulder. "But you'll get through this, like always."

Hiroshi nodded and let out a small smile. "Thanks, sensei. Your words always help put things into perspective."

The old ninja smiled back. "Anytime, my student. Let's finish our sake and forget about the day's troubles. This round is on you, I trust."


[WC: 1004
TWC: 1953]