The Genjutsu Devil of Konoha

Clone POV Part 2

After class ended, Seijuro made sure to gather all of his shit. He did notice that Kushina seemed a bit tense, like she was very guarded—trying hard not to look at anyone, even though he knew deep down she wanted to be noticed.

After making sure all of his stuff was in his bag—his notebook, ninja tools, and so on—he stood up.

He wasn't wearing the red rope thing around his finger though, so Yui knew he was a clone when she came to pick him up. The real him was out there training.

The little red string was still attached to his fingers.

Now, to help a girl in desperate need of friends.

"Come on."

"Huh?" she blinked. Was he talking to her perchance? {Yeah, I said perchance... bite me.}

"You're new here. You'll get lost if you try to find your way around alone." Plus, getting close with the future Jinchūriki didn't hurt anyone. She seemed lonely—giving her friends should be easy enough.

"I-I can do it myself, you don't have to—" Wow, she was stubborn, but he wasn't here for this shit.

"You said you wanted to be Hokage, right?" he asked, already walking past her. "Then don't turn down help. Learn how to use it."

That shut her up.

That was good.

So, while she was obedient, he showed her around the school. There was quite a lot to see, so he had to do quite a lot of explaining—he, however, didn't care too much.

He explained which instructors were strict, which ones were too lazy to check your papers, which spots in the school had the best light for reading. He even pointed out where the vending machines had the coldest drinks.

"That corner by the training hall? Perfect for naps during lunch if you don't want people bothering you."

"...Thanks," she murmured, eyes wide as she took it all in.

"And over there is the rooftop. Not allowed technically, but the lock is broken." He knew that, since the first day he went to the academy. He was a ninja—knowing your surroundings was like number one on the ninja list of shit to know.

"You've... memorized everything?"

He shrugged.

"I'm a shinobi. I don't like being caught off guard. That includes hallway routes."

Once again, a very valid reason. He was doing quite great with this tour if he said so himself.

As they stepped outside the school, they came across Nawaki—the boy who may or may not be special.

Mentally and literally.

"Oh hey, Seijuro! You done giving Kushina-chan a tour—"

He didn't get to finish.

"The way you refer to her... you know her," Seijuro's gaze would be laser-focused on Nawaki. The boy knew her, that was for certain.

"Well, she's been living in the Senju estate..."

Seijuro's eyes narrowed.

"...You live with her. You knew she was new, and you still let her get picked on?"

"I-I just—! They were just jokes! I thought she'd—!"

"Nawaki," Seijuro said in that calm tone that made people panic more than yelling, "she's alone in a new village. She needs allies, not silence."

Nawaki winced. Kushina looked down at her feet.

"R-right. Sorry. I'll be better, I promise," Nawaki mumbled, cheeks burning. It really looked like a parent was scolding his children.

It is what it is.

Seijuro gave a soft sigh and turned to her.

"Apologies on his behalf. He means well. His brain just malfunctions sometimes."

"Hey!"

"Am I wrong though?"

"Yes, you are."

"Sure."

Seijuro sighed. Arguing with Nawaki was simply not worth the effort. He would do his own thing instead.

POV Change

"Come on. I'll treat you," Seijuro said, looking at the nervous Uzumaki girl.

"Huh?" she said, still pretty nervous.

"You're from Uzushiogakure, right? You've never had Konoha ramen. That's a crime."

Her eyes sparkled at the mention of ramen. "...Okay!"

The two sat at a humble stand near the edge of the market district. Kushina's eyes were huge as she looked over the menu.

"Wait, I can get two bowls?" She seemed rather excited.

"If you're hungry, sure." He didn't think she would eat much. He should be fine, for the most part.

"And an egg? Ooooh, and extra pork!"

"Sure, go wild."

"And the spicy miso one, too!"

Seijuro nodded without a change in expression, but a flicker of doom passed through his soul.

Time skip — 50 bowls later.

Extra pork.

Spicy miso.

Was that—dessert?

He smiled softly.

"Anything else?"

She, in fact, was still hungry.

Mikoto, who didn't see him at the school, roughly guessed he was somewhere around here, so she came. She arrived just as Seijuro pulled out his wallet.

She paused.

She watched.

And she laughed.

"Oh no," she whispered with delight. "He's broke."

He flipped open the wallet like it was a cursed scroll. It was empty. Not "few coins" empty. Not "barely enough for one bowl" empty. It was "wind whistles through this thing" empty.

He blinked.

"...Interesting." Note to self: Uzumaki were expensive.

Kushina noticed his expression. "I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean to—!"

"No, it's fine," he said with an almost Zen-like tranquility. "This is a good lesson in economic reality. I'll remember it."

"...You're not mad?"

"Not at all."

He looked down at his now ramen-scented wallet and sighed.

"Just disappointed."

The food was good, so he ate his own bowl. Kushina finished her 70 bowls... don't ask. Nawaki will be paying next time...

Nawaki watched as Seijuro slightly grabbed his blade, and the sound of glass shattering could be heard.

Suddenly, Seijuro had the money to pay...

Well, at least he paid.

Kushina was quiet for most of the walk. Then—

"...Thank you."

He looked at her.

"For what?"

"For... standing up for me. For showing me around. For... everything."

She rubbed her arm, looking away.

Seijuro gave a light smile.

"You'll pay me back someday. Maybe with ramen."

She laughed, a little watery but sincere.

"Deal, dattebane."

A/N...wonder where the money came from