__________________________________________________________________
___________________________________
The chapter got you itching for more? Read ahead and get exclusive content before anyone else? Join me on Patr -e-on! Your support would mean the world to me.
( | p@treon.com/FictionGoat | )
Read over 20+ chapters in advance.
. . . .
__________________________________________________________________
___________________________________
Kaito stared down at the lifeless body of the boar. His hands trembled as he slowly withdrew the rusted kunai, now smeared with blood. He let out a heavy sigh. "Finally..." he muttered, slipping the kunai back into his pocket.
"I really need to learn Shurikenjutsu," he said to himself, shaking his head in frustration. This would've been so much easier if he already knew how to use it. He understood he'd eventually need the skill, but the thought of learning without the proper guidance or a tutorial held him back.
The last thing he wanted was to develop bad habits that would be a nightmare to iron out when the time came to master it properly.
He glanced down at the lifeless boar and hefted its heavy body onto his back. The weight of the boar was heavy, almost overwhelming, but he had no choice—he needed to carry it back.
There was just one problem...he had no idea how to skin a boar.
He could manage a rat, sure, but comparing a rat to a boar was a stretch. Still, the basic principles might be similar, right? He hoped so.
After retrieving the pot he had dropped earlier, he hauled the boar to the campsite. His legs wobbled under the strain, every step a struggle against its sheer weight. At last, with a groan of relief, he dropped the boar beside the fire and sank to the ground, catching his breath.
He placed the pot over the fire, setting it to boil as the flames licked the bottom of the metal.
With a heavy sigh, he approached the boar. Gripping the kunai tightly, he began the arduous task of skinning it, carefully sliding the blade beneath the thick hide, his hands steady the tip digging into it's skin.
Kaito worked tirelessly, his kunai moving in strokes as he carefully peeled away the boar's thick hide. The resistance of the tough skin tested his patience and arm strength, it was even harder with the dull kunai. Finally, after what felt like hours, the boar was fully skinned. He wiped the sweat from his brow, looking down at his work with a pridefully smirk.
The next step was butchering. He divided the meat into two halves, one for himself and one he could potentially sell. Money was tight, and he knew the second half could fetch a decent price at the local butcher—if he could carry it into the village without any trouble.
"Finally," he muttered, stretching his sore arms. He wrapped his portion carefully, ensuring it was secure. The other half he bundled neatly, preparing to take it into the village the next day. With the fire crackling nearby, he felt a small sense of relief. At least now he wouldn't go hungry, and with luck, he'd have some coin in his pocket soon.
He carefully sliced off portions of the boar meat, carving thick slabs to cook. Once he had enough, he skewered the slabs onto sticks, jamming them firmly into the ground so they leaned over the fire.
It was disappointing not to have any seasoning to enhance the flavor, but it would have to do for now. As the aroma of roasting meat filled the air, the pot of water he'd set earlier finished boiling. He removed it from the fire and placed it aside to cool. In the meantime, he grabbed an apple from the tree, biting into it as he waited for the water to be safe to drink.
He hadn't had anything to drink in hours, and his throat felt as dry as the Sahara desert. After finishing the apple, he leaned back against the tree, letting out a tired sigh as he waited for the meat to cook and the water to cool down.
After what felt like an eternity, everything was finally ready. He grabbed the sticks and took a cautious bite of the meat. It was juicy and tender, but lacked any real flavor. "10/10," he said with a chuckle, appreciating his efforts. For someone with nothing but the bare essentials, he had done a decent job, and the satisfying texture of the meat made the experience worthwhile.
It had been a long time since he'd last eaten meat, and the taste, even unseasoned, filled him with a quiet joy.
He finished eating the boar meat and washed it down with the warm water.
"Bwaah..." he exhaled, feeling satisfied as he drained the entire pot. He carefully tucked it back into his backpack along with the other half of the boar meat. Holding his portion securely in his hands, he slung the backpack over his shoulders.
He would have stayed longer, but he didn't want to risk the meat starting to rot; if that happened, he couldn't sell or eat it. With that thought in mind, he kicked a clump of dirt onto the fire, watching as the flames sputtered out. To be certain, he stomped on the remaining flame.
He made his way back toward the village, eventually reaching the familiar fence from before.
Looking down at his hands, he muttered to himself, "I can't climb this..." The surface was too fragile for tree-walking, riddled with gaps and weak spots that would give way under his chakra. And his hands were full carrying the meat so he couldn't climb it.
His eyes shifted to a tree growing beside the fence. With a quick decision, he scaled the trunk, using the tree walking technique. From his new vantage point, he crouched and leapt onto the top of the fence, balancing for a moment on the narrow pole before dropping down lightly onto the other side.
Without hesitation, he then continued back into the village.
. . . .
_______________________________
The butcher shop was full of energy, tucked into a corner of the busy market district. The air inside was thick with the smell of raw meat and spices, laying around were fresh cuts and cured meats displayed on wooden shelves. Strings of sausages hung from hooks above, like decorations, while neat rows of beef, pork, and venison filled the glass cases at the sides.
Right at the front, taking up everyone's attention, stood the butcher. He was a massive, muscular man with arms covered in streaks of blood and bits of meat from the animal he butchered.
His white apron was stained with red and brown smears. He had a shiny bald head that reflected the dim lighting of the shop, but his long, thick beard made up for the lack of hair. The dark beard fell to his chest, wild but well-kept.
With a cleaver in his hand, he chopped the meat on the wooden block in front of him. His strong arms made it look easy.
Kaito walked up to the front of the shop and dropped the slab of meat from his backpack onto the counter.
The butcher glanced up from his work, his thick brows furrowing slightly. "What do you want with that... sliced, chopped, boneless—"
"I want to sell it," Kaito interrupted, his tone sharp and to the point. The butcher blinked at the sudden response, then shifted his attention to the meat. After a moment of inspection, he grabbed it and placed it on the scale.
"Six kilograms... that'll be 67,365 ryo," he stated, his voice gruff but steady. There were no follow-up questions, no small talk. To him, business was business. He wrapped the meat efficiently, sliding it aside before turning back to Kaito. "You want the cash now or later?"
"Now," Kaito replied without hesitation. The butcher nodded, reaching beneath the counter to retrieve a worn leather pouch. He counted the coins swiftly, his burly fingers surprisingly nimble. Once the exact amount was set on the counter, Kaito scooped up the ryo and slipped it into his pouch.
"Good doing business with you," the butcher said, already turning his attention to another task. Kaito gave a curt nod and stepped out of the shop, the jingling of coins in his pocket providing a small but satisfying sense of accomplishment.
With the sale complete, Kaito finally had enough money to avoid hunting for his next meal. It wasn't a fortune, but it was enough to stock up on essentials and make life a little easier.
Kaito strolled through the market, the scent of fresh produce and spices filling the air. He bought a pack of rice to pair with his remaining boar meat and selected a few fresh vegetables to round out his meals. Feeling satisfied with his purchases, he made his way back home.
Once there, he cooked a hearty meal. After eating, he took a refreshing shower to wash off the day's sweat and went to bed...
. . . .
_________________________________
______________________________________________
Kaito shrugged off his shirt, exposing his wiry frame, and neatly tucked it into the locker. He grabbed a fresh shirt and a jacket, slipping them over his bare torso. Next, he peeled off his pants, leaving him in his underwear for a moment before sliding into a pair of brown work trousers.
He was back at the daily grind—the monotonous, soul-draining 9-to-5 routine that felt like a never-ending grind...which he secretly loved.
Reaching up, he grabbed the cap from the top of the locker and adjusted it on his head, strands of his hair spilling out from the sides. With a flick of his hand, he slammed the locker shut, the metallic clang echoing in the room. Taking in a deep breath for the day ahead, he exited, clocked in, and officially started his shift.
He headed into a back area where bags hung neatly against the wall. Selecting one, he slung it over his torso before moving toward the desk counter. Behind the counter stood a woman who looked to be in her early twenties. She had long, flowing black hair, warm brown eyes, and a beauty mark just above her lip that made her a perfect ten out of ten.
Her fit didn't help either—a fitted suit jacket paired with a skirt that struggled to accommodate her thick legs, drawing attention whether she intended to or not.
Kaito approached the desk with a sly grin. "Hello, Nemiko... beautiful as always," he said bluntly, leaning casually against the desk and tilting closer to her.
Nemiko looked up at him, her eyes narrowing. "I have your list of places to go." Ignoring his earlier comment, she went straight to business and handed over a clipboard with all the necessary information. Kaito accepted it reluctantly, clearly not happy with it.
His expression quickly shifted to a frown. "Ugh, couldn't even say thank you, huh? You're always hurting my feelings... To make it up to me, how about we go on a date?" he teased, leaning into the flirtation more out of boredom than genuine interest.
Nemiko ignored him once more, not even bothering to give him a response.
Kaito gave a subtle nod, a playful smirk forming on his face. "I get it now... you're playing hard to get. Even better," he muttered to himself. With a shrug, he turned and decided to focus on his work instead of wasting time flirting. He started delivering packages around the village, going door to door.
*KNOCK* *KNOCK*
He knocked on the door in front of him, his knuckles knocking against the wooden surface. After a moment, he heard a voice from the other side. "Coming!" it called, and a few seconds later, the door creaked open.
Stepping outside was a woman with blonde hair tied in a neat bun, dressed in a floral-patterned dress.
"I have a letter for you," he said, reaching into his bag and pulling out a crisp white envelope.
"Oh great!" she said excitedly, taking the white envelope. Kaito extended his hand with the clipboard. "Sign here, please..." he said, tapping on the bottom of the paper where the signature line was.
The woman signed the paper using the pen hanging from the side of the clipboard and then stepped back inside, closing the door behind her.
Kaito descended the steps and stepped onto the street. Flipping through the papers on the clipboard, he scanned for his next destination. "Alright, where to next?" he murmured to himself, his eyes darting across the addresses listed.
His eyes widened.
"The hospital!" he shouted excitedly. It was loud enough to draw awkward glances from passing pedestrians.
This was good news...
Great news even...he might learn medical ninjustu after all.
_________________________________
________________________________________________________
Leave a review and comment!
Read over 20+ chapters in advance, on P@treon.