GSiN: Ch. 198

Most of the younger generation of Kumo ninjas who never experienced the Eight-Tails' rampage adored B's rap, thanks to the heroic reputation he'd gained during the Third Great Ninja War.

Even the nearby drummers matched their rhythm to B's beat. Of course, not everyone could appreciate it. For example, Dodai felt that B pulling something like this in such a formal setting was inappropriate. But since A wasn't present, there was no helping it. Someone had to step up. It couldn't be him. That'd be improper.

Down below the high platform, Yugito had a hand pressed to her forehead. After learning from Mabui that the Raikage and Obito had fought to a standstill, she had already foreseen this scene.

On the platform, B finished a verse of his rap. Hearing the cheers around him, he excitedly reached behind his back, then froze. Seeing that he didn't move for a while, Dodai couldn't help his confusion. He lowered his voice and asked, "What's wrong?"

B tapped his own head with a fist, wearing a goofy smile.

"Ehehe, he forgot the fire."

"You're still ehehe-ing?!"

Dodai felt a nameless flame shoot up from the pit of his stomach. Fortunately, though, this little mishap didn't stump B. Under Dodai's almost fire-breathing glare, B quickly bent down, lying over the edge of the high platform, shouting loudly toward Ryouma below.

"Ryouma! Lend me a flame!"

Before even checking whether Ryouma heard him, he stood back up confidently and took out the bow and arrow hanging on his back. He stood firm, feet apart. Grip, nock, draw, pull.

In the venue below, Ryouma naturally heard B's request. For him, this was nothing difficult. He snapped his fingers lightly, and in an instant, a red spark appeared out of thin air in the air around him. The tiny spark shot upward like lightning, whoosh, and precisely ignited the special arrowhead on B's bow.

Under the expectant gazes of the villagers, B released the arrow. The fire-arrow flew out.

This time, nothing went wrong. If a ninja missed that shot, Dodai might really start wondering if B's brain had been rapped out of him. As the flaming arrow hit its target, the twenty-meter-tall bonfire stack erupted with crackling sound.

The annual festival officially began in this heated atmosphere.

As the red flames climbed to the top of the spruce-wood pyramid, Shukaku suddenly jumped off Ryouma's shoulder and dashed full speed toward the nearest barbecue station.

"My premium short ribs!!"

Seeing this display, Kurama, lying on Shiori's shoulder, slowly closed its eyes and let out a cold snort. "Stupid tanuki, making the tailed beasts look..."

Before it could finish, a sudden weightless sensation made it panic.

Ryouma had grabbed the fox by its front legs and gently set it on the ground. Then he waved a hand and smiled.

"Go play with Shukaku for a while. But remember, no fighting."

Hearing this, Kurama's eyes widened in disbelief. It was now being treated like a nuisance by this kid? The more Kurama thought about it, the angrier it got. It glared fiercely at Ryouma, then flicked its nine tails and walked toward Shukaku.

Meanwhile, B jumped down from the high platform, landed steadily, and quickly walked up to Ryouma, holding out his fist.

♪Thanks, buddy.
It's all Dodai's fault,
That's why I forgot!
Baka yarō! Kono yarō!♪

Ryouma bumped fists with him, indicating it was no big deal. Still, the customs of Kumo were really carefree. Using the fire of an outsider like him to light such an important festival bonfire, and no one thought it improper at all.

At this moment, Yugito stepped forward, her eyes full of amazement.

"It's hard to believe... the tailed beasts can leave their jinchūriki's bodies and move around freely outside. Your sealing techniques are truly remarkable."

Of all those present, the ones most envious of Shukaku and Kurama's freedom were none other than Gyūki and Matatabi, who still had to stay inside B and Yugito.

Ryouma waved his hand and explained, "This doesn't have much to do with Konoha's sealing techniques. The real credit goes to..."

As he spoke, Yugito, B, and even the tailed beasts inside them all perked up their ears, eager to know how Ryouma had managed this. If it didn't endanger their jinchūriki's life, of course Gyūki and Matatabi would love to come out for some fresh air too. Even Shiori was curious. She remembered that back on the Suna battlefield, after Ryouma finished the final battle, he made an excuse about going to the restroom, and then came back with Shukaku in tow, calling it his new companion.

But just as everyone waited expectantly, Ryouma suddenly changed direction.

"Forget it. It's a long story, and I'm sure you wouldn't want to hear it. I'll just leave it at that."

"Uh..."

The corner of Yugito's mouth twitched. Who said she didn't want to hear it? She wanted to know more than anyone!

Looking at Ryouma's expression, she guessed he had no intention of explaining. Sigh... if she had known it would end like this, she wouldn't have brought it up.

---

"Ssszz..."

On the festival grounds, more than a dozen grill masters moved quickly. The sound of sizzling fat mixed with bursts of roasted aroma, teasing everyone's taste buds. Shukaku charged ahead, quickly planting itself before a grill master.

This station was responsible for the very ribs it had been dreaming about.

"I'll take a small rack of ribs, well-done! And... mm... that's all, thanks." For once, Shukaku was being polite.

"Got it!"

The grill master sliced off a perfectly roasted portion of ribs and sprinkled it with a secret seasoning. But when he lifted the plate to hand it over to the customer who had ordered, he found the space in front of him empty. Not a single person in sight.

"Huh?" He scratched his head. Well, guess he'd have to eat this serving himself.

Then the voice rang out again.

"Hey! I finally show some manners and you ignore me?!"

The grill master instinctively looked down. Good lord, a tanuki was staring up at him with puffed cheeks, glaring fiercely. And next to it crouched a fox with a whole bunch of tails.

The two fellows amused him, and he asked with a smile, "Which ninja's summons are you two?"

Shukaku tilted its mouth. "At least you humans have some sense. I am none other than the beloved friend and battle partner of the legendary Leaf's Gale!"

The grill master was an ordinary person, but growing up in a major hidden village, he knew of the famous figures of the shinobi world. Still, from what he'd heard, the so-called Leaf's Gale wasn't exactly a kind person... how would he have such an adorable, obviously non-combat-type summon?

But he didn't plan to expose the tanuki's lie. It was a festival. Having fun was what mattered most. So he played along, pretending to be shocked. "Oh! I'm honored!"

"Not bad, not bad. You've got good manners," Shukaku said proudly, very satisfied with the man's flattery.

"Oh, right, and this fox next to me is my underling. So give it a serving too. And... thanks."

"I can speak for myself!"

"Yeah yeah, I know." Shukaku pouted and rubbed its ear. "Why are you yelling so loud? Why so serious?"

While the two tailed beasts bickered back and forth, the two portions of grilled short ribs had already been prepared. The grill master thoughtfully cut the ribs into small pieces so the two summons could eat them easily.

Shukaku impatiently grabbed its plate and took a huge bite. In an instant, satisfaction spread from the tip of its tongue through its entire body, and even its tail started wagging happily on its own.

Kurama, fork in hand, ate slowly and elegantly beside Shukaku.

Mouth still full, Shukaku mumbled, "Hey, how's it taste?"

Kurama answered unhurriedly, "Just so-so. Honestly, I think it's worse than the fish Ryouma grills."

...Seriously?

Shukaku was speechless. Their partner wasn't even here. Why was this fox showing off?

Sure, Ryouma's cooking wasn't bad, but compared to these masters who'd clearly been grilling beef their whole lives, he definitely still lacked experience.

---

Beside the grilled beef stall, the crimson iron plate sizzled in the night.

Ryouma held a small dish of bright red sauce. Under the lantern light, the glaze shimmered like crystal. He leaned close to Shiori, and recommended enthusiastically.

"You've got to try this secret pepper sauce. Yesterday when A served it to us, I tried a little, and it felt like my whole tongue got electrocuted!"

The evening breeze brushed his hair, making the dark-red sauce gleam enticingly. Shiori stared at the sauce, which looked like a flickering flame in the dish, and couldn't help frowning. She suspected she might breathe fire if she ate it. After pressing her lips together slightly, she glanced at Ryouma's expectant eyes, then finally chose to take the dish.

"Fine... but I'm only trying a tiny bit."

"No problem."

Shiori held her fork, hesitated for a long moment, then lifted a slice of crispy meat and dabbed it with the tiniest hint of sauce. The spice exploded across her lips. Her fist clenched as a sharp, burning heat danced across her tongue. Forcing herself to swallow, she felt as though she had gulped down molten lava that burned all the way into her chest. Sweat beaded on her forehead, her breathing grew quick, and the intense flavor made her curl her tongue slightly in her mouth, desperately trying to ease the burn.

Seeing her face turn bright red, Ryouma couldn't hold back a wicked grin. He picked up a pot of tea from a nearby table and cheerfully poured her a cup, teasing.

"So? How's the taste? Want to try more?"

Shiori grabbed the cup, downed two full cups of water in one go, and only then did the burning ease slightly.

"This sauce... is good," she said, trying hard to sound calm despite the lingering heat. "But you can finish it yourself."

"Hm? Of course I'm not eating it. Something this spicy is only liked by people like A and B whose sense of taste is basically broken," Ryouma said, feigning surprise.

Only then did Shiori realize she'd been tricked. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at Ryouma, who chuckled.

"You weren't really getting into the festival mood, so I figured I'd help a little. Besides, that expression you just made was great. Don't keep your face so stiff all the time."

"So I'm supposed to thank you, is that it?"

"No need for that, haha."

---

As the evening's noise gradually faded, the golden-red glow of the bonfire softened into warm amber. Girls in swirling cloud-patterned yukatas held half-melted candied apples, the silk sashes around their waists rippling like waves.

Then someone suddenly broke the stillness.

"It's starting!"

When the first violet firework burst in the sky, the festival crowd quickly scattered, each person searching for a good spot to watch. Ryouma was no exception. He reached out, grabbed Shiori's hand, and led her briskly to an open space he had picked out long ago.

Shiori looked up at the purple brilliance blooming overhead, then suddenly felt something settle on her shoulders. Turning her head, she saw that Ryouma had draped his jacket over her. It was still warm from his body, and the surface was dusted with leftover sugar from Shukaku earlier.

Shiori turned her head away, refusing to look at what she knew would be his smug expression.

"This amount of warmth is nothing to me."

"Oh? Then give it back?"

"No. Consider it compensation for tricking me earlier."

She shot back immediately, instinctively grabbing the slipping jacket. Her fingertips sank into its warm folds just as the boom of fireworks burst above, drowning out the half-skip in her heartbeat.

Ryouma could only chuckle helplessly. Typical Uchiha-brand tsundere behavior. He knew it all too well. On this point, Madara would probably have a lot to say.

Soon, as the second wave of fireworks went up, Shiori felt a warm breath brush her ear. Ryouma had somehow leaned close, so close she could see her own trembling eyelashes reflected in his eyes. In his hand was a shard of caramel shell broken off from a candied apple, with half a flower pattern frozen inside its glossy surface.

"Open your mouth," he murmured, his breath grazing her ear. "This one's sweet."

The night wind carried the scent of maple caramel to her. As she bit into the candy-coated apple, fireworks burst overhead. Blue-violet arcs flowed across the rooftops, overlapping the shadows of the two of them on the ground.

Shiori savored the sweetness, pretending to smooth the stray strands of hair blown loose by the wind.

Seriously, what was this?

She was supposed to be the one in control. Ryouma was usually so dense. Why was he suddenly the one taking the lead today?

Brilliant fireworks bloomed again and again across the night sky. Colors danced across her face, but she had no attention to spare. Her mind was occupied by a single looping question.

If Ryouma confessed to her today... should she say yes right away, or wait until she unlocked Perfect Susanoo and defeated him first and then...

No! Wrong!

She snapped back to herself.

If she didn't accept now, and later even with Perfect Susanoo she still couldn't beat him... wouldn't she become the fool here?

But...

Her fingertips curled into her palm, countless thoughts flashing through her mind. Each bubble of emotion popped the moment it formed, only for another to rise. When a new wave of fireworks exploded above, Ryouma said, "Shiori, I have a question I want your answer to."

Only then did Shiori realize she had been holding her breath without noticing. The lingering caramel scent clung to her teeth, and her trembling heartbeat seemed to resonate with the fireworks overhead.

"Since you took the initiative to lend me your jacket, go ahead. I'll answer properly."

She steadied her voice, raised her head, and met Ryouma's eyes. This atmosphere clearly made her the one being confessed to. If she panicked now, wouldn't that mean losing to this guy?

Ryouma gently placed both hands on her shoulders, and, rarely, looked a little nervous.

"I want to know... do you like the name Aotsuki Shiori?"