TPMITWON Chapter 10: What is Your Name?

Pakura only glanced at Souta briefly, her expression remaining flat as usual. "Yes," Pakura replied shortly.

Souta nodded enthusiastically. "Alright! Then, please help me!" Souta said while slightly bowing, showing respect.

Pakura continued to look at Souta for a moment, then finally asked, "So... what is your name?"

"Ah! Souta! Just Souta!" Souta answered excitedly, then reflexively extended his hand towards Pakura, offering a handshake as a form of introduction.

However, Pakura merely glanced at the hand briefly before turning her face away. "Pakura," Pakura said shortly without reciprocating the handshake.

Souta did not feel offended. Instead, he smiled a little in his heart. Pakura was clearly not the type of person who easily got close to others.

"So, when will you start teaching me?" Souta asked, still wearing a wide smile on his face.

"Tomorrow morning," Pakura replied casually, folding her arms in front of her chest. "It's already getting late in the afternoon. Tomorrow we will warm up with a short run, after that I will teach you how to feel Chakra, then absorb Chakra, and finally manage or manipulate Chakra."

Souta nodded with determination. "Understood! Then, shall we go home together?" Souta said cheerfully.

Pakura sighed softly, shaking her head as if tired of Souta's endless energy, but finally said, "... Haah... Let's go."

The two of them began walking down the dusty streets of Sunagakure, heading towards the simple two-story apartment building where they lived.

The village streets were still quite busy, even though the sun was almost completely set. The residents of Sunagakure, though not as numerous as those in Konohagakure, still had the habit of going out in the evening—whether for dinner, to run errands, or just to chat in front of their homes.

Souta walked beside Pakura, occasionally glancing at her. He noticed how the girl suddenly slowed her pace and stared in one direction with an unreadable expression.

Souta followed Pakura's gaze and saw a small family walking together—a grown man in traditional Sunagakure shinobi attire, a woman in a simple kimono, and a little girl hopping between them while laughing joyfully.

Souta looked at Pakura again. Although the girl's face remained expressionless, there was something in Pakura's eyes—something faint, almost like a longing she did not want to acknowledge.

For the first time, Souta realized that even though Pakura always seemed cold and thought like an adult, she was still a child. And like other children, Pakura might have the same desire—a desire for a warm family.

But Souta said nothing. He simply continued walking beside Pakura, letting the silence speak for them.

After a few minutes, they arrived in front of the somewhat old simple apartment building, with walls that were starting to fade due to the harsh desert weather.

Pakura immediately climbed the stairs to the second floor without saying anything. Souta followed Pakura from behind, noticing how her steps were quicker than before, as if she wanted to avoid something.

Without looking back, Pakura opened the door to her room and entered, closing the door quietly without saying a word.

Souta stopped in front of his own room, staring at Pakura's door for a few seconds before finally turning away. He looked towards the village of Sunagakure, which was beginning to be enveloped in the darkness of night.

The night wind blew gently, bringing the characteristic chill of the desert. Lights in several houses began to turn on, creating dots of light among the distinctive dome-shaped buildings.

Souta took a deep breath and then smiled slightly.

"Tomorrow will be an exciting start," Souta murmured softly before finally entering his own room.