Naruto: Seiryu's Aether

Kūga opened his eyes to an unfamiliar scene, a vast, empty expanse of white stretching in all directions. The quiet was almost unsettling, but before he could question his surroundings, the scenery shifted suddenly. He now found himself in a small, cozy house, filled with tables laden with food, liquor bottles, and chairs pulled up as if expecting guests.

"Is someone having a party?" he wondered aloud, his brow furrowing as he scanned the room. "I was just at a party a while ago…"

He raised a hand, intending to manipulate Aether to get a sense of his surroundings. But nothing happened. The energy was simply… gone.

"There's no Aether here, son."

The voice was low and warm, and Kūga turned to see an all-too-familiar face. "Old man Kami."

Kami smiled, the lines on his face deepening as he placed a hand on Kūga's shoulder. "Come," he said simply.

Kūga followed without question, trailing Kami as they walked toward a door. From the other side, sounds of laughter drifted, warm and lively. But just as Kūga reached out to step forward, his vision began to blur, his surroundings fading back into blinding white.

Kami turned back, raising an eyebrow. "Hm? Looks like you're still not ready," he said with a knowing smile. "You're still alive, after all."

Kūga opened his mouth to reply but only gave a small nod in acceptance. There was no point in pressing for answers.

.

In an instant, he was awake, his eyes adjusting to the soft light of his bedroom. He blinked, slowly coming to his senses, the lingering strangeness of the vision fading. He looked beside him, taking in the peaceful sight of Reifū, lying with her head nestled in the pillows, her naked form covered by the blanket.

Last night was... fuck yeah!

Kūga couldn't help but smile, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face before leaning down to place a gentle kiss on her forehead. She stirred, letting out a faint, sleepy groan, causing his smile to deepen. He shook his head, carefully adjusting the blanket around her so she stayed warm, then slipped out of bed.

As he stepped into the restroom, he turned on the shower, letting the steam fill the space. He stood under the hot spray, letting it ease away the last traces of sleep, and glanced at his reflection in the fogged mirror as he finished up.

He gave himself a wry grin.

"It's a crime to be this handsome," he commented to himself, the thought giving him a quiet chuckle as he grabbed a towel.

After drying off, he made his way back to the bedroom, heading for the wardrobe. He pulled on black pants, socks, and a long-sleeved black polo, buttoning it casually up to his chest. He wasn't heading out just yet, so he kept it simple. Ready, he headed out into the main room.

There, he was greeted by the sight of Hiruzen, still fast asleep on the couch, snoring loudly enough to fill the otherwise quiet space. Kūga sighed, lifting a finger to quietly manipulate Aether, gently closing Hiruzen's mouth to finally end the sound.

The sudden silence felt almost like a reward.

With a faint smirk, Kūga turned his attention to the kitchen. He figured everyone would be suffering from the night's drinking by the time they woke up, so he decided to get ahead of things and prepare something to help them recover.

He started with miso soup, lighting the stove and placing a pot of water to boil. He added dashi, letting it simmer before stirring in fresh miso paste, watching as the savory aroma began to fill the air. He reached for tofu and green onions, cutting them into precise cubes and slices, letting them drop into the simmering pot, followed by a handful of seaweed to round out the flavors.

While the soup simmered, he moved on to baking. He pulled out flour, yeast, and water, mixing them into a dough, working it until it was soft and pliable. He set it aside to rise, occasionally checking on the soup and adjusting the heat. Once the dough was ready, he shaped it into a large loaf, kneading it once more before setting it into the oven. The comforting smell of baking bread quickly joined the scent of the miso soup, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere.

As the soup and bread finished, Kūga took a satisfied breath, pleased with the meal he'd prepared.

.

As Kūga finished setting the table, one by one, people began stumbling out of their rooms, each looking worse for wear after the night's drinking. Tousled hair, half-open eyes, and sluggish steps filled the room as they found their way to the table. Kūga couldn't help but smile at the sight, watching them with an amused look.

He placed the warm miso soup and freshly baked bread in the center of the table, gesturing for everyone to sit. "I made miso soup to help with the hangover," he announced, his voice light and cheerful. "Have some bread to fill your stomachs too."

A series of tired nods and half-hearted groans came in response, everyone too exhausted to speak. Izuna emerged with his girlfriend, looking especially haggard, his eyes barely open. "Damn…" he muttered, rubbing his face. "Last night was wild. I can hardly remember anything."

Tobirama, already seated with a bowl of miso in front of him, gave him a disapproving look. "That's why you're still so weak," he remarked, his tone dry.

Izuna opened his mouth, ready to retort, but then just let out a sigh, slumping into his chair instead. He clearly didn't have the energy to argue.

Kūga shook his head, chuckling as he took in their miserable expressions. "Tobirama," he said, "wake your student up, will you?"

Tobirama let out a groan, resting his head in his hands. "Fine," he muttered, rising reluctantly.

Kūga, meanwhile, returned to his bedroom to check on Reifū. She was still sleeping peacefully, her face relaxed and soft, with only a slight flush on her cheeks from the night before. Despite the previous evening's revelries, she looked beautiful, her hair spread across the pillow.

Kūga moved closer, leaning down and brushing her cheek lightly with his fingers. "Reifū," he whispered gently, "it's time to get up."

Reifū shifted, letting out a small, sleepy groan, and pulled the blanket tighter around herself, refusing to open her eyes. Kūga chuckled, trying again. "Come on… everyone's up and having breakfast."

This time, Reifū's eyes blinked open, her expression dazed. She sat up slowly, her gaze locking on Kūga's face. For a moment, she simply stared, the memories of the night flooding back. Her cheeks reddened, and before Kūga could say anything, she let out a muffled squeal, pulling the blanket up over her head and burying her face in her pillow.

Kūga raised an eyebrow, biting back a laugh as he watched her shy reaction. "Still recovering, I see?"

Reifū let out another muffled groan, hiding her face further under the blanket, her voice coming out in a faint whisper, "I… I don't remember it being like that."

Kūga chuckled softly, letting her have her moment. "Take your time," he said, leaning against the bedpost, waiting patiently.

After a few moments, Reifū finally emerged from under the blanket, her face still flushed as she took a deep breath, gathering her composure. She threw him a sheepish smile before letting out a quiet laugh, her earlier embarrassment fading. "Alright… let's go eat."

They joined the others at the table, where the aroma of the soup seemed to be doing wonders for everyone's mood. Kūga watched with mild amusement as they each sipped their soup and nibbled on bread, too tired to talk, and each attempt at a conversation was quickly shut down with a groan of discomfort.

Kūga couldn't resist poking a bit of fun at them. "So… we should do this again sometime," he said with a grin.

In response, a chorus of groans filled the table, each person visibly wincing at the idea. Kūga chuckled, watching as they each shook their heads, silently vowing to never drink that much again.

Once everyone finished eating, they seemed in slightly better spirits, though the hangover still clung to them. One by one, they mumbled their thanks to Kūga before heading off, determined to wash off the remnants of the previous night.

Kūga stayed behind, carrying the dishes to the sink, where he raised his hand and let Aether flow, the energy wrapping around each item and scrubbing them clean with ease. Plates, silverware, pots, and even the various bottles left from the night's celebrations were efficiently taken care of. Finally, he directed Aether across the room, sweeping away stray crumbs, spilled sake, and any other remnants of their lively gathering.

As he finished up, Kenta approached, still looking a bit worse for wear, but focused. "Kūga, I'll go return Sakuna home. Don't worry—I'll get right to training after that."

Kūga raised an eyebrow, shaking his head with a small smile. "Take a break today, Kenta. You've earned it."

Kenta blinked, a bit surprised, but nodded gratefully before he turned to help Sakuna make her way home.

Kūga turned back to Reifū, who was just stretching, looking sleepy and tousled from the night. "I'm heading to the Water Station to check in," he said, glancing over to her. "Would you like to come?"

Reifū shook her head, pressing a hand under her eyes with a groan. "Shopping with the girls later sounds about right for me. Right now, I think I need more sleep—I swear my eyebags are darker than ever."

Kūga let out a small laugh, stepping closer to press a gentle kiss to her forehead. "Then from now on, how about you use my bedroom? I could use some company in bed."

Reifū's cheeks flushed, and she smacked his arm lightly, glancing away. "You pervert!" she shouted, darting towards her room. "I'm going to shower—go away!"

Kūga chuckled, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright, I'm out!"

He headed outside, pausing as he looked over the large lot and the house. It was spacious enough now, but a thought lingered. If he had children someday, with how often Hashirama and the others visited, he'd need more room.

Smiling, he muttered to himself, "Maybe soon…"

He reached the gate, just as he was about to leave, he spotted Kenta approaching again, his short red hair unmistakable as he walked back toward the residence with a cheerful spring in his step. They exchanged a quick greeting, Kūga giving him an encouraging nod before heading out.

.

As Kūga neared the Water Station, he spotted Aya unlocking the glass doors with the key he'd given her earlier.

A smile tugged at his lips as he noticed a line of villagers already forming, each holding a container, excitement clear in their expressions as they read the large sign above the entrance: "Free consumable water for Konoha residents, bring your own container."

Further up the road, he saw Yuna and Hiro walking side by side, chatting lightly as they headed toward the station. They were right on time, their expressions focused but relaxed, ready for the day. Good, he thought, feeling a quiet pride. 'They're here bright and early. Looks like they're taking this job seriously.'

As he approached, his three employees greeted him with a mix of enthusiasm and respect. He returned their greetings with a cheerful, "Good morning!" and informed them that he'd be sticking around for a bit to oversee things. They nodded, getting straight to work, and Kūga settled in to observe, occasionally glancing through a newspaper he'd brought along.

Everything seemed to be running smoothly, but then he noticed a small situation unfolding between Yuna and an elderly woman who approached with a cane, her brows knit in mild frustration.

The old woman held out a few coins to Yuna, insisting, "Please, dear, I can't just take this for free. I won't have it! Water is precious, and I won't leave without paying."

Yuna's face flushed slightly as she waved her hands in polite refusal. "Oh, no, ma'am! The water's completely free, no charge for Konoha residents. Really!" She scratched her head, clearly unsure how to convince the woman.

Aya, noticing the exchange from her cashier station, quickly stepped over, giving Yuna a sympathetic smile before turning to the elderly woman. "Ma'am, this Water Station is run by a friend of the Hokage himself," she explained with a warm smile. "It's meant to help make life better for the people of Konoha. The water is free for all residents."

The old woman gave Aya a long, scrutinizing look, her frown still firmly in place. "That's all well and good," she said sharply, "but how can a business survive without any payment? I'm an old woman, but even I know businesses don't run on charity!"

She leaned in closer, a hint of concern crossing her features. "And what about you, dear? Are you paid fairly?"

Aya laughed softly, managing to keep her composure despite the woman's earnest worry. "Yes, ma'am, we are paid well. The business has another way of earning income."

The elderly woman looked only more intrigued. "Is that so?" she replied, her eyes narrowing as she clutched her cane. "Explain it to me, then. And it better make sense!"

Aya nodded, leading the elderly woman gently to the counter, where she explained with a calm, reassuring tone. "We earn money through deliveries," she began. "Taverns, inns, or anyone needing larger quantities can pay for the convenience of delivery. Businesses sometimes need a constant supply, and anyone in the village can request it too, but it's the delivery they pay for, not the water itself."

The elderly woman's eyes widened as Aya explained, nodding slowly as she absorbed the details. "Ahhh, I see…" She let out a long, thoughtful "Ohhh…" and gave Aya a pleased smile. "Well, well. In that case, I'll make sure my friends know to order a delivery when they need it. They'll have no excuse now!"

Aya chuckled softly, unsure how to reply, and scratched the back of her head. She caught Kūga's eye, who watched the entire exchange with an approving smile and gave her a thumbs-up.

With a sigh of relief, Aya gently excused herself, thanking the elderly woman before returning to her cashier station, a bit flushed from the encounter but looking much more at ease.

.

Hours passed, and the steady flow of customers kept Aya, Yuna, and Hiro busy as they filled water containers and handled small delivery orders. Kūga occasionally looked up from his newspaper, pleased with how smoothly things were running.

Just then, the glass doors swung open, and Tobirama stepped inside, his gaze sweeping the room before landing on Kūga, who sat reading in a relaxed manner.

"Must be nice, huh?" Tobirama commented with a smirk. "Being a businessman, sitting around reading the newspaper all day."

Aya, Yuna, and Hiro looked up, instantly recognizing the Nidaime Hokage. They each gave a small bow, greeting him with, "Welcome, Nidaime-sama."

Tobirama raised a hand, waving off the formality. "Go on, keep at it," he instructed, his tone efficient yet respectful. They quickly returned to their tasks, though they couldn't help glancing his way with curious expressions.

Kūga chuckled, folding his newspaper and setting it aside. "It does have its perks, but…" he added, his tone turning thoughtful. "I'll admit, I'm itching for something right now. Maybe a good fight?"

Tobirama rolled his eyes, arms crossed. "No fighting just yet. Actually, there's a council meeting in about an hour, and I came to notify you."

Kūga's gaze drifted to his employees, watching as they worked diligently before turning back to Tobirama. "Say… why not send one of your special shinobi to deliver the message?" he asked, a knowing glint in his eyes. "I know you're a busy guy, you've got paperwork to review that your brother signed, after all."

Tobirama's eyes widened in surprise, but he quickly composed himself, muttering, "Of course, no one can escape that ability of yours." He sighed, glancing away before answering. "To address your question, though... it's still only a concept. My organization idea isn't official yet. Aniue is… skeptical about it, to put it mildly. So I'm still training and managing the potential recruits while trying to convince him it's necessary."

Kūga nodded, an understanding smile crossing his face. "Alright, I get it. Let's drop the topic before the whole station gets curious, then."

Tobirama raised an eyebrow, his expression somewhere between amused and exasperated. "You're the one who asked."

"Yep," Kūga replied with a grin. "I know."

Tobirama let out a long-suffering sigh, shaking his head. Without another word, he disappeared in a flash of bluish-indigo light, leaving Kūga chuckling softly at the interaction.

As if on cue, a man entered the Water Station, a Suna headband glinting on his forehead. He surveyed the room briefly before his gaze landed on Kūga.

"Good morning," he said politely, inclining his head. "I'm here on behalf of the Sand Village to place an order."

Kūga smiled, gesturing casually toward the cashier area where Aya stood ready. "Aya will take care of you over at the counter."

The Suna shinobi nodded in acknowledgment and made his way to Aya, who greeted him with a friendly but professional smile. "Good morning," she began, "How much water would you like to order?"

The shinobi replied calmly, "We'll need 900,000 liters."

Aya's eyes widened briefly, her surprise barely contained, though she quickly composed herself. This was her first order of that size, but she kept her voice steady as she began the transaction. "Of course, sir," she replied smoothly, calculating the cost. "At our standard rate of 10 liters for 1 ryo, that will be 90,000 ryo. But with the 30% discount due to the alliance between Konoha and Suna, that comes to a total of 63,000 ryo."

The man nodded, satisfied, and Aya made a careful note of the amount. "Now, may I have the delivery address and the name of the receiver or business?"

"The Kazekage Tower, and the receiver's name is Anaka Namikane, assistant to the Kazekage," he replied.

Aya jotted down the details, double-checking her notes as she finished. "Thank you. I'll remind you that all payments must be made upfront, as we don't offer installment plans."

The shinobi reached into his pouch and withdrew a scroll, which he placed on the counter with practiced ease. Aya took the scroll, placing it in a large wooden container beneath the counter, and unsealed it, revealing neatly stacked ryo. She swiftly counted the stacks, giving a nod of approval as she completed her count.

"The delivery will take place within the week," she informed him, marking the transaction as confirmed.

The shinobi gave a curt nod, and Aya pulled a scroll from a compartment beneath the counter, writing out a receipt. After sealing it with a cloth, she handed it to him, saying, "Please take this to the Hokage's assistant at the Hokage Tower. As our first customer with a delivery outside Konoha, we'll be providing free delivery on this order. Consider this receipt as proof of your transaction."

The shinobi blinked in surprise, then offered her a grateful nod. "Thank you for your service," he said, taking the scroll and receipt before turning and leaving the station.

Once he had gone, Aya looked over at Kūga, a bit of concern crossing her face. "Kūga-sama, are you sure the transaction will be safe, using just that scroll?"

Kūga offered a reassuring smile. "I crafted that scroll myself," he replied confidently. "It's sealed to the active Hokage—no one else can open it. Should anyone try to force it, the scroll will vanish. And if the shinobi doesn't deliver it, well, the receipt is his backup. He can always bring it here, and you can confirm at the Hokage Tower if the scroll was received."

Aya relaxed, nodding as she absorbed his instructions.

"For now, use the scrolls with blue labels for large orders. Just follow the instructions to start filling it. You'll see a digit count appear as the liters go in. Have Yuna fill the scroll with water from the secondary faucet when she's free from customers, and if things get busy, give her a hand."

From her station, Yuna nodded in acknowledgment, hearing every word despite being occupied with a customer. Aya, still taking it all in, smiled, nodding confidently.

"Well," Kūga said, stretching as he rose from his seat, "I'll be heading out. Don't skip your lunch break." He gave them a quick thumbs-up, and with a final nod to his three employees, he stepped outside, leaving them with an air of assurance as they returned to their tasks.