Chapter 3
Spear and Shield
Chapter 3
In order to master the art of ninjutsu and become a full-fledged shinobi, one must acquire knowledge and skills across a whole array of specific areas.
Architecture was not (usually) one of them.
Sure, most skilled shinobi could read a blueprint. They were frequently used as tools in certain missions such as retrieval, reconnaissance, and infiltration. Building layouts are detrimental intelligence and were treasured amongst the spymasters of the village. No wonder edifice was such a common theme in Konoha.
But being able to read a blueprint and actually design and erect a building were two entirely different things. …For the most part. And then being able to maintain buildings for hundreds of years? To leave a village in better shape than you came into it? To strive for continuous improvement? No shinobi could, at least none that she knew.
Ushi Yasu was blessed with the best of both worlds. She was a ninja architect.
She could say she chose this path, but she could also say she was forced into it. She liked to say she fell into it.
She collapsed onto her bed, face down in her pillow. Her body felt fine but her poor mind was beginning to fade for the night. Having the deadline for the training ground barracks pushed back irked her, but at least it was done now. She’d do a final inspection in the morning, but chances were there would be some interior work needed.
A soft trill made her turn her head just as four paws landed on her comforter. With a sleepy smile, she lifted a hand to scratch behind the tabby’s ear. She took note that her arm was completely clear of any damage caused by the earlier accidental attack. “Bao-chan,” she cooed to the purring cat, “You’re not gonna believe what happened today…”
She recounted meeting Gai to her cat, if only to assure herself the strange encounter had happened. The tabby stared at her with disinterested yellow eyes.
"And Hatake-san was there…"
She rarely spared a thought for her mysterious next door neighbor, save for the few times he'd asked her to water his plants while he took a long mission, or on the even rarer occasion she'd cook too much and pass off some leftovers to him and his ninken. That's not to say she didn't like Hatake-san. No... Rather, they both just liked to keep to themselves. Perhaps that's why they'd manage to live next door for so long in complete amicability.
“Two of the strongest ninja in the village attacked my building,” she noted with pride. “And it survived! That’s a testament to my craft, ne, Bao-chan?”
The fat kitten mewed in response, eyeing her owner's dancing fingers with vicious intent.
"I wonder what Hokage-sama will say when I tell her-- Ow! No, Bao-chan!"