Hii Kōri naturally refused to call Chiyo "Mom," but that didn't stop the adoption.
The village had decided: he was to become Chiyo's adopted son. Rejection wasn't an option.
Besides, he had no reason to refuse anyway.
Going from "apprentice" to "adopted son" meant closer relations, which meant more convenient learning techniques from Chiyo and a smoother time in Sunagakure.
Win-win.
However, when he moved into Chiyo's home, he met her son, whom she had mentioned frequently over the past month.
Seeing the boy, who was more than twice his age and had red hair, Hii Kōri finally understood Chiyo's inexplicable kindness.
This future 'big brother' was named Mataza and was already an independent chūnin. Chiyo's husband was away on a mission and wouldn't be back anytime soon.
That was the downside of all-ninja families—family reunion dinners were difficult to coordinate.
Mataza's attitude toward This "little brother" who appeared out of thin air was subtle—not welcoming, not repulsive.
Given Hii Kōri's "persona," he couldn't initiate conversation either. Clearly, their future dynamic would be rather "awkward."
After a stiff greeting, Hii Kōri followed Chiyo to handle his "luggage."
Not that there was much.
The pendant—apparently solidified with a Binding Vow—hung around his neck. That box of custom kunai and scattered forging tools, Chiyo had brought along.
Hii Kōri wondered whether the kunai should be returned to whoever ordered them. Chiyo explained—those kunai were themselves tools for his parents.
The special blade shape was another smoke screen. If ninja from other villages spotted them, they'd misjudge there being some operative using special kunai.
Sometimes, these minutiae and ambiguous intelligence could decide battles.
This was normal among ninja—scheming and being schemed, tricks and counter-tricks. The name of the game was cunning.
Until two people popped up piloting Gundams, kicking everyone else to roadside wild dog status. Now those two were gone, so everyone returned to the original dark atmosphere.
What else could they do? It's not like just anyone could pilot a Gundam.
Hii Kōri could only remark that Sand really knew budget-conscious. Custom kunai weren't cheap, but relative to Sand's military budget? Nothing.
One expense serving two purposes—Sand was truly poor and used to it.
He'd tested those kunai the day he met Chiyo. This particular style didn't suit him. Once the forge was set up, he'd reforge them into proper weapons.
Speaking of that dismantled forge—the base just needed ground connection and reinforcement, but flues and pipes required rearrangement. Especially flues—poorly designed for Wind Country's ghost weather, they'd clog with sand constantly.
Fortunately, Chiyo had post-mission leave. If Hii Kōri handled it alone, construction time would be more than double.
Occasionally, Mataza came to observe.
With such a massive installation suddenly in the house, any ninja inheriting Chiyo's Puppet Technique would be curious.
"What's this for?"
On Mataza's eighth visit, curiosity finally overwhelmed him. Thus began the first conversation between these unrelated "brothers."
"That? Power hammer. See, different heads and molds can be swapped—easy to hammer out various shapes."
"Ah... you know a lot."
"Studied before. Back then I thought I'd inherit the family... uh, smithy. Be a blacksmith my whole life."
Hii Kōri paused momentarily, then continued as if nothing happened.
"...And now?"
Remembering what his mother told him about Hii Kōri's experience, Mataza sensed he'd broached a sensitive topic. His voice faltered, then asked tentatively.
"Use weapons forged here to kill everyone who won't let me live peacefully."
"...Good."
Sensing the pure murderous intent in Hii Kōri's words, Mataza pursed his lips and slowly shuffled backward. "You keep busy. I'll check if there are missions available."
With Mataza's fleeing in panic, this "ice-breaking" attempt officially failed.
"Ah... long road ahead."
From her hiding spot, Chiyo slapped her forehead and sighed quietly.
Her son had always been worry-free—just a bit blunt speaking, lacking confidence. How'd he develop such a personality? Ah—because he couldn't fully master her Puppet Technique, felt unworthy as her successor?
Suddenly recalling rumors she'd heard by chance but never taken seriously, Chiyo's expression gradually became solemn.
Whether idle gossip or Someone scheming, with Mataza's current mindset, facing Hii Kōri's talent wouldn't end well.
"Maybe I should delay teaching that kid Puppet Technique..."
Murmuring quietly, utterly unskilled at such matters, Chiyo silently withdrew to consult her younger brother, Ebizō.
Unlike Chiyo, obsessed with puppetry studies, Ebizō handled Sand's intelligence and espionage work. Intelligence gathering and speculation—he'd surely be better.
Unaware of Chiyo's thoughts in those few seconds, Hii Kōri merely found Mataza's sudden departure inexplicable.
What... what does this mean?
He hadn't said anything strange.
Wanting to kill everyone causing him trouble, then peacefully and enjoyably conducting research—what was wrong with that?
Appearance of a child, but abnormal mental state—sorcerer Kōri felt genuinely puzzled. (Though he couldn't use jujutsu anymore anyway.)
Scratching his fluffy red hair, Hii Kōri turned back to installing the forge.
Set it up quickly—then he could test how much of his cursed tool craftsmanship survived here.