Naruto-ReBorn as a Baker

Chapter 260: Whispers on the Wind

Malik, after his eerie encounter with what he believed to be the ghost of Sagi, the late daimyō of the Land of Birds, sought solace and clarity atop a secluded tree in the middle of a large lake. Here, a bevy of birds had also sought refuge for the night, resting quietly among the thick branches. With a gentle flicker of his magic, Malik dispelled his invisibility, careful not to disturb the feathered congregation perched around him.

The stillness of the night enveloped him, the soft rustling of leaves and the occasional flutter of wings the only sounds that broke the silence. The moon cast a silvery glow over the water, turning the lake into a mirror that reflected the stars above.

Out of nowhere, Kakashi appeared, materializing as if conjured by the night itself. His arrival was marked with a light-hearted quip. "Found any demons yet, or just chasing shadows?" he asked with a smirk.

Malik chuckled softly, shaking his head. "No demons, but I did have a chat with a ghost, sort of," he replied, recounting his spectral encounter. "It was more like the ghost did the talking. It was Sagi, the daimyō here. And honestly, the ghost was kind of cute, so I'll let it slide this time."

Kakashi raised an eyebrow, intrigued yet skeptical. "A ghost, huh? That's new. What did this 'cute ghost' have to say?"

Malik shared the brief interaction, how Sagi had appeared to him and pleaded for help for his sister, Toki. "It seems there's much more going on here than just political intrigue."

The conversation shifted back to the present, and Malik asked Kakashi about his own findings from scouting the village. "Things are odd here," Kakashi noted, his tone serious. "The villagers are truly spooked by this 'Cursed Warrior.' And now, considering your ghostly encounter, it might actually be real."

Kakashi continued, "There's more, though. I've sensed some unusual movements—more ninja activity than just Team Neji. I'm digging deeper."

Curious, Malik inquired about the team's status. "Naruto is being his usual self, but Neji and Tenten are holding up. They've already had a run-in with the Cursed Warrior and are trying to contact Sagi—whom we now know is beyond contacting in the usual way."

Malik nodded thoughtfully, stroking the feathers of a sleeping bird beside him. "I tried to meet the current daimyō too, made quite the entrance, but got stonewalled. Might try again later tonight, or tomorrow if I'm not feeling up to the nocturnal antics."

Kakashi, always the pragmatist, sighed. "Well, we should probably get back to it. This mystery isn't going to solve itself." With that, he vanished as silently as he had appeared, leaving Malik alone with his thoughts.

Malik gazed down at the moon's reflection in the lake, contemplating his next move. The gentle breeze carried whispers from the unseen world, a reminder of the unresolved mysteries that awaited him. With a deep breath, he turned invisible once more, the night once again swallowing his presence as he prepared to delve deeper into the secrets of the Land of Birds.

==== somewhere not at the lake ====

In the quiet solitude of her private quarters, Toki prepared for bed, the stresses of her dual life weighing heavily on her shoulders. The room was dimly lit, soft lanterns casting gentle shadows across the ornate furnishings that reflected her status as the daimyō—though few knew her true identity. Beside her, the mysterious pink and gold cat (unbeknownst to her, Malik's magical companion, GrubGrub) curled up on the plush bedding, its eyes half-closed in contentment.

As Toki changed into her nightwear, a simple yet elegant kimono that draped comfortably around her form, she began speaking to the cat as if it were an old friend. Her voice was soft, filled with a mix of weariness and warmth. "You know, I sometimes wonder if you understand me," she mused, sitting down beside GrubGrub. "It's strange, talking to a cat about things I dare not even whisper to my closest advisers."

She confided in the cat, sharing her fears of failing to live up to her brother's legacy, her anger towards those who had brought ruin upon her family, and her hopes of securing a peaceful future for her land. Each word seemed to lift a little of the burden from her shoulders, her expression softening as she stroked the cat's smooth fur.

As the night deepened, the spirit of Sagi appeared in the room, his presence barely more than a wisp of cooler air. He moved silently to Toki's side, his form barely perceptible in the dim light. His gaze fell upon GrubGrub, and with a ghostly hand, he reached out and gently patted the cat's head. The cat, attuned to the supernatural, purred softly, accepting the caress regardless of its ethereal source.

Sagi's expression was one of tender sadness mixed with gratitude. He watched his sister for a moment, her eyes closing as sleep began to claim her. "Thank you," he whispered so faintly it was more a breeze than a voice, directed at the cat for the comfort it provided his sister. His figure shimmered slightly, a smile playing across his lips—a silent acknowledgment of the small joys that still found their way to Toki in her darkest hours.

With one final glance filled with brotherly love and protective sorrow, Sagi's ghost faded completely, his presence dissolving into the night air. GrubGrub, sensing the shift in the room, settled more firmly against Toki, its body a warm, comforting weight beside her.

Toki, now deep in slumber, clung lightly to the cat, her brow smoother and her breathing even. In her dreams, she found herself walking beside a lake, the ghost of her brother visible in the soft morning light, both of them surrounded by the peaceful sounds of nature. This dream, perhaps a gift from the encounter she unknowingly shared with Sagi's spirit, allowed her a rare night of restful sleep, free from the ghosts of her past and the weight of her crown.

Outside, the night carried on, the whispers of the wind through the trees sounding almost like voices, speaking of secrets and stories yet to be told.

= = = somewhere that is again not at the lake and this time not in Toki's room either = = =

In the quiet confines of their designated room within the compound of the Chief Advisor to the Bird Daimyō, Team Neji settled in for the night, each member finding their own way to unwind after the day's unsettling events. Naruto, ever the energetic but simple soul, had excused himself earlier, giving Neji and Tenten privacy to change into their night attire. When he returned, the room was filled with a calm, almost heavy silence, the weight of their mission pressing invisibly upon them.

Neji, dressed in a soft cotton yukata that emphasized her refined, if somewhat stern, beauty, carefully adjusted the garment around her increasingly cumbersome figure. Her sleepwear was elegantly simple, the fabric light enough to be comfortable yet modest, with wide sleeves that fluttered gracefully with each movement. Despite the elegance, her expression carried a tinge of discomfort due to the recent changes in her body—her chest had grown, making her usual attire feel unusually tight.

Tenten, on the other hand, opted for practicality with a touch of personal flair. Her sleepwear consisted of loose-fitting trousers and a matching shirt, both adorned with small, intricate patterns of weapons and scrolls—an homage to her specialty. The fabric was soft against her skin, providing comfort without sacrificing her ability to move freely, should the need arise during the night.

As Naruto flopped onto his bed pad with his usual lack of grace, instantly succumbing to sleep, Neji, taking a moment from adjusting her yukata, covered him with a blanket. Her actions were gentle, a rare softness crossing her features—a small kindness prompted perhaps by Malik's request to be more considerate towards Naruto. It was a simple gesture, but it spoke volumes of her growth and understanding.

Neji, her sleepwear was simple yet elegant long-sleeved warm, and comfy that hugged her curves, the neckline was adorned with intricate lace that barely contained her massive breasts, which had indeed grown even larger since the last time she had worn it. She sighed, looking down at her chest, a mix of pride and melancholy in her eyes. "I swear, Tenten, they've grown again. It's like they have a mind of their own," she lamented, her voice soft.

Tenten, in contrast, wore a loose-fitting, short-sleeved nightshirt that fell to her mid-thighs, her small breasts barely noticeable beneath the fabric. She chuckled at Neji's predicament, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "You know, Neji, I've barly ever seen anyone with such... generous assets. It's like you're carrying around your own personal pillows," she teased, her voice light.

Neji rolled her eyes, a small smile playing on her lips. "Very funny, Tenten. I'm sure you'll appreciate them one day when you're old and wrinkled, and I'm still busting out of my tops," she retorted, her voice filled with mock bravado.

Tenten just laughed, her eyes softening as she looked at her friend. "I'm sure you'll be beautiful no matter what, Neji. But for now, let's focus on the task at hand, shall we?"

With the room finally settled, Neji and Tenten sat down to discuss their encounter with the Cursed Warrior. Neji recounted the battle, explaining in her precise, analytical manner how the adversary had vanished without a trace, leaving behind nothing but empty armor. "There was no human presence inside, no trace of chakra that I could detect," Neji stated, her brow furrowed in concentration.

Tenten, ever the pragmatist, nodded thoughtfully. "We'll just have to wait and see what happens next," she murmured, her voice tinged with frustration. "There's not much we can do until we gather more information."

The conversation soon turned to Malik, who had been spotted in town attempting to secure an audience with the daimyō. "I'm glad he didn't come looking for us," Neji admitted, her tone mixed with relief and a hint of affection. "Malik can be... distracting, to say the least."

Tenten chuckled, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Especially when he decides to turn on that charm of his. It can be a bit much, especially in situations like this."

Neji couldn't help but agree, a small smile playing on her lips. "Yes, if he wants to help, he needs to focus on being helpful, not... himself."

Their laughter filled the room, easing the tension for a moment. Both women appreciated Malik's good intentions, but they also knew the challenges his flamboyant personality could bring to a mission that required discretion and focus.

As the night deepened, Neji and Tenten prepared for bed, each lost in their thoughts about the days to come. They knew the road ahead would be fraught with uncertainty, but with Malik in the village, at least they wouldn't face it alone. Whether his involvement would prove a boon or a bane, however, remained to be seen. For now, they would rest, gather their strength, and wait for what the morning would bring.