Chapter 40: Goodbye, Little Pig

Chapter 40: Goodbye, Little Pig

When Izayoi returned home, he didn’t rush to cook or shower. Instead, he walked straight to his room and emerged cradling a locked wooden box.

His somber expression hinted at the box’s importance. Even the key had been hidden inside a secret compartment in the living room.

Inside the box, however, wasn’t scrolls or weapons—it was a red ceramic piggy bank.

“Goodbye, Little Pig,” Izayoi murmured. He lifted the pig from the box, his hands and voice trembling slightly as his face tightened with grief.

Turning his head aside, he closed his eyes and smashed the ceramic pig against the floor. Shards and coins scattered everywhere.

Kneeling, he began collecting the coins and bills one by one, just as he’d done when stuffing them into the pig over the years. These were savings from his monthly stipend and d-rank mission rewards. His parents’ inheritance had long been spent—not just on himself, but also on feeding a certain bottomless stomach. Without the village’s stipend, which stopped after he became a genin, he’d have starved long ago.

After stuffing the coins into a bag and adding his recent 23,000 ryō, Izayoi headed to a shop. He slammed the bag on the counter.

“Boss, there’s 388,300 ryō here. I want a film camera, and use the rest for film and developing supplies.”

“Coming right up! Thanks for your business!” the shopkeeper chirped.

Soon, Izayoi stepped out with his new camera.

“Finally got it. Still not too late,” he said, caressing the device. “Even if I couldn’t capture my childhood with Hinata, I’ll make sure to document Hanabi’s growth. Worth every penny.”

“Broke now. The fridge’s leftovers are probably expired. Guess I’ll hunt and grill tonight.”

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“Onii-san, wake up! The sun’s in your window!”

The next morning, Izayoi’s chronic oversleeping habit earned him another princess-style wake-up call—not from the older princess this time, but the younger one.

Something tickled his nose. Opening his eyes, he saw Hanabi’s delicate face gradually sharpen into focus. Dressed in a hazel kimono, she straddled his waist, holding her bangs to gently sweep his face with her hair.

“Naughty. Wait till you’re asleep—I’ll get you back,” Izayoi chuckled, pinching her cheek.

“Haha! Actually, Onee-chan sent me. If you’re mad, blame her!” Hanabi grinned, nuzzling his hand.

“…You go ahead. I need to wash up.”

After a few more playful moments, Izayoi patted her bottom, signaling her to hop off. She landed silently in her white socks, dashing out without a sound.

After a quick wash, he pulled open his desk drawer and retrieved the camera. Stepping into the hallway, he spotted Hinata in the kitchen.

Dressed in a white kimono with purple-and-white blossom accents on the sleeves and hem, her black hair was tied in a neat bun. A apron cinched at her waist, she expertly flipped food in the pan.

At the table, Hanabi rolled rice balls with seaweed.

Catching his breath, Izayoi tiptoed toward the perfect angle, camera raised.

Click!

The sisters’ backs faced each other—one standing, one kneeling—both in kimonos, absorbed in their tasks. A timeless snapshot of harmony.

Hinata and Hanabi turned at the shutter sound.

“A camera!” Hanabi gasped, abandoning her rice balls to rush over. “Onii-san, when did you buy this?!”

“Yesterday.”

“Let me see!”

“Careful! I spent all my savings—300,000 ryō. Every penny from the piggy bank and my missions.” He handed it over, watching her wipe her kimono sleeve, likely worth more than a dozen cameras, before touching the device.

“How do we see the photos?”

“They need developing. After breakfast, I’ll teach you.”

“Yay! Let’s take a photo together!”

“Not yet. Wait till your sister finishes cooking. The moment’ll mean more.”

“Okay!”

Hinata watched them, lips curving into a quiet smile.

After breakfast, as the trio sat for their first group photo—Nori rice balls in hand—Izayoi sat between the sisters, his shadow clone snapping the shot.

“Selfie sticks are no match for shadow clones,” he quipped.

Post-meal, they retreated to Izayoi’s room, shutting out all light to develop the film.

“Stunning…” Hanabi could only gape at the artistic sisterly shot.

Hinata stared at their group photo, eyes gleaming. Both shared the same wistful thought—If only we’d had a camera as kids…

But now wasn’t too late.

All day, they explored the house—living room, balcony, dojo, garden—before venturing to familiar spots: the abandoned training ground, a waterfall glen, capturing solo, duo, and trio shots.

Passing a tree, Hinata hesitantly tugged Izayoi’s robe sleeve, cheeks flushed.

“Onii-san… could we use the Transformation Technique?”

He blinked, following her gaze to the tree before grinning.

“Sure. Together?”

“Mm.”

As Izayoi summoned his shadow clone, the pair faced each other.

“Transformation Technique!”

Smoke cleared, revealing two chubby-cheeked children in plain clothes, grinning under the tree.

The shadow clone captured it all.

Click!

A moment preserved forever.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end