The sun hung lazily in the sky as Kenta walked towards the secluded training field, hands in his pockets, an arrogant smirk on his face. He couldn't believe he was actually going through with this duel. A personal maid? The very idea made him cringe. Having someone follow him everywhere, fuss over him, and constantly watch his every move? It was like a living nightmare.
Kenta thought as he looked at Sayaka 'Oh, fantastic— she would be my very own human vacuum cleaner. I'm sure she'll be great at wiping up my messes and following me around like a lost puppy.' He crossed his arms and grinned as he looked at her "So, I'm stuck with you now? A bodyguard who doubles as a maid? This is the worst kind of babysitting ever."
Sayaka's face remained perfectly impassive as she replied in a calm, measured tone, "I will be your confidante, ally, sword, and shield. My duty is to protect you, Young Master, and ensure that no harm comes to you on my watch."
Kenta smirked arrogantly. "Listen, if I manage to defeat you in the duel, then maybe I'll finally convince you that having a personal maid is the worst idea ever. I mean, who wants someone following them around all day? I'd much rather have my freedom to mess with nobles and practice my moves without someone breathing down my neck."
Sayaka's eyes remained fixed on him. "I accept your proposition, Young Master," she replied evenly
Kenta groaned at her response.
Even worse, Sayaka wasn't just a maid; she was a so-called elite Chunin. His mother had proudly declared that she was trained personally by the Daimyô's shinobi, making her both his servant and bodyguard.
'Great, just what I needed. A babysitter who can break bones.'
Despite his sarcastic thoughts, Kenta was curious. His mother wasn't the type to exaggerate, and the Daimyô's shinobi weren't exactly weak. However, Kenta was confident. He had taken out that assassin, who had also been a Chunin, without breaking a sweat, granted the assassin did not know about his Boogie Woogie. Unless this girl had some crazy Kekkei Genkai or hidden trump card, she was going to lose.
And then, he would have the perfect excuse to reject this ridiculous maid idea. And as for her getting to know his ability, the most she would do was telling his grandpa who already suspected something.
On the other hand, Sayaka was silently walking beside him, her expression unreadable. However, inside her head, she was gushing with excitement.
'Young master is sooo cute!!' she internally squealed. 'He acts like such a noble prince, challenging me to a duel so dramatically! Oh my gosh, his tiny serious face is so adorable!!'
From the outside, she looked completely stoic, as if she were taking a mission briefing from the Daimyô himself. But inside, she was internally screaming about how she had to protect this "precious child."
'Okay, okay, I can't go all out. He's still just a 7-year-old kid with no real shinobi training. I'll just use taijutsu and go easy on him. I don't want to break him, after all!'
When they reached the training field, Kenta turned to her, his smirk widening.
"I hope you don't plan on holding back just because I'm seven. You'll pay dearly for it." His voice dripped with arrogance.
Sayaka's heart practically melted.
'Oh my God, he's trying to be threatening! This is the cutest thing I've ever seen!!'
She maintained her blank expression and simply nodded. "Understood, Young Master."
----
Meanwhile, back at the garden, Shizuka stood under a tree, lost in thought. The whole situation with Kenta was gnawing at her. Why did he insist on fighting in a secluded place? What was he hiding? Her father, the Daimyô, walked up to her, watching her with his usual composed expression.
"I think you were correct, Father," Shizuka finally admitted. "Kenta is definitely hiding something. But why wouldn't he trust us? We could help him."
The Daimyô chuckled. "Kenta has always been a smart child. Mature beyond his years, but at the same time, full of pride, stubbornness, and arrogance."
Shizuka sighed. "Oh, don't remind me. You remember when he refused to eat anything but 'royal meals' for a whole week after we let him visit the palace?"
The Daimyô actually laughed at that. "Yes, and how could I forget the time he declared he would only talk to people 'worthy of his presence' after reading a novel about ancient feudal lords?"
Shizuka shook her head, trying to suppress her own laughter. "He's a handful, isn't he? He does have a way of making his demands known. But it's not all bad; his stubbornness also drives him to push himself beyond his limits."
The Daimyō's eyes softened for a moment. "Indeed. And remember, his future lies not in the halls of nobility, but on the battlefield as a shinobi. That path requires strength, not just of the body but of the spirit. Sayaka, though she may appear cold and robotic, has been chosen to guide and protect him. In time, she will reveal her true potential, and Kenta will be grateful for her steadfastness."
He paused, his gaze drifting thoughtfully. "I have faith that our decisions will benefit the Land of Fire. Kenta's ambition, combined with his natural talents, will one day protect our people and honor our family's legacy."
Shizuka nodded, though her heart remained heavy with concern. "I only wish he would trust us more. Perhaps if he allowed us to help him, he wouldn't feel the need to hide or be so fiercely independent."
The Daimyō gave a low, mirthless laugh. "Kenta has always been his own person. His pride and arrogance are as much a part of him as his great potential. And maybe, in his own way, that is what makes him truly exceptional."
The Daimyô's expression grew more serious. "Sayaka will protect him. And she's not just any shinobi. She's a genius. Kenta is in for a surprise."
Back at the training field, Kenta and Sayaka stood facing each other, ready for battle. Kenta cracked his knuckles, his confidence at an all-time high. He was about to show her why he was not just some noble brat.
-------Author Notes---------
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