After pulling the bell at the door to the clan leader's residence, I leaned against a support beam and yawned widely. Last night, the chunin at the gate had sent a message from my uncle to report to him early in the morning to discuss an important matter.
And I can even guess what it is - in a couple of weeks all the documents for the clan guardianship should have been prepared and the operation of skimming the cream of the orphanage talents should be about to begin.
Given the comprehensive examination of each baby every six months, including my own, Shenesu and the elders had received enough detailed information from the heads of the orphanages to decide who was best suited for Nara to set up his own little clan hospital and, at the same time, the last reserve of the neighborhood's defense in case of a big asshole.
Quiet footsteps sounded from the house, and I stirred, suppressing another yawn. The paper-thin door slid open and my cousin appeared on the doorstep, dressed in his pajamas, barely able to open his eyes without his usual ponytail of hair sticking out.
- Ryo-ni-san? Actually, it's only seven in the morning and a little early for visiting," Shikaku said with an infectious yawn as soon as he was awake enough to recognize me, "not to mention that normal Nara won't be up for another four hours.
I smirked - bro is so sleepy he even forgot to add his catchphrase.
- Ji-san sent a message yesterday to come by around seven in the morning," I brushed off the guy's displeasure and stepped past the posturing shinobi. The sleepy face flickered with interest for a moment and then disappeared. Apparently, the slacker decided that quenching his curiosity would be too much of a problem compared to continuing to sleep. I'm sure he did.
- You know the way to the study," Shikaku closed the front door with a yawn and went to his room.
- Naturally," I said, kicking off my sandals and grabbing my slippers from the small nightstand.
Given how many times I'd been here, it was hard to expect otherwise, so a couple minutes later I knocked on the all-wood door, reinforced with fuinjutsu, and got permission to go inside.
- Good morning, Ryo," the clan leader greeted me, looking up from the papers on the desk for a moment, "have a seat.
- Good morning, Ji-san," I replied with a slight nod and settled into the chair across from him.
- We have selected the most suitable candidates according to the questionnaires provided by the orphanage authorities, all the documents are ready and all that is left is to write in the names with the stamp of the orphanage, you are required to review our choice and indicate who is not desirable for some reason, - I sighed and moved a small stack of sheets to Shenesu, - after all, you are constantly in contact with the orphanage children, so the last word is yours.
- How many here? - Reaching out, I picked up the stack of papers and looked at the small photo of the first questionnaire.
- Three dozen.
- Isn't that a lot? - I raised an eyebrow questioningly without interrupting my reading.
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