"It's not about being the best. It's about being better than you were yesterday."

— Genos, One Punch Man

--

Location: Morie's General Shinobi Supply Shop – Shortly After the Market Incident

The shop bell jingled with its usual dying wheeze as Otis ducked through the doorway, the upper frame brushing his head. His broad frame filled the entrance like a wall of shadow, snow still melting from his shoulders. Behind him, Naruto stepped in — half skipping, half slipping — his face lit with childish curiosity.

"Don't slam the door," said a dry, raspy voice before Otis had even fully stepped inside.

Morie didn't look up. She was crouched behind the counter, sorting through a box of sealing tags.

The warmth of the shop wrapped around them immediately — herbs drying on strings, scrolls stacked behind the counter, shelves cluttered with tools, tags, trinkets, and rice crackers someone had definitely forgotten behind the counter.

Inside, Morie was behind the counter. Late 40s, scar on her right wrist, blouse open just one button past formal. Her sleeves were rolled up, hair pinned lazily, and her mouth curled into a smirk before Otis even said a word.

"Ohhh, look who decided to stop ghosting me." Morie muttered, finally rising. She wore a shirt that said "Kunai Opinions."

Otis stepped in, the wrapped axe slung over one shoulder.

"Didn't know we were dating."

"You bought chakra paper. That's practically a proposal."

Naruto peeked in behind Otis.

"Whoa—this place smells like medicine and tea and… uh… soap?"

Morie leaned on the counter, one eyebrow rising.

"So... Otis. raising lost ducklings now? Or did the Hokage assign you a babysitting job now?"

Otis didn't flinch. "He followed me home. I was hoping you'd adopt him."

Naruto pointed at himself. "Hey! I'm not a duck! I'm—!"

"No, you're a gremlin," Morie cut in, giving him a slow once-over. "Still, not bad. Big blue eyes, loud voice, too much energy. You'd sell well in certain markets."

Naruto took a step back. "H-Huh?!"

"I'm kidding," she said—too quickly.

"Naruto," Otis said, stepping up to the counter. "Go look for chakra control practice scrolls. They're by the rack. You can pick any one you want."

He didn't say it out loud, but in his mind, Otis was already planning ahead. If he learns even one solid technique now… it could change everything later.

Naruto blinked. "Wait, really? I can pick anything?"

"Unless you pick one with explosions," Otis muttered. "Then I'm feeding you to Yuki-box."

Naruto bolted toward the rack without another word.

Morie raised an eyebrow. "You always this generous with your gremlins?"

Otis didn't answer. He was watching Naruto — carefully.

She followed his gaze. Then looked back at him.

"You breed now?"

Naruto coughed so hard he nearly dropped his scroll.

Otis didn't blink. " I tried throwing him in a snowbank. He came back."

"Persistent." Morie smirked. "That's the kind of trait that gets people demoted or married."

She stepped behind the counter and pulled out a sealed jar of chakra ink. "So, what's the giant looking for today?"

Otis placed a small list on the counter.

"Scrolls. Ink. Earth Release basics," she read aloud, eyes scanning the list.

Then he placed something else down beside it — heavy,

A broken axehead. Snapped clean at the shaft. Blade chipped and worn.

Morie stared at it.

"…Damn."

Otis leaned on the counter, arms folded. "I want a new one."

"Lemme guess. Bigger?"

He nodded. "Stronger. Heavier. Something that won't snap like a genin's wrist in a shuriken class."

Morie raised a brow but didn't argue. She ducked below the counter and came back up with a thick, wrapped package. It hit the wood with a thunk that made the jars rattle.

"Limited stock," she said. "Forged for demolition work. Might weigh more than your gremlin."

Otis unwrapped it. 

The axe was massive— double-headed, dark steel glinting even in the dull shop light. The haft was reinforced with some alloy, layered in a spiraling grip wrap. Balanced. Brutal. Built for something beyond cutting.

"Good," he said. "How much?"

"Three thousand," Morie replied, then added with a sly smile, "And I can give you a discount if you—"

Her eyes trailed down him like a wolf appraising steak.

The hair on Otis's body stood on end.

"No thanks," he said quickly. "I'll pay three thousand."

"Tch. You're no fun," Morie muttered, clearly annoyed.

Otis grunted and pushed the old axe forward.

"And how much for this?"

Morie lifted the broken blade, gave it a final look, and dropped it into a metal bin behind her.

She nodded, "It's junk now, but I'll give you five hundred for the steel and core."

Otis picked up the new axe and slung it over his shoulder.

Naruto looked around curiously. "Hey, what's that?" He pointed at a long, sealed object hanging on the wall, wrapped in old chakra tape and caution tags.

"A mistake," Morie said flatly. "My ex tried building a chakra-powered cooking knife. It blew up two eggs and one relationship."

Naruto laughed. "Seems efficient."

Otis didn't laugh. He just looked at the taped-up blade—and felt cold sweat slide down his back.

Morie caught his expression and smirked. "Told him the same thing. He cried."

Otis pulled out his coin pouch. "Add ink and brushes."

As Morie scribbled the tally, Naruto was now eyeballing the discount bin — full of paint, brushes, and glitter.

 "Hey, Otis, can I—"

"No."

"You didn't even hear—"

"No."

Morie leaned on the counter. "You treat him like a stray cat."

"He eats like one," Otis said, deadpan. "Loud. Pushy. Stares while you're chewing."

Naruto held up his hands. "I'm right here, y'know!"

"We noticed," Morie replied dryly.

She finished wrapping the scrolls, tools, and ink into a neat cloth bundle, then slid it across the counter. Otis picked it up with one hand, axe resting on his shoulder, and turned for the door.

Naruto followed, still processing. "Wait… do I really eat like a cat?"

"Worse," Otis said, pushing the door open. "The cat has manners."

The bell wheezed tiredly again as they stepped out into the cold.

--

(A/N)

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