When people have different lives, their thought processes differ too. I put my hands on my shoulder. "Keisuke, listen to me right now as your friend. I won't lie to you." I said firmly. He nodded his head and focused. Having his full attention was amusing, but this was an extra special moment. "You have already done the work to be accepted by the clan as a member. Naruhito-sama already said blood alone is not the only marker of a great ninja. If it's a name you need, you actually are free in that aspect." I said. "What do you mean free? Having no one to rely on is scary." he said as he swiped my hands off. "Look here! You have an opportunity not many people get. You can decide this yourself! You're being adopted. You can simply take on the Kirume name. Or Kirime as that will be the offshoot you will be in charge of helping grow. Or you can just make one up." I said with enthusiasm. He did not seem to get it. "Make one up!? I'd be seen as a fraud." he said. "Not if you make it a truism about yourself. You really think Naruhito-sama was born slashing people's eyes!?" I shot back.
Riding the momentum, I said "You are a man from Star Province. Kira Village!" Cringing was not the response I expected. "What!? What's wrong with having love in your heart for where you grew up!" I snapped as I slapped his shoulder. "No. Not that. I am trying my best to take your words to heart. It's just..." he trailed off. "What?" I pressed. "Could you ever take me seriously if I went by... Hoshino!?" Keisuke cringed again. "You're a star in my book, friend." I replied warmly. He shook his head. "No way. I'd die of embarrassment". he said. I shrugged and left it to him. He thought for a bit. "Kiramura is a good, stable name." I looked at him. "You still have until the ceremony to think about it. If that's what you like, go with it. This is important, but it's also something that is yours. Have fun and pride in whatever you choose. Either way, I'll be proud to call you my friend." Keisuke actually began to tear up a bit. I pat him on the back a bit. When he was ready to go, we left the meeting hall together. It was a change in his life. Keisuke had to prepare for it sincerely. I let him do his thing alone.
I sighed. While I was happy for Keisuke. I was left in the lurch. I was 9 out of 10 clan missions in. I still had to find something to do for the clan. Hopefully, I could wander myself into another random event in the village. That was probably the fastest way. Or else, I could actually go ask one of the clan elders for a mission. Even if it was a random and boring fetch quest, I'd just have to do one of them. As I was walking around thinking, I ran into one of the clan members. We collided and we both fell to the ground. I hit my head and was stunned. "Got you Chihiro!" another member said as they tagged the prone ninja on the head. He then took off running. Chihiro glared at me. I was still reeling from the hit. "Are you going to get off of me or what!?" he snapped angrily. I got up slowly. "Oof. That hurt." I said out loud to myself. I was going to keep going when he grabbed me by the shoulder. "How about an apology?" I looked him up and down. "Yeah. I'm ready to hear yours." I said straight-faced. He got angrier. "That was your fault! Now I'm losing the game!" Chihiro snapped. I just shrugged.
