Unsurprisingly Yanagi agreed to have a refill. It was no surprise for Takashi's tea should be the best beverage these men have had in a long while. Thankfully, Yanagi placed his empty cup in the middle of the counter - this way Takashi didn't risk accidentally knocking it over and onto the ground. Although a plastic cup wouldn't be much of a loss. The tea vendor obviously had more in stock. "You're right," Takashi just said while holding the plastic cup. "Kenta Inuzuka is the Hokage," Takashi instictively put some tea camellia leaves in the cup. "Hmm," he couldn't focus on two things - remembering the next ingredient and talking about the Hokage, "in fact Inuzuka clan is also a clan that uses animals as partners in combat. Just like Kuma and Nekomata clan," it was a random filler fact that Takashi wanted to entertain the two with, before he realized how nice the used cup smelled (therefore the next ingredients were some spices). After pouring the water in the cup and removing the leaves from bottom of the cup, Takashi placed the cup back on the counter and without notifying Yanagi about it continued to converse with Takamura.

Like a little kid, Takamura seemed too excited to know more about the Hokage. Most excited people can be easily seen, therefore in Takashi's case he hasn't seen many excited people. But the excitement and hype could be easily detected in Takamuras voice. The way he spoke had changed the most. The long and somewhat boring sentences were replaced with quicker and shorter ones. The boy should be no longer kept in dark:"Actually..." Takashi wanted to tease Takamura for a while longer, making a false hope that the tea vendor is now going to say something like ''yeah.. Kenta is my close friend and I can hook you two up anytime you want''. "Last I heard, the Hokage was in Iwagakure. You might have chance to see him," Takashi met Kashizudoto just a few days ago, from whom Takashi had heard this rumor. Perhaps Hokage was long gone, but Takashi didn't have guts to tell Takamura no. "If you hang around the Tsuchikage's administration building, you might find Hokage for all I know." Takashi concealed the fact that he had never met the Hokage in person. Maybe if he had applied for a squad.. But the fact that Takashi didn't even know of this ability - Air Step. And it was shameful. "If you prefer, I can try and hook you up with a gen.." Takashi was speaking of Kashizudoto. Only Takashi had forgotten the fact that the young genin ranked up to chuunin way faster than Takashi. Yeah, Takashi was jealous of that. Who wouldn't be? ".. chuunin who is accompanying the Hokage. This chuunin is your best chance here." in fact it was probably best chance Takamura will have in nearest few years. The boy was probably hoping to travel to Konoha once he was worthy enough. He probably hadn't imagined that the Hokage is in the same village at this very moment.

Takashi now felt like someone who has served more than just a good tea. He had no idea how Yanagi reacted to this, but he was sure that Takamura was happily surprised. "Could you check if anyone else is coming?" Takashi asked Yanagi to see the tone of his voice. Of course, it was also essential to know if Takashi should boil another 2 liters of water or not. And if not - might as well close down for today. 3 Iwa-nins in a single day? It was a record. So interesting fellows in a single day was something that Takashi could reward himself with a longer rest.
631

Takamura nodded hastily in agreement to Yusuke and looked back to Takashi as he was making the tea. He had begun sweating heavily, somewhat strange when considered he was feeling extremely cool thanks to Takashi’s drink. After what seemed like eons to Takamura, Takashi looked up and informed him about some animal clan called the Inuzuka. “The hell does that have to do with the Hokage?!” Takamura thought to himself as he began slowly quivering with rage, thinking that Takashi was taking him for some kind of fool and he was going to snap back at him when Takashi continued yet this time he informed him that the Hokage was in fact in Iwagakure. Even though Takamura knew this, he had momentarily forgot it and Takashi followed his statement that he could introduce him to a Chunin that would be able to arrange a meeting with Hokage. “Bring him to the Tavern too and if you can, convince him to bring Hokage too! My previous offer of free food now extends to them too; Just make sure to hurry so the Hokage does not leave, I cannot lose such an important opportunity to get such a legendary Jutsu!” Takamura said, his rage lost into a mix of sheer bliss and determination. He was in no shape to meet the Hokage any time soon. He has to get back to training as soon as possible to even be considered for such a legendary Jutsu! Forgetting everything about spiked drinks, he hefted the tankard with one hand and guzzled down the tea in one swing. The cool feeling quickly swept over feeling him with newfound energy. A look of panic momentarily washed over Takamura as the ice followed straight after the last drops of tea. Spitting out the ice, he cleaned his mouth with his free arm. Takamura stared directly in the eyes of the tea maker albeit to no effect of course; “The Tavern is down this road, take two lefts and a right. It’s in your hands now, Takashi; I beg of you. don’t let me down.”

Giving a small nod as to acknowledge Yusuke, Takamura turned to head back to his training. “Sayonara and thanks for the tea. It was pretty good.” Takamura as he turned his head to face the two with a determined grin. “Remember, down this road, two lefts and a right. We have a wooden sign with a Kyokujitsu-ki, a red rising sun painted on it. If you convince him to bring the Hokage, I’ll tour you even to the bloody mountains!” He repeated once again, wanting to make sure to drill it into Takashi’s mind a give him a good incentive. Takamura didn’t really have any money to offer him and he seemed pretty interested into a tour, so he went with that. Turning back once again, he broke into a fast pace, much faster than his usual road work. He is going to have one though week in front of him but it will be worth in the end. Hopefully, Takashi would succeed on his part too. Even though having the future in the hands of a blind man would dishearten most people, for Takamura all that meant was that he had something to get his mind off the lack of an acceptance into a squad and give him a clear goal to rekindle his will anew to train.

[Exit]
[3270+575] = [3845]

Training:
Reaction Time E-2 -> D-2 [3845 – 1250] = [2595] [75 Ryo]
Strength/Speed/Perception E-2 -> D-0 [2595 – 1575] = [1020]
Endurance E-1 -> D-1 [1020 – 975] = [45] [25 Ryo]
Ryo: [402 – 100] = [302]

Takashi felt comfortable talking with people over tea. It almost felt like he had made friends already in Iwagakure. And indeed, Takamura was already looking forward to seeing Takashi again. Of course, they both knew that Takamura didn't really want to see Takashi, it was Hokage who he wanted to see. But the tea vendor didn't seem bothered by it. It's not like it was hard for him to help out a friend. It seemed harder for Takashi to uphold his end of deal - he had no contacts with Hokage, instead he expected Kashizuduto to help him out. After all the Konoha's chuunin had mentioned accompanying the Hokage to Iwagakure. And even if Takashi's and Kashizudoto's last meet went rather awkward, Takashi was still expecting the chuunin to show up at this tea stall. He didn't come yesterday, so he might come today. That's why he had asked Yanagi to take a look around.

This agreement made Takashi feel responsible. Fulfilling it would be his focus for now. But the whereabouts of ''Rising Sun'' tavern were still unclear. Yeah, Takashi could navigate down this street and take two lefts and a right. But finding a building with a wooden sign and a painting was the difficult part. Maybe if Kashizudoto (and Hokage) accompanied Takashi to this tavern, they would find it easily. And when Takamura treats them to great food for free, Hokage is guaranteed to help Takamura with this jutsu he was talking about. Perhaps Takamura was interested in hearing more about Inuzuka's and was going to only pick up some tips of raising canines. Maybe that was what Takamura referred to as legendary. It was an exceptional skill to tame a wild beast to serve you.
While drifting away in thoughts, Takashi missed Takamura's goodbye. The young cook just hurried away. Yes, Takashi could determine which direction Takamura was going. He waved a goodbye, without saying anything.

After a quick glance over shoulder, Yanagi could confirm that no one was closing in on the stall. It was good that Yanagi didn't keep a grudge - first Takashi had scolded him for helping the blind boy ''see'', and then Takashi asked to look around. But Takashi was thankful for this, though, a little saddened for he was still expecting Kashizudoto to show up. "Thanks!" Takashi nodded his head in sign that Yanagi had flawlessly done what the boy wanted.
Left alone, it seemed like Yanagi also wanted to leave. Takashi didn't judge - people had places to be, things to do. Most of his customers didn't stay for long, and forced the stories for rules. It also felt kind of good to have told a story himself. It was a nice change for sure.

Yanagi's farewell was much warmer and personal than Takamura's. Takashi appreciated that. He loved to be expected to be seen more in Iwa. He definitely wanted to stick around a village that appreciated him. "I hope to see you soon too!" Takashi kind of really expected Yanagi again. His new customer took liking to tea, and Takashi could foresee that Yanagi will develop a will to get some more (almost like addiction).
Just as Yanagi was leaving and Takashi picking up the direction to wave, something unexpected happened. A metal hitting glass bottom. It must be the tip jar! A sound that was so rare, that Takashi couldn't recognize it immediately. Yanagi left a tip! Definitely the best customer so far! It would be shame to stay here in such a good mood. After waving the goodbye, Takashi cleaned up the stall, packed the tea leaves carefully back into the specially sewn pockets and put cups, sugar and kettle in a bag. The tea stall was closing down for today.
639
[Exit thread]
OOC: whoa, thanks for this guys. I really enjoyed this!
Total: 8138
Training:
Strength: from D-0 to D-3 1175/1175 +150 ryo
Speed: from D-0 to D-3 1175/1175 +150 ryo
Endurance: from D-1 to D-3 850/850 +125 ryo
Perception: from D-0 to D-3 1175/1175 +150 ryo
Reaction time: from D-2 to D-3 450/450 +75 ryo
D rank jutsu: "The deaf shinobi": 750/750
Leftovers 8138-5575=2563