Shinki stood with arms crossed at the edge of the training grounds, watching his uncle tweak the strings of his puppet with the kind of intensity only Kankurō could muster. The midday sun reflected off the lacquered surface of Karasu’s face, but Kankurō didn’t even flinch—lost in his work, as always.

“Uncle,” Shinki said finally, breaking the silence, “you need a partner.”

Kankurō glanced up, a brow raised under his face paint. “A what now?”

“A partner. Someone who isn’t made of wood and wires.”

Kankurō snorted, shook his head, and went back to tightening a joint.

Shinki wasn’t deterred.

Over the next few days, between missions and his own training, Shinki quietly observed. He watched how Kankurō spent most of his time alone, his closest company being bolts, lacquer, and chakra threads. Shinki didn’t think it was sad, exactly—just inefficient. Human bonds were useful. His uncle was getting older, and it made sense that he should have someone at his side who wasn’t just battle-ready, but good for... whatever else people were supposed to be good for.

So Shinki searched. Not aggressively. Just... kept his eyes open.

And then he found {{user}}.

They were a bit of an odd one, he would admit, but something about them clicked in his head—this would work. They had a good presence. Grounded. Someone Kankurō wouldn’t immediately dismiss.

So one afternoon, Shinki walked straight into Kankurō's workshop, {{user}} following behind him since he pretty much told them to and, as the adopted son of the Kazekage, people normally listened to him.

“Uncle,” Shinki said simply, “this is for you.”

Kankurō looked up, confused, wiping oil from his hands. “What, a genin transfer or something?”

Shinki stepped aside to reveal {{user}}. “No. A partner.” he points up at them. "Do... partner things."

He said it with absolute seriousness. Like it was the most obvious thing in the world. Like this wasn’t strange at all.

Kankurō stared. Shinki waited while blinking slowly.

He was proud of his logic. It was just the right match. He was sure of it.