This idea sort of grew and grew and I had to stop it before it got too crazy.
Warnings: Un-editied, a what-if scenario, not part of AtO and probably full of plot holes.
“Not the right taste!” An angry man yelled as he slammed the door open and stormed out of the room. “You just don't want to hire someone that's better than you.”
Considering the person before the angry man had left in tears, Harry wondered if he'd be better off leaving before the interview itself.
“You're the last applicant,” A gentle voice said as the door slip open. Clad in large armour with purple markings on his cheeks, the red-haired man would have been intimidating if his eyes weren't so tired. He smiled and motioned for Harry to enter.
Keeping a careful grip on the box he'd brought along, Harry entered. Removing the cooling charms he'd put on the box, Harry placed it on the only table in the room and took a seat at the chair he was shown to.
“I'm Chōza Akimichi,” the man said, his voice still gentle as he took a seat opposite Harry.
“I'm Harii.” Harry hesitated before he added. “I just came to Konoha a few days ago. The gate guards, Izumo and Kotetsu, were the ones who told me about this.”
“Ah, yes,” Chōza said, “The had mentioned sending someone over.”
After some more polite small talk, Harry opened the box.
Chōza stared at the cake inside for a long moment before he cut out a generous portion. With each scoop of cake, he chewed slowly with an unwavering expression.
When he finally emptied his plate, Chōza looked at Harry with a serious expression and said, “This is... perfect. Not too soft and not too dry.”
Remembering the long string of spells he had leaned and used on the batter and then on the baking cake itself, Harry couldn't help but congratulate himself at the end result.
“You're hired!”
“I can't believe your first job is such a huge event,” Kotetsu said as he put some meat on the grill.
“It's been years since Konoha has had such a big feast. But I guess the Daimyo's son visiting is a good reason to celebrate.
“As if I wasn't overwhelmed as it is,” Harry said and slumped down into his seat.
“It's okay to be intimidated by the guest list,” Izumo said. “But you have to look at this as an opportunity for you. When you wow everyone, you'll probably get your own bakery instead of having to work for the Akimichi.”
“That won't happen,” Harry said.
“I've eaten your cake,” Izumo said, “Trust me, it'll happen.”
“So what is the Daimyo's son like?” Harry asked after a moment of thought. “Any information I need to know? Allergies, favourite flavours and other stuff.”
Izumo tapped his chin thoughtfully. “This one is the nicest of all the Daimyo's children. Not too picky or anything from what I've heard.”
“He's like a noble,” Kotetsu said. “Anything classy should make him happy.”
=-=-=
“Thanks for helping out,” Harry said as they made their way to the event grounds.
“No need to keep thanking me Nii-san,” Naruto said. “Of course I'd help out. This is a huge thing for you.”
“Don't take Izumo's words too seriously. It's just a job.”
“But you spent ages making this cake,” Naruto said and motioned to the numerous clones behind them carrying carious boxes and items. “You even got me this fancy kimono.”
“You don't like it?”
“I love it. It's just weird to wear something so expensive.” Naruto straightened his black kimono with a self-conscious look. “I've never worn silk before.”
Harry straightened his own formal kimono. “It's just for tonight.”
“Still feels weird.”
“Well, well, you two look fancy,” Kotetsu said from his post at the event's entrance.
Izumo glanced at the clones. “That all for the cake?”
Harry nodded.
“I can't believe we're missing it,” Kotetsu said with a sigh.
“Go through there,” Izumo pointed to a slightly hidden path. “It leads directly to the hall. The Hyuuga's music performance just started outside, so you'll have half an hour to set up.”
In a curtained off section of the hall, Harry directed Naruto and his clones as best as he could to set up the cake.
The clones worked with quick gentle movements as they stacked the numerous layers of cake and decoration. Half an hour passed in a blur of activity and they could hear the people entering the hall on the other side of the curtain.
Naruto finished the cupcakes that Harry had made for him and stared at the towering cake. “I didn't think a cake could look so awesome.”
Harry grinned as he pressed the last glass-like sugar flower on the cake as Chōza's voice filled the hall. The flower had been one of the hardest things to create. Even the spell to make it had been hard. “Let's hope it impresses the Daimyo's son.
“He's be stupid not to like it,” Naruto said.
From the other side of the curtain, Chōza's voice boomed. “In addition to the food here, we have also prepared another surprise for our honoured guest.”
“That's out cue,” Harry whispered.
The curtain dropped.
Open-mouthed awe, eyes narrowed in wonder and various stunned exclamations turned into a roaring round of applause.
“I think they like it,” Naruto said, voice stunned.
“Yeah,” Harry cleared his throat. “I think they do.”
=-=-=
“... his beloved son's words, the Daimyo believes that such a skilled baker would thrive in his court where his skills will be appreciated to the fullest.”
Harry stared from the kimono clad messenger to the Hokage and finally to Chōza before he said, “I already work for Akimichi-san.”
The ninja with long blond ponytail made a choked sound.
Unfazed the messenger said, “The Daimyo knew of this and is willing to give the Akimichi clan due compensation.” He pulled out another scroll and read from it, “In exchange for their most skilled worker, the Daimyo will gift the Akimichi clan with the untouched land of Emrald Forest.”
Chōza gaped.
“The Daimyo will also gift the clan with a herd of his most prized cattle as well as the Ash Grasslands as grazing grounds for the herd.” The messenger said, “Are these terms acceptable?”
Harry shrugged. “Depends on Akimichi-san.”
The scarred man with the spiky ponytail elbowed the still gaping Chōza.
Chōza said, “If Harii-kun wished to work at the Daimyo's court then I have no objection.”
Everyone turned to Harry.
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I actually had a lot more for this idea. But I decided not to write it out because it would just keep growing.
Here is a synopsis of what I pictured.
After working out some details- like where Harry lives because he doesn't want to just leave while Naruto is in Konoha- Harry does accept the job because Naruto is super excited. Also, the Akimichi become Konoha's richest clan and are all super loyal to Harry.
At the Daimyo's court, Harry is only concerned about making cakes. But being Harry, eventually he does something heroic- he stops an assasination attempt with his cake somehow. I don't know how, but it's epic enough for the Daimyo to consider him very trustworthy.
Cue all sorts of problems.
Because people- other nobles and ninja- think that Harry is their line to the Daimyo. They think that they can use to him to further their own agendas. Which is sort of true because the Daimyo does listen to Harry talk.
It's just that Harry talks about Naruto a lot. And Naruto drops by to help with cakes. So the Daimyo becomes Naruto's fan or something...
I stopped thinking about it after that point because I got distracted by the idea of Harry fighting the Akatsuki with cake components and baking spells.
I only regret that I didn't have any cake to eat as I imagined all this.
Polar
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