On the streets of Konoha, Hyuga Satoru tapped a stack of bills in his hand, furrowing his brows as he planned how to maximize his spending.
Originally, his living allowance was 1,500 ryo, but with the recent threefold increase, it had turned into 6,000 ryo. It wasn't a huge amount, but not too little either—about the amount he would earn from a C-rank mission.
With the money left from buying storage scrolls, it should be enough to customize some metal arrows.
The problem now was finding the right ninja tools shop. Too high-end, and he wouldn't be able to afford many arrows; too cheap, and they wouldn't meet his expectations.
sigh Life is tough without money. If only a wealthy woman would sponsor me...
Satoru couldn't help but complain, thinking back to his past life as someone always in debt, and now, even after reincarnation, he still had to worry about money.
As he was looking for a ninja tool shop, Satoru deliberately avoided the area where the previous shop was. After all, Uchiha Rin had mentioned that the street belonged to her family, and since he had injured her during the evaluation, it was best to avoid her shop.
However, as soon as he entered another ninja tool shop, the shop assistant immediately greeted him with enthusiasm.
"Are you Hyuga Satoru? We've been waiting for you!"
???
"Did you make a mistake?"
The shop assistant smiled brightly. "No, it's you. Our young lady said that once you came, we should treat you well!"
Young lady? Uchiha Rin again?
Satoru's lips twitched. He had just gone halfway around the village to avoid her, and yet here he was, back at her shop.
"How many shops does your young lady's family own?" Satoru couldn't help but ask.
"Not many, not many," the assistant replied, "About half of Konoha's ninja tool shops belong to us."
"..."
"And outside Konoha?"
"Well, there are a few dozen, I guess?"
Satoru was speechless.
The assistant continued, "Our boss, though an Uchiha, isn't skilled in combat, but she's very proficient in business. With the help of the old cat lady, our business has expanded greatly."
"The young lady, born into such an environment, has a strong competitive drive since childhood."
Well... Satoru rolled his eyes. It seemed like Uchiha Rin's 'rich woman' and 'genius' personas were going to stick.
"Can you customize an arrow for me? It needs to be made of metal, and preferably..."
Satoru had already lost the motivation to shop around, so he laid out his request.
"How much?" he asked cautiously, considering his tight budget.
"1,000 ryo."
"1,000 ryo?" Satoru was surprised.
It wasn't expensive, but much cheaper than he had expected. From his previous calculations, he thought the price would be at least in the five-digit range.
"Yes." The assistant smiled, "The young lady instructed us to give you a discount."
"Is that so?"
Satoru rubbed his chin. Since they were willing to be the 'generous' ones, he couldn't turn down their good intentions.
"Also, could you make an extra arrow with chakra metal?"
"Huh???"
The assistant froze, thinking she had heard wrong.
The price of chakra metal arrows was far beyond that of regular ones.
Satoru gave a sheepish smile.
He knew chakra metal was expensive, but having a chakra metal arrow as a control group would allow him to test the efficiency of electromagnetic force on different metals. He couldn't pass up this opportunity.
Seeing the determined look on his face, the assistant sighed helplessly.
"Alright."
The custom arrows would take a few days. The next day, when Satoru arrived at school, he noticed the change in his classmates' gazes.
Shock, envy, admiration, jealousy... Various emotions mixed in the looks thrown his way.
Satoru saw Iryūba's complex expression. When their eyes met, she immediately turned away, not wanting to make eye contact.
As soon as Satoru sat down, he noticed the curious Red Bean leaning in to whisper.
"Hey, Satoru, are you really the one they call the dual-bloodline?"
"Of course." Satoru rolled his eyes.
"I can't believe someone actually has two bloodlines! I always thought one was the limit."
"Have you gone crazy from eating too many sweets? The Hidden Mist Village had dual-bloodline ninjas before. They're rare, but not extinct. You should read more."
Normally, Red Bean would argue back immediately, but now, after learning about his dual bloodline, she just nodded quietly and said, "Oh."
At that moment, Satoru noticed someone walking toward him. He looked up and saw Uchiha Rin.
"Is there something you need?" he asked, his voice not loud, feeling a bit guilty after the transaction at her store yesterday.
Uchiha Rin spoke flatly, "Let's fight after school."
Satoru: ???
No way? Really?
It was just a chakra metal arrow, wasn't it? Does she have to be so serious about it? I'll just pay her back, in installments if needed.
Realizing her words might have come out wrong, Uchiha Rin thought for a moment and added, "I wasn't happy about losing to you before, and I've learned some new techniques. Let's have a match after school."
Satoru let out a breath of relief. He couldn't help but mutter to himself, Seriously? You just want to have a match, and you make it sound like a full-on fight?
"Compared to Kakashi, you're more suitable as my opponent."
Uchiha Rin paused before adding, "If you agree, I'll cover your ninja tool costs from now on."
Now that's an offer!
Satoru's lips curved upward. To develop his electromagnetic abilities, ninja tool consumption was essential, and the family couldn't be relied on. Since Uchiha Rin was willing to cover the costs, why not take advantage of it?
After setting a time and place, Uchiha Rin returned to her seat.
Nearby, Red Bean leaned in curiously and asked in a low voice, "Hey, Satoru, what's your relationship with Uchiha Rin?"
Satoru thought for a moment and replied, "Supplier."
Red Bean: ???
After school, Uchiha Rin followed Satoru to a small forest on the back mountain. A stream flowed serenely through the trees, and the last rays of the setting sun filtered through the branches, casting golden light over the dry leaves on the ground. It was peaceful.
"Is this where you usually train? Why not train at the family's grounds?" Uchiha Rin looked around and asked, unable to resist.
"There are too many stubborn old-timers in the family. If I trained there, I wouldn't be able to focus." Satoru shrugged.
Hearing this, Uchiha Rin thought of some of the elders in the Uchiha clan and unconsciously frowned. She nodded in agreement.
"Indeed, in large families, there are always a lot of old-fashioned people."
Satoru clicked his tongue, looking at Uchiha Rin. He couldn't help but ask, "Honestly, I didn't expect you to really show up."
Uchiha Rin raised an eyebrow and looked at him.
"Why do you say that?"
"Well..." Satoru hesitated. "Don't you know, when a guy and a girl go to the woods together, in some places, it has a different meaning…"
"What meaning?" Uchiha Rin's dark eyes flashed with confusion as she stared at him.
Satoru bit his lip. He had to admit that Uchiha Rin was quite attractive, that cool, black, straight hair with a touch of sharpness. But at that moment, a voice kept echoing in his head.
I'm not into copper smelting or fighting lolis.
Although many in the ninja world married at twelve or thirteen, Satoru had inherited his previous life's values. He chose to keep his distance from this little wealthy lady.
"Forget it, I don't want to discuss such boring topics with you."
Uchiha Rin's face showed a hint of impatience.
"Let's just start fighting already!"
/////////////////////////
Support me by adding this fic into your library!
100 P.S = 1 Extra Chapter