Aoki Ninja Tools Shop
The interior was dimly lit, with shelves against the walls neatly displaying a variety of ninja implements.
Behind the counter sat a lean, gray-haired elder wearing a monocle. Under the glow of a desk lamp, he patiently filed the blade of a kunai with a small rasp.
Hearing the curtain shift, he looked up. His gaze lingered briefly on Shuji's forehead protector, then scanned Itachi and Anko behind him before returning to Shuji's face with a slight nod.
"Two sets of combat uniforms," Shuji said, stepping to the counter. "Use extra-thick, abrasion-resistant fabric and built-in cushioning at the joints."
The elder set aside his file and retrieved several bolts of heavy cloth in different shades from the back shelves.
"Dark gray, indigo, forest green. Indigo and green are new blends with thirty percent more stretch and protection—at fifty percent higher cost."
Shuji looked to Anko and Itachi. "Choose your colors yourselves. Anko, you need new weighted leg wraps and arm guards—your old ones are badly worn."
He added for the elder: "Make her set to standard Chūnin specifications."
"For Itachi, use lightweight padding to maximize mobility."
Normally Genin wouldn't get specialized vests—they're expensive and unnecessary for typical low-rank missions—but Itachi's squad tackles higher-level tasks now.
Anko eyed the dark swatches but was drawn to a hooded short coat in deep purple displayed on a nearby rack.
The coat's matte fabric and sharp tailoring featured reinforced shoulders and elbows, exuding a confident edge.
"That…counts as armor, right?" she asked tentatively.
The elder followed her gaze. "Combat coat—light, breathable, slightly less protection than a vest."
"I'll take it. Purple, in my size!"
Anko's spirits lifted, the bold color slicing through her gloom.
Itachi silently pointed at the indigo cloth and then to his height.
The elder noted their choices and headed to the back storeroom.
While waiting, Itachi's gaze fell on rows of specially crafted kunai displayed beneath the glass counter. One style featured subtle reverse-saw edges that caught a cold blue gleam under the lights—he watched them intently.
"Interested?" Shuji followed his gaze. "New Wind-Style kunai with enhanced armor-piercing and shredding effects—harder to throw. Your current wrist strength can just handle them but won't unleash their full power and risks injuring you."
"Next year, when you've grown stronger, you can upgrade."
Itachi nodded, withdrawing his attention.
Soon the elder returned with the tailored uniforms and new armor sets. Anko eagerly took the purple coat, fingers grazing the fabric.
Itachi received his indigo uniform quietly.
"That'll be 178,000 ryō." The elder stated the price calmly.
Anko's arm stiffened around her new coat as she glanced at Shuji in surprise.
Ninja gear is costly—she knew that—but this price… she muttered, "Captain… you must be some secret millionaire? You've treated us to meals and gifts…" She sized up the paper bag.
Shuji produced his money pouch, counted out a thick stack of notes, and handed it over decisively. He cast Anko a sidelong look and added lightly, "If you feel guilty, I don't mind you covering part—my extra mission earnings were plenty."
Anko forced a smile and tightened her hold on the coat, silence returning.
The elder finished his count and nodded.
Stepping out of the tools shop, the night had fully settled. Anko carried her new coat, and Itachi held his in his arms. The commercial street's lights glowed more brilliantly against the dark sky.
"Speaking of money," Shuji's voice rang clearly amid the bustle, "we should formalize our reward split." He paused to look at both. "For future mission pay, forty percent goes to squad common funds for equipment and supplies."
"The remaining sixty percent," Shuji continued, "I take forty, and each of you gets ten. Any objections?"
Itachi nodded instantly, no hesitation on his young face—Shuji was the captain and the strongest, so his larger share was natural. Moreover, the common funds would rarely be used for Shuji; his fighting style was frugal on gear.
Anko visibly exhaled in relief and smiled again. "Then I won't hold back today! Thanks, Captain!"
Reaching a fork in the road, Anko hugged her new gear and waved casually before disappearing into the apartment-bound crowd.
Shuji looked to Itachi. "Need me to escort you to the compound gate?"
"No bother, Senpai." Itachi bowed, holding his indigo package.
"All right." Shuji said nothing more, turning toward the west side of the village.
Itachi walked steadily down the middle of the road, the night calm around him.
As he rounded a dim bend and the compound's somber walls came into view, a clear voice rang from the shadow of an old roadside tree:
"Itachi, you're back."
Itachi did not pause. He looked up into the darkness. "Shisui."
A figure stepped from the tree's shade, emerging silently into the lamplight's edge.
Uchiha Shisui, wearing the high-collar clan robe and carrying a short blade, smiled gently as his gaze fell on Itachi's bundle.
"How was squad practice?" Shisui walked beside Itachi and asked calmly.
Itachi held the package and replied evenly, "Senpai Shuji is very strong. After training, he treated Anko and me to sukiyaki and gifted us new gear."
He added, "Combat uniforms."
"A kind, generous senpai." Shisui's tone was warm, a hint of surprise. "Typically a captain isn't obliged to equip squad members."
As a top Jōnin, he knew village custom: gear usually funded by shinobi themselves or their families.
Itachi was aware. His previous mentor cared but never like Shuji did.
"Shuji-senpai is attentive and gentle." Itachi said softly, eyes on the road.
"Do you like him, Itachi?" Shisui asked, smiling more.
Itachi's strides paused for a fraction—he pondered the question.
After a moment, he nodded, calm yet certain: "Yes. When I'm with Senpai Shuji," he searched for the right phrase, "I feel at ease." No clan-meeting weight, no training tension, no intangible pressure from Father.
Dinner in peace, clear guidance, and… everyday normalcy to look forward to.
"Oh?" Shisui's genuine relief shone in his voice. "That's wonderful—to find such a companion."
"I was considering asking the Hokage to assign me as your captain," Shisui added.
Itachi remained silent, only their soft steps and distant insects filling the night.
Chapters in advance there: patreon.com/Thaniel_a_goodchild