Some debts are settled with gold. Others are repaid with silence, trust… and a promise to return.
The second day passed.
Then the third.
Ayato's Odd Jobs Shop saw absolutely no visitors.
Neither Kakashi nor Itachi returned, and even Tsunade failed to show her face.
Not until the fourth day.
Ayato had just opened the system interface when the shop door suddenly swung open.
He turned his head.
Tsunade stepped inside.
"A rare guest, Lady Tsunade," Ayato greeted calmly, as though her arrival had been expected all along. "What brings you to my humble shop today?"
"You seriously don't know why I'm here?" Tsunade stared at him, barely restraining the urge to punch him on the spot.
"That depends." Ayato gestured toward a chair. "Have a seat."
He reached instinctively for his tea set—then paused.
The tea jar was empty.
Before he could say anything, Tsunade pulled out a heavy bag of tea leaves from a storage scroll and dropped it onto the counter with a dull thud.
"This is tea. Consider it today's payment. Your sign says compensation is flexible anyway."
"…Very well. I'll accept it."
Ayato didn't bother refusing. He stored the bag away and began preparing the tea.
Soon, a rich fragrance filled the entire shop.
"Excellent aroma," Ayato said appreciatively, lifting his cup. "I didn't expect you to carry such high-grade tea, Lady Tsunade."
"I swiped it from that old man," Tsunade replied casually. "It should be decent."
So it really was Hiruzen's stash.
No wonder.
Ayato chuckled lightly. Tsunade rarely drank tea — seeing her carry any at all was unusual.
"Let's get to the point," Tsunade said after finishing a cup, her gaze sharpening. "How did you know about my past?"
That night, she'd been too shaken to think clearly.
But afterward, the more she reflected on it, the more unsettling it became. Several things Ayato had mentioned were classified matters — secrets even most ANBU wouldn't know.
How could he possibly know them?
Ayato replied with a cryptic line instead of a direct answer.
"Some truths are better left unspoken. Much like a contract — to follow its rules is to preserve fairness."
He took a slow sip of tea.
"Certain matters are best not investigated too deeply. I once made a contract with an old acquaintance. There are things I cannot disclose."
Tsunade watched him carefully.
"…You won't harm Konoha?" she asked quietly.
"I was born in Konoha," Ayato replied with a faint smile. "Why would I harbor ill intent toward it?"
Then his eyes lifted slightly.
"You checked my background before coming here, didn't you?"
Tsunade didn't answer.
But her silence was confirmation enough.
ANBU had found nothing abnormal in his records.
"By the way," Ayato continued, his dark gaze settling on her, "your shackles… they should be broken now, shouldn't they?"
An inexplicable tension rose in Tsunade's chest.
"What do you think?" she countered.
"I think you've already broken free."
The system notification alone was proof.
After a brief pause, Tsunade exhaled slowly.
"…You're right. Still, I should thank you, Shopkeeper Ayato."
"It's only proper," Ayato said as he poured her another cup. "I accepted your payment. That makes our contract complete."
"So this is what you keep calling a contract?" Tsunade leaned forward slightly, resting her hands against the table, studying him with curiosity.
"Yes."
For a moment, silence settled between them.
Only the soft sound of tea being poured filled the air.
Then—
The door slid open again.
A young woman entered, carrying a small pink pig in her arms.
"Lady Tsunade! So this is where you ran off to!" Shizune exclaimed, relief flooding her voice. Years of chasing Tsunade around the continent had given her an uncanny tracking instinct.
"Oh, Shizune," Tsunade replied casually. "I'm just having tea with Shopkeeper Ayato."
"…Tea?" Shizune stared in disbelief. "You're drinking tea?"
Tsunade coughed awkwardly. "Ahem. What do you need?"
"We should leave soon," Shizune said nervously. "The casino owners in Konoha are starting to band together looking for you. And… I also heard Lord Jiraiya might be returning soon."
That immediately soured Tsunade's mood.
Casinos were one problem.
Jiraiya was another.
"I understand. Go pack our things. We're leaving tonight," Tsunade said, rubbing her temples.
"And… the Hokage's office recently reported some valuables missing…" Shizune added carefully.
"…We're leaving right now," Tsunade snapped. "Immediately."
Ayato calmly began cleaning up the tea set. "Safe travels."
Just as Tsunade and Shizune reached the door, Tsunade paused and turned back.
"Is there something else, Lady Tsunade?" Ayato asked, instinctively glancing toward the tea leaves under the counter.
"We're heading out," Tsunade said steadily. "Next time I return, I'll come find you."
"Of course," Ayato replied pleasantly. "If you're planning to tour the shinobi world's famous sights, I have several excellent recommendations."
"No need," Tsunade snorted lightly, glancing at the donation box. "I don't have anything left to pay for another contract."
With that, she turned and left with Shizune.
[Ding!]
[Zhongli signature line detected. Proficiency +0.1%]
[Current Synchronization: 6.0%]
[Ding!]
[Task Progress Update — Total Transactions Completed: 2 / 5]
Ayato watched the doorway quietly.
Two contracts down.
Three more to go.
And judging by today's guest… the next ones wouldn't be boring.
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