Ruichi slipped into the Konoha Ninja Academy with practiced ease.
It was class time, but there were always a few students who were masters of slacking off.
Sure enough, on the rooftop, he immediately spotted the familiar fat-and-thin duo—Choji Akimichi and Shikamaru Nara.
One was munching on potato chips, while the other lay on his back, staring lazily at the clouds.
"I knew I'd find you two here," Ruichi greeted them.
Shikamaru replied without enthusiasm, "Ruichi? Why'd you come back to the Academy?"
Choji quickly held out a bag of chips. "Brother Ruichi, want some?"
Ruichi waved him off and sat down beside them.
"Choji, do you still have those special Soldier Pills? You know—the really effective ones."
Choji's eyes lit up. "Yeah! The Akimichi Clan's special formula. One pill's worth several normal ones, and they kick in fast. But they're expensive. What do you need them for?"
"I'm heading out on border patrol," Ruichi said. "Heard it's rough, so I want to be prepared."
Shikamaru cracked one eye open, his sharp gaze sweeping over Ruichi.
"You're usually stingy to the extreme. If you're buying premium supplies, this mission must be serious."
"Don't remind me," Ruichi sighed. "Total pain. It's the border—anything could happen."
Choji scratched his head. "How many do you want? I can ask my family."
"I'm going all in this time," Ruichi said decisively. "Three… no—five of the best. Money's no object."
"Five?!" Choji and Shikamaru exclaimed together.
Even carrying two was considered extravagant.
Shikamaru fell silent for a moment, then pulled a folded slip of paper from his pocket and handed it to Ruichi.
"Take this to Medicine Master Hall in the west district. They work with our clan—you'll find things there that aren't sold openly."
"…Thanks, Shikamaru."
Ruichi pocketed the note, inwardly impressed. As expected, nothing slipped past him.
"When I'm back, BBQ's on me!" Ruichi waved and headed off.
"BBQ!" Choji's eyes sparkled.
Shikamaru just snorted, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
---
Ruichi left the Academy and went straight to Medicine Master Hall in the village's west district.
"Welcome. What are you looking for?" a middle-aged clerk asked.
Ruichi handed over Shikamaru's note. "Some… harder-to-find items."
The clerk stiffened briefly, then his attitude turned respectful at once.
"So you're a guest of the Nara clan. Please—whatever you need."
…
After leaving Medicine Master Hall, Ruichi headed without pause to Tenten's Ninja Tool Shop.
"Eh? Senior Ruichi?" Tenten teased with a smile. "Not staying holed up at Ichiraku enjoying life today?"
They were practically regulars at each other's shops.
"No choice," Ruichi said, spreading his hands with a miserable look.
"I'm heading to the border, so I'm stocking up."
His eyes swept over the shelves.
"Shuriken, Kunai, steel wire, flash bombs, smoke bombs, Explosive Tags… I'll need consumables."
"In that case, I recommend this," Tenten said, pulling down a large tool pouch.
"The Deluxe Ninja Tool Set. It includes—"
She laid out the contents one by one. Practical, comprehensive… and expensive.
"I'll take two," Ruichi gritted his teeth. "No—three."
"Three sets?!" Tenten blinked. "Are you going to war?"
"Might feel like it," Ruichi sighed. "Better safe than sorry."
If I hadn't come into some money—and if this mission didn't feel so wrong—I wouldn't buy this much even if you threatened me.
His gaze then fell on a discreet set of camouflage combat gear in the corner: high collar, sturdy fabric, windproof goggles, and a matching bandana.
"I'll try that set."
"That's for long-term reconnaissance ninja," Tenten said, surprised.
Ruichi didn't explain and went straight into the fitting room.
A few minutes later, he stepped out—and looked like a completely different person.
His eye-catching white hair was tied back and tightly wrapped under the camouflage bandana.
The goggles hid nearly half his face, and the high-collared suit made his presence sharp and subdued.
If she hadn't watched him go in, Tenten might not have recognized him.
"Perfect," Ruichi said, nodding at his reflection.
As long as it wasn't someone who knew him well, they wouldn't recognize him at first glance.
Even if he ran into ninja from Hidden Mist Village, it would be hard to connect him to that white-haired prodigy from years ago.
After buying a few more odds and ends, Ruichi left the shop with a pained expression, under Tenten's radiant smile.
She really knows how to do business… Maybe I should have Kin come learn a thing or two.
---
By the time Ruichi returned to Ichiraku Ramen, dusk had already fallen.
When he told them about his border assignment, the atmosphere instantly turned heavy.
"You're going somewhere that far?" Ayame asked anxiously, pausing mid-wipe.
"Isn't it dangerous?"
"Relax," Ruichi said with a casual wave. "Just routine patrol. What could happen?"
Teuchi recovered quickly after his initial shock. He patted Ruichi's shoulder, his gaze steady and warm.
"If it's a mission for the Village, then do it properly. Don't worry about home. Take care of yourself."
"I know, Old Man." Warmth spread through Ruichi's chest.
"I'll prepare travel rations," Teuchi said, turning toward the kitchen.
"They're our specialty—better than Soldier Pills."
"I'll help!" Ayame followed him in.
Kin ran over to Ruichi, looking up at him with shining eyes.
"Brother Ruichi will definitely come back victorious!"
In her heart, he was invincible.
"Victorious? I'm not going to war," Ruichi laughed, ruffling her hair.
"Listen to the Old Man while I'm gone, okay?"
That night, Teuchi prepared a table full of Ruichi's favorite dishes, and the family ate together.
It's precisely to protect this ordinary, peaceful life… that I have to deal with all those troublesome things.