"This won't do, it's too precious, I can't accept this, Shinji!"
Kurenai Yuhi hurriedly waved her hands in refusal, her eyes filled with astonishment.
Ninja tools forged from Chakra Metal were simply not things ordinary shinobi could possess.
In all of Konohagakure, only a few prestigious clans, elite Jonin, or special units were qualified to be equipped with them. Ordinary shinobi would be hard-pressed to even catch a glimpse of one.
Even her father, Yuhi Shinku, a veteran elite Jonin of Konohagakure, had only ever treasured a single small piece of Chakra Metal in his lifetime, never showing it off lightly.
Shinji gently patted her arm, smiling easily. "It's fine, just take it."
This material was a mission reward to begin with. With the System, he might not be unable to acquire more in the future.
Perhaps someday, he could even have a full set of Shuriken forged from Chakra Metal.
The reason Ninja Tools were so precious was precisely because of their scarce production; you couldn't necessarily buy them even if you had the money.
To get your hands on it, you not only needed money but also the right connections.
The future Asuma was able to have his custom Chakra Blade made precisely because of his status as the Hokage's son.
Sometimes, Shinji couldn't help but think that without the System, being born into the Sarutobi Clan would have been much more comfortable than being in the Uchiha Clan.
Having connections in high places certainly made things easier.
Seeing Kurenai still hesitating, Shinji gently squeezed her hand and chuckled softly:
"Take it. If you really feel bad about it, just help me out a few more times when I run into trouble in the future."
He paused, his tone taking on a teasing note:
"Or, just like back at my place earlier."
Kurenai's cheeks flushed crimson in an instant as she immediately understood his implication, referring to that hug in his home.
She gave his shin a light, annoyed kick, glared at him, and chided:
"You... you're always letting your imagination run wild."
Even as she said this, she slightly lifted her chin, a smile she couldn't quite hide playing at the corner of her mouth:
"Since you put it that way, I won't stand on ceremony and will accept it."
Regarding Shinji's hint, Kurenai neither agreed nor refused.
At the counter, Cat Granny puffed on her pipe, eyeing the young pair sideways and grumbling inwardly: Kids these days, have they no sense of propriety?
Flirting right in front of an old woman like her.
She gave Shinji a few more odd looks.
Cat Granny knew quite a few members of the Uchiha Clan. The Uchiha had deep ties with Ninja Cats to begin with, and many contracts passed through her hands.
But this boy before her was the least Uchiha-like Uchiha she had ever met.
"Made your decision?" Cat Granny asked, looking up.
"Done!" Shinji nodded. "Granny, please forge this piece of Chakra Metal into a sword for me. Use any remaining material to make Kunai."
He had already asked Kurenai earlier; she didn't have any particularly favored weapon. Genjutsu was her main combat strength, and she rarely engaged in close combat.
For her, a well-balanced and finely crafted Kunai was more than enough.
Cat Granny flicked her abacus beads and grinned. "That'll be eight hundred thousand ryo. Come pick it up in half a month."
She was secretly delighted: This kid really did bring me a big order.
Shinji's face fell. "Why so expensive?"
His entire net worth was only about 1.4 million ryo. If not for the 1.2 million ryo reward from the Kannabi Bridge mission, he wouldn't even have been able to afford half of the 800,000 ryo.
Cat Granny rolled her eyes. "Do you think Chakra Metal is just some roadside stone? You need a specialized blacksmith for forging, and materials, temperature control, and processes all cost money. If you hadn't provided the most valuable main material yourself, don't even think about getting it at this price."
Shinji was speechless and immediately began bargaining, arguing his case.
But Cat Granny remained unmoved, staring at him expressionlessly, making it perfectly clear: no haggling, take it or leave it.
In the end, Shinji had no choice but to pay the money, albeit grudgingly.
"Thank you for your patronage!"
Cat Granny instantly beamed, took the money pouch, and quickly pulled out a letter to write a brief note. She clapped her hands and called, "Denka!"
As soon as she spoke, a grayish-brown, scruffy-furred Ninja Cat with a clear "忍" (ninja) character on its forehead darted out from the back room.
"Take this letter to Mr. Tomoda."
Tomoda was the swordsmith she exclusively collaborated with.
Shinji immediately recognized this as one of Cat Granny's Ninja Cats and stepped forward, crouching down.
Denka tilted its head and asked curiously, "What's up?"
The next moment, Shinji extended both hands, skillfully and gently scratching under its chin and smoothing its fluffy fur.
Denka instantly narrowed its eyes, looking utterly blissful.
"Not bad, not bad, your technique is great."
"Yes, yes, just like that, that's the perfect pressure!"
"I approve of you, kid."
It was so comfortable that its tail stood straight up. Just as it was immersed in pure bliss, Shinji suddenly stopped, stood up, and pulled Kurenai Yuhi along.
"Let's go, Kurenai."
He casually bid farewell to Cat Granny and walked out the door without looking back.
Only Denka was left frozen in place, the pleasure cut off abruptly, leaving the cat utterly bewildered.
Cat Granny stared in disbelief.
Moments later, a series of furious cat yowls erupted in the shop:
"Meow—!! Meow—!!"
All of it was swearing, and it was downright nasty.
...
After leaving Cat Granny's shop, Shinji and Kurenai Yuhi walked side by side toward the shopping street.
Kurenai Yuhi's shoulders trembled slightly, her eyes curved like crescent moons. "Shinji, you're so mean. That Ninja Cat is definitely going to hold a grudge against you."
Shinji shrugged indifferently. "I'm not afraid of it."
After spending so much money, what's wrong with petting a cat a couple of times?
Besides, today was just Denka's bad luck. Even if he ran into the Two-Tails Matatabi, he'd dare to give it a few pets too.
The sky gradually darkened, and the shops along the street grew lively.
The two were about to find a place to eat when, passing by an izakaya, two figures walked out.
The older one had striking golden hair, fair skin, and most notably, a diamond-shaped mark on her forehead and an exceptionally exaggerated figure.
Shinji's heart stirred.
Tsunade? What is she doing here?
Tsunade's cheeks were slightly flushed, and she let out a satisfied sigh. "Konohagakure's sake really is the best. After this drink, I'm in perfect condition. This time, I'm definitely going to win it back."
As she spoke, she walked toward them, her steps slightly unsteady, her chest swaying dramatically with each movement, making Shinji instinctively glance a few more times.
"So big!"
The thought instinctively crossed his mind.
But with Kurenai Yuhi right beside him, he didn't dare look too much, not wanting to ruin his image.
"Shinji, look!" Kurenai Yuhi suddenly tugged his arm, excitedly pointing in that direction.
"Huh? I-I wasn't looking!" Shinji was startled, hurriedly shaking his head in denial.
Kurenai Yuhi looked utterly baffled, but still pointed at Tsunade: "Quick, look! That's Lady Tsunade!"
Tsunade was the only female among the Legendary Sannin of Konoha, and nearly all kunoichi admired her—Kurenai was no exception.
Shinji secretly wiped away a cold sweat and sighed in relief: "So it really is Lady Tsunade."
He had thought he'd been caught peeking just now.
Since Tsunade was here, the person beside her must be Shizune.
Shizune was a ninja from their same graduating class. After graduation, she was taken away by Tsunade, and the two of them left the village together.
Why had they suddenly returned?
On the other side, the moment Shizune heard Tsunade was about to head to the gambling den again, her face instantly paled with urgency. She grabbed Tsunade from behind, her expression full of grief and indignation:
"Lady Tsunade! Our funds are almost depleted! You are not allowed to squander what little we have left!"
It was then that Shizune noticed Shinji and Kurenai Yuhi up ahead. Her eyes lit up as if she had found a lifeline:
"Shinji! Kurenai! Hurry, help me stop Lady Tsunade!"
Shinji: "..."
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