Konoha's Tatsuya

After the accounting was finished, neither Shisui nor Itachi accepted Tatsuya's offer to split the spoils. The entire sum of over 1.6 million ryo went into Tatsuya's pocket.

With the division of the loot complete, the three began to rest by the bonfire.

"Tatsuya-nii, are you really short on money?"

After a long silence, Itachi suddenly looked at Tatsuya and asked curiously.

Honestly, Shisui and Itachi, hailing from prominent Konoha clans, had never worried much about money since childhood. All their expenses were provided for by their respective clans.

Therefore, Itachi was somewhat puzzled by Tatsuya's, who was also from a prominent Konoha ninja clan, apparent desire for money.

"Of course! I'm dirt poor right now!"

Tatsuya nodded, answering very bluntly.

For this mission, his wallet had almost been completely emptied.

If he didn't earn some more money to supplement his income, Tatsuya estimated that he wouldn't even be able to support himself and Seiryu.

With money, there were so many things he could do.

However, there were many things Tatsuya couldn't openly tell Shisui and Itachi yet.

Hearing this, Shisui and Itachi both remained silent, their gazes towards Tatsuya filled with disbelief.

"My clan's secret techniques are a bit special. They require a large amount of food during training, and that takes a lot of money. I'm not from the main branch of the family, so unlike you two, I don't have the full support of the clan, where I can just focus on training. Heh, if it weren't for wanting to earn some extra cash, I wouldn't have shamelessly asked to team up with you guys. Shisui, you're strong, so following you on more high-level missions means earning more money!"

Seeing their reactions, Tatsuya chuckled and added this explanation.

Shisui shook his head with a wry smile.

After spending this time together, Tatsuya's roguish nature had become apparent.

He treated Shisui and Itachi just like ordinary friends, completely lacking the distance and guardedness that other ninja in the village displayed when interacting with them.

Shisui and Itachi, for their part, were quite happy to accept this.

However, Shisui and Itachi didn't entirely believe Tatsuya's explanation. During this period, although Tatsuya's daily food consumption far exceeded theirs, it wouldn't be so extravagant as to require spending so much money on food.

Everyone had their secrets, and since Tatsuya wasn't willing to elaborate, they didn't press the issue.

After a night's rest, the caravan continued its journey the next day.

Two months later, they arrived at the capital of the Land of Rice Fields.

In front of a magnificent and opulent mansion, a large caravan slowly came to a halt.

"The master has returned!"

"Master!"

…

At the mansion gate, the guards on duty, seeing the leading carriage, immediately came forward to greet them respectfully. Inside the mansion, more than ten beautiful women adorned with gold and silver, having received the news, also came out to welcome them.

A flurry of activity and greetings; it was quite lively!

The carriage door curtain was lifted, and Yoshida Jin stepped down.

Seeing Yoshida Jin, the servants and concubines were momentarily stunned.

Compared to before, Yoshida Jin's physique had noticeably slimmed down.

Although he was thinner, he looked more energetic.

"Brother Tatsuya, please, come inside!"

Ignoring the people in front of the carriage, Yoshida Jin quickly walked to the rear and politely invited Tatsuya, Shisui, and Itachi, who had already disembarked.

"Then we'll impose on Yoshida-san!" Tatsuya replied politely.

"Not at all! Not at all! It's my honor to have three distinguished young heroes from Konohagakure grace my humble abode!" Yoshida Jin's face was so wreathed in smiles that it formed wrinkles, showing great enthusiasm.

Hearing this, Tatsuya chuckled lightly and didn't say anything more. He, Shisui, and Itachi followed Yoshida Jin into the mansion.

Seeing this scene, the members of the caravan were already accustomed to it, but the servants and concubines who had come to welcome them were all shocked.

Yoshida Jin was a top merchant in the Land of Rice Fields. They had never seen him treat anyone so politely, especially three obviously young men!

After more than two months of travel, Tatsuya, Shisui, and Itachi were all weary and planned to rest at Yoshida Jin's place for a day.

The next morning, the refreshed Tatsuya, Shisui, and Itachi walked through the streets of the Land of Rice Fields' capital.

The Land of Rice Fields was located north of the Land of Fire, bordering smaller countries like the Land of the Moon, the Land of Waterfalls, and the Land of Hot Water. It was situated in the border region between the three great nations of Fire, Lightning, and Earth.

After the Third Shinobi World War broke out, the chaotic fighting between the three great nations had also affected the Land of Rice Fields.

Walking through the streets, one could see emaciated refugees everywhere. Most of them had numb expressions and looked haggard; the prolonged war had destroyed their homes and their confidence in continuing to live.

Along the streets, few shops were open for business, and the entire city was permeated with a strong sense of desolation.

Seeing these scenes, Tatsuya, Shisui, and Itachi all maintained calm expressions, and no one spoke.

Having been in the ninja world for a year, Tatsuya had seen too many scenes like this.

Peace always seemed far away.

"I'll see where you run! Beat her, beat her hard!"

"You dare steal from my family? Let's see how many lives you have! Beat her to death!"

…

At a street corner, a chorus of shouts and the sounds of punches and kicks reached Tatsuya's ears.

Looking up, he saw five burly men surrounding a corner, continuously beating a figure curled up on the ground.

Nearby, a young man dressed in brocade robes stood by, cursing incessantly.

The person being beaten was wearing tattered clothes, and their body appeared very thin. They seemed to be quite young.

Facing the brutal beating from five or six fierce men, this person didn't cry out in pain or beg for mercy, but simply curled up, silently enduring the beating.

On the street, passersby all looked on this scene with cold indifference. Some even went out of their way to avoid it, fearing they would get into trouble.

The beating continued for seven or eight minutes before it finally stopped. Only when the thin figure on the ground was completely unable to move did the young man in brocade robes leave with the five men.

On the cold bluestone street, the thin figure lay motionless. Blood oozing from their body had already stained the surrounding bluestones.

If no one came to help, this person would likely die silently.

Seeing this, Tatsuya sighed softly in his heart and stepped forward.

Behind him, Shisui and Itachi's expressions shifted slightly, and they followed Tatsuya.

Turning her body over, Tatsuya discovered that this person was actually a girl, about ten years old.

The girl's body had suffered severe injuries. Blood was flowing from the corners of her mouth, and her vital signs were extremely weak.

However, until she completely lost consciousness, the little girl's teeth were tightly biting her lower lip, her face filled with determination and unyielding spirit.

Tatsuya's expression was moved. He quickly picked her up, and after exchanging a glance with Shisui and Itachi, they hurried back to Yoshida Jin's mansion.

That evening, the girl gradually awakened from her sleep. She struggled to sit up with difficulty.

"You're awake! What's your name?"

In the room, a low voice sounded.

The girl looked up in the direction of the voice, and Tatsuya's figure came into her view.

After a long silence, the girl spoke, "Guren."