After leaving the Hokage Building, Uchiha Tunan first made a trip to the Uchiha Clan Compound.
At the clan's ninja tool shop, he bought enough ninja tools and Ration Pills.
Then he hurried back to Mitsuya Motoyoshi's home.
At that moment, Mitsuya Motoyoshi was drinking tea at the stone table in the courtyard.
"Phew~"
Mitsuya Motoyoshi gently blew on the tea. The fragrance rising from the cup mingled with the scent of flowers in the courtyard and drifted into his nostrils.
There was even a faintly bitter sweetness in the aroma...
Mitsuya Motoyoshi took a small sip of tea, closed his eyes, and held the cup with an expression of enjoyment as he savored the aftertaste.
"High-grade tea really does taste different."
Ever since Uchiha Tunan had begun looking after Mitsuya Motoyoshi, the old man's days had become more comfortable with each passing day.
Not only did Tunan serve him tea and pour his water every day, he also took care of all the household chores.
Every few days, Uchiha Tunan personally trimmed the flowers and plants in the courtyard.
He brought home clothes, tea leaves, and all sorts of strange supplements every day.
Most importantly, Uchiha Tunan paid for all of it out of his own pocket.
At first, Mitsuya Motoyoshi had refused.
He thought Uchiha Tunan was wasting money.
But now...
"Ahh~ It smells so good~" Mitsuya Motoyoshi took another sip, narrowing his eyes as he muttered,
"That kid really is filial. I just wonder whether he has Wind-nature Chakra.
If he does... heh heh..."
Just then, Uchiha Tunan hurried in from outside the courtyard.
Mitsuya Motoyoshi immediately snapped awake and said with a smile, "Tunan, why are you back? Don't you have a mission today?"
Uchiha Tunan smiled faintly, lifted the teapot from the stone table, and filled Mitsuya Motoyoshi's cup before saying gently,
"I accepted an escort mission today and need to leave the village for a while.
So I hurried back to pack some things."
After saying that, Uchiha Tunan headed into the house and began packing.
Seeing this, Mitsuya Motoyoshi set his teacup on the stone table and wheeled himself to the doorway.
"Since it's an escort mission, you need to perform well. This is your first C-rank mission."
As Uchiha Tunan organized the room, he responded, "This mission isn't C-rank. It's B-rank."
Mitsuya Motoyoshi was startled, and anger rose in his heart as he said in a low voice,
"You only just became a Genin. How could that brat Sarutobi assign you a B-rank mission?
Come on, take Grandpa to see him.
Grandpa will demand justice for you. Isn't he sending you to your death?"
Uchiha Tunan smiled faintly and continued working with his hands.
"There's no danger. It was originally just a C-rank mission, but the employer has plenty of money and paid according to B-rank standards.
That's why the mission rank was raised."
Upon hearing that, Mitsuya Motoyoshi immediately relaxed. Smacking his lips, he said,
"That's good, then. You're a lucky kid, running into an employer with more money than sense."
Uchiha Tunan moved around the room, constantly rearranging things as he casually replied, "You can't put it that way. They're spending money for peace of mind."
Mitsuya Motoyoshi stroked his beard and pondered for a moment.
"That's true. You and that kid Kakashi are both geniuses. Your strength is beyond that of ordinary Genin.
And that blond kid leading your team has some real skill when it comes to speed.
The employer's money wasn't wasted.
What are you fussing around with at home? Do you really need to bring that much?"
Uchiha Tunan wiped the sweat from his forehead, but his hands never stopped moving.
"I've prepared everything for the trip.
Oh, right, I put the microwave on a low stool for you.
When you need to heat food, just turn it on.
I've also placed your daily necessities lower down so they'll be easier for you to reach."
As he spoke, Uchiha Tunan walked into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator.
The refrigerator was packed full of things.
Seeing this, Uchiha Tunan shook his head.
"These ingredients can't be left behind either."
He immediately tied an apron around his waist, took out all the ingredients, and placed them on the cutting board.
"Tap, tap, tap..."
The rapid sound of chopping rose from the kitchen.
Mitsuya Motoyoshi wheeled himself into the living room and watched the tirelessly busy Uchiha Tunan in the kitchen.
"You don't need to worry about me. I've lived for so many years; I can take care of myself."
Uchiha Tunan paid no mind to Mitsuya Motoyoshi's words. He crouched down and took the old tea leaves from the kitchen cabinet.
"I know, but you're far too frugal in daily life.
I need to criticize you for that.
Look at the tea you drank before I came. It was nothing but tea dust and stems once steeped.
Drinking too much of that is bad for your health.
Here, I've put the new tea leaves in the cabinet.
I'll toss all your old tea leaves into the garden as fertilizer."
As he spoke, Uchiha Tunan quickly walked into the courtyard.
Mitsuya Motoyoshi hurriedly called out, "Don't! I paid money for all of that."
However, Uchiha Tunan ignored him completely and tossed the old tea leaves directly into the flowerbeds.
The sight made Mitsuya Motoyoshi's heart ache.
"Oh, right, speaking of money."
Uchiha Tunan slapped his forehead and took out ten thousand ryo from his wallet.
He stuffed it into the coat hanging on the rack by the door.
"I put these ten thousand ryo in your coat pocket. Buy whatever you need; don't try to save money for me."
Mitsuya Motoyoshi frowned and looked at Uchiha Tunan, who was still busy.
"You do D-rank missions every day, and you've spent so much money on me. Where did this money come from?"
Uchiha Tunan replied in an indifferent tone, "This money? It's the compensation the village gave me after my parents perished."
Mitsuya Motoyoshi froze at those words and immediately drew in a deep breath.
He wheeled himself over to the coat rack and took out the ten thousand ryo.
At that moment, Mitsuya Motoyoshi realized for the first time just how heavy money could be.
"Take it back, take it back. How can I use the compensation for your parents?"
Uchiha Tunan pushed Mitsuya Motoyoshi's hand back and shook his head.
"If I complete this mission, I'll receive forty thousand ryo as my share of the reward. I'll earn it back."
Mitsuya Motoyoshi became somewhat anxious. Though he was greedy and stingy, he was not so shameless as to spend a junior's life-risking money.
"I'm just an old man who doesn't even go out. Where would I need so much money?"
Uchiha Tunan crouched down, firmly grasped Mitsuya Motoyoshi's hand, and earnestly said,
"When I'm not home, what if something happens to your health? Going to the hospital costs money.
And with your legs inconvenient, you'll have to ask the neighbors for help.
If something really does happen, remember this.
Don't be stingy then. Give them a red envelope to show your gratitude.
These ten thousand ryo are mainly for emergencies.
Otherwise, I won't be able to stop worrying about you while I'm away."
After saying that, Uchiha Tunan patted the back of Mitsuya Motoyoshi's hand, stood up, and continued working.
"I..." Mitsuya Motoyoshi looked at the banknotes in his hand, suddenly finding himself choked up.
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