Ninja Tools

Ninja Tools

Aoki Ninja Tools Store

The shop was not particularly well-lit. Various ninja tools were neatly arranged on the shelves lining the walls.

Behind the counter sat a thin old man with graying hair and a monocle. By the light of a desk lamp, he patiently used a small file to sharpen the edge of a Kunai.

Hearing the door curtain rustle, he looked up. His gaze paused briefly on Shuji's forehead protector, swept over Itachi and Anko behind him, then returned to Shuji's face as he gave a slight nod.

"Two sets of combat uniforms." Shuji stepped up to the counter. "Use thick, wear-resistant material, with built-in cushioning at the joints."

The old man set down his file and rose, bringing out several rolls of heavy fabric in different colors from deep within the shelves.

"Dark gray, indigo, and dark green. The indigo and dark green are new stock, mixed with better fibers. Their flexibility and protection are over thirty percent better, but they cost fifty percent more."

Shuji looked at Anko and Itachi. "Pick your own colors. Anko, you also need new weighted leg wraps and arm guards. Your old ones are badly worn."

He added to the old man, "Fit her with a standard Chunin-grade set."

"As for Itachi, make his protective gear lightweight. Mobility comes first."

In theory, Genin did not specifically purchase combat clothing like vests. Such items were expensive, and the missions Genin usually handled did not require protective gear. But Itachi had joined a team that would be taking on high-level missions.

Anko looked over the dark fabrics and curled her lip, but her eyes were involuntarily drawn to a dark purple hooded short coat hanging on a nearby shelf.

The coat had a distinct matte texture and sharp tailoring, with reinforced shoulders and elbows. It gave off a clean, unruly air.

"That... counts as protective gear too, right?" She pointed at it, sounding tentative.

The old man followed her gaze. "A combat coat. The outer layer has been specially treated to be lightweight and breathable. Its protection is slightly weaker than a vest's."

"I'll take it! Purple, in my size!"

Anko's eyes lit up. The coat swept away much of her earlier dejection, as though that lively purple could cut through the gloom in her heart.

Itachi quietly pointed to the roll of indigo fabric, then indicated his height.

The old man noted down the requests and turned toward the storeroom in the back to fetch the goods.

While they waited, Itachi's gaze fell on rows of specially made Shuriken displayed beneath the glass counter. One type had fine reverse serrations along its edges, gleaming with a cold blue light under the lamps. He studied them intently.

"Want one?" Shuji followed his gaze. "The new Fuma Shuriken. It has improved armor-piercing and tearing effects, but demands more from the user's throwing technique. With your current wrist strength, you can barely use it, but you won't be able to bring out its full power. You might even hurt yourself."

"Next year, when you're stronger, you can switch to it."

Itachi silently withdrew his gaze and nodded.

The old man soon emerged carrying the clothes and several sets of brand-new protective gear. Anko eagerly took the dark purple coat, her fingers stroking the fabric.

Itachi also received his indigo combat uniform.

"That'll be 178,000 ryo," the old man said evenly.

The arm holding Anko's new coat stiffened almost imperceptibly. She looked at Shuji with sudden shock and suspicion.

Of course she knew ninja tools were expensive, but this price... She could not help muttering under her breath, "Captain... don't tell me you're some secretly filthy rich tycoon? Forget treating us to meals, but these gifts..." She weighed the exquisite paper bag in her hands.

Shuji took out his money pouch, counted out a thick stack of bills, and handed them to the old man without hesitation. He gave Anko a sidelong glance, his tone calm. "If you feel guilty, I don't mind if you pay for yourself... I made quite a bit extra on the last mission."

Anko smiled awkwardly and hugged the coat tighter without saying another word.

After counting the money, the old man nodded.

The three left the ninja tools store. Outside, the sky had already turned completely dark. Anko's face was a little tense as she draped her new coat over her arm, while Itachi held his own package. The lights of the Commercial District seemed even more brilliant.

"Since we're talking about money," Shuji's voice rang out clearly amid the surrounding clamor, "we should set rules for mission reward distribution." Without slowing, he glanced at the two of them. "For future mission earnings, forty percent will go into the team's shared fund for replenishing ninja tools, medicine, and other consumables."

"As for the remaining sixty percent," Shuji continued, "I take forty percent, and the two of you split the rest evenly. Any objections?"

Itachi nodded almost immediately, with no disagreement on his young face. Shuji was their captain and the strongest among the three. It was only natural that he received a larger share.

Besides, the team's shared fund would likely not be spent on Shuji anyway. This captain's fighting style did not consume many ninja tools.

Anko visibly relaxed, a smile returning to her face. "In that case, I won't hold back today! Thank you, Captain!"

The three arrived at a fork where their paths diverged. Holding her new gear, Anko casually waved to them. Her figure soon disappeared into the crowd heading toward the apartment district.

Shuji looked at Itachi. "Do you need me to walk you to the clan compound entrance?"

"No need to trouble yourself, Senior." Itachi held the indigo paper bag and gave a slight bow.

"Mm." Shuji said no more and turned toward the west side of the village.

Holding the paper bag, Itachi walked steadily down the middle of the road.

Just as he rounded a bend, with the distinctive high walls of the clan compound visible in the distance, solemn against the night, a clear voice carrying a smile suddenly came from the deep shadows cast by an old tree by the road ahead.

"Itachi, you're back."

Itachi did not slow in the slightest. He raised his head and looked toward the shadows. "Shisui."

The tree shadows swayed. A figure seemed to condense out of the night itself, silently stepping forward to stand at the edge of the streetlamp's dim yellow glow.

Uchiha Shisui wore a dark blue, high-collared clan uniform, with a short sword strapped to his back and his forehead protector properly tied around his forehead. A gentle smile rested on his face, the corners of his lips naturally raised as his gaze fell on the paper bag in Itachi's arms.

"How was team practice today?" Shisui walked over to Itachi, and the two naturally fell into step side by side.

Holding the paper bag, Itachi recounted calmly, "Senior Shuji is very strong. After training, he treated Senior Anko and me to sukiyaki, and he also bought us ninja tools as gifts."

He added, "Combat uniforms."

"A very kind and generous senior." Shisui's tone was gentle, carrying a trace of surprise. "Generally speaking, a captain has no obligation to buy equipment for team members."

As one of Konoha's top Jonin, he knew the village's customs well. Equipment upgrades were usually paid for by the ninja themselves or provided by their clans.

Itachi knew that. His previous Jonin instructor had been good to him, but had never looked after his subordinates the way Shuji did.

"Senior Shuji is a thoughtful, gentle person," Itachi said softly, watching the road stretching beneath his feet.

"Does Itachi like him?" Shisui turned his head, his smile deepening slightly.

Itachi's steps paused for half a second, almost imperceptibly, as if he were seriously considering the question.

After a moment, he nodded. His voice remained steady, but carried a note of certainty. "Yes. Being with Senior Shuji..." He seemed to search for the right word. "It feels relaxing." There was none of the heaviness of clan meetings, none of the tension from the training ground, and none of the invisible pressure he felt when facing his father.

He could eat at ease, receive clear guidance, and... perhaps look forward to an ordinary daily life.

"Ah, I see," Shisui said, with genuine relief in his voice. "Then that's wonderful, to have met a companion like that."

"Originally, I wanted to apply to Lord Hokage to become your captain myself."

Itachi did not respond, merely walking on in silence. Only their soft footsteps and the faint chirping of distant insects remained in the air.

The silence lasted for several breaths before Itachi spoke again, with a faint trace of confusion. "But Senior Shuji seems to have another identity. Father is very concerned about it." He raised his head and looked at Shisui beside him, a brother and teacher alike, his gaze searching. "Shisui, are there any special clans in the village? Ones without surnames?"

(End of Chapter)