Returning a Favor

A smile didn't grace Tobirama Senju's face, but upon seeing Yuzhen's emotional shift, his usually serious and stern expression couldn't quite hold.

"This isn't necessarily all Sarutobi Clan supplies; they might have taken on a transport mission for a merchant."

Tobirama Senju offered a kind reminder. See, he was being kind right now.

It was obvious that tea was a commodity with considerable economic value, essentially impossible for the Sarutobi Clan's personal use...

Even if all the Sarutobi clan members had a habit of drinking tea, with such a large quantity, they'd be drinking it for ages.

Although it wasn't the same as the later Ninja Village system era, ninjas of this era also undertook missions from within or outside their ninja clans.

Ninjas often didn't engage in production; they were purely armed forces, exchanging military might for survival resources—a common characteristic across all eras.

In times of chaos, of course, there was production and commercial activity; that needed no further explanation.

Yuzhen nodded, finding Tobirama Senju's explanation quite reasonable.

He then had a few ninjas carry away the useful supplies and asked Tobirama Senju to repack the tea into a sealing scroll.

This tea held no value for him, but if it got rained on, it would become worthless to everyone.

After completing the "sealing" of the tea, Yuzhen directly handed the supply scroll to Tobirama Senju. "It's yours. This stuff is completely useless to us."

He had no distribution channels, and it was better to do a favor than let the tea rot. He couldn't exactly say he'd resell it to Tobirama Senju, could he?

Yuzhen genuinely wanted something from the other man, but one had to be practical and couldn't want everything.

Tobirama Senju twitched his lips; it was clear he didn't want it at all. The Senju Clan certainly had ways to exchange the tea for more urgently needed supplies, but this was tainted goods from the Sarutobi Clan.

Now, as the guest, he had to follow the host's lead and could only remain silent as Yuzhen placed the donation next to his long sword.

"If the Sarutobi Clan loses mission items, do they have to compensate the employer?" Yuzhen put down the scroll, sat back in his original position, and then asked casually.

"If it's the Sarutobi Clan, they would compensate the employer to some extent," Tobirama Senju replied.

"Oh, as expected of a great ninja clan that stands tall. It seems the Sarutobi Clan values trust and righteousness."

Tobirama Senju froze for a moment, then immediately understood the hidden meaning behind Yuzhen's words.

He instantly recalled that before he fainted, Yuzhen had said something like, "I won't hurt you, but you owe me a life."

After Tobirama Senju woke up, Yuzhen naturally wouldn't bring up that statement again, as it would be considered blackmail. Tobirama Senju wouldn't bring it up either, but he couldn't pretend not to hear it because Yuzhen was stating a fact.

The current Ninja World was incredibly dark, with almost everyone being a moral wasteland. Against this backdrop, being able to kill but choosing not to was considered a kindness. This concept was absolutely sound.

In the previous battle, Tobirama Senju was the aggressor, and then he was defeated. Regardless of whether he was defeated by some insidious sneak attack, defeat was defeat.

But Yuzhen didn't take the opportunity to eliminate his enemy; instead, he treated his wounds. Whether out of goodwill or fear of the Senju Clan's prestige, since Yuzhen hadn't attacked, Tobirama Senju had to acknowledge this debt.

Tobirama Senju could, of course, deny it. Yuzhen wouldn't make a move again anyway. However...

Although the name Tobirama Senju was usually associated with "scheming" and "ruthless," there were some things even he disdained.

"Is there anything you need help with?" he asked directly.

"There is. Perhaps because I'm naturally drawn to water, I've mastered water-style chakra transformation. The problem is, I don't understand water-style ninjutsu and am currently trying hard to find a way to learn it, but to no avail."

Yuzhen didn't stand on ceremony and directly stated his request.

They didn't have any established relationship, so it would be a fair trade.

"Water-style ninjutsu, I do know a few. I can teach you."

Upon hearing it was just this, Tobirama Senju couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. This kind of "repayment" was within his capabilities. Normally, he wouldn't let clan ninjutsu leak out, but now he was facing his "savior."

"That would be wonderful, thank you. However, I'm rather slow-witted and might not learn it quickly, so please write it down."

As he spoke, Yuzhen had already thrust a blank scroll and a pen into Tobirama Senju's hand.

This was clearly premeditated. Tobirama Senju felt a bit helpless but finally picked up the pen and began writing on the scroll.

After a moment's thought, he first wrote down the hand seals, chakra circulation method, and training method for the C-rank offensive water-style ninjutsu, "Water Surge Wave."

With the idea of offense and defense combined, a buy-one-get-one-free deal, he then wrote down the B-rank defensive water-style ninjutsu, "Water Wall," which only Jonin-level ninjas could master, after "Water Surge."

He gave a higher rank to the defensive ninjutsu because, in the eyes of ninjas, offensive ninjutsu was more valuable than defensive ninjutsu. Most of the time, ninja battles were about who could kill the other faster; ninjas emphasized extreme offense.

After writing these two ninjutsu, Tobirama Senju prepared to stop writing and return the scroll, but at this moment, Yuzhen's light voice reached his ears again.

"Speaking of which, I feel like I've heard the name Tobirama Senju somewhere before. I just remembered... do you have an older brother named Hashirama Senju?"

Tobirama Senju's writing hand paused, and he couldn't help but look up at Yuzhen.

The latter's gaze was clear and focused.

Did he really just remember? He knew from the beginning, didn't he... Tobirama Senju realized he had been tricked.

Implication. Yuzhen was implying again. Conversations required skill; perhaps he could write a book in the future called The Art of Communication.

In short, Yuzhen wasn't saying he had heard of Hashirama Senju's name, but that he now knew Tobirama Senju's true identity as the son of the Senju Clan Leader.

At this moment, Tobirama Senju's life had become more valuable. Saving an ordinary Senju ninja and saving the son of the Senju Clan Leader clearly required different levels of compensation.

Because of his special identity, Tobirama Senju had to pay more, otherwise, Yuzhen's kindness would remain unreturned.

So, Tobirama Senju gritted his teeth and continued writing on the scroll, adding another advanced offensive water-style ninjutsu that was difficult for Jonin to learn... the B-rank water-style ninjutsu, "Water Dragon Bullet."

After finishing, he returned the scroll and pen to Yuzhen, finally unable to resist complaining, "You think too much."

Yuzhen accepted the scroll and smiled without a word.

Yuzhen would brush off accusations like this from someone who would spend his days plotting and scheming as if flicking away dust, without giving them a second thought.

"You can stay here and recover until you're mobile again," he said.

Things weren't over; there would definitely be another chance to fleece Tobirama Senju.

Now that they had finally come together, would everyone disperse after one transaction?

Of course not; they would simply move on to the next.