Tsunade's Longing

After turning it over in his mind, Dongfang Mao finally settled on the idea of tapping into Tsunade's wealth.

Having inherited the Senju Clan's fortune, Tsunade was clearly not as destitute as he had once imagined. Time was running short, and he couldn't afford to worry about a man's pride.

Besides, he wasn't exactly a man right now. He was just a fourteen-year-old kid. Was it really so unreasonable to ask a distant relative for some pocket money?

At the thought, Dongfang Mao suddenly felt much more confident.

"Ten million ryo? What do you need that for?"

After discussing the compensation with the owner downstairs, Tsunade returned to the room. Looking at Dongfang Mao, who was trying to shake her down for cash, she asked suspiciously.

Although ten million ryo wasn't much to her—it was about what she'd earn from treating a few patients, and less than half a month's spending at the biggest casino in the Land of Fire— it was an enormous sum to ordinary people. Why did Dongfang Mao suddenly need so much money?

"We've been wandering around for a while. It's time to find somewhere to settle down. I thought the hills behind that village had a lovely setting, with clear springs winding around the rocks and birds singing in the deep woods. I've decided we should set up camp there.

"That way, we'll have a new home. We can all live together. During the day, Lady Tsunade, you can teach me ninjutsu, and in the evening we can sit on the veranda and watch the sunset. If you ever get bored, the casino in Tsukimiura is right here, less than ten miles away. You can visit whenever you like."

Listening to Dongfang Mao, Tsunade paused. A peaceful, pastoral scene began to take shape in her mind. Just as the corners of her mouth lifted without her realizing it, Dongfang Mao suddenly changed tack.

"But..."

"But you're short on money, right?"

Tsunade looked at Dongfang Mao, who was wearing a fawning smile and rubbing his hands together like a fly, and gave a soft snort.

Yet her heart stirred despite herself.

She might dislike Dongfang Mao mixing with that band of bandits, but she had to admit that the life he'd just described was deeply appealing.

Ever since she'd left Konoha, she had no longer had anything she could call "home."

Before meeting Dongfang Mao, she had wandered all over the Ninja World without a fixed place to live. She acted as if she didn't care, but deep down, she longed for stability just as much.

And wasn't the life Dongfang Mao had described exactly what she had hoped for?

As for the bandits, when she thought about it, they weren't such a big deal.

Besides, with all of them gathered together, wouldn't they form a brand-new village?

They would be the villagers, and Dongfang Mao would be their leader.

She could help Dongfang Mao build the village of her dreams—a place without killing, death, conflicts of interest, or political maneuvering!

At the thought, Tsunade's heart gave an involuntary tremor. Her hand clenched, and she fixed her gaze on Dongfang Mao, her expression turning solemn.

"Mao, ten million isn't enough. It could hold up the village's construction. How about this? I'll give you twenty million... no, thirty million. You have to make sure you build the village properly!"

Tsunade's words left Dongfang Mao momentarily stunned.

What village? Weren't they talking about a bandit stronghold?

Whatever. A stronghold, a village—it was all the same as long as there was money!

"Don't worry, Lady Tsunade. I'll make sure the str... village is built as perfectly as possible!"

Dongfang Mao fought to contain his excitement, already calculating how much grain he could buy and how many weapons and suits of armor he could acquire to equip his people once he got the thirty million.

Tsunade nodded in satisfaction. After rummaging around for a while, she took out a scroll and handed it to Dongfang Mao.

"Here, take this. The thirty million you need is inside."

Well, would you look at that—she'd even thrown in a Space Scroll. What a great item!

Dongfang Mao's eyes lit up as he took the scroll. He turned to Tsunade, barely able to wait before saying, "Then, Lady Tsunade, I'll go recruit some craftsmen!"

Tsunade nodded, but then, still a little worried, called out to Dongfang Mao, who had already reached the doorway.

"Mao, make sure you keep a close eye on those craftsmen. Don't let them cut corners!"

"Don't worry, Lady Tsunade!"

Dongfang Mao gave Tsunade a gesture over his shoulder, then turned the corner and disappeared down the hallway.

"Lady Tsunade, are we going to settle down in the Land of Rice Fields?"

Shizune had been listening quietly all this time. Only after Dongfang Mao left did she turn to Tsunade, who still looked caught up in the moment, and ask curiously.

"That's right, Shizune. We're going to have a brand-new home here—and not just a home, but a whole new village!"

Tsunade's face was bright as the morning sun, her lips curved in a heartfelt smile. Her sparkling eyes brimmed with longing for the future.

After leaving the inn, Dongfang Mao made inquiries and tracked down a merchant from the Land of Iron. He had come to the Land of Rice Fields to do business and was about to head on to the Land of Fire, but for now, he was staying in Tsukimiura.

The Land of Iron was a country that revered the samurai spirit. It had no shinobi; the country was protected by groups of samurai.

The country was also rich in iron ore and had distinctive techniques and traditions for forging weapons. Its products accounted for a considerable share of the Ninja World's arms trade.

If Dongfang Mao wanted to obtain a large quantity of weapons in a short time, his only option was to find a merchant from the Land of Iron.

Dongfang Mao went to the residence where the merchant was staying in Tsukimiura and got straight to the point.

After a servant announced him, an elderly man soon came out into the courtyard. His hair and beard were completely white, but he looked to be in excellent spirits.

The old man was taken aback when he saw Dongfang Mao.

Clearly, he hadn't expected someone coming to do business to be so young.

Still, treating every visitor as a guest, he asked with a kind smile, "Young man, what sort of business would you like to discuss?"

"I need a batch of standard weapons and armor. I'd like to find out the prices first."

Hearing that, the old man realized Dongfang Mao had come to do business in earnest, not to make a joke of him. His expression immediately grew serious.

"I'm Yoshikawa Yasuhisa. Here's a catalog of our goods. Please take a look."

The old man introduced himself, then handed Dongfang Mao a small black booklet.

Dongfang Mao nodded and took it, studying it carefully.

"Longsword: 6,000 ryo"

"Knife: 8,000 ryo"

Dongfang Mao nodded slightly. Yoshikawa's prices were fair, even a little cheaper than the weapons he'd bought in the Land of Fire before.

But when he looked at the armor listings, the corner of his mouth twitched.

"Padded armor: 10,000 ryo; leather armor: 30,000 ryo; light iron armor: 80,000 ryo."

Despite the sting, Dongfang Mao began calculating how many he needed.

In the end, he gritted his teeth. If he was going to do this, he might as well go all out. He snapped the booklet shut and looked at Yoshikawa.

"I need three hundred swords, three hundred spears, three hundred sets of padded armor, one hundred sets of leather armor, and fifty sets of light iron armor. Do you have enough in stock, Mr. Yoshikawa? Can you deliver them right away?"