The Flower's Repayment Routine

Chapter 14: The Routine of Hana's Gratitude

After leaving the old physician's courtyard, Uchiha Shin hurried without pause toward what the Uchiha Clan called the Mission Hall—the place where the clan posted assignments.

It was likely that every ninja clan's settlement in this Warring States period had such a place.

After all, in this era, the primary income for a ninja clan mostly came from the rewards of missions entrusted to them by others.

Every clan had specialized ninjas responsible for taking these missions from clients and posting them in the mission hall within their own settlement.

The ninjas within the clan would then form teams or take missions solo based on their own strength.

Once a mission was completed, the clan would take a certain percentage of the reward as a commission, and the remainder would be distributed among the ninjas who completed the task.

When Uchiha Shin first learned of this, he had the fleeting illusion that he had transformed into a delivery rider for a yellow or blue app.

Upon entering the mission hall, Uchiha Shin discovered that the mission board in the center was indeed crowded with ninjas looking to pick up work.

Uchiha Shin bypassed the mission registration desk and walked straight into the side office.

Holding his mission scroll, Uchiha Shin found Uchiha Tajima sitting cross-legged by a low table, his head bowed as he focused intently on something.

"Father, I have come to submit my mission."

Uchiha Shin plopped down opposite Uchiha Tajima, placed the mission scroll on the table, and pushed it toward him.

Uchiha Tajima looked up at the sound, nodding slightly at his son who had returned from completing the clan trial.

Uchiha Tajima had, in fact, already learned the specific details of Uchiha Shin's mission performance from the ninjas who had been guarding him in the shadows.

Overall, Uchiha Tajima was very satisfied with how Uchiha Shin had handled the mission.

"Bold, meticulous, decisive, and ruthless!"

That was the evaluation given by the ninja who had been secretly guarding Uchiha Shin after the mission was completed.

As a genin, Uchiha Shin was undoubtedly qualified.

It could be said that among the batch of genin candidates completing the clan trial, no one had performed better than Uchiha Shin.

"Since you have completed the clan trial, you are now a qualified Uchiha genin."

"Therefore, the symbol representing an Uchiha Clan genin should be given to you."

"Work hard, my son."

"I look forward to you walking further and more steadily on this path of the ninja than your father has."

Uchiha Tajima said this to Uchiha Shin with a smile, then stood up and retrieved a small suit of metal armor from a cabinet in the corner of the room.

"You are now a qualified genin. Congratulations, my son."

"This armor, engraved with the Uchiha Clan crest, is now yours."

Uchiha Tajima walked over to Uchiha Shin with the armor, handed it to him with a smile, and once again congratulated him on becoming a genin.

Uchiha Shin reached out and took the small armor from Uchiha Tajima's hands.

He was somewhat surprised; was this a tradition of the ninja clans in the Warring States period?

After completing the clan trial and becoming a genin, instead of giving something like a forehead protector, they gave armor engraved with the family crest?

And red armor at that—was this the standard issue for the Uchiha Clan?

Uchiha Shin reached out to stroke the small armor, then tapped it twice; the sound it made was crisp and bright.

Something was better than nothing; at least it could block kunai and shuriken.

And did this count as getting a new skin?

Uchiha Shin muttered to himself while putting the armor on.

After putting on the small armor...

Uchiha Shin bid farewell to Uchiha Tajima, who still had work to finish, and walked out of the mission hall alone, heading toward his home.

Passing by a pond, Uchiha Shin suddenly stopped.

He stood by the pond, arms crossed, looking into the water with a haughty expression...

With this look, this outfit, this aura, and this magnificent face, I should have a bit of the flavor of the future Lord Madara now!

Hahaha!

Uchiha Shin, who was having a great time cosplaying as the future Lord Madara, never imagined...

That four-year-old Uchiha Madara was standing not far behind him, looking at his big brother with a "what the hell" expression as he performed his neurotic act.

Did this count as Li Gui meeting Li Kui?

Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, three days went by.

Under the care of the old physician, the injured Uchiha Hana quickly recovered her health. During this time, her parents and younger brother had visited her several times.

When they learned from the old physician that Uchiha Hana would be well soon, their worries vanished. They simply urged her to rest well and not to worry about things at home.

Fully recovered, Uchiha Hana thanked the old physician and left his place to return home.

However, Uchiha Hana still managed to learn from the old physician that it was Uchiha Shin, the eldest son of the Uchiha Clan head, who had saved her.

A drop of water in need shall be repaid with a gushing spring.

Not to mention a debt of life.

Uchiha Hana decided she must properly repay the life-saving grace of Lord Uchiha Shin.

But one cannot visit empty-handed!

Thinking of this, Uchiha Hana scratched her head in frustration.

Uchiha Hana looked up at her house, which was practically bare, and could not help but feel a bit dejected.

Her family was too poor; she had nothing of value.

As for ordinary things, Uchiha Hana was afraid Lord Uchiha Shin would look down on them.

After all, Uchiha Shin is the eldest son of the clan head. What hasn't he eaten, and what hasn't he seen?

Uchiha Hana speculated to herself.

"Sigh...!"

Six-year-old Uchiha Hana let out a long sigh.

Her little brain conjured up all the things Uchiha Shin had likely eaten and played with—things she had never even tasted or touched...

Uchiha Hana instantly became even more withdrawn.

"What on earth should I bring to thank Lord Uchiha Shin for saving my life?"

Uchiha Hana walked out of the house in a fret, arrived at her doorstep, and squatted down, scratching her hair incessantly while racking her brain.

"Eh..."

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck Uchiha Hana.

"Since I can't find anything good to thank Lord Uchiha Shin for saving my life..."

"Then why don't I just sell my life to Lord Uchiha Shin... Hahaha!"

"Anyway, risking my life for the clan is the same as risking it for Lord Uchiha Shin, it's all about the same!"

"Hahaha."

"I really am a clever Uchiha Hana, hahaha!"

Thinking of this, Uchiha Hana stood up instantly, then proudly put her hands on her hips, admiring herself for coming up with such a way to repay the debt.

"After all, if I'm selling my life to Lord Uchiha Shin..."

"Lord Uchiha Shin should at least cover my room and board!"

"Even if I don't get the finest delicacies, at least Mr. Braised Rabbit once a week, and plenty of white rice—surely I'd get a chance to eat those!"

"Hehehe..."

Uchiha Hana's imagination ran wild, and she laughed triumphantly at having come up with such a brilliant plan.

"Hehehe..."

"It's decided. I'll go find Lord Uchiha Shin first thing tomorrow morning."

"Even if I have to perform a dogeza before Lord Uchiha Shin, I must make him accept my repayment!"

Uchiha Hana clenched her fists tightly, her heart filled with joy.