Traveling

So, the best way to deal with hardship was to face it and think of a solution. That meant improving his strength first. At the very least, he had to reach Kage Level within the next few years and build his own power in this chaotic age. Developing on his own and becoming self-sufficient were the foundations of growth. Without roots of his own, no matter how promising the growth or sweet the fruit, it would ultimately become nourishment for someone else. With his plan settled, Uchiha Zhuang felt more confident. He opened his eyes and looked at the women still mending clothes nearby. "Everyone, go to sleep now and get some proper rest. Take care of yourselves." "Yes!" A little while later, once the lamps were out, the three women lay down on the floor beside Uchiha Zhuang. The night passed quietly.

The next morning, sunlight fell across Uchiha Zhuang's resolute face. His brow furrowed as he once again sank into fragments of the world of Kage-level fighters, battling without pause. It was well past noon by the time he woke, drenched in sweat. Tsugutama, who had been waiting nearby for some time, handed him a towel and gently wiped his brow. Uchiha Zhuang untied his robe and stood up to consider his next move. After Tsugutama had wiped him down, he decided to visit the nearby towns and villages, hoping to find interesting people and things, broaden his horizons, and perhaps help the weak and punish the wicked. He couldn't return to the village yet; he had to wait for Echo of the Distance to finish cooling down before teleporting back. Otherwise, walking in through the village gates would spell disaster. Besides, he needed to get the three women settled. They would be the core of the organization he planned to create.

After reminding the women to stay home and not go out for the next few days, Uchiha Zhuang slung his sword over his back and strode out of the courtyard. With the golden exchange voucher in hand, he headed to the Earth Warehouse in town. The place was far grander and more luxurious than the others. Uchiha Zhuang understood: pawnshops really were treasure troves in times of chaos. He looked at the three gleaming characters on the large sign—"Daikokuya"—and went inside.

The service was indeed attentive and enthusiastic. Seeing Uchiha Zhuang's greatsword and sturdy frame, the shop attendant plastered on an even more ingratiating smile and said respectfully, "May fortune favor you, honored samurai! Your visit brings our little shop great luck. How may we serve you?" "Do you have gold?" The attendant's smile broadened. "Certainly, certainly. How much would you like, honored samurai?" "I recall the Daimyo once forbade pawning valuables like gold and silver, didn't he?" "You may not know this, honored samurai, but the powerful have their reasons, and small merchants like us have to make our own little calculations too," the attendant said helplessly. Uchiha Zhuang nodded. "All right, enough chatter. How much gold can you exchange for this voucher?" He pulled a gray Golden Scroll from inside his robe. The attendant stared at it in astonishment, then became even more deferential. "This is the most reputable gold note in the underground black markets of the Five Great Nations. At the current market rate, one note is worth... I wouldn't dare deceive you, honored samurai. We can redeem it for five hundred taels!" He glanced again at the greatsword on Uchiha Zhuang's back. Uchiha Zhuang asked without suspicion, "Can you exchange it? I don't need that much gold. Give me one hundred taels in gold, and exchange the remaining four hundred taels for black-market banknotes." "Yes! Please wait a moment, honored samurai! Shimasu!" The shop attendant hurried off with the voucher. Nearly the whole morning passed. Tea and snacks were served three times, and just as Uchiha Zhuang was about to lose patience, the attendant returned with a shrewd old man sporting a chonmage, both of them carrying a box. It was more like a case: an exquisite wooden box with an ornate lock decorated with a turtle. The shop certainly knew how to make an impression. Good sense! If he ever robbed the rich to help the poor, he'd have to go easy on them.

Uchiha Zhuang said nothing as he looked at the old man, waiting for him to introduce himself. The old man bowed, then sat down. "You've come a long way, honored guest. You must be tired. Why not rest here today? We have fine guest rooms and a hot spring famous throughout the region. What do you say?" Hearing the old man's polite offer, Uchiha Zhuang smiled. "I have a mission to attend to and can't stay long. Let's finish the exchange." The old man looked ancient, while the boy before him still seemed young, but as the saying went, old people were wise and old horses knew the way. He smiled and said unhurriedly, "Everything you asked for is in this box, honored samurai. Rest assured, Daikokuya stands by its reputation, and you've gotten a fair exchange. If you ever find another Daikokuya elsewhere, just give them my name. Someone will help you if you run into trouble." Looking at the old man's deeply wrinkled, leathery face, Uchiha Zhuang grew curious and asked who he was. The old man laughed heartily. "I am Old Turtle of Tanba, Hatano Yu!" Uchiha Zhuang brightened and said with a laugh, "Do you have a granddaughter named Hatano Yui?" Hatano Yu looked at him in surprise. "Honored samurai, are you skilled in divination? There is indeed such a girl in my family." Uchiha Zhuang had no interest in chatting with the old man. He picked up the box, ignored the man's attempts to detain him, and strode outside. After glancing at the bustling shopping street, he headed back to his house.

Back home, he gave Delia all one hundred taels of gold to look after, then left her about a million in banknotes for daily expenses. In the world of Naruto, a million taels would cover a minor noble family's expenses for at least several years. Delia stared at all the money and was about to say something, but Uchiha Zhuang cut her off. "First, this money is for you to buy better clothes and hire people to tidy up the house. Second, I'll hire a teacher to teach the three of you women's etiquette, swordsmanship, and general knowledge. Third, this is an investment in you. I'll have you earn it back in the future, so I hope it won't be a loss." Delia opened her mouth but said nothing. In the end, all she could manage was, "Yes."

Once he had made the arrangements, Uchiha Zhuang left without further hesitation and headed for the outskirts of town.

As he traveled through the Land of Fire, even the border regions had a standard of living several levels higher than elsewhere. Vast stretches of green fields spread across the villages, with wooden houses scattered neatly in the distance. People were even cultivating the slopes of the hills. A group of children played and bickered, while villagers heading out to work showed no signs of alarm or fear at Uchiha Zhuang's arrival. He decided not to disturb them. A village this peaceful was no place for violence to take root. Without violence, there was no darkness; without darkness, there was no power. A comfortable life would only slow his hand when drawing his sword. He left the peaceful village and continued on.