Buying Scrolls

Inside the scroll shop.

A broad, burly ninja wearing a Forehead Protector was sweeping the floor.

It was still early, and the shop had only just opened, so hardly any customers had come by.

When Tsunade and Takizawa Dan walked in, they set off the shop's welcome bell.

"Good morning, customers! Welcome to my little shop..."

The burly man bowed almost reflexively, reciting his usual greeting.

He was only a Genin. Though he received a regular allowance from the village, it barely kept one person fed. After all, the rarer something was, the more valuable it became—and the one thing ninja villages had no shortage of was Genin. They were no different from hired laborers.

Besides, he wasn't especially talented. Even when carrying out missions, he could hardly guarantee his own safety. So he had simply opened this scroll shop. Working hard all year round, he could at least support his wife and children and make ends meet.

"Kudo, thanks for working so hard. You're up early to open the shop," Tsunade said with a nod.

In her eyes, it didn't matter if someone wasn't strong. As long as they worked hard and did their best to make a living, they deserved praise.

Hearing Tsunade, the burly man looked up in disbelief. He stared at her, stammering in shock.

"L-L-Lady Tsunade?!"

"W-What brings you to my little shop today? It's such an honor!"

For a low-ranking ninja like him, seeing the Hokage in person was normally out of the question. To him, Tsunade was an untouchable figure, high above them all.

He never would have imagined she would come to his shop herself.

"Haha, there's no need to call it an honor. Today, I'm just an ordinary customer. Treat me like you would anyone else!" Tsunade laughed freely. "By the way, I'm picking out a few scrolls for my new personal disciple, Takizawa Dan, to use with his Ninjutsu Launcher. Could you bring out what you have?"

Only then did the shopkeeper notice Takizawa Dan standing beside her.

It couldn't be helped. Tsunade was simply too radiant. Anyone standing next to her would inevitably be overshadowed.

When the shopkeeper heard that Takizawa Dan had become Tsunade's personal disciple, envy and surprise filled his eyes.

Wasn't this kid the well-known deadweight of Konoha? How had his fortunes changed so suddenly? Not only had Tsunade taken him as her disciple, she'd even brought him along to pick out ninja tools!

Why couldn't something like that happen to him?

Of course, he wasn't stupid. He knew that a lowly Genin and scroll-shop owner like himself had no way of knowing what the higher-ups were thinking, so he wasn't foolish enough to ask.

Just then, the shopkeeper's wife and daughter came out. The moment they saw Tsunade, they were so excited they could hardly contain themselves, their faces alight with enthusiasm. Tsunade, for her part, was left feeling rather embarrassed.

Takizawa Dan watched from the side, amused.

He could tell Tsunade had some degree of social anxiety. At least around strangers, she seemed rather ill at ease.

Fortunately, after they'd been served tea, the shopkeeper brought out every scroll in the shop that could be used with the Ninjutsu Scroll Launcher.

Takizawa Dan took a look. There were four in all.

"Lady Tsunade, these are all the scrolls we have that fit your requirements and can be used with a launcher. I'm terribly sorry... This kind of item is almost never used, so I don't have any extra stock. These are the only ones in the shop right now. Of course, if you need more, I can order some."

The shopkeeper rubbed his hands together, speaking with practiced salesmanship.

The scrolls had been sitting in his shop for years without anyone wanting them. He'd even started to regret ordering them.

Not only had he failed to sell them, but if things continued this way, he'd end up taking a loss!

But Tsunade had just told him she wanted all of them! What did that mean? There was a good chance she'd become a major customer in the future!

If he could secure a steady supply of scrolls for Tsunade, his shop's income would surely increase considerably!

It was a deal with no downside. He'd even win the favor of the current Fifth Hokage. Why wouldn't he take it?

Takizawa Dan watched the shopkeeper's eager expression, amused, but also secretly impressed by his sharp business sense.

Perhaps that was simply how the world worked. Sometimes fate might close one door in your face, but it would surely leave you another, allowing you to find success in a different field.

"Hmm... Takizawa Dan, take a look and decide whether you need them. I'll leave it up to you."

Tsunade paused to think, but didn't answer directly. Instead, she turned to Takizawa Dan.

Her usual approach would have been to buy every scroll in the shop and give them to Takizawa Dan, showing off her generosity and enthusiasm as his teacher, as well as her support for her disciple.

But after yesterday's test, Tsunade understood that her disciple was no ordinary person. He was a golden-scaled dragon destined to leave the pond, and his future achievements might even rival her own!

Now that she knew that, how could Tsunade presume to make the decision for him? She would let him decide for himself.

Seeing Tsunade defer to him like that, the shopkeeper stared at Takizawa Dan in surprise.

This kid was really in charge of the purchase? He was something else.

"Ahem... Takizawa, all our scrolls come straight from the finest suppliers. We've also taken good care of them over the years, so they haven't been damaged by dampness. If anything, their properties have become even more stable. You can buy with confidence. If one gives you any trouble during use, just come back and I'll refund your money."

The shopkeeper was a clever man. Seeing that Takizawa Dan was in Tsunade's favor, he immediately became extremely friendly toward him. You'd never know that he'd just been fawning over Tsunade and treating Takizawa Dan like he wasn't even there.

Takizawa Dan found it amusing. He wasn't bothered by the man's fawning attitude, but he did roll his eyes and silently mock the promise to refund his money.

Scrolls like these would be used to save his life at a critical moment. If he found out in the middle of a fight that one wouldn't work, would he even be alive to come back for a refund?

It was like selling someone a parachute and telling them they could bring it back for a replacement if something went wrong.

What kind of nonsense was that?