Yunjian's Personal Matters

Everyone gradually took their leave, and the residence returned to quiet. Only the slightly messy dining table and the lingering fragrance remained.

Hiruzen Sarutobi helped Nangō Kumoi put away the dishes, and neither of them immediately returned to their official roles. Instead, they naturally settled down in the tea room.

"At last... nothing went wrong, and everyone had a good time."

Hiruzen Sarutobi let out a breath and picked up the freshly brewed tea Kumoi had prepared.

"Thanks to Senior Brother for holding the fort."

Nangō Kumoi smiled, finally relaxing as he rubbed his slightly sore shoulders.

"By the way, Senior Brother, how has Shinnosuke been lately?

I heard Senior Brother Torifu mention that he saw him at the training grounds. He said the boy was overflowing with energy."

At the mention of his son, the composed expression Hiruzen Sarutobi wore as the Hokage's aide instantly cracked, revealing the helplessness of an old father troubled by a mischievous child.

"Don't even mention that brat!"

He waved a hand, his brows knotting together.

"He's practically a little monkey!

Climbing everywhere, teasing cats and dogs—getting him to sit still and read is harder than climbing to the heavens.

He has, however, turned the basic medical ninjutsu his mother, Biwako, taught him into all sorts of tricks—mostly for treating the scrapes he gets when he falls out of bird nests!"

Seeing Hiruzen's rare embarrassment, Nangō Kumoi laughed.

"Being lively is a good thing. Better than being withdrawn.

His talent seems pretty good. He just needs proper guidance."

"Guidance? Every time I see him, I want to make him train until he can't crawl!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi snorted irritably. Clearly unwilling to continue this topic that made him feel so "defeated," his eyes shifted to Kumoi, and his tone suddenly took on the teasing air of an older brother.

"Hey, enough about my boy.

Kumoi, you're not getting any younger, are you? Once the New Year comes, you'll be another year older.

Shouldn't you start thinking about your personal matters too?

You spend every day either buried in documents or at construction sites. There's no one by your side who understands you and cares for you.

How about... I ask your Sister-in-Law Biwako to keep an eye out for you? She knows quite a few good girls."

"Pfft—!"

Nangō Kumoi nearly choked on his tea. He hurriedly set down his cup and waved his hands again and again.

"No, no, no!

Senior Brother Hiruzen, please spare me!

There are so many things in the village waiting to be handled. The Five-Year Plan has only just begun, the Uchiha need to be placated, I need to deal with Senior Brother Danzo, revise the textbooks, assemble construction crews... Where would I find the time or energy to think about that?"

He spoke quickly and urgently, truly looking like a young man flustered by being urged to marry.

Yet a shadow crossed his heart: besides, the future was impossible to predict.

The storm clouds of the Second Shinobi World War would inevitably arrive in a little over a decade. Deeper still were unknown threats that even Ray and Gaia feared... His position looked glamorous, but danger surrounded it on all sides.

Protecting the village alone demanded every ounce of his effort. How could he lightly promise to protect another person for the rest of her life? That responsibility was far too heavy.

Seeing his sincere refusal and even a hint of awkwardness, Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head. His voice softened, filled with understanding and concern.

"I know you're carrying a heavy burden.

But precisely because it's so heavy, you need someone beside you who can let you completely relax and speak your heart.

Not to add to your troubles, but to help you walk more steadily and go farther."

He patted Kumoi's shoulder.

"No rush. I'm only bringing it up.

Whenever you feel the time is right, or if you want to meet some people, just tell your senior brother. I'll have your Sister-in-Law Biwako keep an eye out for girls with good temperaments and sound judgment."

Warmth rose in Nangō Kumoi's heart. He knew this was the most sincere concern an older brother could offer, so he no longer rejected the goodwill and nodded earnestly.

"Mm, I'll remember that.

When that day comes, I'll definitely be the first to trouble Senior Brother and Sister-in-Law."

"That's more like it."

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled in satisfaction, drained the remaining tea in his cup, and stood.

"All right, the tea has been drunk and we've had our chat.

You should get some rest too. Tomorrow is New Year's Eve, and there'll still be plenty to do.

I need to go back and see whether that brat is asleep. Don't let him sneak out again in the middle of the night."

The two exchanged smiles. Many unspoken words and their support for one another were contained within them.

After seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi off, Nangō Kumoi stood alone beneath the corridor eaves, gazing at the silent night sky and the scattered lights of Konoha that had yet to go out.

The responsibility on his shoulders was indeed heavy, and the road ahead was destined to be rough.

But at least tonight, there was good food, old friendship, and care. It made the lights he needed to protect feel especially warm—and worth giving everything for, including certain personal possibilities.

"Personal matters, huh..."

He murmured to himself, smiling as he shook his head and turned back inside.

Romance could wait for more peaceful times.

At least for now, he still had far too much "construction" to do.

Late at night, an abandoned mine at the border of the Land of Iron.

Anbu "Crow" stood in the shadows. Across from him was Kakuzu, who had just appeared.

He wore an old cloak and carried his distinctive pack. His green eyes glimmered faintly in the darkness.

"Money."

Kakuzu held out his hand, concise as ever.

"Crow" tossed him a small pouch.

Kakuzu caught it and rolled it between his fingertips, hearing the distinctive dull clink of Mithril ingots.

He nodded and put away the pouch. "Talk."

"A long-term partnership."

"Crow's" voice was flat.

"Our master needs you to identify assets that are 'ownerless' or 'misplaced,' then use your methods to make them circulate 'legitimately.'

We provide the information and general direction. You handle the operation. We split the profits."

Kakuzu's green eyes flickered.

"A split? Sounds better than taking scattered jobs. What's the first task? I want to see what your offer is worth."

"Crow" handed over a small scroll.

"Three names. They have things they shouldn't be keeping.

Handle them your way. The items are yours, and we'll additionally pay you a commission equal to twenty percent of their market value.

Do well, and there'll be larger, steadier 'sources of goods' afterward."

Kakuzu took the scroll without opening it and directly tucked it into his clothes.

"Forty percent.

For the first job, I'll test whether your 'information' is worth that price."

"Thirty percent."

"Crow" did not yield. "Do well, and we can negotiate next time."

Kakuzu fell silent for two seconds.

"Fine. You'll hear from me within a month."

He was decisive. Turning away, his figure swiftly merged into the darkness deep within the mine and vanished.

"Crow" remained where he was for a moment. After confirming that the other man had left, he too silently disappeared.

The first contact had lasted only a few sentences, yet the deal was made. Konoha's Shadow Vault had begun to operate.