Chapter 6: Contract with the Ninja Cat, Way of the Ninja

After having dinner at Obito's house and listening to some advice from his beloved Minato sensei, Uchiha Jin took his leave. Jin met Uchiha Obito because Obito's grandmother lived next door and often came over to say hello, so they became familiar with each other over time.

Unlike with other Hokage figures, Uchiha Jin could maintain a relaxed relationship with Obito. After all, understanding Obito meant knowing the deal.

Even if their bond ran deep, it wouldn't stop him from getting stabbed once Obito turned dark.

Leaving Obito's house, Uchiha Jin wandered the streets of Konoha with his wallet in hand.

At this moment, the war's shadow had not completely spread within civilian circles, and on the surface, Konoha Village still presented a scene of peaceful tranquility.

However, signs of unrest were beginning to appear.

Uchiha Jin pushed aside the door curtain and entered a ninja tool shop.

"Hey, jin-kun, coming to buy Explosive Tags again?" The shopkeeper, with a big beard and a smiling face, asked Uchiha Jin.

"No, this time I'm here to buy Shuriken."

"Ah, unfortunately, the prices for Shuriken and Kunai have both increased by 20%. Special steel wire has gone up by 30%. But I advise you to stock up a bit. According to Granny Cat's side, these hard currencies will continue to rise in price."

"Alright then, give me six sets of ninja tools with steel wire holes, two large rolls of thread, and also give me a Sealing Scroll. Let me calculate... I have 200,000, convert it all into Explosive Tags." Uchiha Jin patted his wallet, grinned, showing no remorse.

D-Rank missions typically offered bounties ranging from five thousand to ten thousand Ryou, sometimes even a few hundred Ryou, but Uchiha Jin hadn't taken any. Plus, since Jin completed missions alone, he didn't have to share the money with anyone.

The intense training this year has allowed Uchiha Jin to save a seven-figure sum in his hands.

And this money was saved for this moment.

"Whoa, Jin-kun, that's quite a lavish spending!" The shopkeeper blinked slightly. Uchiha Jin's purchasing power surpassed even some Special Jonin.

Uchiha Jin smiled faintly. He didn't need to support a family; he only needed to fund his own lifestyle.

He was certainly different from those ninjas who scrimped and saved for retirement.

In the ninja world, the prices of ninja tools vary greatly. An Explosive Tag costs around 2000 Ryou each, Shuriken are the cheapest at about 50 Ryou each, and Kunai range from 200 to 30,000 Ryou depending on quality, with a significant price difference between those used for throwing and those used for defense.

A set of high-quality ninja tools, including throwing tools, melee weapons, and armor, can cost nearly 200,000 Ryou.

Katana and Ninjato are even more exorbitant, with the cheapest practice Ninjato starting at around 3000 Ryou. Chakra-infused metal ninja tools are incredibly rare and not for sale; if they were, they would cost as much as Asuma's livelihood.

As for why Uchiha Jin is buying so many ninja tools and Explosive Tags?

The reason is simple.

Uchiha Jin is going to risk his life, but he can't deliberately throw his life away.

It's a bit convoluted to explain, but that's the rationale.

Intentional suicide would be judged by Heaven's Path Will as insurance fraud. Not only would he get nothing, but his life would also be wasted in vain.

However, if a spirited ninja gambles all his assets, dedicates his most outstanding skills honed through training, and fights for a righteous cause...

And if he were to perish in such a battle, who could say he didn't die a fitting death?

Isn't this like the founder of the ninja world, who perished halfway through his ambitious endeavor?

I'm so pumped up I could burst!

Won't you just hand over my health insurance card already?

Soon after,

The shopkeeper of the ninja tool shop emerged with a clatter, carrying a pile of items. The weight of the six sets of ninja tools even made him sweat profusely.

With a bang, he placed the ninja tools on the table.

Next, like shuffling cards, he arranged stacks of Explosive Tags into a fan shape for Uchiha Jin's convenience in counting.

"Jin-kun, buying this many ninja tools at once, are you going on a very dangerous mission?"

At this point, the shopkeeper also realized that Uchiha Jin wasn't buying these ninja tools just for fun.

Uchiha Jin looked up, furrowing his brows at the shopkeeper.

"Don't blame me for being nosy. I know the secrecy rules of the ninja, but I do business in ninja tools under Granny Cat's supervision, and I also deal in some intelligence gathering."

"The dangerous missions within the clan are mainly either to the battlefields of the Land of Rain or the Valley of Hell in the Land of Hot Water." The shopkeeper's expression turned slightly serious.

"Whichever it is, it shouldn't be something of your caliber to participate in." The shopkeeper didn't beat around the bush, stating it bluntly.

Then, he frowned, glancing at Uchiha Jin with some hesitation.

"In appreciation for your long-standing support to the Ninja Cat Clan, I'll offer you an extra little something," the shopkeeper said, producing a piece of parchment and placing it before Uchiha Jin.

"This is a one-time summoning contract for the Ninja Cat Clan. Once signed, you can summon a Ninja Cat operative using Summoning Jutsu."

Ninja Cat operatives are elite cat ninjas from the Ninja Cat Clan. They are highly active in chaotic areas, with their headquarters located in a little-known ruined city.

Unlike traditional summoning animals, Ninja Cats are very independent and almost impossible to subjugate by ninjas.

This clan runs a ninja tool business and has a close partnership with the Uchiha clan, known for their skill in manipulating ninja tools.

Uchiha Jin knows that Granny Cat, the leader of the Ninja Cat Clan, is fond of children. If possible, Granny Cat doesn't hesitate to help children, especially those from the Uchiha clan.

Now, the shopkeeper presenting this one-time summoning contract suggests, based on the information he's received —

Uchiha Jin is likely facing a life-threatening mission this time.

The shopkeeper presented this Ninja Cat contract to ostensibly help Uchiha Jin, but in reality, it was more of a way to persuade him to reconsider.

To convince him to give up on this mission.

"You should understand what I mean, right?" The shopkeeper stared straight at Uchiha Jin, his pupils quietly transforming into vertical slits.

His tone grew heavy.

Uchiha Jin smiled faintly and accepted the one-time contract from the shopkeeper.

Ninja Cats are a neutral ninja clan and do not involve themselves in ninja conflicts unless paid handsomely.

Thus, the main purpose of this contract is to provide survival supplies and combat tools in chaotic battlefields, which naturally requires money.

However, for Uchiha Jin, who had just spent all his money tonight, this contract was just a piece of paper and would not hinder his attempt to legitimately use insurance.

With this thought, he turned and walked straight out of the ninja tool shop.

Leaving behind just a few words:

"Uncle, thank you."

"But I have something I must do, even if it means facing death without fear."

"This is my ninja way!"

After Uchiha Jin finished his eloquent speech and walked out of the ninja tool shop, he squeezed his wallet, checked the remaining balance,

then turned and slipped into the Red Light Alley of Konoha Village.

Facing the imminent fear of death tomorrow, as he truly confronted this reality, Uchiha Jin felt a surge of excitement and also a hint of fear in his heart.

Therefore, tonight, he decided to eliminate this lingering regret.

Three minutes later —