61. Buying

"Mission failed. Received Mind Energy *10. Steel Heart reward unlocked. (Current Mind Energy: 33)"

The system's pleasant voice echoed in Uchiha Gin's mind, and his lips curled up involuntarily in delight. Although he hadn't managed to keep up a winning streak, this attempt was definitely an improvement over the last.

Looking at the "Steel Heart" icon orb that had dropped on his system board, Gin decided to hold off on opening it. In his typical cautious fashion, he would wait until evening to open it, with a shower, fresh clothes, incense, and a prayer.

"Hey kid, stop hanging around and finish up what you were doing."

In a great mood, Gin lightly patted Senju Itama's backside, urging him to get back to work without holding any grudges against the brat.

"Ah! ~~"

Itama shrieked in surprise as his bottom was tapped again.

"Ah, my foot! Hurry up. Don't you want to eat tomorrow?"

Gin gave him a light flick on the forehead, instantly silencing the boy's screech.

"Ugh...!"

Holding his head, Itama glared at Gin, his cheeks puffed with frustration.

Ignoring the murderous glare, Gin hummed a tune as he headed out for a stroll. As he passed his backyard, he couldn't help feeling it was a bit too plain, so he decided it might be time for some renovations to make it more comfortable for his future training sessions.

Strolling along the main road through the Uchiha district, he saw wooden houses neatly lined up. Judging by their pristine condition, it looked like they were built not too long ago. Some had even been turned into small shops selling daily necessities and imported goods from other regions.

"How much for this?"

Gin casually picked up a bizarre-looking mask from a street stall and asked the shop owner.

"That'll be 100 ryō!"

The vendor enthusiastically responded, showing no signs of the usual dislike Gin was used to, which made him glance twice at the man.

"You're not part of the Uchiha clan, are you?"

Noticing the man's distinct red hair, Gin asked.

"Oh, you got it right! I'm a traveling merchant from Uzushio."

The vendor, a cheerful middle-aged man, explained with a warm smile.

"From the Uzumaki Clan?"

"Yeah, well, you know... I am, but I'm not a shinobi, just an ordinary person."

Clearly having fielded this question many times, the vendor quickly clarified.

In this world, while chakra exists, few people can actually refine and use it, so shinobi make up only a small portion of the population. The majority are ordinary civilians. Even within shinobi clans, there are members who can't wield chakra, and they often engage in trades and production to support the clan's livelihood.

"Got it. I'll take the mask."

After learning the vendor's background, Gin didn't question the price and handed over the currency he had prepared from trading in gold.

"Great! Anything else you're looking for?"

Seeing a sale made, the Uzumaki vendor eagerly continued his pitch.

"Do you have anything that could entertain a child?"

Gin thought for a moment and asked.

"Oh, you have a kid? How old?"

The vendor asked, intrigued by the request.

"Not mine—he's a relative's kid. About five years old, a bit of a handful."

"Ah, I recommend this."

After rummaging in his bag for a while, the vendor pulled out a plush doll.

"Wait, this..."

Gin was surprised by the doll's appearance.

"This is called a Tailed Beast. They live near our country. The real ones are enormous and very fierce, though this plush looks cute."

The vendor gave an enthusiastic explanation.

"I'll take it!"

Gin immediately decided.

"Only 3000 ryō!"

The vendor smiled so broadly he could have swallowed the sun. This doll had been sitting unsold for ages, and he'd finally met a generous customer.

"Money's not an issue."

Gin confidently tossed the cash to the vendor and examined the doll closely. It was a plush of the Three-Tails, Isobu, one of the lesser-seen Tailed Beasts in the original story. Long ago, it was captured by Senju Hashirama and handed over to the Land of Water along with the Six-Tails. Isobu later reappeared, was used to empower Rin Nohara and triggered Kakashi's rage, and ultimately returned to nature (die)until captured by the Akatsuki.

The plush in Gin's hands was well-made. A mini-version Three-Tails, endearingly ugly in a way that would appeal to all ages.

"Good stuff. My name is Uchiha Gin. If you get more Tailed Beast plushes, be sure to let me know."

The more he looked, the more he liked it, and his collector's itch started acting up.

"Absolutely, absolutely! I'm Uzumaki Shu. If I get more in stock, I'll inform you right away."

Uzumaki Shu? That was quite a unique name.

Waving goodbye, Gin tilted the strange mask he bought onto his head, clutching the ugly-cute Three-Tails plush, and headed to the general store he had visited before.

"I'll take this and that—everything! Deliver it all to my house."

Returning to the shop, the same owner as last time greeted him. After browsing the furniture section, Gin picked a stone table, a wooden lounge chair, and a set of training targets and dummies from the shinobi gear section. After paying, he left his address for delivery and installation.

"I need to find a carpenter too—the fence I made by hand just won't do!"

Gin's homemade fence was flimsy and an eyesore. He wanted a professional to make a sturdier, more elegant one.

"Too much work on my plate already."

"I hurt my back yesterday, so I can't help."

"Nope, not interested; try somewhere else."

Several carpenters gave various excuses, and one didn't even bother, displaying outright dislike for Gin. He was bewildered—did they hate him so much they'd turn down money?

Resigned, Gin figured he'd just have to handle the backyard fence himself. But before he could make it back home to surprise the little brat, Senju Itama, he unexpectedly ran into a familiar face.

"Captain Fuka!"

Gin spotted his former team captain and waved cheerfully.

On a rare break, Uchiha Fuka was taking a leisurely stroll when he heard a familiar voice behind him. He turned, momentarily mistaking the curly-haired man for someone else, before realizing it was Gin.

"Big brother Shinzo...?"

When the figure came closer, Fuka cleared his expression and asked coldly,

"Uchiha Gin, weren't you assigned to the dungeon? Why are you out here?"

"Heh, just finished a shift and came shopping. Captain Fuka, are you still on leave?"

Gin gave a sheepish grin, glossing over the fact he had skipped work.

"Hmm."

Fuka responded with a curt nod, his tone clearly indifferent.

Knowing that his predecessor had a knack for making people dislike him, Gin wasn't offended.

Instead, he scratched his head and asked,

"Captain Fuka, do you know someone named Uchiha Shinzo?"

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