Chapter 11

Minato Namikaze hesitated to speak. The curiosity in his heart made him feel uncomfortable, like a cat scratching.

Following behind Haruki, his eyes kept drifting to Haruki's face. Calm. It seemed as if the person who had just killed all the Sand Ninja wasn't him.

But he couldn't forget. Closing his eyes, he could still see that white flash.

Minato had already learned the name of the jutsu from Haruki's mouth: Flying Thunder God Technique. Developed by the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, it was an S-rank jutsu. Minato knew well what S-rank meant, especially such a rare space-time jutsu. In addition, the attacking jutsu used during the Flying Thunder God Technique, the A-rank Rasengan, was said by Haruki-sensei to be based on the Tailed Beast Bomb.

Thinking about learning such jutsu made even Minato, with his usual composure, feel eager and impatient.

"Minato, I counted. You've looked at me over thirty times along the way," Haruki said, glancing at him with a smile. "If you have something to ask, just ask, so don't harm your health holding it in."

Minato looked embarrassed. He didn't expect his actions to be so clearly noticed by Haruki. But counting the number of times—wasn't that too idle?

"Um... I always thought you were just a medical ninja," Minato said, his tone now more respectful than before. Only now did he genuinely accept Haruki as his teacher.

"Because there was no need. If medical ninjutsu can solve the problem, why would I need to step in?" Haruki said, seeing his expression. "Do you think I'm a bit cowardly?"

"No, no!" Minato shook his head like a rattle.

"It's a tactic to show weakness to the enemy," Haruki explained no further. His main aim was to deceive people like Hiruzen Sarutobi. If he demonstrated combat prowess on par with Tsunade, he'd likely meet an end quicker than Sakumo Hatake. As a mere medical ninja, he posed no threat to the Hokage position.

Minato opened his mouth but smartly didn't ask further. He noticed something off. "Sensei, this isn't the way back to Konoha, is it?"

"Yeah, we're going to the Ōshima Trading Company."

"Ōshima Trading Company?" Minato thought for a moment and remembered the B-rank mission was issued by this company. "But shouldn't the reward be collected in the village?"

"That's usually the case."

In Konoha or any ninja village, mission rewards are typically pre-paid by the client.

"But this is a special case; it's a private commission."

"Uh, Sensei, isn't this against village regulations?" Minato asked hesitantly.

"If you don't tell and I don't tell, who will know?" Haruki looked at him. "You wouldn't betray your teacher, would you?"

"Of course not!" Minato shook his head vigorously.

"Rules are made to be broken, especially unreasonable ones," Haruki said, implying more than he said.

Before Minato could ponder further, they arrived. "We're here, the town where Ōshima Trading Company is located."

Minato looked at the bustling street, unlike the desolation of the wild. It seemed untouched by the war. The shops on both sides mostly bore the "Ōshima" sign. Though unfamiliar with the Ōshima Trading Company, Minato could tell it was powerful.

"The Ōshima Trading Company's main business is grain trade. They've made a fortune in recent years due to the Second Shinobi War and are now well-known in both the Land of Fire and the Land of Rain," Haruki explained casually, noticing Minato's gaze.

"In addition to regular grains, they sell a product called compressed biscuits, which are popular with the common people for their good quality and low price."

"Compressed biscuits? Are they similar to military ration pills?"

"Yes, you're quick to catch on."

Haruki praised him, continuing, "But military ration pills are exclusively for ninjas, essentially medicinal pills."

After some more chatting, they stopped in front of an ancient mansion-like building.

"I am a jonin from Konoha. Please notify your master."

"Please wait a moment, sir."

The guard, seeing Haruki's forehead protector, immediately showed respect. Shortly, he returned. "Please follow me, sirs."

Led by the guard, Haruki and Minato entered a hall where a middle-aged, portly man immediately stood up, smiling warmly.

"Lord Haruki, your visit brings honor to our humble establishment!"

"The bandits in the Aso Mountains have been eliminated. Since it wasn't far, I decided to come by."

"You Konoha ninjas are indeed efficient!"

Ōshima Yoshiyuki gave a thumbs-up, then turned to Minato. "And this young man is?"

"Minato Namikaze, my disciple."

"Nice to meet you, young man."

After the greetings, the topic returned to the mission. "Shall we go get the reward, Lord Haruki?"

"Yes. Minato, wait here."

"Yes, Sensei."

Haruki followed Ōshima Yoshiyuki to a secluded room. He looked up to see someone inside who looked exactly like him. A Wood Clone.

Haruki's Wood Release was different from Yamato's; it was closer to Hashirama Senju's, only lacking the Sage's body. Wood Clones, a special type of clone, had highly realistic effects. Leaving it here was to facilitate contact and protection.

The Ōshima Trading Company was a force he had established three years ago. Like the Konoha Orphanage, it took in war-generated rogue ninjas and refugees. Following his instructions, it cultivated ninjas and improved wheat and rice, using chakra for farming.

"Lord Haruki, according to protocol, you need to provide the passphrase."

Ōshima Yoshiyuki poured a cup of tea. "A single spark."

"Can start a prairie fire."

Haruki took the tea, sipping it. "Let's get to business. I need a group of ninjas to infiltrate Konoha."

"What are the requirements?"

"They must have clean backgrounds and withstand the Root Division's investigation. If possible, they should infiltrate the ANBU or Root Division. If not, they can find me at the ninja academy."

"Understood." Ōshima Yoshiyuki nodded. "I'll select the most determined individuals."

"Thank you." Haruki relaxed. "How have things been?"

"Excellent."

Ōshima Yoshiyuki regained his shrewd merchant demeanor. "It's all thanks to your boldness, daring to use chakra for farming. I never expected it to work so well. In terms of quality alone, our Ōshima Trading Company is the best."

"Have we avoided detection by Amegakure and Konoha?"

"Yes." Ōshima Yoshiyuki's chubby face smiled. "Your methods worked. Recently, Hanzo himself sent people to investigate, trying to find out who was selling grain, but he didn't know the village he was investigating was entirely our people."

That wasn't his method. Haruki chuckled.

"One last thing, Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan have formed the Akatsuki organization. They will likely gather great strength, especially top-tier ninjas. You can cooperate with them appropriately. They need grain; you need protection. Maybe the Ōshima Trading Company can control the entire economic lifeline of the Land of Rain."