In Konoha, cigarettes were cheap items, but in the Sunagakure, cigarettes were a luxury, so luxurious that even a Chuunin like Saba could not find a pack of cigarettes on him!
In Saba's memory, the first pack of cigarettes he got in his life was the spoils of war he got in the war with Konoha four years ago. Since then, he had been completely dominated by cigarettes.
Every time he got the reward for the mission, the first thing he had to do was go to the shop in the village and buy a pack of cigarettes from the black market merchant with his own hard-earned money. Every time he carried out a mission, he would take a few.
When he was tired, sleepy, and scared, he took out a cigarette and lit it in his mouth. Then he would feel his heart calm down, and at the same time, it gave him sufficient motivation.
"I have to go back alive. I haven't finished smoking my cigarette in the storage cabinet!"
It was with this belief that Saba managed to survive the many battles and become the leader of the team.
In Saba's opinion, cigarettes were his lucky charm!
Originally, he thought that he was finished this time and was even ready to sacrifice himself to let his companions escape. He did not expect to be saved by Zhang Miao.
Now that Zhang Miao even gave him a cigarette, his mood became a little complicated.
"It seems that this cigarette is really my lucky charm!"
Thinking of this, he thanked Zhang Miao, took the cigarette, and took out a lighter to light it up.
"Huff... huff..."
After spitting out a long string of smoke, Saba could not help but exclaim.
"It's so good to be alive!"
Hearing his words, Zhang Miao immediately raised his eyebrows and a smile appeared on his lips.
"Haha, that's true!"
"Hehe..."
Zhang Miao's words suddenly made Saba feel a little embarrassed. He immediately scratched the back of his head, "You're too kind sir. Oh right, Ryu-sama, your cigarette is really good!"
"Eh, not a big deal!"
Hearing his words, Zhang Miao nodded and then took out the pack of cigarettes from just now and threw it to Sand.
"Since you like it, I'll give it to you!"
"Ah?"
Seeing the pack of cigarettes that Zhang Miao threw over, Saba hurriedly reached out to catch it, and then revealed a hint of embarrassment.
"How can I accept this?"
Although he said that he was embarrassed, his movements were not vague. After taking the pack cigarettes, he put it into his arms.
"I won't hide it from you, sir. This thing is very popular in the Sunagakure. One box costs three thousands! Even I can only buy one pack a month to satisfy my craving, hehe!"
Three thousands?
Hearing Saba's words, Zhang Miao's face immediately revealed a look of surprise.
Zhang Miao remembered that this kind of cigarette was priced at five hundred ryos in Konoha. If converted to silver notes, it would be around fifty. However, it was sold for three thousand ryos in the Sunagakure. This was six to ten times the price!
Damn it, these black market merchants are too damn dark!
Thinking of this, Zhang Miao immediately looked at Saba and extended two fingers toward him.
"Saba, tell your companion later that if you want cigarettes in the future, you can buy them from me. One pack is only two thousands. Every ten packs bought by your friends, I will give you one pack as a bonus. How about it?"
"Hiss... Really?" Hearing Zhang Miao's words, Saba immediately showed a surprised expression.
"Then where do I go to buy cigarettes from you? Advisor Chiyo?"
"That's right, remember to tell more people, hehe..."
"Alright, alright. Leave this to me, hehe..."
The two of them looked at each other and then revealed an understanding smile.
Zhang Miao's smile was very bright, and his heart was filled with the desire to make a fortune.
"Damn it, I will be rich for real this time! There are hundreds of boxes of cigarettes in the system space. If I can sell all of these cigarettes to the big spenders of the Sunagakure, I'll at least make a hundred millions, hahahaha!"
Saba's smile was equally brilliant.
"From the beginning, this little brat should not have come for the Sunagakure. Moreover, he does not know that the Sunagakure's cigarettes are sold for four thousands. I will be rich! Hehehe!"
Mutual agreement of personal gains were the strongest bonds people. After reaching an agreement, Zhang Miao and Saba became friendlier toward each other, and they were less vigilant when chatting.
When the time was right, Saba asked the previous question again, "Ryu-sama, can you tell me who you are to Advisor Chiyo? I promise I won't tell anyone!"
"Hmm?" Hearing Saba raise this question again, Zhang Miao immediately frowned, "I'm just nobody. Don't ask this question anymore!"
Hearing Zhang Miao's words, a hint of doubt flashed across Saba's face, but he immediately nodded.
"Okay, okay, I understand. I will ask this question again in the future!"
"That's more like it!"
...
The two chatted as they walked. Maki, who had been talking the most, became silent instead. She just walked in front with her head down. From time to time, she would take out the apple that Zhang Miao had given her and put it into her arms again.
Now Zhang Miao had a deep understanding of the shortage of supplies in the Land of Wind. After seeing Maki's actions, he immediately understood.
This girl was reluctant to eat!
Thinking of this, Zhang Miao took out another apple from his arms and called Maki.
"Hey, Maki, I'll give you an apple. I'll make a bet with you. If you can eat it in one minute, I'll give you two more apples. How about it? Do you want to bet?"
"Ah?" Hearing Zhang Miao's words, Maki was first stunned, but she quickly reacted and nodded like a chicken.
With that, she took the apple from Zhang Miao's hand and swallowed a mouthful of saliva.
"I humbly receive!"
With that, she began to gobble down the apple, nodding as she ate.
"Hmm... so sweet, so delicious..."
In less than a minute, she gnawed the apple until there was only a thin core left, and then looked at Zhang Miao with her squirrel-like cheeks, which seemed to say -
"Give me more apples!"
Seeing this scene, Zhang Miao couldn't help but laugh. While laughing, he took out two apples from his arms and handed them to Maki.
"Here are your rewards!"
"Hehe, thank you, Ryu-sama!"
After getting the apple, Maki happily narrowed her eyes. After she stuffed the apple into her arms, she looked at Zhang Miao with some doubt.
"Ryu-sama, how many apples are hidden in your clothes? Why I can't see them all?"
Zhang Miao: "…"
"Nonsense, my things are all in the system space. You definitely won't be able to see it!"
Of course, he could not say this. Just as Zhang Miao was about to make up a reasonable explanation, Saba spoke up.
"Is there a need to ask such a question? Ryu-sama must have brought an item seal scroll with him! Isn't that right, my good sir?"
Since the other party had already explained it, Zhang Miao naturally would not refute and immediately nodded.
"That's right, the item seal scroll is a must. By the way, how far is this place from the place where Chiyo is living in seclusion?"
"It's not far!" As soon as Zhang Miao finished speaking, Saba laughed again,
"If we move faster, we will be able to arrive before noon!"
"Hm, then let's move faster!"
"Yes!"