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After finishing his announcement, Shinichi observed the expressions of the three students. Minato and Nonō looked a little nervous, while Hirito remained calm and composed.
Shinichi felt reassured. He knew that Hirito had already experienced real battle.
"Alright, let's meet tomorrow morning at 7 o'clock. You're dismissed for now."
With that, Shinichi left the room with quick steps.
Hirito glanced at Minato and Nonō and offered them a reminder. "You're about to leave the village for a mission. I suggest you buy some high-quality ninja tools and detonating charms to arm yourselves."
"Don't be stingy about spending money. Money is replaceable, but you only have one life."
"If you're short on funds, I can lend you some."
"As for the Morinaga caravan, I'll go gather some information."
Minato looked puzzled and scratched his head. "Do we really need to check into the employer's background?"
Hirito patted his shoulder and smiled. "Better to be safe than sorry."
With that, he turned and walked away.
Minato and Nonō exchanged glances and started discussing purchasing shurikens and kunai. Minato invited Nonō to go with him because he had a weakness—he wasn't good at shopping. For some reason, girls seemed naturally skilled at bargaining.
Hirito headed to the Morinaga Caravan shop in the village and discovered it was a candy store. He bought several types of candy and tasted them. The flavors were decent, but a bit monotonous compared to the hundreds of varieties he remembered from the supermarkets in his previous life.
The shopkeeper, Ryo Takeuchi, wore a navy blue jacket over an apricot-yellow shirt. He had a fresh boil on his right cheek and had the typical look of a businessman. He greeted Hirito with warmth and enthusiasm.
When Hirito introduced himself as the ninja taking on the escort mission, Takeuchi's politeness turned into outright eagerness.
"Please try our new maple syrup candy, Ninja-sama," Takeuchi urged. "The sap is harvested from maple trees that are at least ten years old. It's rich in nutrients and has the flavor of strong, mature maple trees."
As a good businessman, Takeuchi understood the importance of being well-informed. Hirito's white eyes clearly marked him as a member of the Hyuga clan, one of Konoha's most renowned families. So, despite Hirito's young age, Takeuchi treated him with utmost respect, continually addressing him as "Ninja-sama."
Hirito popped the maple sugar into his mouth. It did have a distinct maple taste as it melted. "Mr. Takeuchi, there's no need for so much formality. Just call me Hirito. I respect those who respect me."
"By the way, I noticed that your candies are mostly made from honey, maltose syrup, and other sweeteners. Have you ever considered using plant-based flavors, like osmanthus, rose, or jasmine?"
Takeuchi's eyes lit up. As a businessman running the Morinaga Candy Shop for more than a decade, this suggestion seemed like a breakthrough idea to him.
"Hirito-kun, your idea is brilliant!" Takeuchi exclaimed. "I've been trying to think of ways to expand into new markets, and this might just be the key."
Grateful for Hirito's suggestion, Takeuchi gifted him a large bag of assorted candies, weighing about five kilograms.
Hirito accepted the gift without hesitation. "Thank you, Mr. Takeuchi. See you tomorrow."
After leaving the Morinaga shop, Hirito bought a map and gathered information about Harajuku Street from some merchants. From what he learned, Harajuku Street had a bustling commercial atmosphere. Takeuchi Ryo was well-respected in the area and had a reputation for integrity. There had never been any problems when missions for his business were issued through Konoha.
"It seems like this is just a standard escort mission," Hirito thought to himself. "No signs of hidden dangers or higher-level threats."
The next morning, Hirito arrived at the meeting point at 5 o'clock. Since it was still early, he began practicing the [Return to Life] technique, focusing on channeling spiritual energy into his muscles. He had progressed to the stage where he was refining his skeletal muscles, starting with his leg muscles to enhance his [Shunpo] technique.
Time passed quickly while he practiced, and by 6:30, Shinichi, Minato, and Nonō had all arrived.
"Hmm~ this candy is really good. Where did you buy it, Hirito?" Nonō asked, her tone more casual now that they had been working as a team.
"I didn't buy it—it was a gift. It weighs several kilograms," Hirito replied, savoring the maple sugar in his mouth. He liked the taste of the maple tree.
"Who gave it to you? That's quite generous," Minato chimed in.
"Mr. Takeuchi," Hirito answered.
"Takeuchi? Our employer?" Nonō asked, surprised.
The three of them continued chatting, while Minato and Nonō shared their excitement about what the world outside the village might look like.
As the clock neared 7 o'clock, Ryo Takeuchi appeared, accompanied by two shop assistants. Each one carried a large scroll.
"Oh?! Mr. Takeuchi actually opted to use sealing scrolls?" Shinichi remarked, a little surprised but visibly more relaxed.
Most merchants preferred to transport their goods by horse-drawn carriages, as it was cheaper, even if slower. Using sealing scrolls required additional fees and approval from the village, making it an expensive option.
For the ninja tasked with escorting the mission, however, the sealing scrolls made their job much easier. Protecting a person and a scroll was far less labor-intensive than guarding several carriages.
Ryo Takeuchi smiled, handing out some candies to everyone. "Please take care of me, Ninja-sama. Don't be shy—enjoy these Morinaga candies."
As they left the village, a sense of freedom washed over them. Hirito glanced back at the massive archway that marked the entrance to Konoha, the two bold characters "Konoha" standing tall. From there, he could see the three monumental heads carved into the Hokage Rock.
(End of Chapter).
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