IMPORTANT: I made an error in Chapter 84 that reader Sanyam_Malhotra made me aware of. It was causing me to recognise some inconsistencies while translating the latter chapters. In Chapter 84 the person that was killed by Ye Zi was not Kisame but 'Fuguki Suikazan' the previous holder of the Samehada in the OG Canon Naruto. My transliteration skills have failed me there, I am sorry for those who might of been confused especially since that occurs after the 2nd Shinobi war. I just wanted to let readers know as Kisame will appear later on in this novel so please understand and remember this.
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One day of rest was enough to regain their energy. Ye Zi had no intention of lingering any longer. To complete this troublesome mission as quickly as possible, he called everyone to prepare for departure early in the morning. However, plans couldn't keep up with the changes.
The girl he initially thought wasn't like a wealthy family's young lady, Moko, finally showed behavior that matched her status.
"Let's buy a few sets of clothes first, then some snacks. Lastly, I don't feel like walking, so we need to buy a carriage."
Since she had no extra clothes, she needed to buy some.
She didn't want to walk, so she wanted to arrange for a carriage.
She feared getting hungry at any time, so she wanted to stock up on pastries and snacks.
All these requests were thrown at Ye Zi in one go.
Team Nine, ready to depart, was left dumbfounded by Moko's sudden demands.
They were all packed and had just walked out of the inn, only for her to make multiple requests. It was truly willful, especially given the tight schedule.
Ye Zi looked at Moko's unyielding expression and calmly said, "Where's the money?"
Moko blinked, clearly not having considered that. She had lost her money with the carriage, and her butler was either dead or missing. Yesterday's inn fee was covered by Ye Zi.
"I've got no money," she replied bluntly.
"Then let's go," Ye Zi turned and started walking, with Kotoe, Kurenai, and Guy following suit.
Moko, however, remained rooted to the spot, stubbornly refusing to move.
Noticing her immobility, Ye Zi sighed inwardly, realizing that taking on this mission was worse than accepting an S-rank dangerous mission. Reluctantly, he agreed to her requests, not wanting to waste any more time.
Although Kotoe, Kurenai, and Guy didn't voice any objections, they were secretly pleased. Visiting such a prosperous city and getting the chance to explore a bit was an unexpected treat.
Leading the group into town, Ye Zi had no interest in shopping. Crowded places were not necessarily the safest; in fact, they were often the most dangerous. His mind was on high alert, ready to neutralize any threat, no matter how small, even from a child.
"Kumokawa Inn, what's your connection to it?" Ye Zi's sharp gaze scanned the surroundings as he suddenly asked.
Moko didn't answer, her attention instead captivated by the myriad shops they passed.
Kotoe and Kurenai, being girls, were quickly enchanted by the array of trinkets and impractical but beautiful clothes. As for Guy, his eyes sparkled as he stared longingly at the various meat-filled snacks.
Ye Zi could sense the shifting moods of his team, and his brow furrowed slightly. He wasn't sure if agreeing to Moko's demands had been the right call, as it had disrupted their focus for the mission.
Moko didn't have any money, but Ye Zi agreed to cover her expenses. As a result, she acted willfully, entering a clothing store and having outfits she liked packed up without even trying them on. Ye Zi's eyebrow twitched at the sight.
In truth, Ye Zi was very wealthy, even wealthier than Orochimaru. His wealth was a direct result of the sheer number of missions he had undertaken over the years. Still, even with his fortune, he wasn't one to waste money.
He glared coldly at Moko, hoping to make her rein in her spending.
Moko, feeling Ye Zi's gaze, paid him no mind and continued her spree, asking the shop assistant to bring out more and more clothes.
Kotoe and Kurenai looked on enviously. Although these luxurious, beautiful clothes were utterly impractical for missions, they were far more stylish than anything in Konoha. However, the prices were steep, beyond their reach.
Ye Zi was rich, but Kotoe was poor. Most of her mission earnings were sent back to the village. Kurenai, being a freshly graduated genin, had barely done any missions and had no money. The two could only watch Muko indulge in her spending.
As for Guy, he stood at the shop entrance, drooling over the aroma wafting from a nearby barbecue restaurant. His high-intensity training regimen gave him a ravenous appetite for meat. If not for Ye Zi covering his costs, Guy's diet would be much worse.
"Ugh."
Ye Zi had no solution for dealing with Moko, his employer. If the situation allowed it, he'd knock her out and carry her away.
After picking out several outfits, Moko finally seemed satisfied and gestured for Ye Zi to pay.
Ye Zi shot her a cold look, then turned to Kotoe and Kurenai. "You two pick something as well."
"Huh?" Kotoe and Kurenai could hardly believe their ears.
"Really?" Kurenai's eyes widened with hope.
Without hesitation, Kotoe walked into the store. She knew Ye Zi well enough to know that when he said something, he meant it. Was this the first time Ye Zi had ever given her a gift? The thought made her heart soar with happiness.
Ye Zi gave a small nod to Kurenai, who squealed with joy and dove into the clothing racks.
Meanwhile, Moko watched Ye Zi with growing interest. She began to understand why he was letting Kotoe and Kurenai pick something.
Because of her status, Ye Zi had no choice but to tolerate her willfulness, something that went against his nature. To balance things out, he had invited Kotoe and Kurenai to choose clothes as well.
It wasn't out of kindness or a desire to give a gift, but precisely because of this that Muko found him intriguing.
Ye Zi ignored Moko's gaze, turning instead to Guy. He patted his shoulder to get his attention, handed him some money, and said, "Go ahead."
"Thanks, Ye Zi-sensei," Guy's eyes lit up as he took the money and dashed toward the barbecue restaurant like a hunting predator. It had become a habit for him to rely on Ye Zi's generosity for meals.
Watching Guy bolt towards the restaurant, Ye Zi chuckled lightly. He liked Guy's character, and as someone who also required a lot of meat in his diet, Ye Zi understood how important it was for a taijutsu ninja like Guy to get enough protein. That's why he had taken on the responsibility of covering Guy's expenses.
If not for his wealth, a regular jōnin wouldn't be able to afford the cost of Guy's daily intake. Because of this, Guy's strength had soared, and he had shone in the last siege.
Soon, Kotoe emerged with a green dress, grinning from ear to ear.
Seeing Kotoe's genuine happiness made Ye Zi feel that his decision had been worthwhile. The coldness on his face softened slightly.
However, Kurenai wasn't as pleased.
"Sorry, little sister, but we don't sell children's clothes in this store, so we don't have anything in your size," the shop assistant said apologetically.
"Children's clothes…" Kurenai's mouth twitched as she looked at a red outfit hanging on the rack. Then she glanced at her reflection in the mirror and frowned.
"Can't I wear it later?" Kurenai asked, puffing her cheeks in frustration.
The shop assistant smiled awkwardly and looked at Ye Zi. He gave a slight nod.
With the clothes purchased and the bill settled, they left the shop. Following Moko's orders, they bought a large amount of snacks and rented a carriage. After regrouping with Guy, they finally set off.
With the capital still a ways away and another city to pass through en route, Ye Zi was already considering altering their route, preferring to take a longer but safer detour rather than passing through another bustling city.
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Currently on Chapter 158 - Flashback III (Ye Zi's mysterious past)