Haruto took a deep breath, brimming with confidence, and pushed open the door to the first house on the street.
"Ninjutsu: Longevity Technique!"
"Ninjutsu: Lottery Technique!"
...
As the moon set and the sun rose, Haruto stepped out of the last house at the end of the alley. His face was ruddy, his expression bright, and his fighting spirit undiminished.
After battling tirelessly through the entire street in one night, his energy and vigor only seemed to grow stronger.
"This technique is truly amazing~" Haruto said, his excitement evident. His efficiency and combat prowess had reached new heights. There was no doubt in his mind that he was on the right path.
While savoring a freshly made wife cake from a household he had recently visited, Haruto strolled across the street with an air of confidence.
"Wives across the street, here I come~" he declared boldly.
Suddenly, his path was blocked by two cats—one long-haired, the other short-haired.
"Meow~ Meow~"
Haruto stopped, observing them closely. He was surprised as recognition dawned on him. "Hina? Tianhu? Why are you here?"
These two were ninja cats affiliated with Granny Cat, who resided in the ruins of the empty zone. Granny Cat had a long-standing partnership with the Uchiha clan, serving as their exclusive supplier of ninja tools and a crucial source of intelligence in the ninja world. In return, the Uchiha clan ensured her safety and provided financial support.
Tianhu, the short-haired cat, narrowed his eyes and casually licked his paw. "Why? Can't we stroll through the territory of our partners? Meow~"
Haruto scratched his head awkwardly. "Haha, of course, you're welcome here anytime. I just don't see you two around very often, so I was a little surprised."
Hina, the long-haired cat, leaned closer with a sly grin.
"Haruto, you're a good kid~ You've brought such prosperity to the clan. Yet, with such a big commotion, you couldn't even tell that something important had happened. We've come a long way to deliver a message. Now that you're the head of the Uchiha family, shouldn't you treat us to some wood-ten-polygonum drink as a token of hospitality?"
Wood-ten-polygonum, a plant from the Actinidia family, is similar to catnip and has an exciting effect on cats.
"No problem~"
Haruto agreed without hesitation and led the two cats to a nearby shop.
Upon entering, the shopkeeper was mid-way through putting on her top. Her eyes lit up when she saw Haruto.
"Haruto, you finally decided to come back! I've missed you so much. I just barely got half-dressed. Come on, let's head inside~"
Haruto waved her off with a chuckle. "Not right now. I'm here to grab a few bottles of wood-ten-polygonum drinks. Actually, make it a whole box."
"Alright, alright~"
The shopkeeper, visibly pleased, shrugged off her half-worn top and headed to the backroom to retrieve a box of drinks.
Before she could hand it to Haruto, Hina leaped up with incredible speed, snatching the box in her mouth.
"Wow, such a strong little cat!" The shopkeeper exclaimed, her face filled with surprise.
Haruto smiled, patting Hina on the head. "She's one of our distinguished guests. I'll accompany them for now. You'd better put on your clothes before you catch a cold. I'll drop by another day."
...
The three of them—Haruto and the two ninja cats—sat on a roadside bench. Haruto watched as the cats enthusiastically drank bottle after bottle of the wood-ten-polygonum drink.
"Gulp... Gulp..."
"Ah, so delicious! Meow~"
"Yes, yes! I'm tipsy! Meow~"
"You two didn't come all this way just for the drinks, right?" Haruto asked, his curiosity piqued. "Did Granny Cat send you with a message?"
Hina polished off her last bottle in one gulp and licked her lips with satisfaction.
"Haruto, ever since the Uchiha clan's near-extinction, we haven't received any orders for ninja tools from your side in almost two years. Granny Cat's entire business relies on the Uchiha clan. If this continues, she won't be able to make ends meet, meow~"
"So that's the issue," Haruto said, nodding thoughtfully. "That's simple enough to resolve. I'll place an order for detonating talismans. Go back and tell Granny Cat the quantity I mentioned. As always, payment on delivery."
Haruto gestured with his hand to indicate a sizable amount.
The two cats' eyes sparkled with excitement, their tails twitching.
"Meow~ Hehe, Haruto, you're much more decisive and pleasant to deal with than that guy Fugaku~"
"Granny Cat is loyal to her clients. Even after two years without orders, she hasn't sold her goods elsewhere. That kind of dedication deserves reciprocation." Haruto smiled. "Is there anything else? If not, I need to get back to work. My schedule is packed."
"Wait, meow~ We have one more thing to deliver," Hina said, narrowing her eyes.
With a small puff of white smoke, a scroll appeared before Haruto.
"What's this? A gift from Granny Cat?" Haruto asked, picking up the scroll.
Hina shook her head. "No, it's from another member of your Uchiha clan. You should already have an idea who. Just don't let Sasuke find out. This is a private matter between you and him. We're staying out of it. Meow~"
As Hina's words sank in, an image of a man appeared vividly in Haruto's mind.
Uchiha Itachi.
"It seems he's also noticed the things I've been up to recently..." Haruto muttered, slowly unrolling the scroll in his hands.
---