Oliver had learned many things in his two years in this world, but one lesson stood out more than most—being a ninja was expensive.
His first solo mission had been a success, and the pay had been decent. But after restocking his supplies, repairing his gear, and setting aside a portion for rent and food, the ryo in his pouch had dwindled fast.
He sat at the counter of his small apartment, counting his remaining funds. A deep sigh escaped him.
"This isn't sustainable."
At first, he thought it was just him—maybe his expenses were unusually high. But after talking to some of the other Genin, he realized it was a common problem.
Kiba had complained about the cost of caring for Akamaru, between food and medical checkups.
Tenten was constantly saving up to buy better weapons.
Even Neji, coming from the Hyūga Clan, had to be careful with his money since his missions weren't exactly making him rich.
But for Oliver, the costs were even worse.
The Hidden Costs of His Arsenal
Most Genin relied on kunai, shuriken, and basic ninja tools. Cheap, simple, and easy to replace.
Oliver, however, had a different skill set.
• Arrows were not standard ninja tools, meaning he had to commission them or craft them himself. Either option cost money and time.
• Tonfa maintenance—unlike swords, they weren't common among ninjas, so finding a proper weaponsmith wasn't cheap.
• Seals and scrolls—his growing interest in Fūinjutsu required expensive ink and specialized paper.
• Training costs—he spent a lot of time refining his techniques, which meant wear and tear on his gear.
On top of that, Oliver wasn't just using one combat style—he was developing a unique hybrid fighting method. Balancing archery, close-quarters combat, and ninja techniques required more resources than the average Genin.
"If I don't find a way to make more money, I'm going to have to cut back on training," he thought grimly.
That wasn't an option.
Exploring Options
Oliver spent the next few days exploring ways to make money outside of standard missions.
1. Weapon Crafting?
• He considered making his own arrows to save money.
• Tenten offered to help him learn, but the materials were still expensive.
2. Fūinjutsu Work?
• Selling basic storage seals seemed profitable.
• The problem? He was still a beginner, and no one trusted a novice seal maker.
3. Gambling?
• The thought crossed his mind, but he wasn't that desperate—yet.
Finally, he came to one clear conclusion—he needed more missions.
Taking More Work
Oliver started accepting more C-rank missions, sometimes taking multiple in a row. Escort jobs, hunting down rogue bandits, clearing out wild animal threats—anything that paid well.
This led to something unexpected: a reputation.
He was already known as the youngest Genin to graduate that year. Now, he was gaining a new reputation—the workhorse ninja. The one who took missions non-stop, never refusing a job, never backing down.
The village took notice.
So did the Hokage.
The Hokage's Invitation
One evening, after returning from another mission, Oliver found himself summoned to the Hokage's office.
Sarutobi Hiruzen sat behind his desk, pipe in hand, watching Oliver with his usual grandfatherly yet calculating gaze. The ANBU in the shadows were silent, but Oliver could feel their presence.
"You've been taking on a lot of work lately," the Hokage said.
Oliver simply nodded. "Missions pay well."
Hiruzen chuckled. "That they do. But a Genin taking on this many assignments? It's unusual."
Oliver shrugged. "I don't have a team. I don't have clan support. If I want to survive, I have to rely on myself."
The Hokage studied him for a moment. "You remind me of someone."
Oliver raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
Hiruzen smiled. "A young boy who carried the weight of the world on his shoulders before he was ready. He pushed himself harder than anyone, believing that if he just worked a little harder, he could overcome anything."
Oliver remained silent, but he knew where this was going.
"Take care not to burn yourself out, Oliver," the Hokage warned. "There is a difference between strength and endurance. True strength is knowing when to push forward… and when to step back."
Oliver gave a small nod. "I understand, Lord Hokage."
But in his mind, he thought: "I don't have the luxury of stepping back."
The Price of Strength
Despite the warning, Oliver continued his rigorous mission schedule.
His body adapted. His reflexes sharpened. He learned to stretch every coin—repairing his gear instead of replacing it, hunting for food instead of buying it, and practicing seal-making to reduce his reliance on expensive scrolls.
But he knew one thing for sure.
The stronger he got, the more it cost.
Would it ever be enough?
He didn't know.
But he would keep pushing forward—no matter the price.