"Cooperation?" Ipponmu's voice was stretched, and his round face reflected the uncertainty in his eyes.
Rinto nodded, looking serious.
"Yes, cooperation. You provide the materials, forge, and store, and I provide the technology and physical strength."
Upon hearing this, Ipponmu paused to think, calculating the offer in his head.
This kind of cooperation wasn't rare; in fact, it was common in the Iron Kingdom. Many forging masters accepted employment on cooperative terms. The benefits were clear: merchants got high-quality ninja tools, and forging masters had more free time. For renowned masters, forging was no longer a job—it was a form of creation.
Looking at Rinto, a boy just taller than the counter, Ipponmu hesitated. If the quality of his work matched the thousand-leaf candle displayed on the counter, then Rinto was indeed qualified to propose such cooperation. But... could he truly deliver?
Noticing Ipponmu's hesitation, Rinto pulled out a ninja bag from his pocket and poured its contents onto the counter.
A flood of Senbon spilled out, clinking against the wood. Ipponmu glanced at them, his pupils shrinking with surprise.
At first glance, the Senbon looked identical—same length, same curvature, even the same precise lines. They were a perfect replica.
Ipponmu's gaze shifted back to Rinto, his expression serious. "How do you propose this cooperation?"
Rinto's expression brightened. "After deducting material costs, I want 30% of the remaining profits."
Thirty percent?
Ipponmu's first instinct was to refuse. How could he let someone else take 30% of his store's profits? But, as he thought about it more, his doubts faded.
Many of the best forging masters operated under such deals, with great success. This cooperation could work.
"So, what is your output?" Ipponmu asked, trying to gauge Rinto's abilities.
Rinto glanced around at the various ninja tools hanging on the walls and casually waved his hand. "One month, all of this."
Before he could finish his sentence, Ipponmu interrupted him.
"Not enough, not enough! This is far too little!" Ipponmu's chubby head shook quickly.
Rinto rolled his eyes, unfazed, and added, "I mean ten times the amount here!"
Ipponmu froze, shock written across his face.
If Rinto could indeed produce that much, he'd easily be able to fire the two blacksmiths he employed. The potential profit was enormous, enough to save 20,000 taels!
Without further hesitation, Ipponmu agreed. "Alright, I'm in!"
The two sides quickly settled the deal, and Ipponmu was delighted. If Rinto's output was as high as expected, he'd be a cash cow.
"Since the cooperation is set, I won't keep you any longer, Mr. Ipponmu."
"Wait a moment," Ipponmu stopped Rinto as he was about to leave. He dashed from behind the counter, moving with surprising agility for his size.
"Rinto-kun, is this your first time in Konoha?" he asked.
Rinto nodded.
In that case, Ipponmu rubbed his hands and smiled. "Then please stay at my house for a while. It'll be more comfortable than staying in a hotel."
Rinto hesitated, worried about Rii's shyness. But seeing her nibble on an apple candy, he figured it would be fine. He wasn't one to shy away from free food and shelter.
He glanced down at Rii and then nodded. "Alright, we'll stay."
"Good!" Ipponmu clapped his hands. "It's no trouble at all."
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the streets of Konoha lit up with lanterns, and people walked in yukatas, adding a festive air to the evening.
In high spirits, Ipponmu decided to close up shop early. He led Rinto and Rii down the lively streets, towards his home.
After a short walk, they arrived at a quiet courtyard, complete with a rockery and flowing water. The wooden buildings exuded a traditional charm, and the sound of water trickling from a small pool created a peaceful atmosphere.
"Wow," Rinto thought to himself, impressed. "Ipponmu may be a fat, mercenary businessman, but he certainly knows how to live."
In the backyard, a boy about Rinto's age was practicing shuriken throwing, beads of sweat on his forehead. His bluish-white hair and focused expression were a sharp contrast to Ipponmu's jovial demeanor. Nearby, a mature woman with white hair, tied high in a traditional style, watched the boy with a contented smile.
"I'm back!" Ipponmu called as he entered the yard.
The woman turned, her smile turning into a welcoming gesture. "Welcome back, dear."
Upon noticing Rii, who was munching on an apple, and Rinto with his awkward expression, the woman's eyes narrowed. She gave a quick glance at her husband, who chuckled nervously.
"This is Sakuta Rinto and his sister, Sakuta Rii. They'll be staying with us for the time being."
Rinto and Rii bowed politely. "Hello, Auntie Kyoko."
Ipponmu gestured to the boy practicing shuriken throwing. "And this is my son, Kato Dan."
Rinto's eyes flickered when he heard the name. Kato Dan? Could this be the same Kato Dan from Tsunade's past? The resemblance was undeniable—perhaps this was the same boy who had died young, and Tsunade's first love had passed away before leaving any heirs.
Feeling a strange mix of sympathy and curiosity, Rinto couldn't help but ponder.
Meanwhile, Kato Dan's eyes lit up when he saw Rii. He clearly liked children and seemed pleased to meet her.
"Duan, clean up and get ready for dinner!" Ipponmu called to his son.
Kato Dan shook his head. "I'll practice a hundred more times, you guys go ahead and eat!"
Ipponmu frowned. "Practice, practice, always practicing. It's driving me mad! Don't you want to become Hokage?"
Kato Dan looked serious. "I do want to become Hokage."
"You can't even master the shuriken properly!" Ipponmu muttered, frustrated.
Kato Kyoko rolled her eyes at her husband. "Why are you discouraging him? The Hokage is a noble position. Let him dream."
She turned to Rii, smiling. "Li Yi-chan, come with Auntie Kyoko to the kitchen. Let's see what you'd like to eat."
"Okay!" Rii nodded enthusiastically and followed Kyoko.
Rinto sighed, watching them go. "Go ahead, don't cause trouble for Aunt Kyoko."
Ipponmu pulled Rinto aside, sitting with him in the courtyard. He gestured to Kato Dan, who was still throwing shurikens. "Rinto, do you think the Hokage is worth pursuing?"
Rinto nodded thoughtfully. "It's not easy to be Hokage. A lot of people want that title, but the pressure it brings isn't easy to handle."
Ipponmu sighed deeply. "My younger brother was also Hokage. Now my son insists on being one too! He doesn't understand how hard it really is."
Rinto raised an eyebrow. "It must be frustrating."
"It is!" Ipponmu agreed. "My family fought alongside the Senju clan during the Sengoku period to build Konoha. Now, I don't want my son repeating the same mistakes."
Rinto chuckled. "Well, I'm sure your son has his reasons."
"By the way, Rinto-kun, do you want to be Hokage?" Ipponmu asked suddenly.
Rinto shook his head. "I don't want to, and I can't be one."
Ipponmu's eyes widened. "What do you mean? You can't? Why not?"
Rinto explained calmly, "It's not possible for someone from another village to become Hokage. I have no interest in it."
Ipponmu thought about it for a moment. "But my son still talks about it constantly. Why do you think he's so obsessed?"
"Maybe he just wants to prove himself," Rinto suggested.
"Prove himself?" Ipponmu frowned, clearly puzzled. "Shouldn't men prove themselves in bed?"
Rinto's eyes widened in surprise. "Uh, that's not quite what I meant!"
Laughing, Ipponmu leaned in closer. "No, seriously! How does a man make a woman fall for him?"
Rinto grinned. "That's easy. Strength. In the ninja world, strength is what makes a woman feel secure."
Ipponmu was intrigued. "I see... but how does that relate to Hokage?"
"Well," Rinto said with a sly smile, "Hokage gives women the ultimate sense of security. Who can make women feel safer than someone in charge of the village?"
Ipponmu nodded slowly. "True... but what about other things? How can a man prove himself in different ways?"
Rinto lowered his voice dramatically. "It's all about freshness. Being Hokage, you're constantly proving yourself, right?"
Ipponmu scratched his head, clearly confused. "Freshness? What's that got to do with it?"
Rinto leaned in, whispering: "It means the Hokage is never bored. He always has something new to offer. And believe me, that works wonders."
Ipponmu stared blankly at Rinto. "What does that even mean?"
Rinto sighed dramatically. "It means... all Hokage are old perverts! They're just too busy to think straight!"
Ipponmu's face darkened. "You brat! What are you insinuating?"
Rinto laughed, knowing full well he had gotten under Ipponmu's skin. "Oh, nothing at all, Uncle Ipponmu."
And thus, their conversation continued under the starlit sky.
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