Chương 23: Shinobi Tools

Aoki Ninja Tool Shop. Dim light filled the shop, where various ninja tools sat neatly arranged on wall shelves. Behind the counter sat a lean, silver-haired old man wearing a single-lens eyepiece, patiently polishing the edge of a kunai with a fine file under a desk lamp. Hearing the curtain rustle, he raised his eyes. His gaze lingered briefly on Shuji's forehead protector, swept across Itachi and Anko behind him, and settled back on Shuji with a small nod.

"Two sets of combat uniforms," Shuji walked to the counter.

"Thick, wear-resistant fabric, with built-in padding at the joints." The old man set down his file, stood up, and retrieved several rolls of heavy fabric in different shades from deep inside the storage shelves.

"Dark grey, indigo, dark green. Indigo and dark green are new stock, blended with stronger fibers. They offer thirty percent better flexibility and defense, though they cost fifty percent more." Shuji looked at Anko and Itachi.

"Pick your colors. Anko, you also need new leg weights and arm guards. Your old set is badly worn." He added to the shopkeeper, "Equip her with standard Chunin-grade gear."

"For Itachi, give him lightweight armor designed to preserve mobility." In theory, Genin didn't usually buy combat attire like tactical vests since they were expensive and basic commissions rarely required heavy armor. However, Itachi was now joining a squad tasked with high-level missions. Anko curled her lip at the dark rolls of fabric, but her eyes were drawn to a dark purple hooded short trench coat hanging on an adjacent rack.

The coat had a unique matte texture, clean cuts, and reinforced shoulders and elbows, projecting an wild, sharp style.

"Can... that count as protective gear too?" She pointed, her tone testing the waters. The old man followed her gaze.

"Combat trench coat. The outer layer is specially treated to be light and breathable, though its defense is slightly lower than a standard vest."

"I'll take it! Purple, in my size!" Anko's eyes lit up. Itachi quietly pointed to the roll of indigo fabric and indicated his height. The old man noted their requests and turned toward the back storeroom to fetch the items. While waiting, Itachi's eyes settled on a row of specialized shuriken displayed under the glass counter. One design featured subtle reverse serrations along its edges, gleaming with a cold blue sheen under the light. He stared intently.

"Interested?" Shuji said.

"A new Fuma shuriken model. It adds armor-piercing and tearing effects, but demands greater throwing precision. With your current wrist strength, you could manage it, but you won't draw out its full power, and you risk injuring yourself."

"Next year, once your strength grows a bit more, you can switch." Itachi quietly withdrew his gaze and nodded. The shopkeeper soon returned with the clothes and several sets of fresh protective gear. Love what you're reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. Anko eagerly took the dark purple coat, running her fingers across the fabric. Itachi received his indigo combat attire as well.

"That comes to one hundred seventy-eight thousand ryo," the old man stated calmly. Anko's arms holding the new coat stiffened almost imperceptibly, her eyes turning to Shuji in sudden surprise. She knew ninja tools were expensive, but that price... She could not help whispering, "Captain... are you some kind of secret millionaire? Setting aside the dinner, this gift..." She weighed the refined paper bag in her hands. Shuji pulled out a coin pouch, counted out a thick stack of bills, and handed them to the old man.

He glanced sideways at Anko, his tone flat.

"If you feel guilty, I don't mind letting you pay your share... I made quite a bit extra on my last mission." Anko laughed sheepishly, tightening her grip on the coat, and held her tongue. The old man counted his money and nodded. The three stepped out of the shop into the fallen night. Anko held her new coat over her arm, her face slightly stiff, while Itachi carried his own bundle. The lights of the commercial street shone brightly.

"Since we brought up money," Shuji's voice sounded clearly over the surrounding noise, "we should establish rules for mission reward distribution." He kept walking, his gaze sweeping over them.

"For future mission earnings, forty percent will go into a public squad fund to restock tools, medical supplies, and consumables."

"The remaining sixty percent," Shuji continued, "will be split so I take forty percent, and you two share the rest evenly. Any objections?" Itachi nodded almost immediately, no protest on his young face. Shuji was the leader and the strongest among them; taking a larger share was entirely natural. Besides, the squad fund would likely rarely be spent on Shuji anyway, given that his combat style consumed few physical tools. Anko let out a clear sigh of relief, a smile returning to her face.

"Fine by me, Captain!" They reached a fork in the road leading in different directions. Anko waved casually to them while holding her new gear, her figure quickly blending into the crowd heading toward the apartment district. Shuji looked down at Itachi.

"Need me to walk you to the clan compound?"

"There is no need to trouble you, Senpai." Itachi bowed slightly, holding his indigo paper bag.

"Very well." Shuji said no more, turning toward the western side of the village. Itachi held his paper bag, walking at a steady pace down the center of the street. As he rounded a corner and saw the clan wall appeared in the distance, a clear, cheerful voice called out unexpectedly from the deep shadows of an old tree by the road:"You're back, Itachi." Itachi's footsteps did not falter. He raised his eyes toward the shadows.

"Shisui." The shadows shifted as a figure stepped forward silently from the darkness into the edge of the yellow streetlight. Uchiha Shisui wore a high-collared deep blue clan uniform, a short blade strapped to his back, and his forehead protector tied neatly. With a gentle smile, his gaze fell on the paper bag in Itachi's arms.

"How was squad practice today?" Shisui fell into step beside Itachi. Holding his paper bag, Itachi recounted calmly, "Shuji-senpai is very strong. After training, he treated Anko-senpai and me to sukiyaki, and bought us gear as a welcome gift." He added, "Combat clothes."

"A very kind and generous senpai," Shisui said gently, a hint of surprise in his voice.

"Normally, a captain has no obligation to buy gear for team members." As a top Jonin in Konoha, he knew village customs well. Equipment updates were usually paid for by the ninja themselves or covered by their clan. Itachi was well aware of this. His previous guiding Jonin was good, but had never cared for subordinates in the way Shuji did.

"Shuji-senpai is a thoughtful and gentle person," Itachi said softly, looking at the road stretching before his feet.

"Do you like him, Itachi?" Shisui turned his head, his smile deepening slightly. Itachi's feet paused for a fraction of a second, as if considering the question carefully. A moment later, he nodded, his voice steady yet firm.

"Yes. Being around Shuji-senpai," he seemed to search for the right word, "feels comfortable." There was none of the heaviness of clan meetings, none of the tension of the training grounds, and none of the invisible pressure felt in front of his father. He could eat in peace, receive clear guidance, and... look forward to an ordinary routine.

"Ah, is that so?" Shisui said with genuine relief.

"That is wonderful then, meeting a companion like that."

"I was actually planning to ask the Hokage if I could serve as your captain." Itachi did not reply, walking quietly. Only their light footsteps and distant insect chirps filled the night air. After a few moments of silence, Itachi spoke again, a faint trace of confusion in his voice.

"Only, Shuji-senpai seems to hold a different identity that my father cares about deeply." He looked up at Shisui, who was both brother and teacher to him, seeking an answer.

"Shisui, is there a special clan in the village? One without a family name?"