"Special Jōnin Mitarashi, I'm here to exchange for jutsu and weapon supplies—not the desert falcon summons."
Umino Yoru cut straight to the point, adding that Akimichi Torifu had warned him: while this batch of desert falcons had potential, their long growth cycle made them a poor investment. Better to spend mission merits on sharper tools.
"Yoru , you don't understand how valuable these falcons are!"Mitarashi Kage persisted, his voice dripping with salesman's fervor. "These are high-tier flying summons! A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"
He launched into a spiel about rarity, combat advantages, and future resale value.
"My mission merits are limited," Yoru countered. "I need jutsu and equipment more."
"No merits? No problem!" Mitarashi's eyes gleamed. "You can buy merits with ryo!"
"What? At a 30% markup?"
"That's a steal!" Mitarashi waved a hand. "Merits exchange for rare后勤部 supplies—they're always traded at a 10-20% premium. Thirty percent is practically charity!"
"I don't have that kind of money."
Yoru spread his hands in a poor-man's shrug, inwardly wary. Mission merits were tightly controlled; ordinary shinobi rarely had access to trade them. A 30% markup was suspiciously low. What's this guy's game?
"No money? Ever heard of… ninja loans?"
"Ninja loans?" Yoru 's gaze turned icy.
"Lowest rates on the front! Just 10% monthly interest!" Mitarashi beamed.
"We'll discuss loans later. First, the jutsu."
"Tch. Fine."
Mitarashi reluctantly produced the exchange list, pushing overpriced, niche techniques. Yoru ignored the bait, selecting practical water releases:
C-Rank: Water Clone C-Rank: Water Whip B-Rank: Water Dragon Bullet
For Tekudō, he exchanged a B-Rank: Earth Wall. For Kosuzu, a Yang Release scroll and basic medical ninjutsu. As for Inuzuka Ryou—no jutsu needed. Instead, he traded Tekudō's explosive tags for an A-Rank mission record, combining it with his own to cover costs.
Their hard-earned merits vanished in minutes.
"No A-Rank for yourself?" Mitarashi wheedled. "Like this Great Waterfall—normally three S-Rank records, now just one! War discount!"
"One S-Rank? Seriously?"
Yoru feigned surprise. Earlier, Water Dragon Bullet had cost two A-Ranks—pre-war, it'd have been five. So the rumors are true… The war's escalating. Danzō's loosening the vaults.
"This Shadow Shuriken Technique seems affordable… Pity I'm out of merits."
Mitarashi pounced. "Ninja loans! Borrow now, train sooner! Bulk discounts!"
Playing the tempted fool, Yoru "succumbed," taking a loan to splurge on:
A-Rank: Shadow Shuriken Technique Desert Falcon Summon A premium summoning scroll (500,000 ryo alone)
"150万 ryo in debt… Can I even repay this?"
"You'll make jōnin soon! Pocket change!" Mitarashi slid forward a contract. "Just sign here~"
"Wait—my Konoha property and fish shop as collateral?!"
"Standard practice! What if you die? Gotta recoup losses!" Mitarashi's grin turned razor-edged. "No refunds~"
"If I die… My family's homeless?!" Yoru widened his eyes in "shock," then scrambled upright. "I'll repay this NOW!"
"Anytime~" Mitarashi purred.
Outside, Inuzuka Ryou grimaced. "Captain, that's Mitarashi's heir. Aren't you playing with fire?"
"Merits are never this accessible," Yoru said coolly. "When heaven sends fortune, refuse it—invite calamity."
Tekudō smirked, slapping his bulging pouch. "Need my 3 million ryo 'allowance'?"
"Not yet. Let's sell the act first."
Yoru "borrowed" paltry sums from colleagues—Kamizuki Hayate, Tatami Ishi—before heading to Mimura Hakumen, a rising special jōnin with broad connections.
After pleasantries, he unsealed 10,000 pounds of salted fish—war-inflated prices netted him nearly 1 million ryo. Combined with Tekudō's "loan," the debt was covered.
As they returned to Logistics Department, Might Dai suddenly intercepted them, thrusting a wad of crumpled bills into Yoru 's hands.
"Yoru ! Take my 2,355 ryo! Youth… thrives on solidarity!"
"Dai, if you give me all your money…" Yoru eyed the man's threadbare jumpsuit. "What'll you eat tomorrow? Air?"
He laughed—but his chest tightened. This guy…