Inside the dango shop, Tsunade accepted the scroll Ren slid across the table.
She hooked one finger beneath the cord, loosened it, and unfurled the document with practiced ease. At first, her expression remained casual. Her amber eyes moved lazily across the contents as though she were reading an uninteresting mission report.
Then her gaze slowed.
The faint amusement on her face disappeared.
After several moments, Tsunade lifted her eyes and stared directly at Ren.
"So this is why you came looking for me."
Her fingers tapped the edge of the scroll.
"You spent all that time talking about business, battlefield conditions, and Konoha's future, but your real goal was to convince me to investigate this so-called bloodline limit."
Ren smiled without the slightest trace of embarrassment.
"As expected of Lady Tsunade. Nothing escapes you."
"Save your flattery."
Tsunade rolled the scroll shut and tossed it back onto the table.
"I'm not accepting this job."
Rin, who had been sitting quietly beside Ren, glanced between them. She had expected Tsunade to hesitate, but the rejection came instantly.
Tsunade crossed her arms beneath her chest.
"Bloodline limits aren't ordinary techniques. They can involve inherited chakra properties, unique organs, physical mutations, or combinations of multiple chakra natures. Researching one properly could take months, perhaps years."
Her eyes sharpened.
"And even after spending all that time, there's no guarantee I would discover anything useful. It's exhausting work with no reliable reward. I'm not interested."
Ren did not appear surprised.
He had expected Tsunade to refuse. In fact, if she had accepted immediately, he might have suspected that she was planning something.
He calmly poured more tea into her cup.
"Lady Tsunade, do you remember the wager we made?"
Tsunade's eyebrow twitched.
"You mean the bet concerning the monthly profits of Konoha Raw Cola?"
A confident smirk formed on her lips.
"What about it? Don't tell me you intend to use your future request to force me into researching this. The six-month deadline hasn't passed yet. That drink may be popular now, but trends disappear quickly."
She leaned forward.
"Are you already so certain that I'll lose?"
Ren waved one hand.
"No, you misunderstand me. The wager remains unchanged. I'm talking about renegotiating the profit-sharing arrangement."
Tsunade's eyes narrowed.
Ren immediately knew he had found the correct opening.
"Konoha Raw Cola is already being sold faster than we can produce it. Several shops have placed limits on how many bottles a single customer can purchase because their supplies disappear within hours."
He lowered his voice slightly, drawing both Tsunade and Rin deeper into the conversation.
"But Konoha is only one village."
Ren placed one finger on the table.
"If we expand into the capital of the Land of Fire, Tanzaku Town, and the wealthier trade centres, the market will become several times larger. Nobles, merchants, officials, and wealthy families don't hesitate to spend money on fashionable products."
His smile widened.
"Once the distribution routes are established, earning several million ryō every month will no longer be impossible."
Tsunade's fingers stopped tapping.
Ren continued before she could interrupt.
"And if monthly profits eventually reach ten million ryō, your thirty-percent share would be three million."
The dango shop suddenly became very quiet.
Rin slowly turned toward Tsunade.
The legendary Sannin's breathing had changed.
Only slightly—but Ren noticed.
"Three million ryō," he repeated gently. "Every month."
Tsunade swallowed.
Ren leaned back, presenting the final image.
"You wouldn't have to manage the workshops, transport crates, negotiate with merchants, or supervise workers. You would simply hold the title of Research and Development Adviser."
He spread his hands.
"You could earn money while sleeping."
Tsunade's eyes began to shine.
"With that amount, you could buy anything you wanted at the casino—"
Ren coughed into his fist.
"I mean, at the shops."
Rin lowered her face to hide her smile.
In truth, Ren's projection was extremely optimistic. Konoha Raw Cola's current monthly profit was barely approaching one hundred thousand ryō. Reaching one million was possible after expanding production, but ten million would require a market far greater than anything they currently possessed.
However, Tsunade was a gambler.
To an ordinary person, a small chance of success was a warning.
To Tsunade, it was an invitation.
Her earlier insistence that Konoha Raw Cola's popularity was temporary had never been based entirely on reason. Deep down, she had regretted not securing a larger share when Ren first proposed the venture.
Now, an opportunity had appeared before her.
A chance to climb onto the wagon before it gathered even more speed.
For Tsunade, that was not merely business. It was a wager—and Tsunade had never been able to walk away from a wager.
"Hmph."
She snatched the bloodline scroll from the table.
"You truly are a cunning brat."
Although she tried to maintain a cold expression, the corners of her mouth were already curving upward.
"I'm not doing this because of your ridiculous promises. I'm only taking the scroll because I feel sorry for you."
"Of course."
"And I'm merely giving you a little face."
"Obviously."
Tsunade stood and tucked the scroll into her clothes.
"I'll examine it. Give me a few days, but don't expect guaranteed results."
She tossed several coins onto the table with a grand sweep of her hand.
"Keep the change."
Then she turned and strode toward the exit with all the dignity of a princess.
The shopkeeper approached the table, counted the coins, and froze.
"Lady Tsunade…"
Tsunade stopped.
The shopkeeper looked deeply uncomfortable.
"This isn't enough."
Silence filled the shop.
Tsunade's shoulders stiffened.
Ren quietly reached for his purse.
In the end, he paid the remaining bill while Tsunade left without looking back.
By the time Ren and Rin departed the shop, evening had settled over Konoha.
The final traces of sunlight faded behind the Hokage Monument, leaving the village beneath a deep violet sky. Streetlamps flickered to life one after another, spreading pools of golden light across the road.
Warm glows appeared behind paper screens and glass windows. The silhouettes of families moved within their homes, preparing meals, speaking together, and returning to lives untouched by the battlefield.
For the first time since coming back, Ren truly felt that he had returned home.
Rin slowed beside him.
When they reached the civilian district, she pointed toward the Mikami residence.
"There are lights inside."
Ren followed her finger.
A soft glow shone through the front windows.
"It looks like your aunt and uncle are already home," Rin said.
Ren nodded, though his footsteps had unconsciously slowed.
Rin noticed.
"You should go in."
Her voice softened.
"You haven't seen them in a long time. They must have worried about you every day."
She stopped outside her own gate and turned toward him. Beneath the lamplight, her smile was gentle enough to loosen something tight inside his chest.
"Give them my regards. And don't forget that you're coming to dinner tomorrow night."
"I won't."
Ren smiled back.
"Give Uncle Hiroshi my regards too."
Rin entered her courtyard but did not immediately close the gate. She remained there, watching until Ren reached his front door.
Only after he raised a hand in farewell did she finally turn toward her house.
Ren stood outside his home for a moment.
He had faced enemy shinobi, deadly techniques, and battlefields soaked in blood without hesitation.
Yet somehow, opening this door felt more difficult.
He exhaled and stepped inside.
Mikami Tajima and Mikami Aoi had only recently returned from work. Both turned at the sound of the door.
For one suspended heartbeat, no one moved.
Then Aoi's eyes widened.
"Ren?"
Her voice trembled.
The next moment, she rushed across the room and pulled him into her arms.
"You're back!"
Her hands immediately moved across his shoulders and back, checking for injuries even as she held him tightly.
"Let me look at you. Were you hurt? Have you lost weight? Did they feed you properly? The front lines are so dangerous—why didn't you send more letters?"
Her words tumbled out between broken breaths.
Her eyes had already turned red.
Ren froze before slowly lifting his arms and returning the embrace.
"I'm fine."
Aoi buried her face against his shoulder.
"You always say that."
Tajima remained a few steps away. Compared to his wife, he appeared restrained, but his clenched hands and shining eyes betrayed him.
After a long silence, he nodded.
"It's good that you're back."
His voice was rough.
"That's all that matters."
After weeks of bloodshed and uncertainty, Ren finally stood beneath his own roof again.
They sat together, and the questions began.
Ren told them about the front lines, but carefully removed the worst parts. He described successful missions, the shinobi he had met, and some of the contributions he had made.
He did not mention how close death had come.
He did not describe the smell of blood or the faces of people who had not returned.
Aoi listened with pride and fear mixed across her expression, while Tajima repeatedly asked for details Ren deliberately avoided giving.
Eventually, Aoi realised how late it had become.
"You must be starving."
She hurried into the kitchen, dragging Tajima with her before he could ask another question.
Soon, the house filled with the sounds and scents of cooking. Rice steamed. Vegetables simmered in broth. A pan crackled over the fire.
The meal was simple, but to Ren, it tasted better than anything he had eaten at the front.
The three of them sat together around the table, and for a while, there was no war, no political struggle, and no looming danger.
There was only home.
Once the meal was nearly finished, Tajima finally turned the conversation toward business.
"Ren, Konoha Raw Cola has exceeded every expectation we had."
His face brightened with unmistakable pride.
"We followed the plan you left behind and expanded carefully. Sales within the village have risen steadily, and word of mouth is spreading faster than we can manage."
He shook his head in disbelief.
"Our greatest problem is production. A few thousand bottles each month aren't even close to satisfying demand."
Ren listened quietly.
"I've visited several nearby workshops and recruited people I trust," Tajima continued. "We're adding equipment and reorganising the production line."
His voice grew more excited.
"By next month, I'm confident we can produce more than forty thousand bottles. At the current price, our monthly profit should reach at least one hundred and fifty thousand ryō."
Ren nodded approvingly.
"Well done, Father."
Tajima blinked at the praise before sitting slightly straighter.
Ren had to admit that his father possessed genuine business talent. Even with detailed instructions, an ordinary retired shinobi would have struggled to achieve this much in such a short period.
However, Ren had never intended to stop at Konoha's borders.
"This is only the beginning."
Tajima's expression became serious.
"Our target is one hundred thousand bottles every month within half a year. After that, we expand across the Land of Fire."
Ren placed his chopsticks down.
"What progress have you made with the Nara and Akimichi clans? Their medicinal products already travel through established trade routes. Cooperating with them would save us years of effort."
"I've begun making contact," Tajima replied. "They're interested, but cautious."
He paused before continuing.
"There's something else."
Tajima lowered his voice.
"I've kept Lady Tsunade's share in a separate account. Her improved formula and reputation are major reasons the drink succeeded. How should we deliver the money to her?"
"In a few days."
Ren smiled faintly.
"I met with her today. Once we settle the new cooperation terms, we'll give her a surprise."
Tsunade was more valuable to the business than even Tajima realised.
Through the marriage ties surrounding the First Hokage's family and the former Fire Daimyo's lineage, she possessed connections among the nobility that ordinary merchants could never approach.
The title Princess of the Senju was not merely decorative.
If Konoha Raw Cola was going to appear on noble dining tables and inside the capital's most exclusive establishments, Tsunade's name could open those doors.
And the wealthy were precisely the customers Ren wanted.
Ordinary families might purchase a bottle occasionally.
A rich merchant or noble could drink several every day without thinking about the cost.
Perhaps drinking that much would cause health problems eventually, but that was a concern for another time. By then, Ren intended to have Konoha Soda, fruit drinks, and other products ready.
There was another issue as well.
Using Konoha's name as a trademark was harmless while operating inside the village. Expanding beyond it was different. Political interests, clan rights, and the Hokage's authority could all become obstacles.
To protect the business, Ren needed to bring the Sarutobi clan onto the same carriage.
Asuma might provide an opening.
Tsunade might provide another.
That night, father and son remained near the window, speaking by candlelight. Ren explained future production plans, distribution networks, clan partnerships, and possible risks.
Tajima listened intently, occasionally interrupting with questions before writing everything inside a small notebook.
The sight was slightly absurd.
The son spoke like an experienced merchant, while the father hurried to record every word.
Eventually, Aoi appeared in the doorway with her arms crossed.
"That's enough. Both of you are going to bed."
Tajima attempted to protest.
Aoi gave him a single look.
He immediately closed the notebook, extinguished the candle, and sent Ren to his room.
The following morning, the three ate breakfast together.
Afterward, Tajima and Aoi left for work. Aoi headed toward the Konoha Library, while Tajima departed to continue building what he had proudly begun calling the future Konoha Raw Cola empire.
Ren, meanwhile, had no immediate assignment.
He decided to visit one of the training grounds behind the village and test how much his techniques had improved since the front lines.
While passing through a narrow alley, he heard frantic movement ahead.
Wooden crates rattled.
Someone shouted.
A tabby cat shot around the corner like a streak of brown lightning.
Behind it came a middle-aged man wearing a green jumpsuit, thick eyebrows, and a hairstyle resembling an overturned bowl.
"Youth! Stop running!"
Might Duy leapt over a barrel with an unnecessarily dramatic pose.
"Become the shining medal of my completed mission!"
The tabby cat raced directly toward Ren.
He stepped aside at the last possible moment, bent down, and caught it neatly by the loose skin behind its neck.
The animal twisted and kicked, releasing an outraged series of meows, but Ren held it effortlessly.
Duy skidded to a halt.
"Uncle Duy," Ren said. "It's been a while."
Duy's face lit up.
"Ren!"
He wiped sweat from his forehead before revealing his famous smile, his teeth gleaming beneath the morning sun.
"I heard from Guy that you went to the front lines! Risking your life for the village at such a young age—what magnificent youth!"
Ren lifted the struggling cat slightly.
"And you are?"
"A D-rank mission!"
Duy thrust one fist toward the sky.
"I was hired to recover Tora, the beloved cat of the Fire Daimyo's wife. The reward is twenty thousand ryō."
His enthusiasm weakened for only a moment.
"Prices have risen recently. Flour, vegetables, meat—everything costs more. Since I only specialise in taijutsu, the higher-ranked missions available to me are limited."
He immediately forced his smile wider.
"But there is no shame in honest work! You fight on the front lines, and I chase kittens. Either way, we serve Konoha!"
Duy struck another heroic pose.
"Youth means burning twice as brightly when life becomes difficult!"
His voice remained energetic.
His eyes did not.
Ren knew Guy was entering a crucial stage of physical development. His training demanded enormous amounts of food, medicine, and nutritional support.
Passion could drive the body forward.
It could not replace proper nourishment.
An idea took shape in Ren's mind.
"Uncle Duy, have you heard about Konoha Raw Cola?"
Duy nodded immediately.
"Of course! I bought a bottle for Guy last week. He said it was delicious, and it even helped restore some chakra."
He gave Ren a thumbs-up.
"A brilliant invention worthy of Lady Tsunade!"
"My father and Lady Tsunade developed it together," Ren said. "And because demand is growing so quickly, we urgently need more workers."
Duy blinked.
"The work involves packing bottles, moving crates, watching equipment, and handling supplies. Nothing complicated."
Ren studied him carefully.
"It requires strength, discipline, and reliability. You would be paid according to how much work you complete."
He smiled.
"If you're interested, you could help at the workshop between missions. It would give you another source of income."
Duy stood completely still.
Then his eyes widened.
"R-Really?"
"Of course."
Tears immediately gathered in Duy's eyes.
Before Ren could react, the older man pulled him into a crushing embrace.
"Ren! Thank you!"
His voice shook with genuine emotion.
"You are the sunrise illuminating the road of youth for both Guy and me!"
Ren struggled to breathe.
"I'll go speak with your father immediately! A new battlefield of hard work awaits me!"
"Wait."
Ren lifted the cat between them.
"The mission."
Duy froze.
"Tora."
Duy slapped both hands against his cheeks.
"You're right! Youth must always finish what it begins!"
He carefully accepted the cat from Ren.
"I'll deliver Tora to the Hokage Building, complete the mission, and then report to the workshop!"
With that, Duy sprinted away.
"For youth!"
Ren watched him disappear beyond the alley.
His offer had not been entirely selfless.
Might Duy was one of the few shinobi capable of opening all Eight Gates. When the final gate opened, his strength could erupt beyond normal human limits—at the cost of his life.
Allowing a man like that to die merely to trade his life against the Seven Ninja Swordsmen would be a terrible waste.
In the past, Ren had barely possessed enough power to protect himself. Changing the fate of others had been nothing more than an arrogant fantasy.
But now, things were different.
His combat ability had reached the upper levels of the jōnin ranks. His survival techniques were stronger than ever, and his family's business was beginning to flourish.
For the first time, Ren possessed enough strength, money, and influence to interfere with the future.
Perhaps Duy could become more than a worker.
Perhaps he could protect Tajima and the growing business.
Perhaps Guy's future could change as well.
Ren continued toward the training ground.
Soon, flames burst between the trees.
The Phoenix Sage Fire Technique scattered blazing projectiles across the field. Light Flame Bullets struck distant targets with explosive precision. Water surged upward into a defensive wall before collapsing in a thunderous wave.
Ren shifted into the Hatake Sword Style, his blade cutting through the lingering mist in silver arcs.
Then he stepped forward and drove one chakra-enhanced fist into the earth.
The ground exploded beneath him.
Stone fragments erupted into the air. Trees trembled, birds fled, and a web of cracks spread across the training field.
Ren straightened slowly as dust rolled around him.
The future had already begun to change.
A business that should never have existed was expanding through Konoha.
Tsunade was researching a mysterious bloodline limit.
Might Duy had taken his first step toward a different path.
Each change seemed small.
Harmless.
Almost insignificant.
But Ren understood better than anyone that even the smallest alteration could spread outward like cracks beneath a battlefield.
And somewhere beyond Konoha, events were already moving toward a moment when Might Duy would be forced to open the final gate.
When that day came, Ren would have to discover whether fate could truly be rewritten—or whether it would demand an even greater sacrifice in return.
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