NARUTO: Starting with Hinata

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The Aburame clan's outfits are classic: sunglasses and windbreakers.

"Are you Shiki?"

Aburame Kyohei took off his sunglasses, smiling warmly. "Long time no see. Come here, your uncle will give you a hug."

"…"

Shiki stepped back instinctively.

"You've really grown up." Kyohei said, looking nostalgic. "I held you in my arms when you were born."

What a classic line, Shiki thought, his lips twitching slightly. But he honestly couldn't remember ever meeting this "uncle." Probably because he spent most of the year away, only returning home for New Year's.

"Uncle Kyohei, did you get a message from my father?"

Shiki decided to cut off the reminiscing.

"I did." Kyohei looked at him curiously, "He told me to follow your instructions."

'How did this kid suddenly gain so much authority after just a year?' Kyohei wondered.

"There are two things I need." Shiki said.

Kyohei adopted a listening posture. He owed his current success to the Aburame clan. In business, using the clan's name allowed him to avoid a lot of trouble. Facing the potential future chief of the clan, he didn't dare be disrespectful.

"First, disguise these two as merchants and send them back to Konoha. And make sure to dye their hair black." Shiki instructed, pointing to Chihori and Karin.

"No problem." Kyohei agreed without asking questions about who they were or why this was needed.

"The second thing is to sell these vitality leaves to nobles or wealthy businessmen." Shiki took out a handful of vitality leaves—fifty in total, "Each leaf has the effect of about a quarter of the Palm Healing Technique."

"So powerful?" Kyohei looked at the leaves, surprised and intrigued. Although he wasn't a ninja, he knew the value of the Palm Healing Technique. If these leaves were as effective as Shiki claimed... Kyohei couldn't hide his excitement. Uncle's about to make a fortune!

The smile on his face resembled that of a certain billionaire game developer.

"How are you planning to price them?" Shiki asked, watching him closely.

"How often can they be harvested?" Kyohei asked thoughtfully.

"About fifty leaves per month."

The nine-leaf vitality plant could yield nine leaves per growth cycle. In theory, with unlimited resources, it could produce endlessly. However, reality required sustainable development. Gathering fifty leaves this month was already pushing the plant to its limit. Shiki preferred to set a more sustainable monthly limit.

"A bit limited." Kyohei observed, "But rarity adds value. I'd suggest a price of fifty thousand ryo per leaf."

"Will they buy it at that price?" Shiki raised an eyebrow.

"Absolutely!" Kyohei said confidently, "These people fear death more than anything, and for them, fifty thousand ryo isn't steep."

"Fair point." Shiki agreed.

A monthly income of 2.5 million ryo would be sufficient for their needs—as long as Tsunade didn't gamble it all away.

"What about the profit split?" Shiki asked.

"How about half?" Kyohei rubbed his hands together with a hopeful look.

"Fine." Shiki agreed easily.

With 95% of the profits in his favor, it wasn't a bad deal. And this way, Kyohei would be more motivated. Plus, Shiki wanted to avoid any complications later.

"One condition." Shiki added, raising a finger, "Keep the sales to a small, selective group."

"Understood." Kyohei nodded, impressed. Shiki was cautious for someone his age. With a product as valuable as these vitality leaves, it was safer to limit awareness of them.

"You can follow his instructions." Shiki said, addressing Chihori and Karin, "I'll head out now."

"Will we see you again?" Karin asked, pulling a lollipop from her mouth.

"We'll meet tomorrow." Shiki replied, reaching out to touch her red hair. It felt dry; she'd clearly suffered in Kusagakure. If not for her Uzumaki heritage, she might have wasted away by now.

[Achievement unlocked: Shizune's 'Tsunade's Winning Streak at the Casino.' Reward: Fire Clothes Gu.]

[Fire Clothes Gu: A protective Gu insect that forms a garment of flames.]

Shiki chuckled to himself. It seemed his advice to Shizune had paid off. Fire Clothes Gu—perfect for close combat, almost like a fire enchantment.

After bidding farewell to Karin and her mother, Shiki headed to the casino. A few minutes later, he found Tsunade and Shizune.

Tsunade looked dejected, practically radiating "Don't mess with me" energy, while Shizune struggled to hold back laughter, barely keeping it together.

"Shiki!" Shizune's face lit up when she saw him, finally allowing herself to smile.

She'd been holding it in too long. If Tsunade weren't there, she'd have dragged Shiki off to celebrate her lucky streak. It was her first time winning at a casino, and it felt amazing. After following Tsunade for so long, it was rare for her to leave a casino with money in her pocket. It was a little miracle.

"Sister Shizune." Shiki greeted, "I've finished my errands, so we can head back whenever."

"No way!" Tsunade clenched her fists, refusing to leave, "We can't go yet! I need to win back my money!"

"Lady Tsunade!" Shizune's tone became serious, "We're out of money."

Shizune had entered the casino without alerting Tsunade, knowing she'd be tempted to gamble away whatever funds were left. Shizune understood her mentor's nature well enough to know that any suggestion of self-restraint would only provoke her.

Tsunade glanced at Shiki for help, but before she could speak, Shizune stepped in, crossing her arms and glaring.

"No way!"

Their gazes clashed, an unspoken battle in the air. In the end, Tsunade sighed and relented.

"Fine, let's head back to Konoha... and grab something to eat."