Naruto：Immortality and the Eight Inner Gates[Double agent]

"Partnership?" Ippongi's voice dragged on, his chubby face stretching with surprise.

Rinjin nodded.

"Yes! Partnership. You provide the materials, forge, and shop. I provide the skill and labor."

Hearing this, Ippongi fell silent, mentally calculating the possibilities.

Partnerships weren't uncommon; in fact, they were quite common. Ippongi knew that many master craftsmen in the Land of Iron only accepted partnership arrangements. It wasn't unusual at all.

The benefits were clear: merchants could obtain higher quality ninja tools, while master craftsmen had more freedom with their time.

After all, for those renowned masters, forging wasn't just work—it was art.

With this in mind, Ippongi looked at the boy who barely reached over the counter, feeling hesitant.

If all this child's products were of the same quality as the senbon on the counter, he would indeed qualify for a partnership. But could he really deliver?

As if reading Ippongi's doubts, Rinjin unhesitatingly pulled out a ninja pouch from his chest.

Opening the pouch, he poured out its contents.

Instantly, a full bag of senbon spilled across the counter.

Ippongi only needed a quick glance before his pupils contracted to pinpoints.

Though just a merchant, he was a master at judging ninja tool quality.

The senbon scattered across the counter showed no discernible differences, as if they were perfect copies of each other.

The length, lines, even the arc of the tips—everything seemed identical.

Ippongi raised his head, staring intently at Rinjin. "How... would you like to arrange this partnership?"

Hearing this, Rinjin felt a slight joy, knowing his interview was largely successful.

"After deducting material costs, I want thirty percent."

Thirty percent?

Ippongi wanted to refuse immediately—how could he give away thirty percent of the shop's profits? But after second thought, he swallowed his objection.

"Rinjin-kun... what about your production capacity? How much can you make?"

Rinjin turned to look at the various ninja tools hanging on the hall's walls, and gestured broadly.

"In one month, all of this..."

Before he could finish, Ippongi interrupted.

"Not enough, not enough, these aren't enough!" Ippongi's chubby head shook rapidly.

Rinjin rolled his eyes and continued emphatically: "I meant ten times everything here!"

Hearing this, Ippongi froze, his eyes filled with shock.

If Rinjin really had such production capacity, he could fire both mediocre blacksmiths currently employed at the shop!

This was perfect! Saving twenty thousand ryo would be incredibly profitable!

With this thought, Ippongi agreed without hesitation.

"Done, I agree!"

Finally, Ippongi made his firm decision.

Both parties quickly reached an agreement, and Ippongi was delighted.

If Rinjin proved to be as productive and consistent as expected, he would be a real money tree!

"Since we've reached an agreement, I won't take up more of your time. Goodbye, Mr. Ippongi."

"Please wait." Ippongi reached out to stop Rinjin and Rie, then ran out from behind the counter with surprising agility for his size.

"If I may ask, Rinjin-kun, are you and your sister new to Konoha?"

Rinjin nodded.

Seeing this, Ippongi rubbed his hands together and chuckled.

"In that case, please stay at my house for a while. It's better than staying at some questionable inn."

Hearing this, Rinjin hesitated. He didn't mind himself, being shameless and fearless, with no qualms about freeloading.

But Rinjin worried about Rie being shy around strangers.

Thinking this, Rinjin looked down at Rie, who was seriously licking her apple candy. Despite his cleverness, he found himself unsure what to do.

Seeing Rinjin's hesitation, Ippongi's heart tightened.

Having finally found a young blacksmith with exceptional skills, Ippongi didn't want his money tree running off with someone else.

The ninja tool business in Konoha was fiercely competitive.

Several top-ranking clans had their own ninja tool shops, all with highly-paid master craftsmen.

If it weren't for his father's travels helping him source quality materials at low prices, his small shop would have been pushed out of business long ago.

With this in mind, Ippongi's mouth stretched into a bright smile.

"Don't worry, my wife Anko loves girls, but we only have an eight-year-old son. It's always been our regret."

"I'm sure Rinjin-kun and his sister staying at our house will make Anko very happy."

Hearing this, Rinjin slowly crouched down, holding Rie's chubby little hand.

"Rie, would you like to stay at this uncle's house?"

Rie had already licked all the sugar off her candy apple and was now pondering how to eat the big red apple. She replied absentmindedly,

"Wherever big brother is, that's where Rie will be."

Hearing this, Rinjin nodded, stood up, and said to Ippongi, "Then we'll trouble you, Uncle Ippongi."

Ippongi chuckled, "It's no trouble at all. We have many empty rooms, no trouble at all."

As evening approached, the last rays of sunlight gradually disappeared.

Various lanterns lit up the streets, where people in yukata walked shoulder to shoulder, creating a lively atmosphere.

Ippongi, having secured Rinjin as his money tree, was in high spirits and decided to give himself a day off, closing the shop early.

"Rinjin-kun, let's go home for dinner," he said, patting his round belly and swaggering ahead.

Rinjin nodded, holding Rie's hand as they followed Ippongi's steps.

After many twists and turns, Ippongi led Rinjin and Rie to a quiet courtyard.

The courtyard had artificial hills and streams, quite distinctive. The traditional Japanese wooden buildings exuded an antique charm. In the center of the courtyard, a bamboo water fountain made rhythmic "thunk" sounds.

This! The chubby and mercenary Ippongi actually lived in such an elegant courtyard. It was truly a case of "don't judge a book by its cover"!

In the open space at the back of the courtyard, a boy about Rinjin's age was practicing shuriken throwing, his forehead covered in sweat. The boy had bluish-white hair and a focused, serious expression.

On a nearby low wooden platform, a graceful, mature woman knelt elegantly. She had the same white hair tied up high and was watching the boy with a look of contentment.

"I'm home!" Ippongi called out.

The woman turned her head, slowly standing up with a polite smile. "Welcome home, dear."

Just as she finished speaking, she noticed Rie munching on her apple and Rinjin with his strange expression. Her eyes narrowed slightly.

"Dear, who are these two?"

Ippongi casually stepped aside, pointing at Rinjin, "This is Rinjin Sakukata, and this is his sister Rie Sakukata. From tonight on, they'll be staying with us!"

Then, pointing at the woman who had approached, he said, "This is my wife, Anko Katō."

"Hello, Aunt Anko," Rinjin and Rie bowed politely.

After the greetings, Ippongi pointed at the boy still practicing shuriken throwing in the distance, "That's Dan Katō, my son."

Hearing this, Rinjin's mind stirred slightly.

Dan Katō? Such a familiar name. Could it be Tsunade's first love, Dan Katō? The hair color seems similar!

Ah, what an unfortunate guy. Dying so young without even getting Tsunade pregnant or leaving an heir.

Thinking of this, Rinjin's gaze towards Ippongi also carried a hint of pity.

You're unlucky too. Your son will die, and you won't have grandchildren. Well, I'll find a chance to hint that you should have another child.

But looking at you and your son's appearances, something feels off. Could this guy actually be the neighbor's kid?

Rinjin's mischievous mind wandered far and wide.

Meanwhile, Anko Katō seemed to take a great liking to Rie. It was clear that she truly loved children, just as Ippongi had said.

"Dan, clean up, it's time for dinner!" Ippongi shouted to Dan, who was still throwing shuriken.

Dan immediately shook his head.

"Father, I still need to throw a hundred more times. You all eat first!"

Saying this, he drew out more shuriken and continued practicing.

Hearing the child's words, Ippongi's face immediately turned stern, and he muttered,

"Practice, practice. Not only will you not become Hokage, even if you did become Hokage, you'd still have to take over my business!"

Hearing this, Anko Katō gave Ippongi a sideways glance, "Don't discourage the child's enthusiasm. What's wrong with wanting to be Hokage? Being Hokage is the most glorious thing!"

She then took Rie's small hand and said softly, "Rie-chan, come with Aunt Anko to the kitchen and see what you'd like to eat tonight."

"Okay!" Rie nodded vigorously, drooling, then looked at Rinjin with pleading eyes.

"Go ahead, and don't cause trouble for Aunt Anko," Rinjin sighed.

"Mm-hmm!"

While Anko Katō prepared dinner, Ippongi pulled Rinjin to sit in front of the courtyard, watching Dan continuously throw shuriken.

"Rinjin, tell me, what's so great about being Hokage?"

Ippongi looked at the sweating Dan with displeasure, complaining,

"My brother also wants to be Hokage, and now my son keeps talking about becoming Hokage! It's driving me crazy!

Our ancestors fought alongside the Senju clan during the Warring States period, finally establishing Konoha after much hardship.

Starting from my generation, we finally don't have to send seven or eight-year-old children to the battlefield. We can finally do some business happily.

But my son insists on going back to the old ways. Isn't it infuriating?"

"It is," Rinjin nodded.

In this situation, one could say the boy hasn't been disciplined enough. If he were spanked every three days and beaten every five, he'd surely be obedient.

However, Rinjin wouldn't say this out loud. It would be incredibly stupid for an outsider to meddle in their father-son relationship.

"By the way, Rinjin-kun, do you want to be Hokage?" Ippongi asked, his eyes hiding a hint of expectation.

"I don't want to, and I can't be," Rinjin answered flatly.

He wasn't lying, nor could he lie.

After all, if he showed even a hint of desire for the Hokage position, there would be no place for him in Konoha.

However, these words had a different meaning to Ippongi.

"Indeed, there's no precedent for outsiders becoming Hokage in Konoha. But Rinjin-kun, do you really not want to?"

"No, I don't," Rinjin replied.

Seeing Rinjin's firm response, Ippongi nodded and asked,

"Then why does my son always talk about becoming Hokage?"

"I don't know, maybe to prove himself," Rinjin answered listlessly.

"Prove himself?" Ippongi slowly furrowed his brow, asking softly, "Shouldn't proving oneself be done in bed?"

"Ah! Now you're speaking my language!" Rinjin suddenly sat up straight.

"Uncle, you just don't understand!"

"Come on! Let me explain it to you properly." Saying this, he hooked an arm around Ippongi's neck.

"Let me ask you, how does a man make a woman fall in love with him?"

"Uh... well, there should be many ways, right?" Ippongi said uncertainly.

"Absolutely correct!" Rinjin nodded vigorously, "Then let me ask you, how does a man make many women fall in love with him?"

Hearing this, Ippongi was stunned and shook his head blankly.

He had never thought about this question, and with a wife like Anko, who appeared gentle but was a tigress inside, he didn't dare to think about it.

Seeing Ippongi's dazed expression, Rinjin clicked his tongue, saying with disappointment,

"Strength. In the ninja world, strength is the way to make many women fall in love with you.

Some women might like money, some might like handsome men, some might like honest men, but the common denominator is always a sense of security, men who can provide a sense of security."

"Tell me, who can provide a greater sense of security than the Hokage?"

"No one," Ippongi nodded thoughtfully.

"Right, let's go back to proving oneself.

Uncle Ippongi, you're experienced, you should know that men sometimes have moments when they can't... perform, right?"

Hearing this, Ippongi nodded vigorously in agreement.

"Brother, you're so right. Sometimes, it's not that the ability isn't there, but various things affect it, and you just can't rise to the occasion!"

Seeing Ippongi's agreement, Rinjin continued:

"So why does this happen? Age? Physical condition? Or mood? I think it's none of these!"

"Then what is it? Quick! Tell me!" Ippongi stared at Rinjin with shining eyes, feeling that his decision to bring Rinjin home was absolutely correct. This kid was a treasure trove of knowledge.

"It's the sense of novelty!" Rinjin whispered mysteriously into Ippongi's ear.

"Uncle Ippongi, think about it. Becoming Hokage, doesn't it give many women a sense of security? Wouldn't it allow you to... explore widely? Wouldn't it let you be a newlywed every day? Wouldn't it give you many chances to prove yourself? And in ways that won't let you down!"

"So?" Ippongi asked.

"So, people who want to be Hokage are all old perverts, you dummy!"

Hearing Rinjin's words, Ippongi's face instantly darkened.

You talked so much without telling me how to solve the problem of not being able to perform!

And I suspect you're finding roundabout ways to say I'm inadequate and calling my brother and son old perverts!