Carrying a backpack stuffed with local specialties from the Land of Water, Night Namikaze set off on his journey back to Konoha.
He had left light, but was returning heavy, looking for all the world like a traveling merchant who had struck gold.
Passing through the Land of Water's border checkpoint, he ran into the same Mist patrol squad from before.
"Ninja-samas! Good to see you again! Thanks for your hard work keeping us safe," Night greeted them warmly, wearing the practiced, friendly smile of a businessman.
The Mist Jonin leader eyed Night's bulging pack with mild surprise. "Business was good, huh? Heading back so soon?"
"Thanks to you guys, it was a quick trip. Small inventory, quick turnaround." Night rubbed his hands together, grinning. "I'll be back in a while. I'll be counting on you to look out for me again."
The Mist ninja waved him off nonchalantly. "Legitimate merchants are always welcome. No need for formalities."
Then, as if suddenly remembering something, Night fished a fancy porcelain jar out of his pack.
"This is the last bottle of the 'Special Edition Pomade.' You absolutely have to take it. The effect..." He smiled meaningfully. "You'll know once you use it."
As he handed the jar over, his finger tapped the bottom of the container—subtle, but deliberate.
The Jonin took it, felt the slight extra weight at the bottom, and understood immediately. There was something valuable hidden in the false bottom.
He kept his expression neutral, coughing lightly as he slipped the jar into his pouch.
"No need to be so polite. Be careful on the road. The border hasn't been peaceful lately."
"You got it. Thanks for the warning, sir." Night nodded, understanding the hint, and passed through the checkpoint smoothly.
This performance not only solidified his cover identity but also greased the wheels for future operations.
The return trip was smooth sailing. No drama.
In fact, before he even reached Konoha, he had already sold off half of his stock on the road.
Entering Konoha, the gate guards just did a routine ID check and let him through. He didn't bother setting up a stall for the remaining goods; he found a shop and sold the rest in bulk.
Thanks to the closed-off wartime economy, exotic crafts and dried seafood from the Land of Water were hot commodities.
He made a killing. Again.
Looking at his overflowing wallet after just one round trip, Night seriously started to question his career path as a ninja.
Not only had he completed the intel mission, but he also made more money flipping goods than he would have from an S-rank mission reward.
Feeling great, he even started brainstorming if he could turn this "cross-border trade" into a legitimate side hustle.
Slipping into a quiet alley to ensure no one was watching, Night shed his merchant disguise.
Reverting to his identity as a Konoha Chunin, he headed to the Hokage Tower to submit his report.
As a long-term mission, it wasn't technically "complete," but the intel he brought back was enough for the village to analyze for now.
However, his little stunt didn't escape certain eyes.
"Preposterous!"
Deep inside the ROOT base, Danzo slammed his hand on the table, furious. "What does that brat think a ninja mission is? A game of Monopoly?"
A ROOT agent knelt on the floor, reporting cautiously, "According to the investigation, Night Namikaze did complete the intelligence gathering. And... his profits were substantial."
"Profits?" Danzo sneered. "A ninja's priority is the mission! Instead, he uses the mission as a cover to play merchant! It's a disgrace!"
To ROOT, an organization that treated ninjas as tools to be used and discarded, Night's behavior was wildly unorthodox.
Danzo had hoped Night would struggle or even die during the mission. What annoyed Danzo even more was that his spies in the Mist reported nothing suspicious. They had no idea how Night obtained the intel.
This unpredictability unsettled him.
"He needs a lesson," Danzo muttered, his face dark, a cold glint in his remaining eye. "He needs to learn that those who defy ROOT's will in Konoha don't get to live comfortably."
Just then, another agent hurried in and whispered in Danzo's ear.
Danzo's face went through a kaleidoscope of colors—from green to pale, then to a flushed red.
It turned out that when the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, heard about it, he didn't scold Night at all. Instead, he praised him for "thinking outside the box and opening new avenues for the village."
A vicious plan formed in Danzo's mind. He beckoned a trusted subordinate and whispered instructions.
Words like "Mist Village" and "leak" could be faintly heard.
Meanwhile, Night was at home, happily counting his money.
Suddenly, he sneezed loudly. Rubbing his nose, he muttered, "Weird. Who's talking trash about me?"
He quickly tossed the thought aside and went back to brainstorming how to maximize profits on his next trip to the Land of Water.
The next day.
The fatigue of travel kept Night in bed until noon. As he prepared to head out, he took a small, exquisite box from his pack and tucked it into his jacket.
"Haven't seen her in a while. Time to go show my face," he murmured to himself, heading toward the Senju Compound.
Arriving at the massive estate, Night knocked for a long time, but no one answered.
A neighbor lady hanging laundry next door poked her head out.
"Are you looking for Tsunade? With all the wounded coming in lately, she left early this morning."
Night thanked her and turned toward the Konoha Hospital. He hummed a tune as he walked, his fingers unconsciously tracing the small box in his pocket.
The hospital smelled of antiseptic, a scent Night was all too familiar with. He walked straight to Tsunade's office.
Through the half-open door, he saw her focused on a stack of medical charts.
Sunlight streamed through the window, catching her golden hair and highlighting the soft curve of her profile. It was a breathtaking sight.
Night knocked lightly.
Tsunade, who had already sensed his chakra, looked up. A flash of panic crossed her eyes before she regained her composure.
"You're back? Did it go well?"
"Yeah, just got back." Night smiled, walking in and sitting naturally in the chair beside her desk.
"I saw this in the Land of Water and thought it suited you perfectly."
He slid the small box across the desk.
Tsunade raised an eyebrow, glancing at him before opening it. A look of surprise flickered in her eyes.
Inside lay a bracelet made of deep-sea pearls and a single, striking blue crystal. The pearls were perfectly round and lustrous, complementing the crystal beautifully.
"Not bad," Tsunade said, her tone cool, but Night noticed the corner of her mouth ticking upward.
"Shall I put it on for you?" Night asked tentatively.
Tsunade didn't answer verbally, but she extended her wrist.
Night carefully fastened the bracelet. His fingertips brushed against her skin, a fleeting touch that sent a jolt through both of them, though neither dared to acknowledge it.