Red Nara

The bell of the open door jingled, and I looked up from packing the seals. It was late and I should have closed up shop, but I'd been a little late, wanting to finish my business so I could get a good night's rest tomorrow, so I was lucky for a very late customer. Blinking, I looked over at the shinobi who had entered.

- 'Sakumo-san,' I bowed slightly to Kushina's mentor, 'I hear congratulations are in order? Getting a genin at such a young age is no small achievement.

- Hello and thank you Ryo-san," Hatake nodded, "Kakashi does have talent and I'm proud of his accomplishments.

- But isn't it too soon? I could have finished the academy three years earlier, but I didn't because of the opportunity not only to build up a strong base before going into the field, but also for the opportunity to grow physically.

- Sometimes I worry about that too," Sakumo sighed, coming closer and leaning on the counter, "but leaving him home alone isn't the answer either.

- Well, can't you take him home with someone from the clan?

- Considering how small our clan is? - The jonin grinned sadly. - Unfortunately, all the adults are busy, and there are no children close in age, so sending Kakashi to the academy seemed like the best way to increase his social circle, but even I didn't expect such a rapid graduation.

- It happens," I shrugged and changed the subject, "why are you here so late?

- I'm here for the same thing you're usually here for," the shinobi grinned, "I'm on an urgent mission and need to replenish my Fuin reserves.

- Replenish it, what do you want?

- Ten standard kits, five parking kits, several barriers, five each of chakra suppressors and paralyzers, and one last chance scroll," Hatake listed, making my eyebrows rise higher and higher with each new item.

- Are you going to war? - I asked the veteran in surprise, pulling the items from the shelves.

- In this case, it's better to be properly prepared than to regret it later, - he shrugged his shoulders.

- It's up to you, it's only more profitable for me to sell more, - I shrugged, calculating the cost of the named goods in a column in my notebook, - in which direction are you going?

- Ryo.

Catching Sakumo's gaze, I just shrugged.

- I'm not asking for details, but for a general direction.

- Mizu no Kuni.

- Then I suggest you take this, too," I pointed my finger at a small scroll that could seal even the strongest Suiton techniques with proper skill.

- Let's get a couple more of these," he agreed, raising an eyebrow skeptically.

I drew the total sum, deducted the discount, and turned to the shinobi. With a whistle and a shake of his head at the number of zeros in the resulting price tag, Hatake printed out the money from the scroll and paid for the purchase.

I've got more interesting stuff on patreon (+ 200 chapter)

patreon.com/Chill76