"Sensei, is this really going to work?"

"Will people from Kumo actually come here to buy supplies?"

Rin Nohara looked around at the shop, packed full of goods. Though she and Kazuyama Gekkō had already sorted everything neatly, it still felt strangely off.

"Hmph, Rin, don't doubt my eye for this."

"Kumo shops are exactly like this. And besides, doesn't stacking everything in a messy heap make it feel more authentic?"

"A general store—this is how a general store should look!"

Kazuyama Gekkō's understanding was far more thorough. With his years of traveling across different nations, he was certain there was nothing wrong with this setup.

"Alright, Rin, keep an eye on the shop. I'll go check on the other three. And don't cancel your Transformation Technique. The form you're using now... hmm, it looks quite good on you!"

"Yes, Sensei."

Rin Nohara had transformed into a beautiful young woman, perfectly matching Kazuyama Gekkō's aesthetic—like a fusion of Pakura and Tsunade.

She admitted she hadn't wanted to pick this look, but she couldn't deny that it was more eye-catching.

Kazuyama Gekkō had chosen four towns nearest to Kumogakure, renting the most prominent shops along the busiest streets.

He knew Kumo would rush to resupply as quickly as possible.

So he didn't care about the upfront cost. Once all the goods were sold, he'd not only make his money back, but also several times more—dozens of times more, even.

"Kakashi, your Transformation Technique needs to be redone from scratch!"

"What the hell is this thing you've turned into?"

Kazuyama Gekkō stared at Kakashi, who had transformed into a bald, hulking man, and couldn't help but tremble.

Too much! Was this supposed to be a merchant's look???

"I think it's fine. I didn't use this form when I was robbing people before. The contrast makes it more convincing."

"Shut up! This isn't about contrast! It's hideous! You'll scare off customers!"

Kazuyama Gekkō was losing it. He wanted to split Kakashi's skull open just to see what nonsense was rattling around inside.

What kind of serious businessman looked like a bald meathead???

Ridiculous!

Left with no choice, Kazuyama Gekkō gave Kakashi the perfect solution.

"If you really can't think of what to turn into..."

"Then transform into Terumi! Got it???"

"You've seen Terumi before, right!"

Yes, this was exactly when you should model your transformation on someone familiar.

Terumi was just a Genin from Kirigakure who had never been to war. Kumo wouldn't recognize her—she was the ideal choice.

But Kakashi froze. Turning into a woman... that was another matter.

"Sensei, I..."

"You don't get a choice! If you refuse, I'll turn you into crystal right now and handle it myself!"

Kazuyama Gekkō had already decided—Kakashi needed to be fixed. How could this version of Kakashi ever become the future "55–55"?

He still couldn't throw away his pride!

How was he supposed to become strong like this?

"I'll transform..."

"Transform!"

The moment he realized he'd lose the mission otherwise, Kakashi caved instantly and performed the Transformation Technique.

In an instant, a slightly more mature-looking Terumi appeared before them.

Only then did Kazuyama Gekkō leave, satisfied, while warning him never to revert to his original form.

He then checked on Obito and Shisui, and under his intimidating pressure, both also transformed into young women.

A shop needed to look the part!

...

Soon, Kumo's procurement squad set out.

Their first stop was Uchiha Shisui's shop, where Kazuyama Gekkō happened to be present.

Right away, he spotted a familiar face in the group—Dodai, one of Kumogakure's top officials.

He wasn't worried they wouldn't come. After all, his shop's location was unbeatable.

"This shop has a lot of variety."

"Let's buy here."

Just as Kazuyama Gekkō had predicted, Dodai was in a rush. Naturally, he'd choose a shop that looked large and well-stocked.

"Welcome! What can I get for you today?"

Kazuyama Gekkō stepped forward to greet them personally, with Shisui following behind. Unlike Shisui, who had transformed into a young woman, Kazuyama Gekkō had taken on the look of a slick merchant, making Shisui's mouth twitch.

He thought: Why do I have to turn into a woman, while Sensei gets to look like a perfectly normal man????

"Daily necessities and foodstuffs. I see you've got plenty here."

"Of course! We're the biggest shop in town. Whatever you want, I've got it. Hehehe, and the prices? Very fair."

Kazuyama Gekkō calmly handed Dodai a price list.

Dodai took one look and froze.

"Why is this so expensive???"

Yes, outrageously expensive—several times the normal price!

As Kumo's logistics officer, Dodai knew market prices well. He couldn't fathom how these numbers had inflated so much.

"Ah la la, my guest from Kumogakure, you don't understand."

"Lately, the Land of Lightning has been in chaos. Bandits are everywhere. Delivering goods is a nightmare."

"Naturally, prices have gone up."

"This is just the market, the market!"

Dodai fought the urge to throw the list away and storm out.

After all, he knew the truth. Even their own supply convoys had been robbed, leaving Kumogakure on the brink of running out of everything.

"How much..."

Dodai gritted his teeth. All he wanted now was enough supplies to cover the village's immediate crisis.

"Hahaha, as much as you want! If you buy it all, I'll even give you a 10% discount."

Kazuyama Gekkō rubbed his hands together like the perfect conman, infuriating Dodai even further.

In the end, he had no choice but to pay up.

"I'll take it all..."

"All of it? My, so decisive! Let me check the stock."

Kazuyama Gekkō pretended to tally things up, though he had long since calculated everything—making money was something he never slacked on.

"Altogether, that'll be one hundred seventy million ryō!"

"Wh-what???"

"One hundred seventy million ryō. I've already rounded down the change, so rest assured!"

Dodai nearly spat blood on the spot!

So expensive! Supplies that normally cost a few tens of millions had suddenly ballooned to an absurd fortune!

"I'll take it..."

"No problem! Customer! Xiao Shui, hurry and help load everything onto their cart!"

Shisui Uchiha: ...Xiao Shui? What kind of demonic nickname is that...