Minato Namikaze hesitated to speak.
The curiosity in his heart made him feel uncomfortable, as if being scratched by a cat.
He followed Haruki, his eyes constantly drifting towards his face.
Calm.
It seemed as if the man who had slaughtered the Sand Ninjas at once earlier wasn't him.
But he couldn't forget.
The white flash would flash before his eyes as soon as he closed them.
Minato had already learned the name of the ninjutsu from Haruki.
The Flying Thunder God Technique.
An S-Rank ninjutsu developed by Tobirama Senju, the Second Hokage.
He naturally understood what an S-Rank meant.
Moreover, it was an extremely special Space–Time Ninjutsu.
In addition, there was also the A-Rank Rasengan, an offensive ninjutsu used during the Flying Thunder God Technique.
Teacher Haruki said it was created based on the Tailed Beast Ball.
Just thinking about being able to learn such ninjutsu, even with Minato's self-restraint, he couldn't help but feel impatient.
"Minato, I've counted. You've looked at me more than thirty times along the way."
Haruki glanced at him, and seeing his expression, he then asked, couldn't help but smile. "If you have any questions, just ask. Otherwise, you'll make yourself sick by holding it in."
Minato looked embarrassed.
He didn't expect his actions to be seen so clearly by Haruki.
But isn't it kinda boring for you to count the times?
"Um... I always thought you were just a Medical Ninja."
Minato's tone was more respectful than before.
It was only now that he truly recognized Haruki as his master from the bottom of his heart.
"There's no need. If Medical Ninjutsu is enough to solve the problem, why do I need to step onto the battlefield myself?"
After Haruki finished speaking, seeing his expression, he then asked, "Do you think I'm a bit of a coward?"
"No, no!" Minato shook his head vigorously like a rattle - drum.
"It's just showing weakness to the enemy."
Haruki didn't explain further. The main reason was to confuse Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others. If he showed a combat level no weaker than Tsunade's, he feared he would die even faster than the Legend of the White Fang.
And a simple Medical Ninja wouldn't pose a threat to the position of Hokage.
Minato opened his mouth but was smart enough not to ask anymore.
At this time, he noticed something strange.
"Teacher, this doesn't seem to be the way back to Konoha."
"Yeah, we're going to the Oshima Chamber of Commerce."
"The Oshima Chamber of Commerce?"
Minato heard the unfamiliar name. After thinking for a moment, he remembered that it was this chamber of commerce that had posted a B-Rank Mission.
"But shouldn't we go back to the village to collect the reward?"
"That's usually the case."
In Konoha Village or any other ninja village, missions are involved. The client pays the reward when submitting the mission.
"But this time it's a special case. It's a private commission."
"Ah? Teacher, doesn't this seem to violate the village regulations?" Minato asked hesitantly.
"If you don't say and I don't say, who will know?" Haruki glanced at him. "Do you want to betray your teacher?"
"Of course not!" Minato quickly shook his head.
"Rules are meant to be broken, especially unreasonable ones."
Haruki seemed to be implying something.
Before Minato could think about it, he heard him say, "We're here. The town where the Oshima Chamber of Commerce is located."
Minato Namikaze looked at the bustling street.
Unlike the desolate wilderness, this place didn't seem to be affected by the war.
Most of the shops on both sides were hanging wooden signs with the word 'Oshima'.
Although he didn't know much about the Oshima Chamber of Commerce, judging from the situation, this chamber of commerce was quite powerful.
"The main business of the Oshima Chamber of Commerce is the grain trade. They made a fortune during the Second Great Ninja War in recent years and now have quite a reputation in both the Land of Rain and the Land of Fire," Haruki noticed his gaze and casually introduced it to him.
"Besides regular grain, they also launched a kind of thing called compressed biscuits. Because they are of good quality and low price, they are very popular among civilians."
"Compressed biscuits? Are they similar to Military Rations Pills?"
"Well, you're quite quick to react."
Haruki praised him and continued, "But Military Rations Pills are specially supplied to Ninjas and can be regarded as pills."
They chatted for a few more minutes.
He stopped in front of a building that resembled an ancient mansion.
"I'm a Jonin from Konoha Village. Please inform someone inside for me."
"Please wait a moment, sir."
The guard at the gate showed immediate respect when he saw Haruki's Forehead Protector.
After a short while.
He returned.
"Please come with me, two sirs."
Led by the guard, Haruki and Minato Namikaze came to the hall.
A wealthy middle - aged man immediately stood up.
A kind smile appeared on his face.
"Your coming here really makes this place feel special!"
"The bandits in the Aso Mountains have been eliminated. As it wasn't far, I dropped by."
"You Ninjas from Konoha are so efficient!"
Oshima Yoshiyuki gave a thumbs - up, then looked at Minato Namikaze and asked, "Who is this young man?"
"Minato Namikaze, my student."
"Pleased to meet you."
After greeting, Oshima Yoshiyuki turned the topic back to the mission. "Then, sir Haruki, would you come with me to receive the reward?"
"Sure. Minato, wait for me here."
"Okay, Teacher."
Haruki followed Oshima Yoshiyuki to a secluded room.
He saw a person sitting in the room who looked exactly like him - a Wood Clone that he had created.
The Wood Release that Haruki obtained was completely different from the half - baked one of Yamato and was closer to that of Hashirama Senju.
It only lacked the Sage Body.
As one of the special clones, the Wood Clone had a very realistic effect.
He left it here naturally for the convenience of contact and protection.
The Oshima Chamber of Commerce was actually a force he established three years ago.
Just like the Konoha Orphanage, it took in wandering Ninjas and refugees produced by the war.
According to his instructions, it also trained Ninjas, improved wheat and rice, and used Chakra to farm.
"Sir Haruki, according to normal procedures, you need to answer the password."
Oshima Yoshiyuki poured a cup of tea and said, "A single spark."
"Can start a prairie fire."
Haruki took the teacup and took a sip. "Let's get down to business. I need a group of Ninjas to enter Konoha."
"What are the requirements?"
"They should have a clean background and be able to pass Konoha's Root investigation. If possible, they should infiltrate the Anbu and Root; otherwise, they can come to me at the Ninja Academy."
"Understood."
Oshima Yoshiyuki nodded. "I'll specifically select those with strong wills."
"Thank you." Haruki let out a sigh of relief. "How have you been lately?"
"The situation is excellent."
Speaking of this, Oshima Yoshiyuki regained his shrewdness as a businessman.
"Sir, you're really bold. Growing crops with chakra was a daring move, and I never thought the results would be so good. In terms of quality alone, our Oshima Chamber of Commerce can be considered number one."
"Have you been discovered by Amegakure Village or Konoha Village?"
"No." Oshima Yoshiyuki's chubby face broke into a smile. "Your method worked. A while ago, Hanzo personally sent people to investigate to find out who was selling the grain, but he didn't know that all the villagers in the village he was investigating were our people."
This wasn't his method.
Haruki smiled.
"One last thing. Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan have founded The Akatsuki Organization. They should be able to gather a huge amount of power, especially top - notch ninjas. You can cooperate with them suitably. They lack food, and you lack protection. Maybe the Oshima Chamber of Commerce can gain full control of the economic lifeline in the Land of Rain."