"Greedy, but fair," Goro replied. "Just don't let him push you around."
The trip was quiet. Rain fell steadily, and the muddy road made walking hard. Ryouhei's legs hurt, but he didn't complain. He kept thinking about what he'd say to Kenta—bulk food, soap as a bonus.
At the border, they saw two carts and a few armed guards. Kenta sat under a tarp, chewing dried fish. He was big, with a messy beard.
"You the new guy?" Kenta asked.
"Trying to be," Ryouhei answered. "I need rice and fish. Enough for a month or two."
Kenta chuckled. "Straight to the point. I like that. Prices are high, though."
Ryouhei showed him his notes. "If I buy in small amounts, I lose money. But if I buy more, it helps both of us. Amegakure is steady. We'll keep buying."
Kenta squinted. "Hmm. What price are you thinking?"
They argued a bit, but Ryouhei stayed calm. He used the same tone he had back home when he sold phones. He explained the benefits—steady buyers, steady money.
Finally, Kenta nodded. "Alright. Two months of food, your price. But I want something extra."
Ryouhei pulled out a bar of soap. "Try this. I made it. It's good for you and your customers."
Kenta dipped it in a bucket of rainwater. He rubbed it in his hands. His eyebrows rose. "Smells nice. Not bad at all."
"People like feeling clean. It's a cheap bonus that leaves a good impression."
Kenta smiled. "Deal. Two months of food, and ten bars of soap."
They shook hands. The carts were loaded, and Ryouhei handed over the soap.
On the way back, Kaede said, "Using soap in trade was smart."
"Had to try something," Ryouhei replied, tired but pleased.
Back in the village, Hina looked over the food. She didn't say much, but her usual frown was softer. "More than I expected. And cheaper, too."
The next morning, Tetsu burst in, dripping wet.
"Ryouhei! Can I help make the soap today?"
Ryouhei was sorting jars of dried herbs. He looked up. "You sure? It smells bad, takes hours, and the stuff can burn you."
"I don't care! I want to learn," Tetsu said, excited.
Ryouhei sighed, then smiled. "Alright. Apron's on the hook. First rule—don't touch the lye unless I say so."
Tetsu threw on the big apron like it was armor. "Yes, boss!"
They spent the next hour heating water, measuring ingredients, and stirring the mix. Ryouhei made Tetsu do some of the stirring while he kept track of time.
"See how it's changing color?" Ryouhei asked.
Tetsu leaned closer. "It looks like pudding."
"That means it's working. Pour it slow now."
Tetsu focused hard, his tongue poking out, as he poured the thick paste into the molds.
By noon, eight rough bars were curing on the shelf.
"You did well," Ryouhei said, handing him a pinch of dried mint. "Now you smell like hard work."
Tetsu beamed. "I'm gonna tell everyone I helped!"
Ryouhei pointed a finger. "Tell them you worked for it. That's different."
"Yeah, yeah," Tetsu laughed, running to the door. "Can I come tomorrow too?"
"We'll see. Don't make me regret hiring you."
"Wait—am I hired?!"
"Do you know how to sweep?"
In the next few days, more kids came by, curious.
"This where the soap comes from?"
"Can we trade too?"
Ryouhei let them watch—sometimes. He made Tetsu clean, sort jars, and sweep the floor in exchange for lessons and lunch.
The shop started to feel alive. Soap bars sat by the window, curing. People stopped by to trade and talk. Some asked for different smells. One ninja even offered to bring citrus peels from his route.
"Smells better than my bedroll," he joked, sniffing a sample.
Ryouhei smiled. "Come back in two days."
Two days later, he was showing Tetsu how to wrap finished bars in cloth when the door slammed open.
Kenta walked in, soaked with rain and looking intense.
"Ryouhei!"
Tetsu jumped. "Whoa—"
Ryouhei stood, calm. "Morning, Kenta. Lose your way?"
Kenta didn't answer. He walked to the counter and dropped a pouch. It clinked—coins.
"I need more soap. Forty bars. Maybe fifty. I'll pay now."
Ryouhei blinked. "Didn't you say ten was enough?"
Kenta ran a hand through his wet beard. "I gave some to guards, a few to shopkeepers, even one to a patrol squad. Now everyone wants it. One guy gave me a whole sack of millet for just one bar."
Tetsu's eyes went wide. "Really?"
Ryouhei leaned on the counter. "So now you want to sell it."
"I have to," Kenta said. "You've got something real here. People love it. It's like magic—but without the explosions."
Ryouhei smirked. "That's kind of the idea."
"I'll take whatever you've got. I can bring lye and herbs too. Just don't cut me out."
Ryouhei looked at Tetsu, then back at Kenta. "Upfront payment's a good start. But no exclusive deal. I sell to the village first."
Kenta raised his hands. "Fair. I just want a slice. We both win."
Ryouhei nodded. "Come back in four days. I'll have twenty bars ready. Then we can talk more."