Ryouhei leaned over the counter, checking his ledger. Tetsu and Aya were out delivering soaps to Hina's medic tents. He scribbled down a short list:
- Make 20 medic kits by week's end
- Sell them cheap to medics
- Special lotus soaps for Lady Angel
- Plan Rain Market Day with Koji, the butcher, and Tetsu
- Keep an eye on Soma
Ask Yuna and Koji about kunai
If everything went well, maybe Konan would stop seeing him as just a shopkeeper. Maybe she'd see him as useful. Then he wouldn't have to worry about small-time troublemakers like Soma.
The next morning, Ryouhei was up before dawn. The stove was going. Aya stirred soap mix. Tetsu came in carrying chamomile from Koji's garden. Two widows, Mika and Suki, had been hired to help make the kits. Their hands were fast and careful, folding waxed cloth into neat pouches.
"We need 20 kits by the end of the week," Ryouhei told them. "Ten for Hina. Ten extra. Yarrow soap, bandages, chamomile, fennel. Tough enough for shinobi."
Mika nodded. "Medics are overworked. These'll help."
"We're selling them at cost. Just 25 Ryo each."
"No profit?" Suki frowned. "That's risky."
"Helping the village is worth the risk," Ryouhei said. Really, he was thinking of Konan. If Kaede told her, maybe she'd understand his worth.
By the fifth day, the kits were ready. Each pouch had bandages, soap, and herbs. Ryouhei checked every one. Aya's stitches were tight. Tetsu packed the herbs neatly. The widows had earned every grain of rice.
He also set aside a small gift: three lotus soaps and a soft wrap, tied in a reed basket. Konan had once said she liked that scent—clean, quiet, not too fancy.
He sent Tetsu to get Kaede.
When she arrived, he showed her the kits. "These are for Hina's medics. I made extras. Waterproof, lightweight. They help stop infections. Just 25 Ryo each."
Kaede raised an eyebrow. "You're betting a lot on this."
"Betting on the village," Ryouhei said. Then he handed her the basket. "And this is for Lady Angel. A thank-you. I'm no shinobi. This is how I help."
Kaede looked at the basket, then at him. "She doesn't like gifts much."
"Just gratitude," he said, bowing his head.
She took the basket. "I'll give it to her. Don't expect a smile."
That evening, Hina stopped by. She looked over a kit and sniffed the chamomile. "These are solid. And you're selling them for 25? You're crazy."
"Crazy's working," Ryouhei said with a grin. "Use them. Let me know what needs fixing."
Outside, he heard quiet voices—Soma's people.
"Cheap kits, cheap tricks," one muttered.
Ryouhei didn't respond. But he saw their faces. He wouldn't forget. He needed to act—and do it in the open.
That night, a plan formed: Rain Market Day.
Amegakure's square was always gray and wet, but maybe a market would bring some hope. In two days, he had it ready.
Koji and the butcher would share his stall and sell food. He'd bring soaps, wraps, and War cards. Tetsu would run card games. Aya would pour water on the wraps to show how strong they were.
He visited Kaede. "I'm setting up a market. Games, food, trade. I want people to see how strong this village is—because of Lady Angel. I'd like her to come, if she can."
Kaede leaned back. "A market? With Soma's people watching?"
"I'm not Soma. I want to prove it."
She studied him. Then nodded. "I'll ask her. I'll come too. Soma might try something."
"Thanks," Ryouhei said, handing her a mint soap. "For the trouble."
She smiled slightly. "You never stop, do you?"
Rain Market Day
The sky was gray. Light rain fell. Ryouhei set up his tarp. Crates of soaps—mint, plum, yarrow. Wraps stacked neatly. War cards laid out.
Koji's mushrooms sat beside the butcher's smoked fish. Tetsu shouted about the card games. Aya stood calm with her jug of water. Konan's angel banner flew high above.
People came slowly at first, curious but unsure.
"Welcome to Rain Market Day!" Ryouhei called. "Try a soap, test a wrap! Amegakure is strong—because of Lady Angel!"
A mother sniffed the plum soap. "Fair price. Soma charges more."
"Try it," Ryouhei said, handing her a free one. "Tell your neighbors."
"Round two! Win a nut, praise the Lady!" Tetsu shouted. Kids laughed. Aya poured water on a wrap—people gasped. Koji sold out of mushrooms. The butcher's fish went fast.
Kaede circled the edge, watching. Ryouhei spotted one of Soma's men in an alley—but he didn't move.
By noon, they'd sold 15 soaps, 8 wraps, and 3 War decks—450 Ryo total.
Then the crowd grew quiet.
Konan arrived.
She walked through the square, blue hair striking against the gray, eyes unreadable. Kaede walked beside her. Villagers bowed.
Ryouhei stepped forward and bowed deeply. "Lady Angel, thank you for coming. This market is for the village. It's only possible because of your strength."
Konan looked at the banner, then the stalls. "Your kits helped. This market… brings people together. Keep going."
Ryouhei felt his chest rise with hope. "I will."
She turned to go. A child shouted, "Lady Angel's the best!" Her lips twitched—almost a smile.
Kaede glanced back at Ryouhei. She gave him a small nod.
After the crowd left and the money was counted, Koji and the butcher each got 90 Ryo. Villagers started calling him "the soap guy."
Kaede stayed behind, looking over the crates.
"Lady Konan was impressed," she said softly. "But don't let it go to your head."
Ryouhei froze.
He looked up slowly. "So… Lady Angel's name is Konan?"
Kaede blinked. "Tch. Slip of the tongue."
But it was too late.
Ryouhei smiled to himself. "Konan," he said, like it was a secret he'd waited to speak aloud.
Kaede rolled her eyes. "Don't get weird."
"I won't. It's just good to know. People talk, but no one ever says her name."
"She doesn't like it thrown around."
"Fair."
Kaede gave him a final look. "Don't start calling her that like you're close."
"I won't," Ryouhei said.
She left, boots splashing through puddles.
Ryouhei turned back to the crates, putting things away. But inside, he smiled quietly.
Konan. He had always known—from the moment he saw her. But the reason he kept calling her "angel" was because she never told him her name. And if he'd just known it somehow, it would've seemed suspicious.
Now he knew.
And that was enough.