Ryouhei stood in the doorway of his shop. The air was damp, and voices from the street hit him like a wave.
The small shop smelled like mint, fennel, and citrus mixed with the wet, metal scent of Amegakure.
Tetsu was behind the counter, trying to hold a crate of soap bars and a bunch of order slips. He was grinning from ear to ear.
"You're late, boss!" Tetsu shouted. "You should've seen it after Rain Market Day! People went crazy! Everyone's been coming in asking for soap, wraps—even the cards! We're almost out of everything!"
Ryouhei smiled a little as he stepped inside. "That's why I did it," he mumbled to himself.
He knew the market would bring attention. He hoped it would. But this was more than he expected.
The village had been waiting for something good, something new. And somehow, his little shop became that spark.
He moved behind the counter and gently pushed Tetsu aside. "Alright, slow down. Tell me what happened."
Tetsu could hardly stand still. "After the market, everyone kept talking! They love the soap—said it stopped their kids from itching. The medics bought ten more kits. And a ninja said your wraps saved his scrolls on a mission! Even old man Koji said his mushrooms sold faster than ever!"
Aya, wiping her hands, spoke from the corner. "We've got a ton of orders. I had to start a new list." She pointed to a messy stack of scrolls on the counter. People were asking for yarrow soap, cedar wraps, even custom ones with rosemary or plum.
Ryouhei looked around. The shelves that once held useless junk were nearly empty. A few ugly soap bars and one stack of War cards were all that was left. Only a few folded wraps remained.
He opened his ledger and flipped to the last page. The numbers from Rain Market Day were still there: 450 Ryo, plus trade goods like mushrooms, smoked fish, and a few knives.
He looked at Tetsu, still talking fast. "Alright, enough. We've got work to do. Aya, start with yarrow and mint. Tetsu, sweep up and check the wax stock. We're making more tonight."
Tetsu gave a sloppy salute, almost knocking over a jar. "On it, boss!"
Ryouhei turned to the crowd. "Hey everyone! We're low on stuff, but we'll have more tomorrow. Come back then—and tell your neighbors!"
Some villagers nodded. A few asked about custom orders. A ninja with a scar on his face dropped a small pouch of money on the counter. "Heard these wraps held up in Grass," he muttered.
Ryouhei just smiled, handed him the wrap, and pocketed the coins.
When the crowd cleared, he leaned on the counter and let out a slow breath. Rain Market Day had worked—even better than he hoped.
Konan had come that day too. Her quiet approval had spread through the village. People noticed.
He shook his head and whispered, "One step at a time."
✦ Two Weeks Later ✦
The shop didn't look like a broken shed anymore. The roof was fixed with new tarps and scrap metal, strong enough to hold off the rain.
The shelves were clean and full—rows of mint, yarrow, cedar, and a new chamomile-lavender soap that medics really liked.
Waxed wraps hung on racks, stitched tight with strong twine—just like Konan had suggested.
Above the door was a wooden sign, carved by Tetsu:
Kurozawa's Goods – Soap, Wraps, and More.
Ryouhei's ledger showed real progress. In just two weeks, he'd made 1,200 Ryo—600 from soap, 400 from wraps, and 200 from War card decks.
He was also getting trade goods: rice, dried plums, bamboo shoots, and even clean cloth from a Grass Village trader.
Yuna sent a messenger with a big order—30 soaps and 20 wraps—and said she wanted to buy monthly.
The shop was busy every day. Tetsu and Aya now worked full-time, their aprons stained with wax and herbs.
Mika and Suki, two widows, came daily to help stitch wraps and pack medic kits. Ryouhei even hired a quiet boy named Ren.
Ren didn't talk much, but he cleaned floors and carried crates without complaint. The kids worked hard, and their voices gave the shop a warm feeling.
The village was changing too. Medics said fewer people were getting infections, thanks to the yarrow soap. Shinobi used the wraps on patrols, keeping their scrolls and tools dry, even in the rain.
Kids played War in the alleys, laughing loud enough to be heard over the storm. Even Hina, who never liked Ryouhei, gave him a rare nod when he delivered 20 medic kits early.
"Keep this up," she said, "and I might not hate you."
Word about Ryouhei was spreading. Traders from Shimono and Mizuwa came asking for bulk orders.
A shinobi from Grass even said he mentioned Ryouhei's wraps to someone in the Land of Fire.
Ryouhei didn't say anything about that—not yet. He wasn't ready for Konoha. But the idea was there, quietly growing.
✦ That Evening ✦
The shop was quiet. Outside, the rain tapped softly on the roof. Ryouhei sat at the counter, mixing a new batch of soap—lemon and charcoal, meant for the guards who worked near the sewage canals.
Tetsu was nearby, cleaning soap molds and humming badly. Aya sat in the corner, calmly sorting herbs with steady hands.
The door creaked open. Kaede walked in, her cloak wet from the rain. She held a small scroll with Konan's red-wing mark on it.
"From the Angel," she said, tossing it onto the counter. "Read it."
Ryouhei felt his heart skip. He broke the seal and opened the scroll. The message was short and sharp:
Merchant Kurozawa, your goods are stabilizing village supply lines. Expand production. Focus on medic kits and wraps for shinobi. Report progress in one month.
He read it twice, then looked up. "She means it."
Kaede leaned against the wall. "She doesn't waste words. Your kits are in every medic tent. Shinobi are asking for your wraps by name."
Ryouhei placed the scroll down, thinking fast. This wasn't just about surviving anymore—Konan was counting on him.
"Anything else?" he asked.
Kaede looked toward the door. "Stay alert. Don't go anywhere without me."
He nodded, his hand brushing the hidden knife in his bag. "Understood."
After she left, Ryouhei turned to the others. "We're going bigger. More kits, more wraps. Tetsu, you handle the herbs tomorrow. Aya, check how much wax we've got. No slowing down now."