The carriage was made of high-grade nanmu wood.
Expensive silk curtains surrounded the windows, releasing a faint fragrance.
Glazed glass lamp beads decorated the eaves.
Two words summed it up perfectly—
Extravagant.
The convoy consisted of two carriages.
The one in front was the luxurious carriage described above.
The one behind carried luggage and Konoha specialties, using an ordinary—but still high-quality—carriage.
Inside the luxurious carriage sat three people:
Fukuyama Sawa, eldest daughter of the Fukuyama family, whose father held a position in the Fire Country Military Affairs Office
Her personal bodyguard Kigako, formerly a wandering shinobi who claimed jōnin-level strength and now served as a Fukuyama retainer
Kaito
At the front rode a boy named Ryū, said to be Kigako's disciple.
At the rear carriage sat a middle-aged wandering samurai named Jūichirō.
Compared to the merchant convoy Kaito had escorted in the past, this one was absurdly luxurious.
Two top-tier horses pulled each carriage—no need to swap at relay stations.
The pace was slow, steady, and comfortable, nothing like the bone-rattling rush of merchant caravans.
Inside the carriage stood a white-jade table, neatly arranged with desserts and premium red tea worth an absurd amount per tael.
There were milk cubes and sugar blocks prepared specifically for tea blending.
Kaito watched as Sawa added milk and sugar, stirred gently, and took a sip.
"…Are all nobles this ridiculous?" he thought.
Drinking afternoon tea on the way home… I hate rich people.
"Is something wrong?" Sawa asked, lifting her gloved hands to her cheeks and checking a mirror. "Is there something on my face?"
"No," Kaito replied.
"I was just thinking about where I'll travel after this mission."
He added sugar and milk to his own tea, stirred, and tasted it.
"…This is really good."
"Where did you buy this tea? I might send some to my friends."
Sawa smiled faintly.
"It's from the Fire Capital. Konoha's tea is too low-grade—I can't drink it."
"…And the price?"
"Not expensive. Just over a hundred thousand ryō per tael."
"..."
Kaito internally screamed.
That's seventy or eighty D-rank missions per tael!
He silently finished the tea and poured another cup, pretending he never said he'd send any back.
Kigako's gaze grew even more contemptuous.
"Hmph. Country shinobi."
"Kigako!" Sawa snapped. "Kaito is a famous Konoha shinobi, not some country bumpkin!"
"Famous?" Kigako scoffed, looking down at him.
"A genin who can't even pass the chūnin exams?"
"And don't get any ideas about my lady."
Sawa frowned deeply.
"That's enough!"
"…Understood." Kigako stood. "I'll sit up front."
She exited the carriage and joined Ryū.
Inside, Sawa sighed apologetically.
"She's usually very polite. I don't know what's wrong today."
"It's fine," Kaito said calmly, leaning back to admire the scenery.
For the first time, he was leaving the village without rushing for a mission.
Fire Country in July was hot, but the carriage had a cooling system—ice cabinets and concealed drainage channels.
Sunlight fell across Kaito's face.
Sawa watched him quietly.
He looked like a boy forever frozen at eighteen.
Flawless skin.
Perfect proportions.
Rare even across the entire Fire Country.
Only two flaws—
Strength.
Wealth
After more than an hour of silence, Sawa finally spoke.
"Kaito."
"Yes, Miss Sawa?"
"…Are you really not willing to consider marrying into my family?"
"I'll treat you well. Three houses in the Fire Capital, two shops as dowry. Even a home in Konoha if you want—"
Kaito's grip tightened on his teacup.
"Miss Sawa," he said firmly,
"Do you think I'd lower myself for money?"
She tilted her head in thought.
"…Then what if I add ten million ryō and some gold?"
Click.
Kaito set down the cup.
Outside, Kigako sneered confidently.
There's no way he'll refuse.
The silence stretched.
Finally, Kaito smiled gently.
"I'm sorry."
"I still want to be a shinobi."
Sawa froze, then laughed softly.
"I see."
Just as Kaito relaxed, she continued—
"Then… you must already like someone, right?"
"Yūhi Ryūun, the newly promoted jōnin?"
"Or Uchiha Mikoto—the prodigy who broke records?"
"Or…"
She leaned forward, eyes glinting.
"Yakushi Nonō—the youngest department-level medical lead?"
"..."
"You know more than I do," Kaito said, giving a thumbs-up.
She opened a folding fan emblazoned with the character 福.
"I'm serious about you, Kaito."
"If I don't study my rivals, how can I win?"
"…Heh." Kaito reached for tea—only to find it empty.
She closed the fan.
"Being a shinobi has no future," Sawa said calmly.
"It burns money, and one war turns everything into bones."
"What's the point?"
Kaito gazed at the peaceful land outside.
"You're wrong."
"Without shinobi, Fire Country couldn't hold this land."
Sawa scoffed.
"As long as we have money, shinobi will do whatever we ask."
"Even betray comrades."
"Five million?"
"Ten million?"
"Do you really think all shinobi are like you?"
"They are," Kaito replied without hesitation.
She turned away, irritated, and lay down with a pillow.
Kaito sighed.
If not for that generous mission payout, I wouldn't be here at all.
Two days later, the convoy reached the Fire Capital.
Bustling. Massive. Alive.
The Fukuyama estate awaited.
"My mission ends here," Kaito said cheerfully. "Farewell."
"Wait."
A powerful retainer stepped out.
"The master wishes to see you."
Inside the estate, Kaito was led through gardens and stone paths.
Finally, a sliding door opened.
Inside sat a round-faced middle-aged man with sharp eyes.
Fukuyama Yū.
"Sit."
Tea was poured.
A full cup.
Kaito blinked.
"…Is this the 'please leave' tea?"
Yū smiled.
"How much money will it take for you to leave my daughter?"
"…What?"
Kaito nearly choked.
"This really is happening," he thought.
"One million?"
"No—ten million."
"Or fifty million."
"Cut all ties with Sawa."
"How about it?"
It felt like mountains of money were crashing down on his back.
The classic scene.
It finally happened.
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