After receiving a 15,000 ryo stipend and a 50,000 ryo salary from the village, Veigar left work and headed straight for a local ninja tool shop, carrying a hefty sum of 75,000 ryo.
"Welcome! What can I help you with today?"
The shopkeeper, quick to recognize a potential customer, greeted him enthusiastically as he entered.
Veigar took a quick glance around the store before turning to the shopkeeper. "How much for a ninja tool pouch and a substitution log?"
The shopkeeper immediately sensed an opportunity—Veigar was the type of customer who genuinely needed these items.
"The ninja pouch is 2,000 ryo, and the substitution log is 6,500 ryo. That's 8,500 ryo in total," the shopkeeper said with a pleasant smile.
"I'll give you 4,500 ryo. That's all I've got," Veigar replied, his gaze unwavering.
Damn, this kid was ruthless—he had just cut the price in half.
"Impossible! I'd be losing money at that price," the shopkeeper refused without hesitation.
"The ninja pouch usually sells for 1,000 ryo, and the substitution log for 4,000 ryo. That means the total cost should be 5,000 ryo."
"But you just tried to charge me 8,500 ryo. So, you're taking advantage of me because I'm young, huh?"
"Now, I'm only offering 4,000 ryo. You can refuse, of course, but if you do, I'll make sure to spread the word about your pricing at the academy."
"So, what's your choice, boss?"
Veigar delivered his argument with impeccable logic, even lowering the price by another 500 ryo.
Just as the shopkeeper was about to lament getting outmaneuvered by a child, another voice, soft but firm, interrupted.
"Boss, is my custom order ready?"
Both Veigar and the shopkeeper turned toward the entrance. A boy around Veigar's height stood there, wearing a black mask and sporting silver, unkempt hair.
Veigar instantly recognized him—Kakashi Hatake, the prodigy currently attending the Ninja Academy.
He had also overheard his classmates talking about Kakashi's upcoming early graduation exam, scheduled for three days later.
"Hey, Kakashi! You're here for ninja tools too?" Veigar waved at him while speaking.
"I—"
Before Kakashi could respond, the shopkeeper hurriedly cut in, "Yes, your order is ready. Please wait just a moment."
Then, turning to Veigar, the shopkeeper quickly added, "Fine! I'll sell you the tools at your price."
Internally, the shopkeeper was cursing his luck. He had been adamant about not selling the items for 4,000 ryo, even when Veigar had threatened to damage his store's reputation. That alone hadn't worried him.
But the moment he saw Veigar casually greeting Kakashi Hatake, he panicked.
The shopkeeper mistakenly assumed that the two were close friends or classmates. If Veigar mentioned the price gouging to Kakashi and caused him to stop shopping at his store, the financial loss would be devastating.
Kakashi Hatake was one of his biggest customers—he had made a small fortune selling him ninja tools.
Besides, even at 4,000 ryo, the sale wasn't a total loss. He was still making a small profit.
"Throw in three kunai and ten shuriken," Veigar added, pushing his luck.
The shopkeeper clenched his teeth, glancing at Kakashi before reluctantly spitting out, "Fine."
"Much appreciated," Veigar said cheerfully, handing over the 4,000 ryo.
As Veigar completed his purchase, Kakashi regarded him with a look of mild curiosity. "Who are you?" he asked, his tone carrying an air of superiority.
Veigar turned back, offering a calm smile. "I'm Veigar Koshima, a first-year student in Class 3 at the Ninja Academy."
"Good luck on your graduation exam in three days."
"Oh, and thanks for earlier."
Kakashi, though only five years old, was a prodigy about to graduate early. Even though he hadn't witnessed the entire exchange, he could piece together what had happened.
He knew Veigar had used his presence as leverage against the shopkeeper.
With a slight tilt of his head, Kakashi simply responded, "Whatever."
By then, the shopkeeper had finished packing Veigar's purchases. As he handed them over, his heart ached—he had definitely lost money on this deal.
Kakashi, now holding his custom-ordered tools, settled his payment before quietly following Veigar as he left the shop.
Unaware of the tail behind him, Veigar walked home. His sensory abilities were still too weak to detect someone like Kakashi, who was actively suppressing his presence.
Only when Veigar reached his house did Kakashi finally emerge from the shadows. He glanced at the small, modest home before turning away.
Truthfully, Kakashi himself didn't understand why he had followed Veigar.
Maybe it was Veigar's calm, unshakable demeanor that left an impression on him.
Or perhaps…
His innate sixth sense told him there was something different about this boy. Beneath his seemingly ordinary exterior, there was something hidden—something even Kakashi found unsettling.
Back at home, Veigar eagerly pulled out the sealed scroll containing the substitution log. Today had been a huge win.
Not only had he secured his own ninja tools—real ones, not just the Academy's practice kunai and shuriken—but he had also gotten his hands on an essential tool for learning the Substitution Jutsu.
And the best part? It wasn't a disposable item. As long as the log remained intact, he could reuse it indefinitely.
Tonight was the perfect night to train a new jutsu.
And since he had figured out how to absorb Life Essence to replenish his stamina, he wasn't afraid of staying up late.
"Substitution Jutsu! Poof!"
"Substitution Jutsu! Poof!"
In the darkness, the young boy tirelessly trained, his sweat glistening under the moonlight.
Three days later, Veigar arrived at the Ninja Academy with his classmates, all gathered under the supervision of their teacher, Tomohisa Ishikawa.
Today, Kakashi Hatake would take his early graduation exam in front of the entire student body and faculty.
If he passed, he would officially become a Genin at the age of five, setting a record for the youngest Genin since the end of the Warring States Period.
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