Morning.
It had been three days since arriving in the Land of Whirlpools. Tobi watched the people gradually emerging outside the balcony with a curious expression. Yesterday, he had asked Zetsu about it, and learned that these people woke up early to go to work.
He heard that working could earn money...
Tobi scratched the back of his head. If they earned money, they could pay rent, and if they paid rent, he and Madara-sama might be able to stay here permanently.
There were soft beds and comfortable recliners here. If they could live here, who would want to go back?
Over the past three days, Madara-sama had been lying on the recliner on the balcony every morning, silently watching the people outside with a dazed expression, staying there until they returned from work.
He knew this wasn't good for Madara-sama. No matter what, as a product of the Infinite Tsukuyomi, Tobi was aware of his mission. If Madara-sama developed other thoughts about peace, it would be bad.
But...
Tobi knew he was different from the other White Zetsu. No matter what, he would always listen to Madara-sama.
Tobi turned to look at Madara-sama, who was sound asleep beside him. How many years had it been since Madara-sama last slept lying down?
He had always been...
Sitting.
"Madara-sama, Tobi is going out," Tobi whispered as he approached Madara. "Tobi will be back soon."
He didn't know how Madara-sama planned to get money to pay the rent. Maybe they would still have to wait for Zetsu to bring the money?
After all, Madara-sama was already old, even walking unsteadily.
So...
Tobi decided to go out for a walk today. After so many days without leaving the house, maybe he could find a way by going outside?
Then, following Zetsu and Uzumaki Jun's advice, Tobi disguised himself as a young man with long black hair and happily skipped outside.
...
"Jun-sama, someone has come out of the house you asked us to monitor," Uzumaki Hibiki adjusted his glasses and said. "A young man with black hair."
"A young man with black hair?" Uzumaki Jun frowned slightly and muttered, "That must be Tobi."
"Should we arrange for someone to follow him?" Uzumaki Hibiki asked.
"No need," Uzumaki Jun shook his head. "Let him have fun."
Only then would Tobi understand the importance of money.
Besides, surveillance...
Even though Uchiha Madara was old, he wasn't someone ordinary people could monitor. With Zetsu around...
It was better not to complicate things.
"Understood," Uzumaki Hibiki nodded. "I will make the arrangements."
"If he looks for work, guide him to the pre-ninja academy," Uzumaki Jun thought for a moment and said. "But be careful not to make it too obvious."
The pre-ninja academy was established a few years ago for the children of working families. Since the Land of Whirlpools was undergoing large-scale development, many children who were too young to attend the ninja academy had to stay home all day waiting for their parents to return.
No matter what, if this continued long-term, it would affect the children's physical and mental health. So it was better to send them to the pre-ninja academy to learn basic literacy and...
Patriotism!
Ideological education was still the most important subject in the Land of Whirlpools.
This didn't cost much, just a few literate teachers.
Besides, Tobi's goofy personality was perfect for teaching children how to draw...
He just needed to change the content of his drawings!
"Yes!" Uzumaki Hibiki responded and immediately went to arrange the task.
...
"Is this the shopping street?" Tobi looked curiously at the quiet street in front of him and muttered, "There are so few people!"
But since he was already here, he might as well take a look.
He just needed to return early to accompany Madara-sama in sunbathing.
As Tobi stepped into the shopping street...
"Young man, why aren't you at work yet?" an elderly woman called out to him with a smile. "Are you on leave today?"
"Work?" Tobi walked over curiously and shook his head. "I don't have a job."
"Ah, how can someone so young be so unmotivated?" The elderly woman sighed. "I haven't seen you before. Did you just arrive a few days ago?"
"Yes, I just got here not long ago," Tobi thought for a moment. Three days ago counted as "not long ago," right?
"A refugee from the Land of Rain?" the elderly woman asked curiously. "If you're from the Land of Rain, the Land of Whirlpools should have assigned you a job."
Unless...
The elderly woman looked at Tobi warily. "Did you sneak in? Have you applied for a temporary residence permit in the Land of Whirlpools?"
"Sneak in?" Tobi shook his head in confusion. "Is a temporary residence permit this?"
He pulled out the red booklet that Uzumaki Jun had given him and Madara-sama.
"Oh? So you're already a citizen of the Land of Whirlpools!" The elderly woman's expression relaxed into a smile. "Jun-sama must have given this to you personally!"
Otherwise, outsiders wouldn't have obtained citizenship in the Land of Whirlpools yet.
"Yes!" Tobi nodded. "That little... Jun-sama gave it to me."
"Haha, in that case, you should work even harder!" The elderly woman laughed. "Otherwise, without money, life in the Land of Whirlpools will be tough."
"Want a bowl of tofu pudding?" She lifted the lid of the metal bucket beside her, releasing a fragrant aroma.
"This is a delicacy invented by Jun-sama!"
"Pudding?" Tobi frowned at the bucket of milky-white substance. "What creature's brain is this big?"
"Haha!" The elderly woman paused, then laughed. "This isn't a real brain. It's a delicious food made from soybeans. Want to try it?"
Tobi stared at it hesitantly but ultimately shook his head. "No, I don't have money."
He hadn't even found a way to pay the rent yet. How could he spend money carelessly?
Besides...
He didn't need to eat.
"It's fine, it's on me," the elderly woman said cheerfully. "Let me treat you to a taste of the Land of Whirlpools' cuisine."
Without waiting for Tobi to refuse, she scooped out a bowl.
"Do you like it salty, sweet, or spicy?"
"Sweet?" Tobi looked curiously at the bowl of tofu pudding in the elderly woman's hands. For someone who had never eaten anything since birth, the concepts of sweet, salty, and spicy were completely foreign. So...
He just randomly picked one.
"Sweet, huh?" The elderly woman nodded in satisfaction. "Wait a moment."
Soon...
"All done!"
She handed the tofu pudding to Tobi. "After eating, go find a job!"
"If Jun-sama thinks so highly of you, you must be someone special."
"But in the Land of Whirlpools, everything follows the law. So..."
"Enjoy your meal!"
Tobi blankly took the tofu pudding, feeling a strange sensation in his heart—like when he was drawing.
Very strange...
He scooped up a spoonful, watching the trembling tofu pudding on the spoon, then gently placed it in his mouth.
Instantly, his whole face scrunched up with delight.
"How is it?" the elderly woman asked with a smile. "Delicious, right?"
"Yes!" Tobi opened his eyes and nodded, a smile on his face as he held the spoon in his mouth. "So sweet!"