The morning sun hung high over the bustling capital of the Land of Fire as Shimura Danzo stormed out of the shop, grumbling under his breath. His steps were fast, almost aggressive, and every few seconds his dark eyes flicked toward the nearby streets, as if daring the world to challenge his temper.
Beside him, Sarutobi Hiruzen followed, his expression sullen but controlled. Despite the setbacks of the morning, he kept his thoughts in order. The first stop of their supply run had been… less than ideal. Unscrupulous merchants, inflated prices, and endless haggling had tested both their patience and their negotiation skills.
"Danzo," Hiruzen said, trying to maintain his composure, "we can't let this discourage us. Let's go to the next shop. Remember, this is a mission assigned by Lord Tobirama. Our duty is to complete it efficiently."
Danzo snorted, but he reluctantly followed. "I know, I know… but it's irritating. How can they be so shameless?"
The morning passed in a blur. By noon, they had managed to secure the materials for Bingliangwan—the essential chakra-restoring ration pills carried by every ninja—but it had been a battle of words. Merchants insisted their profits were minimal, losses mounting, and supply short. Hiruzen and Danzo, both young men raised in the traditions of the Warring States ninja clans, were ill-equipped for such intricate bargaining. They had trained for battle, for life-or-death missions, not for this endless dance of negotiation.
Exhausted, the two young ninjas finally made their way to a small restaurant for lunch. As they waited for their orders, Hiruzen's attention was drawn to a nearby table, where voices spoke of a familiar topic: tulips.
"…I'm telling you, brother," one voice said excitedly, "…you can make a fortune trading tulips. Buy a bunch now, wait a day or two, and the price skyrockets. You could sell them immediately and double your money."
Danzo's ears pricked. His mind flashed back to the tulip rumors from the previous night, and a familiar warmth returned to his chest—the fire of ambition and desire for instant wealth.
"…And these tulips," another voice continued, "…aren't just popular among the nobles of the Fire Nation. Grass Nation, Field Nation, Rain Nation… even Earth and Lightning Nations' elites are snapping them up. You could make a fortune in one week!"
Danzo's hand tightened around his chopsticks. The conversation was like a spark to dry tinder. All the bargaining, all the frustration of the morning—he could feel the appeal of the tulip market tugging him toward reckless ambition.
"Hiruzen…" Danzo muttered under his breath, "it's a real opportunity. I should at least take a look."
Hiruzen glanced at him, calm but sharp-eyed. "Danzo, stop thinking about tulips. We are ninjas. Look at the merchants this morning—rushing into a market blindly can get you hurt. Focus on our mission first."
Danzo's jaw clenched. The words were meant as caution, but to a fiery young man, it felt like a personal challenge. His competitive spirit flared. Hiruzen thought he was protecting him? Hmph. Fine. I'll show him I can handle it.
The waiter brought their miso soup, and the aroma filled the table, bringing a temporary pause to their bickering. Both young ninjas hungrily drank the steaming broth, savoring the comfort of warmth after a grueling morning.
"Miso soup is so delicious!" Danzo exclaimed, almost forgetting his earlier frustration.
Hiruzen chuckled faintly. "Indeed. A small comfort for the battles of life and negotiation alike."
Lunch arrived soon after, and they ate heartily, giving themselves a brief respite before resuming their mission. Yet even as they prepared to leave, Danzo's mind had already wandered back to tulips.
---
Afternoon: Tulip Temptation
As soon as they stepped out of the restaurant, Danzo broached an idea. "Hiruzen, working together like this is too slow. Why don't we split up? We already have the baseline prices set. If we negotiate separately, we'll finish faster."
Hiruzen paused. He could see through Danzo's plan immediately. The young ninja wanted to be free to explore the tulip market without restraint, while leaving Hiruzen behind as the responsible one. He frowned but considered the practicality. "Very well," Hiruzen said reluctantly. "Split up if you think efficiency requires it."
Danzo's lips curled into a sly grin. "Excellent."
Once Hiruzen departed, Danzo immediately made a beeline for the tulip trading market. The area was alive with energy: nobles, speculators, and merchants shouted prices and theory, their faces flushed with excitement. It was a world completely foreign to him, yet intoxicating.
"The stories were true," Danzo muttered under his breath. "Tulips really can make you rich overnight."
An unknown speculator on a nearby podium was explaining the market with elaborate, technical terms:
"The key is identifying the pain points of elite users, leveraging niche opportunities, integrating upstream and downstream resources, and creating a positive feedback loop in the ecosystem!"
Danzo blinked. The words sounded sophisticated and entirely unfamiliar. Yet the intent was clear: tulips were not just flowers—they were a status symbol, a financial instrument, and a market in themselves.
After wandering the market, observing buyers and traders from the Fire, Grass, Rain, Earth, and Lightning Nations, Danzo reached a conclusion: the tulip market was booming, and he was witnessing history in the making.
---
The Price Shock
Finally, Danzo approached a merchant whose tulips were displayed in lavish rooms, more like mini palaces than flower stalls. He asked the price.
"One million taels, minimum," the merchant said flatly.
Danzo's jaw dropped. One million taels! His mind raced. Every negotiation and every penny saved earlier seemed insignificant compared to this astronomical entry cost.
The crowd around him snickered. "Poor ninja, can't afford it? Move aside!"
Danzo's face flushed, and for a moment he faltered. He imagined Hiruzen's calm voice echoing in his mind: Danzo, you have no ability to interfere in the tulip business.
But the fire in his chest would not be extinguished so easily. He straightened, raised his chin, and declared: "I'll take it! One million taels!"
Gasps spread through the crowd. The young ninja had just committed himself to a gamble that could either make him unimaginably wealthy or ruin him entirely. But for Danzo, the thrill, the opportunity, and the challenge were irresistible.
As the merchant prepared the transaction, Danzo's eyes sparkled with anticipation. The tulip business was no longer a rumor; it was real, it was happening, and he was at the heart of it.
---
Reflections
Meanwhile, Hiruzen, far away in his own negotiations, remained cautious. He understood the dangers of impulsive decisions better than anyone, and he couldn't shake the image of Danzo, throwing himself into a market frenzy over flowers. But he also knew, deep down, that this was part of Danzo's nature: ambitious, bold, and willing to risk everything for a chance at greatness.
For now, Hiruzen focused on his own duties—securing supplies efficiently, maintaining the clan's reputation, and keeping a careful eye on his unpredictable companion. He knew the day was far from over, and that the tulip market's ripples would reach them both before sunset.
And Danzo? Danzo Shimura had made his choice. He was in, all the way. One million taels, one room full of tulips, and a chance to prove to himself, to Hiruzen, and to the ninja world, that he could seize fortune in his own hands.
The game had begun.
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