Ryun smiled slightly. It seemed Uzuki Yūgao had taken that tulip.
In the simulation, Ryun had also given her a tulip, but the real-world Uzuki Yūgao couldn't possibly know that.
So Ryun had bought an extra tulip. Consider it thanks for Uzuki Yūgao's help earlier.
From now on, Ryun could train his chakra on his own. The two of them might have no further chance to meet at all.
After a simple breakfast, Ryun eagerly began exercising his body and refining chakra.
Now he could do this openly. Plus, with his youthful disposition, it was understandable for him to become engrossed in training, right?
As for writing the book, he could relax in the afternoon and write a portion every night.
As long as he finished one book in about two to three months, then before Sarutobi Hiruzen's death, Ryun could publish at least three books. That would be enough for Ryun to make a name for himself.
Just as Ryun was training with great fervor, a knocking sound came from the door.
Ryun looked over in surprise. It was Tenten, waving and smiling.
"Tenten, what brings you here?"
Ryun looked at his own sweaty appearance and said, "Come in and sit. I'll go take a shower..."
"No need, no need. We're both ninja. I train in taijutsu often too. A little sweat is nothing at all."
To prove her point, Tenten leaned in close, sniffed, and said, "See? Actually, there's not much smell. After all, Ryun-kun is usually very clean, right?"
Then she realized her action was overly familiar, and she became momentarily flustered.
"Alright then, I'll go wash my face first. Wait a moment."
Ryun gave Tenten ample space. When he met her again, he had returned to his pristine, white-clothed appearance.
Tenten rested her chin on her palm, smiling as she looked at Ryun. No matter how she looked at it, Ryun seemed very different from the people around him.
"Want something to eat? Today I have senbei and dango besides the usual."
Ryun's words brought Tenten back to reality. She sat up straight and said, "I'm here to talk to you about the compensation for the fragmentation kunai."
"Do you have any conditions? You can state them openly. We can discuss them slowly."
After Tenten returned home yesterday, she and her family studied the matter all night.
She had tried very hard to secure benefits for Ryun, but once her parents learned Ryun was an orphan, they had the idea of driving a hard bargain.
At that time, Tenten was so anxious she wanted to have a big argument with her parents. In the end, she had to mention that Ryun was highly regarded by the Hokage to persuade them.
Even so, she was still unsatisfied with the price her parents offered.
Therefore, Tenten now felt uneasy, very worried that this matter might lead to unpleasantness with Ryun.
Compared to these small profits, Tenten felt maintaining a good relationship with Ryun was the most important thing.
"Discuss?"
Ryun shook his head and said, "Not necessary. I'll accept whatever price you offer."
"This design is mainly to repay you for saving my life. I could even give it to you for free."
"We still have many opportunities for cooperation. I can make money later."
Tenten was stunned. The meaning of Ryun's words was that he could design more ninja tools?
Right! Why hadn't she thought of that!
Tenten patted her own head, feeling deeply remorseful for not being smart enough.
If she had used this reason yesterday, perhaps she could have secured twice the benefits for Ryun.
"I understand you really want to thank me, but it's best not to mix personal feelings into business talks."
"How about this: this time my family gives you a little less profit. Next time we cooperate, my family will give you an extra ten percent. Okay?"
Seeing Ryun nod, Tenten let out a sigh of relief and said, "My plan is, starting today, my family will give you one hundred and fifty thousand ryo per month. At the end of the year settlement, we'll give you an additional thirty percent of the profits. How about that?"
Tenten held up one clenched fist and one open palm, expressing the number fifteen. This was already the limit of what she could offer.
But Ryun shook his head again.
Tenten felt anxious inside. Just as she was about to raise the price, she saw Ryun reach out and grasp her open hand, pressing her fingers into a fist.
Tenten's heart eased. If it was two hundred thousand ryo, she could grit her teeth and...
Before she could grit her teeth, Ryun, still holding her one fist, moved it under the table and said with a smile, "One hundred thousand ryo is enough."
"W, wait a minute!"
Tenten quickly interrupted Ryun, saying, "How can one hundred thousand ryo be enough? You need money to run the Lecture Tea Hall, you need stationery for writing books, and you need nutrition for physical training..."
Before she could finish, Ryun leaned halfway over the table, his face almost touching Tenten's, causing Tenten to instantly freeze.
Seeing Tenten's face about to turn completely red, Ryun said, "Tenten, tell me the truth. The price your parents offered is one hundred thousand ryo per month, right?"
"Those extra fifty thousand ryo are actually your own personal contribution, aren't they? I'm not wrong, am I?"
"Don't look away. Look into my eyes."
Tenten looked into Ryun's eyes, so close at hand. All the excuses she had prepared earlier wouldn't come out. In the end, she pursed her lips and softly said, "Mmm."
Tenten had a monthly allowance of one hundred thousand ryo for ninja tool expenses. She had originally planned to take a portion from that, plus some of her mission earnings, to make up the extra fifty thousand ryo for Ryun.
As for why Ryun guessed this, the answer was simple. In the second simulation, Tenten had done exactly this.
The current Tenten was just following the same path due to her nature.
Ryun then let go of Tenten's hand, sat back down, and said seriously, "Tenten, you are a professional ninja now. Using your own income to subsidize me will leave you without sufficient resources to fully prepare for every battle."
"Do you think, in my eyes, your safety is worth less than fifty thousand ryo?"
Ryun's tone was stern. Tenten bit her lip, feeling wronged, and mumbled, "I was just thinking of you too..."
"Yes, I'm very grateful to you, Tenten. So I must also think of you. One hundred thousand ryo is enough for me."
Tenten nodded, but still felt somewhat listless.
She had wanted to do something for Ryun, but ended up accomplishing nothing. This made her feel quite frustrated.
And how could Ryun possibly let Tenten remain unhappy?
He curved the corner of his mouth and said, "If you really want to help me, there is actually another way."
"What way?" Tenten's eyes instantly lit up.
"Of course, teach me some taijutsu!"
Ryun said as if it were obvious, "I can't learn ninjutsu, but you can teach me some fighting techniques that use chakra, right?"
As soon as Ryun finished speaking, Tenten immediately jumped up, grabbed Ryun's arm, and pulled him outside.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go train outside the village!"