Red Nara

- Ryo-kun, you have a visitor! - I was distracted by Saya's voice, distracting me from replenishing the shop's assortment.

Sighing, I finished the drawing and fed chakra into the rectangle of chakra-conducting paper and put the finished seal back into the stack of seals I had made earlier, then got up from the table.

- I'll be right out," I shouted back as I left the office and made my way down to the first floor, nodding in passing to the two vaguely familiar women a little older than Saya who were sitting in the living room.

As I stepped out onto the porch, in front of which I could feel the visitor's chakra, I raised an eyebrow in surprise - dressed in formal clan robes, a rare occurrence in my memory, Hatake Sakumo was standing next to Ma.

- Sakumo-san? It's quite a surprise to see you here, especially like this," I said, bowing in greeting-it's an acquaintance, but when you're visiting in full dress, you should be polite-but I don't think it's a good idea to start a conversation here, whatever the reason.

- Ryo-san," Hatake bowed just as salutatorily, with a completely serious expression on his face, before following me into the house.

Since the living room was occupied by Saya's girlfriends, I headed into the study, albeit a bit cluttered from working, but far more suitable for hosting guests than the kitchen or bedrooms.

- 'I apologize for the mess, but I've been somewhat busy with the seals,' I apologized to my guest, removing the sheets of paper and scrolls from a couple of chairs so I could sit down properly.

Given the even more cluttered couch and desk with a couple chairs, I just didn't dare touch them.

- It's okay," the shinobi grinned, looking at the creative mess in the room with understanding.

- So, what's the reason for your visit, and in such an official manner, Sakumo-san? - I didn't hesitate, getting straight to the point.

It wasn't very polite, of course, since I should have talked about the weather or any other unimportant topic before getting to the point, as is customary when visiting the head of even a small clan, but given the large amount of work I had planned for the evening, I decided not to bother. Sakumo is a normal man, and he knows my aversion to the empty chatter called etiquette.

- That's what you're all about," the veteran grinned, but after a moment he grew serious, "and I've come to express my gratitude.

- Gratitude? - I raised an eyebrow in confusion.

Hatake nodded.

- Your timely warning and assistance to the kage bunshin during my last mission not only allowed me to survive, but also to complete the task at hand, despite the unexpected appearance of two Mist swordsmen.

Ah, that's what he's talking about...

- And since I know you don't want to draw even more attention to yourself with the recent events after the exam," the shinobi continued, "I feel it is my duty to give you these as a small compensation and material expression of my gratitude.

Them?

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