26 Shameless Scam
So I headed back to the village shopping district. It was roughly dinner time when I walked into the bustling village centre, so the streets were pretty crowded with the throngs of people going out for dinner. I didn't often eat out, as I found that what I made at home was much more palatable to my taste buds. Not that the food I cooked was objectively better, but I was just more familiar with how I seasoned my food compared to the ones sold in Konoha. Different cultures I supposed.
I walked while looking around, trying to find a weapons' shop. I had often window shopped when travelling around Konoha, but I have yet to actually buy anything from one of them yet. The Academy issue kunai and shuriken I had were all purchased from the Shinobi Academy itself, at a subsidized rate for students. They were cheap, but also poorly made, mass produced items meant for training rather than actual combat.
I avoided the busier streets in the shopping district and went towards the quieter areas. It was only common sense that the shops in the more crowded areas would have higher prices due to the higher foot traffic.
I spotted a decent looking store that had the sign hanging above the entrance that said Kotetsu no Ryu, meaning Steel Dragons. It caught my eye as it had a large banner with the words 'CLEARANCE SALE! EVERYTHING MUST GO!'. So I made my way into the store expecting some good deals.
As I entered the location, I froze when I made eye contact with a familiar looking person manning the registers.
"Welco… You-! What are you doing here!?" An easily recognizable, stocky boy stood behind the counters, first looking shocked and then angrily glaring at me.
"Ah, you're… Tetsuo! Ara, so your family owns a weapons shop? I didn't know. Well, I'm just here to buy some things. Don't mind me." I calmly commented as I browsed their wares.
The big guy growled, "If you're here to gloat or, or if you want to rob us even more than you already have, then beat it!"
I rolled my eyes at his dramatics, "Calm down. What happened between us, it's all over now. I'm just a customer."
But Tetsuo wasn't having it. "Calm down? You ask me to calm down? After getting me kicked out of the Shinobi Academy, and taking over a hundred thousand ryo from our family, you ask me to calm down!? How dare you!" He banged a fist on the counter top.
"Hold up. First off, you were the ones who attacked me first, remember? The five of you ambushed me wanting to take my money. Second, you and your little friends beat up a girl to rob from her, or have you forgotten that too? Third, I wasn't the one who kicked you out of the academy. The Hokage did. And you know what? Arguably your own actions led you to those consequences in the first place. If you hadn't committed those deeds, none of that would have happened." I smoothly defended, countering with cold hard facts and razor sharp logic. "So if you want to blame someone, you only have yourself to fault. Actions have consequences – if even I, an orphan, know this, there's no reason for you not to."
Tetsuo's face twisted up in a mix of guilt, shame and anger. He himself realized that what he did was wrong, but at that point in time he hadn't thought of the consequences. He knew that the punishment was well-deserved, but there was no way he could accept it with an open heart.
"You… because of you, my family have gone broke! We have to sell the shop now and move out of Konoha because we can't afford to live here anymore. You tell me, how is that fair!"
I tilted my head curiously, "Oh is that the reason for the clearance sale? Ah well, that's too bad." I shrugged before continuing, "But if you ask me, the punishment was still too light."
He bristled at that, but I carried on, "You terrorized Kaori for weeks, beating her up and took her money. She had been so scared and alone, and because of your threats, she had to constantly fear for not only herself, but for me as well. The poor girl is even considering withdrawing from the Academy after that traumatic experience! The torment and anxiety you left with her might not ever be forgotten. So yes, I do think you got off easy. If it were up to me, you and all the other boys would have been sent to juvenile detention right after the trial."
Tetsuo looked away, not being able to withstand the cold glower from me. "I… I know what we did were wrong. I- I tried, I really tried to stop them, but… Kuso, my family, we needed the money."
I sighed, tormenting a child psychologically like this was just distasteful. And the boy was telling the truth. He did try to stop his gang, but too bad he didn't go beyond what was essentially a courtesy objection.
"Look, it doesn't matter if you had a good reason to do what you did. It still wouldn't justify your actions. And besides, I'm sure your parents weren't expecting you to be responsible for helping with the family finances. We're just kids, y'know? You made a mistake, that's all. But you have to own up to the mistake and deal with the consequences – that's what being a man is about. Are you a man?"
"O-of course I am a man!"
"Right, so take your punishment like a man and stop whining about it."
The stocky boy looked down, "I know… but it was I who got involved with this mess. It's my own damn fault. My parents shouldn't have to suffer because of something I did. It's just not fair."
I shook my head in pity, "Listen, life's not fair. Take it as a lesson. Actions have consequences, and most of the time it's the people around you who will suffer the most from your mistakes. So next time, think long and hard before doing something stupid again. Got it?"
"Yeah. Yeah, I get it… It's just, this shop… I was named after it y'know?" The boy started tearing up. Even if he had a large build, he was still a 10, maybe 11 year old kid. "They named me Tetsuo, after the shop name, Kotetsu no Ryu. I – I was supposed to be the iron dragon. But now… The shop is closing down, and I've been kicked out of the Shinobi Academy. I just feel like *hic* I've let my parents down."
I groaned slightly. I came here to shop, not to deal with a prepubescent child's tears. "Hey, look, how about this. I told you before, I'm here to shop, right? What if you made your parents proud by securing a large sale, huh? Wouldn't that make them happy then? And wouldn't it be better if the money I got from you went back to your family?"
Tetsuo sniffed and wiped a tear away, "Y-you think so?"
"I'm sure. I don't have parents, but I imagine no parents would stay mad at their son forever, right? Just slowly win back their trust and, y'know, sooner or later they'll forgive you and life will go on like it always has." Annoyed at the whole situation, I tried comforting him. Honestly, I just wanted to buy my stuff, go home, make dinner, and train my Sharingan. Was that too much to ask for?
"Really?"
"First step is always the hardest to take, so you just have to trust me."
"Okay… I trust you." Sniff. "Thanks Shinji. And for what it's worth, I'm really sorry all that happened between us. We, we should've have targeted you. And especially not hit a girl just to get back at you. If, if you see her, apologize to her for me. I can't face her, not after what I did."
"Sure. But like I said, it's over now. Don't worry about it anymore. Just learn from your mistake and not repeat it ever again."
"I will! I… I really appreciate it, Shinji." The boy tearily replied, bringing out a handkerchief and blew his snot into it.
"No problem. So… what kind of deals do you have?" I was inwardly rather impressed with myself with how I handled the whole situation and how I diffused the hostility with my eloquence. God damn I should've been a politician; I could have been the president or something. Ah who was I kidding, I was dealing with a dumb kid this time. I would've been eaten alive in that shark tank they call Congress.
"Oh, right. Uh the store's having a clearance sale, so we're selling everything at just above production cost. What are you looking for?"
"Weapons mostly, nothing really specific. Mind if I take a look around?" I asked, turning away from him and looking around the shop while using [Observe].
"Yeah sure, go ahead. I'm here to help if you have any questions."
When I used [Observe] on weapons, it only showed me limited information about the item. Some description about the weapon production, its durability and damage grade. So it wasn't all that useful, but it could help me appraise the quality of the weapons. I wouldn't want to mistakenly purchase anything subpar or defective, after all.
[Kunai – Grade: Common]
A disposable throwing weapon decently made by an unexceptional blacksmith.
Durability: 25/25
Damage: D
[Shuriken – Grade: Common]
A disposable throwing weapon decently made by an unexceptional blacksmith.
Durability: 25/25
Damage: D
[Melee Kunai – Grade: Common]
A sturdy dagger meant for close quarters combat decently made by an unexceptional blacksmith.
Durability: 40/40
Damage: D
[Tanto – Grade: Common]
A sharp knife meant for close quarters combat decently made by an unexceptional blacksmith.
Durability : 60/60
Damage: D
[Wakizashi – Grade: Uncommon]
A well-crafted short sword meant for close quarters combat; a prized creation produced by an unexceptional blacksmith.
Durability: 100/100
Damage: C
DEX +3
STR +3
[Jinchu-Maru (Kusari-Gama) – Grade: Rare]
An exceptionally well-crafted chain-sickle meant to immobilize an enemy and kill with the sickle. The weapon is made from an alloy of high-carbon steel and chakra metal. Chakra can be channelled into both the sickle, chain and the heavy iron weight at the end to reinforce it. It is the magnum opus of an unexceptional blacksmith.
Durability: 200/200
Damage: B
DEX +18
STR +6
[Kotetsu no Ryu (Katana) – Grade: Rare]
An exceptionally well-crafted katana passed down through generations. The weapon is made from an alloy of high-carbon steel and chakra metal. Chakra can be channelled into the blade to reinforce it. It is the magnum opus of an unexceptional blacksmith's grandfather, another unexceptional blacksmith.
Durability: 245/250
Damage: B
DEX +14
STR +13
Most of the weapons found in the store were common grade items, that had a weapon grade of D, one rank above the academy issue kunai and shuriken I currently had. The only ones that caught my eye was an Uncommon grade wakizashi; and two Rare grade weapons displayed behind the counter – a chain sickle and a katana.
The chain sickle was a dull black in colour, but the handle of the sickle was wrapped in a dark red cloth. There was a heavy looking, spiked weight attached to the other end of the chain.
The katana was sheathed in a polished, wooden scabbard that was dark blue but had designs of silver clouds engraved near its tip. The handle itself was braided with a white cloth that contrasted the dark colours of the scabbard. Additionally, a decorative metal trinket was attached near the hilt of the scabbard.
It was not the first time I encountered weapons that granted stat boosts- they were often displayed in the windows of some weapon shops, but their prices were usually way out of my price range.
But if this shop was currently having a clearance sale, I might be able to acquire these weapons at a discount rate.
Trying to appear as casual as I could, I indifferently hummed while browsing the wares and casually picked up the Wakizashi. "Hmm, this seems decent." I unsheathed the blade, slightly less curved than the usual standard, from its pure black scabbard lacking any fancy decorations.
"How much for these, and also this Wakizashi?" I asked while gesturing to the kunai, shuriken and tanto.
"Oh, let me check… 1,000 ryo for the throwing weapons, 1,500 ryo for the melee kunais, 4,000 for the tanto and 16,000 ryo for the Wakizashi." Tetsuo replied after flipping through the chart that had been prepared.
Cheap! It was way cheaper than the prices offered on the main street stores, which was roughly double the price here. Thank Kami for the clearance sale. But I wouldn't be a businessman if I didn't haggle further.
"What's the price after the clearance sale discount?" I asked innocently.
"That is the price after the clearance sale discount." Tetsuo folded up his arms, apparently used to hagglers.
"Seriously? No wonder your family's store is going out of business if you're selling this kind of goods at those prices." I stated incredulously, as though I couldn't believe the price gouging that was going on.
"Hey, too soon! And screw you! Those prices are more than reasonable, it's half what the other weapon shops are selling them for." Tetsuo replied in annoyance.
"Well yeah, sure, but I mean honestly the reason why I even came here in the first place was because I thought the shops so far away from the busier district would have lower prices. 1,000 ryo for the shuriken is what I expected before the clearance sale. And look, frankly, the quality of these weapons aren't exactly the best right? No offense, but they are kinda poorly made." I bargained, examining the kunai and wakizashi in my hands with a dubious expression.
"What! No way! Don't try to trick me, the numbers I quoted are what my dad told me to say. I can't sell them for less than that."
"Hey, where are your parents anyways, are you the only one manning the shop?" I asked, trying to move his focus away from my trickery.
Tetsuo shifted uncomfortably in place, before despondently answering, "They're at the bank. Something about selling the shop… I think our family owes money to the bank."
"Ah, I see. Sorry for asking. Wait, your dad made these weapons?"
"Uh huh, what about it?"
"Ahhh, now I get it. No wonder these weapons are lower quality than the more popular stores!"
Tetsuo raised an eyebrow, "What are you talking about?"
"Your dad's a civilian right? As in non-shinobi?"
Tetsuo nodded in the affirmative.
"Exactly, how can a civilian who doesn't even use chakra make weapons that are as good as the ones made by shinobi? I heard the best store in Konoha is owned by a retired-jounin. How could your products even compare?" I explained, resuming my efforts to haggle.
The boy shook his head, "Nah, my dad told me there's no difference in the stuff they make. We civilians have our own way of processing chakra metal that doesn't rely on chakra to smith the weapons. He said the only reason why that store is more popular is because the owner has shinobi friends who shop there to give him face."
Smiling wryly, I replied, "Well, I mean, which father would willingly admit to his son that the weapons he makes are inferior to others right? He had to tell you something else, otherwise it would be embarrassing for him. I've seen the stuff at that Higurashi weapon shop, they're legit."
Tetsuo looked mind blown, "Ehh? You really think my dad would do that?"
I nodded confidently, "Trust me, I know what I'm talking about."
He turned uncertainly at the weapons displayed around the shop, "Then… then how much do you think is fair?"
Oh, Tetsuo. My dear, sweet, naïve, but oh so stupid Tetsuo. You just invited a shark in to your home and feast on your babies.
"Honestly, and I'm just trying to be a friend here, if your dad wants to clear out his wares before the shop closes down, the disposable kunai and shuriken has to be sold at production cost – just so your dad won't make any losses. And the others, I think around half price would be a fair trade, wouldn't you agree?" I touched my chin and 'wisely' answered, trying to look like I knew what I was talking about.
"Um, sure, I… think?" Tetsuo scratched his head in confusion. Don't worry sweet boy, it'll be all over soon. Once this shark is full, he'll leave you the scraps.
"Exactly, you're already a better businessman than your dad! So production cost for the kunai and shuriken would be roughly 400 ryo right, and half price for this tanto is 2,000 and 8,000 for the wakizashi, yes? You know what, I'll do you a favour. Let's just treat the kunai and shuriken at half price too, so 500 for them, and I'll get, let's say ten of each. Plus another three melee kunais, also half price… Total comes up to 22,250 ryo." I rapidly shot out, not giving the time to think and quickly placed the money on the counter while I gathered up the equipment.
"Huh, wait, uh, I need to," Tetsuo stammered as I pushed the ryo notes towards him, prompting him to take it. "Oh, uh okay then."
As he proceeded to count out the bills, I offhandedly leaned towards the counter and gestured to the two Rare graded weapons that were displayed behind the counter. "Hey, what's with those weapons. They look cool."
"Huh? Oh, the kusari-gama was made by my father, he says it's his greatest creation. It's called Jinchu-Maru, meaning complete loyalty. And the katana is the namesake of the store, Kotetsu no Ryu. It's been passed down in my family for two generations."
I made an interested noise, "Cool. How much for them?"
"Ah, those aren't for sale. My dad says that those are our family heirlooms, and when he retires he will pass them down to me."
"Huh, but why make weapons if you aren't selling them?" I asked, looking at him weirdly.
"Uhm, well they are supposed to be our store's flagship pieces. It represents the blacksmith's skills and shows our customers the quality of our work… or so my dad says."
"Right, but isn't your store closing down? Again, no offense, but what would be the point then of keeping it?"
"Well, it's also meant for me to use. For when I become a…shinobi… sigh I guess I'll never get to use them." Tetsuo lamented dejectedly.
"I don't mean to be insensitive but… then there would really be no point in keeping it right? It would make more sense to sell them and pay off the debts, wouldn't you agree?" I prompted, secretly salivating at the possibility of acquiring those weapons.
"That does kind of make sense, but I don't even know how much to sell them for. They aren't listed in the catalogue chart." Tetsuo wondered, flipping through the paper in front of him.
I grinned evilly as he looked through the catalogue, "Look, I feel kinda bad about being partly responsible for your family's shop closing down. How about this, I'll do you a favour and take them off your hands. All I have is 100,000 ryo. That's all the money I got from the settlement. A hundred thousand for everything I just bought plus the katana and the kusari-gama. Deal?
I stuck a hand out, expecting a handshake.
"100,000!? I… I don't know. I have to talk to my dad first." Tetsuo replied with some doubt but he looked tempted.
"I thought you wanted to make your parents proud. How better to do so by surprising them with a large sale you made all on your own! Think about it, it's one hundred thousand ryo. I'm pretty darn sure that would go a long way rebuilding the trust you lost with them. C'mon, don't leave me hanging here." I jiggled my extended hand, trying to make him feel bad for not shaking my hand.
Tetsuo wavered in place indecisively, "That is a lot of money… and what you said made sense too… why would we keep the weapons if we're not going to have any more use for it… maybe dad wants to sell it but forgot to tell me? Hmmm…." He was clearly wracking his brains to justify selling them. He wants to, but he just needed one more nudge.
"Exactly, and your parents would be so happy. They will say something like 'Oh Tetsuo, good job! A hundred thousand ryo sale? We're so proud of you', and you will be like 'Thanks mom and dad! It was all thanks to my good friend…' actually, don't mention my name, wouldn't want you to have to split the credit am I right?"
The stocky boy folded his arms and closed his eyes in thought, imagining the scene in his head, before he smiled and took my hand in his. "Deal!" And with a firm handshake, I hoodwinked two Rare grade weapons from a failing business for a fraction of the price. Capitalism was a ruthless bitch, and so was I.
Tetsuo wrapped up my purchases, carefully taking off the family heirlooms from the display shelf behind him and placing them into ornate looking boxes which was a nice touch. I paid the remaining 77,750 ryo and practically ran out of the store with the loot, not wanting to get caught by the boy's parents.
The boy had yelled out his gratitude after me, and I just waved back casually. I did feel somewhat guilty for swindling the poor store of its last remaining treasures, but hey, it's just business. Nothing personal.
I glanced down at the rewards of my hustle. Ten disposable kunai, ten disposable shuriken, three melee kunai, one tanto, one Uncommon grade wakizashi, the Rare grade Jinchu-Maru kusari gama and the Rare grade Kotetsu no Ryu katana. It was a magnificent haul. I even received a quest complete alert as well.
[Quest [Armaments] Completed!]
Equip yourself with new weapons!
Purchase kunai and shuriken (23/20)
(Hidden) Acquire an Uncommon weapon (√)
(Hidden) Acquire a Rare weapon (√)
Rewards:
+300 EXP
(Hidden) +500 EXP
(Hidden) +500 EXP
[You have levelled up!]
[Congratulations! You have acquired a Rare grade weapon for the first time!]
You have earned Bukijutsu scroll [Myriad Armament Fiend]
'Hot damn, first the Sharingan, now a jutsu scroll? [Myriad Armament Fiend]… sounds cool.' Grinning madly, I limped my way back to my apartment. I couldn't wait to check out the new scroll.
My stomach growled. Blushing, I decided to first prepare dinner. Then train with the new weapons I got.
