[Karin]
Karin's first day was a new and fun experience for her, meeting new kids her age and experiencing real school life. Her course ended up being the same as Naruto, where she quickly became friends with Ino and Sakura, the other children also approached her, considering her a novelty, especially because of her bicycle.
The classes were nothing new for Karin; math and history were certainly difficult, but everything related to the ninja arts was too easy for her, even more so considering that as children they are still in a phase of physical preparation.
Suki is quite strict with Karin during her training at home, employing all sorts of advanced techniques and an almost religious practice of hand seals, which the young woman executes as if she were breathing. As a result, Karin's physical condition is among the best in the class, although her performance will always be intentionally mediocre.
At the end of the day, Karin invited everyone to try out her bike, using the training wheels, which she skillfully installed with a pre-prepared tool kit and Naruto's help.
Everyone was fascinated by the incredible invention, wandering around the academy patio, while waiting for their parents to arrive, who upon arriving were bombarded with requests from their children for the bicycle. Prepared in advance, Karin and Naruto handed out 10% discount coupons from Touki's store to every child they could, as well as advertising its location and opening hours.
All the adults were surprised by such a publicity effort, from the teachers to the parents, unable to do anything but blame the girl's parents for the lack of shame in using it, although some think they are geniuses.
Having accomplished their mission and no longer having any children at the academy, both Karin and Naruto head back to the store, taking a scenic route through the village and buying some sweets along the way. Upon arriving at the store, they both explain to Touki about the bicycle's advertising success, as well as the academy children's enthusiasm, to which the man responds by preparing a celebratory barbecue. A great day for both of them.
…
[Touki]
Touki never thought the bike shop would be as successful as it is now. Just a few days into the school year, hundreds of people have already visited the shop and dozens of bikes have been sold, the vast majority for children, but also some models for adults.
Nostalgia filled the man's heart when characters like Sakura, Ino, Hinata, Shikamaru and even Sasuke visited the store, some just to look and others to buy directly, as in the case of Hinata and her father Hiashi, who bought three bicycles immediately.
Sasuke visited the store with his mother late at night, just as it was about to close. Touki acted immediately, promoting his best products. Knowing the boy's tastes, he also showed him a pair of bicycles specially designed for him: two bicycles of the same color, a child's model and an adult's model, painted in the Uchiha colors and with fire decals, marketed to family members, especially siblings.
Sasuke's eyes lit up with excitement at the sight of the bikes, while his mother, Mikoto, simply smiled at her son's excitement. They didn't buy anything, but Touki knew the seed had been planted, and the fruits were now bearing fruit when a couple entered the store—an unmistakable Itachi and, apparently, Izumi.
"Welcome. Can I help you with anything?" Touki greets them with a professional smile.
"I'm looking for a pair of family bikes" Itachi says, with his characteristic serious demeanor. "They're the same color and have flame designs on them"
"Haaa, you mean the sibling offer" Touki says, leading them to the bikes. "They're one of my best models, with an adjustable seat, ergonomic pedals, a light for riding at night, and a built-in horn. They also come with a pair of sunglasses and helmets for protection in case of accidents. I highly recommend them for kids"
"I'll take them" Itachi says, pulling a 10% discount coupon from his clothes.
"Perfect" Touki nods, taking the coupon. But then he looks at Izumi and continues. "And you lady? Don't you want to see our favorite models among the women of the capital? So your boyfriend can think of a gift for you"
Izumi is surprised for a moment, a little embarrassed and blushing, and then answers. "Not at all, he is not my boyfriend, I just accompany him"
Touki feigns disbelief as he looks at them both. "I see, but let's do something. Since you bought two bikes from me, I'm going to make you a special offer, which includes the women's version of the previous ones at only half the original price. This includes a free helmet and a commemorative fire crystal necklace, very popular with women in the capital" The man pulls a beautiful silver necklace with an orange gem as a pendant from a drawer.
"Wow, how pretty- Izumi reacts when she sees the pendant.
"The crystal is not a gem, but the chain is silver plated, so it is not a trinket. Furthermore, this crystal is quite unique in its composition and it is said that it shines very brightly when the person wearing it is in love" Touki invents, seeing the young woman quite interested in the chain.
Itachi simply watches, almost petrified and incredulous at the sight of the salesman and his companion's strange interest.
"What do you think, dear customer?" Touki asks.
Itachi looks into Touki's eyes, as if searching for a way to say no, but after looking at Izumi, he simply sighs and agrees to buy everything, doing everything possible to speed up the process, before Touki adds any other product that he doesn't want.
"Mission accomplished" Touki mutters to himself, as the couple leaves the store.
Touki's plans sometimes revolve around luck, and Izumi's case is a clear example, as that necklace is a tracker in disguise that also serves as a beacon. Touki is well aware of Izumi's feelings; she won't ignore a gift from Itachi, no matter how random and forced.
Both the bikes and the gifts are potential trackers, and the man plans to monitor many individuals, whether it's their exact location or even where they live. The case is even more specific for the various Uchiha individuals who pass through the store.
The situation of the Uchiha clan remains a mystery to Touki, as nothing hints at the impending massacre. However, there are some subtle indications that something is approaching, as the clan members, especially the adults, display much more reserved attitudes, and their district exudes an air of self-isolation.
Touki can only wait and keep his eyes wide open.
On a different note, the Samurai project has begun to bear fruit, as several members of Touki's pseudo-religion have begun to gain more power in their cities, some aggressively and others through the accumulation of merit.
Fortunately, no one has yet noticed the presence of corrupted samurai within the spheres of power, so the members are still expanding without causing problems.
The phenomenon is quite strange for Touki, because despite him being the official founder, the movement slowly begins to take on a life of its own. The first blessed become recruiters, and hierarchies form naturally. The man's only responsibility is to deliver the artifacts and occasionally remind them of their main objective.
For now, Touki doesn't want to interfere too much in the conflicts between the various civilian forces, especially if it takes away from his time researching and developing new artifacts, so he's decided to let everything take its natural course. Perhaps it will all end in failure, or perhaps Touki will be the one who ends up surprised.