A secret is called a secret because only one person knows it. Once more than two people know, it's no longer a secret. And on that day, there were three people in the shop!
In this world with so many people, it's not at all surprising to encounter all sorts of oddities. Some people have exceptionally tight lips, taking their secrets to the grave, while others have mouths as loose as an old woman's cotton pants, completely forgetting their promises to keep quiet the moment they turn around.
You might say they're not religious, yet they seek divination for good or bad luck. You might say they're religious, yet they show no reverence for gods or spirits.
So, when Tobirama and Hashirama, along with Hashirama wife Mito, who was skilled in sealing techniques, returned to the village after capturing the tailed beasts they were once again greeted with the gossip about Tobirama "impotent" The rumors had spread so wildly that even Hashirama and Mito looked at him with strange expressions.
The gossip in the village was spreading like wildfire...
Person A: That woman personally said Lord Tobirama is impotent.
Person B: They tried over ten times, and not once did it work!
Person C: Lord Tobirama has always been impotent!
Person D: Lord Tobirama doesn't have that function. It seems he's useless...
If it kept spreading, it might even turn into: Lord Tobirama is actually hermaphrodite....
This is how rumors start. One person tells another, and somewhere along the line, something gets twisted. By the time it reaches the ears of the person involved, it's completely distorted.
What a disaster!
"Do you have a grudge against me?"
That evening, when the shop was closing and Kagura was taking down the sign at the entrance, Tobirama appeared at the door, seething with anger.
He was wearing an apricot-colored kimono, but his demeanor was anything but soft.
Instead, he looked like a hedgehog with its quills raised, his words sharp and cutting.
"What does this have to do with me..." Her voice lacked conviction as she fiddled with the wooden sign, feeling a bit afraid.
She was worried that Tobirama, in his rage, might unleash a Water Dragon Bullet at her. While she was immortal, the shop behind her wasn't indestructible.
These past few days, her little shop had almost become an internet-famous spot. Group after group of people came to gawk at her, whispering among themselves.
'So this is the woman Lord Tobirama has his eye on. She's a bit young, but quite pretty. What a pity...'
"I don't care. It's all because of you that my reputation has been ruined. For thirty-eight years, I've maintained a positive image. But ever since you came to the village, what have I become in the eyes of the villagers?" Tobirama squatted on the ground, refusing to get up, acting like a petulant child.
child.
The wind blew from his direction, and Kagura faintly caught a whiff of alcohol. Was he drunk?
It seemed that no matter the world, telling a man he's impotent was an incredibly devastating blow. She suddenly felt a bit of sympathy for him.
"Go tell those people that I'm capable, that I'm amazing, that I..." His voice gradually trailed off, and his pale cheeks flushed slightly, whether from drunkenness or embarrassment.
"Tell them what?" Kagura pressed.
"That I..."
"?"
"It's all your fault, making me look like an idiot!"
His sudden outburst startled Kagura. As the subject of the rumors, their behavior was bound to spark wild imaginations. To avoid drawing more attention from passersby, Kagura practically leaped to Tobirama side, covering his mouth to stop him from shouting.
"Old Man! Do you think the rumors aren't outrageous enough already? Please, just shut up!"
It was 10 PM, and there were still some people on the street, mostly coming out of izakayas. Tobirama loud voice drew curious glances from passersby, and Kagura was terrified of their stares.
She urged Tobirama to leave, but he seemed rooted to the spot, refusing to budge.
Helpless, Kagura had no choice but to drag him into the shop.
"Was that Lord Tobirama just now?" a ninja-looking man asked his companion.
"Yeah, it seemed like him. That white hair of his is hard to miss."
"Tsk tsk, coming to see his girlfriend so late at night. Their relationship must be really good."
"Exactly. It's like a barren tree suddenly blooming—when it happens, it's something else, haha."
Inside the shop, Tobirama sat on a chair, still looking utterly aggrieved. Here he was, a man of immense power in Konoha, second only to the Hokage, yet he'd been reduced to such a pitiful state by a mere girl. The frustration burned within him.
"It's all because of your nonsense, saying I'm impotent. Do you know how important a man's dignity is? How are you going to restore my dignity, huh?!"
"It's not entirely my fault! You're the one who said 'let's try it' in the cell that day! I was just making a reasonable assumption. You're the one who poured fuel on the fire and made things spiral out of control. Now you're blaming me?! That's just shifting the blame!"
"I don't care. Go explain to them that I'm capable, that I'm amazing. Go now!"
"You're being unreasonable!"
"What's the point of being reasonable? Who cares about reason? I'm talking about you!"
"You're insane!"
"I don't care, just go!"
The argument sounded as childish as a squabble between two elementary school kids, but Kagura couldn't laugh.
Staring at this annoying drunkard, a clever idea suddenly popped into her sharp mind—a scheme that would be hard to pull off if Tobirama were sober.
Thinking of this, Kagura tone instantly softened.
She crouched in front of Tobirama and coaxed him
"Alright, here's the deal. If you agree to something I propose, I'll clear your name. I'll tell the whole village that not only are you capable, but you can also go seven times in one night. How about it? I'll make sure your reputation in the village is restored!"
"Really?"
"Really, I never lie."
"Deal!"
"Give me a loan. I want to use the money to set up a factory for making explosive tags. As for the interest, you can decide, as long as it's reasonable. I'll accept it. Also, give me some flexibility on the repayment period. Oh, and I need to rent a piece of land to build the factory. Does that work for you?"
Under the light, Tobirama brows furrowed, making his handsome face look even more serious. After a long pause, he finally managed to say.
"Here comes another scammer trying to take my money."
"........"
"Even my brother wouldn't use such a lame excuse. It's too fake."
"I'm not a scammer, I'm more of an entrepreneur. You can tax me, and I'll even provide job opportunities for the talented kunoichi who are currently unemployed. Shouldn't you, as a high-ranking official, be fully supportive of this?"
"What loan? What taxes? I don't understand. You're just a low-level scammer!"
Tobirama poked Kagura forehead hard with his index finger. If she hadn't been holding onto the armrests of the chair, his strength might have sent her flying.
"You just agreed to the deal a moment ago. If you don't keep your word, I won't clear your name. It's not like I'm the one being called incompetent. I don't care either way."
The relaxed atmosphere around Tobirama vanished, replaced by a heavy tension. His alcohol-addled brain struggled for a moment before he finally clapped his hands and nodded.
"Fine, it's settled. Tomorrow, you'll go door-to-door and clear my name. If anyone dares to gossip again, I'll hold you accountable!"
"Got it. You're the one with the money, so you call the shots."
Kagura quickly opened the shop door to usher Tobirama out, his sycophantic behavior almost unbearable to watch.
While she was happy, she couldn't help but criticize herself.
What was this? Even after transmigrating, her backbone still hadn't hardened.
Bowing and scraping to her financial backer had practically become her passive skill. Ugh!