C 25

"Boss, your price is too much. How can a child have one hundred thousand ryo?" Kushina said indignantly. The amount seemed outrageous, and no student could possibly afford that.

"Children? Nonsense! I've always treated you like any other customer. In this shop, you and I are equals. You pay, I deliver goods or services. There's no big or small between us." Kain's words, half boastful, half playful, made Kushina feel a little pleased. Everyone else saw her as a child, a troublemaker, or called her names like "tomato." Yet, here was the owner of the food store treating her as an equal.

"Even so, one hundred thousand ryo is too expensive," Kushina's voice softened, though her right hand clutched her wallet tightly. Kain, a keen observer, noticed the subtle gesture. She really had one hundred thousand ryo.

The truth was, Kushina had recently coaxed that money out of Tsunade. Tsunade had been in high spirits after receiving praise from many medical ninjas for her success in saving lives at Konoha Hospital. Kushina seized the moment, offering Tsunade a few pieces of chocolate and left with two hundred thousand ryo. Though she had already spent some, she still had one hundred and forty thousand ryo left, and that day she had planned to spend a bit at Kain's food store.

Kain, however, had other plans. His steep price tag of one hundred thousand ryo wasn't just about the gift; it was also about making Kushina understand the value of his unique products.

"One hundred thousand ryo is steep for someone with no income," Kain acknowledged. "But the gift I have in mind is one-of-a-kind in the entire ninja world. The dessert I'll make is worth every bit of that money."

"A unique dessert?" Kushina's eyes widened. Her mouth watered slightly, and she swallowed with a gulp. She wondered if the experience of tasting something so unique was worth one hundred thousand ryo.

"If you're not interested, I'll be on my way," Kain said nonchalantly, beginning to walk away. "There are many places outside the Land of Fire waiting for my business."

Before he could get far, Kushina, with a determined look on her face, stepped in front of him. "I'll take it, Boss," she said resolutely.

"One hundred thousand ryo, pay up first." Kain stretched out his hand. Though she had agreed, Kushina still felt a pang of regret as she slowly pulled out her wallet. One hundred thousand ryo almost emptied her savings. When she finally handed over the money, she did it reluctantly, nearly turning her head away from the sight.

Once Nawaki recovered, she vowed to make the money back.

"Good. The deal is done. Wait here while I prepare it." Kain pocketed the money and headed to the back of the shop to begin baking the cake.

"Boss, can I watch?" Kushina asked hesitantly. It wasn't just curiosity; she wanted to ensure Kain didn't run off with her money.

"Sure, just don't get in my way," Kain replied as he fetched some ingredients from his space backpack and began his work in the kitchen.

Kain had spent much of his time learning a variety of skills, including cooking and baking, during his solitary years. With his knack for picking things up quickly, he became proficient in making desserts, and even his previous companion, Carl, used to praise his efforts.

Baking a cake wasn't a challenge for him, and as he worked, Kushina watched in awe. The cake was more intricate and beautiful than anything she had ever seen. The skill and craftsmanship that went into it were astonishing, and Kushina was now convinced it was worth the price.

After finishing the cake, Kain stood back, satisfied. "That's all I can do with the materials and the price you paid. If you ever want something fancier, a three-tiered cake with custom designs, it'll cost you more."

"Is there a better one?" Kushina asked, astonished. She had thought this cake was already impressive.

"Of course. A high-end cake starts at five hundred thousand ryo. The more you pay, the better it gets. With my skills, it's not unreasonable to call me the God of Desserts," Kain boasted, trying to plant the seed for future sales.

Kushina took the cake and left, her heart lighter despite the cost. She was excited to bring it to Nawaki, who was still recovering from his injuries. She knew that Nawaki, Tsunade, and Grandma Mito weren't big fans of sweets, which likely meant she'd get to enjoy most of the cake herself. For now, the price felt worth it, though she knew in a few days, she'd probably regret spending so much.

Once Kushina left, Kain packed up, ready to depart from Konoha. He visited the Hokage Building to arrange for a B-rank protection mission before heading out. Konoha quickly dispatched a Chūnin team to escort him, and with everything settled, Kain began his journey to his next destination: the underground gold exchange.

Kain wasn't just interested in the exchange itself. His true target was Kakuzu, a powerful ninja known for his love of money. Kain had grand plans—he envisioned Kakuzu as both a financial manager and a bodyguard for his future ventures. With the casino idea in mind, Kain was confident that the profits would lure Kakuzu into joining him.

Upon arriving at the town where his dessert factory was located, Kain checked in on the progress. Aya, the manager he had left in charge, had done an excellent job recruiting staff and managing operations, though more manpower was still needed.

"Aya, I'm leaving this place in your hands. Here's five million ryo. Use it to buy two shops—one for a dessert store and the other for something a bit more luxurious. I've got other plans for that one," Kain instructed. "And start taking in some homeless children. I'll provide for their food, drink, and education."

Aya took the money and nodded. Kain's plan was ambitious. Alongside opening a dessert shop, he also intended to open a casino in another major area. With the technology available, he could bring in modern gambling machines from his world, making them a hit in the ninja world. The casino would not only make quick money but also allow him to build influence rapidly.

With the ninja world's economy recovering from war, Kain's businesses were poised for success. He saw an opportunity to invest his resources wisely and continue growing his influence, using the funds from the ninja world to build a network of loyal followers. As he expanded, he knew that even greater ventures awaited.