C 22

After Kain returned to the ninja world, Aya greeted him with good news. While he had been away for a few days, she had successfully negotiated with the commoners in four surrounding villages to begin planting cocoa trees. The incentive was clear: the cocoa beans would be bought at high prices, and in return, Kain's food store would offer them grains at lower prices. The math was simple, and the potential profit far outstripped what they could make by growing ordinary crops.

"As long as there's money to be made, even the commoners of the ninja world will jump at the chance," Kain thought, pleased with the outcome. The villagers had already agreed to plant cocoa trees, a positive step forward in his plans.

"Good job, Aya. It was definitely the right choice to put you in charge of the dessert factory," Kain praised her.

Aya smiled, a bit embarrassed. "It's nothing, really. It's what I should be doing."

The news was indeed excellent for Kain, saving him time and energy. The dessert factory was nearly completed, and Kain had already discreetly moved the chocolate-making machines into the warehouse. He had done so without drawing attention, although a few people had begun speculating that he used some method akin to a sealing scroll. People from Konoha were already suspicious of his background, and such rumors only fueled their curiosity further.

Once the production line was set up, Kain called Aya and four other workers over. He handed them the instruction manuals for the machines and proceeded to teach them personally how to operate the equipment.

"This is the switch. Press it, and the machine starts. Pour the raw materials here, and let it work its magic. Once the process is done, you package it, and voilà—you've got chocolate," Kain explained patiently.

After a few demonstrations, the workers began to grasp the basics, but Kain knew they needed more practice to fully master operating the machines. This step couldn't be rushed. When Kain expanded with branch factories in the future, these four would be the managers of those new locations, and Aya had even more important responsibilities awaiting her.

Kain stayed in town for two more days, overseeing the workers and finalizing the cocoa tree planting plan. The first harvest wouldn't happen until the following year at the earliest, but it was a solid start. For now, the chocolate produced with the limited resources he brought would last for just over a month. He still needed to source milk and sugar within the ninja world.

Next time, Kain planned to bring more raw materials into the ninja world in bulk, or perhaps he would create a special line of "ninja chocolate." He mused about the possibilities: kunai-shaped chocolates, shuriken-shaped sweets, or fudge shaped like forehead protectors. With some new molds, these novelty items would undoubtedly be popular. Ninjas commanded significant attention in this world, and whenever war erupted, it affected the livelihoods of entire countries.

Once everything in town was settled, Aya headed back to Konoha. Upon reaching the gates, Kain and his convoy were briefly interrogated, but they were allowed entry without much delay. As Kain entered Konoha, he noticed an unusual atmosphere in the village. There was a mixture of joy and sorrow in the air, with many people dressed in black. It seemed as though they were mourning their fallen loved ones.

Kain guessed that the ninjas who had fought in the Land of Rain had returned—both the living and the dead—and were being honored as heroes.

"Hero chocolate, perhaps?" Kain briefly entertained the idea before shaking his head. Capitalizing on such tragedies would only invite trouble, with boycotts and conflicts sure to follow.

After returning to his food store, Kain asked Miwa, the new store manager, to move all the goods into the warehouse. Miwa had taken over from Aya and had proven herself to be reliable, keeping the store running smoothly. Business was still good, but Kain knew that a single store in a village had its limitations. The desserts produced at the factory in town would eventually need to be distributed across the ninja world, reaching not only ninjas but also the wealthy merchants and nobles, whose numbers far exceeded those of the shinobi.

"Miwa-san, later on, arrange for deliveries based on the last reservation list. You can handle the rest," Kain instructed.

After three days of non-stop work, Kain felt exhaustion setting in. Despite being worth tens of millions, he was still running his business himself, making him the least typical capitalist. Ever since he acquired the system, he hadn't had a proper rest.

Noticing the weariness on Kain's face, Miwa suggested gently, "Boss, if you're feeling tired, perhaps a hot spring bath would help. It's great for relieving fatigue."

In the ninja world, soaking in hot springs was widely recognized as a method of rejuvenation. There was even a small nation known as the Land of Hot Water, famous for its natural hot springs. Many believed that regular soaks could extend one's lifespan, an idea that attracted aristocrats and wealthy merchants from across the land.

However, Kain was not convinced. In his view, all the talk about hot springs and longevity was merely a gimmick. "No thanks, Miwa. I'll just go rest in the back for a while. If anything comes up, let me know," he said, dismissing the idea of a hot spring bath.

He headed toward the courtyard behind the store, not just to rest but also to contemplate his next steps. Orochimaru had likely begun researching forbidden techniques by now, as the Third Shinobi World War loomed on the horizon. At this point, Orochimaru hadn't yet experienced the death of someone close to him, which meant his obsession with immortality wasn't fully formed. Kain recalled that Orochimaru's initial dream had been to master every jutsu in the world. It was only after the death of Nawaki that his thoughts turned to eternal life.

Orochimaru was undoubtedly gifted in biological research. He was naturally inclined toward this field, and in a span of fifty years, he would transition from being a shinobi to a leading expert in biological research. His advancements in gene transplantation, human cloning, soul transfer, and regeneration were impressive, culminating in his ability to rejuvenate his own body. And he had done most of it with only Kabuto assisting him.

Kain calculated that within six years, Orochimaru would have made significant strides in human biology. By then, Kain could entice him into a partnership. Once Kain had amassed enough manpower and financial resources, Orochimaru would be instrumental in developing groundbreaking technology. Kain was confident he could share in the success of each stage of research. Moreover, if Orochimaru ever attempted to withhold findings, Kain could always recruit top experts from the Marvel world to further his own biological research endeavors.

After some rest, Kain planned to enjoy a cup of black tea and unwind. The war was nearing its end, and Konoha would likely stop purchasing large quantities of medicine from him soon, given their depleted funds. Kain's next move would be to open a drug store in the Land of Fire. However, he wanted to hire a retired medical ninja from Konoha, someone with even basic medical ninjutsu skills. He'd have to ask Mirai about potential candidates.

As Kain mulled over these thoughts, footsteps approached from outside. Miwa appeared at the door, saying, "Boss, Tsunade Jōnin is here to see you. Should I let her in?"