C 36

"It seems business is booming, don't you think, Aya?" Kain commented as he approached the casino. He noticed several carriages parked outside, a sign of increased traffic, and upon entering, he saw the place was packed. Tables designed for ten people now held twenty, and every corner of the room was bustling. The noise level made it nearly impossible to hear oneself think.

Aya managed the accounts herself, handling the impressive daily profits that now exceeded 400,000 ryo. Given the sensitive nature of the casino's success, Kain trusted no one but Aya with the finances. The casino's earnings were substantial, and Kain was intent on leveraging these profits to fuel his larger ambitions.

"Buy all the buildings behind and adjacent to the casino," he instructed Aya, laying out his plan for expansion. "Renovate the VIP boxes and expand the main floor. Spend the casino's cash reserves every two weeks on upgrades. I'll leave a detailed plan for you to follow. As profits grow, we'll gradually branch out, first across this town and then outward."

"Understood, boss," Aya replied, listening intently. She nodded as he continued.

"Also, set aside 20% of the revenue as working capital."

To Kain, money was a tool, valuable only insofar as it could be converted into resources and influence. In the ninja world, ryo alone held little power unless it could be traded for something meaningful. Since the casino's recent opening, its luxurious decor and unique gambling machines had captivated ninja and civilian gamblers alike. However, Kain was aware that copycats were already cropping up, eager to emulate the casino's success. But without access to the specialized gambling machines, any imitation would pale in comparison to his own establishment. Still, Kain knew he would have to keep an eye on his rivals.

Once Kain finished outlining his strategy, Aya voiced a new concern. "What about the casino over on main Street?"

Kain paused, weighing the situation. "Put that on hold for now. We need people we can trust and who are also capable. Do you have anyone in mind?"

In a world where loyalty was paramount, managing a casino worth tens of millions of ryo required trusted allies. Kain recognized that if his business was confined to this town and Konoha, he could handle it. However, as he expanded further afield, he would have less time for personal oversight. Aya had proven herself worthy of Kain's trust and mentorship, but he also understood that pushing her too hard could be counterproductive.

After a moment of thought, Aya suggested, "Boss, Miwa and Nanami are both talented, especially Nanami. Her arithmetic skills are actually better than mine."

Kain nodded thoughtfully. "I know them. When I get back, I'll see if they're willing to leave Konoha for this role."

Miwa and Nanami were both connected to the Senju clan, though neither had any particular talent as ninjas. Nanami had even adopted a civilian identity, marrying outside the clan. However, they both had families and ties in Konoha, and Kain understood that they might not be willing to uproot themselves, unlike Aya, who had shown remarkable commitment.

"By the way, boss," Aya added, "someone from the Land of Fire came looking for you three days ago. He's from Lichun Bookstore and said he had something to give you personally."

"Oh? Do you know where he is now?"

"He's probably waiting in Konoha. I told him to head there since I wasn't sure when you'd come to town."

Kain nodded. "It's likely about the release of the new book. Looks like I'll have to return to Konoha."

As Kain considered this, he mentally calculated the timing. His three novels had likely been on the market for a while now, and if Lichun Bookstore followed his advice, they would have included impressive illustrations to captivate readers. This representative had probably come to deliver the latest sales numbers, along with samples and revenue updates, and to discuss plans for the second volumes of each book.

After briefing Aya on the rest of his plans for the town, Kain set out for Konoha without delay. While traveling, he contemplated the broader future of his business interests. With an official identity recognized by the Fire Daimyo, he could wield considerable influence, and even the Third Hokage would have to treat him with respect. As for Danzo, Kain knew that despite his cunning, Danzo's influence was limited to Konoha's shadowy operations. Though dangerous, he was merely a weapon, wielded for Konoha's darker missions.

Upon arriving in Konoha, Kain checked in with Miwa, who confirmed that someone from Lichun Bookstore had indeed been waiting for him. Kain immediately asked Miwa to send for the visitor, and while he waited, he noticed Kushina approaching. She had been tricked by Kain on multiple occasions, yet she greeted him with genuine excitement.

"Boss, you've finally come back!" she said, smiling brightly as she approached his table.

"Business keeps me busy, especially with so much travel around the ninja world," he replied, managing a weary smile. Kain's approach with Kushina had always been one of casual engagement, neither seeking her attention nor discouraging it. She was close to Tsunade and had considerable potential in the art of sealing techniques, making her an asset worth keeping close.

"You get to travel all over the ninja world? That sounds amazing," Kushina replied, her eyes lighting up.

"It's not as glamorous as it sounds; it's actually quite tiring," Kain countered. He decided to change the subject. "By the way, the game shop next door hasn't opened for a while. As my loyal customer, you can play for free for the day—only today, though."

Kain needed to meet with Lichun's representative soon, and he hoped his offer would gently encourage Kushina to leave. However, she shook her head, saying, "No, thanks. I'm not interested in that. Can I eat whatever I want in the store instead?"

"300,000 ryo, and you can have a full day of desserts in my food store. A buffet just for you," Kain replied without hesitation.

Kushina's face fell. "That's way too expensive!" she exclaimed. "Last time, you even took my wallet, and you didn't even treat me to barbecue afterward."

Kain chuckled, responding, "Correction: you were happily eating ramen last time. If we'd had barbecue, you might not have enjoyed it as much as the ramen. That's the choice you made in your heart."

Kushina hesitated, caught in Kain's playful logic. She genuinely loved ramen, but she had wanted the barbecue partly to regain her lost money. His comment left her torn between her love for ramen and her annoyance over the money she'd spent. Before she could think too much about it, Miwa returned with the representative from Lichun Bookstore.

"Kain! I finally found you," the Lichun representative exclaimed, looking visibly relieved. "I thought I'd be waiting for months. It's been a long time since you disappeared."

Kain smiled, gesturing for the man to join him. "Come inside; we'll talk in the back."

They moved to a private room where they could discuss business matters without interruption. The representative wasted no time, explaining that Kain's novels had been a major success for Lichun Bookstore. The interspersed illustrations, as Kain had recommended, had captivated readers and boosted sales, and his three books had become bestsellers. The representative presented Kain with sample books, revenue reports, and a request for the second volumes.

Kain reviewed the figures, pleased with the outcome. He had taken a creative risk with these books, weaving compelling stories with the mystique of the ninja world, and it had clearly paid off. The earnings from this venture would provide another stream of resources for his expanding projects.

As Kain finalized the business with Lichun, his thoughts shifted to his future plans. He knew he would need to devote more time to developing his influence outside Konoha. A recognized identity from the Fire Daimyo would open countless doors, and it would solidify his standing within the Land of Fire. His larger goal was clear: to establish himself as an indispensable figure, respected and feared in equal measure. With each step, Kain grew closer to achieving that ambition.