C 37

After the tea was served, Kain frowned slightly, sensing something amiss. How did Kushina manage to follow him so naturally, taking the initiative to serve tea and then sitting off to the side, watching with an inquisitive look in her eyes?

"Mr. Kain, the sales of your three books have been excellent. The first printing batch sold out quickly, the second batch is nearly gone, and as I left, a third was already in production." The voice came from the assistant of the Lichun Bookstore owner, who spoke with both respect and excitement.

He placed three sample books on the table along with a share of the sales profits from the first two batches, pushing them toward Kain. Alongside the books, he handed over a passbook where the bookstore had already deposited Kain's share of the earnings.

"It seems your bookstore is making good money. So, you're here for the content of the second volume?" Kain asked as he examined the passbook. The profits from the first two batches had earned him roughly 25 million ryo, which meant that Lichun Bookstore had likely made close to 70 million ryo. This was a staggering figure, especially considering that the ninja world didn't have a huge reading population, nor the levels of literacy it might decades from now. The bookstore's confidence in Kain's work was impressive, and he suspected they weren't confining sales to just the Land of Fire. With their network, they were probably selling in regions like the Land of Lightning, the Land of Earth, and even smaller countries.

"We've done well, but it's all thanks to your incredible writing, Mr. Kain," said the assistant with a polite, slightly flustered smile. "By the way, Mr. Kain, about the second volume..."

"Just a moment." Kain stood, walked back into the house, and returned with the second and third volumes of his three novels, handing them to the assistant from Lichun Bookstore. "These are the second and third volumes. Each series will have seven volumes. If Lichun Bookstore continues performing well, I'll consider deeper collaborations with you in the future."

After hearing this, the assistant beamed, promising to report back to the owner immediately. With the new volumes in hand, he left, eager to keep up with the high demand. Bookstores around the world had been receiving numerous inquiries about the next installments. Many readers, unfamiliar with this style of novel, were engrossed as though discovering a whole new world.

Once the assistant departed, Kushina turned to Kain, her eyes sparkling. "Boss, you're a writer too? That's amazing!"

In Kushina's eyes, it was extraordinary to see Kain treated with such deference by the bookstore staff, though she didn't fully grasp Lichun Bookstore's influence. In the ninja world, there was a cultural expectation, originating from the daimyos and nobles, that writers should be respected. Even ninjas were taught to respect writers, as their works were seen as valuable contributions to society.

Kain waved his hand modestly. "If you study hard, Kushina, you could be a writer someday," he said. Though he didn't see himself as particularly exceptional, he was aware that the ninja world lacked cultural diversity, making it surprisingly easy to gain fame with his books. The popularity of his content—filled with action and intrigue—was all he needed.

"I don't think I could," Kushina admitted. "I already struggle with my Ninja School lessons." She eyed the sample books on the table. "Boss, can I read your books?"

"No, these are for adults. Children aren't allowed to read them," Kain replied, shaking his head firmly. "These books are like forbidden techniques. Reading them could lead to serious consequences. But, to satisfy your curiosity, I'll let you see something else—what a writer earns."

He opened the passbook, showing her the figure deposited by Lichun Bookstore. Kushina's eyes widened, her mouth dropping as she counted the zeros.

"This many zeros?" she whispered. She remembered asking Tsunade for a mere 100,000 ryo, which had made her feel rich at the Ninja Academy. But Kain's earnings dwarfed that, showing just how successful he was.

"Boss, if you're this rich, why do you keep cheating me out of my pocket money?"

Kushina's initial excitement dimmed as she recalled a recent occasion when Kain had demanded payment from her.

"That's money for repairs and damages you caused, plus the psychological distress," Kain replied without any guilt. His finances were carefully managed, which allowed him to grow his wealth. He had no interest in pretending to be overly generous—he aimed to invest his earnings wisely, creating a snowball effect to build even greater wealth over time.

Kain's focus was on the long term, reinvesting the millions earned from his novels to grow his business empire. In a world where most were stuck with traditional business methods, he felt almost futuristic, harnessing products and strategies decades ahead of the rest.

By the time Kushina returned to the Senju compound, night had fallen. Not only had she enjoyed a free day of games at Kain's, but she'd also left with a pastry—a rare treat. However, her joy faded slightly as she entered the clan area. Grandma Mito's age had begun to show, and her talks with Kushina were mainly about training in sealing techniques. Nawaki, her cousin, had returned from a mission and was currently recovering, his spirits dampened. Tsunade, meanwhile, was busy with her work, often leaving Kushina feeling isolated.

The Ninja Academy hadn't been a great place for her either. As an outsider with a fiery temper, she struggled to get along with her classmates, who tended to tease or avoid her. This lack of companionship was why she liked visiting Kain's store. He hadn't mocked her looks or attitude, and he spoke with her like a true friend, someone who took her seriously. The visits cost her a good amount of money—most of which she borrowed from Tsunade—but Kushina didn't mind.

When she returned, Kushina mentioned Kain to Tsunade, recounting his success as a writer. Tsunade raised her eyebrows, shocked. For her, 25 million ryo was a staggering amount; she'd have to complete 20 high-level missions to earn a similar sum. And the idea of him writing adult-oriented novels reminded her of Jiraiya, who had a penchant for such reading material.

"Kushina, your boss is right," Tsunade warned, a slight grin on her face. "Don't be curious about these novels. They're not for children."

It was clear Kain's books were selling incredibly well, but knowing they were adult novels added a layer of humor for Tsunade. After chatting for a while, she noticed something. Kushina frequently brought up Kain in conversation.

"Kushina, you've been seeing him a lot recently, haven't you?"

Kushina went silent for a moment. "People at school don't like me," she said in a quiet voice.

Ever since a fight with a classmate's older sibling, Kushina had noticed her classmates deliberately avoided her, or worse, talked about her behind her back. Tsunade felt her heart soften as she listened, stroking Kushina's hair.

"If anyone bullies you again, don't hold back. Teach them a lesson. And if it becomes a problem, come to me. I'll have your back," Tsunade said with a reassuring smile, her voice warm.

…

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