CH- 42 The Three Holy Princesses

According to the latest news, the revenue generated during this period has been quite impressive. While the mystery boxes didn't achieve the expected popularity, the movie "Three Sannin in Kusagakure" has experienced a significant increase in earnings compared to its predecessor.

To everyone's surprise, the movie has garnered considerable renown. This lighthearted, humorous, and slightly romantic story has unexpectedly become a hit. Perhaps it's because the recent war has left people longing for happiness deep down. As for the mystery boxes, their high pricing and the absence of an online platform to generate buzz have resulted in fewer purchases.

Akihiko received a message from a shopkeeper in a remote town in the Land of Fire: "Boss, I may have found the cash cow the leader mentioned!"

Akihiko was astounded by the shopkeeper's letter. The earnings from that small town alone accounted for nearly half of the total revenue, and it was attributed to just one person. It's worth noting that Mubuki not only dominated the market within the Land of Fire but also had an impact on the market in the neighboring Land of Earth.

While it didn't cover the entire Land of Fire or even half of it, the expansion of their market was substantial compared to their initial product, "Gambling Shadow." Therefore, besides the cash cow, it was unlikely that anyone else was as prosperous. However, it's also possible that due to the low number of buyers, the performance in that particular town stood out. Akihiko couldn't help but sigh, acknowledging Mubuki's effectiveness as an advisor.

However, as he continued reading, a sense of surprise washed over him once again. Frowning, he pondered, "Why is the revenue in the Land of Grass so remarkably high? Particularly for the mystery boxes, it surpasses the earnings of certain major cities in the Land of Fire."

Just as he finished speaking, Kana, standing beside him, hesitated for a moment before whispering, "Perhaps... it might be attributed to Lord Jiraiya and Advisor Mubuki."

Perplexed, Akihiko raised an inquisitive eyebrow, silently urging her to elaborate.

"W-well... they... heard that Ekinu-sensei released exclusive merchandise for the mystery boxes, which ignited their excitement. During this period, they've been fervently purchasing mystery boxes from various stores, attracting a great deal of attention," Kana replied, her cheeks slightly flushed. She continued in a hushed voice, "Lord Jiraiya... desires to acquire various figures of the Three Holy Princesses and complete the entire set. As for Advisor Mubuki..."

Before she could finish her sentence, Akihiko's eyelid twitched, and he seemed to grasp the situation. The Three Holy Princesses referred to the Frog Lady, the Snake Lady, and the Slug Lady.

Although there were only three figures, each holy princess possessed unique styles based on clothing, poses, seasons, and rarity. Completing the entire set was no small feat.

"So, Mubuki aims to collect the set of Three Holy Princesses?" Akihiko sought confirmation.

"No, he wants them all!" Kana awkwardly responded.

Akihiko was taken aback by her unexpected reply.

"He wants to gather all the figure merchandise of the female characters from Ekinu-sensei's published books!" Kana explained, shedding light on Mubuki's motivation for purchasing large quantities.

Akihiko chose to remain silent, contemplating the situation. "So, the true cash cow lies in the Land of Grass?" he pondered to himself.

…

In a bustling Mystery Box store situated in the vibrant Land of Grass, a crowd had gathered, captivated by the sight of two individuals consumed by intense determination. The air reverberated with enthusiastic cries of "Orange light! Orange light! Give it to me!" and "I want purple light! Purple light!" as these two relentless participants engaged in continuous draws, day after day.

The shopkeeper, holding a microphone, fearlessly bellowed to further fuel the competition. "Purple light! Purple light! This gentleman here is currently leading by one point. What are you waiting for, traveler from the Land of Fire? Another hundred draws? Perhaps the next one will reveal your desired figure?"

Undeterred by creating a spectacle, the shopkeeper unabashedly encouraged the participants, their fervor seemingly fueled by his presence. It appeared that without his presence, their obsession with the Mystery Boxes might not have reached such heights.

The crowd grew increasingly animated, cheering and rallying behind the two participants. Nearby, three young individuals, including Yahiko, observed the scene with a mix of amusement and embarrassment, their faces concealed by their hands. Yahiko couldn't help but sigh, realizing the substantial amount of money being spent on these Mystery Boxes by his father. To him, it seemed wasteful, contemplating how many grilled fish could have been enjoyed with that money.

Nagato and Konan sympathetically patted Yahiko, understanding his frustration. Nagato furrowed his brow and cast a cautious gaze toward Jiraiya, silently reaffirming what Akihiko-sensei and his mother had warned them about. The Konoha ninjas, particularly the Three Sannin, weren't necessarily role models to emulate. Following in their footsteps could lead to adopting unfavorable habits.

Konan leaned in and whispered to the group, assuring them, "Don't worry, I've already informed Kana-nee-chan about your request. I believe it won't be long before she updates Akihiko-sensei."

With Konan's comforting words, Yahiko's spirits lifted, shedding his worries. He lowered his voice and expressed, "I just hope it doesn't backfire on me. If Dad finds out, I'll surely receive another scolding."

"Don't fret, it won't pose a problem," Nagato reassured Yahiko, offering a reassuring pat on his shoulder.

Sighing, Yahiko continued, "Honestly, Dad is a good person. Apart from his occasional eccentricities, he's generally fine. It's just that the day before yesterday, Asui sought my advice..." Yahiko trailed off, contemplating their predicament. "If there were any other way, I wouldn't want to resort to this, but Asui insisted that only Akihiko-sensei can handle Mubuki Dad."

Lost in their thoughts, the sound of liveliness emanated from up ahead, instantly brightening their expressions, beaming with joyful smiles. Akihiko-sensei had arrived, bringing with him a renewed sense of hope and anticipation to their situation.

…

As Mubuki felt a firm hand patting his shoulder, he remained fixated on his Mystery Box opening, growing impatient as he questioned, "What's the matter?" The slapping persisted, disregarding his inquiry.

Turning his head to face the person behind him, Mubuki blinked in surprise, a realization dawning upon him. With a forced smile, he spoke, "Leader, why are you here? Oh dear! It's getting late, and I must return to cook for the kids."

Akihiko, rolling his eyes, saw through Mubuki's attempt to evade the conversation. "Don't lie to me. It's evident that Asui handles the cooking. You, as the father, don't know how to do anything!" Akihiko retorted, halting Mubuki in his tracks.

Mubuki's wife had tragically passed away during the war, leaving him, Asui, and a few clan members as the sole family. Their clan was small, and ensuring its survival remained a constant concern. Such circumstances were commonplace in the Land of Grass, where most clans were modest in scale, even though Mubuki and Ryuushikei's clans were considered comparatively larger.

Witnessing Mubuki's embarrassed expression and his inclination to argue, Akihiko inwardly sighed, recognizing the significant effort Mubuki had put forth this time. After all, he had only recently returned a few days ago. Perhaps it was time for him to unwind or even be rewarded?

Taking a moment to ponder, Akihiko lowered his voice and spoke, "If you desire such things, just let me know! I have them in my factory. I can complete the set for you directly. How can you become so fixated?"

However, before Akihiko could finish his sentence, Mubuki's expression soured, and he glared at Akihiko. "Leader, you're insulting me! As an accomplished Grass Shinobi, how could I be obsessed? It's not an obsession; it's merely a touch of curiosity!"

Amidst a sea of figurines, Mubuki held his head high at a proud 45-degree angle. "I'm not fixated on the outcome. I simply relish the exhilarating process."

Taken aback, Akihiko gazed at Mubuki, then glanced at the figures surrounding him, momentarily lost for words. That's right. They were ninja, after all. How could they lack self-control in this manner?

While Tsunade's gambling addiction might not be the best example, perhaps Mubuki sought solace for his soul or desired a means of relaxation. Akihiko smiled, nodding as he patted Mubuki's shoulder, preparing to say something.

Just as Akihiko wore a smile and was about to speak, Mubuki leaned closer, whispering with excitement, "When should we collect them all? How about a time when darkness and wind prevail? Oh, and can I create one myself, with fewer... rest assured, I promise I'll only..."

Before Mubuki could finish his sentence, Akihiko raised an eyebrow, gazing at him with a speechless expression. He then let out a heavy sigh, expressing profound disappointment. Akihiko waved his hand, and several Grass Shinobi guards promptly stepped forward.

"Take him away! This time, make it a thousandfold. Let him replicate them all, and then release him," Akihiko commanded the guards, who swiftly escorted Mubuki away.

Perplexed and bewildered by Akihiko's unexpected response, Mubuki stood there, his expression filled with confusion, struggling to comprehend the unfolding situation. Before he could react, a group of ninjas swiftly restrained him, leaving him even more bewildered and questioning Akihiko's actions. He pleaded, "Leader, what is happening?"

Akihiko paid no heed to Mubuki's pleas and issued orders to the guards, saying, "Take him away!"

"No, please! Leader, I was mistaken! I can return everything I copied!" Mubuki desperately apologized, his confusion still lingering. He tried to reason with Akihiko, emphasizing his contributions to the Land of Grass and the sacrifices he had made. However, it appeared that his appeals for help fell on deaf ears.

Within moments, Mubuki was forcefully dragged away, leaving Jiraiya, who was present, blinking in astonishment. He observed the peculiar scene unfolding before him and couldn't help but wonder, "Weren't they having a pleasant conversation just a moment ago?" He questioned why Mubuki was being taken away once again, speculating if it had something to do with the book he had purchased from Mubuki the previous day.

With a sinking feeling in his heart, Jiraiya recognized the formidable capabilities of the Grass Shinobi. Their reputation for gathering information seemed well-founded, as he had been captured within a day. Fearing that he might be captured again, Jiraiya swiftly stowed away his figures, let out a sigh tinged with melancholy, and raised his head at a 45-degree angle. Sporting a troubled expression, he declared, "It is time for me to embark on my journey. The ninja world still awaits the salvation of this sage!"

Having spent a considerable amount of time in the Land of Grass without finding Mr. Ekinu, Jiraiya couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment. Perhaps their encounter was not meant to be. As he took a few steps forward, ready to depart, he was suddenly interrupted by the shopkeeper.

"Hey, hey! You there, traveler from the Land of Fire! You haven't paid for the hundred items you just purchased!" The shopkeeper called out, reminding Jiraiya to settle his bill.

Jiraiya reached into his pocket, only to find it empty. His face quickly stiffened, and without pausing his steps, he vanished in a puff of smoke, leaving behind a perplexed shopkeeper who urgently exclaimed, "Someone is attempting to escape without paying for the Mystery Box!"

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