Chapter 18: Business Opportunities in the Shinobi World

In Konoha, missions are classified into five ranks: D, C, B, A, and S. A- and S-rank missions are almost never issued by individuals, as they typically involve classified affairs with other nations and require at least a jonin to complete. Only the Daimyo of the Land of Fire or officials of exceptionally high status, those with significant influence over Konoha, can issue A- or S-rank missions. For everyone else, B-rank and below are the highest they can commission.

The task entrusted by Karn could at most be evaluated as a B-rank mission, since it required traveling through the Land of Fire for an extended period, with potential encounters along the way with rogue ninja or wandering samurai. Even within the Land of Fire, wartime brought no guarantees of safety. With every war, bandits and rogue ninja proliferated in the aftermath.

Because of the long duration of Karn’s mission, the mission department set the reward at two hundred thousand ryo, with two chunin leading the squad. Departure was scheduled for the following day.

Of course, this single mission couldn’t offset Konoha’s outstanding debt for medical supplies. Karn would have to commission dozens of such tasks before accounts could be settled between him and Konoha.

Karn planned to return and inform Xiachuan about his departure; the two shops within Konoha would rely on her for the time being. Fortunately, the work wasn’t difficult—just stocking goods and keeping the books. Together, the two shops had eight employees. If not for the favor owed to Tsunade, would a capitalist like him ever engage in such an unprofitable business?

“Xiachuan… Ah, I see you have customers. Take care of them first and come see me when you’re free.”

As soon as Karn entered the shop, he saw a group of ninja academy students buying things. After reminding Xiachuan, he headed to the residential quarters in the backyard.

A little later, hearing footsteps at the door, Karn spoke up, “Come in, Xiachuan…”

The door slid open, but instead of Xiachuan, in walked Kushina Uzumaki, her red hair framing a face still round with the fullness of youth.

“You’re... Kushina, right?” Karn feigned a moment’s thought before asking with uncertainty, “If you’re here to buy something, please head to the shop out front. This is my private residence.”

Kushina bowed apologetically. “I’m sorry, sir, but I have something I wanted to ask you.”

If you’re sorry, then please leave at once!

He waited three seconds, and after a silent standoff, she still showed no intention of leaving. With a sigh, Karn stood and said, “Come in and have a seat. I’ll make some tea.”

“Thank you, sir.”

Kushina actually sat down, watching and taking in the modest living quarters while waiting for her tea.

“Here you are, Kushina. So, what brings you here?” Karn thought to himself that once the matter was settled over tea, she should be on her way. He couldn’t help feeling that getting too entangled with a future Nine-Tails jinchuriki might have unforeseen consequences.

“Sir, your chocolate is so popular that I wanted to reserve some in advance. Is that alright?”

Kushina’s eyes shone with anticipation as she held her teacup. She’d sneaked into the backyard because the shop had been packed and she hadn’t managed to get any before.

“Sold out again? I never anticipated business would be this good…” Karn mused. Perhaps he could open a candy factory in the shinobi world—there seemed to be no famous sweets in the Hidden Leaf, not even decades later. The most popular treats would still be dumplings and red bean soup, though that might be due to a certain someone’s endorsements.

But for now, Karn was certain: chocolates and lollipops were exclusive to his shop.

Sugar was a source of happiness, and the American market for sweets was worth hundreds of billions of dollars. If he started a confectionery factory in the shinobi world, could he see his products in every city of the Land of Fire within three years?

Clearly, once he left Konoha tomorrow, he needed to survey neighboring towns for potential factory sites.

“Sir? Sir…”

Kushina had to call his name several times to shake Karn from his thoughts.

“Sorry, I was momentarily distracted. You said you wanted to reserve some chocolate? No problem. How much would you like?”

After thinking for a moment, Kushina gave him a number: “One hundred pieces.”

“One hundred chocolates will be twenty thousand ryo. With the promise I made you last time, that makes one hundred and twenty pieces in total—correct? But let me remind you: eat too much chocolate and you’ll gain weight, so you’ll need to keep up your exercise.”

“Right, right!” Kushina nodded enthusiastically at Karn’s calculation. She’d finished the thirty pieces from yesterday in less than a day, with Tsunade and Nawaki taking some as well. As for exercise, Kushina wasn’t worried—she trained hard every day, and a piece of silky chocolate after exhausting herself was the best reward.

Karn nodded. “Good. When you leave, pay Xiachuan at the front. Once the next shipment comes in, you’ll be the first to know.”

Kushina’s expression froze. “I… I need to pay?”

“Of course. You can’t buy things without paying. Even if it’s a reservation, I need at least a deposit before I order more.”

Karn, seeing her reaction, asked curiously, “Don’t tell me you don’t have money?”

“Of c-course I do,” she said, but her guilty tone gave her away.

Before Karn could say anything else, Kushina stood and hurried out, clearly off to raise the funds.

The first batch of sweets had merely created a little buzz, but the second had been snatched up in a frenzy. Today’s customers were all ninja clan children—the only ones who could afford the high prices at Karn’s shop. After all, even the simplest D-rank mission paid between five hundred and ten thousand ryo. A diligent genin could easily do three missions a day.

The shinobi world truly was a land of opportunity, largely untapped. Karn added several more goals to his plan: within three or five years, he must establish an influence strong enough to affect the decision-making of the Hidden Leaf, and then use the power of the shinobi world to build his own force in the Marvel universe.

...

After making arrangements with Xiachuan, Karn was ready to depart.

Konoha was still at war, so the size of ninja squads had been reduced—typically one chunin and two genin per team. Karn’s entourage would consist of six ninja, two of them chunin. This would be more than enough to ensure safety within the Land of Fire.

Besides the ninja, there was also a driver, and Karn had purchased two carriages—one for supplies, and the other, more luxurious, for his own comfort, spacious enough to sleep in at night.

Once everything was prepared, Karn finally left the Hidden Leaf Village.