Chapter Twenty-Two: Tsunade’s Visit

After returning to the Shinobi World, Kahn was greeted by good news from Natsukawa. During his absence over the past few days, Natsukawa had successfully negotiated with the civilians of four villages surrounding Kawaki Town to begin cultivating cocoa trees.

With high prices offered for the purchase of cocoa beans, and Kahn’s food store also promising to sell them grain at preferentially low prices, the potential profit was plainly higher than growing staple crops. As long as there was money to be made, the commoners of the Shinobi World flocked toward the opportunity. The people of all four villages agreed to plant cocoa trees.

“Well done, Natsukawa. Entrusting you with the dessert factory was truly the right decision.”

At his praise, Natsukawa smiled shyly and replied, “It was nothing, just my duty…”

This news saved Kahn a great deal of time. The dessert factory was nearly completed as well. Seizing a moment when no one was around, Kahn transferred the machines for producing chocolate and other confections into the warehouse. If anyone noticed, at most they’d suspect he used some sealing technique akin to a scroll—Konoha’s people would only become more suspicious of his origins.

Once the production line was in place, Kahn called over Natsukawa and four others, handing them the machine manuals and then personally instructing them through the process several times.

“This is the power switch. Press this to start the machine… Pour the raw materials here, wait patiently… then pack the finished product into boxes, and the chocolate is complete.”

After a few rounds of explanation and hands-on demonstration, the four assistants barely grasped the workings of the machinery. They would need more practice to truly master the production line. This was no trivial matter—these four would be the future managers of branch factories; as for Natsukawa, Kahn had even more important tasks in mind for her.

He lingered in Kawaki Town for two more days, overseeing not only their training but also the arrangements for planting cocoa trees. Even after planting, the earliest harvest would not arrive until the following year.

Given the limited supplies this time, the chocolate produced would likely only last a little over a month in sales. Milk and sugar still needed to be bought within the Shinobi World. Next time, Kahn planned to bring large quantities of raw materials, or perhaps create chocolate confections unique to this world.

For example, kunai-shaped chocolates, shuriken-shaped chocolates, or gummy forehead protectors—these only required new molds and would surely prove popular. Ninjas were still the focus of much attention in this world, and whenever war broke out, the entire nation’s livelihood was affected.

Once affairs in Kawaki Town were settled, Natsukawa returned to Konoha.

…

Arriving at Konoha’s gates, Kahn and his convoy underwent a brief inspection but were soon allowed entry.

Not long after entering the village, Kahn noticed an unusual atmosphere—a mingling of joy and sorrow. Many people wore black, as if preparing to honor their departed loved ones.

It must have been that all the ninjas from the Rain Country battlefield had returned; both the living and the fallen were now hailed as heroes.

“Should I create a ‘Hero Chocolate’?” Kahn mused for a moment, then shook his head. Profiting from the dead was a risky business; if it sparked controversy or boycott, it would be a headache.

Back at Kahn’s Food Store, he instructed Miwa to move all goods into the warehouse. Kawaki Miwa, who had succeeded Natsukawa as store manager, was reliable enough that nothing about this shop would pose a problem.

Business at the store remained steady, though there was a natural ceiling to what a single village shop could achieve. Chocolates from the Kawaki Town factory would eventually need to be sold throughout the Shinobi World. Ninjas might have decent incomes, but the truly wealthy were the noble merchants and affluent commoners—far outnumbering the shinobi.

“Miwa, please arrange for deliveries according to the previous order list. After that, I’ll leave the rest to your discretion.”

Three busy days passed after his return, and Kahn felt a wave of fatigue. He considered himself the most unfortunate capitalist—worth tens of millions, yet still running errands personally. Ever since obtaining his system, he hadn’t had a proper rest in ages.

Miwa noticed the weariness on Kahn’s face and quietly suggested, “Boss, if you’re tired, perhaps you should visit the hot springs. It’s a very relaxing way to recover from fatigue.”

Soaking in hot springs was the universally accepted remedy for exhaustion here. There was even a small country, the Land of Hot Water, famous for its natural springs. Rumor had it that long sessions in their baths could prolong one’s life.

That claim drew nobles and wealthy merchants from across the Shinobi World, who visited several times each year.

But Kahn himself had little interest in such things. He was a master of hype, and to him the notion that hot springs brought longevity was nonsense. He’d rather save time with a shower at home and get some real rest.

“No need, Miwa. I’ll rest in the back for a while. If anything comes up, just let me know.”

With that, Kahn made his way to the garden behind the shop. He intended not only to rest, but also to consider his next moves.

Orochimaru should have started his forbidden jutsu research around the time of the Third Great Ninja War. At this stage, he had not yet witnessed the deaths of those close to him, nor had he reached any profound contemplation of life and death. If Kahn remembered correctly, Orochimaru’s initial dream was to master every ninjutsu in existence; only after Nawaki’s death did he begin to pursue immortality.

Orochimaru was not merely talented in biological research—he was born for it. From the start of his experiments to the events of Boruto, less than fifty years had passed, and he had made the leap from ninja to biological research expert: gene transplantation, human cloning, soul transfer, regeneration techniques, and even growing younger with age.

And he accomplished all this alone—at most, with Kabuto’s assistance.

Within six years, Kahn would need to present research into human biology deep enough to attract Orochimaru. With manpower and funding on his side, and Orochimaru providing the technology, they could share in each stage’s success. Kahn wasn’t worried about Orochimaru hiding anything; in the Marvel world, Kahn could recruit a team of top experts in biological research.

After his bath, Kahn made himself a cup of tea to relax. With the war winding down, Konoha likely wouldn’t be purchasing more medicines from him—and they probably didn’t have the funds, either.

Thus, Kahn planned to open a pharmacy in the capital of the Land of Fire. He intended to hire a retired medical ninja from Konoha—even one with basic healing skills would suffice. This matter would require consulting with Kaekang Mirai.

As these thoughts ran through his mind, footsteps sounded outside.

Miwa stepped to the doorway and called out, “Boss, Lady Tsunade would like to pay you a visit. Shall I show her in?”