Chapter 36: Income Increase
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“It looks like business is good. Are there always so many people here lately, Natsukawa?”
Cain strolled through the casino and noticed there were many carriages parked outside. Inside, the place was packed with at least twenty people crowding around a table meant to accommodate ten. The casino was also very noisy, to the point where it was difficult to hear anything clearly.
The business was booming, with daily profits of over four hundred thousand taels of silver. Because the profits were so high, Natsukawa personally managed the accounts without involving anyone else.
“Buy up the houses behind and on the sides, and transform them into VIP boxes while expanding the store. Spend all the casino’s profits every half month. Natsukawa, I’ll leave a plan for you later. Follow this plan and use the casino’s profits as a starting point to gradually expand to Kawaki Town.”
“Also, set aside 20% as operating capital.”
Cain said to Natsukawa. Money in the ninja world was worthless to him if he couldn’t exchange it for resources and power.
The casino had only recently opened, but its unique gambling methods and some rarely seen slot machines had already impressed the ninja gamblers. However, it wouldn’t be long before others started copying Cain’s methods.
Apart from the slot machines, the other casinos in the ninja world would not miss out on the opportunity to make money. They might even hire people to rob the slot machines, but the machines that Cain bought required keys to operate, so even if they stole them, they couldn’t use them for some time.
After hearing this, Natsukawa nodded and asked, “I understand, boss. What about the casino on Tanzaku-gai?”
“Leave it for now. There are too few people who can be trusted and have the ability. Natsukawa, do you have any good recommendations?”
Cain asked Natsukawa. Although people in the ninja world valued promises, they still needed to be cautious of untrustworthy individuals, especially regarding a casino that generated millions of Ryo monthly profits. If the wrong person was chosen, the losses could be huge.
For now, the business was still limited to Kawaki Town and Konoha, which Cain could keep an eye on. But as the business expanded to other places, Cain wouldn’t have as much time to travel around.
He was now grooming Natsukawa, who was also worthy of Cain’s trust and investment. However, if Natsukawa had to travel back and forth frequently, it would be very tiring and dangerous for her.
After thinking for a moment, Natsukawa said to Cain, “Boss, Mei, and Nanami are both capable, especially Nanami. Her arithmetic skills are even better than mine.”
“I know these two. I’ll ask them when I return to see if they are willing to leave Konoha.”
Mei Kawakami and Nanami Ota were both people Cain knew. Nanami was from the Senju clan but had no ninja talents, so she married a civilian ninja and changed her name.
However, Nanami Ota and Mei Kawakami had families, and not everyone was as decisive as Natsukawa. If they wanted to be closer to home daily, it wouldn’t be right to force them.
“By the way, boss, someone from the Fire Country Capital came to look for you. It seems to be from the Rijun Bookstore, saying they have something to give you and that you must personally receive it.”
Natsukawa suddenly remembered this and hurriedly told Cain. This happened three days ago, and because she wasn’t sure if Cain would come to Kawaki Town, Natsukawa directed the person to Konoha.
“That person should be waiting for you in Konoha now. It seems to be about the publication of a new book. Looks like I have to go back.”
Cain calculated the time in his mind and realized that the three novels should have been published and sold some time now. Moreover, Rijun Bookstore adopted Cain’s suggestions and included many provocative illustrations in the novels. The person coming to find him should bring sample books and income and request the second volume of the three books.
After briefing Kawaki Town, Cain rushed to Konoha without stopping.
On the way, Cain secretly decided to allocate more time to develop his influence outside Konoha. If he obtained a status recognized by the daimyo of the Fire Country, even the Third Hokage would have to treat him with respect. Danzo might not be submissive, but other than assassination, he didn’t have any other skills. He was just a tool for dirty work in Konoha.
Upon returning to Konoha, Cain learned from Mei Kawakami that someone from Rijun Bookstore had come to find him and immediately had Mei Kawakami call the person over.
While waiting for Rijun Bookstore, Kushina, who had been tricked by Cain many times before, came again. She walked up to Cain with a pleased expression on her face when she saw him sitting at the table.
“Boss, you’ve finally come back after such a long time.”
“Well, there’s a lot of business to take care of, and the ninja world is just too big. Most of the time is spent on the road.”
Cain said helplessly. His attitude towards Kushina was to neither actively seek nor reject her. Unless the higher-ups in Konoha intervened, he wouldn’t bother with her. After all, she was a close friend of Tsunade and a future sealing master. Her value was not small.
“Can you travel around the entire ninja world? That’s so cool.”
“Don’t envy me. It’s actually very tiring. By the way, the game store next door just opened recently. As my old customer, you can play for free for a day, but only today.”
Cain had some things to take care of next, so he wanted to send Kushina away. However, after hearing this, Kushina shook her head and said, “No need. I’m not interested in that. Can I just eat whatever I want in the store?”
“30,000 Ryo. I’ll let you eat whatever you want for a day. It’s the only dessert buffet for customers at Cain’s Food Store.”
“Too expensive!” When Kushina heard the price, her little face drooped, and then she complained indignantly, “Boss, last time you took my wallet, you didn’t even treat me to a barbecue.”
“I have to correct you. You were very happy when you ate ramen. If you ate barbecue, you might not be happier than eating ramen. It’s your own choice.”
Cain used sophistry to directly make Kushina hesitate. Compared with barbecue, she actually preferred to eat ramen, but she ate barbecue to earn back some of her money. Now, being caught between money and the happiness of eating ramen, she was indecisive.
But before Kushina could hesitate for too long, the person from Rijun Bookstore was brought over by Mei Kawakami.
“Mr. Cain, we finally found you!”
The person from Rijun Bookstore rushed over excitedly when he saw Cain, thinking he would have to wait a month or two. Cain’s three books were a treasure trove for Rijun Bookstore.
“Let’s talk inside.”
Cain smiled and said, leading the person to the room inside.
