CH 16

Chapter 16: Konoha’s Intentions

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“You’ve come back after all. How about going for a drink tonight?”

As night approached, Tsunade went to the Cain Food Store to take a look and found that Cain was next door directing people to pack up. So she greeted him.

“I don’t need to eat, Tsunade-san. I haven’t finished organizing my place yet, so I don’t have much time.”

As soon as Cain finished speaking, Natsukawa walked up and bowed slightly, apologizing for interrupting his conversation with Tsunade. Then she said, “If you’re packing up the house in the back, why not let me do it? I know where to buy household items and can clean up quickly.”

Cain sighed helplessly. This mature shopkeeper usually had a sharp eye, but today she seemed a bit slow. He clearly didn’t want to go, so why did she butt in?

Although he knew that Natsukawa had good intentions, she had done something bad this time. Tsunade found him on the same day, which meant that someone had notified her, and it didn’t take much thought to figure out who that was.

Tsunade patted Cain on the shoulder and said, “Since Natsukawa says so, why don’t you come with me?”

“Okay, then I’ll leave it to you, Manager Natsukawa.”

Cain nodded and handed the money for the purchases to Natsukawa before following Tsunade to the izakaya. This guy had two hobbies, drinking and gambling. Even if there was a small-scale battle on the front line, Tsunade could still immerse herself in the joy of the bar and the casino.

“This is the first time Cain-san has called me Manager Natsukawa. It’s recognition of my ability, right?”

Natsukawa thought about it and felt it was possible, then turned and went back to the store, ready to ask two people to help her tidy up Cain’s room. The cleaning had already been done, but furniture and household items were still lacking.

After arriving at the izakaya, Tsunade skillfully ordered a few bottles of shochu and some grilled meat skewers and other small dishes. In contrast, Cain ordered a cup of tea and a bowl of noodles. He was really a bit hungry, and since he couldn’t go home to eat, he would make do here.

When the shochu arrived, Cain once again declined Tsunade’s offer to pour him a drink. Tsunade murmured a few times about how boring he was before drinking a few cups herself.

“Tsunade-san, we know each other, so please state your purpose directly.”

After eating a few bites of noodles and finding the taste mediocre, Cain pushed the bowl aside and said to Tsunade.

This guy is too reckless when he drinks. If he gets drunk, he won’t have the energy or the intention to take Tsunade back. He doesn’t have the strength or the motivation for it.

“You’ve figured it out?” Tsunade’s face was a bit red, either from the alcohol or from embarrassment.

“Now that you’ve figured it out, I won’t beat around the bush. Konoha wants to purchase another batch of medicine. This time, you should bring a lot with you.”

After putting down her cup, Tsunade said to Cain. The medicine at Konoha Hospital had already run out. With many injured patients accumulated from the earlier battles and the need for medicine on the Grass Country battlefield, members of various ninja clans and injured soldiers flocked to Konoha Hospital. The medicine purchased last time was almost used up. Although the war in the Rain Country had basically ended, the Hidden Cloud Village near the border of the Soup Country was restless, and so were the Hidden Mist Village and others.

During a war, every ninja village had its own ulterior motives.

Cain nodded and asked, “Is Konoha still needing the same medicine and quantity as last time?”

“Yes, I hope you can sell this entire batch to Konoha,” Tsunade said, pausing briefly before choosing not to finish her sentence.

“But Konoha’s finances are tight, and we don’t have the money to buy the medicine, right, Tsunade-san?”

“I really can’t hide anything from you,” Tsunade rolled her eyes and poured herself another drink. Given her status, it took a lot of work for her to talk about credit. It seemed difficult to communicate with Cain regarding money matters, as seen from his decisive refusal to trade during their last encounter.

Although she knew it was difficult, Tsunade had a task to complete, so she asked, “So, can we buy a batch of medicines on credit?”

“I’m sorry, Tsunade-san, but medicines cannot be bought on credit. If you don’t have money, I accept valuable items like gold and jewelry for exchange,” Cain replied firmly. He couldn’t open that door, especially in the early stages of their business. If they buy on credit on the second transaction, it would only encourage more requests from Konoha in the future.

“Gold and jewelry? I’ll ask Sensei then. But our village’s finances are difficult now, and Daimyo’s funding has yet to arrive,” Tsunade said.

Cain quickly interrupted Tsunade’s drunken rambling with a serious expression. “Wait, Tsunade-sama. Please don’t tell me any confidential information about Konoha. I’m just a merchant here to make money. I have no interest in other matters.”

Tsunade restrained herself a little after hearing the words and then asked, “Uh, sorry about that. Sometimes I can’t control my mouth after drinking too much. But how is the work going for Natsukawa and the others?”

“It’s good. I have promised Natsukawa that once the business expands, her friends will be given priority.”

“Thank you so much. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be easy for the Senju clan to take care of them,” Tsunade said, feeling relieved. Many people fought on the battlefield because of her grandfather’s call. She would feel guilty if the Senju clan didn’t care for them.

“If my business expands to other parts of the Fire Country, can Natsukawa and the others leave the village?” Cain asked.

“Of course, it’s possible. Although some of them know ninjutsu, they are not ninjas. They can leave the village freely.” Tsunade replied casually.

This statement made Cain feel a little relieved. Compared to outsiders, the nameless members of the Senju clan were people that Cain could trust.

After chatting for a while, Cain left, and Tsunade planned to drink some more before leaving. The next day, Cain instructed Natsukawa about the pharmacy and prepared to leave for the capital of the Fire Country.

There, he would find the largest bookstore in the Fire Country. Cain believed that the ten novels he brought would perfectly match the current taste of the ninja world. Five of them were very violent, and five were very suggestive.

In this world of frequent warfare among ninjas, only well-rounded and fulfilling books can comfort the unsettled people at the heart of the ninja world.

However, before Cain left Konoha, a member of the ANBU found him. “Mr Cain, the Hokage requests your presence.”