Marvel: Trading with Worlds

"Kushina, don't worry about it. Just let her be," Kain said, then turned to Nanami. "By the way, Nanami, is Tsunade still in the village?"

Nanami paused, recalling her recent encounter with Tsunade. "Yes, Master Tsunade hasn't left the village. I actually saw her just the other day."

Kain nodded thoughtfully. "Alright, could you reach out to her? If she has the time, I'd like to invite her for a drink. Let's say, in the private room on the second floor of Kain's izakaya."

"Understood," Nanami replied, then moved on to discuss other matters concerning their establishments.

Kain's businesses in Konoha were thriving. All thirteen shops he owned were drawing in steady profits, with only the pharmacy showing a bit of a slump. This wasn't unexpected; the ninja world had entered a period of temporary peace, reducing demand for medicine. Still, his other ventures, particularly the game store, dessert shop, and izakaya, had essentially become staples in Konoha's commercial life. These popular spots had made Kain's commercial street the go-to area in Konoha for food, drink, and entertainment.

Even the typically reserved Uchiha clan members were known to visit for desserts, apparently drawn to the confectionary selection. As more people gathered here, his shops continued to flourish, and with that, Kain's influence in Konoha grew as well.

Kain's reputation also extended beyond commerce. For over a year, he'd been consistently sponsoring the local orphanage. His monthly contribution of 2.1 million ryo allowed the orphanage to care for countless war orphans, children who would otherwise have been homeless. About six months ago, the sponsorship amount had been increased from 500,000 to 700,000 ryo to meet the needs of the growing number of children. Now, three orphanages were sheltering more than 300 war orphans, something Konoha's budget wouldn't have been able to sustain alone.

The impact was visible. Thirteen children from the orphanage had already entered the ninja academy, thanks to Kain's support. Among them, Yakushi Nono stood out as exceptionally gifted, ranking fourth in her class. Though her performance in physical combat needed some improvement, she consistently topped her class in theoretical studies. She even took it upon herself to occasionally pass on small pieces of information she overheard at school, regarding the families of her classmates. Though Kain hadn't asked her to do this, he appreciated her initiative.

After Nanami left, Kain waited for evening, hoping Tsunade might be available. He knew she was likely busy with her medical reforms, which had made her more prominent recently, though it had little to do with her reputation as one of the Sannin. Despite his frequent travels, Kain kept his Konoha residence meticulously clean and under surveillance, with cameras set up around the property. So far, no one other than the cleaning staff had trespassed.

Soon, a familiar voice called out from outside, followed by a rapid succession of footsteps. After one incident involving a pricey situation, Kushina had developed a respectful habit of knocking before entering his home.

"Come in," Kain called.

The door opened, and a small head of red hair poked through. Upon seeing Kain seated at the tea table, Kushina broke into a smile, entering and pouring herself a cup of tea as she took a seat across from him.

"Boss, I didn't think you'd be back so soon!" she greeted cheerfully.

Kain smiled, half-joking, "What surprises me more is that you seem to know the exact moment I return. You graduated from the academy, right? Congratulations, Kushina."

Kushina's face lit up with pride as she flipped her hair, revealing her forehead protector. "Yep! And not just that, I graduated third in my class!"

"Impressive," Kain praised, reaching into a nearby box to hand her a piece of chocolate as a "gift."

Kushina's excitement deflated. She looked at him with an exaggerated pout, clearly displeased. "Boss, seriously? A single piece of chocolate?"

Kain chuckled at her reaction and stood up. "Alright, alright. Wait here—I'll find something a bit more special."

With a hint of expectation in her eyes, Kushina sat back, watching as he disappeared into another room. Kain scanned his space backpack, looking for something suitable. After a moment, he emerged carrying an extravagant multi-layered cake. Kushina's eyes widened as she beheld it, her mouth dropping open in delight.

"Boss, is this really for me?" she asked, her voice tinged with excitement as she restrained herself from reaching out too soon.

"Yep," Kain said with a smile, setting the cake before her. "It's all yours. Just remember to eat it tonight; it won't last much longer."

Kushina nodded enthusiastically. "Then I'll invite my teammates to share it! Will you join us, Boss?"

Kain shook his head. "I'll pass this time. I have other things to take care of tonight. Go and celebrate with your friends."

Kushina stayed for a while, chatting about her recent achievements at the academy, before finally saying her goodbyes. Kain walked her to the door, watching as she struggled to carry the large cake. The sight was amusing: Kushina, her face almost hidden behind the towering dessert, craning her neck to see past it.

As they approached the street, Kain sensed a subtle shift in the air and noticed a figure lingering near a telephone pole in the distance. He nudged Kushina and whispered, "Do you know that person over there?"

Kushina squinted at the boy trying, rather unconvincingly, to look nonchalant. "That's Namikaze Minato, a classmate from the academy," she replied, clearly unimpressed. "But he's always so shy when he talks, and he even laughed at me once! What's he doing here?"

Kain chuckled, "Maybe he's here to celebrate with you."

Kushina scrunched her nose. "I'm not celebrating with someone who laughed at me. I'll see you later, Boss!"

With that, she took cautious steps down the street, balancing the cake carefully to avoid damaging it. Kain stayed where he was, watching with a faint smile as she made her way home, occasionally glancing back to make sure she was on track.

Kain lingered a moment longer, his thoughts briefly on Kushina and her growing skill and confidence. He turned, his mind shifting back to business matters. Soon enough, he'd have to follow up with Tsunade about the sponsorship plans and medical initiatives he'd discussed with her. For now, though, he let himself savor the moment of peace.

Back inside, he resumed his preparations, his thoughts settling. Tonight, his work was far from over.

….

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