At the convergence of the bustling streets on Konoha's western side stood a place countless merchants dreamed of.
At that moment, in the luxurious office of the Foreign Trade Department, Empress Kurenai—Yūhi Kurenai—who normally handled transactions worth millions, tens of millions, or even hundreds of millions of ryō each day, had just completed several orders worth trillions with Konoha's Hokage's Assistant.
Kurenai slumped exhaustedly in her chair. Her black-and-red kimono was covered in wrinkles, her hair soaked with sweat, and her legs hung limply to the floor, trembling without stop. Though she was deeply unwilling to accept it, her body would not obey her commands.
She knew this transaction could only be forcibly brought to an end.
Even so, Kurenai's crimson eyes remained fixed on Senya as she stubbornly issued an invitation for their next transaction.
"This one doesn't count. We'll stop here for today. After the Chunin Exams, I'll come settle the score with you."
With that, she took two specially made Ration Pills from the drawer, placed them in her mouth, and crunched them apart.
Watching Kurenai's mouth move, Senya instinctively clamped his legs together, a chill running down his back.
Tch. He really hadn't expected it. In just three short years, Kurenai had become such a competitive woman.
Still, he did not dislike that about her. If anything, it gave him an experience he had never felt before.
"Tell me, what did you come to see me for? Don't tell me you simply missed me."
"I came to see you."
"You brat, if there wasn't anything important, you wouldn't have come looking for me this morning. You should've shown up at my house tonight instead."
After swallowing the two special Ration Pills, Kurenai's condition improved considerably. Though she was still somewhat weak all over, at least while