Hunger Marketing

Namikaze Yoru faced more than a dozen Kirigakure Anbu surrounding him, still wearing that harmless smile, though his mind had already run through more than a dozen ways to escape.

"Honored ninja, everyone." He pretended to panic as he wiped sweat that wasn't there from his forehead.

"I'm just a traveling merchant, making a living from small sales. The war has only just ended, and I thought the Land of Water must be short on supplies, so I took a chance and came to try my luck."

The Mist Ninja at the head narrowed his eyes, his sharp gaze sweeping over Yoru. "A merchant? At a sensitive time like this, what respectable trader would come to the Land of Water alone?"

"Oh, sir, there's something you don't know." Namikaze Yoru sighed, putting on an utterly woebegone expression with all the skill of an actor.

"Big caravans think this road is too dangerous, and their transport fees are terrifyingly high. Small-time traders like me have no choice but to do the hard work ourselves."

As he spoke, he deftly opened his pack. The dazzling array of small goods immediately caught everyone's attention.

"See? These are all everyday items. Combs, mirrors, needles and thread, soap... Which of them looks dangerous?"

Among the Mist Ninja, a young kunoichi kept glancing at an exquisitely crafted wooden comb.

Namikaze Yoru immediately picked up on the detail and began enthusiastically pitching it. "You have a good eye, miss! This is made from sandalwood, a specialty of the Land of Fire. It won't make your hair static, and it even has a lovely fragrance. If you like it, how about I give it to you?"

He offered her the comb with a broad smile, though his face showed just the right hint of reluctance, perfectly capturing the shrewdness of a small-time trader.

"Enough nonsense."

The leader scolded him, but his tone was no longer as harsh as before.

Seeing this, Namikaze Yoru immediately took a delicate porcelain jar from his pack.

"Sir, you're out on missions, and the Land of Water's environment means you have to put up with strong sea winds and sunlight. Your hair looks a little dry and damaged. Take a look at this—Sidan Kang, a specialty of the Land of Fire. It's specially made to repair and nourish your hair."

Like a real salesman, he waxed lyrical about an ordinary bottle of hair oil, as if using it could bring anyone's hair back to life.

Several Mist Ninja listened with interest. Even the squad leader unconsciously reached up to touch his hair.

Seeing the tension ease, Namikaze Yoru seized the opportunity to make a suggestion. "You've all worked hard on duty. Please accept these little trinkets as a token of my appreciation. Sorry for the trouble, but could you let me into town to do a little business?"

He made sure to emphasize "a little business," implying that he only wanted to make money and absolutely wouldn't cause trouble.

The jonin examined the assortment of odds and ends and found no flaws. At last, he waved a hand.

"Go in, but you can't enter the village proper. You can only stay in the towns nearby. If we catch you doing anything suspicious..." He made a slicing gesture across his throat.

"Understood, understood. I know the rules." Namikaze Yoru nodded repeatedly, wisely leaving the samples he'd already given them with the group.

After passing through the checkpoint without a hitch, Namikaze Yoru leisurely made his way with his wares to the small town on the outskirts of Kirigakure.

The town was more prosperous than he'd expected. Perhaps because of its location, the shops all sold a very narrow range of goods, mostly handicrafts made from seafood and shells, or various kinds of aquatic products.

It seems trade in the Land of Water really is underdeveloped. Namikaze Yoru mused, keenly recognizing a business opportunity.

He chose a street corner in the town center and set up his stall, laying out his wares in neat rows.

At first, many people were curious about his little stall and stopped to look, but no one came over.

Namikaze Yoru wasn't in a hurry. He took out a delicate folding mirror and began fixing his hair, occasionally scooping some "Sidan Kang" from a small jar beside him and rubbing it into his hair.

His actions naturally caught the attention of a few young people.

"Um... how much is that mirror?" asked a cheerful-looking young woman.

"Excellent taste!" Namikaze Yoru instantly put on his professional smile.

"This is a premium new product from the Artisan Country. It gives a clear reflection, and the best part is that it's small and foldable, perfect for carrying around. It's my first day in business, so everything's twenty percent off."

Namikaze Yoru imitated the salesmen he remembered from his previous life, recommending his goods with a silver tongue.

The people of the Land of Water had never seen anything like this. They bought not only the folding mirror, but also combs and a few accessories.

Soon, after his first sale, curious townspeople began crowding around his stall.

"Boss, how much is that Sidan Kang of yours?"

"Do you have any other styles of that sandalwood comb?"

"Is everything on sale?"

Namikaze Yoru handled the questions with ease. His prices were fair, and he occasionally threw in a little free gift.

He brought out every ounce of a trader's slickness, complimenting everyone he met.

He praised the young men and women for their good looks and youth; he complimented middle-aged women on their skill at managing a household. Even the cold-faced ninja who passed by was talked into buying a few of his supposedly "essential travel items."

By the end of the day, Namikaze Yoru's purse was considerably heavier. As he packed up, he deliberately called out to everyone:

"Business was good today. I'll be back here tomorrow. My dear customers, don't miss out—whether it's wind or rain, I'll be right here waiting for you."

He was speaking not only to his customers, but also to the Mist Ninja watching him from the shadows.

After closing up, Namikaze Yoru casually checked into a rather run-down inn in town. The room was shabby, but it suited his identity as a small-time trader.

As he counted his earnings, he was pleasantly surprised to find that even after the discount, he'd made far more than he would from an ordinary mission.

The next day, as soon as he set up his stall, he saw plenty of familiar faces from the day before already waiting nearby.

"Boss, that whatever-it-was yesterday worked pretty well. Give me another bottle."

"How much do you have left? Give me two bottles."

"Me too!"

Namikaze Yoru was secretly delighted, but put on a surprised expression. "Thank you, my dear customers, for your support. Since this is my first visit, I didn't bring enough stock."

He deliberately created a sense of scarcity, prompting people to rush to buy. When there was very little left, he even started limiting purchases, while giving away his other small goods with purchases.

In less than half a day, he had sold everything he'd brought, and business had been exceptionally brisk.

To the townspeople who hadn't managed to buy anything, he said there was no need to worry. He'd be making the trip again before long and would bring another batch of goods. If they needed anything in particular, he could even buy it for them.

After selling out, he didn't hurry to leave. Instead, he made a show of purchasing large quantities of the Land of Water's specialties to take back and sell in the Land of Fire. He even haggled from time to time, playing the part of a trader to perfection.

Of course, he didn't forget his mission. Even though he only had time to take a look around while shopping, once he activated his Mind's Eye of the Kagura, he took in a wealth of information.