Preparations (Part 2)

Early in the morning, Xian Yu followed Danzo to the Hokage Building.

"Creating the Xian Yu Company and Xingxin Internet Cafe to boost Konoha's economy... shares?" Hiruzen Sarutobi carefully read through the proposal his old friend had brought him. Since many of the terms in it were unfamiliar, he looked toward the child who appeared to be eight or nine, standing beside Danzo, and waited for an explanation.

The signature at the bottom of the proposal was Shimura Xian Yu's. The company had also been named after him.

"Lord Hokage, it's like this. This document describes the research findings of Hiruko, head of the Technology Department at my Xian Yu Company." As Xian Yu spoke, he handed over concept drawings of the computer and the Internet, along with their explanations. "Our company plans to open an Xingxin Internet Café at 7 East Street in Konoha. Customers will be able to enjoy themselves using these machines called 'computers.' We'll also introduce a companion product called the 'Fruit Machine,' which can be used to make long-distance calls. We hope to receive your approval."

Hiruzen was cautious about such novel, unknown things. No one knew whether they might cause harm in the future, so he hesitated.

Seeing this, Xian Yu brought out several more prepared documents. "This is a letter of responsibility. We'll strictly abide by Konoha's laws and regulations. If our products cause any harm, we're willing to accept full responsibility and cover all losses."

"This is a contract. If the Konoha Administration Office needs them, we'll provide computers and Fruit Machines at prices far below the market rate."

"This is a share agreement for Xingxin Internet Cafe. After deducting operating and labor costs, ten percent of all revenue from our Xingxin Internet Cafes will go to Konoha. My proposal includes detailed figures and an assessment of its feasibility. As long as nothing unexpected happens, those shares will provide the Konoha Finance Department with at least one million, and possibly several million, in revenue every year. It may not seem like much, but over time it'll help ease Konoha's financial burden."

At this point, Xian Yu couldn't help secretly laughing to himself. He didn't know what things were like in the Land of Fire, but Konoha didn't collect taxes!

It only charged merchants in the trade market a tiny amount in trade fees.

Still, Xian Yu wouldn't try to take advantage of that just to save a little. Although a fixed sum rather than a percentage of the shares would earn him more in the future, Hiruzen didn't yet understand that sort of thing.

But in the long run, offering shares directly and tying his interests to the village's was clearly the better path for growth.

"Danzō! What are you hesitating for? Make a decision already! It's all for the village!" Danzo, who had been sitting quietly to the side, watched his kid put on a good showing, then slapped the table and shouted at his indecisive close friend.

He'd gradually come to feel that Hiruzen had become more and more cautious over the years, and more and more timid as well. He always hesitated when it came to getting things done. Danzo had already reviewed all these documents himself, and he saw nothing wrong with them! It was all for the village!

Besides, that little brat of his was usually as listless as a dead fish. He'd finally shown some drive for once. Wasn't he supposed to support him?

Before long, Xian Yu left the Hokage Building, pleased with a contract bearing the signatures of Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi and Hokage Advisor Shimura Danzo.

In the end, Hiruzen hadn't been able to resist the stubborn Danzo. Considering that there didn't seem to be any major issues, he'd finally signed off, warning them that if anything went wrong, Xian Yu would answer for it.

This time, Xian Yu had not only secured the Third Hokage's support and official permission from Konoha to hire workers, but also a personal loan of five million ryo from Danzo.

And as he was leaving, he'd taken the Bronze Treasure Chest that had sat beside the Hokage's desk—the one he'd coveted for ages but never been able to get—and tucked it into the fifth slot of his Space Backpack.

Unfortunately, opening the Bronze Treasure Chest cost one and a half million. With money so tight, he couldn't afford to spend any of his ryo on it for now.

After leaving the Hokage Building, Xian Yu didn't go home. Instead, he headed to the Konoha Orphanage.

This was his next target.

It was called an orphanage, but it was really just an ordinary courtyard. The wooden building had seen better days, and the place carried a faint air of neglect.

"Excuse me, is your director here?" Xian Yu asked a few little children playing in the courtyard.

"Big brother, are you here to see the director? He went out to work." One of the children, a boy a little older than the others, came forward. He gazed at the big brother before him with wide, innocent eyes. The boy looked about eight or nine and had a crossed scar on his chin.

Out working? Oh, right. Maybe he was trying to improve the children's meals. What a good director.

"Mm. Do you know where he works? I have something important to discuss with him." Xian Yu looked at the child, who was only three years old and wore shabby, patched clothes, and asked gently.

Some of these children were war orphans; others were survivors whose villages had been attacked by bandits and thugs, brought back by Konoha's ninjas.

Konoha only provided a little support out of humanitarian concern, and it really wasn't much.

Just looking at the children's clothes made it clear how scarce their supplies were.

Xian Yu's plan was to teach them to fish rather than simply give them fish. At first, he'd wanted to take in all the children himself, to the point that the Konoha Orphanage wouldn't need to exist anymore. Whenever war orphans were brought back, he'd take them all in, train them, and put them to work as a source of talent for his company.

But after hearing how much the current orphanage director cared for the children, perhaps it would be better to let the director continue looking after them.

He'd meet the director first and decide what to do afterward.

"Big brother, I know where he is, but I can't explain how to get there. I'll take you myself." The three-year-old boy wasn't shy at all. He eagerly offered to show the way.

After all, this was Konoha. The Police Force patrolled the streets, and Anbu guarded the village's outskirts.

The child might have been tiny, but Xian Yu could tell he was highly alert. If he didn't know how good Konoha's security was, how could he so readily go with a stranger?

Never underestimate how mature an orphan can be. Sometimes even a child of just a few years is heartbreakingly grown-up...

"Big brother, it's just ahead." Following the boy to the largest logistics market by Konoha South Gate, Xian Yu couldn't help feeling nostalgic. The last time he'd left Konoha with Shinozaki Ayumi, he'd boarded the Huaqi Caravan's wagons here.

Everyone here looked busy, scrambling to make a living. Most were ordinary people who couldn't use ninjutsu. Every day, they came here looking for temporary work to support their families.

The logistics market gave many villagers without steady jobs or incomes a way to earn money. The work was hard and hectic, but everyone here had happy smiles on their faces. Behind each person's hard work was usually a hungry child and a family waiting for them.

At least Konoha had no bandits or highwaymen, and no thugs dared cause trouble here. If they worked a little harder, then harder still, then harder than that, the people depending on them would live better.

"Big brother, the person moving that big wooden crate is our director."

Following the boy's pointing finger, Xian Yu stared in shock. "Why is it her..."