The blond thug froze for a moment, staring at the banknotes on the table as his eyes slowly lit up.
"One hundred thousand ryo?"
"I can do that. Absolutely!"
Chikage pointed at the banknotes on the table, his tone even.
"You can have the money."
"But the receipt needs to itemize everything clearly."
"Key lead fees, informant liaison fees, ongoing surveillance fees. Don't leave anything out."
"Stamp it with your tavern's seal."
The blond thug nodded repeatedly.
"Understood. Please wait a moment, sir."
"I'll arrange the manpower right away!"
In less than two minutes, Chikage received a stamped receipt itemizing one hundred thousand ryo in intelligence expenses.
Chikage carefully checked the amounts and descriptions, then folded the receipt with satisfaction and tucked it into his Ninja Tool Pouch.
"I want the first batch of information before noon tomorrow."
The blond thug thumped his chest in assurance.
"Rest assured, sir."
"If it's still breathing in the black market here in Hot Water Town, it won't escape our eyes."
After leaving the tavern, Chikage headed straight for the finest barbecue restaurant in town.
He ordered a tableful of premium marbled beef and ate it all by himself, grease coating his lips.
When he settled the bill, the meal came to five thousand ryo.
Chikage took out another forty-five thousand ryo and handed it to the restaurant owner.
"Boss, besides this meal, prepare five days' worth of high-calorie portable meals, medicinal dishes, and supplies for nighttime patrols."
"Deliver them to the Hot Springs Inn in batches."
"Also, issue a receipt for fifty thousand ryo in food supplies."
"List it as special-purpose meals and hospitality expenses for joint law enforcement."
The restaurant owner knew how things worked, too. He accepted the money and nodded repeatedly.
"Rest assured, sir."
"Dried meat, rice balls, medicinal dishes,