Expanding the Business

"You didn't detect anyone else?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression grew slightly grave as he asked the ANBU to confirm again. No matter how many times he asked, their answer remained the same.

"Yes, Lord Hokage. We investigated everyone who entered or left the warehouse Karn rented in Kawaki Town. So far, we haven't found out who put the medicines and supplies inside."

The ANBU knelt on one knee as he reported to the Third Hokage. Strictly speaking, their surveillance mission had been a failure, since they hadn't found the person responsible.

Hiruzen Sarutobi murmured in confusion, "Someone who could evade all three of you must have considerable backing. Which faction's shinobi are they? Why help Konoha this way?"

In just one day-no, less than a day-over a hundred crates of medicines and medical supplies had been transported to Kawaki Town. They might have been prepared in advance, but the ANBU had definitely inspected the warehouse Karn rented.

Mitokado Homura said thoughtfully, "If they're shinobi from another faction, they wouldn't go to such lengths to help Konoha. Besides, Koharu has already instructed Konoha Hospital to inspect this entire shipment carefully. If they wanted to tamper with the medicines, there's no way they could succeed."

"These medicines have never appeared in the shinobi world, either. Hiruzen, should we keep sending ANBU to other countries to investigate who's behind this man?"

Utatane Koharu posed the question. If they truly couldn't find any information about whoever stood behind Karn, perhaps they should use other methods to extract it directly from him.

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a puff of his pipe and didn't answer immediately. After thinking for a while, he finally said, "Let's hold off for now. We're still at war. As long as there's nothing wrong with the medicines, Konoha comes out ahead."

All it had cost them was thirty million ryo, a few properties in Konoha, and some gold seized on the battlefield. The Land of Wind had plenty of mineral deposits. During its battles with Sunagakure, Konoha often sent people to raid its supply lines or merchant caravans within its borders, acquiring considerable amounts of gold and other ores.

Before long, another ANBU entered the Hokage's Office and immediately reported to Hiruzen Sarutobi, "Lord Hokage, Konoha Hospital has sent word. Lady Tsunade has led the inspection of half the medicines, and all of them have passed. Some have already been administered to the wounded. They expect to finish inspecting the remaining half by noon tomorrow."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, finally feeling a little happier at the news. "Tell Tsunade to send some medicines and medical supplies with the next rotation of medical ninja to the battlefield in the Land of Grass. The wounded on the front lines are putting them under considerable pressure, too."

"Yes, Lord Hokage."

With a large supply of medicines, the situation at Konoha Hospital finally eased somewhat. Tsunade had also hired quite a few attentive women from Konoha to work alongside the medical ninja, learning bandaging and suturing techniques or handling other tasks. This greatly reduced the medical ninja's workload.

Karn knew little about what was happening at Konoha Hospital. Right now, he only wanted to get his two shops open. After looking around, he also realized that his location wasn't particularly out of the way. If he bought the remaining buildings, he could develop the area into a shopping and entertainment street for the evening crowds.

First, though, he needed to hire some staff. Whether he was in the shinobi world or not, Karn couldn't possibly manage all these shops himself.

He didn't know much about hiring here, however. After giving it some thought, Karn decided to ask Tsunade.

That afternoon, Karn went to the entrance of Konoha Hospital. After asking around, he learned that Tsunade was still busy, so he waited outside for her to come out. It wasn't until the sky had darkened that she finally appeared.

"Are you here to see me about something?"

As soon as Tsunade walked out of Konoha Hospital, she spotted Karn by the entrance and approached him.

"I wanted to ask you about something-hiring staff."

Before Karn could finish, Tsunade interrupted him. "Let's talk about it over dinner. I've been busy all this time and still haven't eaten."

With little choice, Karn followed Tsunade to an izakaya. Only after the dishes she ordered began arriving did he explain what he needed.

"Hiring staff? That's easy. I'll take care of it for you tomorrow, as thanks for that summary of battlefield first aid techniques you gave me. What are your requirements?"

Karn thought for a moment, then said, "Nothing complicated. They just need to be honest, willing to follow instructions, and attentive. I'll need five to start with, and probably more later. As for pay, I won't shortchange them."

"I see..."

Tsunade suddenly remembered that quite a few families in her clan had lost their main source of income when their breadwinners died in battle. Although Konoha provided death benefits, that money was barely a drop in the bucket compared with their future living expenses. They were now living entirely on subsidies from the Senju Clan.

But the Senju Clan's savings weren't inexhaustible. Tsunade's grandfather had also donated most of the clan's funds to help build the village. Now that it had to cover the expenses of over a hundred families each month, the Senju Clan wouldn't be able to keep this up for long.

Opportunities to earn money in Konoha were pitifully scarce, however, so those clan members were the first people Tsunade thought of when she heard what Karn needed.

"In that case, there are some people I'd like to recommend."

Tsunade then told Karn about those members of her clan. They were mostly widows whose husbands had died.

After hearing her out, Karn considered it briefly, then nodded in agreement. "Sure, let's hire them. Have them come see me tomorrow. Thanks for your help, Tsunade-san. I have something else to do, so I'll be going."

With that, Karn settled the bill with the owner and left the izakaya.

Only after Karn had left did Tsunade react. She clicked her tongue and said, "That guy really does leave the moment he's finished talking!"

The next morning.

The people Tsunade had recommended arrived at the shop.

Karn had also more or less finished having the shop tidied up. All that remained was to stock the shelves.

"Karn-san, Lady Tsunade sent us."

There were five of them, all women. The Senju Clan had suffered the most during the first two Shinobi World Wars. Although its members no longer bore the Senju surname, they were still among the first to volunteer for the battlefield. As a result, many had never returned.

Since the arrangements had already been discussed, Karn asked their names and appointed the woman who seemed the most levelheaded as shop manager. The others would stock shelves, clean, handle the register, and take care of similar duties.

Karn spent some time explaining the shop to the five women in detail. It would mainly sell staple foods and other groceries, with additional snacks to follow once the business expanded. He would go outside the village that afternoon to bring in the goods. He had already worked out the prices and checkout procedures, and he knew exactly how much profit he could make from each sale.

Once he was satisfied that the women were suitable, Karn left the village. Outside Konoha, he prepared to take all the food out of his backpack and transport it into the village for sale.