Return to the Marvel Universe

"Made it back safely!"

After returning, Karn glanced around. He was indeed in his own living room. Then he looked at the clock and exclaimed in surprise,

"Only two days have passed? Time runs at a five-to-one ratio."

Karn brought up the Trading System's panel. After reading its explanation, he understood what was happening. This was the initial time ratio after establishing a world as a trading destination, but as trade became more frequent and extensive, the time ratio between the two worlds would return to normal. The effect also worked both ways.

"It'll get better later. For now, I'll have to live with it."

Those were the Trading System's rules, and Karn couldn't change them. All he could do was use this cheat to grow stronger as quickly as possible.

His first trading trip hadn't yielded much. Aside from his assets and money in the Hokage Universe, Karn's biggest gain was the fifty-odd kilograms of gold. Selling it all at the current international gold price would net him a modest profit. He had barely used the guns he'd brought to protect himself, so he could keep them for when he established his own organization.

Once Karn's organization in the Hokage Universe had developed, he could approach Orochimaru. The only reason that man worked with Danzo was that Root could provide money, research materials, and Hashirama Cells. Karn could supply Orochimaru with everything except the last of those.

And when it came to biological research, Karn believed some of the research in the Marvel Universe would hold a powerful appeal for Orochimaru.

"I need to establish a trading company as a cover, a biotech company, and a channel for selling gold..."

For now, Karn could still use his connections to sell a few dozen kilograms of gold at a time. But if the amount he traded kept growing, someone would definitely start watching him.

"Only two days have passed, and nothing much has happened. Before my next trip to the Hokage Universe, I have to get the companies registered. I'll hire a lawyer."

Karn checked the letters that had accumulated in his mailbox. Nothing requiring his attention had happened.

Then Karn recalled the supplies that were scarce in the Hokage Universe and finally decided to order more food and medicine. During wartime, those were the only two things that served as hard currency. Even Konoha's produce market was practically deserted, since there was little to sell and supplies were tight across the board.

After making two calls to order another batch of goods, Karn called Carl's father, planning to visit his home that evening.

Carl couldn't help him find a lawyer to register his companies. Only her father, a top broker who regularly worked on Wall Street, could help him with that.

After witnessing another world through his cheat, Karn felt that going to college no longer mattered much.

That evening, knowing Karn wanted to ask him a favor, Carl's father, Connor, specifically canceled his other plans and went home to prepare dinner. It wasn't particularly delicious, but he had made it himself.

Steamed bass dipped in soy sauce. Who knew where Connor had picked up that recipe, but he thought it tasted wonderful.

Long ago, Carl had fooled Connor to get some spending money. Over time, he had come to genuinely believe he was a good cook. For Karn's visit, he steamed three bass and poured out three small dishes of soy sauce.

When Karn arrived, Connor led him straight to a seat at the dining table. "Karn, give my cooking a try. Today's bass is very fresh. If I find fish this fresh again, I might try eating it raw with wasabi."

"Uh, thank you, Uncle Connor."

Karn cut off a small piece of bass, put it straight into his mouth, and swallowed it, then hurriedly washed it down with some juice. After that, he decisively got down to business.

"Uncle Connor, I'd like to start two companies, so I wanted to ask if you know anyone who handles that sort of thing. And if I want to hire managers, where should I look?"

The moment Karn finished speaking, Carl excitedly waved her knife and fork beside him. "Awesome, bro! I've always thought the Wall Street Inazuma Company sounded much better than the Inazuma Combo. You're finally..."

"Hold on, Carl. This has nothing to do with Inazuma. We can talk about that another time. I want to register a trading company and a biotech company."

Karn hurriedly cut Carl off. She really did have considerable talent in finance, but even with college approaching, she still hadn't outgrown her adolescent delusions of grandeur.

"Registering companies? I happen to know someone who handles that. I'll find his business card for you later." Connor thought about where he'd left the card, then continued, "Karn, are you sure you want to register trading and biotech companies, rather than a securities company?"

"I'll be getting into that too, but these two are more important to me, Uncle Connor."

Hearing Karn's firm answer, Connor knew he had already made up his mind.

His daughter's classmate had been remarkably independent-minded for years. Connor also greatly admired his ability to learn and his keen financial instincts. A year ago, he had stopped treating Karn as a youngster and started treating him as a peer.

Especially after analyzing the moves Karn and his daughter had made a few days earlier, Connor had seen enormous potential. He had therefore gathered a substantial amount of money, ready to follow his daughter's lead and make a profit.

Since Karn was asking him about this now, he must already have a plan. Trading and biotech simply weren't Connor's areas of expertise. If it had been a securities company, Connor would definitely have wanted to buy a stake and quit his job to join it.

By the end of dinner, Karn had successfully obtained a contact through Connor. Connor also gave him his word that he would speak to the man before Karn got in touch.

The next day, Karn went to the address on the business card and found the firm Connor had recommended. After being welcomed, he explained what he needed.

Registering companies was a minor matter and easily handled. If he left it to them, they could finish in three days. If he also needed help renting office space, they could take care of that as well with just two additional days.

To save himself the trouble, Karn simply left everything to them. Although it would take a few extra days, it would save him a great deal of his own time.

He needed a trading company as a cover. It didn't have to make money, but it did have to be capable of handling large volumes of goods. Building it from scratch would be troublesome, though, so Karn needed to hire several more assistants who could carry out his orders flawlessly.

At this stage, it would be enough to find someone who was honest and obedient and could execute his orders perfectly. Only once the company gradually grew would Karn need someone capable of overseeing the whole operation, like Pepper Potts at Stark Industries.