Hashirama had planned to collect 800,000 taels from the very beginning.
Each of the preceding numbers was designed to make the final bill seem less unexpected.
But 800,000 taels is 800,000 taels.
No matter how you calculate it, it's enough to scare an ordinary ninja into fainting.
Jiraiya slammed his hand on the table and stood up.
"Eight hundred thousand taels?"
"I only drank two bottles of wine!"
"Is this wine made of gold?"
Ban looked up at him.
"You have a problem with that?"
Jiraiya met those cold eyes, and his voice immediately lowered.
"I just think the accounts should be fair."
Hashirama nodded.
"Fair enough."
"You drink two bottles, so I'll charge you for both."
"The third bottle wasn't counted."
Jiraiya almost couldn't catch his breath.
Is this what you call fair?
One bottle costs 350,000, two bottles cost 700,000, and after a 20% discount, the price is 800,000.
The accounts don't add up at all.
He turned to look at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Old man, say something!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood still, the wrinkles on his face appearing to deepen.
What did he say?
Bargaining with the First Hokage?
Or should I explain the normal prices of alcoholic beverages in Konoha to Madara Uchiha?
Hashirama and Madara stood on either side of the bar.
Zhang Yu, the actual tavern owner, was still sitting in the back.
There is no one here whom he can easily offend.
Moreover, Jiraiya had indeed been drinking.
They defaulted on their debt first.
It's true that they asked someone to settle the bill.
Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced down at the 200,000 taels he had brought with him, and felt a tightness in his chest.
He originally thought he was well prepared.
As a result, faced with a bill of 800,000 taels, this 200,000 taels was simply not enough.
Hiruzen Sarutobi his pipe tightly.
" Lord First."
I only brought two hundred thousand taels with me today.
Hashirama glanced at the money notes in his hand.
"We're still short 600,000 taels."
I really don't have any more.
"What should we do then?"
Hashirama looked troubled.
" Monkey, the tavern doesn't offer credit."
"That's the rule."
Hiruzen Sarutobi was almost internally injured by those words.
Can't you buy on credit at a pub?
Who wrote those IOUs before?
Who ordered Amas to pay the exorbitant settlement?
This place is clearly best at getting people into debt.
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Zhang Yu.
" Boss Zhang Yu."
Could you grant me one more day?
"I'll bring the rest of the money tomorrow."
Before Zhang Yu could speak, Hashirama shook his head.
"No."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart sank.
Hashirama added, "Words are no proof."
"You need to write an IOU."
Hiruzen Sarutobi closed his eyes.
really.
He shouldn't have had any illusions about the Undead Tavern.
Jiraiya sat beside him, looking somewhat embarrassed.
"Old man, how about I pay this back myself later?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi glared at him suddenly.
"Will you pay me back later?"
When are you going to pay me back?
"After some time."
"How long?"
"Wait until the new book sells."
Have you finished writing your new book?
Jiraiya fell silent.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's forehead veins throbbed.
The new book isn't finished yet.
The payment for the manuscript has vanished without a trace.
Hoping Jiraiya will pay back the money is a pipe dream; who knows when that will happen?
With interest added, the 600,000 taels at the Undead Tavern could probably turn into 6 million taels.
This tavern is absolutely capable of doing something like that.
Hiruzen Sarutobi dared not gamble.
He picked up the pen and paper from the bar.
"I wrote."
Jiraiya felt a little guilty seeing his teacher bend down.
"Old man..."
"Shut up."
Hiruzen Sarutobi gritted his teeth and wrote down the IOU.
Two bottles of Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor).
The total price is 800,000 taels.
Two hundred thousand taels have already been paid.
Six hundred thousand taels are still owed.
Deliver it to the Undead Tavern tomorrow.
With each line he wrote, his heart bled.
Not long after the incident of buying wine for 7.2 million taels of silver.
The ninja tools and assets that were sold have not yet been recovered.
Now there's another debt of 600,000 taels.
The Undead Tavern was practically a place designed to devour his entire fortune.
After writing the last character, Hiruzen Sarutobi signed his name below it.
Hashirama picked up the IOU and read it carefully.
"Your handwriting is quite good."
Hiruzen Sarutobi remained expressionless.
" The Lord First deserves the award."
Hashirama carefully put away the 200,000 tael notes and then handed the IOU to Zhang Yu.
"Boss, the bill is settled."
Zhang Yu took the IOU, looked at the 600,000 taels of silver on it, and nodded in satisfaction.
It started as a debt of only 150,000 taels.
With just a few words from Hashirama and Madara, the price was raised to 800,000 taels.
These two employees are getting better and better at generating revenue for the pub.
Especially Hashirama.
They even came up with a calculation method for raising prices after a 20% discount.
Most people really can't learn this.
Hashirama turned to look at Hiruzen Sarutobi and gave him earnest instructions.
" Monkey."
"Remember to bring the remaining 600,000 taels tomorrow."
"In the tavern business, credit is the most important thing."
Hiruzen Sarutobi gripped his pipe, the veins on the back of his hand bulging.
I'll bring it over.
Hashirama added, "It's best to come in the morning."
"It's too late, the boss is getting impatient."
"Knew."
"Remember to check your money and tickets carefully."
"Knew."
Don't bring less than what you should bring.
Hiruzen Sarutobi finally couldn't hold back any longer.
" Lord First!"
Hashirama blinked.
"What's wrong?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi his mouth, but in the end, he swallowed back all the words he wanted to say.
"Nothing."
All he wants to do now is leave.
Leave immediately.
I don't want to stay here for even a second longer.
The damage this place inflicted on him can't be explained away by a few bottles of wine and a few IOUs.
Every time he stepped into the Undead Tavern, his wallet would suffer a terrible fate.
Hiruzen Sarutobi put the pipe back in his mouth, turned around, and walked towards the door.
Jiraiya quickly called out, "Old man, wait for me!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't stop.
He acted as if he hadn't heard at all.
Jiraiya watched helplessly as his teacher pushed open the door and walked out alone.
The wind chimes by the door rang a few times.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's figure quickly disappeared into the street.
Jiraiya, stunned.
He just left like that?
Zhang Yu said, "I'm probably too tired."
Jiraiya's lips twitched.
How can I not be tired?
He brought 200,000 taels with him when he arrived.
He left with nothing and was burdened with a debt of 600,000 taels.
Anyone would be exhausted in that situation.
Most importantly, Hiruzen Sarutobi left in such a hurry that he forgot his own disciple was still in the tavern.
Jiraiya looked at Hashirama.
The bill was too shocking; he still hasn't recovered.
But Hashirama was standing right in front of him.
The true First Hokage.
Jiraiya quickly straightened his clothes, walked up to Hashirama, and bowed respectfully.
" Lord First."
"I was rude just now."
Hashirama waved his hand.
"No need to be so polite."
"I am no longer the First Hokage."
"Just an ordinary tavern employee."
Jiraiya was startled by what he heard.
God of Shinobi.
The First Hokage who founded Konoha.
Now he says that he is just an ordinary employee of the Undead Tavern.
He said it without the slightest reluctance.
This means that Hashirama genuinely accepted this identity.
Jiraiya looked at Zhang Yu again.
Just how capable is this young boss that makes Hashirama Senju consider himself an ordinary employee?