Arthur stood at his plaza with his blueprints and documents, examining the notes and diagrams detailing the components that had been altered. They weren't bad per se, but they were still needed to know.
For instance, what had initially eluded his mind—those last-minute additions that completed the blueprint for his laboratory—were now apparent.
Xavier's specialized accounting department had filled the gaps with materials Arthur hadn't even considered—items that would exponentially elevate his sanctuary.
A myriad of scientific instrumentation revealed the fundamentals of research. There were mentions of advanced biotech equipment that he didn't even know existed in this world.
For example, the blueprints detailed an automated DNA synthesizer, a device capable of creating custom strands of DNA with minimal intervention. Such a machine would allow Arthur to delve deeper into genetics than he previously thought possible.
He flipped through the pages while Koko ran circles around his legs.
Another intriguing addition was a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) designed to detect magnetic fields. This technology could be pivotal in his studies, especially in understanding the subtle nuances of chakra and its interactions with physical matter.
Further down the list, he noted the inclusion of various laser spectrometers, tools that would enable him to analyze materials—not just in terms of basic properties, but also for transforming basic elements into more complex compounds and even exploring the potential for crafting medical elixirs.
He continued to peruse the catalog of items, appreciating the fact that his hard-earned money had been spent well.
A collection of chemical reagents was listed next, including rare mixtures that could only be acquired from the black market.
The black market in the Land of Money was a well-kept secret among those who traversed the darker avenues of business. Not surprisingly, given Xavier's disposition, these were likely sourced through nefarious means.
In this world, however, not even a die-hard fan would know about the black market. They'd have to personally enter it and step in Arthur's shoes just to have a clue as to what it was.
That's how deep the corruption went in the Land of Money.
Arthur narrowed his eyes as to how he would procure these items. It was one thing to possess the knowledge and blueprints; it was another to actually acquire them in a way that wouldn't draw unwanted attention.
He found himself flipping back toward the beginning of the documents where the most crucial additions were detailed.
His eyes caught a mention of a spectral imaging system, a sort of technology that could visualize molecular structure in real-time.
"I can go even faster, daddy!" Koko said, spreading her arms out like an airplane.
Her childlike joy was enough to cause Arthur's thoughts to trail off.
While most of these materials could feasibly be acquired in the Land of Money, the question remained: how could he source the illicit items, for many of them were illegal?
He was acutely aware that without the proper channels, these tools would remain out of reach. He needed a bridge—an intermediary who could serve as his gateway into the black market.
His thoughts turned toward Diana, the elderly woman he had met back in the Golden Mirage. Diana's name was apparently notorious in certain circles: she was a go-to figure who was most certainly above the law.
Whether or not she had connections to the black market, he was going to find out.
Notwithstanding, that was exactly why Arthur didn't like being famous. People like himself could just as easily investigate or track him down and dig up information that he wasn't managing.
Hence why his time as John Belfort was cut short.
In this world's financial district, the Land of Money was where influence flourished, where deals were struck under moonlight, and where corruption found a home.
It was time to pay Diana a visit.
Arthur activated the flying raijin, teleporting himself to the vicinity of the city where he last saw the woman. It only took him less than an hour to gather all the information he needed on her, including the ones the public wasn't supposed to know about.
After he was done, he arrived outside her building. It was a stunning seven-story structure, sleek with glass windows reflecting the sunlight.
He surveyed the location carefully, noting the absence of activity on the highest floors—a detail that seemed somewhat off for such a prominent figure. The very thought created a sense of foreboding.
Diana herself was seated casually at her desk, engrossed in paperwork. She was clad in a tailored suit, and the natural light her office gave off illuminated her sharp features.
'Hmph…'
While Diana was writing, the lights in her office suddenly shut off. Most would have been startled by such an abrupt change, yet she remained calm, slowly fixing her gaze toward the ceiling.
"Can't fifteen thousand a month pay for a simple electric bill?" she muttered to herself.
"That's quite a lot of money," she heard a smooth voice respond.
Her head snapped to its direction, only to see Arthur in the disguise she was most familiar with. He was perched casually on the ledge with one leg nonchalantly hanging outside her seven-story domain.
"You!" she gasped. "How did you—"
"Pass through your security and sneak inside?" he replied with a stoic demeanor. He then swung himself inside, landing gracefully on the polished floor. "Glad you remember me. I'm here to negotiate…"
Diana cautiously eyed him, feeling a tad intrigued. Arthur himself noted how she wasn't the least bit intimidated.
"What do you want to negotiate about?" she evenly asked, crossing her arms as she appraised him.
"Lend me your black card…" he said plainly.
"What?!" she exclaimed in surprise, momentarily breaking her composed façade.
Arthur had only learned about this card today. It was the only key to transactions within the black market of the Land of Money. While the white card was accessible to the ordinary trader, the black card was the exclusive reserve for a select few of elites, seen as a treasure in the market.
It wasn't just a piece of plastic; it opened the doors to commodities and connections that were otherwise unattainable, more specifically for the vast amount of illegal goods that could not be acquired through ethical means.
Diana herself just so happened to be one of those fifteen elites who held such a prestigious card. Xavier also had one, but Arthur had unknowingly destroyed everything in his estate, which had included all of the former mob boss's assets.
Even if Arthur had wanted to take all of that man's money and run away with it, he wouldn't be able to do anything without that card.
As for Diana, she was the fifth richest business owner in this world—a title no fan would have known about. More importantly, Arthur knew exactly where her card was.
"There are supplies I need to purchase in the underground market," he revealed, watching her face for any reaction.
Yet she didn't give one. Instead, she took a moment to consider his request.
If someone like Arthur could cut off her power and prevent her guards from responding without her awareness, then that also meant he could have either killed her or taken the card by force by now.
But he hadn't done either of those two.
Was he perhaps a ninja? He didn't look like one, but ninjas were adept at disguising themselves. To be fair, not everyone in this world had familiarity with the concept of chakra.
"I see…" she finally said. She reached beneath her blazer, pulling out a small key. "When we met back at the casino, I knew something about you was different."
She then inserted the key into a compartment within her desk and unlocked a drawer, revealing a secret storage space. Her movements were careful as she pulled out the black card.
It looked more like a holographic credit card, glowing with purple and silver colors. It was also adorned with a pyramid emblazoned upon it. To think that a secret society existed in this world as well.
"You have to tell me how you did it," she wondered, extending the card toward him.
What she was referring to was their earlier encounter at the blackjack table, where Arthur had bent the game's outcome to his favor without getting caught.
After the card was handed to him, he examined both the front and back. It didn't look fake; she had no reason to hand him a counterfeit—not when she understood the consequences of fooling someone like him.
Such consequences were best left unspoken unless she wanted to end up like Xavier.
"I'll return this to you when I'm finished," he firmly stated, lifting his gaze to meet hers.
A simple nod was all Diana offered before turning back to her drawer, ready to retrieve something else, saying, "I might have something else that you might be interested in."
But when she glanced back, he had already vanished, leaving her momentarily speechless.
She shut her drawer and locked it, wondering to herself what sort of strange characters she always seemed to attract in her position. More intriguingly, she understood one thing: this wasn't a threat or trickery against her; it was a business deal.
Arthur would surely return, and when he did, it would be about more than just the black card.
"How interesting," she mused aloud as the lights turned back on. With a bemused smile, she returned to signing her papers as if nothing had happened. "How truly interesting…"
Four days later.
Arthur's ventures turned into a series of manageable purchases to stock his laboratory and finish the plaza's design.
He looked at the paltry sum of just over one thousand ryō that remained in his hands. He was deep in debt—not of money, but of time and energy, having traded his chakra for the essentials that would ultimately bring his vision to fruition.
It had taken him those four days to have successfully secured almost everything he needed. And he had spared no expense acquiring those necessary materials.
His careful dealings had ensured that he remained anonymous, avoiding the greedy hands of merchants eager to exploit a wealthy buyer. This was done by changing his appearance frequently enough to remain nameless.
His budget was originally 6,000,000 ryō, of which 3,000,000 ryō were allocated for laboratory supplies and another 3,000,000 ryō for plaza essentials, all including tax.
If the conversion rate for one ryō is one hundred fifty times that of one American dollar, it means he spent approximately 900,000,000 USD, 4,500,000,000 BRL (Brazilian Reais), 74,700,000,000 INR (Indian Rupees), or 6,300,000,000 CNY (Chinese Yuan).
Every tool was essential for science.
First on his list was a set of microscopes, both light and electron types, which he acquired from an average supply store for 300,000 ryō. Next, he sourced a spectrophotometer for 250,000 ryō from a reputable provider.
A centrifuge was obtained from a specialized company known for their innovative laboratory equipment, which set him back 200,000 ryō. Additionally, he acquired incubators and autoclaves from a medical supply store, totaling another 350,000 ryō.
In those four days, he had explored more specialized shops, finding analytical balances at places like thrift stores for 150,000 ryō. While in the mountainous regions, he capitalized on more affordable cookware, acquiring basic pH meters and freezers for 200,000 ryō.
While the comforts of the plaza eluded him, the process of gathering essentials such as fume hoods, hot plates, and magnetic stirrers became his routine. Eventually, he spent 300,000 ryō on these crucial items to elevate his laboratory.
Security, while it was essential, he skipped out on fire extinguishers and instead opted in for things like eyewash stations and safety showers for 120,000 ryō.
The finer touches in his laboratory were not overlooked. He invested 200,000 ryō in storage solutions, including shelving units and drawer units. He also considered the comfort of his work environment, purchasing stools, lab coats, and chemical-resistant gloves for an additional 150,000 ryō.
Next, he turned his attention to glassware, including beakers, flasks, and test tubes, which he obtained from environmental supply companies for 100,000 ryō. He sought plasticware as well, securing pipettes and petri dishes for 80,000 ryō while diligently sourcing a large quantity.
Toward the end of his list, he allocated a significant amount for chemical reagents and solvents, spending 800,000 ryō through the black market catering to the scientific community, remaining cautious of prior experiences.
He also invested in lab information management systems (LIMS) software, worth 450,000 ryō. Though essential, he did not overlook the basic necessities needed for organization, purchasing lab notebooks and data sheets for 100,000 ryō.
Finally, he ensured safety measures were in place by acquiring biohazard waste containers, hazardous waste disposal containers, and spill kits from a respected supplier, rounding off that expenditure to 150,000 ryō.
At the end of his calculations for the laboratory alone, his total brought him to 3,000,000 ryō for lab equipment.
With the supplies for his laboratory completed, he turned his attention to the plaza.
To have created such a welcoming environment, he had purchased benches for 150,000 ryō and solid wooden tables for 200,000 ryō. He acquired costs for trash cans and recycling bins totaling 50,000 ryō.
Next was the cost of greenery. He had secured grass seeds and sod for 100,000 ryō, while flower beds filled with ornamental plants from local home and garden stores cost him 70,000 ryō. He also acquired soil and fertilizers for 80,000 ryō.
Attention to detail continued as he selected mulch or decorative stones for 30,000 ryō. Illumination was also essential, leading him to invest 150,000 ryō in streetlights and light poles. He added an elegant touch with solar-powered garden lights, sourced for 75,000 ryō.
Ambiance was crucial, so he had spent 100,000 ryō on fairy lights and additional decorative lighting. To create paths through the greenery, he also invested 200,000 ryō in paving stones and bricks. Furthermore, he ensured accessibility with sidewalk materials and ramps, paying 125,000 ryō.
Aware of the pressing need for signs so as not to get lost, he committed another 50,000 ryō to signage. The presence of fountains would enhance the plaza's charm, leading him to invest 150,000 ryō in fountain materials, with a further 150,000 ryō spent on pumps and plumbing setups for water features.
Lastly, he remained vigilant regarding emergencies, adding an additional 300,000 ryō for alarms. To say that he didn't value security more than aesthetics was an understatement.
In total, Arthur had spent 3,000,000 ryō on plaza essentials—every item thoughtfully chosen to ensure the space flourished as a hub where he could conduct his work in peace.
What once stood as a void now showed the possibilities. But it still wasn't time yet to elevate his ideas. These were, after all, just the materials—he had to hook and install everything!