"Aya, long time no see," Kain said with a smile as he entered the room.
Aya looked stunned for a moment but quickly gathered herself and hurried forward to greet him, "Boss, you're back!"
Kain had been away for a considerable time, attending to various business matters in different realms, and he had quite a few things to manage upon his return.
But his primary concern was Aya and her affairs, and her slightly altered demeanor didn't escape his notice.
"You seem surprised, Aya. Did something happen while I was away?" Kain asked with a curious look.
At this, Aya averted her gaze, her head lowering almost as if in admission of a mistake.
Sensing her discomfort, Kain reassured her, "Go and prepare the recent account book. You know I don't place a high value on wealth; if there were losses, don't feel bad about it."
Nodding, Aya replied, "Understood, boss. I'll prepare it immediately." She turned to leave, but Kain stopped her once more.
"Wait a moment. Give me your chamber of commerce badge," he instructed.
Surprised but obedient, Aya removed the badge from her collar, handing it over. Kain handed her a new one, which she clipped onto her collar without question before hurrying off to gather the necessary documents.
Being in charge of the chamber of commerce's general accounts, Aya also oversaw some of the dealings in both Konoha Village and surrounding towns.
Once alone, Kain examined the badge closely, extracting a small eavesdropping chip from it. From his space backpack, he retrieved a computer, uploaded the recording, and set it to an audio-to-text transcription, allowing him to quickly skim through.
After reviewing the logs, he understood why Aya seemed tense. A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. Aya entered, respectfully handing him several accounting documents.
"Boss, here are the accounts, sorted by region, category, and personnel updates," she reported.
"Thank you," Kain replied, flipping through the documents. The chamber's revenue was quite promising, especially in the casinos, which had grown by 50% over the past four months.
Kain's ventures now spanned multiple countries, with four casinos generating solid revenue, and projections for next year appeared even more optimistic.
Though less lucrative than the casinos, Kain's line of desserts and high-calorie sweets was immensely popular in the Land of Fire, especially among ninjas.
These sweets, designed to quickly restore mood, were in high demand, and his products had achieved a near-legendary status among civilians and ninjas alike.
In Konoha, the ledger showed steady, conservative growth. Miwa, another trusted associate, had sensibly chosen to maintain stability rather than aggressively expand operations in Kain's absence.
Generous donations to the orphanages were ongoing, building Kain's reputation as a benefactor. By providing food and shelter for war orphans both inside and outside Konoha, Kain had become a highly regarded figure among the populace.
These orphanages, particularly in war-torn areas, were invaluable. Many civilians, even with parents present, couldn't afford to feed their children adequately.
Yet thanks to Kain's initiatives, the orphanages ensured that children had food, shelter, and even education. However, these efforts consumed considerable resources.
Around 70% of Kain's income from thirteen shops in Konoha Village, plus his book royalties, went directly into funding these facilities.
Regarding the Land of Water, Kain noted that the transactions with Mist Shinobi, which he usually managed personally, might require his attention again soon.
After Aya finished presenting the ledgers, she lingered, hesitating. Noticing her discomfort, Kain raised an eyebrow. "Is there something else, Aya?"
After a brief pause, she handed him a list, explaining, "Boss, this is a list of newly recruited personnel. I'm concerned that some may not fit well within the chamber of commerce."
Kain waved it off with a smile. "It's not a big deal, Aya, but I appreciate you bringing it to my attention. For now, let's adjust your responsibilities. Focus solely on the desserts and food expansions. I'll assign others to handle the casino operations."
Aya nodded, clearly relieved. She couldn't shake the feeling that Kain saw through her completely, as if he knew every detail of her thoughts.
Yet she felt reassured, knowing she could depend on Kain's sense of justice and integrity. He was generous, genuinely invested in good deeds, and respected the Senju clan's principles.
Once Aya left, Kain considered the next steps for the chamber of commerce, pondering potential replacements who could handle Aya's former duties.
He had high hopes for Yakushi Nono, a promising candidate who was expected to complete her training with Tsunade within a few years.
Yakushi Nono might even become the first person under Kain's command to test the new Extremis virus serum tailored specifically for ninja enhancement.
Soon after, Kain summoned Kakuzu's subordinates to relay a mission. Handing over a mission briefing, Kain instructed, "Deliver this to Kakuzu. There's a caravan traveling to the Land of Waves soon. Here's the route and a list of the personnel. It would be best if none were left behind."
The mission, Kain explained, would eliminate a group of individuals recently planted by Konoha as spies. While they might not possess any secrets, Kain wanted no loose ends. As his envoy left, Kain added, "Tell Kakuzu the mission reward is in the escort box."
The so-called spies from Konoha might possess a few skills, but they were far from formidable—barely up to Chūnin level.
Yakushi Nono, the only one capable of significant espionage among ninja's, wouldn't make such minor mistakes. With Kakuzu's help, Kain could effortlessly clear this group while securing a hefty reward.
Kain's responsibilities in the Land of Fire continued to grow. The war orphans under his care were ready to commence weapons training, with plans to expand war orphan shelters across the Land of Fire and smaller nations.
These shelters would provide safe spaces, discipline, and skills, giving Kain both goodwill and a formidable reserve of loyal young warriors.
Modern warfare required extensive units to wield maximum firepower, but Kain had an advantage in his Shadow Clone technique. Thanks to his proficiency and the Hashirama cells, Kain's clones could last for extended periods, performing multiple tasks simultaneously.
However, another matter required his attention: the delayed business transaction with Kirigakure. The Land of Waves had sufficient resources reserved for Mist Shinobi, but Kain knew a personal visit was overdue.
He wondered if Mist Shinobi's bloodline clans might be open to further cooperation. Though armament and weapons trading were complex fields, Kain was confident in his abilities to manage this delicate partnership, strengthening both his reputation and strategic alliances.
For now, he prepared to finalize the chamber's personnel adjustments, solidify his goodwill ventures, and fortify his business ties across countries.
Whether dealing with allies or adversaries, Kain approached each step with meticulous planning and a steady resolve. With his resources, loyal followers, and shadow clones, Kain was ready to expand his influence, ensuring stability of his growth.
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