Chapter 29: The Mysterious Shop Owner
"Little customer, the boss says this matter can be big or small, but he'd like to meet you. Only you alone may go."
The clerk addressed Genma directly, which drew a hostile look from Kurenai.
"Kurenai, just wait here for me. I'll go alone," Genma said calmly. Although he was surprised that the mysterious owner of this strange shop had taken note of him, he didn't want Kurenai to worry any further.
Kurenai's expression was angry, but Genma still got up to leave. Seeing the two of them like that, the clerk found it amusing and teased, "Young lady, don't fret. Our boss is strict sometimes, but he's a kind person. He won't harm your boyfriend."
"Hmph."
Kurenai snorted and turned away, refusing to look at Genma's departing figure.
Once Genma and the clerk had left, Kurenai secretly followed them. She hadn't informed Genma; it was entirely her own idea. The shop's oddities were obvious to Genma, but she'd noticed them too, so how could she not be concerned about whatever was behind all this? Besides, the clerk worked for the shop—her words might not be reliable.
A few agile moves later, the kunoichi Kurenai tailed Genma. The clerk didn't sense a thing, but Genma caught on at once. However, he did nothing to stop her. Having gradually learned how Kurenai thought, Genma now strove to see things from her perspective. This stealthy shadowing was her own spontaneous action, an expression of her concern—her way of showing she cared. To shut her down would be an overreach.
This world wasn't like his old one, where forceful "alpha" types were popular among girls. Here, in a dangerous place, love and family bonds were doubly precious; he had to respect Kurenai's way of protecting him. After all, nobody is born knowing everything, so people rely on one another to go further.
Hence, from Genma's point of view, letting Kurenai secretly follow might be all right. At worst, she'd get discovered and have to run, so no huge harm done.
"Little customer, the boss is in here."
The clerk's voice interrupted Genma's wandering thoughts.
"Oh, got it. Thanks for your trouble."
With that, he entered what looked like an office on his own.
Kurenai, waiting outside, grew anxious as she watched him go in. But with the clerk guarding the door, if Kurenai stepped out, she'd be discovered. She stayed put, tensed like a coiled spring, one hand sliding into her weapon pouch just in case.
Inside, Genma finally met the shop's owner—a figure rather different from any merchant he'd imagined, yet strangely fitting for such an odd store.
He didn't radiate the vibe of a typical businessman. Instead, he exuded a refined, scholarly aura. He had flowing black hair, pale skin, and a gentle, elegant bearing. A neat tuft of beard graced his chin, and he wore a pristine white kimono. At the moment, he was engrossed in reading a scroll. A spark of delight lit his eyes, as though the text was at a particularly brilliant point.
Altogether, the shop owner's appearance suited the shop's mystique.
As the man was so immersed in his book, Genma didn't interrupt. He quietly surveyed the office furnishings. There were no heaps of paperwork or countless antiques—just shelf after shelf of books lining three walls. By the window stood a desk adorned with a tea set and some snacks, giving it a warm, restful atmosphere.
Seeming to have finished a memorable passage, the mysterious owner finally sipped his tea and set the scroll aside. "Oh, please excuse me. I didn't realize our honorable guest had been waiting."
"No need to apologize. I walked in unannounced," Genma replied.
"Please, have a seat. Didn't expect our guest to be so young."
After they sat down, the shop owner skillfully began preparing tea. It seemed that everyone of taste and status in this world took pleasure in operating a tea set. Observing this man's swift, expert movements, Genma reinforced his impression that he was quite remarkable.
"So, little guest, may I ask why you proposed that VIP idea earlier? I was extremely curious, so I wanted to hear more," the man said.
Genma cleared his throat. "Let's speak more casually, all right? This polite, formal atmosphere is stifling—I can't chat freely otherwise."
The shop owner studied Genma, then relaxed his once-uptight posture. "I nearly forgot how young you are. In my mind, someone with such a concept had to be a worldly veteran, worthy of my respect."
"It's nothing grand, just a trivial whim," Genma said modestly, though deep inside he carried many questions.
"So," the man asked, "why do you imagine I wouldn't consider your idea just some scheme for a discount? One could guess you're merely a youngster trying to cheap out."
"You really think so? But you don't seem to anymore, do you? And from your vantage, I guess you believe I have a mature mind for my age. As for me, I can see your earlier courtesy was mostly a test. For someone like you, losing face momentarily is trivial if it means probing for my intentions," Genma ventured.
The owner smiled, exuding a subtle cunning from Genma's viewpoint. "Indeed, I carefully gauge each customer's personality before concluding how to respond. We only suffer negligible losses in courtesy or pride, but sometimes that helps us avoid bigger traps. After all, everything done in my store aligns with the principle of 'placing the other party on the highest pedestal unless proven otherwise.' That's how we do business."
Seeing the man's frank admission, Genma felt a surge of admiration—but also heightened vigilance. So all that humility was just a test. He's definitely someone with plenty of cunning.
Given the man's peculiar charm, Genma pressed on. "Boss, how should I address you, and what did you do before all this?"
The shop owner didn't seem offended by such bluntness. In fact, he chuckled apologetically. "Ah, you're right—trust has to be mutual. I was too busy prying into your shrewd mind. My name is Mani. I used to be a ninja of sorts, but I specialized in commerce, which doesn't count for much. And you? Obviously from Konoha, yes? Might you share your name?"
Genma was surprised. Not only had Mani openly revealed his past as a ninja, but he'd done so with an easy grace. Is it really okay for him to spill so much?
The sincerity was almost disarming, leaving Genma unsure whether to feign ignorance. Observing Mani's calm gaze, Genma deduced the man was truly unconcerned about giving away personal info.
Still, an ex-ninja "merchant shinobi" was unusual in any era. Typically, they maintained a neutral stance or even collaborated with warring factions. Considering all that, Genma decided on a half-truth. "My name is Genma Shiranui. Beyond that, I'd rather not say. I can tell you I've read many books—countless ones, in fact."
He was recalling how, in his previous life, reading digital novels or e-books could easily amount to millions of words in just a few weeks. Most might have been mindless entertainment, but it was still an incredible number by this world's standards.
Mani lit up with understanding. "Ah, so that explains it. Indeed, never leaving your home yet grasping insights about the world isn't something ordinary folks can manage. Sometimes books mislead, sometimes they inspire, but gleaning truly useful knowledge from them, then applying it… is rare indeed."
"Too flattering," Genma said with a wave of his hand. "Let's cut to the chase. Are you, or aren't you, agreeing to my idea? If so, I can explain the benefits and logic behind it. If not, we can leave it at that. Deal?"
"Heh, it's definitely not a big deal. I'm happy to accept it," Mani said. "Encountering someone like you is a rare stroke of luck. I'd be foolish not to seize the chance."
Though the remark sounded odd, his sincerity appeared genuine, so Genma relaxed. "Alright then, no sense hiding. Setting a spending threshold for a VIP membership is beneficial in various ways. The upside is that it ensures that, whenever these VIPs think of clothing, they'll think of your store first…"
Mani listened patiently as Genma elucidated the notion of membership privileges, a loyalty-based system to keep big-spender customers returning. Soon, Mani's eyes sparkled with surprise and delight.
His gaze became somewhat unsettling to Genma—like a man discovering treasure. Feeling uncomfortable, Genma coughed and said, "So, Boss Mani, are you satisfied? By the way, my fiancée's waiting outside. I really need to go."
Mentioning that made Mani's grin widen weirdly, almost piggish in its lecherousness. Genma found it disturbing. He also worried that Kurenai might burst in if he took too long.
"Oh? You already have a loved one? And you brought her here to buy clothes?" Mani asked playfully.
"Yeah, that's right. So…" Genma trailed off, wanting to leave.
Mani gave him an "I see what you mean" look and laughed. "Say no more. I'll go out and see you off. Also, I'll inform Xiaotao and the others that you'll be the first official VIP of our Xia Guang Boutique."
"Xiaotao is the clerk who welcomed us?"
"Indeed. She's my trusted assistant. If your beloved's waiting, why are you dawdling? Off you go," Mani said, relaxing his posture.
Seeing him so open and cheerful, Genma again sensed a deeply shrewd soul behind that bright exterior. "A real talent," Genma thought.
End of Chapter 29