Chapter Sixteen: Konoha’s Intentions (Vote Requested)

“So you really did come back. How about a drink tonight?” As dusk approached, Tsunade stopped by Kahn’s grocery store and saw him next door, directing people as they tidied up. She greeted him casually.

“I’ll have to pass on dinner, Lady Tsunade. I haven’t finished settling into my place, so I don’t have much time,” Kahn replied.

But before he had finished speaking, Natsukawa stepped forward. She offered a slight bow—apologizing for interrupting him and Tsunade—then said, “If it’s the courtyard behind your new place you need to sort out, why not leave it to me, Mr. Kahn? I know exactly where to get household supplies, and I can clean up quickly.”

Kahn let out a resigned sigh. This mature shopkeeper usually had good sense—why was she being so dense today? He’d clearly made an excuse because he didn’t want to go, and yet here she was, chiming in.

Though he knew Natsukawa meant well, this time she’d made things worse. If Tsunade had managed to find him on the very day he returned, she must have been tipped off. It didn’t take much imagination to guess who.

Tsunade stepped forward and clapped Kahn on the shoulder. “Since Natsukawa offered, why not come with me?”

“All right, then. I’ll leave my place in your hands, Manager Natsukawa,” Kahn agreed. He handed her some money for shopping, then followed Tsunade to a local tavern. The woman had two great passions: drinking and gambling. Even when skirmishes broke out on the front lines, Tsunade could throw herself wholeheartedly into the pleasures of the bottle and the gaming table.

“This is the first time Mr. Kahn has called me ‘Manager Natsukawa’… He must really trust my abilities now,” Natsukawa mused. Convinced, she returned to the store and called for two more people to help tidy up Kahn’s quarters. The place had already been cleaned, but lacked furniture and supplies.

At the tavern, Tsunade expertly ordered several bottles of shochu and a variety of grilled skewers and side dishes. Kahn, meanwhile, asked for just a cup of tea and a bowl of noodles—he was genuinely hungry, and since he couldn’t eat at home, he might as well make do here.

When the shochu arrived, Kahn politely refused Tsunade’s attempts to get him drinking. She grumbled something about him being “no fun,” then cheerfully downed a few glasses herself.

“Lady Tsunade, we’ve known each other long enough. Why not just tell me your purpose?” Kahn said after a few bites of his noodles. Finding the flavor unremarkable, he pushed the bowl aside and addressed her directly.

Tsunade was already a little flushed—perhaps from the alcohol. “You noticed?”

“Since you’re being so direct, I won’t beat around the bush either. Konoha needs to purchase another batch of medicine. You must have brought a lot this time, didn’t you?” Tsunade said, setting her glass down. The hospital’s supplies were exhausted; early casualties had accumulated, the battlefield in Grass Country needed medicine, and each shinobi clan had its wounded…

They’d all poured into Konoha’s hospital, and the last batch of medicine was nearly gone. Though the war in the Land of Rain was all but over, the Cloud Village near the Land of Hot Water was stirring up trouble, as was the Hidden Mist and others. Whenever great wars erupted, every shinobi village grew restless.

Kahn nodded. “Same as last time—same types and quantity. Does Konoha still want them?”

“Yes. I hope you’ll sell the whole batch to us again…” Tsunade trailed off, not finishing her thought.

Kahn continued, “But Konoha’s finances are tight and there’s no money for medicine, is that it, Lady Tsunade?”

“You really are hard to fool,” Tsunade rolled her eyes and poured herself another drink. In her position, it was difficult to ask for credit. And when it came to money, Kahn was tough to negotiate with—as his previous refusal to do business on credit had made clear.

Though she knew it was a long shot, Tsunade had her duties. She asked anyway, “Then, could we buy a batch on credit?”

“I’m sorry, Lady Tsunade. I can’t sell medicine on credit. If there’s no money, I’ll accept gold, jewels, or other valuables as payment,” Kahn replied firmly. This was a line he would not cross: if he allowed credit on only the second deal, Konoha might become even more demanding in the future.

“Gold and jewels, huh? I’ll ask Lord Sarutobi, but the village coffers are empty, and the daimyo’s funding is still delayed…”

Kahn quickly interrupted her, his tone serious. “Wait, Lady Tsunade. It’s best not to discuss Konoha’s secrets with me. I’m only a merchant—I’m here to trade and make money, and I have no interest in anything else.”

Tsunade, realizing her slip, offered a sheepish apology. “Forgive me—I drink too much and sometimes my tongue gets away from me. By the way, how are Natsukawa and the others doing at work?”

“They’re doing well. I’ve already promised Natsukawa: when my business expands, her friends and kin will have priority for employment.”

“That’s a relief. Otherwise, it would be hard for the Senju Clan to provide for them…” Tsunade said, cheered by the news. Many had fought on the battlefield at her granduncle’s call; if the Senju Clan didn’t look after them, she would feel deeply guilty. Now that Kahn could offer them well-paid work, she was genuinely grateful.

“By the way, if I want to expand my business to other parts of the Land of Fire, can Natsukawa and the others leave the village?”

“Of course. Some of them know ninjutsu, but they’re not officially shinobi and can come and go as they please,” Tsunade replied casually. This put Kahn somewhat at ease—compared to outsiders, these Senju without surnames were people he could trust.

The two didn’t talk much longer before Kahn took his leave. Tsunade, meanwhile, intended to stay and drink a while more.

……

The next day, Kahn gave Natsukawa a few instructions about the pharmacy, then prepared to head out for the capital of the Land of Fire. The largest bookstore in the country was there, and Kahn was confident that the ten novels he’d brought would suit the tastes of the shinobi world: five were scandalous and violent, five were risqué and suggestive.

In this war-torn world of ninja, perhaps only such rich, full-blooded stories could offer some comfort to anxious souls.

But before Kahn had even left Konoha, a masked ninja from the ANBU found him.

“Mr. Kahn, the Hokage would like to see you.”