Thanks to our heart-to-heart by the campfire, Itachi had become a bit more open with me. Our conversations now felt less like a one-sided monologue. And when you're chatting with someone, time just flies by - I was honestly surprised when I saw Tanzaku appear on the horizon.
We could have gotten there even sooner - a few merchants passing by in their carts offered us a ride. But personally, I didn't want to say goodbye to our late-night campfire talks just yet. Itachi just nodded in agreement when I suggested we walk the rest of the way, but I could tell she was happy to stretch out our little journey too. I guess she didn't get to enjoy missions like this very often.
The first time I came to this city, I was barely better off than a vagrant - even my clothes weren't my own. Who would've thought that the next time I'd show up, it would be to open a new branch of my business, with none other than Itachi as my escort.
Last time, I didn't care much about what Tanzaku was like - I just wanted to find something to eat and a place to sleep. This time, I walked at a steady pace, taking in everything around me.
Tanzaku seemed smaller than Konoha, but I was sure just as many people lived here, maybe even more. Otherwise, why build so many four- and five-story apartment buildings? As much as I wanted to explore the whole place, we needed to find a hotel fast - we reeked of smoke, and even the shabbiest tavern wouldn't let us in like that.
The only hotel I knew was full - every room booked. I didn't even have to use my "people skills" to find another one, since Itachi knew where to look. Turns out, during the summer season, Tanzaku is packed - people come from all the neighboring towns and even other countries, mostly for trade.
For us, that was bad news. Even the hotels Itachi suggested on the outskirts were full. One receptionist told us that if we had the money, we should try our luck in the city center. So that's what we did, asking around until we finally found a vacancy.
"Yes, but we only have one room left," the woman at the desk said.
"Let me guess, it's a single bed?" I groaned internally at the cliché, but no - it turned out to be a room with two beds, though they were only separated by a nightstand. Still, better than nothing.
After taking turns in the shower, neither of us felt like going anywhere. We'd already eaten before arriving in Tanzaku, so without any awkwardness, we just crashed and went to sleep.
Booking a hotel in the city center has its downsides. I'd barely gotten up and already the noise of people on the street was coming through the window. Sure, it's better than the sound of cars or motorcycles, but still… Man, I've gotten too used to my quiet neighborhood.
Usually, it takes me about ten minutes and a cup of tea to really wake up in the morning, but when I heard sounds from the kitchen, I jumped out of bed, wide awake.
"Itachi, can you put the kettle on? I'm going to take a shower - just don't peek!" I called out, not too loudly, and immediately felt a little happier. Off I went to wash away the last traces of sleep.
Waking up in a house that isn't empty… so this is what it feels like. It's a strange feeling. I guess I've gotten too used to living alone - and not just in this world. It actually felt a little weird.
Normally, after a shower, I'd wander around in just a towel for half an hour, but not wanting to embarrass the young lady, I put on the robe provided in the room.
"Whoa." I couldn't hide my surprise. On the small table was a mug of tea, some sweets, and a plate with an omelet and fried tomatoes. Itachi was just finishing up washing the pan at the sink, so I sat down and waited for her.
"What?" she asked, turning around.
"You know, you'd make a great wife." Seeing her eyes dart around, I couldn't help but smile. Instead of answering, she turned away, a little flustered, and started washing her hands. "By the way, good morning. How'd you sleep?"
"Good… morning, I… slept fine…" she replied so quietly I barely caught the words.
Heh, does she realize spies always get caught by the little things? I mean, the tea was perfect - just the way I like it, made from real green herbs with two spoons of sugar. Oh well, I'll let it slide. She already looked like she was about to have a heart attack
"Akira-san, your robe is a little open." Ah, so that's what's got her flustered. Come on, what's there to be embarrassed about - hasn't she ever seen a man's chest before? Who do you think used to bring me tea in bed in the mornings? Back then, I slept in just my boxers, and I doubt the blanket covered me completely. Even last night, I didn't make an exception.
"It's nothing - you're a shinobi, little things like that shouldn't bother you." Honestly, I just didn't feel like wasting two extra seconds fixing it, and interacting with a flustered Itachi was way more fun than with the emotionless version.
"While you were sleeping… I cleaned our clothes and hung them out to dry by the window. Do you have any plans for today?" Laundry, huh… They haven't invented washing machines here yet - it's all about the basin and washboard. I never really bothered much - I didn't sweat in my everyday clothes, only during training, so I only washed my training gear (well, my clones did).
For regular clothes, a good shake to get the dust out was enough, and if they got dirty, I'd just take the basket to the "laundry" near the hot springs. Not many people brought regular clothes there, though - that little business was all about caring for expensive stuff, like kimonos you can't just scrub on a washboard.
For me, the cost was nothing, so once a week, when I picked up my clothes, I'd listen to the old lady who always said, "You should find yourself a wife, Akira-san. I know a girl who'd be perfect for you…"
"Well, first let's look for some gifts - something to offer your parents…"
"Akira-san, please don't joke like that." She blurted it out, face bright red, louder than usual.
"Alright, alright. Since you made us such a hearty breakfast, let's head to the bank first. If things go well, we can stroll around the city after lunch."
"Understood," she nodded.
****
Even though I'd been approved for a 22 million ryo loan, it would be stupid to walk around with that kind of money. So I left it all in the bank. Accessing those funds in Tanzaku wouldn't be a problem - here, in Konoha, and in every major city in the Land of Fire, there's only one bank: the Bank of Fire. Yeah, the name's a little on the nose, but it makes it clear who owns these banks. I bet they're protected as well as Konoha's secret archives (and I don't mean the ones Naruto stole the forbidden scroll from).
The samurai standing proudly at the entrance in their gleaming red armor were just for show - I was sure at least five shinobi guarded the bank, one of them at least jonin level. And if, in theory, some thieves managed to get past them… well, I was sure there were always a few ANBU operatives doing recon near Tanzaku. After all, people from all over the world come here, and I'm sure they have ways to get in touch if needed.
For me, proving who I was and how much money I had was no problem. We were shown to a private room, offered tea, and told they'd confirm my account within twenty minutes. All I had to do was give my name and registration number. After that, according to them, they'd contact the main bank in the capital to verify everything. But how?
Well, obviously not by carrier pigeon - all the banks are connected by "telegraph stations." Where the wires run, where the stations are - all that's top secret, as is the exact device they use to send telegrams. I'm sure, besides checking my info, they also request some kind of encrypted password to make sure the message wasn't intercepted.
Still, the Tanzaku bank managed to surprise me. The manager I'd spoken to came back right on time, but not alone - he was accompanied by three shinobi, who were even better at hiding their identities than ANBU.
"Akira-san, please don't take this the wrong way. We've confirmed all your information, and your appearance and documents match our records. But your escort requires us to take extra precautions." He shot a crooked smile at Itachi.
I glanced at her, surprised, and realized, "Sharingan…"
"Exactly. Our bank takes these possibilities into account, so we'll need to check if you're under any kind of control. Sorry for the inconvenience - may we?" He bowed deeply. So, they'd checked not just me, but my escort too. Impressive, especially since she hadn't even given her name.
"I get it. How will you check?" I was curious.
"Our security officer will use a seal to disrupt your chakra flow. If you're under anyone's influence, it'll snap you out of it." Hmm, well, if Itachi wanted to control me with her Mangekyo, I doubt much could help… though, technically, she shouldn't have awakened it yet, but who knows - this world isn't exactly like the anime.
"Alright, I don't see any problem." The manager nodded to one of the shinobi, who slowly approached me and pulled a small seal out of his vest, about the size of two fingers. The other two stood a few meters in front of Itachi, who just sipped her tea like this was an everyday thing.
Yeah, why would she worry? I was sure she could handle even more opponents than that.
The shinobi stood in front of me, nodded, and pressed the seal to my forehead, forming a concentration hand seal with his other hand. For a second, I felt like someone had tapped me on the forehead with a teaspoon - a cool sensation ran through my body, and before I could really process it, the seal was removed.
"All clear," the shinobi said, then turned and left. The other two, who'd been ready to pounce, nodded and left as well.
Hmm, the bank could also use this to check if someone's trying to impersonate me. That's good - I feel better about my money now.
"Once again, I apologize for the inconvenience," the head manager said, bowing from across the table.
"It's fine. Honestly, I'm glad your branch takes these things so seriously."
I'd gone from just some guy coming to access his account to a guy trying to access an account with 22 million ryo - and that's a big difference. They even swapped out the tea set for a fancier one and brought us better sweets.
That's what money does. Even if I were an S-class jonin, I doubt they'd treat me this well.
The head manager, Saiko, tactfully avoided the main question - "What do you want from us?" - and instead kept up a friendly conversation, like we were guests in her home. So, I gradually steered the talk toward my business and goals in the city.
"I see. Well, our bank doesn't officially offer those services, but we can use our connections to find a suitable location for your restaurant and purchase it for you."
"What? That's fantastic." I was over the moon - I really didn't want to go around asking people for land like last time. After thinking for a moment, I said, "Saiko-san, if you can also find me an architect, a foreman, and a construction crew, I'll kiss you."
"Ahem, ahem—" she quickly set her cup down, covering her other hand, where I'd noticed a ring when we met. "Well… I could arrange all that. You'll probably also need someone to manage your branch, and staff…"
"Say no more." I slapped the table in delight, realizing how much hassle I'd just avoided. "Ten percent… no, twelve. I'll give you twelve percent of the total cost for the land and construction if you can organize everything and find the right people."
She gasped and immediately stood up, coming over to shake my hand several times.
"Akira-san, you can trust me - I won't let you down. I'll go prepare the contract right now, so you won't have any doubts about my honesty."
Heh, yeah, I bet you need the contract more than I do.
When I read it over, I smiled even wider at the slightly embarrassed woman. Everything was clean - the only thing was, the executor wasn't the bank itself, but her personally. So if anything went wrong, I couldn't demand compensation from the bank.
"Well, alright. Relationships should be built on trust." I signed the contract, and seeing her bright smile, I added quietly, "Hope you don't let me down - shinobi services aren't cheap these days." She blushed and nodded several times.
There was always a chance she'd try to run off with the money, but it was tiny. She had a high position, and judging by the ring, a family too. For a few million, and I wasn't planning to give her the whole sum anyway, she wouldn't risk it. And if she did… well, it wouldn't be hard to hire a team to take her head - literally.
"I'll start looking for a location for your restaurant today. Where can I find you if I need to?" she asked, her cheerful expression returning.
I gave her the address and discussed my requirements for the location and size of the restaurant, then left with Itachi, taking a small sum of a hundred thousand ryo.
After a half-hour stroll around the city, I dragged Itachi into a little restaurant for lunch.
"What if I get poisoned? You have to try the food first." I dragged her in under the pretense that she needed to ensure my safety, and sat her next to me, since standing would have drawn too much attention. Once she was seated, I found a new excuse.
"Here, this looks good - try it." I moved some sashimi from my plate to hers, trying not to smile as I sipped my tea. From the outside, we looked like a sweet couple - a caring boyfriend serving food to his girlfriend. If I didn't know her so well, I might have just fed her directly, holding the chopsticks to her mouth.
"Not poisoned?" After she nodded, I took a new piece from the plate and ate it. We both knew this was all nonsense - you can't detect poison that fast, and even if you could, I should have eaten the same piece, not a new one… but she, like me, knew I was just messing around.
"Not poisoned?" I asked again, and after another nod, I took some sushi.
I repeated this four times before I got bored.
After Itachi ate a shrimp fried in garlic sauce, I asked,
"Do you like me?" - using the same tone I'd used to ask if the food was poisoned. Itachi nodded automatically, then froze, looked at me in embarrassment, and with a pout, quietly said,
"Baka…" Red-faced, with a grain of rice at the corner of her mouth, calling me an idiot… [ image ]

Is there anything cuter in the world? Well, maybe that scene with Sasuke-chan, but that one had a cat for extra points, so it doesn't count.
Trying to calm my racing heart, I leaned in and whispered in her ear,
"Don't do that again, or I might just fall for you." As I sat back, I could practically see steam coming out of her ears.
"Thank you for the meal. I'll wait for you outside." She stood up so fast the table shook, and dashed out without looking back.
Hehe, damn, she's adorable.
***
[ Saiko ]
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