Relaxing on the comfortable sofa with his legs stretched out, Ryuku sipped on the leftover juice he found in the refrigerator.
Yes, he had a refrigerator. Apparently, his late great-uncle had a habit of drinking cold beer—enough to justify purchasing an expensive model worth over twenty thousand Ryo.
But what good was it now when it was practically empty?
I need money. The more, the better.
Noticing that his bank balance was only a few thousand Ryo—barely enough to last a month without extra spending—Ryuku began considering multiple solutions. To the extent that he even thought about selling his own house.
Because why not?
To survive in this world, the first thing he needed was a shit ton of money—to purchase weapons, medicines, ninja scrolls, and maintain a constant high-protein diet, of course. He was taking everything into account, just as he had done in the past.
After pondering for some time, he finally worked through the money issue. There would be no selling his roof or doing late-hour work. A simple yet effective deal would make him rich in a single night.
The next issue to deal with was his low Chakra.
Sigh... Since this guy's parents were only civilians, the amount of Chakra this body has is on the low side of Genin. Barely enough to cast three or four E-rank Jutsu in succession...
Hm, I'll have to make it work for now...
After a short break to plan out his day, he got moving.
He searched for his bank passbook, secured it in his pocket, and left the house.
As he stepped outside, the warm rays of sunlight fell over his body, making him squint slightly.
It's springtime, for Kaguya's sake... Why is it so hot already?
The sun stood high overhead, casting its warmth across Konohagakure. Birds chirped, and the streets buzzed with life. Hundreds of people moved swiftly through the markets, filling the village with such vigor that Ryuku almost felt like he was still on Earth. Of course, the occasional sight of headbands and flak jackets did its job well—constantly reminding him of his new reality.
"Come! Come! Get a nice pack of shuriken for only 300 Ryo! You won't find a deal like this anywhere else, so be quick—only six packs left! Come! Come!"
"Dango! Dango! Buy one, get one free!"
"Best aphrodisiac in Konoha! Drink one and go on for an entire night! Only 500 Ryo!"
The shouts of vendors echoed in Ryuku's ears every time he passed a street. He glanced around, hoping to find something worthwhile, but nothing stood out. Just the usual hawkers trying to get rid of their junk by scamming people.
So much for a free village… Why aren't the higher-ups kicking their asses out of Konoha already? I can't wrap my head around these fools…
He understood it was all happening through bribery, but why let them inside the village in the first place? They could easily be informants for enemy villages. Even worse, since they were already welcomed into the heart of Konoha, the entire defense structure of the village was practically laid bare for anyone to admire.
What morons… No wonder so many kidnappings happened in the headcanon…
Ryuku lamented Konoha's intelligence organization, all while chewing on a dango ball he had bought earlier. The sweetness and rich aroma hit him hard, pulling him out of his pointless thoughts. He decided to simply enjoy the treat as he continued searching for a particular shop.
But before that, he first had to withdraw some money from his account.
After a few minutes of walking, he arrived at the Konohagakure Exclusive Bank. Open to both civilians and shinobi, this bank was the heart of Konoha's economy. Compared to the National Bank of the Fire Country, which had small branches in every developed village and town for merchants and government officials, the Konohagakure Exclusive Bank was far more convenient. As its name suggested, it was exclusively for the people of Konoha.
Shortly after, Ryuku withdrew 7,500 Ryo from his account, leaving a few hundred behind as a mandatory balance. With that done, he left the bank.
Now, where's the nearest general store...
30 minutes later~
"Here is your chicken soup, dear customer. If there is anything else you need, please do let me know."
Dining in one of the finest restaurants run by the Akimichi Clan, Ryuku had already chosen his target. He looked at the chicken soup placed before him, inhaled its aroma, and immediately, a wide smirk spread across his face.
It's bland... What a score.
He turned his gaze toward the silent waitress standing patiently a few steps away and spoke, "Is your manager here? I'd like to have a word with him."
"Sir, is there a problem with the food?" she asked, frowning as she ignored his question.
"Well, obviously, there is a problem with the food. That's why I asked to see your manager in the first place," Ryuku replied smoothly, his voice polite yet unwavering.
His demeanor startled the waitress. A kid asking to meet the manager? It sounded absurd. Her first instinct was to assume he was here to stir up trouble—but the next moment, that thought vanished.
Ryuku casually displayed a handful of 1,000 Ryo bills before handing her a folded piece of paper.
The waitress studied him for a moment before nodding politely and walking away.
Ryuku's eyes flickered toward her tight-fitting pants, subtly admiring the well-rounded curves beneath. Having died a virgin in his past life, he couldn't help but feel drawn to the women of this world. His hormones surged, and before he knew it, a noticeable bulge formed in his pants.
Hm... Calm down, big guy... There are far better choices for us to claim... Still, strength and money comes first...
Though the food in front of him was below average to his tastes—his sense of smell had been sharp even on Earth, so he could tell—he ultimately chose to eat it. The reason was simple: his predecessor's diet had consisted of nothing but sandwiches and toast. One look, and anyone could see how badly malnourished his body was.
Finishing the chicken soup in just a few minutes, Ryuku wiped his mouth with a handkerchief and waited patiently, as if he already knew someone would come to fetch him.
And someone actually did.
An older man with an extremely plump body, spiky brown hair, and purple markings on his cheeks approached. A person Ryuku recognized well from his past life memories.
Chōza Akimichi.
The current patriarch of the Akimichi Clan and the manager of multiple restaurants in Konoha.
*****
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