Chapter 13: Underground Exchange
After thoroughly enjoying the lively atmosphere, Kiyoshi began searching according to the memories he had acquired.
As a medium-sized town in the Land of Water, although remote, it should also have an underground exchange that was ubiquitous throughout the ninja world.
From Isshiki's memories, he learned that the first exchange was jointly established by all the nobles in the ninja world, and its purpose was solely to control the ninja world's economy and issue a unified currency.
However, after years of fighting, coupled with the birth of the ninja profession, the exchange gradually evolved into an underground exchange. In name, it was still jointly controlled by the daimyo of various countries and received their protection. But in reality, during the evolution process, the underground exchanges in various regions had become independent. Even the original unified currency of the ninja world, although its design had not changed, had its patterns replaced by the patterns of their respective countries.
The current underground exchange, besides retaining the tradition of various regions still issuing the unified currency of the ninja world, had long lost its original functions. The main business of the underground exchange currently was trading, specializing in assassination and bounty transactions. It also had a very strong intelligence gathering capability. It could be said that as long as one had enough money, anyone could be put under a bounty, and any information could be obtained.
Any information was available. Does that sound familiar?
That's right! The one responsible for providing intelligence in the underground exchanges throughout the ninja world was Isshiki Otsutsuki, hidden behind the scenes!
Isshiki, who had lived for thousands of years, infiltrated the underground exchange when it first appeared by relying on his knowledge of various secrets. Over a long period of time, by constantly providing accurate and previously unknown information that no one else knew, Isshiki slowly worked his way up to the position of intelligence chief.
At the end of a street on the north side of town, Kiyoshi finally arrived at his destination. It was a rarely visited attic. He found the restroom and slightly sensed the location of the hidden door.
He didn't know which genius had designed it, but the location of the dignified exchange was actually set in a restroom.
Slightly wrinkling his nose in disgust, enduring the unpleasant smell, Kiyoshi went inside.
"This way, please!" A fierce-looking man greeted him. He was the attendant on duty at this underground exchange.
"Does the guest wish to purchase information or issue a bounty?" the attendant asked.
Kiyoshi didn't answer and silently took out a token and handed it to the attendant in front of him. This token was a proof of identity that Kiyoshi had created on the way here according to Isshiki's memories, using the unique Otsutsuki method of Yin-Yang Release. In the current ninja world, no one should be able to imitate it.
Isshiki Otsutsuki had never shown his true face within the exchange, always operating remotely from behind the scenes. The only thing that could prove his identity was this unique token.
"Lord! How may I assist you?" The attendant immediately knelt on one knee after verifying the token.
"Give me the latest detailed map of the Land of Water, and also bring me 1 million Ryō in cash," Kiyoshi said, quite satisfied, with a faint command.
"Please wait a moment, Lord. I will prepare it immediately," the attendant replied, turning and leaving to fetch what Kiyoshi needed.
After a while, the attendant returned with a map and a leather suitcase. He respectfully handed the items to Kiyoshi and then asked, "Does Lord have any other needs?"
"Oh right, do you have any storage scrolls here? Give me one," Kiyoshi said, casually opening the map to take a look, suddenly thinking of something.
Having experienced the convenience of storage scrolls, Kiyoshi still craved them greatly.
"Lord, I happen to have one on me. I will present it to you!" The attendant quickly took out the storage scroll he carried with him and handed it to Kiyoshi.
"Not bad!" Kiyoshi said with satisfaction. Learning from Isshiki's method in his memories, he pointed a finger at the attendant's forehead, and a piece of information was transmitted. Then, he stored the map and suitcase in the scroll and turned to leave.
Feeling a piece of information about the training method for the "Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique" with only ten hand seals appearing in his mind, the attendant was overjoyed.
The Water Dragon Bullet Technique was a relatively common B-rank Water Release ninjutsu that normally required as many as 44 hand seals. However, Kiyoshi, who had awakened his past life's memories and inherited Isshiki's memories, had three different simplified ways of casting it in his mind: with 3 hand seals, 5 hand seals, and 10 hand seals.
"Thank you for your reward, Lord! Farewell, Lord!"
After leaving the exchange, Kiyoshi went straight to a barbecue restaurant he had passed by earlier.
"Ninja-sama, what would you like to eat?" The restaurant owner personally came to greet him.
"Ten servings of all the grilled meat, to start!" Kiyoshi, who had eaten wild vegetables since childhood in this life, had experienced the feeling of enjoying delicious food in his memories and was very much looking forward to this so-called barbecue.
With exquisite knife skills, the meat was cut into thin slices. The sizzling sound and aroma of the barbecue were intoxicating, as if whispering the temptation of satisfaction in his ear. The color of the meat gradually deepened from light pink to golden brown, like a work of art, showcasing the alluring charm of the barbecue. The grilled meat was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, emitting an intoxicating aroma. Paired with fresh vegetables and seasonings, it left Kiyoshi wanting more.
"This is dozens of times better than my own crude cooking in the wild!" Kiyoshi, who was trying barbecue for the first time, couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.
After a hearty meal, Kiyoshi was completely satisfied. After paying, Kiyoshi left the barbecue restaurant, preparing to find a tailor shop to order a few sets of clothes.
Describing several clothing styles he liked in his mind to the tailor, Kiyoshi paid the deposit and left.
Arriving at the only inn in town, Kiyoshi generously ordered the most luxurious room. Having inherited Isshiki's legacy, he had no intention of saving money at all. With the intelligence network of the entire exchange in his hands, Kiyoshi could now be said to be one of the wealthiest people in the ninja world besides the daimyo of various countries. Enjoying life was the only thing that mattered.
Comfortably soaking in the hot spring, Kiyoshi slowly circulated the Chakra within his body and began to cultivate.
Soon, ten days passed, and it was time to pick up the clothes. After eating breakfast, Kiyoshi came to the tailor shop. The old tailor, who had been waiting for a long time, handed Kiyoshi the several pieces of clothing he had ordered. Kiyoshi took them and couldn't wait to go to the fitting room. Taking off his original tattered and bloodstained clothes, Kiyoshi quickly changed into the new ones.
Both the Otsutsuki clan and the Kaguya clan favored white, and Kiyoshi was no exception.
Inside, he put on a set of off-white, form-fitting ninja attire suitable for combat, with a pair of ninja short boots. Outside, he wore a pure white Royal robe with six black tomoe embroidered on the chest and back.
Watching Kiyoshi walk out of the fitting room after changing his clothes, the old tailor couldn't help but have his eyes light up.
A white-clad young man, with a delicate face, but also a kind of unusual beauty.
Light in stature, noble in temperament, like an immortal banished to the mortal world, revealing a trace of transcendent charm. Every move exuded elegance and composure.
Kiyoshi was very satisfied with his outfit, which completely achieved the effect he had in mind.
Amidst the old tailor's respectful farewell, Kiyoshi returned to the inn.