Chapter 15
Chapter 15
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 1
Chapter Title: Infiltrating Gato's Ship
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"Customer, here's your miso chashu ramen. These daifuku and tempura are on the house! Enjoy your meal!"
The young server respectfully held the tray with both hands, placing the steaming dishes on the table one by one.
"Hm."
Menma pulled his gaze back from the window and eyed the food on the table, a bit surprised.
The server's cheerful hospitality warmed his heart a little.
He'd even thrown in two extra snacks as thanks for Menma's tip.
"Oh, and if you're looking to take Gato Company's merchant ship to the Land of Lightning, there's a ticket booth for shipping vessels just down the next street over."
These merchant ships not only hauled cargo but also sold passage tickets to passengers, picking up travelers along the way to boost their income.
"Thanks."
Menma gave a curt reply and picked up his chopsticks to dig in.
Unfazed by the customer's cool demeanor, the server retreated discreetly.
Maybe because it wasn't a proper ramen joint, the noodles were just so-so, but the complimentary tempura was crispy on the outside and tender within, and the daifuku was sweet and delightful. All in all, quite satisfying.
After a hearty meal that replenished his energy, Menma left the diner and headed to the docks to scout his target.
From afar, he spotted a merchant ship flying Gato Company's flag, preparing to set sail. Crew members on deck shouted through megaphones, while passengers jostled to board along the gangway.
Menma leaped lightly, flickering onto the ship in an instant.
"Hm?"
A ronin warrior on patrol felt a tap on his shoulder and turned his head slightly.
The moment the white three-eyed fox mask came into view, the ronin fell under genjutsu control, his eyes glazing over blankly.
"Where's Gato?" Menma asked in a low voice.
"Lord Gato will board later," the ronin replied woodenly, his eyes unfocused.
"Take me to his cabin."
Menma commanded. At the same time, he formed hand seals and transformed into an armed samurai.
"Yes, sir."
The ronin led the way ahead.
The two proceeded one after the other, blending in seamlessly like they were on a routine patrol through the cabins—no one batted an eye.
"This is Lord Gato's cabin."
The ronin stopped before an ornate wooden door.
"Stay here and guard it. Let Gato in when he arrives."
Menma pushed the door open and stepped inside.
"Yes."
The ronin stood like a statue at the doorway.
Once inside, Menma found no piles of gold or jewels, but the room was decked out with genuine leather furnishings, fine liquors, and various inscrutable collectibles.
He settled behind the desk, pulled open a drawer, and took out some ledgers to flip through.
On such-and-such date, the fleet carried X amount of goods from a Land of Fire port to the Land of Water.
On such-and-such date, the fleet returned from the Land of Water to the Land of Fire with Y goods.
...
These were all recent entries. Even during the Third Great Ninja War, Gato's ships had plied ports across nations. They occasionally ran afoul of ninja or pirates, losing cargo, but overall, the fleet's profits were explosively lucrative.
When shinobi wars erupted, it was prime time for merchants like Gato to rake in massive gains.
Menma wasn't a trained accountant, but even he could spot the huge outflows amid the profits—likely tributes to nobles and even daimyo of the great nations.
That ensured Gato Company's ships free passage everywhere.
For now, Gato Company was still just middling in scale—not yet the world-class tycoon level it'd reach in nine years.