Chapter 86: Reputation

Both Elder Mitomon En and Kato Mikaze benefited from the arrangement, so naturally, both parties were delighted with the outcome. However, the pie that was the profits of the gambling scene in the village of Konoha was only so large—when some gained, others inevitably lost. The ones who lost out were the shadowy figures who had previously controlled the gambling dens now taken over by the Kato clan.

As for those former backers, they had no choice but to accept the new reality with a forced smile. What else could they do? Retaliate? Don’t be ridiculous—wasn’t staying alive preferable?

These particular gambling houses were chosen by Kato Mikaze with care; their backers, at most, were jonin-level shinobi of Konoha, and even then, they were the kind rarely known by name, mere background figures who didn’t stand out in the world of ninja.

Faced with Kato Mikaze, a rising and increasingly renowned jonin in Konoha, and with the added influence of Elder Mitomon En, a senior with real power, most of these background players wisely chose silence. For those few who refused to keep quiet, Kato Mikaze would quickly teach them the value of discretion.

There were, of course, gambling dens with far deeper roots in Konoha, such as the one Kato Mikaze currently visited. Here, the families and shinobi behind the scenes, seeing that Kato Mikaze only issued warnings to a few fools unable to grasp the situation, didn't see a need to escalate. Sensing that his actions were measured and that he quickly ceased interfering with the broader interests at stake, they tacitly acknowledged him as a new member at the table.

Naturally, these powerful backers instructed their subordinates and establishments to comply with the rules set by Kato Mikaze. These rules were clearly meant to ensure Tsunade's enjoyment, harmless enough and likely devised as a playful agreement between the two, serving as a polite way to draw boundaries.

Kato Mikaze set those rules; whether or not to respect them was up to the families and shinobi behind these establishments. Give him face, and everyone wins—they were all Konoha shinobi, after all, serving the Will of Fire together.

But for those who refused, at least one gambling house owner—the one whose name appeared on the deeds—already had weeds growing atop his grave.

Running a business in Konoha was about making a living, not a life-or-death struggle—so long as no one threatened another’s share, there was no need for bloodshed.

...

On another note, Kato Mikaze considered Elder Mitomon En truly an exemplary elder—fair in dealings, businesslike when accepting payment. Kato Mikaze owed a debt of gratitude to the gatekeepers, Kamizuki Ryuun and Hagane Kotetsu; it was through them he established a connection with the elder, setting everything else into motion.

He planned to express his gratitude with gifts: perhaps a pair of dolls for Kamizuki Ryuun, and one of Jiraiya’s early literary masterpieces from his time at the shinobi academy for Hagane Kotetsu.

...

Kato Mikaze was never so harsh with ordinary shinobi or common villagers of Konoha. As for his attitude toward gambling house managers—especially those not working for his own family—one could tell much by the nervous caution of the current manager accompanying him.

Inside the casino hall, seeing Kato Mikaze raise an eyebrow, the manager continued his string of sycophantic pleasantries, all the while watching Kato’s expression for clues to his mood. Simultaneously, he waved his attendants forward to clear a path through the crowd, using manpower to open a passageway.

All to allow this jonin lord through to retrieve his woman.

Seeing the manager so perceptive—sending his men to clear a way—Kato Mikaze refrained from unleashing his killing intent or oppressive aura. He’d been on the road lately, with more than a few deaths behind him; had he truly let loose here, who could say what havoc might have followed?

Since the powers behind this casino had shown him respect and abided by his rules, he would reciprocate in kind.

He had a fair idea of who stood behind most of the remaining casinos in Konoha. Until his strength reached the point of invincibility, it was unwise to make enemies of them all at once.

Besides, time was a curious thing. Some matters, not urgent or critical, could be dealt with at leisure.

...

He was close now—soon he would see Tsunade. Even from here, he could hear her voice among the crowd, calling out her guesses along with the excited gamblers.

He waited patiently as the casino staff struggled to part the sea of people ahead.

The manager, seeing Kato Mikaze calm and waiting, quietly wiped the sweat from his brow. It was hard to blame him for his nerves—recent events among his colleagues in the tightly knit gambling circle of Konoha were too close for comfort. In such a small world, everyone heard the slightest rumor, especially in the shadowy business of gambling.

More importantly, the manager’s own backers—a member of a great Konoha ninja clan—had issued him special instructions regarding Kato Mikaze.

As the manager discreetly wiped the sweat from his forehead and accompanied Kato Mikaze, waiting while his subordinates carved a path through the throng, the sounds and sights from within the crowd grew steadily clearer.

Kato Mikaze, of course, had already scanned the place with his senses—there would be no trouble.

The manager, not a shinobi himself, peered nervously ahead as the passage was finally forced open.

A long sigh of relief escaped him.

At the very heart of the crowd, two of the casino’s female attendants were doing their best to shield Tsunade from the eager gamblers, creating a small, separate space for her amidst the sea of people.

Now the manager could listen to the sounds within and, at the same time, prompt the jonin lord to enter first, following carefully behind.

“Small, small, small!”

“Small, small, small!” came the crisp, melodious voice of a woman amid the shouts of excited male gamblers.

The manager recognized the voice; it was the “big spender”—no, Lady Tsunade herself. He must never let the jonin lord hear the words “big spender.”

...

PS: New author humbly seeks support—recommendations and bookmarks appreciated!