"Wow, it's so lively!"
Walking into Little Beef Hotpot City, Karura was astonished by the dazzling lights and the bustling crowd. Such a vibrant, urban spectacle was unthinkable in the sparse, sand-swept streets of Sunagakure.
"This is actually an entertainment city," Tamura Hao explained with a casual smile. "The first business to open here was the Xiaofei Niu Hotpot, which became so iconic that the entire district took its name from it."
"There's food, yes, but also artificial hot springs, indoor training grounds, arcades, and even illusion-based theaters. If you're here to unwind, you'll find everything you could want."
Tamura Hao truly believed in the power of capital. With proper management, money was like chakra—it flowed and multiplied. But just as overusing chakra could backfire, unchecked greed could destroy empires.
He kept in mind the wisdom of a certain business magnate from his past life: A good business doesn't chase maximum profits; it cultivates sustainable ones—steady as a stream.
So Hao didn't chase margins recklessly. He treated staff well, enforced rigorous quality control, and prioritized hygiene and service. This gave him a reputation that others couldn't replicate—even if they had the same resources.
Just then, a young woman in a sleek uniform approached, handing out a thick booklet. She bowed politely and smiled.
"Dear guests, this guide includes detailed descriptions and photos of every experience we offer. If you need anything, simply ask one of our staff—or any Kumo ninja. The Raikage's office posts long-term auxiliary service missions here. Any shinobi can assist visitors and receive rank-based rewards."
She added, "Of course, all basic services are free for guests. We ensure full safety and comfort in all areas of the entertainment city. Please enjoy yourselves!"
She was a designated gate receptionist—trained to spot first-time visitors and hand them brochures. She was only one of many, though; with eight major entrances, guest volume could reach thousands daily.
"So thick!"
Even the aloof Ye Cang couldn't help glancing at the booklet with curiosity.
"There's such an advanced system in place?"
Rasa's eyes narrowed. Though the receptionist's words were simple, the implications were immense. This city's profitability must be terrifying.
"So many ninjas!"
Karura looked around and realized that many patrons bore forehead protectors. They were still only on the first floor—she'd seen from outside that the city had dozens of floors. Just how many people, and how many ninja, were inside?
"Ninjas live with stress," Hao said knowingly. "They need ways to decompress. This place has become a favorite for Kumo shinobi."
He wasn't wrong. In the manga, even hardened ninjas like Hatake Kakashi turned to escapism to cope with trauma. Leisure wasn't indulgent—it was survival.
"Come on. Let's eat at Little Beef Hotpot. It's not the fanciest food here, but it's the most iconic. Tons of ingredients, great for first-time guests."
He led the three into the Xiao Fei Niu Hotpot restaurant, which took up the entire second floor. It was bustling but orderly—easily the most successful restaurant in the food sector, offering the best price-to-value experience.
Xiao Fei Niu was technically a buffet hotpot, but with higher ingredient quality and strict freshness rules. Nothing ever carried over to the next day.
Of course, leftovers weren't wasted. Internal staff could buy them at half-price in limited quantities, and some were sold to shinobi who raised summon beasts. The surplus was carefully tracked, ensuring minimal waste.
…
An hour later, Rasa, Karura, and Ye Cang were relaxing in the mixed open-air hot springs, wearing yukata robes, their bellies comfortably full.
"The Raikage's son was right. It really is joyful to be friends with Hao-kun," Karura sighed, basking in the steaming water. They'd eaten well, and there were still so many activities left to try. She couldn't help but fantasize—what if such an entertainment city could be built in Sunagakure?
Both Rasa and Ye Cang were equally impressed. Rarely did missions offer such indulgence. This was true rest.
"Life's short. Enjoying it matters."
Tamura Hao leaned back with a juice in hand. He rarely visited the place himself—his cultivation and research took priority, and it was a bit far from his apartment. Usually, he just ate at the nearby snack street.
"Are all three of you bloodline or secret technique users?"
Hao's sudden question made the three Sand shinobi stiffen slightly and glance at one another.
Ninja backgrounds were sensitive—often top secret.
But Hao ignored their reactions. "To represent your village diplomatically, you must at least be jōnin. But you're all young, which means your talent is extraordinary. You wouldn't be here without something special. Standard elemental ninjutsu just isn't enough for that."
Indeed, becoming a jōnin in one's teens was rare—genius-level rare.
Someone like Hatake Kakashi became a jōnin at twelve, but was later held back by the toll of his Sharingan and psychological trauma. Had he grown unimpeded, he might've surpassed even the White Fang.
Rasa, Ye Cang, and Karura were all elite. Especially Rasa—who would one day suppress Shukaku alone and become the Fourth Kazekage. Kage-level strength wasn't empty praise.
The trio realized that Hao hadn't obtained intel—he'd deduced it logically.
"I'm a secret technique user," Karura admitted. She didn't elaborate, but her style derived from the Sand Manipulation Techniques pioneered by the Second Kazekage. She could shape and control refined sand through chakra, though her range and power were less than that of Magnet Release users like Rasa.
But her precision was unparalleled.
"I'm a bloodline user," Rasa said simply.
"Me too," Ye Cang added. Since their identities were already inferred, there was little point in denial.
Of course, they didn't offer further specifics.
"I envy you bloodline ninjas," Hao said honestly. "You're born with power I can only dream of."
Bloodline users had higher talent floors and ceilings—and their techniques often formed the foundation of entire clans.
In the shinobi world, bloodline users stood at the top. Secret technique users followed, and ordinary chakra-type ninjas fell far behind.
Take Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage. He'd mastered all five nature transformations and dozens of jutsu, but was still considered mid-tier among Kage—not weak, but not a match for those with overwhelming abilities like the First or Fourth Hokage.
Then there were the Ōtsutsuki—bloodlines beyond comprehension. Their innate abilities and chakra potential eclipsed everything.
Tamura Hao had none of that. No clan, no kekkei genkai. Even with knowledge from a past life, surpassing these geniuses was a mountain too high.
The three Sand ninja saw the quiet yearning in his eyes. Maybe A was right—this boy's chakra might really be average. But his mind, his drive… that was something else.