Chapter 65: A Change of Heart
"Give it to Konoha?" Tenchi repeated, his expression turning cold. "Takahashi, you still don't get it, do you?" He was annoyed. If Takahashi gave the money to the village, Tenchi wouldn't see a single ryo of it. That would be a stupid move.
"No, no! I'll give it all to *you*! I'll give you everything I own! Just please, let me go!" Takahashi quickly corrected himself, kowtowing on the floor again.
"Fine. I don't want your life, and I don't want all your property," Tenchi said, his voice bored. The man's cowardice had sucked all the fun out of the situation. "Just give me the one hundred million we agreed on earlier. Have it sent up to my room, 404." Without another word, he turned and walked out of the private room, leaving the underground casino.
"Yes! Yes, of course! I'll have it brought to you right away!" Takahashi stammered out orders to his men before collapsing fully onto the floor, exhausted and terrified.
As Tenchi walked back through the main casino floor, he passed the front desk. He glanced at the young woman there but didn't say anything, heading straight for the stairs to the fourth floor.
*'That gambler,'* the receptionist thought, watching him go. *'He must have lost everything already, and in such a short time. And he still acts so proud. What a fool.'*
Her thoughts were interrupted as a group of Takahashi's men came up from the basement, carrying heavy boxes. They headed for the stairs. Curious, she stepped out from behind her desk.
"Big brother, what's going on?" she asked the leader. "Why are you carrying so much money? Where are you taking it?"
"You haven't heard?" the man said, looking stressed. "Some young guy came to the casino today. Not only did he win over a hundred million from the boss, but he also killed Boss Takahashi's personal ninja! We're taking his winnings to him now."
*'My god! Someone that powerful?'* The receptionist was shocked.
"Never mind where he's from," the man continued. "We have to get this money to him now. Don't get in our way. If we're late, we're dead men." He motioned for his crew to move.
"Wait! Let me show you the way!" she offered quickly. "I know the hotel layout best. Which room is it?" She was suddenly very eager to see this "ruthless person" who had humbled the boss.
"Room 404, on the fourth floor. Lead the way, and be quick about it!" the man said.
"404... why does that sound so familiar?" she muttered, trying to remember which guest was in that room as the men hurried her along.
***
Up in room 404, Tenchi relaxed on a plush sofa, sipping tea. "A high-class hotel is nice. This room has everything. And I made over a hundred million just by going out for a bit. That's much faster than doing missions for Danzo. It seems if I'm ever short on cash, I know where to come."
A knock came at the door. "My lord? We're here with the money. May we come in?"
"Come in," Tenchi called out.
*'Huh? That voice... it sounds familiar,'* the receptionist thought, standing outside the door.
"What are you waiting for? Open the door! Do you have a death wish?" the lead thug hissed at her.
"O-oh! Right away!" she said, snapping out of it. She unlocked and opened the door, and her eyes went wide when she saw the man lounging on the sofa inside. "It's you!" she blurted out in shock.
"Well, well," Tenchi said, setting his tea down. "Last time we talked, you were so tough. Now you've turned into a woman? Or were you always a man in disguise?" He couldn't resist teasing her.
"I am a woman! I was never a man!" she retorted, flustered. Then her sense of duty kicked in. "You're in the wrong room! You need to get out of here! This room belongs to a... a very dangerous person from the casino! You don't want to die, do you? Come with me, quickly!" She moved to grab his arm and pull him up.
The men carrying the money boxes stared, their jaws nearly hitting the floor.
"Are you sure this idiot works for your hotel?" Tenchi asked the thugs, completely deadpan.
"Uh... she... might not fully understand the situation," the lead thug stammered, horrified by the receptionist's actions. He turned on her. "What in the world are you doing?!"
"Big brother, what's the matter?" the receptionist asked, confused. "I'm getting him out of the wrong room!" She then turned back to Tenchi, exasperated. "What is wrong with you? Why won't you leave? Can't you see you've made these big brothers angry? Get out now!"
Watching her, the thugs were so stunned they almost dropped the money boxes. *'This woman is a lunatic! That is NOT what we meant!'*
"Enough!" Tenchi's voice cut through the room, laced with a pulse of his chakra. The pressure in the air became heavy. The receptionist froze, her hand dropping from his arm. The thugs flinched and fell to their knees, trembling.
"Leave the money and get out," Tenchi commanded. "All of you. But she stays." He pointed at the receptionist.
Hearing they were allowed to leave, the thugs didn't need to be told twice. They scrambled to their feet and fled the room as if demons were chasing them.
Once they were gone, Tenchi turned his gaze to the stunned woman. A slow, mischievous smile spread across his face. "Well? Do you still want to drag me out?"
"You... you... you're the one?" she stammered, her face pale. "The ruthless person who won over a hundred million from the boss and killed his ninja?"
"Who else did you think it was?" Tenchi replied, his smirk widening.
"I... I'll have you know this is the Land of Fire! We have laws! If you try anything with me, I'll scream!" she said, crossing her arms protectively over her chest.
"You watch too many plays," Tenchi said, rolling his eyes. "I have zero interest in your body. Take five million from the floor and get out of here. And don't work in this kind of place anymore. Your personality isn't cut out for it." Having said his piece, he turned back to his tea.
Realizing he genuinely meant her no harm, she let out a sigh of relief. But when he told her to take five million, she looked at him suspiciously. "You're not trying to buy me with money, are you? I'll have you know, I won't sell myself for any amount!"
"Ugh..." Tenchi groaned, exasperated. "I'm giving you money for free, and that's a problem too? If you don't want it, then leave. It just means more for me." He shook his head. *'What a strange girl.'*
"Hmph! Why wouldn't I take it? But I'll only take ten thousand. I don't want more than that." She bent down and picked up a single ten-thousand-ryo note from the stacks on the floor.
"Suit yourself," Tenchi said with a shrug. With a simple hand seal, he caused the rest of the money on the floor to vanish into his personal storage space.
The receptionist was startled by the display of ninja magic, but she quickly composed herself. "You should rest. I'm leaving now." She opened the door to go.
But with her hand on the doorknob, she paused and looked back. "Can... can you tell me your name?"
"Tenchi. Uchiha Tenchi," he answered, seeing no reason to hide it.
"Uchiha Tenchi..." she repeated. "My name is Kaimei. Tagawa Kaimei. Thank you for the ten thousand. I will remember your kindness." With that, she finally left, softly closing the door behind her.