After setting a time and place with Lady Mikoto, Drake prepared to slip away.
After all, this place only served female customers.
If a guest spotted him wandering around, things would get troublesome.
But just as he stepped out, he spotted Kushina standing at the front desk.
"Huh? Kushina-senpai, didn't you go to the Hyūga Clan?" Drake asked, puzzled.
"I did. My real body went," Kushina grinned brightly.
"This is just a shadow clone. Go wait in the room — my main body will be back soon."
Drake was impressed.
Negotiations outside, clone guarding the bathhouse.
A practical and efficient use of Shadow Clone Technique.
"Really is a convenient skill…" he muttered, returning to the room.
Now it was just him and Lady Mikoto.
Awkward silence filled the air.
Their eyes met, and the atmosphere quietly shifted.
To ease the tension, Mikoto bent down and began wiping the floor.
Drake stared.
If you're going to clean, why are you turning your back to me?
Do you have any idea how dangerous that is?
Fortunately, before anything escalated, Kushina returned.
Her expression clearly screamed: Negotiations were painful.
"The Hyūga are impossible!" she fumed.
"They only agreed to send one branch-family woman!"
"Just one is fine," Drake shrugged calmly.
Getting a main-family Hyūga was obviously impossible anyway.
"And that's not all! They added a ton of conditions!"
She sat down on the bed and began listing them.
"We can only hire Hyūga Suzune, from the branch family. Payment must be calculated per day."
Drake and Mikoto listened silently.
"She can only work a maximum of three hours per day."
"And the craziest part?"
"Ten thousand ryō per day!"
Drake raised a brow.
That was the reward of a C-rank mission.
Three hours of massage = a full C-rank payout. Truly outrageous.
"But she is a Hyūga," Drake reasoned calmly.
"Just the reputation alone will attract customers. That's invaluable."
"I know, but that barely leaves us any profit," Kushina frowned.
"Too expensive…" Mikoto nodded in agreement.
One hundred thousand ryō a day.
Three million a month.
At that rate, the bathhouse would be working for the Hyūga, not the other way around.
"There is a solution," Drake said slowly, eyes narrowing.
A spark of calculation ignited.
"Oh? Say it!" Kushina leaned forward instantly.
"You've got an idea?" Mikoto blinked.
"Simple. We use a bidding system."
"Bidding?" Kushina echoed.
"Exactly. Customers compete. Whoever places the highest bid gets Suzune's massage service."
He continued smoothly:
"We shift the hiring cost onto the customers themselves."
Kushina's eyes instantly lit up.
"That's brilliant! So we don't lose anything!"
"And not just that," Mikoto added, catching on fast.
"If their bid exceeds one hundred thousand, we profit on top!"
"And we can place high bidders on a reservation list, rotating future clients."
Her excitement grew as she spoke.
"That means Suzune becomes a continuous profit engine!"
"Perfect!" Kushina clapped happily.
"As expected of the wife of the Uchiha clan head," Drake praised with a smirk.
"Such sharp business insight."
Action began immediately.
As the official owner, Drake also got involved.
Half an hour later, a gentle-looking Hyūga girl in her late teens entered the shop and was guided into the room.
Soft features. Elegant posture. Full figure.
A classic Hyūga beauty.
Drake compared her subconsciously to future Hinata standards — and nodded in approval.
After signing the agreement, Hyūga Suzune bowed politely and left.
"Tomorrow we start publicity!" Kushina declared confidently.
"If all goes well, she'll begin work immediately!"
That evening.
Kushina, Lady Mikoto, Meizi, Drake, and Rin gathered for dinner.
What should have been a peaceful meal… slowly twisted.
Meizi cast a subtle glance at Drake — a familiar signal.
Then her eyes drifted toward the left corridor.
Drake thought for a moment.
This time… surely it's correct.
Meaning:
Left side. The baths.
"I'm full! I'm going to sleep!" Kushina patted her stomach and cheerfully disappeared into the right room.
She'd need rest — tomorrow would be hectic.
Second to leave was Lady Mikoto.
Under Drake's gaze, she walked straight toward…
The left corridor. The baths.
Drake froze.
"…Wait."
Wasn't Meizi also pointing to the baths?
He turned his eyes to Meizi.
Even she looked momentarily stunned.
But after a second, she signaled again — left.
Drake pressed his fingers to his temple.
These two switching signals like this was giving him a headache.
"Drake, I'm done eating. Good night!" Rin waved before dashing off to sleep with Kushina.
"Come on~" Meizi smiled impatiently and hooked her arm through his.
Inside the darkened room, their reunion burned even hotter than before.
Warm breath. Soft whispers. No hesitation.
Passion answered passion.
An hour and a half later, Drake emerged, victorious and composed.
Drake: 1. World: 0.
Tap. Tap.
Just as he stepped into the hallway, Lady Mikoto — wrapped in a bath towel — walked out of the baths.
"…Why are you still standing there?" she murmured, eyes slightly misty.
There was grievance in her voice. And something else.
"Lady Mikoto," Drake smiled calmly,
"Since you're clearly so eager… I suppose I can spare some time for a private exchange."
He stepped forward decisively—
And pulled her straight into the bath.
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