The next day.
Ge Liang woke up an hour earlier than usual.
He felt that every time he completed a mission, and a new game or TV show came out, he had to explain things to customers one by one when they had questions.
It was fine when one or two people asked; he could patiently explain. But when the number of people grew, Ge Liang genuinely found it annoying.
So, he simply prepared another small blackboard and wrote down the new content added after completing the mission.
"Hmm, feels pretty good."
Ge Liang looked at what he had written, nodded in satisfaction, and then hung it in a prominent position visible immediately upon entering.
He ate some breakfast, then tried out diablo ii in normal mode for a while.
When it was eight o'clock in the morning, Ge Liang got off the machine, opened the internet cafe's door, and started business.
"Huh? What's going on?"
Since the day Hiruzen Sarutobi'showed goodwill,' there were always some customers waiting at the door every morning when Ge Liang opened.
Some he knew, some he didn't.
But there was always someone waiting.
Only today, he felt something was off; there wasn't a single person waiting at the door for the internet cafe to open.
Logically, a new game just came out yesterday, so everyone's enthusiasm should be high. Even if not a crowd, there should at least be a few people.
Ge Liang shook his head, finding it a bit hard to understand.
Fortunately, after more than ten minutes, he saw the members of Team 10.
After greeting Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji, Ge Liang looked at Asuma and asked, "Are you going out of the Village for a mission?"
Looking at the fully equipped Team 10, Ge Liang didn't think they were there to play games; instead, they looked like they were about to leave the Village.
As everyone knows, it's very troublesome for a Ninja to leave the Village. Unless there are special circumstances, one must have the Hokage's approval to do so.
What was Team 10 going out of the Village for?
Only for missions.
"Yes, I think Shikamaru and the others are strong enough. It's time for them to see the 'outside the Village' scenery."
As for what kind of scenery, Asuma didn't explicitly say, but Ge Liang could guess.
"Then I wish you a successful mission and a safe return."
A successful mission was certain. As long as they didn't encounter a scammer like Tazuna who misreported missions, with the strength of Shikamaru and the two others alone, they could complete almost all types of C-rank missions.
Adding Asuma, an Elite Jonin, unless they encountered an A-rank mission, even a B-rank mission wouldn't be difficult for them.
"Thank you for your kind words. We're pressed for time, so we'll be going now."
"Wait a moment."
Turning his head and looking at the empty internet cafe, Ge Liang suddenly remembered he had a question to ask.
"What is it?"
The members of Team 10, who had already walked a few meters away, all turned their heads when they heard Ge Liang call out to them.
"It's like this."
Ge Liang took a few steps forward, then pointed to his empty internet cafe and asked, "Do you know what's going on?"
The clever Shikamaru instantly understood.
"Boss, Ninja also need to earn money. If they're out of money, they naturally have to go on missions to earn it."
Hearing Shikamaru's answer, Ge Liang slapped his forehead, feeling foolish.
"So that's how it is."
Counting Team 7, Team 8, and Team 10, the internet cafe currently had about forty regular customers.
Aside from these three teams, the rest were direct subordinates of the Third Hokage, meaning Anbu members.
Yesterday, eighteen beginner magic swords were sold. Except for Kakashi who bought one, the other seventeen were sold to those Anbu members.
A price of one million Ryo was not a small sum. Having spent such a large amount of money, plus Anbu members not being so free, the quietness of the internet cafe today was understandable... Back in the internet cafe, Ge Liang played diablo ii while waiting for customers.
Back in the internet cafe, Ge Liang played diablo ii while waiting for customers to arrive.
It wasn't until past nine o'clock that the internet cafe had its first customer of the day.
"Welcome."
With a customer arriving, Ge Liang naturally had to get up and welcome them; this was his duty as a service staff member.
However, when Ge Liang clearly saw the person's appearance, he narrowed his eyes.
Ge Liang's narrowed eyes were naturally seen by the person, who chuckled, adjusted his glasses, and asked, "Boss, do you know me?"
"If I'm not mistaken, your name should be Yakushi Kabuto?"
"I didn't expect the boss to know a small fry like me."
Having his name called out by Ge Liang, Yakushi Kabuto, as a professional spy, showed no panic; instead, he was very composed.
"I'm quite sure I don't know you, Boss, so could you tell me how you know me?"
How did he know?
If I said I knew from watching anime, would you think I'm crazy?
"Nothing, I just happened to hear a Ninja mention you."
"Participating in multiple Chunin Exams consecutively and not passing for four years straight, I was quite curious about such a Genin, so I casually inquired about your appearance."
Generally, for a Genin to become a Chunin, besides participating in the Chunin Exams held by various Villages, they can only become a Chunin with special permission from the Kage of their respective Village.
An ordinary Genin, after failing one or two Chunin Exams, would likely not participate in another Chunin Exam for the next year or two. They would only participate in the next Chunin Exams when they felt their strength had increased and they had confidence.
But a guy like Yakushi Kabuto would go whenever he heard a Village was holding Chunin Exams.
In four years, he failed all the exams he participated in.
Such a person who repeatedly fails but keeps trying would naturally arouse curiosity in some people.
So, when he heard Ge Liang say that, Yakushi Kabuto didn't show any suspicion. He just pretended to be a little embarrassed and said, "There's nothing I can do. My family's financial situation isn't very good, and as you know, Boss, after becoming a Chunin, both the mission rewards and the Village's welfare are much better than for a Genin."
"To make my life a little better, that's why I want to become a Chunin so badly."
"So that's it."
Ge Liang nodded, then began to explain the purpose of the internet cafe to Yakushi Kabuto.
"Is it really that amazing?"
Upon hearing that playing games could make one stronger, Yakushi Kabuto didn't show any trace of doubt; instead, his face was filled with excitement.
Hmm, this perfectly matched the persona Yakushi Kabuto had created for himself.
"Of course, everyone who's played says it's good. I haven't received a single bad review yet."
"Alright then."
With Ge Liang's assurance, Yakushi Kabuto meticulously pulled out a 10,000 Ryo bill.
As he handed the money to Ge Liang, Yakushi Kabuto's face revealed a hint of imperceptible reluctance.
'Yakushi Kabuto's little expression is truly unmatched.'
'In terms of acting skills, I, the handsome Ge Liang, declare you the strongest.'
d(*￣▽￣)=====b