Yuta originally thought that Jiraiya and Hiruzen Sarutobi were big spenders; with their investment, he would at least be able to cover more than half of the costs for opening the shop.
However, after talking for so long and putting in the effort to make a sample, he only managed to get 1.2 million ryo.
This amount of money would barely cover the rent at best; he couldn't do anything else with it. The materials for making puppets, especially when trying to make them as realistic as possible, were not cheap.
Jiraiya looked at the gloomy Yuta and asked suspiciously, "1.2 million ryo is not a small amount. That should be enough to open a shop, right? How big do you intend for your shop to be if you need that much money?"
Yuta said with a bitter face, "I told you, just this one sample cost over 100,000 ryo to make. I'm not exaggerating. If I open a shop, I need at least a few more samples on display. Plus, there are research costs for iterations and other miscellaneous expenses. I have to front the capital myself in the early stages; 1.2 million ryo is simply not enough."
Hiruzen Sarutobi asked, dumbfounded, "It really costs over 100,000 ryo? Then how much do you plan to sell the finished product for?"
Yuta held up three fingers: "For the first generation, I plan to have three tiers. The first tier only has simple voice dialogue functionality and will sell for 250,000 ryo. The second tier is the current maria no. 1, which can not only hold voice dialogues but also perform simple movements. I plan to sell it for 350,000 ryo."
"And the third tier... you can make requests, such as customizing the body type and appearance. Furthermore, after product iterations, if new functions can be installed, you can pay to have them added directly to the original puppet. If they can't be added, you can purchase the iterated product at a discount. This is a service that the first two tiers cannot enjoy."
"So, the price for the third tier is a bit more expensive, set at 600,000 ryo. How is that? Pretty reasonable, right?"
Jiraiya and Hiruzen Sarutobi's mouths hung slightly open as they stared blankly at Yuta: "This price... will anyone actually buy it? Isn't this way too expensive?"
Yuta corrected them, "Hey, how can you say that? I already said, this is a spiritual solace. Can spiritual solace be measured by price? Besides, I think this price is very reasonable. A bowl of chashu ramen at Ichiraku Ramen now costs 400 ryo per bowl. You only need to eat 625 fewer bowls of ramen to buy a first-tier puppet product. I make a good point, don't I?"
Jiraiya and Hiruzen Sarutobi thought about it. 625 bowls of ramen in exchange for a puppet—at first glance, it did seem acceptable.
Yuta suddenly said righteously, "Also, if my business does well, the taxes I pay to Konoha will definitely be higher. This is also me contributing my own strength to Konoha! So..."
Yuta rubbed his fingers together again: "Old man, explode some more gold coins!"
"Uh..."
Jiraiya and Hiruzen Sarutobi were in a bit of a dilemma.
The rewards Jiraiya received from completing missions were basically all spent at brothels.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's money was all with Sarutobi Biwako. If she found out he was investing in a shop like Yuta's, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't even imagine what would happen.
Jiraiya spread his hands: "I really only have this much. You can't leave me unable to afford to eat, right?"
After thinking for a moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "As for money, I really can't take any more out, but... Yuta, have you chosen a shop location? If you rent a shop from our Sarutobi Clan, I can take charge and make the rent cheaper."
Yuta's eyes suddenly lit up: "Minato said he would help me reserve a shop in a good location. If Lord Sandaime's shop location is good, then I will rent it."
Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "The location is quite good, and it's considered to be in the central area of Konoha. How about it? If you want to rent it, I can go and have a word for you, say hello?"
Yuta seized the opportunity, "Mm-hmm, I'll rent it, but... can't the rent be waived?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi said helplessly, "This isn't my shop; it belongs to my clansmen. A waiver is impossible."
"Alright then, I'll figure out the rest of the money myself."
Yuta left the Hokage Building, intending to go home and think of a way to see whose gold coins he could explode. If he really couldn't get any, he would just have to go to Kannabi Bridge and try his luck.
Just after leaving the Hokage Building, Hiruzen Sarutobi caught up with Yuta.
Yuta asked, "Lord Sandaime, is there anything else?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked left and right, and after confirming no one was around, he took out a photo and handed it to Yuta: "Yuta, help me make one based on this photo. I want a gentle-type one."
Yuta took the photo and glanced at it; it was a photo of Sarutobi Biwako when she was young.
Yuta agreed, "Alright, I understand. Leave it to me. However, it might take a bit longer; I need to find a way to solve the money issue right now."
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded with satisfaction: "It's fine, as long as you keep it in mind. I'm not in a rush, but if it could be a little faster, that would be great too."
Yuta blinked.
This isn't in a rush? He has practically written the word 'rush' on his face.
Hiruzen Sarutobi left, and just as Yuta was about to walk forward, an arm suddenly wrapped around Yuta's neck.
Yuta looked up, and the corner of his eye twitched: "Lord Jiraiya, you wouldn't also want me to make a puppet right now, would you?"
Jiraiya raised an eyebrow: "Hmm? 'Also'? Could it be... did the old man look for you already?"
Yuta turned his head away: "I didn't say anything."
Jiraiya said with a cheeky grin, "Yuta, help me make one too, the third-tier one."
Yuta held out his hand: "Money, 600,000 ryo, and I'll make it for you right away."
Jiraiya pressed Yuta's hand down: "Aren't I about to invest 1 million ryo in you? I'll give you the money tomorrow."
Yuta remained unmoved: "That's for investing in my shop. If you want to buy one, you still have to pay."
Jiraiya smiled, "Talking about money hurts our friendship. Just help me make one based on Tsunade, that's all. Oh, right, the personality needs to be gentle."
Yuta thought of the scene where he was violently beaten by Tsunade; he still felt terrified just thinking about it, so he flatly refused: "Lord Jiraiya, do you have a death wish? If she finds out, I'll get beaten up too!"
Jiraiya patted his chest and guaranteed, "That time was an accident. I'll be very careful afterwards. How about it? At worst, when I have money later, I'll add some more investment for you."
Yuta rubbed his chin and thought for a moment, the corners of his mouth slowly curling up: "Ahem, I can make one for Lord Jiraiya for free, but you have to agree to one request from me when the time comes."
Jiraiya agreed very readily: "No problem! Any request is fine. But it's best to be quick. After Minato gets married, I'm going to leave Konoha to find inspiration for my new book. Just now, the old man and I were at Minato's place discussing the details of Minato's wedding. The wedding is in a week, so do me a favor and make it within a week."
Yuta was a bit surprised. Has the wedding date already been set?
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