This is a small chap, sorry hehe. I'll make it up to you guys with the next chap!
[Current Balance: £759,549,399 10s. 2d.]
---
It was the same day Alaric had returned from his whirlwind trip to Bristol, around three in the afternoon. The initial excitement of his return had settled, and a quiet rhythm had resumed at Kenway Keep.
Alaric stood on the large marble balcony of his bedroom, a familiar vantage point that offered a panoramic view of his domain. Below, the vast training grounds were filled with activity.
The Pennsylvanian air was cold, a light, persistent snow dusting the grounds in a thin blanket of white. Fog clung to the distant treeline, giving the landscape a muted, ethereal quality.
Despite the chill, hundreds of people moved with a disciplined intensity, their breaths pluming in the frigid air. They trained relentlessly, their shouts and the clang of practice weapons a stark contrast to the quiet of the winter afternoon.
The sight of their master's crimson-coated figure watching from the balcony above, was a powerful motivator, a constant reminder of the standard they were striving to meet.
This was his Elite Task Force. Over three hundred strong, forged from a motley collection of former slaves, household staff, and seasoned Assassins, all bound by loyalty and empowered by his strange gifts. The Asura's Crest healed their strains and bruises, the endless supply of hearty food from the underground farm fueled their bodies, and the shared purpose forged their spirits into steel.
Alaric watched them, a faint, proud smile on his lips. He saw Reuben, his captain, moving through his designated company with a sharp, critical eye. His commands were crisp, his corrections exacting. He demanded perfection, pushing his subordinates to their absolute limits.
Not far from Reuben, Thulani, the other captain, moved with a different kind of energy. He was a mountain of calm strength, his guidance was firm but compassionate, offering encouragement and correcting form with a patient hand. They were two sides of the same coin, a perfect balance of discipline and heart.
A chuckle escaped Alaric as he watched their contrasting styles. He had no doubt about Shakoka's potential role in all this, though the Iroquois warrior was currently deep in his own specialized training and mission. The matriarchal structure of the Five Nations would be a challenge, but Alaric had plans for his disciple, plans that would reshape the political landscape of this continent.
Shaking his head at his own grand ambitions, Alaric turned from the balcony and headed downstairs, his path leading him to the hidden elevator and down into the cavernous depths of the underground warehouse.
"I specifically built this place to handle so many products," he murmured to himself, his voice echoing in the vast, empty space. The scale of it was still staggering. "I wonder how the family's gonna react once I fill this room up? Hehehe..."
For the next few minutes, he paced the massive chamber, the System interface a shimmering blue screen before his eyes as he browsed, planned, and calculated.
'Hmm... yeah, I like this one.'
'Nah, this wouldn't sell.'
'This is shit.'
'Oh? The description's nice, I'mma buy that.'
'Hmm... wouldn't want to sell that.'
'Yep, I think I'm done... that's a lot of products...'
With a final, decisive mental command, he confirmed the purchase.
[Ichiraku Ramen Instant Noodle Cups (10x) - 2d.]
[Quantity: 15,001,000x]
[Uchiha Fire & Spice Hot Sauce - 7d.]
[Quantity: 10,001,000x]
[Kunoichi Beauty Mask (5x) - 2s. 3d.]
[Quantity: 200,001,000x]
[Sage's Herbal Infusion Tea Bags - 3s. 1d.]
[Quantity: 50,001,000x]
[Premium Cigars - 6s. 3d.]
[Quantity: 40,001,000x]
[Hyuga Clan Secret Ointment - 1s. 3d.]
[Quantity: 20,001,000x]
[Shampoo+Conditioner - 1d.]
[Quantity: 200,001,000x]
[Liquid Bathing Soap - 1d.]
[Quantity: 800,001,000x]
[Toothpaste - Toothpaste with mint inspired by the Fifth Mizukage's icy glare. - 1d.][Quantity: 100,001,000x]
[Toothbrush - Toothbrush with bristles as white as Jiraiya's hair. - 1d.]
[Quantity: 100,001,000x]
[Lotion - Lotion that makes your skin as silky and smooth as Naruto's A**. - 1d.]
[Quantity: 100,001,000x]
[MRE - Meal, Ready to Eat. It doesn't necessarily taste good. - 2d.]
[Quantity: 1,001,000x]
[Total Deduction: - £49,800,708 6s. 8d.]
[Current Balance: £709,748,691 3s. 6d.]
The transaction was instantaneous. The vast, empty warehouse was suddenly, impossibly, full. Crate after massive crate materialized from thin air, stacking themselves in neat, towering rows that stretched into the distance, filling the cavernous space with the scent of fresh-cut wood and the promise of unimaginable wealth.
Alaric stood in the middle of it all, a satisfied grin on his face as he surveyed his new inventory. He took out a fresh ledger and a quill, and with a speed that would have made any clerk weep with envy, he began to write, detailing the new products and their pricing.
The MREs, he noted, were not for sale, reserved exclusively for his Task Force. The extra thousand of each product were gifts for the household and Penn. And everyone living on the estate would receive a generous 40% discount on their personal purchases.
"If this is all sold out, it should be £1,470,250,000," he murmured, doing the quick math in his head. He scratched the back of his neck. "However, with the discount for the people in this mansion... bah, let's not think about it. The important part is that I'll be becoming a billionaire."
He closed the ledger with a satisfied snap.
"Lemme tell my family 'bout this," he said to the empty, crate-filled warehouse. "They ought to be shocked."
.
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