Konoha: Start from untying the caged bird

Page 161

Daming threw the book away, first laughing in anger, then coldly kicking over the low table in front of him, startling everyone around him who kept their eyes downcast and only kept shouting for him to calm down.

Subsequently, several announcements were issued in succession.

First, they announced to the world that they would cut Konoha Village's budget for next year and use the money to improve people's livelihoods.

Then, he went on to talk about how the national treasury was empty and that he couldn't help the people of the Land of Fire because he had no money.

Therefore, the tax system needs to be changed, not others', but Konoha's. From now on, all trade within Konoha in the Land of Fire will be taxed according to regulations, even ninja bounties will be taxed. The document also subtly criticizes people like Hyuga Yuzuru for not understanding the difficulties faced by the Daimyo...

Hyuga Yuzuru found it sweet.

Since that's the case, let's have some fun.

If the Land of Fire is still playing by the rules, then let's play by the rules too.

Hyuga Yuzuru launched a powerful attack. What was originally a relatively discreet operation was now brought into the open, with numerous companies established and the market being swallowed up at an astonishing pace.

Pay taxes, then so be it. In the end, the Daimyo will discover a terrible fact—the clothes he wears are made in Konoha, the new drinks he drinks are developed in Konoha, the furniture factory is funded by Konoha, and if he wants to build a new house, he can only choose a Konoha construction company.

The existing commercial tax system in the Land of Fire...

It is a constant 10%.

A pitifully small number!

With the combined effects of ninjas and technology, ordinary families simply cannot continue their businesses! Even the businesses of the families behind the daimyo of the Land of Fire will suffer a devastating blow.

In this feudal society, commerce was often conducted by various families. These families not only undertook commercial activities but also possessed a certain amount of military power to ensure their status.

But compared to Konoha, all these large and small clans are nothing but dirt chickens and clay dogs; you wouldn't even know what you've crushed if you ran over them.

Whether you're a seasoned traveler buying and selling to profit from price differences, or run a construction company, a general business association, deal in specialty products, or sell high-tech goods...

Products from Konoha are guaranteed to be of the highest quality. The various specialized enterprises jointly established by the major clans, combined with Hyuga Yuzuru's future-level business acumen and guidance, are simply a game-changer for the current business landscape of the Land of Fire.

For ordinary people, the impact is relatively small.

On the one hand, those private small merchants can earn a living by buying goods from Konoha, just like they earn money through hard labor, and even earn more because the purchase price is lower.

On the other hand, aside from a few industries in Konoha that must be driven by ninjas, such as the Konoha construction industry, some manufacturing industries choose to build factories in various regions in order to reduce costs, which inadvertently creates more jobs.

The vast majority of these positions originally belonged not to ordinary people, but to the large and small families within the Land of Fire.

Agricultural companies are also ramping up their efforts, using improved seeds and improved animals to grab market share with shockingly low prices and amazingly high quality.

The Land of Fire's own state-owned agriculture is being squeezed to the point of collapse, and the produce can only remain in the national treasury, unable to be converted into cash.

Those small farmers and landlords will inevitably experience a devastating winter—but Konoha has its perks.

If you can't sell your produce, we can buy it at a guaranteed price, but the condition is that you must join the Konoha Agricultural Guild. Yes, it's a guild, not a company. Even so, joining the guild requires paying money and purchasing Konoha's production equipment and improved seeds.

If you don't have money, I can lend it to you. It's a low-interest loan, and I guarantee you'll like it.

But once you board the ship of Konoha, you've already decided not to disembark, because my seeds and my machines are patented. If you're not in the guild, you can't use them, and if you do, you'll have to pay.

If you insist on doing it this way, the costs will go up, and you still won't make money.

Over time, although these farmers will experience pain, the improved production equipment and seeds can make up for their losses. In the long run, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.

Moreover, because of the existence of other ninja villages and other countries, Konoha doesn't need to worry about product sales at all. Once the Land of Fire runs out, people from other countries will naturally need Konoha's products.

The most terrifying thing is that the Daimyo Prefecture completely failed to anticipate Konoha's expansion and its astonishing population drain.

At the beginning of the village's establishment, the Land of Fire made an agreement with the village, granting it a considerable degree of freedom, including the right to recruit villagers.

However, in the past, the ninja villages had a single source of revenue. With a large population to feed, they were prone to indigestion. They were essentially warlords dependent on the Land of Fire, often relying on war to sustain war.

But now, Konoha is not only self-sufficient in agriculture, but also making great strides in the economy, like a unicorn.

They're all about cutting-edge technology.

There is no shortage of money or space. No matter how many people come, there are corresponding job positions for them to make their value. Moreover, everyone wants to come. People from the Land of Fire joining Konoha do not have any cultural or traditional maladjustments or conflicts, and there are no racial contradictions.

It's hard to imagine just how fast Konoha Village will expand.

It has already taken off.

But compared to these things that take time to settle and produce results, and that shock the world...

What attracts even more attention is the upcoming Chunin Exams during this special period.

The Hidden Stone Village and the Hidden Lightning Village, which had originally announced that they would not participate seriously, seemed to sense something was amiss and, two months before the Chunin Exams, suddenly released a statement claiming that...

The Tsuchikage will personally lead the team in this Chunin Exams, and looks forward to a formal meeting with the Fifth Hokage of Konoha.

Raikage replied: Me too.

This means that, together with Sunagakure and Kirigakure, who had already declared that they would personally participate, all five Kage will be present for this Chunin Exam!

The last time the Five Kage gathered together was when Konoha was founded and Hashirama Senju distributed the Tailed Beasts.

Hyuga Yuzuru simply expressed his warm welcome and decided to take this opportunity, on the eve of the Chunin Exams, for the five Kage to sit together at the conference table, talk about the future, and hold a Five Kage Conference.

The other ninja villages did not respond, only offering excuses.

Hyuga Yuzuru didn't seem to care; it seemed the G5 summit wouldn't be happening, but that was alright.

Sooner or later.

And just as this undercurrent was surging...

When thirteen-year-old Nara Shikamaru was having tea with his father and other leaders of major clans, a casual remark he made startled everyone, making them realize that since the Uchiha clan incident, they had been vaguely aware of the thoughts that had been lingering in their hearts.

"Konoha and the ninja world are currently undergoing a period of unprecedented change, something truly exciting..."

Shikamaru's words, spoken while eating snacks, were secretly remembered by the leaders of various clans. After returning home, they discussed them with their families, and the words eventually spread.

As a result, everyone who was sensitive to ZZ was shocked.

Konoha...

It's going to change!

...

May 21st, the 64th year of Konoha.

It has been a full year since Naruto graduated.

More than half a year has passed since the Uchiha clan was wiped out.

"Lord Hokage, Konoha Heavy Industries has already reached the planned number of factories in the Land of Fire, but according to Root's on-site investigation, the number of our factories can actually be expanded further to further seize a portion of the market that originally belonged to Raikou."

In the conference room, Hinata Yuzuru rested his chin on one hand and gently tapped the table with the other.

"That's not a good idea. The ninja world is not completely peaceful yet. The more we build, the more we'll lose."

It's not time to intensify our efforts yet.

As long as we can withstand the Land of Fire's budget cuts and tax crackdowns this time, we'll be fine.

Moreover, our products, especially in electrical appliances, do not constitute a technological barrier. If we enter the market too early and try to make money on a large scale, forcing Yunyin to enter, they will not care about patents.

In fact, haven't you already seen it? The things that Kumogakure has been selling lately are already quite familiar.

Hyuga Yuzuru denied the existence of a ninja currently working in the Ministry of Economic Affairs.

The other party is just a Chunin from the Nara clan, but he is very intelligent and has a clear mind. He is currently the second-in-command of the Economic Affairs Department, second only to the top leader, Nara Shikaku.

"Should we raise the issue of resistance? Our patent law has been enacted in Konoha for quite some time now, and it has also been adopted in the Land of Fire..."

"I don't think the Raikage would be someone willing to discuss legal regulations with me." Hyuga Yuzuru smiled slightly, looked at the other person, and said softly, "Be prepared for unforeseen circumstances."

Just four words were enough to perk the other party up.

"The next business activities will be suspended for now. We will proceed according to the original plan. If any problems arise, we will solve them."

After Hyuga Yuzuru finished speaking, he looked at Uchiha Itachi standing to the side.

Itachi was wearing a light black coat, and the Uchiha clan crest was no longer on his back, only the patterns symbolizing Konoha. At this moment, he represented Root and participated in the meeting.

He saw Hyuga Yuzuru looking at him and nodded slightly, saying, "Although spies from all sides have been active recently, no one has broken the rules due to the upcoming Chunin Exams."

The routes taken by the teams from each Shadow Village to Konoha have been carefully investigated and calculated. As agreed, we will send someone to pick them up and lead them, so there will be no problems.

The examination grounds and temporary inns outside Konoha Village have also been completed.

"Alright, you need to pay close attention to security during this period—some ninja villages may be here just to join in the fun, but I don't think some ninja villages will change their plans because of the changes in Konoha."

As Hyuga Yuzuru spoke with certainty, everyone in the meeting sharpened their gazes.

"Lord Hokage, should we prepare in advance?"

As they finished speaking, Hyuga Yuzuru nodded and said just as seriously, "The ninja squad's mission is canceled. Wartime preparedness must be completed by June 1st. A curfew will be imposed in Konoha Village. Starting today, fire evacuation drills will be conducted continuously. My requirement is that even if the village is hit by a meteorite, the villagers must not be harmed!"

"Yes! The underground facilities have completed their fifth inspection and reinforcement yesterday. All sixty-two evacuation routes are in good working order. The underground refuge facilities have also been reinforced. As for the meteorite... we don't know if it can withstand it, but even if it's on the scale of the Nine-Tailed Fox's rampage, we can guarantee the effective survival of the villagers."

Matt Kay was still wearing his green bodysuit, but with a black jacket over it. On the back of the jacket was a large red "Police" sign.

Might Guy, who was then the head of the Konoha Police Department, would sometimes angrily rush into Hyuga Yuzuru's office to tell him that he really couldn't do this job well, but Hyuga Yuzuru would say, "For the sake of more people's youth, you should try harder."

Akai gritted his teeth and endured it—and what's even more amazing is that while doing his police work well, he also served as the teacher of Lee, Neji, and Tenten, without neglecting their training.

A task must be assigned every month.

When he goes on missions... well, the person who does the work for him is his best friend, Kakashi Hatake.

Yes, Kakashi became Might Guy's right-hand man.

Even Hyuga Yuzuru hadn't expected Kakashi to agree, but he said that spending all his time with Naruto catching cats and dogs was pretty boring...

The two have such a wonderful friendship.

Fortunately, after the Chunin Exams, Hyuga Yuzuru decided to dismantle Might Guy's team, and the jobs and missions that ninjas can do have undergone tremendous changes.

At that time, Minister Might Guy will be able to enforce the law more impartially, and hopefully he will like it.

"Thank you for your hard work, Kai-senpai." Hyuga Yuzuru smiled slightly, and then said seriously, "Afterwards, Jiraiya-senpai will lead the First Shinobi Force to be responsible for guarding Konoha Village."

Tsunade-senpai activated the wartime medical unit, which was responsible for providing immediate support to the two possible battlefields. Before anything happened, they were on standby at the examination site to treat any candidates who might be injured.

Kakashi led the Second Division to be stationed around the examination site to maintain the safety of each Kage.

Zhi Shui led his secret forces to maintain discipline and security within the examination area.

Itachi, the Root team continues to work according to the original plan.

Kai, you are responsible for the evacuation of the villagers at this critical moment.

The administrative departments moved to underground offices until the Chunin Exams were over.

Hyuga Yuzuru began giving instructions on the subsequent arrangements, and everyone nodded solemnly in succession, accepting the orders.

"Lord Hokage, what about your security?"

Nara Shikaku suddenly spoke.

Hyuga Yuzuru simply smiled and said, "Me?"

“Yes! Even though I believe in your abilities, this is not something to be underestimated. During the exam, you will be in close contact with other Kage. If…” Nara Shikaku hesitated, but Hinata Yuzuru simply smiled and shook his head.

But...

Even if you don't need anyone to protect you, you still need to have a few people around you, you have to maintain a certain image.

Hyuga Yuzuru pondered for a moment, then smiled and said, "Let's just have two elite members drawn from the Anbu. Aren't the other Kage only accompanied by two guards anyway?"

Nara Shikaku hesitated for a moment, then could only smile helplessly and say, "Whatever makes you happy."

“Even if a battle were to take place around me, ordinary ninjas would find it difficult to get involved. Rather than that, it would be better to let everyone contribute their strength in their respective roles.”

Furthermore... I don't think this Five Kage Summit poses any danger to me personally.

Hinata Yuzuru's confidence was striking.

After finishing a series of tedious matters, Hinata Yuzuru said loudly, "Now that everything is ready, we just need to wait for the right opportunity."

Don't be nervous... I don't think Konoha is afraid of any challenges right now.

If they want to fight, then fight them!

"Let them fight as long as they want! Let them fight as long as they want!"

Hyuga Yuzuru calmly picked up the straw hat from the table, stood up slowly, and said in a serious voice: "Gentlemen, peace is not something you beg for, it's something you fight for."

Hit a punch, lest a hundred punches come!

I will show those ninja villages during the Chunin Exams that while the tallest tree in the forest is bound to be felled by the wind, the Leaf Village is not a tree that can be blown down by any crooked wind!