Konoha: Start from untying the caged bird

Page 185

To obtain lower tariffs for dumping goods?

But once Sunagakure has its own factory, these products, apart from food and other environmental economic crops that still rely on Konoha, don't seem to need much else.

He couldn't figure out the specific harm that Konoha was causing with this investment and factory construction. He just felt that, according to Hyuga Yuzuru, this was clearly a great thing for Sunagakure.

There's no such thing as a free lunch.

Rasa was completely baffled and couldn't guess Hyuga Yuzuru's true purpose, but Chiyo seemed to have thought of something. Her eyes widened slightly, and her old hands unconsciously gripped the armrest. Turning her head, she saw that Genji in the distance had his brows furrowed and a hint of anger on his face.

Master Yuan coughed twice and said, "If that's the case, the Daimyo of the Land of Water will probably take his anger out on Kirigakure. We couldn't agree to that decision at that time... It seems a bit incompatible with... Kirigakure's identity."

"If the Hokage is willing, I hope to consult with the Daimyo of the Land of Water before making a decision."

Master Yuan truly lived a long life.

Even though he had been away from the village for a long time, he could still accurately assess the situation in the ninja world through intelligence and grasp the other party's true thoughts in a brief conversation.

Hyuga Yuzuru simply replied indifferently, "If Kirigakure can't make the decisions, then I think the Land of Water is even less capable..."

“This…” Yuan Shi couldn’t bring himself to say the word “absurd.” He couldn’t understand how anyone could have no fear or respect for a daimyo.

Does this Hokage really think he's above the Daimyo of the Land of Fire?!

But upon closer reflection, cold sweat broke out on his forehead—it seemed that it really was true!

His real purpose may not be making money, trade, business, or cooperation at all.

Rather, it was for...

Usurpation!?

Master Yuan broke out in a cold sweat; he had never even considered such a treasonous idea in his life.

The ninja village is merely a tool of the state!

But clearly, Hyuga Yuzuru didn't see it that way. He said calmly, "The terms I just mentioned are the basic framework for this business cooperation. If you all agree, we can then discuss how to do business. If you don't agree..."

This business can only be conducted by Konoha itself, extending to the Land of Wind and the Land of Water.

I do not wish to have any further conflict with you all, but that depends on whether the Daimyo of each country will agree to let Konoha do business properly.

If various countries arbitrarily hold Konoha hostage, preventing it from conducting normal business activities, or even forcibly seize Konoha's assets in other countries, engaging in unscrupulous piracy, disregarding Konoha's patent laws, and refusing to recognize Konoha's patent laws...

That's alright.

Hyuga Yuzuru suddenly laughed.

He said nonchalantly, "As long as the commercial terms are followed and Konoha's commercial activities in other countries are not interfered with, that's fine. As for compensation, we can do it the same way as before: pay money, return the disputed territories, and redraw the border."

His sudden step back made Ebizo, who had been silent all along, realize something, and he immediately shouted, "Sunagakure is willing to cooperate."

Chiyo frowned as she looked at her companion, not understanding why he said that, but Ebizo indicated that they would talk about it later, and quickly said, "Could you give me some time to discuss this?"

Hyuga Yuzuru stretched out his hand, pointed outside, and calmly said, "There are two meeting rooms on the third floor. Please make your own way."

He stood up, looking somewhat tired, and said, "How about we talk again after resting for two hours?"

"Okay." Luo Sha nodded in agreement, and Yuan Shi could only nod in agreement as well.

He had already seen some signs of something unacceptable in the attitude of the Sand Village side, and silently left the reception room. Led by Hyuga Kaoru, he went to an empty conference room, looked at Terumi Mei and several ninjas who had come from Kirigakure beside him, and sighed wearily.

Mei Terumi finally spoke, asking in confusion, "Master Genji, why do you disagree with Konoha's conditions?"

"He wants us to follow Konoha's example and usurp the throne!!" Master Yuan, his voice low with shock and anger, waved his hand heavily and said hoarsely, "How could I agree to that? How could I dare to agree!"

Mei Terumi looked astonished: "What?"

"Have you ever considered that once we cooperate with Konoha, accept their terms, and trade with them, we can also receive their assistance, just like Konoha, building factories, developing businesses, and conducting commercial cooperation in the Land of Wind with the same unbridled freedom as Konoha..."

What will the Daimyo think!?

Yuan Shi coughed a few times, covered his forehead with one hand, and said sadly, "With the example of Konoha and the Land of Fire before us, how can the Daimyo sit idly by and watch us grow stronger?"

"You mean... the Daimyo of the Land of Water will cut off our financial aid just like the Daimyo of the Land of Fire?"

Mei Terumi couldn't believe it, but Genji shook his head and said, "It depends on our attitude, on whether we are willing to continue to respect them as daimyo—but you should know that the factory was built by Konoha, the technology belongs to Konoha, and the patent fees still have to be paid by Kirigakure to Konoha."

How much money should we give to Konoha? How much should we give to the Daimyo? And how much tax should we collect from the village?

If we could produce and sell our own products, that would be fine, but if we calculate it this way, we would have to charge a premium on our products in order to make a profit!

Konoha, however, maintains trade with the village, competing with us for the village's market at a low cost.

Our market is limited to the Land of Water, outside of Kirigakure... But after splitting the profits with the Daimyo, how much will we have left? Meanwhile, Konoha's products will be sold right into the village!

The villagers would only buy cheaper Konoha products, while Konoha would extract the wages earned by the people's hard work from Kirigakure with extremely low taxes due to commercial terms!

Over time, the daimyo will become wealthy, and the villagers will live well too, but will Kirigakure's finances be good?

How much money will Konoha make?

The influx of wealth into Konoha means that the village can complete its infrastructure construction more quickly, have more funds to develop better equipment, and widen the gap further. When our factories fall behind technologically, our domestic products will have no competitive advantage...

Konoha wouldn't need to expend a single soldier; they could simply manage their own small plot of land and use their economy to widen the gap between themselves and us. At that point, Konoha would become a paradise on earth, while we would be nothing more than Konoha's factory...

The more Yuan Shi spoke, the more agitated he became. He said sadly, "What's even more frightening is... the daimyo probably won't understand our predicament at all."

As long as we cooperate with Konoha, even if it's just a last resort.

When we embark on this 'path to wealth' in Konoha, we will become a thorn in the side of the Daimyo.

"One country, two villages, and even the Land of Water abolishing the Hidden Villages are all foreseeable. Once our Hidden Mist Village reaches that point, besides siding with Konoha, we'll probably only have one path left: to take action against the Land of Water."

Master Yuan's thinking was a bit too simplistic.

He had no idea how to wage a trade war; he only instinctively thought that Konoha was gradually encroaching upon it, using high technology to plunder the wealth that should rightfully belong to Kirigakure. But he didn't understand that there would be many, many more such troubles to come.

For example—currency exchange rate fluctuations, the ever-changing prices of Konoha's raw materials, the potentially terrifying increase in Konoha's per capita income, Konoha's ability to expand more rapidly with the support of other ninja villages, and its ability to seize cultural dominance through its commodities and economic power...

If you dare not fight today, and cannot fight, you will dare not fight even less tomorrow, and in the end, you will be powerless to resist and face certain death.

The only way out seems to be to fully emulate Konoha, starting with reforms from within the village, not giving the daimyo a single penny, and developing with the village at its core. Only then can they possibly maintain the power to contend with Konoha in the future.

but...

Isn't that tantamount to usurping the throne?

If other ninja villages follow Konoha's example, nations will cease to exist, and the world will descend into utter chaos. Countless wars will ensue, with ninja villages fighting against their own nations, ultimately creating a new world order. From then on, the ninja world will be the world, and ninja villages will be nations...

The Fifth Hokage's ultimate goal is probably to unleash a terrible world war in this world.

What he wants is something Kirigakure simply cannot give him—he wants the entire market of the Land of Water, he wants to turn the current five great ninja villages into a situation where Konoha is the only dominant one, and then, will Konoha still retain its current peaceful appearance?

changed!

It's going to change!

Even decades ago, when the ninja village first appeared in this world.

No one ever imagined that a ninja village would one day become a force that could replace a nation!

But Hyuga Yuzuru showed everyone through his actions that Konoha was not a laborer of the Land of Fire, nor did he want to be one.

He wants to change the world's格局 (geju, overall situation/structure), change the nature of Konoha, and force everyone to change together, otherwise they will all die.

Mei Terumi remained silent for a moment, then suddenly clenched her fist and said, "Then we can't be slow!"

She looked at Genji and said seriously, "We should think of the people of Kirigakure, not the daimyo of the Land of Water!"

Genshi stared at her, somewhat stunned, but Terumi Mei said firmly, "The village exists because of people, and the shadow appears carrying the hopes of the people!"

Looking at her face, Master Yuan remained silent for a moment, then sighed sadly.

Deep down, he still held the so-called great name in the highest esteem, but the fact was clear: he was old.

Kirigakure, on the other hand, did not have the leverage to refuse Konoha.

The reason Hyuga Yuzuru offered the second option, allowing the two ninja villages to settle the matter by paying reparations and signing some compensation agreements, was...

Yuan Shi speculated that, given Hyuga Yuzuru's ambitious actions and grand aspirations since taking office, it was impossible to rule out the possibility that he planned to wait until the time was right, establish his own power base in the Land of Fire, and then conquer the world.

Change is the only way to survive; otherwise, you're doomed.

He was speechless for a long time before finally saying in a low voice, "Let the Water Shadow decide this matter."

Mei Terumi stood frozen in place: "Mizukage!? But..."

Master Yuan took out a document and silently handed it to her.

"Now, you are the Fifth Mizukage."

Terumi Mei was both excited and apprehensive. She stared blankly at the words and signature on the document, unable to utter a sound for a long time.

At this moment, sitting in the reception room, leisurely sipping tea, with blue light flashing in his eyes, Yuzuru Hyuga couldn't help but smile slightly.

Code.

That's too classic.

Seeing Mei Terumi excitedly accept the Mizukage's 'scapegoat,' Yuzuru Hyuga couldn't help but sigh.

These old men will do anything to protect their reputation!

From his perspective, wasn't this just Yuan Shi trying to avoid being branded as a 'usurper'? He was essentially using his power to his advantage, a strategy he was using to protect himself and others.

Turning the gaze, the scene over Sunagakure was completely different.

As Rasa spoke eloquently, persuading Chiyo to accept Konoha's conditions, his eyes gleaming with excitement, Hyuga Yuzuru suspected that Rasa had long harbored resentment towards the so-called Daimyo of the Land of Wind.

Hinata Yuzuru withdrew his gaze, turned his head, and looked out the window.

This is just the beginning.

When Kirigakure and Sunagakure began to actively align themselves with Konoha, they similarly began to change their nature and seek independence.

What will the other ninja villages do?

The most important question is... whether those powerful figures can see the current situation clearly and understand their own position?

Hyuga Yuzuru pondered for a moment. He didn't care about the other daimyo, but he didn't intend to give the daimyo of the Land of Fire much time.

It's time to carve my face on the Hokage Rock.

He tapped his fingers lightly on the table, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips.

"Xiao Xun".

"Yuzuru-sama."

"Write a letter for me to the daimyo of the Land of Fire in a moment."

"Write what?"

"I told him that I wanted to meet him. I'm quite busy this month, but I'll try to make time to go in mid-July. I hope he can be prepared."

"Yes!"

Hinata Kaoru first agreed, then smiled knowingly and asked, "Do you need me to polish it up a bit?"

"Slightly~" Hyuga Yuzuru smiled at her, and Hyuga Kaoru understood what he meant. She chuckled, her eyes sparkling with admiration. To be honest, if Uchiha Izumi liked his gentle side, Kaoru liked him the way he was now the most.

As expected, the man in front of me, who had been patient and gentle in Konoha for a long time, was ready to unleash the beast within him.

Hyuga Yuzuru smiled slightly: "Just the three of us will go. There's no need to make any big preparations. I know they're short on money lately."

Hinata Kaoru couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh: "Yes, I understand."

Hinata Yuzuru leaned back on the sofa, gazing comfortably out the window.

I want to be the true leader of Konoha.

Respected Daimyo of the Land of Fire, do you dare to object?

He awaited the other party's response.

Before long, the Hidden Mist Village and the Hidden Sand Village returned to the reception hall. With varying expressions, they accepted Konoha's proposal. The subsequent trivial matters needed to be handled step by step, but many ninjas who had been staying in Konoha after the Chunin Exams were finally able to go home.

Of course, accommodation fees still had to be paid, at 30,000 ryo per person per day. Kirigakure and Sunagakure readily agreed, and Konoha ended up with nearly 100 million ryo in extra cash – each village gave 40 million ryo and the other over 50 million ryo. It wasn't a huge amount, but it was enough to almost directly make up for Konoha's economic losses.

With the surplus, Hyuga Yuzuru planned to donate it directly to their ninja village, which would be a way of putting what was taken into use.

Small amount!

However, after the meeting ended, Mei Terumi stayed behind alone. She didn't say anything, but waited for the people from Sunagakure and Kirigakure to leave before giving him a meaningful look. Hyuga Yuzuru understood and told Hyuga Kaoru and Izumi to go about their business. He then stayed behind alone with Mei Terumi.

The only noteworthy thing is that when the two girls left, the look in their eyes as they looked at Mei Terumi was unexpectedly one of shared hatred.

Mei Terumi simply accepted everything without question. Only after they left did she give a meaningful smile, but she didn't mention it. After a moment of silence, she asked in a low voice, "Fifth Hokage, I have some questions I want to ask you."