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"Three hundred… what?!"
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Homura Mitokado''s face darkened, his breathing becoming labored. "Repeat that. How much cash did you say it was?"
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"Three hundred million ryō. I confirmed it personally, with my other eye."
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Kakashi placed his hand on his headband, emphasizing his seriousness.
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Danzo Shimura''s eyes narrowed, drawing a sidelong glance from Minato Namikaze.
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[A merchant from the Land of Lightning brings three hundred million ryō in cash to invest in Konoha-]
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Although this three hundred million ryō wouldn''t immediately become Konoha''s wealth, it would, in the words frequently used by Gojo Kaigetsu, "promote a positive economic cycle, expand domestic demand, and stimulate consumption!"
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This was undoubtedly a good start.
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It could absolutely be used as a prime example for publicity, attracting more foreign investment to develop Konohagakure.
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"Seeing is believing, hearing is deceiving… Let me personally meet this merchant from the Land of Lightning."
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"Come, come, let''s go together~"
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The Hokage''s office, which had been bustling with people just moments ago, instantly became empty.
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Of course, before leaving, Minato assigned a new mission to his beloved student, Kakashi:
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"Kakashi, I have a new mission for you."
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"Fourth Hokage-sama, please instruct me."
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"Ahem."
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Minato feigned seriousness. "Someone has reported that Advisor Gojo has embezzled funds belonging to the publishing house. Now, as the Hokage, I order you to secretly investigate this matter."
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"Submit your investigation report within three working days."
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Kakashi: "?"
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He instinctively pointed at himself, his gaze darting between Gojo Kaigetsu''s retreating figure and Minato.
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''Eh? I''m investigating Gojo-sama?''
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''Is this part of some elaborate plan?''
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However, his ninja discipline kicked in, and he stood at attention. "Yes, Hokage-sama!"
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…
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…
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Kobori Taiten nervously observed the people before him.
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There was a young man with spiky blond hair in a ceremonial robe… He knew this one was Minato Namikaze.
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There was a strange man wrapped in bandages, eyeing him with suspicion… He didn''t know who this one was.
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And there was an approachable, handsome man with his eyes covered by a black cloth and white hair, greeting him warmly…
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But as a merchant, he possessed a clever mind unlike the muscle-headed Kumogakure ninjas, understanding that his sensitive identity as a "ninja tool shop owner" had probably caught the attention of Konoha''s higher-ups.
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Danzo Shimura was the first to voice his suspicions.
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He tried his best to make his expression appear less intimidating:
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"I ask you, why do you possess the title deed to a property in Konoha? You reside in the Land of Lightning. How did you obtain the deed to a shop in our commercial district?"
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Kobori Taiten hastily explained:
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"It''s like this, esteemed sirs. I have a cousin named Teuchi, who runs a ramen shop in Konoha."
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"I asked him to purchase the property for me a long time ago."
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Teuchi?
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Gojo Kaigetsu couldn''t help but take a closer look at the thick-browed man before him. He hadn''t expected such a connection.
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"Ah, so you''re Teuchi-ojisan''s relative? I frequently eat at Ichiraku Ramen. The food is delicious."
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So that''s how it was…
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Danzo Shimura nodded slightly. Ichiraku Ramen was a long-established shop in Konoha; its authenticity couldn''t be questioned.
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He then asked:
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"You''ve come to Konoha to continue operating a ninja tool shop?"
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"Why? While Kumogakure isn''t as prosperous as Konoha, it''s the village you''ve always lived in."
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"Well…"
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Kobori Taiten hesitated. Gojo Kaigetsu sensed his apprehension:
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"Don''t worry, today''s conversation won''t be leaked. Even if it were…"
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"On my name, Gojo Kaigetsu, I guarantee your safety!"
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With that, Gojo Kaigetsu waved his hand.
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Specialized clerical staff immediately stepped forward, prepared to record Kobori Taiten''s words, which would be preserved as crucial data.
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Perhaps, in the future, it would become a quote in "Iki" attributed to an "anonymous foreign merchant."
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Kobori Taiten gratefully glanced at the man with the black cloth, no longer holding back. In front of the four Konoha higher-ups, he began to complain about the unreasonable practices in Kumogakure.
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"…Cases weren''t accepted!"
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"The Raikage didn''t value us merchants at all…"
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"…That Raikage advisor claimed they wanted to learn from the excellent policies proposed by Elder Mitokado of Konoha. I think it was all lies!"
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Suddenly mentioning Homura Mitokado''s name caused the elder''s face to darken even further.
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He couldn''t escape being associated with bad news, even when it had nothing to do with him.
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"Of course, I recently heard about the positive business environment in Konoha, which is why I decided to relocate my ninja tool shop here."
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Gojo Kaigetsu encouraged him. "Oh? Business environment? Tell me more."
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"Eh? Don''t you know? That magazine called ''Iki'' is published by your Land of Fire''s publishing house, isn''t it?"
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Kobori Taiten quickly pulled out a copy of "Iki" from his bag, pointing at the cover.
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"I believe that the conscience of a hidden village can be seen in the attitudes of its weakest members towards life."
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"If even the most ordinary villagers are so kind, then the political environment and the ninja of that village must also be good…"
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Kobori Taiten continued with a string of praises for Konoha.
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While it undoubtedly contained elements of pledging allegiance, Gojo Kaigetsu found it incredibly refreshing.
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How simple and honest these people of the shinobi world were, untouched by the cynicism of public intellectuals, believing everything they heard.
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He listened, nodding in agreement:
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"Indeed, you''re right. That''s our Konoha. It''s civilized and enlightened. Does Kumogakure have such a level of civility?"
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Kobori Taiten was bewildered.
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Meanwhile, Konoha''s higher-ups were already accustomed to Gojo Kaigetsu''s eccentric pronouncements.
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The joys and sorrows of ninjas did not resonate with each other.
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On one side, the reformists, led by Gojo Kaigetsu, were engaged in a jovial conversation with the foreign merchant, Kobori Taiten. On the other side, the conservatives, represented by Danzo Shimura, were plunged into deep silence.
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Shameful, utterly shameful!
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Even with Danzo''s stubbornness, he couldn''t find any justifiable grounds to criticize Gojo Kaigetsu''s actions of bribing foreign nobles.
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Just one merchant had already returned a significant portion of the investment.
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At this moment, Danzo only wished he hadn''t spoken so loudly in the Hokage Tower earlier.
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He shot Gojo Kaigetsu a deep look. This time, Gojo had won.
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"Homura, let''s go." Danzo turned to leave; remaining in this situation would only bring further humiliation.
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Homura Mitokado quickly followed. "Danzo, are we just going to let this go?"
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"Even if we acknowledge his success in this matter, what about the ninja headband issue?"
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"We cannot change the traditions of our ancestors. I will never wear that new headband."
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Danzo turned his head, his eyes fixated on his old friend. Behind them, it was as if they both had an invisible queue:
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"The Uchiha clan''s movements have become increasingly frequent. We should focus our attention on that."
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"As for Gojo Kaigetsu…"
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"Let''s ignore him for now."
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....
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To Be Continued...
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....