"Lord Tsuchikage, it's been a while."
Uchiha Ren stepped into the reception hall, spotting Ōnoki seated in his chair.
Still as short as ever.
No sign of growing taller.
If he didn't get a second growth spurt in this life—
One meter thirty was probably his limit.
Sitting there, his feet didn't even touch the ground.
"Hokage. Kazekage. It has been a while."
Ōnoki jumped down from the chair—
And immediately strained his back.
"Ah—my back!"
He grimaced in pain, clutching his waist, taking a moment to recover.
At such a young age—
Back problems already?
It was tragic.
But also—
Ridiculously funny.
His short frame, oversized nose, and that pained expression—
Uchiha Ren and the Kazekage both struggled not to laugh.
"Apologies," Ōnoki said awkwardly. "I've been too busy with village affairs… developed a bit of lumbar strain. Nothing serious."
"Even so," the Kazekage said, nodding, "you should take care of your body."
He spoke from experience.
Endless labor in the desert—
If you didn't take care of yourself, you wouldn't last.
"It's all for the village," Ōnoki sighed. "We are the Kage."
The atmosphere grew heavy.
Uchiha Ren quickly changed the subject.
After some pleasantries, Ōnoki sat down again and brought up the Konoha United Fruit Company.
He was still wary.
There was no way Konoha would hand out shares so easily.
Minimal cost.
Massive returns.
Tens of billions annually.
Why?
Because—
Konoha didn't care.
Not anymore.
At least, not about that amount.
What they gained from the Land of Grass—
Far exceeded short-term profit.
This was strategy.
Lose a little now—
Gain tenfold later.
If tens of billions could buy Iwagakure's alignment—
It was a bargain.
And—
It would weaken Kumogakure's alliance with them.
Uchiha Ren had no fondness for Kumogakure.
Other villages had fought Konoha—
But Kumogakure?
They fought to the bitter end.
Relentless.
Aggressive.
They needed to be isolated.
Perhaps—
Even economically suppressed in the future.
"Lord Tsuchikage," Uchiha Ren began calmly, "Konoha has always upheld the Will of Fire."
"We believe in mutual benefit."
"The Land of Grass was in chaos."
"People are starving. Displaced."
"So we acted."
"The results—"
"You've seen them."
Ōnoki nodded.
At least on the surface—
He accepted it.
What he truly thought—
It was another matter.
Uchiha Ren handed him a summary.
Not just the company—
But the new trade system.
The key requirement:
Support Konoha.
Build a new economic order.
As long as the major villages didn't interfere—
The Daimyo's opinions didn't matter.
If they resisted—
They could be removed.
Ōnoki read carefully.
Everything matched the invitation.
It still felt absurd.
"Is Konoha really this generous?"
Tens of billions—
Just handed over?
Unbelievable.
He even felt like cutting ties with Kumogakure immediately.
Too risky otherwise.
All Iwagakure had to do—
Open markets.
Allow trade.
No quotas.
No restrictions.
"If Konoha's goods are better," Uchiha Ren explained, "people will choose them."
"No interference needed."
"If your shops fail—"
"That's not our fault."
"They should reflect."
"Why are their goods worse and more expensive?"
"If they close—"
"That's natural."
"The market decides."
"Competition drives progress."
"Everyone benefits."
Ōnoki listened carefully.
It made sense.
If a ninja was weak—
They trained.
If they couldn't get missions—
That was their fault.
This world—
Was survival of the fittest.
Weakness—
It was a crime.
Protection costs?
Minimal.
Just plant the village's flag on caravans.
Anyone interfering—
Eliminated.
"…Very well."
Ōnoki smiled.
This trip—
It was worth it.
Tens of billions annually.
Relief.
At last.
Everything—
It was settled.
The atmosphere relaxed.
"Hokage truly thinks of the entire world," the Kazekage praised.
"Look at the Land of Grass—it's unrecognizable."
"Indeed," Ōnoki agreed. "Your methods are extraordinary."
"You flatter me," Uchiha Ren replied modestly.
Though inwardly—
He was quite pleased.
Praise from equals—
Hit differently.
"Hokage," Ōnoki said suddenly, eyes sharp, "could you share your business insights?"
Konoha's wealth—
It was no secret.
Iwagakure wanted progress.
Desperately.
But business—
It was unfamiliar territory.
Risky.
With their finances already strained—
Failure wasn't an option.
Even considering it—
Invited criticism.
In contrast—
Uchiha Ren had forced it through.
Risked everything.
And succeeded.
"Please," the Kazekage added eagerly.
Uchiha Ren smiled.
Help them?
Of course not.
"Choose the right field."
"Leverage your strengths."
"And most importantly—"
"Go all in."
"All in… is wisdom."
"Don't fear losses."
"The money you waste—"
"Determines your potential."
"If you can lose ten billion—"
"Spending a hundred billion becomes trivial."
"Understand?"
"…."
They didn't.
But they still clapped.
"Impressive," Ōnoki said.
"Ten billion lost casually…"
No wonder Konoha thrived.
Could he ever reach that level?
Unlikely.
Even losing one billion—
Would cause chaos.
The Kazekage silently reconsidered.
Too risky.
Better to stick with gold mining.
Stability mattered more.
Uchiha Ren sighed inwardly.
Military power—
Unable to profit?
Hopeless.
"Our finances can't support such risks," Ōnoki admitted.
"We need stability first."
The Kazekage nodded.
Same conclusion.
"Understandable," Uchiha Ren said.
Then—
He paused.
A thought formed.
"…But there is another way."
Both men leaned in.
"What way?"
"If I offer an investment product—"
"You invest."
"In two months—"
"You gain forty percent."
"Would you invest?"
Ōnoki calculated quickly.
One hundred becomes one hundred forty.
Effortless profit.
"...I might try."
"Exactly."
"Many would."
"But," the Kazekage frowned, "what business guarantees that?"
Uchiha Ren looked at him.
"…Do you really think such a business exists?"
"And if it did—"
"Would I invite you instead of my own people?"
Silence.
Ōnoki's expression shifted.
Something felt… wrong.
"There's no guaranteed profit," Uchiha Ren continued calmly.
"What matters—"
"Is convincing people there is."
"Start small."
"Pay early investors."
"Build trust."
"People are greedy."
"They want effortless gains."
"Promote success."
"Attract more money."
"Use new funds to pay old investors."
"Expand."
"Add agents."
"Give commissions."
"The system grows."
"Like a snowball."
Their expressions changed.
They understood.
Completely.
"This… won't last forever," Ōnoki said slowly.
"Of course not."
"Then we leave."
"If the three of us cooperate—"
"We can create a legend."
"A financial god."
"With our resources—"
"This could easily generate…"
"Hundreds of billions."
He paused.
Then added softly—
"Do you think Kumogakure would fall for it?"
Silence.
Heavy.
Ōnoki and the Kazekage—
Breathed faster.
Their eyes—
Red.
"Hundreds of billions…"
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