Naruto: Did i Just Get Reincarnated as Gojo?-Chapter 254: Hokage Tower’s Financial Report!

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Paying off the nobles and the daimyo?

This violated tradition! It went against the ancestors!

Ultimately, these clan elders still felt that the profits offered by the Konoha War Bonds weren't substantial enough. Their current capital wasn't sufficient to generate truly significant returns.

With a 10% profit margin, clan capital was guaranteed to be used; at 20%, it became active; at 50%, it became reckless; for 100% profit, clan capital would trample all laws; for 300% profit, clan capital would commit any crime, even sticking its own head into the noose offered by Konoha.

You contribute a million Ryō, I contribute ten million, he contributes a hundred million...

Soon, the funds for purchasing Konoha stocks were collected, sealed within a scroll.

Someone suggested, "These stocks and bonds, they're Konoha's creations. Our clans are constantly monitored by the Raikage. Our key members are practically under house arrest. We can't freely dispatch Shinobi to Konoha to trade stocks and protect our interests..."

"Why not let Arnold stay in Konoha, representing our interests?"

"I agree! Let him stay until after the Fire Games. No need to worry about him returning for now. After the Games conclude—sell the appreciated stocks, bring the money back—no, bring it to Otogakure. Use some to purchase essential Shinobi tools, and keep the rest as—a contingency fund."

"The Raikage isn't one of us. He's always concerned about those—commoners! If things remain peaceful, fine. We won't betray Kumogakure. But if the Raikage tries to use the war to weaken us—If he's unjust, don't blame us for being disloyal!"

Soon, the scroll containing the vast sum of money was attached to a messenger bird. The bird took flight, carrying their hopes towards Konoha.

———

The Shinobi World wasn't just about fighting; it was about connections, about politics.

Wars eventually ended.

And after the war—on a grand scale, the Shinobi World order would be redefined, the hierarchy of the hidden villages reshuffled. On a smaller scale, the power dynamics within each village would also shift.

This was particularly true in Kumogakure—a village that revered strength—operating like a mafia family.

There was no Will of Fire to guide them, to foster unity and compassion. Territory and resources were distributed based on strength. Without exceptionally powerful Shinobi leading the way, a clan's influence depended solely on the number of its Shinobi.

Clans that suffered heavy losses during the war, without the fortune of producing a genius Shinobi, would inevitably decline.

Clanless Shinobi who distinguished themselves in battle, however, could rise through the ranks, even becoming Kage.

The established clans, seeking to maintain their status, needed to preserve their strength during wartime, investing and expanding their assets while others were losing money.

Konoha's stocks, relayed through the Kumo envoy Arnold, reached Kumogakure.

Similarly, through the Konoha-Suna trade route and the Konoha-Kiri sea route, word reached the traveling merchants.

———

At a service station along the Konoha-Suna trade route, shrewd merchants gathered, discussing the novel investment opportunity.

Instantly, their interest was piqued.

They lit up "Soft Konoha" cigarettes, the small tea house filling with smoke, creating an almost ethereal atmosphere.

The source of this c𝓸ntent is frёeweɓηovel.coɱ.

One merchant extinguished his cigarette. "So, I understand. If you want stability, buy Konoha bonds. If you want high returns and are willing to accept the risk, buy Konoha company stocks. Is that right?"

"Konoha bonds are too expensive. I don't have enough capital—Besides, with that kind of money, I'd rather buy a tulip. Though they're unavailable now, the principle remains."

"My business requires capital; I don't have much spare cash. But stocks—perhaps I can buy a few shares."

"Konoha Real Estate is responsible for developing this trade route and Otogakure..."

"We travel this route daily; we see the traffic. Buying shares and waiting for dividends is practically guaranteed profit. As for Otogakure, though I haven't been there, Iki describes it vividly! Many Konoha merchants are investing there..."

"I believe this is a sound investment." The speaker gritted his teeth. "One hundred Ryō per share—I plan to buy one thousand shares. Anyone want to join me at the KSE?"

With one taking the lead, others followed.

"My business keeps me tied down, Brother Sakai. Your reputation is well-known! Since you're going to Konoha, perhaps you could purchase shares on our behalf?"

"Of course! Of course!"

Soon, funds totaling millions of Ryō were pooled, destined for the KSE.

As Brother Sakai traveled along the trade route, he noticed many other merchants, like himself, accompanied by Konoha escorts, clutching storage scrolls.

They exchanged knowing glances, urging their drivers forward. If they were late, they wouldn't be able to buy shares directly; they'd have to purchase them on the secondary market.

——

The Land of Water Islands, Grand Line Port.

The progressive merchants of the Land of Water gathered, discussing Konoha's stock offering.

Living by the sea, they were less interested in inland infrastructure, focusing instead on the East Konoha Ocean Shipping Company.

However, upon learning that the initial offering was sold out, and shares were only available through secondary trading, they sighed in disappointment.

"Devil Fruits—I know about them. The Daimyo's shipping company auctioned one previously, selling for a hundred million Ryō—Now that Konoha is entering the oceanic trade, who knows how many Devil Fruits they'll bring back. Even without the fruits—spices would be excellent. We can buy spices here and sell them in the west for four times the profit."

"What's the use of talking about it? The stocks were all bought by Konoha people!"

"Fool!" Another merchant pointed to the stock details in the newspaper. "They can be traded freely! Those landlocked Konoha fools surely don't understand the true profits of a successful oceanic voyage. We should go to the KSE immediately, offer them a premium, and buy their shares!"

——

Hokage Tower, Hokage's Office.

Minato Namikaze stared at the financial report, speechless. His thoughts could be summarized in one sentence:

"Money—so much money..."

Since taking office, Minato had never seen so much money in the Hokage Tower's accounts—Perhaps even since Konoha's founding, even when the First Hokage was raising funds to establish the village, the treasury hadn't held such vast sums.

Rows upon rows of zeros—it was breathtaking. This amount could practically rebuild Konoha.

But Minato, ever the prudent leader, quickly regained his composure, his brow furrowing with concern.

"We've sold too many bonds—While I'm pleased by everyone's confidence in Konoha, such overwhelming confidence—worries me."

Bonds had to be repaid, with interest. If the Hokage Tower couldn't generate sufficient returns from this capital, despite the impressive current balance, they would ultimately lose money.

Gojo Kaigetsu remained calm.

"The tulips—targeted the wealthiest and most powerful of the great nations. They scoffed at the long-term returns of stocks, the low yields of Konoha bonds—Or perhaps, the potential profits from tulips blinded them."

"The stocks—targeted the middle class, the smaller investors. They might be shrewder, but they can't outplay Konoha, the house."

"And the lottery—targeted those with little money, those seeking quick, effortless riches..."

"Upper class, middle class, lower class..." Gojo Kaigetsu made a grasping motion in the air. "I want them all!"

"Minato, let's consider a simple scenario. Imagine a wealthy merchant from the Land of Lightning takes out loans to buy tulips and Konoha Real Estate stocks at their peak—When the tulip market crashes, how will he repay his loans?"

Minato thought for a moment. "Sell his Konoha Real Estate stocks?"

"And we both know, the more desperate the seller, the lower the price..."

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