Naruto: Starting from Eating the Gold Fruit

Chapter 159 Kakuzu: ? ? ? How did this get involved with me? ? ?

There is nothing wrong with signing this condition itself.

Even after it was announced in the news and newspapers, the villagers of Konoha were only somewhat puzzled as to why their Hokage didn't want the 30% of resources but instead opted to have their village's television channel transmitted to him.

However, when people are living a prosperous life, they are much more tolerant of the decisions made by those in power.

Moreover, this news doesn't really have much to do with Konoha itself, nor does it involve anyone's interests, so no one will care about this decision.

But it's different for Black Zetsu.

Black Zetsu's first thought upon seeing this news was...

Yuya is definitely more cowardly than Naruto.

And a cowardly Hokage...

He loves it so much.

……

So, after Yua and Kirigakure signed the contract, when the Kirigakure delegation was returning with their mission, Black Zetsu ambushed and killed several members of the Kirigakure delegation. Then, he "accidentally" left behind a piece of Konoha headband cloth at the scene. The cloth was charred, giving the impression that someone had burned the cloth with Fire Release before leaving, but it wasn't completely burned.

The delegation from Kirigakure would naturally assume that Konoha was dissatisfied with the terms of the negotiations and therefore sent people to attack the delegation.

It's not that this method is particularly clever.

However, no party can let this matter rest after it has happened to their delegation; they will definitely hold those responsible accountable.

As long as accountability is pursued, there will be conflict; as long as there is conflict, there will be contradictions; and as long as contradictions deepen, war will inevitably break out sooner or later.

Black Zetsu's centuries of observation have made it intimately familiar with such matters, while simultaneously freeing it from any moral burden.

They're not even human, so how could they possibly have a moral burden?

As expected, Black Zetsu's actions enraged the people of Kirigakure.

At a time when a civil war had just ended, Kirigakure urgently needed to stabilize its internal base. Now that this incident had occurred, Kirigakure would naturally wonder if Konoha was taking advantage of their weakness to plunder them.

The interaction between two countries does not necessarily mean that the stronger country will be domineering. When the two countries are of similar size, the stronger country may be domineering, but it will never go too far.

Well... that's generally how it is, but if it's an Onsa pirate, then it's different.

After all, if you push someone too far, they might actually dare to start a war with you.

Of course, given the size of Konoha and Kirigakure, even if a war breaks out, it will likely be fought in the Land of Whirlpools, not on their home turf—once again demonstrating the importance of the Land of Whirlpools—but once the war begins, whether it ends or not will not be up to the Kage of either side; they will have to fight until a victor emerges.

Therefore, Yuya certainly doesn't want to start a war.

Of course, Kirigakure didn't want that either.

The problem is that Kirigakure is currently in a weak position, and a weak party cannot show weakness in order to maintain its national status; the weaker it is, the tougher it must be.

To put it bluntly, the most important thing for a country is development and its own interests.

This is the current situation between Kirigakure and Konoha.

A civil war essentially devastated Kirigakure.

What does Kirigakure have now?

The infrastructure has been destroyed, and the only valuable things left in the country are the mineral resources.

As for the catch...

You can't expect everyone on the continent to eat your fish; other people can catch them too.

Therefore, Kirigakure is currently in a state of extreme poverty, which is why the Third Mizukage didn't want Yua to take away those three mines; he wanted to at least leave some for himself.

The Third Mizukage was satisfied with the message the delegation gave upon their return.

Youya didn't go too far. They could keep one-third of each of the three mines for themselves. As for the TV channel broadcasting it simultaneously in Wuyin Village, he didn't care at all.

If Konoha wants television to be broadcast here, then they need to build a power plant in Kirigakure.

He, the third Mizukage, was more than happy to oblige!

Once the power plant is built, we can learn the technology. I don't believe the people of Kirigakure are dumber than the people of Konoha.

However, immediately afterward, the head of the delegation knelt down and tearfully pleaded with the Third Mizukage.

The Third Mizukage was immediately stumped.

Reason told him that he couldn't afford to clash with Konoha at this time.

After all, four of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist have died, and new candidates have not yet been determined. Kirigakure truly cannot afford to fight a new war.

Not to mention the target is Konoha...

but……

Are you just going to put up with this?

After much deliberation, the Third Mizukage decided that he could not tolerate it.

If they back down now, won't Kirigakure have to cower before Konoha from now on?!

Those who have nothing to lose are not afraid of those who wear shoes, let's do it!

Therefore, the Third Mizukage sent people to Konoha to hold them accountable.

Black Zetsu was tempted to cause trouble this time, but after taking a look, he realized that the leader was Suigetsu Fuguki, who carried the Samehada ninja sword. Black Zetsu decided it was better not to provoke him. After all, it could kill a few weak genin and chunin without any problem, but a Kirigakure jonin... well, forget it.

In fact, most of the users of the Seven Ninja Swords of Kirigakure in the past were ninjas selected by various clans.

After the Third Mizukage won the civil war, he gained the right to distribute the seven ninja swords.

Of course, he would never touch the family that supports him.

The Third Mizukage originally planned to determine his affiliation soon and then send someone to the mainland to promote the cause.

Now...

Let's deal with this matter first.

October 1, Konoha 34.

While Yua was conducting a routine year-end review, the representative from Kirigakure, stationed in Konoha, requested an audience with him.

You Ya naturally wouldn't refuse.

After all, this is equivalent to a diplomat from another village, so we have to give them face.

Of course, if Yuya really doesn't want to meet, then just arrange for Luye to meet her.

However, that would be completely looking down on others, which is unnecessary.

Yuya personally received the representatives of Kirigakure.

Then the representative from Kirigakure stated, neither humbly nor arrogantly, that the people from Konoha had previously attacked their delegation returning from Kirigakure.

You Ya was completely bewildered: What's going on?

Of course, Yuya didn't know that it was Black Zetsu who was causing trouble.

However, after reviewing the detailed information, Yuya believed that Konoha Village was the most likely suspect.

After all, there were people in Konoha who objected to his decision to forgo a third of the village's mineral resources in order to build a power plant for Kirigakure and expand the television channels there.

After all, people nowadays simply don't understand the importance of propaganda warfare.

It's just some minerals; even if we get them back now, they'll just be used to fill warehouses.

In fact, Konoha currently has no capacity to utilize these mineral resources.

To reiterate, aside from the small population, industrialization is not yet complete. Each person's annual consumption is at most one MP3 player, and other electrical appliances are basically purchased by the family as a unit.

There's no other way. We're laying the foundation now. In the previous life, it took the rabbit thirty years to complete the initial industrialization of over a billion people. However, they had an industrial foundation. Even though Konoha can easily finish the war from scratch because of its smaller population, it still takes a considerable amount of time.

Youya's initial plan was five five-year plans, but it was later changed to four.

Yuya thinks it should be completed in another seven or eight years.

But that's assuming no unexpected events.

If any unexpected war were to break out...

Industrialization may even regress.

For example, in my previous life, the southern monkeys were defeated by the rabbit in one war, and the rabbit controlled all their power grid infrastructure. Without the rabbit's consent, industrialization would have been impossible.

Of course, Konoha and Kirigakure wouldn't come to that point, but how should they deal with it...?

Youya had a bit of a headache.

But on the surface, he certainly wouldn't back down.

"Oh? You say it was done by Konoha, so it's done by Konoha? You need to provide evidence before you speak."

"How can a charred rag be considered evidence?"

You Ya calmly picked up a folder from the side, opened it, glanced at it, and felt reassured.

The representative from Kirigakure stationed in Konoha was certainly not satisfied with this answer, but they didn't dare to be too confrontational.

Black Zetsu didn't know that they wouldn't know what Yua, the Third Hokage, was like.

During their years stationed in Konoha, they had never seen the Third Hokage compromise with anyone. Even if it seemed like a compromise at the time, they would later find out that the one who actually gained more from the temporary compromise was the Third Hokage.

They didn't want to deal with Youya, but they had no choice for the sake of the village.

Yuya naturally understood, but since they were doing this for the sake of the village, Yuya also needed to consider the future of Konoha.

Finally, the Kirigakure representative stationed in Konoha could only say that their representative would arrive in Konoha soon, and they hoped that Konoha would give them an explanation then.

Afterwards, Suigetsu Hozuki led a team to Konoha, where Yua personally received them. Later, in the meeting room, Yua stated that Konoha had received relevant intelligence and understood the relevant information. He expressed deep regret over Kirigakure's fate, but also pointed out that this might be a scheme orchestrated by a third party to sow discord between them and Konoha.

Well, although it was just a wild guess, it actually came true.

Unfortunately, this argument is clearly unlikely to be accepted by the Hidden Mist faction.

In the end, Yuya could only say that he would send a small team to cooperate with them and conduct an investigation together.

The representative from Kirigakure had no choice but to agree.

After all, he can't just open his mouth and demand compensation from Konoha.

There's no evidence!

In fact, there weren't many characters that Youya could choose from.

After all, Youya doesn't have many people under his command.

However, with the intention of cultivating his own loyal followers, Youya also sent Lu to contact the other party...

--------

"Hokage-sama... assigned me?!" Hatake Sakumo took the scroll from the Anbu and looked at the other party.

The ANBU ninja in the fox mask nodded, then told Sakumo Hatake to go to the Hokage's office as soon as possible before leaving.

Sakumo Hatake blinked, looking at the notice in his hand with some disappointment.

"Oh, are you reluctant to part with me?" A pair of fair hands embraced Sakumo Hatake from behind.

Hatake Sakumo blushed instantly, then quickly slapped the girl's hand away, coughed, and looked at her seriously, saying, "Midori, the Third Hokage has something important to discuss with me. You'll go to the amusement park alone today..."

The girl blinked her pretty eyes, then lowered her head in disappointment: "Okay, I understand, but..."

"If you're not going, what's the point of me going to the amusement park alone...?"

Sakumo Hatake lowered his head with some guilt, but unexpectedly, the girl grabbed his neck and kissed him on the lips.

Then the girl burst into hearty laughter: "Hahaha, I tricked you again! It's always the same, Sakumo, you're so stupid!"

Sakumo Hatake blushed, hesitated for a few moments, and finally could only sigh helplessly. He then apologized and disappeared from the spot.

The girl sighed as she watched Sakumo Hatake's departing figure. She took two tickets out of her pocket, smiled helplessly, and walked to the amusement park entrance. Just as she was about to throw the tickets in the trash, she saw two children arguing... well, fighting.

Red-haired girl: "Waaah! I already told you I bought a ticket! You didn't believe me! I'll kill you! I'll kill you!"

The blond-haired boy yelled, "Stop hitting me! Stop hitting me! You said you bought tickets, so show them to us! How are we supposed to get in without tickets?!"

"I don't care! Apologize to me first!"

Seeing this, Green Field smiled gently, then walked over and handed over the two tickets in her hand, saying softly, "I have two extra tickets here. If you don't mind... please take them and play..."

"Oh? Really?! Thank you, Auntie!"

"Idiot! It's my sister!"

"Ouch, that hurts!"

Watching the blond brat get beaten up, Green Field gave the red-haired girl a thumbs up, then turned and left Konoha's First Amusement Park with his hands behind his back.

Today...

Let's leave it at that for now...

Hmm, I'll go back and learn how to fry an egg; I definitely won't burn it this time!

……

When Hatake Sakumo arrived at the Hokage's office, Yua was talking to Nara Shika about the completion of Konoha's first batch of mass-produced cars.

There's really no benefit to Konoha building cars now.

They had to do this simply to stimulate tourism spending.

After all, the villagers of Konoha are accumulating more and more savings every year, which is not a good thing...

After all, if you only save money and don't spend it, inflation will eventually hit you.

Konoha's currency is currently linked to gold, with 10,000 ryo equal to one gram of gold, making Konoha's currency very strong in terms of purchasing power.

Although other villages don't yet know why Yuya sets the price at 10,000 Konoha banknotes per gram of gold, it doesn't stop them from copying it.

It is worth mentioning that after the Third Raikage of Kumogakure made this announcement, the village's finances stabilized in a very short time.

after all……

This guy had no idea what it meant that ten thousand taels of paper money in Kumogakure was linked to one gram of gold.

Since Konoha has done it this way, let's just follow suit.

But by a twist of fate, they actually managed to stabilize the village's finances.

This is probably why later generations considered the Third Raikage to be an economist.

In order to stimulate consumption, Youya has no choice but to promote high-end manufacturing industries such as automobiles.

You all just save money and never spend it...

This is outrageous!

Afterwards, Yuya summoned Hatake Sakumo.

After chatting for a while, Yuya told Hatake Sakumo to go do his work.

However, Yuya had a premonition that his investigation into the matter with Hatake Sakumo would likely yield no results.

Since others dare to do it, they shouldn't leave any evidence against them.

After a month of investigation, in January of Konoha Year 35, in the investigation report submitted by Hatake Sakumo, Yua keenly noticed a possibility...

Sakumo Hatake hasn't been able to find out exactly who it is. If he had, Black Zetsu would have been the final blow.

Unfortunately, Black Zetsu isn't that stupid.

However, Sakumo Hatake gave Yua an idea...

They acted so cleanly, and even deliberately left behind some traps targeting Konoha...

There really is one person who might...

who?

A mercenary hired on the black market...

Kakuzu.

(End of this chapter)