They're promoting the "Konoha threat" theory, and spouting nonsense about the Hidden

Chapter 125 The Hidden Dream of Kirigakure!

"Hidden Mist Village?"

The wealthy businessmen present all looked suspicious. The portly businessman who had spoken earlier stepped forward and asked:

"But isn't the Land of Water just like the Land of Fire? When we get there, won't we also be outsiders, starting from scratch, and subject to the local nobles and officials?"

Seeing the puzzled look on the wealthy businessman's face, the man laughed and explained:

"That's true about the Land of Water, but I'm not talking about the Land of Water! I'm talking about Kirigakure!"

It would have been better not to explain; the explanation only made everyone present more confused.

What's the difference between Kirigakure and the Land of Water? Isn't Kirigakure also in the Land of Water?

"You may not know this, but ever since Lord Hozuki Shingetsu became the adopted son of the Daimyo of the Land of Water, he has secured from the Daimyo the power to formulate policies independently for Kirigakure. As long as the policies do not contradict the policies of the Land of Water, they can be implemented normally in Kirigakure."

"The changes in Kirigakure now compared to before are simply too great. Putting aside everything else, at least in terms of administration, it's far better than other places! After all, Kirigakure doesn't have nobles! And using ninjas to manage it, the effect is..."

Upon hearing this, everyone present couldn't help but laugh; they knew what the person meant without him even having to explain.

Compared to those unproductive, arrogant nobles, they actually preferred communicating with the simple-minded fighting tools of the ninjas.

"Especially in business, I've heard that Lord Hozuki Shingetsu places great emphasis on commerce. There's even a separate commercial district outside Kirigakure now, where the commercial tax is only one-thirtieth of the harvest!"

"One-thirtieth tax?"

Upon hearing this news, the businessmen present were immediately startled and couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

They had never heard of such a low commercial tax in their entire lives.

Not to mention a tax of one-thirtieth, they haven't experienced even one-tenth of a tax many times.

The tax rate for a normal trade transaction is generally around 5% to 1%, and that's considered good. In some places, the commercial tax is even as high as 4% to 1% or 3% to 1%!

Therefore, upon hearing this news, almost everyone present couldn't help but feel great goodwill towards Kirigakure and their admiration for Hozuki Shingetsu was palpable.

"However, there are corresponding requirements to enjoy this tax rate."

Seeing that he had aroused the interest of those present, the wealthy merchant quickly began to explain the new policies of Kirigakure to them.

"Only chambers of commerce whose headquarters are located in Kirigakure are eligible for this tax rate. All foreign chambers of commerce are subject to a tax rate of one-tenth."

Is the Chamber of Commerce headquarters located in Kirigakure Village?

That would be equivalent to the entire family relocating to Kirigakure!

Despite the attractive tax rates in Kirigakure, the thought of leaving their home and abandoning their resources and connections to seek opportunities elsewhere still made them hesitant.

"Besides tax rates, have you all forgotten something very crucial?"

Seeing that everyone was too focused on commercial taxes and neglected security, the wealthy merchant "thoughtfully" reminded them: "Kirigakure is the only major power that has not participated in this war, which shows how much the village yearns for peace. And thanks to Kirigakure's unique geographical conditions, there is almost no possibility that Kirigakure's homeland will be attacked."

"In the current chaotic state of the ninja world, a paradise like this, where safety is guaranteed and wealth is abundant, truly exists nowhere else!"

These words immediately piqued the interest of those present, who clearly showed great interest in immigrating to Kirigakure.

"And I also heard that the commercial area in Kirigakure is newly built, so there are limited spots available. If you go too late, there won't be any left!"

Upon hearing the announcement of this final quota, everyone present became restless and expressed their intention to discuss immigration matters as soon as they returned home.

Similar incidents don't only happen in the land of tea.

Especially in war-torn regions like the Land of Hot Water, the Land of Grass, and the Land of Waterfalls, Hozuki Shingetsu found "insiders" for all of them. Through a combination of overt and covert means, such as promising preferential conditions, selling the safety of Kirigakure, and robbing people by impersonating Konoha ninjas, he attracted a wave of wealthy merchants to settle in Kirigakure.

Even under the influence of war, not only these small countries, but also many people from the other four major countries chose to go to Kirigakure Village, lured by a sense of security.

However, this was just one part of Hozuki Shingetsu's strategy to sell a sense of security. He also made other special promotions for the other elite talents.

A crucial element of this is the nobility.

Nobles, by their very nature, look down on others with arrogance and haughtiness; normally, they would never come to a city controlled by ninjas.

In addition, their interests are deeply tied to their homeland, so it is impossible for these people to abandon their fiefdoms and come to Kirigakure. And even if they dared to come, Hozuki Shingetsu would not welcome them.

Hozuki Shingetsu's true target was the children of lower-ranking nobles other than their eldest sons, or rather, the impoverished nobles without fiefdoms.

In the context of the ninja world, ordinary people basically have no opportunity to learn to read and write, so there is no such thing as an elite.

Even the most impoverished nobles were still far more educated than others, making them the undisputed highly educated elites of their time.

Hozuki Shingetsu will need a large number of elite talents to implement his plans. Where will these elite talents come from?

If you don't have enough of your own, then of course you have to try your best to fool other countries!

The method, of course, is to start with the common characteristics of these nobles.

Imagine what these children from impoverished or lower-ranking noble families would want most when they are in their teens or twenties, if they had any ambition.

They yearn to achieve great things, seek love, pursue fairness and justice, and hope to realize their ideals and ambitions.

At this stage, they are often not yet fully aristocratic, nor have they become unambitious, mature, and rational adults.

They often retain some of the passion and sense of justice unique to young people, have an uplifting and enterprising mentality, and a desire to pursue beautiful things.

In short, this is an age where one likes to fantasize, a stage for the artsy youth.

Since you enjoy fantasizing and are into artsy types, that makes things easier.

Under Hozuki Shingetsu's orders, the ninja world quickly launched a large number of entertainment products, covering various fields such as books, movies, and operas.

Although the specific content may differ, the basic procedures are largely the same.

In terms of story structure, they are all set in the Land of Water, or Kirigakure (Hidden Mist Village). The protagonists are basically down-on-their-luck young men from foreign lands who come to Kirigakure with various deep-seated hatreds or reasons that force them to leave their hometowns. A series of incredible and bizarre events occur in the village.

These bizarre events include, but are not limited to, beautiful women coming to join, powerful people recognizing their children, corrupt officials being exposed, and the fuse for unexpected turmoil in the ninja world.

In the story, the protagonist often finds himself in danger due to some unknown peril, but he is always discovered by the democratic, fair, and free officials of Kirigakure, who then give him justice.

In the end, the protagonist usually gains friendships during these bizarre events, successfully achieves his life's ideals by marrying a rich and beautiful woman, reaches the pinnacle of life, and completes a leap in social class.

In terms of narrative style, they generally use very subtle contrasts to imply that all of this can only be achieved in Kirigakure, the beacon of democracy, and would be abandoned halfway in any other place due to the backwardness and closed-off official forces of the local area.

In the background introduction, it will try its best to exaggerate the warlike nature of other countries and the current chaos in the ninja world, highlighting that Kirigakure is the only peaceful paradise in the ninja world.

In short, regardless of nationality, background, or origin, as long as you have ideals, ambitions, a desire for success, and a wish to reach the pinnacle of life, then come to Kirigakure!

Here, opportunities abound;

Here, fairness and justice prevail.

Here, you'll reach the pinnacle!

Here, you can realize your unique dream of hiding in the mist!

-

"I'm almost an adult, and according to the rules, I'll be separating from the family soon... Sigh, I really don't know what to do!"

Namiki Masashi is sixteen years old and the second son of a low-ranking nobleman in the Land of Fire.

Although his father was a nobleman, his fiefdom consisted of only a few villages, placing him at the bottom of the noble hierarchy in the Land of Fire.

As we all know, when you are weak, sticking together is the best course of action.

Therefore, their family had made it clear long ago that apart from the eldest son who could inherit the family business, the rest of the family would only receive a sum of money, and they could forget about getting any land.

In fact, this is the normal practice for most noble families in the ninja world today: the eldest son inherits the family business as the main body, while the other children go out to make their way in the world as wings.

Those with the means should support the flanks from the main branch. Once the flanks have grown, they can also protect the main branch. This mutual support from the inside and outside can better ensure the continuation of the family.

Now it's time for Masashi Namiki to consider this issue.

Just as he was deep in thought, he suddenly received a package containing a letter and several beautifully bound books.

"Yoshikawa's letter..."

Yoshikawa Takaya, like him, was the third son of a low-ranking nobleman. The two men, sharing similar circumstances and the same age, became close friends.

He opened the letter and saw that Yoshikawa first inquired about his situation briefly, and then the topic shifted to his future path.

"...Masashi, I don't know if you've made any plans for where you'll go in the future. If you have, then pretend I didn't ask this question. But if not, then go to the Land of Water, go to Kirigakure! That's the best stage for us to showcase our talents!"

"In this world where jackals rule and injustice is rampant, I am grateful that the ninja world still has a pure land like Kirigakure, and I am grateful that there is such a great leader as Hozuki Shingetsu... I won't go into details about Kirigakure; you can learn about it from those books."

"I'll be waiting for you in Kirigakure, waiting for you to achieve great things, waiting for you to realize your own Kirigakure dream!"

"Hidden Dream of the Mist? What nonsense..."

Masashi Namiki looked at the letter and pondered.

"Putting aside the fact that Kirigakure is a ninja village, isn't it rather inappropriate to leave the Land of Fire?"

He looked at the letter, not quite understanding his friend's choice, but out of respect, he still opened the books his friend had sent him, trying to understand why he did it this way.

"Hidden Dream in the Mist..."

Masashi Namiki seemed to have opened the door to a new world, reading those books day and night, putting himself in the protagonist's shoes, and feeling joy and excitement along with the protagonist's experiences.

With such a mature story structure, the classic underdog-to-hero trope, and the guiding spirit of freedom and democracy, how could a teenager possibly resist?

So, unsurprisingly, he, like Yoshikawa, made the decision to go to Kirigakure.

(End of this chapter)