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

Chapter 126 The World's Number One Series of Events

Guided by the beacon of freedom, democracy, and peace, inspired by the dream of realizing their own Kirigakure dream, and given the peaceful and stable reality of Kirigakure's remote location overseas, a large number of frustrated and impoverished nobles or ambitious individuals from various countries chose to leave their hometowns and go to Kirigakure in the Land of Water.

The lords or ministers of various countries were completely unaware of this situation.

After all, from a class perspective, these impoverished nobles were simply beneath their notice.

In their view, this group of people is actually a destabilizing factor in society. If they knew that Kirigakure was recruiting these people on a large scale, they might even have pushed them out on their own initiative.

The leaders of these countries were unaware of this, and the leaders of those ninja villages were even less aware.

Not to mention that they are currently fighting tooth and nail in the Land of Rain, the ninjas don't care about the affairs of the noble circles!

Nobles? What do they have to do with ninjas?

How many divisions are his nobles worth?

Therefore, a large number of highly educated intellectuals embarked on the road to Kirigakure through various means.

After observing this situation, Hozuki Shingetsu inwardly mocked these countries while also feeling overjoyed.

Building on the success of its plans targeting wealthy merchants and nobles, Hozuki Shingetsu, riding this wave of momentum, turned its attention to professionals in various industries who possessed practical skills.

These professionals mainly include blacksmiths, farmers, tailors, miners, doctors, and other skilled personnel with practical application orientation. Even professions such as singers and dancers were included among these professionals by Hozuki Shingetsu in order to attract popularity.

In a sense, those famous singers and dancers might actually have a greater cultural background than the nobles.

After all, people make a living by cultivating their sophistication, and in this day and age, where does sophistication come from? Nothing more than eloquence, refinement, poetry, and singing and dancing skills.

If Hozuki Shingetsu's goal is simply to become the Water Shadow, then these talents are not very significant.

However, since Hozuki Shingetsu's goal is to devour the entire ninja world, he inevitably needs these talents to lay a solid foundation for himself.

As a transmigrator, Hozuki Shingetsu naturally wouldn't have the concept of a professional hierarchy, and he was perfectly aware of the importance of these talents.

As the saying goes, there are 360 ​​professions, and every profession can produce an expert.

There are no bad industries, only bad leaders.

If Kirigakure can recruit the elite talents from these fields, its foundation will be incredibly strong. Afterwards, whether it's Hozuki Shiromizu or the westward campaign, they will have a very solid base.

However, the strategy for attracting these people is different from that for the previous two classes of wealthy merchants and nobles, and a new plan needs to be devised.

Wealthy businessmen are inherently profit-driven, possessing vast wealth but lacking any political standing. Therefore, one must appeal to them by addressing both their security and personal interests.

He could lure aristocratic children with vague and lofty spiritual pursuits such as peace, freedom, and democracy, or attract them with grandiose promises of marrying a beautiful and wealthy woman and reaching the pinnacle of life.

However, this approach is not suitable for highly skilled professionals who may lack formal education but possess genuine expertise.

These aristocratic elites are literate and capable people. For them, basic needs like food and clothing are not the primary concern. What they pursue is the ability to achieve upward social mobility. Therefore, they can be attracted by empty promises and grand gestures.

When the industrial revolution in Kirigakure officially begins, there will be plenty of work for them to do.

However, the inner desires of these skilled workers with little formal education are completely different from those of others.

They care about immediate benefits, tangible and real benefits. Without sufficient benefits, it would be impossible to attract them to Kirigakure.

Faced with this situation, Hozuki Shingetsu did not hesitate to implement a money-spraying tactic and began to spend a lot of money.

However, while throwing money around is one thing, there are still tricks to using the smallest amount of money to achieve the greatest effect.

Therefore, under these circumstances, Hozuki Shingetsu's choice is...

"The world's number one series of events?"

Akiba Masanobu looked at the plan in his hand, then looked up at Hozuki Shingetsu with a blank expression, wondering what had gotten into his boss this time.

"Excellent, this is indeed the World's Number One Series... Mmm~ That feels good!"

Hozuki Shingetsu sat in his office chair, enjoying a relaxing head massage from Yukinagi beside him, and hummed.

Under Hozuki Shingetsu's subtle influence, Yukinagi has become increasingly accustomed to viewing various "strange outfits" as secretary uniforms.

Today, Yukinagi was dressed in a red and white kimono. Her snow-white legs, which were exposed after the hem of the kimono was modified, were eye-catching. Her pair of slender white hands, which were proficient in various hand seals, were gently placed on Hozuki Shingetsu's temples, gently kneading, twisting, and picking.

Akiba Masanobu never glanced at Yukinagi's attire, fearing that even a second look might cause some misunderstanding.

After all, everyone isn't stupid when it comes to the relationship between their leader and her. They play this dress-up game every day and everyone can see that.

However, due to Kushina Uzumaki's presence, everyone tacitly agreed to this.

"I have already explained the core purpose of this world's number one series of competitions to you. It is to attract as many skilled talents from all walks of life across the ninja world as possible through this competition."

With his eyes closed, Hozuki Shingetsu gave instructions to Akiba Masanobu.

For those with skills, it's actually quite tempting.

No one can escape the pursuit of fame and fortune. You once said you were the best blacksmith in the Land of Fire, and I said I was the best blacksmith in the Land of Water. Since we are from different countries, we had no opportunity to compare ourselves, so the world could not judge whose skills were superior.

But things are different now. This World's Number One Series of Tournaments, as the name suggests, means that whoever becomes the champion is recognized by the Five Great Nations and is undoubtedly the number one in the ninja world.

For example, the World's Greatest Sword Forging Competition. If you win the championship in this competition, you will become the greatest swordsmith in the ninja world!

This honor has been certified by Kirigakure, one of the five great nations, and won under the noses of countless peers. Who would dare to deny it?

Under such temptation, Ghost Lantern Crescent Moon refused to believe that those masters wouldn't come!

"Our Hidden Mist Village was too isolated before, which resulted in the ninja world not having a deep understanding of us. So this is a good opportunity to promote our village and improve our previous image."

Hozuki Shingetsu opened his eyes and gently waved his hand, signaling Yukinagi to stop.

Sports and entertainment, among other soft culture activities, are often referred to as the invisible battlefields of peacetime, and this is no exaggeration. Successfully hosting a world-class cultural and entertainment event can have an immeasurable positive impact on the image of a country and its influence.

What's unusual is that while the four great nations of the ninja world were locked in endless warfare, Kirigakure (Hidden Mist Village) was busy with cultural and entertainment activities.

The people there live in dire straits, constantly living in fear and uncertainty, afraid they won't see the sun rise the next day.

The people here not only live happy and fulfilling lives, but they also have the inclination to organize such large-scale cultural and entertainment events.

Given this extreme contrast, the international image of each ninja village is crystal clear to anyone with eyes that aren't blind.

"Since this is the first time this competition has been held, and given that the Ninja World is currently embroiled in constant warfare, we can foresee that the number of participants will not be large unless we take drastic measures. Even if they do come, there won't be many true master-level talents."

Hozuki Shingetsu suddenly realized a key point: the ninja world was currently in turmoil, and if the offer wasn't substantial enough, people might not even bother coming to this overseas region for safety reasons.

"Hmm...then let's increase the prize money for the champion! Set the prize money for champions in mainstream professions like blacksmithing and medicine to ten million taels, and set the prize money for ordinary champions to five million taels!"

"Furthermore, it is promised that whoever wins the championship will become a special advisor to Kirigakure and receive an annual special talent subsidy from Kirigakure!"

Hozuki Shingetsu tapped the table and, after thinking for a moment, decided on the amount.

People die for wealth, birds die for food; this amount should be enough for those who are truly capable to disregard the risks on the road and come to this remote Hidden Mist Village.

"Ten million taels and five million taels..."

Based on the information Hozuki Shingetsu had given him about the types of events to be held, Akiba Masanobu quickly calculated the cost in his mind.

"Including miscellaneous expenses such as publicity and venue setup, it would cost at least 100 million taels to hold such an event."

"With the grant from the Daimyo last time, coming up with this sum of money shouldn't be a problem."

Masanobu Akiba reports to Shingetsu Hozuki.

As Hozuki Shingetsu's administrative secretary, he naturally knew everything about the village's finances.

"Three Asma..."

After thinking it over, Hozuki Shingetsu rejected the suggestion to pay for it himself.

"The right way is to use the country's money to do our own things. Why should I pay for recruiting talent for the Water Kingdom?"

Besides, every event needs sponsors, and for such an important event, shouldn't he ask his dear godfather for some financial assistance?

"..."

Masanobu Akiba was already mentally prepared for Shingetsu Hozuki's unconventional approach, so he wasn't surprised by Hozuki's attempt to scheme against the daimyo.

"But that's still 100 million taels of silver. Is it worth it to use that money for this event?"

When Yukina heard this, she finally couldn't help but chime in.

She had heard about the financial situation of Kirigakure a few years ago, and although she didn't have to pay for it herself, she still felt heartbroken.

"Money? Ha, they might have the ability to take it, but they'd better have the ability to take it away too!"

A strange smile appeared on Hozuki Shingetsu's face, without offering any further explanation.

You're after my money, but I'm after you!

(End of this chapter)