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

Chapter 193 Black Zetsu Returns & Location of Grell's Stone Confirmed

A major drama is about to unfold in Konoha due to Danzo Shimura's ambitions, while Shingetsu Hozuki in Kirigakure is also busy.

At this time, he was inspecting the production and construction of factories in his industrial zone.

"Under normal circumstances, we operate on a three-shift system with people stopping but machines running non-stop. Currently, the factory's daily fabric production capacity is around 1,000 jin (500 kg)."

Hozuki Shingetsu listened to the report from the person in charge and nodded.

The daily production of this fabric is half a ton, which is less than two hundred tons per year. Compared to the production of several thousand tons per year in modern society, it is naturally far inferior.

However, for Kirigakure, which had just completed the Industrial Revolution and was beginning to enter an industrialized society, this output was already quite astonishing.

Moreover, production cannot be increased indiscriminately; it must also be matched with the overall market consumption level.

In this day and age, even if you can achieve an annual production capacity of 3,000 tons, there simply isn't enough market demand to absorb it all.

Even with the enormous productivity brought about by the Industrial Revolution, costs still require money, right?

With an annual production of 3,000 tons, unless it's sold or given away at half price as welfare, the ninja world simply doesn't have enough consumers to consume these products.

"We'll be maintaining this three-shift system for the next month. We expect a large order coming in soon, so you need to prepare in advance."

Hozuki Shingetsu gave instructions to the person in charge. He had said similar things not only to this fabric factory, but also to factories in other fields.

Based on the plan he designed for Danzo Shimura, there should be some activity in Konoha by now.

Taking advantage of the turmoil in Konoha and the opportune moment when outside merchants were raising prices for Konoha's goods, Kirigakure could dump their shipment of goods directly into Konoha at half the market price, leveraging their superior quality and low price advantage.

After all, he was extremely envious of the 50 billion ryo that Konoha had just extorted from the daimyo of various countries!

As for how much profit Kirigakure has left, given that this batch of goods is priced at less than half the market price... Hozuki Shingetsu can only say, stop buying! If they buy any more, Kirigakure will lose a fortune!

For these native ninja who had never witnessed the power of the Industrial Revolution, they naturally did not know the extent to which industrial assembly line production could spread the cost of goods.

Even if this batch of goods is only half the market price, or even only a third, Kirigakure will still make a profit!

"It's time to show the ninja world what dumping really is..."

As Hozuki Shingetsu gazed at the endless stream of fabric being produced on the production line, her mind raced with thoughts.

"In this way, when the village's goods flood into Konoha, that will be the time when Konoha's industrial system will be completely destroyed by me."

Hozuki Shingetsu was well aware of his own limitations. He knew that in highly profitable industries like salt, steel, and ninja tools, which were vital to the survival of an entire village, Kirigakure's products would never be able to penetrate the Konoha market.

After all, these highly profitable industries are controlled by the ninja clans of Konoha's high-ranking officials. Even if they can't beat Kirigakure in terms of product quality, they have plenty of ways to deal with Kirigakure from their own stronghold.

Putting everything else aside, just one policy alone would probably be enough to bring Kirigakure to its knees.

However, for light industries such as fabrics and textiles, or basic commodities related to people's livelihoods, the commercial system of Konoha or the entire Land of Fire will likely be crushed by Kirigakure's products taking advantage of this great opportunity and relying on extreme price wars.

Under normal circumstances, it might be difficult for Kirigakure to defeat them like this.

However, if Shimura Danzo had followed Hozuki Shingetsu's plan, Konoha should already be sensing a crisis by now.

At this point, any businessman who isn't out of his mind would definitely use this as an excuse to raise prices.

At this time, on one side were goods from the Land of Water, priced at half the market price, in large quantities, and endorsed by Shimura Danzo, the Hokage.

On the other side are the merchants from the Land of Fire, whose prices are inflated and whose stockpiles of goods are relatively small. It's not hard to guess what choice Konoha will make.

"However, given the village's current output, it's time to find new markets for the village."

Although Hozuki Shingetsu had requested that countries open their markets to each other when he founded the International Ninja Organization, this was easier said than done. In practice, it would take time for Kirigakure's products to flood markets in various countries, relying solely on market self-regulation.

What Hozuki Shingetsu is thinking about now is finding a new market, a new type of market similar to Konoha, where the government can support Kirigakure's products.

After instructing the factory to work overtime to produce goods, Hozuki Shingetsu originally planned to take a detour to the Uzumaki clan's territory to cultivate his relationship with his fiancée.

After all, Kushina Uzumaki is already thirteen years old, and in a few years she will reach the adult standard in the ninja world and be able to hold a wedding.

Moreover, he had been spending all his time with Yukinagi lately, and had indeed neglected his legitimate wife. He should at least make up for it.

However, just as he left the factory and headed towards the territory of the Whirlpool Clan, a bracelet hanging on his wrist suddenly began to vibrate strangely.

Sensing the tremor, Hozuki Shingetsu subtly changed his course and leisurely returned to the Mizukage's office.

"Alright, Planetary Will, you may emerge now."

As soon as he entered the office, Hozuki Shingetsu sat down and shouted at the empty floor.

How did you find me?

"Hozuki Crescent" slowly emerged from underground and asked in confusion.

Ever since he first appeared in the form of Hozuki Shingetsu, for some unknown reason, he has always used this appearance whenever he meets Hozuki Shingetsu, making Hozuki Shingetsu wish he could have the Uzumaki clan seal him away on the spot.

"Heh... As someone chosen by the planet's will, I should at least have some skills, shouldn't I?"

Hozuki Shingetsu chuckled, naturally not about to reveal the method he used to detect him so casually.

From the moment Hozuki Shingetsu first met Black Zetsu during the peace truce talks, he ordered the Uzumaki clan to set up corresponding detection arrays around Kirigakure based on Black Zetsu's characteristics.

Because it sacrifices offensive and defensive capabilities, the detection range of this array has been maximized.

The bracelet on his wrist was bound to this detection array. It would automatically vibrate whenever Black Zetsu entered the area of ​​Kirigakure to alert him that Black Zetsu had entered Kirigakure.

However, he certainly wouldn't tell Black Zetsu any of this. As one of the parties in the deal, the more mysterious he appears in Black Zetsu's eyes, the more it will help Black Zetsu fulfill the agreement and properly serve as a tool for Kirigakure.

Otherwise, if Black Zetsu thinks he has seen through the true nature of Kirigakure and has some other ideas, that would be bad.

It wasn't that I was afraid of Black Zetsu causing trouble, but rather that I felt sorry for losing such a useful tool.

Seeing that Hozuki Shingetsu refused to speak, Black Zetsu had no choice but to reveal the reason for its presence.

"...I have found the location of the Grell Stone mine that you mentioned before. It is in a mountainous area in the southeast of the Land of Wind, near the Land of Rivers."

Black Zetsu marked its location on the giant ninja world map that Hozuki Shingetsu hung on the office wall.

"Greel's Stone...Land of Wind...Sunagakure...Distant alliances and close attacks, Eastern Continent! New Market!"

Hozuki Shingetsu's eyes lit up as he looked at the red dot marked in the southeastern part of the Land of Wind.

(End of this chapter)