The Rebellious 35 Million Ryō Teenager

"Stockpile mainly food grains, clothes, and tents!" Uzumaki Ryuto told the spiky-haired teenager, probably around 18 years old, standing before him.

The end of the year was approaching, and the Shinobi World had already entered winter. Therefore, keeping warm and having enough food were the top priorities. As for the development of the Land of Whirlpools, they could only proceed slowly for now!

The young man in front of him was none other than the future maritime tycoon of the Land of Waves, Kado. However, at present, he was still a youth, and apart from his somewhat shady appearance, he did not resemble the future obese, middle-aged, and lecherous old man he would become.

Meeting Kado was merely a stroke of luck. Years ago, when Kado was roaming around and ended up here, Uzumaki Ryuto discovered him. Based on his name, Kado, Uzumaki Ryuto decided to lend him a hand. It wasn't much trouble, but he never expected...

This Kado turned out to be a true business genius!

It was quite an unexpected development. After all, back then, Ryuto didn't have any other assistants to help with the business ventures. Did he expect to seek help from the Uzumaki Clan? 

That would have been a disastrous idea!

Were the Uzumaki Clan members suitable material for conducting business?

Since there was no one else, Ryuto thought he'd give it a try based on the name Kado. Truly, he never imagined it would turn out like this!!

Uzumaki Ryuto could now confirm that this person named Kado would become the future maritime transportation monopolist of the Land of Waves.

Ah—, but that might not be possible anymore since the Land of Whirlpools had not perished. Where would the Land of Waves be established?

"Yes!!" Kado nodded seriously. He would never treat the person before him as a mere child.

"And remember, don't reveal the name of the Land of Whirlpools!" Uzumaki Ryuto stared at Kado and said sternly.

Currently, the most crucial task was to divert attention away from the Land of Whirlpools in the Shinobi World and draw the focus of various ninja villages elsewhere.

After all, for the Land of Whirlpools to develop, they had to keep a low profile, especially after their recent victory in the war, which had garnered them too much attention.

So, outwardly, the Land of Whirlpools could only claim a narrow victory.

Without the prophesied child's destiny, it was better not to stand out!

As for the Village Hidden in the Mist, Uzumaki Ryuto estimated that they wouldn't reveal how they were thoroughly humiliated by a small nation.

The Five Great Ninja Villages still had their pride!!

However, he might not be able to conceal his own identity, as being a Kage-level ninja at the age of seven was still too astonishing, even now.

Although the jutsu he used last time was merely an accident, and he was not actually a Kage but only a Jonin.

So, for the time being, he should focus on raising his reputation steadily.

"Understood!" Kado's eyes narrowed, and he nodded. He was well-versed in such tactics from his extensive experience.

"Remember, we need to stockpile over 400,000 units of supplies to make it through the cold winter," Uzumaki Ryuto said after some thought.

Currently, the Land of Whirlpools had a population of nearly 300,000, including shinobi and civilians. If more refugees arrived, they needed to be prepared.

Being cautious was crucial!

Moreover, with the end of the war, the entire Shinobi World would experience a population boom during this period, with explosive growth rates.

For the Land of Whirlpools to become strong, a large population was one of the necessary conditions.

Kado frowned, as this task presented some challenges. After all, procuring such a massive quantity of supplies would be problematic. He couldn't pretend to be from the Village Hidden in the Mist this time because, regardless of their status as one of the Five Great Ninja Villages, they would never purchase that many supplies from other nations. Even if the Village Hidden in the Mist genuinely required such a large quantity, they would go through official channels, likely receiving discounts and even having shinobi escorts assigned to protect the shipment.

Instead of a merchant handling the procurement, it would be done through proper channels. If a merchant was involved, it would only spell the demise of the Village Hidden in the Mist.

It seemed that this time, Kado would have to purchase supplies in batches from the Five Great Nations while posing as a merchant from a small nation or a minor ninja village.

Although it would be troublesome and potentially dangerous, he would still strive to complete the task.

This was...

To repay the kindness of that one meal!!

...

War was about comparing money, manpower, and resources. While the Land of Whirlpools lacked a large population and resources, controlling finances was relatively easy since it was essentially one village representing an entire nation, with the higher echelons primarily consisting of the Uzumaki Clan members.

Moreover...

Ryuto had diverted a portion of the national treasury for his personal use!

Compared to the Village Hidden in the Mist...

Could you imagine Gengetsu Hōzuki, the village leader, requesting funds from the Daimyo of the Land of Water to purchase explosive tags? The Daimyo would probably spit in the village leader's face!

Why did he establish a ninja village in the first place?

Wasn't it to save money on national defense?

Because shinobi could take on missions and earn money, right?

They were supposed to be self-sufficient.

But now, you want to apply for billions, or even tens of billions of ryō, just to buy explosive tags?

The Daimyo of the Land of Water would probably be preparing to replace the village leader. If you can't save money, what use are you?

So, Hashirama's "one nation, one village" policy was truly detrimental. The nation controlled the finances, while the ninja village held military power...

If a conflict arose between the nation and the ninja village, it would be disastrous.

As for the 35 million ryō bounty on Asuma Sarutobi...

It originated from when he eliminated the other half of the "Twelve Guardian Ninja" while serving as one of them himself.

So...

After the "Twelve Guardian Ninja" annihilated each other, who issued the bounty on Asuma?

Heh, if you don't believe it had the shadow of the Daimyo of the Land of Fire behind it, who would?

After taking out the rest of the "Twelve Guardian Ninja," he fled, without any bodyguards left. If not the Daimyo, who else would place a bounty on him?

Most likely, back then, Konoha saw that the Daimyo was not favoring them, and perhaps even instigated by the remaining "Twelve Guardian Ninja," fearing it would harm the ninja village. So, they eliminated the other "Twelve Guardian Ninja" to demonstrate Konoha's strength and make the Daimyo think twice before neglecting their allegiance to Konoha.

As a result...

The Daimyo backed down and had to consult Konoha whenever reorganizing the "Twelve Guardian Ninja."

As for Konoha's claim that Asuma became a "Twelve Guardian Ninja" during his rebellious phase, without their knowledge...

Heh!

Uzumaki Ryuto could only say, as expected of Hiruzen Sarutobi!!

For the son of the Konoha village leader to become a "Twelve Guardian Ninja" without anyone knowing, until he achieved success and amassed 35 million ryō, before being discovered...

Who would believe that?!!

When could Konoha's shinobi freely leave the village at will?

Did Asuma have this privilege simply because he was the son of the Hokage??

Heh!!

Their hearts were truly devious!!

Hashirama probably never imagined that the relationship between ninja villages and nations would devolve into this – a struggle for power!!

Originally, Hashirama established ninja villages to maintain peace in the Shinobi World. But over time, people's inner desires changed, especially for those leading a nation. Having to request assistance from others, even during wars, must have been galling for a nation's ruler. 

What kind of Daimyo would he be if he had to ask permission from others?

If he carelessly insulted Konoha, he might wind up dead from a heart attack the next day, and the Land of Fire would need to replace its Daimyo!!

As for whether it was truly a heart attack or an assassination...

Did it really matter?

Didn't you see Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado still vying for power in Boruto's era? If a small ninja village could remain embroiled in such power struggles, what more for an entire nation?

(End of Chapter)