Chapter 23: In Response to the Workers' Calls for Salary Adjustments!

~/ Extra Chapter if we Reach 200 Power Stones!!

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["Iki" has been widely circulated in the Land of Lightning. Prosperity +6]

["Iki" has been widely circulated in the Land of Earth. Prosperity +6]

[…]

["Iki" has seen limited circulation in the Land of Waves. Prosperity +3]

["Iki" has received rave reviews from the merchant community. Cloud merchants are planning to invest in Konoha. Prosperity +6]

…

…

Gojo Kaigetsu crossed his legs, nodding in satisfaction at the continuous stream of notifications.

A slight pang of guilt tugged at his heart. It seemed Kumogakure always contributed the most.

The grand money-spending plan was proceeding smoothly.

Three hundred and fifty million ryō sounded like a significant sum, but when distributed among the nobles of the various nations, it wasn't much.

However, in this war-torn era, earning money was no easy feat.

The simple-minded nobles were happy to show off a book in public and easily earn this extra income.

They were completely oblivious to the potential damage their actions could inflict upon their own hidden villages' interests.

Outside the office, laughter and chatter filled the air.

Weeks of grueling three-shift printing work had exhausted these ordinary workers who couldn't even mold chakra.

Now, with the successful release of "Iki," they could finally set aside the printing machines and enjoy a well-deserved rest.

Observing the relaxed demeanor of his fellow workers below, Gojo Kaigetsu pursed his lips:

"This won't do. I need to think about what to print for the next issue of 'Iki'."

In Gojo Kaigetsu's plan, the invasion of the Four Great Nations was envisioned as a monthly publication. If the results proved significant, the frequency would be increased to bi-monthly.

The rules of the publishing house were fixed, but the workers were adaptable.

After all, it wasn't his, Gojo Kaigetsu's, time that was being compressed.

Gojo Kaigetsu pondered the content for the next issue of "Iki."

*Knock knock-*

A knock on the door pulled Gojo Kaigetsu's thoughts from the sea of public intellectual discourse back to reality. He casually responded:

"Come in."

Entering Gojo Kaigetsu's office was… Special Envoy Ichiro Koyama from the Land of Fire's official publishing house.

He represented the interests of the Land of Fire's royalty and nobility.

Ichiro Koyama wiped the cold sweat from his brow, hesitating as he faced Gojo Kaigetsu, who exuded the oppressive aura unique to powerful ninjas.

According to traditional hierarchy, Gojo Kaigetsu should have treated him with utmost respect. Even the chair he occupied rightfully belonged to him.

Hadn't he seen how politely the Fourth Hokage treated these special envoys representing the daimyo of the Land of Fire?

But…

This Gojo Kaigetsu fellow wasn't a traditional ninja at all. He lacked the awareness and principles of a true shinobi.

He dabbled in both the legitimate and the illicit.

On the legitimate side, he secretly colluded with and bribed numerous nobles and ministers of the Land of Fire.

On the illicit side, it was rumored that several powerful samurai bandit groups were entrenched near the capital. Gojo Kaigetsu personally led ninja squads to "suppress" them, but new bandit groups, masked and mysterious, would soon reappear near the capital.

Even around the residences of disobedient "special envoys" like him, burly men with tattoos of dragons and tigers often loitered.

It was hard to imagine such a disgraceful ninja!

Every time he thought about this, Ichiro Koyama felt a chill run down his spine, a mixture of anger and fear.

"Oh~ It's Koyama-kun~ What brings you here?"

Gojo Kaigetsu's idle hand expertly retrieved a kunai from a drawer and twirled it around his index finger.

Since arriving in this world, Gojo Kaigetsu had always harbored a question: How dare these mere civilians order around ninja masters?

Before he assumed this position, these special envoys representing the daimyo were nothing more than parasites sucking the lifeblood out of Konoha, the great tree.

Every day, they were draining the life out of him, Gojo Kaigetsu.

Extorting money, using ninjas as free labor, attempting to push bureaucratic agendas, interfering with the internal affairs of the village with their layman's understanding… all of that aside.

They even dared to demand that Konoha provide respectable women to dance for them while they wined and dined. The most outrageous request was for Konoha kunoichi to… well, let's just say it was inappropriate.

He, Gojo Kaigetsu, hadn't even enjoyed such privileges yet!

How dare they?

It was as if the natives of this world inherently accepted such behavior.

However, Gojo Kaigetsu quickly employed some ninja tactics to bring these special envoys to heel.

"It's like this, Advisor Gojo," Ichiro Koyama rubbed his hands together, his expression hinting at a shared understanding. "That… regarding the agreed 70-30 profit split before the publishing house was established in Konoha…"

"Oh, it's about the money."

Gojo Kaigetsu nodded nonchalantly. "Yes, it's time to distribute the earnings. I'll have the finance officer contact you. The daimyo's 30% share won't be shortchanged."

Thirty percent?

The smile on Ichiro Koyama's face faltered. He blurted out, "How can it be only 30%? You must have it reversed, Advisor Gojo. The agreement was 30% for Konoha and 70% for the daimyo. That's why I approved the publishing house's establishment in Konoha."

"Is that so? Perhaps you misheard~" Gojo Kaigetsu's smile vanished. He slammed the kunai into the solid wood desk and leaned forward.

"It's 30%, and you'll be grateful for it. Koyama-kun, are you sure you want to ruin my mood today?"

"I… you…"

Ichiro Koyama's face flushed crimson. He understood that Gojo Kaigetsu wasn't playing by the rules.

And unfortunately… he couldn't utter a word of protest.

Gojo Kaigetsu nodded in satisfaction. "It seems Koyama-kun did misremember. You should take better care of your health to prevent memory decline."

These special envoy groups had embezzled quite a bit of the special funds allocated by the Land of Fire. They had plenty of money.

The system notifications were irrefutable proof!

Previously, Gojo Kaigetsu lacked the authority. Now, he would slowly chip away at their wealth, like a dull knife slicing through flesh.

"Perhaps I did misremember," Ichiro Koyama took a deep breath.

"Well, the printing work is complete. In recent weeks, the workers have been increasingly vocal about salary adjustments. To address their concerns, Advisor Gojo, wouldn't it be appropriate to…"

Ichiro Koyama rubbed his hands together again.

Gojo Kaigetsu treated those workers quite well. He couldn't possibly refuse such a reasonable request.

Once the salaries were increased, he had plenty of ways to implement a wage recovery plan. This would appease the interest groups he represented.

As for deducting money from his personal account? Absolutely not!

However, to his surprise, Gojo Kaigetsu responded almost immediately, his words rapid-fire:

"I've been remiss."

"In response to the workers' fervent desire for salary adjustments, I, Gojo Kaigetsu, having listened attentively to everyone's opinions and after careful consideration, have decided-"

"From today onwards, the workers' salaries will be reduced by 1000 ryō per person per month!"

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To Be Continued...

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