Chapter 200

In Ame no Kuni, the boss of the gold exchange was uncertain about his thoughts. He had indeed listened to Black Zetsu's words and taken control of Nagato and his group, putting in maximum effort to nurture them. However, he wasn't a true philanthropist. Having dealt with Bounty Hunters for years, he knew how troublesome things could get.

Initially, he had been skeptical of Nagato and the others. But after observing Nagato's Ninjutsu skills and witnessing Konan's origami and Yahiko's Water Release, his doubts were dispelled. These talents made him optimistic, especially after being informed that their potential exceeded his own. It seemed possible for them to become Kage Level Shinōbi.

This realization excited the boss of the exchange. After all, while the later stages of the original work portrayed Kage Level Shinōbi as insignificant, there were only a dozen such individuals among the hundreds of thousands of Shinōbi across the Five Great Hidden Villages. The strength displayed by Kage Level Shinōbi truly paved the way, requiring innate talent to reach such heights.

Considering all these factors, the boss of the exchange gradually felt at ease. After numerous twists and turns, he finally found some security.

"If we can truly cultivate Kage Level Shinōbi, I'll spare no expense to build a village. When the time comes, we must make our mark alongside the Five Great Hidden Villages," he thought fervently as he watched the three youngsters in the training stadium.

"Shadow, take good care of them. I hope they become three loyal Kage Level Shinōbi, not individuals who rebel over trivial matters," he instructed his trusted escort.

"We'll spare no effort in looking after them. Money is a trivial matter. If we lose focus, we won't be able to regain it," the shadow replied, aware of some unsavory practices within the exchange house. Deducting subordinates' resources and undermining weaker individuals was the routine operation of some losers. However, there were individuals who couldn't be treated in such a manner, as no one could predict when they might rise to prominence. How many talents had been painstakingly nurtured, only to betray their mentors at the first sign of weakness? The boss had every reason to feel wronged.

"Also, shadow, don't corrupt their values. I believe they can save Ame no Kuni and lead us to the forefront," the boss murmured, recalling Black Zetsu's words of manipulation.

"Yes, understood," the shadow replied, helpless yet jealous and resentful. He couldn't fathom why his boss treated these three youngsters so favorably. After all, they hadn't received the same treatment despite their years of loyalty and sacrifice. Their food and resources had been deducted by others. It seemed unfair.

Meanwhile, in the training stadium, the three youngsters sweated profusely as they continued their vigorous training. Initially, they had been terrified, thinking they had fallen into the clutches of a terrorist organization. But soon, they realized they had encountered Ame no Kuni's "saviors" who provided them with sustenance and resources for their training. Although it was undoubtedly a façade, they had never before been surrounded by peers their own age. While they did receive preferential treatment, they remained committed to their ideals and aspirations.

These drastic changes in their lives hadn't led them astray. They remained focused on saving Ame no Kuni. They cherished their innate talents and were determined to train diligently, hoping to rescue their homeland from its perpetual suffering. It came naturally to them, and their unwavering dedication was unmatched.

...

Unlike the trio in the gold exchange, Hitoshi's life was improving day by day, and he radiated energy and enthusiasm. Sunagakure's situation was also steadily improving, as was the overall state of Kaze no Kuni. There were no sudden GDP explosions or collapses; everything was progressing well. Each region was on an upward trajectory.

However, not everything was smooth sailing. With the cessation of wars among the Five Great Countries, economic development had taken center stage. Various Chakra tools had been invented, sparking imitations. While there were technical barriers, that didn't mean others couldn't create their own versions.

The first to be imitated was the Little Overlord truck, produced by the Five Great Hidden Villages. These large freight trucks had a massive demand. Sunagakure, now with free hands, naturally wanted to establish its own brand. After all, how could others keep making money as Five Great Hidden Villages?

Infrastructure and technology weren't significant obstacles. Roads could be built, and technology could be adapted. For example, Iwagakure's art of light and heavy rock.

Thanks to the funds poured in by the Five Great Hidden Villages, various peculiar Little Overlord trucks emerged. Konoha had its plain car, Kumogakure had its Mountainous Region car, Kirigakure had its ocean car. The latter aimed to create a vehicle capable of sailing on the sea, bordering on the nonsensical, akin to a Grand Theft Auto plug-in. However, upon closer inspection, it made perfect sense.

The influx of these new vehicles led to the establishment of logistics companies, challenging Sunagakure's position as the leader. The situation was frustrating and concerning. Kakuzu approached Hitoshi to express his frustrations, blaming the interference for encroaching on their business.

Hitoshi, in his office, responded calmly, "Why panic? We've come a long way, and if you're afraid... Besides, it's just competition. They didn't kick us out. Everything falls within the rules of the game. What can we do?"

Hitoshi glanced at Kakuzu, picked up the financial report, and silently contemplated his options. He couldn't play the role of a god, possessing omniscience and omnipotence. He had to navigate within the rules of the game.

Kakuzu, discontented, sighed and grumbled, "But it's all about money."

"Yes, it's all about money. If it weren't, they wouldn't be competing for it. Consider Konoha's brand and the businesses it entails," Hitoshi sneered, knowing that Konoha's success relied on bulk goods like Nara medicine ingredients, their own food, Akimichi ingredients, and more. They were dealing with bulk goods that generated steady income.

"Don't forget, even without Orochimaru, Konoha would find a way. And their profits would be the same as ours," Hitoshi added.