Kushina Uzumaki was taken aback by the sudden question, then began to think.
Minato Namikaze and Kikyo, who wanted to help, were thinking as well.
Both of them had learned quite a few of the Uzumaki Clan's inherited Sealing Jutsu from Kushina Uzumaki. Minato Namikaze in particular had mastered every sealing technique he could learn. His attainments in Sealing Jutsu could be considered among the best of the younger generation.
As for Kikyo, although she had not learned much yet, as a member of the Uzumaki Clan, she possessed a natural talent for Sealing Jutsu, as well as secret sealing techniques inherited through her bloodline. Thus, despite having only been a ninja for a short time, her attainments in Sealing Jutsu were not low either.
A group of people who understood Sealing Jutsu thinking together would surely be more effective than Uchiha Qi, who only had a superficial understanding of it.
Sure enough, after thinking for a while, the few who understood Sealing Jutsu began discussing things among themselves, verifying each other's conjectures.
In the end, Kushina Uzumaki organized the information and gave an answer. "Theoretically, it can be done, but the practical implementation will need careful research."
"If Qi-kun wants to accomplish this, we can study it together properly another day."
Kikyo Uzumaki immediately nodded. "Mm-hmm! Although I don't have enough knowledge about Sealing Jutsu yet, I can still help out!"
Minato Namikaze smiled. "My Sealing Jutsu is inferior to the Uzumaki Clan's, but if you need me, Qi, I'll give it my all!"
This was a declaration of his stance. No matter why Uchiha Qi needed to store the Genjutsu Game through Sealing Jutsu, he would help with all his strength and would not care what Uchiha Qi intended to do with it.
Seeing this, Uchiha Qi smiled and explained his purpose. "I want to use this method to promote my game directly. I want more people to be able to play my Genjutsu Game."
"Otherwise, relying solely on the Sharingan to cast it one-on-one is far too inefficient. There's no way to promote it on a large scale."
Hearing this, the three showed varying degrees of surprise.
Minato Namikaze said, "Qi, you want to promote the Genjutsu Game on a large scale? Can... can that work?"
Kushina Uzumaki nodded as well. "Yeah, that sounds like a lot of work. Why would you do that?"
After hesitating briefly, Kikyo Uzumaki revealed a determined expression. "I don't know what you want to do, Brother Qi, but I'll always support you!"
Yes, a classic blindly supportive remark. Uchiha Qi could not help smiling as he rubbed Kikyo Uzumaki's head, making the girl blush slightly again.
Only then did Uchiha Qi smile at the others and say, "Don't worry! I'm doing this not because it's a thankless burden, but because it will bring me enormous benefits."
The others became even more curious and waited for Uchiha Qi to provide the answer.
Uchiha Qi did not beat around the bush. "Everyone, you should know very well that I lack talent as a ninja. There's no need to comfort me. After all these years, my aptitude as a ninja has long been clear."
After cutting off the words of encouragement and comfort the others wanted to offer, as well as their attempts to refute his self-deprecation, Uchiha Qi continued, "Don't worry! I'm not giving up on myself. I've simply fully understood my shortcomings and decided to change tracks."
"Everyone has their own talents, and there is surely a place where they can put those talents to use."
"Ninjas have the talents of ninjas, chefs have the aptitude of chefs, and my talent lies in 'creation'—creating something entirely new based on things that already exist."
"This Genjutsu Game is something I created, something with limitless potential."
"Everyone, once the Genjutsu Game is combined with the Sealing Scroll, we can sell the Genjutsu Game at an appropriate price."
"Once this method becomes industrialized and achieves large-scale promotion, even if a single Genjutsu Game only sells for tens of thousands of ryo, the profits will still be enormous."
After hearing this, the others nodded in realization. So he intended to sell the Genjutsu Game as a product. If it truly worked as Uchiha Qi said, they could indeed make a great deal of money.
But...
"But, Qi, we're ninjas, not merchants. From what you're saying, you want to switch careers and become a merchant. Is that really appropriate?"
Minato Namikaze asked with considerable concern. Kushina Uzumaki also looked conflicted, feeling that it was not quite appropriate.
After all, merchants and ninjas were completely separate paths, entirely different professions that should never intersect.
Moreover, all Five Great Nations had explicit regulations forbidding ninjas from becoming merchants. This applied not only to ninja villages, but also to Daimyo and nobles.
To become a merchant, one could no longer remain a ninja. Was Uchiha Qi planning to give up being a ninja altogether?
In the ninja world, merchants had very low social status. They were completely inferior to ninjas and easily controlled by others. That was why Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki both felt that Uchiha Qi becoming a merchant was inappropriate.
Only Kikyo Uzumaki remained the same. Since she had said she would support Uchiha Qi unconditionally, she would do so unconditionally. Even if Uchiha Qi wanted to defy convention and become a merchant, she would support him.
Then Uchiha Qi smiled and said, "I never said I wanted to become a merchant. I simply believe that we should have our own industry."
The three were stunned again, while Uchiha Qi slowly explained, "Although there are explicit rules saying that ninjas cannot become merchants, you should know that Konoha's major ninja clans all have their own industries."
"For example, aside from those who work as ninjas, many members of the Sarutobi Clan, where the Third Hokage belongs, conduct business. With the conveniences provided by the Third Hokage, they have purchased many properties throughout Konoha and the Land of Fire as clan assets."
"Take our Uchiha Clan as another example. As one of Konoha's founding clans, we also own many properties in Konoha. For instance, most of the storefronts on the street outside the Uchiha Clan Compound belong to the Uchiha Clan."
"Besides that, the Ino-Shika-Cho Trio, the Inuzuka Clan, the Hyuga Clan, and other ninja clans likewise have industries of varying sizes. Many of their clan members specialize in business."
"Even I was once judged by my clan to possess the aptitude to become a merchant. They wanted me to stop being a ninja and become a clan merchant instead, but I refused."
"Under such circumstances, can you say they are violating the rule that ninjas cannot become merchants?"
Hearing this, Minato Namikaze and the others shook their heads, because that was indeed the truth. The major ninja clans possessed clan industries, and more than ninety-five percent of Konoha's industries were controlled by those clans. Only the rest belonged to ordinary civilians.
Uchiha Qi continued, "Therefore, I plan to use the Genjutsu Game as a foundation, combine it with the Uzumaki Clan's powerful Sealing Jutsu, and promote and sell it on a large scale, turning this business into our industry."
At this, he smiled at them. "Yes, I don't intend to monopolize the profits from this business. I plan to share them with all of you. After all, you will need to contribute greatly to my upcoming plans, and you deserve a share of the dividends."
The moment those words were spoken, the three could not help feeling their hearts race. Uchiha Qi had made it very clear: once he prospered, he would not forget his friends, but would bring everyone along to enjoy the rewards.
Uchiha Qi even stated afterward that he would set aside another portion of the Genjutsu Game's profits for other people or forces capable of offering help.
The main goal was to form an alliance of shared interests, make money together, and at the same time have a large group share the risks.
Once that alliance of interests formed, even if the Genjutsu Game truly gained tremendous profits, the alliance itself would be able to protect those profits. Even Konoha F4 would not be able to interfere.
Uchiha Qi understood his own situation very clearly. He was merely a weak, pitiful, helpless Uchiha Clan member with very little power in his hands. If he tried to keep everything for himself, he would truly be beaten to death.
Only by giving up a portion of the profits to win over a group of allies could the benefits continue in the long term.
Besides, the core reason for industrializing and scaling up the Genjutsu Game was still to promote the game, complete the system mission, and earn more system rewards. Making money was merely incidental.
Of course, everything was still only an idea for now. They first had to complete the project of turning the Genjutsu Game into Sealing Scrolls.
Even so, the vision Uchiha Qi painted was enough to excite the other three.
There was no need to mention Kikyo Uzumaki. Blind support was blind support. Whether there was any profit distribution or not, she would still support him blindly.
Although Kushina Uzumaki was not blindly supportive, Uchiha Qi's vision still moved her. After all, neither she nor Minato was wealthy. The fact that they could only live in a small apartment rather than a detached house proved it.
She was not greedy for money, but if they could earn more and improve their quality of life, Kushina Uzumaki would not refuse.
The only one who remained conflicted was Minato Namikaze. Although he was intelligent and well-informed, the education he had received since childhood had been rigid and, in many ways, rather brainwashing.
Uchiha Qi had long prepared for this, so he said quite a lot afterward.
"Other clans can do it, so why can't we?"
"Minato, Kushina, don't forget that you'll marry and live together in the future. Will your current income be enough? Will your home be suitable? Don't forget, Minato, your home only has two bedrooms and one living room. If you only have one child, there will be just enough rooms, but once you have a second child, the house will be too small."
"You should know that, as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Kushina cannot go out to perform missions. She can only receive a monthly allowance from Konoha. And although you, Minato, are already an Elite Jonin and can complete even S-rank Missions without expending much effort..."
"Is your income really high? Compared to the major clans with industries, as well as the Daimyo and nobles, your income is not worth mentioning. You may even have to take on an enormous mortgage in the future just to move into a slightly better detached house."
"Minato, I understand your personality. I know you wouldn't mind poverty or debt. Kushina is the same. I believe you wouldn't become dissatisfied with Minato because of money."
"But you need to think about your future children too! Do you really want your children to live in hardship after they are born? Is it not possible for your own children to enjoy the same good life as the children of the major ninja clans?"
A killing blow!
At the mention of children, Kushina Uzumaki and Minato Namikaze both blushed. However, Uchiha Qi's words had also struck directly at their hearts.
For the two, who depended on each other for survival, supported one another, and loved each other deeply, nothing was more important than family. They also longed to fight for a bright and prosperous future for their future children.
That mindset was the same as every first-generation entrepreneur who wanted their children to live a good life.
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