Kusagakure, Uchiha Nan's office
Sage Art: Wood Release: True Several Thousand Hands!
"Super Special Move!!"
"Die!!"
Uchiha Nan frantically shook the controller with his left hand while continuously clicking the buttons with his right, his Mitsudomoe eyes spinning wildly as he stared intently at the game screen in front of him.
Uchiha Hikari, controlling the character Madara Uchiha in the game, was killed by a combo attack from Uchiha Nan, and his health bar was eventually depleted.
Defeat!
Then a victory cutscene appeared on the arcade screen, showing Hashirama Senju leaping down from the True Senju and uttering his classic line.
"Anyone who poses a threat to the village, whether friend, brother, or family, I will not forgive!"
Taking advantage of her good fortune in "capturing" Uchiha Hikari, Uchiha Nan used up all her accumulated lottery draws at once, only to get useless items like benches and Shuriken. Apart from the arcade machine in front of her, it was the only prize that could be considered valuable.
Arcade games are a childhood memory. I never expected to be able to pull one from the Hokage world, but unfortunately there's only one game inside: the classic King of Fighters '97. It's just that the system localized it in the Ninja world, replacing all thirty characters with those from Hokage.
"I won again!!"
Uchiha Nan stood up from the bench, looking down at Uchiha Hikari with a smug expression. Uchiha Hikari, who had lost dozens of games in a row, looked annoyed, his lips puffed out in anger, and he looked unconvinced.
"That's not fair, Uchiha Nan! You're so skilled, you must have been playing this game for a long time, while I've only just started!"
"It's normal to lose to you. Sooner or later, I'll definitely beat you!!"
Uchiha Nan chuckled and raised his hands high.
"Practice makes perfect!"
"If you can't handle the game, don't play!"
"You... you just wait, I'll win one day!"
"Again!"
Uchiha Hikari was furious at Uchiha Nan's words and vowed to hone his skills so that he could utterly defeat Uchiha Nan.
"I'm waiting!"
In his previous life, Uchiha Nan was already playing arcade games in elementary school, and the classic King of Fighters '97 was a must-play game for him every time. He was known as the "King of Fighters Little Tyrant" in the arcade and even won first place in the arcade's King of Fighters tournament. He knew every character's skill combos, his superb combo techniques, and the timing of his blocks by heart.
His own strength goes without saying. Although Uchiha Nan hadn't played this game in a long time, the moment he touched the controller!
I'm back. All those familiar feelings are back.
Dealing with a novice like Uchiha Hikari is more than enough. Uchiha Hikari has no one to teach him and has been brutally beaten by me. He still hasn't figured out the combo of Madara Uchiha's ultimate move. At this stage, the only way for Uchiha Hikari to beat me is for me to go all out.
However, this possibility is nonexistent. Uchiha Nan is a staunch believer in gender equality, and even if Uchiha Hikari were a girl, she would not show any mercy.
"You can practice against the AI by yourself for now. I need to rest for a bit."
Uchiha Nan waved his hand, explaining that he had almost completely given up gaming during his university years. He hadn't played games in a long time, and playing a few dozen rounds for fun was enough. Of course, that wasn't the main reason. Uchiha Hikari just so bad at games... there was no point in stomping on weaker opponents.
Let Uchiha Hikari play against the AI first; she and the AI are evenly matched right now, or perhaps she's slightly inferior. She needs to figure out the combos and skill releases before she'll be qualified to challenge herself.
Uchiha Nan didn't intend to teach Uchiha Hikari how to unleash combos. He felt much better figuring it out himself than being told the tricks by someone else.
Of course. It's definitely not because I'm afraid Uchiha Hikari will progress too quickly, okay, actually there is a little bit of that.
Uchiha Hikari sat there engrossed in playing video games, showing no signs of fatigue, looking every bit like a video game addict.
But thinking about it, it makes sense. In this entertainment-scarce Ninja world, not to mention King of Fighters '97, even a simple connect-the-dots game would be considered a game-changer in the Hokage world. Uchiha Hikari was sealed away for over a hundred years and has only recently been freed. She's full of curiosity, and now that she's encountered arcade games, she's completely hooked. Let her play.
Uchiha Nan actually hoped that Uchiha Hikari would "slightly" focus his attention on the game; the dark side that had been trapped for over a hundred years needed to be released.
"Should we go up and Uchiha Hikari?"
Uchiha Nan then remembered that Mosa was still sitting idly in the office. He had been watching the match for half a day, and judging from Mosa's expression, he seemed quite interested.
What man doesn't enjoy playing games?
"No, no, I won't bother you two any longer."
Mosa suppressed her urge to play the game and didn't want to get involved in Uchiha Nan and Uchiha Hikari's flirting.
Young couple?
Uchiha Hikari, who was playing a game, heard the sensitive keywords and instantly blushed, lowering his head as blue smoke rose from above his head.
So shy, so shy.
However Uchiha Nan didn't refute it.
"That's a real shame. I'll send you one once Konoha starts mass-producing arcade machines."
"Really?" Mosa's face lit up with surprise.
"Of course, we're all brothers."
When Uchiha Nan returns, he will definitely make sure that Tobirama Senju thoroughly researches arcade games and then mass-produces them so that the entire Ninja world can enjoy the beauty of gaming!
They'd make a fortune from this!
Uchiha Nan believed that in this Ninja world, no man or child could resist the allure of arcade games!
Not only do they make money selling arcade machines, but they also make money twice by selling game currency throughout the entire Ninja world!
Perhaps his perspective was too narrow. Uchiha Nan sat in his chair, deep in thought, when he suddenly thought of the plot of Ultimate Ninja Storm 4, where Chakra was absorbed through a game console, and even Tsukuyomi was used to create a virtual world.
The technology involved must be quite advanced, but Uchiha Nan is the client; he only needs to state his requirements, and the rest is left to Tobirama Senju to solve the technical problems. However, the technological gap is several decades even in the Hokage world. It will probably take a long time.
The future Ninja world's "milk-breasting" plan: an alternative form of Infinite Tsukuyomi?
Uchiha Nan sat there contemplating his future plans, while Mosa, standing beside him, focused on Uchiha Nan's trade proposal involving the three countries of fire, wind, and earth.
This time, Uchiha Nan took the opportunity of discussing the joint fruit trade plan with Konoha to invite the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, the Land of Earth, and the Land of Wind. He intended to use this opportunity to deepen trade relations between the three countries and establish a set of rules for the Ninja world trade system. These past few days, Mosa had been studying those stacks of trade plans and rules late into the night, trying to find the secret to Konoha. What techniques had Uchiha Nan used? Wherever he focused his attention, that place would prosper at lightning speed?
The Ninja world's trade system has intricate regulations and involves exchanges and trade across various industries. Uchiha Nan had been preparing for this for a long time, not only drawing personnel from Konoha but also requesting a group from the Daimyo of the Land of Fire. This involved complex commercial intelligence, data, personnel, and laws from various countries, which Konoha alone could not handle; it required an immense amount of information!
The Daimyo of the Land of Fire had accumulated hundreds of years' worth of laws, books, and archives, a foundation that Konoha lacked.
The Daimyo was naturally unwilling to hand it over, but after a "friendly" exchange with Uchiha Nan, the Daimyo "Daimyo voluntarily" handed over all these valuable materials.
The Land of Fire will definitely benefit the most from this trade agreement. As the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, he will definitely make a fortune by handing over valuable archives and data, so it won't be a huge loss for him.
However, the Daimyo was very dissatisfied with Konoha's growing power and repeated overstepping of its bounds. Konoha has now begun to gradually intervene in the Land of Fire's economy and even interfere in policy-making.
But what can we do?
Let's just leave it at that. At least Konoha has consulted with me; they didn't just run to the Land of Fire and steal everything. I'll just have to make do for now.
Who can blame them when Konoha has the biggest fist?
The so-called Ninja world trade system looks very complicated, but there is only one core!
"Open the door!"
"Free trade!"
Uchiha Nan championed free trade, dedicated to breaking down trade barriers between countries. Commerce is free, capital is free, and capital knows no borders!
Open your country's doors!
Let Konoha's advanced productivity help you live a happy and fulfilling life!
Ninjas are a bunch of "brainsless" brutes who only know how to kill, completely oblivious to these critical economic issues. But while Daimyo may be weak in martial arts, they are still intelligent.
The Land of Fire Daimyo may have realized Uchiha Nan's intentions, but as the Land of Fire Daimyo, he is already a beneficiary of the system. With Uchiha Nan holding a knife to the Land of Fire Daimyo's lower back, he certainly wouldn't object. But the Daimyo of the Land of Wind and the Land of Earth are another story.
The new Ninja world trade system is certainly not a one-sided benefit to the Land of Fire. It can enhance commercial exchanges between countries and promote economic development, the benefits of which are self-evident. However, the harms are also there. If the capital and industrial products of powerful countries are not restricted, the large-scale impact on their homelands will have unpredictable but certainly not pleasant consequences.
At first, the harm may not be obvious Daimyo may not object, but in the long run, the interests of the local beneficiaries will be damaged, and the daimyo of the Land of Earth and the Daimyo of the Land of Wind will inevitably oppose the trade system advocated by Uchiha Nan.
Uchiha Nan's set of rules will only allow the Land of Fire's ever-growing capital to grow unchecked in the Ninja world, sucking blood from the entire Ninja world.
In the Ninja world, a signed contract is very likely to end up as nothing more than a piece of rotten paper in the toilet, Uchiha Nan had to be prepared for the worst.
But if Iwagakure Sunagakure supported him, the situation would be different.
As for the secret that Mosa has been so keen on, the key is naturally quite simple. Take down the rich and divide the cake. If the distribution is uneven, then replace those who eat more and do nothing.
Mosa's thinking is typical of Sengoku period ninjas; this crucial point remains unresolved. He's pondered this for a long time, still unable to find a solution, awaiting guidance from Uchiha Nan!
"Lord Hokage, Lord Tsuchikage has arrived!"
Aodebiao pushed open the door and came in looking very hurried. When had he, a nobody from Kusagakure, ever seen such a scene before? The leaders of the three great ninja villages of the Ninja world all gathered in Kusagakure.
"The long-awaited guests have finally arrived."
"Let's go, Kazekage, let's go see the Third Tsuchikage of Iwagakure."
Mosa smiled and nodded. After waiting for so long, the Tsuchikage of Iwagakure had finally arrived; the three Daimyo had all arrived before the Tsuchikage.
Formal negotiations are finally about to begin.
Kusagakure Reception Hall
Ōnoki sat in a chair, surrounded by luxurious furnishings. This was not only the reception hall of Kusagakure, but also the reception hall of Konoha United Fruit Company. Currently, the Konoha United Fruit Company held real power in Kusagakure, and all Konoha Kusagakure Grass Ninja employees of the company.
The Konoha Fruit Company and all the Grass Ninja signed a long-term employment contract. The old-style ninjas were indeed easy to manage in some ways; they would work for whoever was their biggest benefactor.
The benevolent rulers of the Land of Grass have long been forgotten by the Grass Ninja. They're the kind of people we find unlucky to even look at. Do they think they deserve Grass Ninja loyalty for such paltry sums of money?
Only the Lord Hokage of Konoha is truly someone worth following!
However, the comfortable environment did not relax Ōnoki; on the contrary, he seemed preoccupied. The energy that Konoha was displaying was truly terrifying. Ōnoki knew all too well what the Land of Grass was like in the past. It had only been a short time since the Hokage came to the Land of Grass, yet it had already revitalized the Land of Grass, and even the Grass Ninja had undergone a complete transformation.
Ōnoki could actually see the aura of elite soldiers in the Grass Ninja. How could those hopeless Grass Ninja, who were easily defeated by Konoha in a month, possibly have such an aura?
That's the allure of money. It can make people risk their lives and undergo a complete transformation.
Uchiha Nan was happy to spend money on his subordinates, because money equals fighting power, and this money wasn't wasted. It indirectly controlled a country's ninja village, economy, and even the entire government. Now, the Konoha United Fruit Company had only just taken root in the Land of Grass. In a few years, when it fully covered the Land of Grass, the benevolent rulers of the Land of Land of Grass Land of Grass officially become history, and their decrees would be as ignored as toilet paper.
The Grass Ninja peasants. Not a single one of them will obey their orders.
Konoha was already the most powerful ninja village in the Ninja world, but now it has evolved abilities that even it cannot understand.
Like Mosa, Ōnoki couldn't understand Uchiha Nan's methods, but he instinctively felt fear.
As an ally of Konoha, Mosa's reaction was not as strong as Ōnoki's. The stronger the ally, the more support Sunagakure receives. Konoha's poverty alleviation plan has been implemented in Sunagakure for some time now.
A significant number of shops in Sunagakure have closed down and replaced their signs with those of Konoha. This is fair competition, and Mosa personally investigated. Konoha has not used any methods other than commercial means, nor does it need to. Konoha provides special subsidies to merchants who come to Sunagakure to do business.
Don't be afraid of losing money!
Konoha will make it up for you!
We want the villagers of Sunagakure to enjoy high-quality, affordable goods!
Konoha merchants honestly conduct business in Sunagakure, so what reason does Mosa have to interfere with legitimate commercial competition?
If you can't compete, just close down; that's the only right thing to do.
Mosa didn't see anything wrong with this; the lives of the villagers in Sunagakure were getting better every day!
But Ōnoki is different; he promised to form an alliance with those savage bastards from Kumogakure!
First Shinobi World War, the missing-nin Kinkaku and Ginkaku from Kumogakure killed the Hokage of Konoha.
The hatred is boundless! (Uchiha Nan agrees!)
Should we cut it at the speed of light?
Ōnoki hesitated.
I've been reading through my favorite stories very quickly lately, and I know what everyone wants to see – you all want to see the story of Tobirama and Madara. But there are some plot points I have to write; I need to keep the story moving forward. So, could you please give me some time to follow along?
Waaaaah.