More than a month later, in the capital of the Land of Fire
Spring came earlier than usual in the Land of Fire, and the withered grass in the suburbs seemed to have turned into lush green grass overnight.
Inside a grand mansion on the upper right side of the capital, the courtyard is deep and the sound of water can be heard from time to time.
dark room
A group of people were talking noisily.
This mansion is home to a large number of loyal ministers and generals from the Land of Fire.
Konoha emerged out of nowhere, exploiting the Land of Fire for its own gain and relying on its unparalleled military strength, leaving the loyal ministers and generals of the Land of Fire breathless.
The once most profitable grain business has seen its grain prices drastically reduced in areas near Konoha due to Konoha's arbitrary price cuts.
With a wave of its hand, Konoha issued a powerful rule: no one, regardless of who they are, is allowed to cross the red line for grain prices.
Aren't rising food prices just normal market fluctuations?
Konoha has always promoted free market trade, hasn't it?
Konoha's business philosophy, when it promoted a new trade system in the Ninja world, had already spread throughout the Land of Fire. After all, this involved commercial and trade cooperation among three major powers, and it would be difficult for loyal retainers and generals not to know about it.
But why does this involve grain prices?
Are you saying Konoha isn't free?
Hmm, that's a very reasonable rebuttal.
But true freedom comes from the interests represented by Konoha. You grain merchants want to be beaten by iron fists!
After killing several waves of people, they finally grasped the true meaning of Konoha -style freedom.
That's fine. At most, it's just bad luck for the areas surrounding Konoha.
This year is a great opportunity to make money, with a severe drought. Making money from selling grain is secondary; the real opportunity is to acquire a large amount of land.
However, starting last year, grain was continuously transported from the Land of Rice Fields. The loyal ministers and generals were just slow to react, not stupid, and they quickly uncovered the mastermind behind it all.
Konoha is truly out of control. Therefore, we must find a way to weaken Konoha.
However, the previous attempt to persuade the Daimyo to form a new Konoha was repeatedly thwarted by the industrial faction, Daimyo never made up his mind, ultimately ending in failure!
The most recent attempt to persuade the Daimyo to find a way to suppress Konoha's strength failed once again!
Daimyo, whose side are you really on?!
These losers were resentful, as their family businesses were gradually devoured by Konoha, and even when they tried to make money by reselling grain, they were still punished by Konoha's iron fist.
The Daimyo was also unfair, favoring those lowly ninjas.
This is really infuriating!
The second young master's uncle did come up with a good idea, but the risks were simply too great—so great that they were all terrified.
Either don't do it at all.
If you're going to do it, you have to do it Daimyo. A name that dissolves in water is unacceptable. You need to find a successor.
Choosing a successor is a skill in itself.
With the Daimyo dead, a compromise, malleable, flexible, easy-going person must be found, someone who is not firm in their stance, does not have a prominent viewpoint, is not sharp in their thinking, is incapable of changing the status quo, is generally considered easy to manipulate, knows how to be guided, and leaves important national affairs to experts to be the new Daimyo.
Soon the second young master's uncle found the Daimyo second young master. The reason was simple: the second young master was a good-for-nothing.
Secondly, he is the second young master's maternal uncle.
Normally, the second young master would have no chance of becoming Daimyo. He was neither the eldest son nor the heir, his abilities were mediocre, and he preferred to have fun.
But the situation is different now.
Gentlemen, you all think he is virtuous!
The second young master was overjoyed, dancing and waving his arms around his uncle.
"I really want to be Daimyo!"
"I... I dream about it!"
The second young master's uncle remained unmoved, appearing completely unperturbed.
"If I become the Daimyo, I'll do whatever you say!"
I will trust and respect you more than my father would; I will honor you as I would my adoptive father.
uncle!"
I believe this opportunity can change my life!
I don't want to lose this opportunity!
The Second Prince's uncle's expression finally changed, and a loving look appeared on his face.
"Nephew, your uncle has always had high hopes for you. Only you can shoulder the burden of the Land of Fire. Your father is too weak, allowing himself to be controlled by Konoha. This world belongs to our noble family!"
"You are a virtuous person!"
"Uncle, I'll do whatever you say! I want to be the Daimyo!"
"Good nephew."
Land of Lightning
At this very moment, crowds had gathered outside the Blue Sky Project Co. Ltd.. in every city of the Land of Lightning.
Two months have passed.
Today is the day to distribute the profits.
Kakuzu organized a grand marketing conference locally.
Unlike the first marketing conference, this time there was no need to distribute eggs and rice; the Blue Sky Project Co. Ltd..'s name had already made a name for itself in the local city.
The venue was packed.
Brothers and sisters!
What is our slogan?
"Sleep on the floor today, be the boss tomorrow!"
"Good!!"
"Applaud!!!"
The room erupted in applause, with many people raising their arms and clapping enthusiastically. Clearly, their efforts over the past few days had not been in vain, and the pyramid scheme was gradually gaining momentum.
Hatake Sakumo didn't waste any time today. He simply clapped his hands, and staff brought in boxes filled with banknotes from backstage, dumping them all onto the table in the center of the stage at once.
The visual impact of a mountain of banknotes is indescribable; human greed reaches its peak at this moment. In line with the atmosphere, Hatake Sakumo observed that the eyes of the crowd were already bloodshot.
If there hadn't been burly security personnel around to keep things in check, Hatake Sakumo believed that some people blinded by money would have rushed forward, leading to a scramble for the loot. (Jin Chanzi, you lost again.)
"Today is the first payout, so we'll make it a special occasion."
"Next, I will invite ten investors to come up on stage to receive their returns, based on the amount of their investment."
Hatake Sakumo's voice was vivid and expressive, his seductive words creating a silent yet powerful effect.
"Xxx invested 12 million taels and gained a profit of 2.4 million taels."
"."
"."
"Tenth place: Invested one million taels, earned two hundred thousand taels in return."
Of the ten people who went on stage to receive the award, seven were shills, and only three were genuine investors. Real wealthy people never invest until they see a tangible benefit; only the poor and gamblers are easily fooled.
However, there are always exceptions. Three wealthy investors were still willing to invest in Blue Sky Project Co. Ltd.., Ltd. These three were clients that Kakuzu and Hatake Sakumo had worked together to secure.
"Now you have two choices: take the money and leave, or continue to compound interest."
Blue Sky Project Co. Ltd.. respects your choice.
"I choose compound interest!!"
A fake towman snatched the microphone from Hatake and roared at the top of his lungs.
Hatake Sakumo was taken aback. Which village's ninja was this, putting on such a spirited performance?
I'll give him an extra chicken leg for lunch!
Wait, this person seems familiar. At another branch of Blue Sky Project Co. Ltd.., it seems he invested his own money in the company's projects.
No wonder he was so excited; he really made money.
The allure of the game of musical chairs lies in this: even those who are involved, or even the ones who orchestrate it, will secretly dabble in behind their boss's back.
That's really greedy. I hope you don't become the one being taken advantage of.
Kakuzu won't let you off the hook after he's harvesting your wealth; a devil dwells within him.
Hatake Sakumo recalled Kakuzu spending his Tenten in the accounting office, constantly calculating the company's data and the profits to be made, wondering how many "leeks" (a term for retail investors who are exploited) would become frequent flyers, before finally revealing a foolish smile.
It sent chills down Hatake Sakumo.
Soon, Hatake Sakumo came to his senses.
"Very good, what about the rest of you?"
"Interest on interest"
"Interest on interest"
Without exception, all ten people chose the option of compound interest, and the potential victims in the audience echoed this sentiment.
The atmosphere instantly reached its peak.
"Brothers and sisters, taking this opportunity, I want to launch a new project for Blue Sky Project Co. Ltd.., called the 'Pyramid Project'!"
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for you to become rich."
The pyramid scheme is the essence of a Ponzi scheme. It uses a method of recruiting downlines and on-the-ground promotion to frantically bring new investors into the scheme. Those who receive a share of the profits will then recruit downlines at each level.
Even if you recruit 100,000 people to cut prices on Pinduoduo, you might not get 200 yuan off. But if you recruit 100,000 downlines, you will become the next billionaire.
Hatake Sakumo recounted the pyramid scheme of Blue Sky Project Co. Ltd.., and the investors' eyes lit up as they calculated the number of their relatives and friends and how to recruit them as downlines.
Recruit ten people, then one hundred people. Each person invests ten thousand taels, and you can earn money passively for a month.
They have completely forgotten how risky the investment is; the idea that Blue Sky Project Co. Ltd.. allows people to make money while sitting still has taken root in their minds.
The large sums of money on the table were quite eye-catching.
"Who among you wants to participate in this plan?"
"Me! Me! Me!!!"
This is the path to common prosperity!
"Applaud!!"
The leeks waved their arms wildly, and the hall erupted in applause.
Pandora's box has been opened.
Hatake Sakumo, leading his wildly enthusiastic followers, felt a mix of joy and worry. He was overjoyed that after so much planning, the most difficult step had finally been accomplished.
The people who are naturally worried are frequent flyers + n
Meanwhile, in Kumogakure.
Hatake Sakumo body is currently holding a marketing conference in Kumogakure.
The marketing conference was equally lively, with the VIP guest, the Third Ai, making a grand appearance and personally going on stage to receive a profit of two million taels.
" Lord Raikage, do you wish to withdraw the principal and interest, or do you wish to continue the compounding interest?"
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, the Third Ai naturally chose to compound interest.
Two million taels is a huge sum for an individual, but for the entire Kumogakure, it is nothing more than a negligible amount.
Subsequently, Hatake Sakumo invited the ten investors from Kumogakure in turn, according to their investment amounts, to make their choices.
If Raikage has chosen to trust Blue Sky Project Co. Ltd.., then what else could they possibly worry about?
"Interest on interest!!"
"."
Then, Hatake Sakumo's voice trembled slightly as he explained that, according to Kakuzu's plan, he would next shower Third Ai Third Ai praise, taking all the credit for him while downplaying the identity of Blue Sky Project Co. Ltd.. He would then leverage Third Ai's influence in the village to recruit as many villagers as possible into Blue Sky Project Co. Ltd..'s projects.
"Gentlemen, you should thank the Third Raikage of Kumogakure. It was he who brought Blue Sky Project Co. Ltd.. to you, giving you the opportunity to gain wealth."
As the saying goes, "When you drink water, you should not forget the well-digger."
"Can you forget Raikage's kindness?!"
"Cannot."
"Cannot."
" Lord Raikage, we truly respect and love you!"
"."
The emotions had reached this point; the villagers who participated in the marketing conference had made money, so naturally they wouldn't hesitate to offer praise. After all, praising their own Raikage didn't cost any money.
The venue was filled with praise for the Third Ai, the echoes reverberating. The Third Ai stood tall, his heart surging with emotion.
The man, who was over two meters tall, had tears in his eyes.
My father passed away before his business was fully established. Now the Ninja world is divided into five parts, Kumogakure is exhausted. This is truly a critical moment of survival.
The Third Ai was appointed Raikage in a time of crisis, leaving behind a mess in the village. Konoha was eyeing the village from the outside, and his subordinates, who possessed extraordinary skills, were unwilling to share even 70% of the profits when they went out to make quick money, leaving the village in a huge deficit.
Fortunately Kumogakure was spared; the Blue Sky Project Co. Ltd.. has arrived!
Blue Sky Project Co. Ltd.. is here, and wealth is coming!
"Let us invite Lord Raikage to say a few words from the bottom of his heart."
Hatake Sakumo felt the atmosphere was right and promptly handed the microphone to Third Ai.
Third Ai took the microphone and glanced at Hatake Sakumo with a slightly grateful look.
As expected of Mr. Pang Zi, the CEO who has made Blue Sky Project Co. Ltd.. so successful, he is truly a very sensible person.
"From this day forward, Mr. Pang Zi will be a friend of our Kumogakure forever!!"
" The Kumogakure was passed down from the First Raikage to me. Now, we have the Blue Kumogakure Blue Sky Project Co. Ltd.., and from now on..."
The Third Ai, first affirmed the outstanding contributions of Blue Sky Project Co. Ltd.. to Kumogakure. Then, taking this opportunity, he led the villagers and ninjas present to recall the hardships of the First Raikage's founding of the Kumogakure, and finally envisioned the future of Kumogakure —that it would surely be able to overcome its current predicament, unite as one, defeat Konoha, and become the number one village in the Ninja world.
"Thank you for your inspiring speech, Lord Raikage. Now, I would like to take this opportunity to announce the 'Pyramid Project,' the latest offering from Kumogakure Blue Sky Project Co. Ltd.., a super project that will benefit the entire Kumogakure."
Hatake Sakumo recounted the pyramid project.
The Third Ai was amazed, realizing this was indeed a massive project.
The Kumogakure is truly making money hand over fist, with profits accumulating endlessly.
There was an uproar. Everyone had siblings, relatives, and friends. As long as they could be persuaded to invest in Blue Sky Project Co. Ltd..'s projects, they could make money while lying down.
What?
Is there a risk?
The Lord Raikage has already invested the village's funds, so what do you have to worry about!
You're not going to vote?
Then I'm going to vote!
Seeing the excited villagers and ninjas present, the Third Ai felt it was time to convene a high-level meeting immediately, Kumogakure to increase its investment this time!
Investment amount starts at one billion!
The venue was unusually noisy, Hatake Sakumo was experiencing ringing in his ears.
This time they've really gone too far!
Kakuzu's heart is truly black!
His life was over; he'd probably never leave Konoha again. No, his bounty would be so high that even Konoha itself might not be safe for him!
Hatake Sakumo only hoped that the ninjas of Kumogakure wouldn't discover his identity too soon.
After this job, I must retire and wash my hands of this crime!
Originally Hatake Sakumo didn't want to get married so early; he wanted to enjoy life for a few more years.
But now, he needs to get married and have a son as soon as possible!
We can't let our lineage die out!