The Kazekage: I'm Making a Killing

After returning home, Tsunade poured out all her grievances and complaints to her mother.

Her mother listened, and as she did, she began to smile.

She did not feel that what Yuya had done was particularly excessive.

If one really had to say, hadn't he even treated them to barbecue?

After Tsunade finished speaking, she went on to talk about other matters.

Yet, after hearing Tsunade's complaints about Yuya, her mother looked at her with a grave expression and admonished her: "You are not allowed to think of your brother Yuya that way! He is already giving his all for the sake of the Hokage."

"Although your mother is just an ordinary woman, Tsunade, you must remember: anyone else can say those things to Yuya, anyone can blame him, but you cannot. Because your surname is Senju, and your grandfather is Senju Hashirama."

Tsunade pouted, still feeling somewhat dissatisfied. Since she was already full, she didn't want dinner, so she simply ran off toward Senju Hashirama's house; she could always vent her anger at the villain Yuya to Grandma Uzumaki Mito anyway.

However, after listening, Uzumaki Mito did not echo her sentiments. She merely hugged her with doting eyes and spoke softly: "That you think this way shows you love this village, and that you hope the ordinary people within it can live better lives."

"But you cannot blame Yuya. He is only a few years older than you, yet he is already shouldering so many things..."

Uzumaki Mito looked at Tsunade and suddenly laughed: "Your grandfather even wanted you to marry him when you grew up."

Upon hearing this, Tsunade immediately grew anxious: "What?! My grandfather?! Impossible! Absolutely impossible! Why should that big villain Yuya deserve that? How could Grandfather do such a thing!"

Uzumaki Mito sighed and pulled Tsunade down to sit: "It was just talk... just talk..."

In her heart, however, she felt a sense of helplessness.

Before Senju Hashirama died, he had planned it well: if Yuya could be with Tsunade, the invisible and visible political legacy of the Senju Clan would all be secured by Yuya.

But...

Hashirama likely never imagined that his own disciple might not need his so-called political legacy at all.

Whether it was Hashirama or Tobirama...

The greatest service they could provide to Yuya was to allow this eleven-year-old brat to unleash his abilities to his heart's content.

Uzumaki Mito found it hard to imagine what Konoha would look like once Yuya reached adulthood. By then...

How many of the village's clans would be clamoring to win him over?

The success story of the Uzumaki Clan was right before their eyes; who wouldn't want to become the next Uzumaki Clan?

Autumn, three months—it is not long, but it is certainly not short.

During these three months, because the distance between the Land of Wind and Konoha was not far by land, it was easy for both sides to connect via a highway running through the Land of Rivers.

Compared to the Land of Water, which required all sorts of detours to avoid whirlpools and ocean currents, the Land of Wind, despite signing the agreement with Konoha later, was the first to enjoy the "benefits" of the treaty.

As for what these specific "benefits" were, let us touch upon them briefly.

The first point: Konoha directly built a steel mill in the northeastern part of the Land of Wind.

The Kazekage was grinning from ear to ear. Was this a free gift? It had to be a free gift, right?

Because the Land of Wind had its own mineral resources, this steel mill used the Land of Wind's iron ore. However, according to the contract terms, one-fifth of the output for the first three years had to be sent to Konoha.

There was nothing to say about that; the Kazekage didn't care about such things.

The second point: both sides abolished the entry tax for merchant caravans—that is, the fee charged just for entering the village—and only collected taxes on actual transactions.

The Kazekage didn't care; what was a little money like that?

Then, the Kazekage suddenly discovered that after this regulation was implemented, the number of caravans leaving Sunagakure suddenly surged, with everyone eager to go to Konoha to trade.

Although there wasn't much to say about the goods from Sunagakure, there were plenty of good things in Konoha!

Buying stock from Konoha and bringing it back to Sunagakure to sell... that was profitable too!

The Kazekage felt it was quite good. Konoha's goods were indeed plentiful, and some were things the children of Sunagakure had never seen before.

For example, something called a Cola Factory that had been built in Konoha over the last three months—they had never seen it, nor had they ever tasted the drinks it produced.

But ever since the borders opened, these items had been pouring into Sunagakure in an endless stream.

What is most precious in the desert?

Water!

Konoha's operation of turning water into a beverage made them incredibly envious.

However, after trying it, they found it was indeed effective. Moreover, the cola recipe had a relatively low sugar content and contained almost no chemical additives, so it could actually quench thirst.

It sold out instantly in Sunagakure.

It was a pity that Sunagakure lacked its own water source; otherwise, they would have given Konoha a taste of some "minor plagiarism shock."

Of course, these were not the main points. The most, most important point was...

The grain Konoha exported to them.

Yes, Konoha exported grain to them, and because of the treaty, they were not allowed to raise the price. The Kazekage was left stunned by the price of this grain.

Wait, you guys in Konoha are actually serious?!

They were actually going by the regulations?!

This, this was giving him way too much face, so he had to return the favor—let's start with a few dozen tons of grain.

Konoha replied: "Sure, pay up."

Sunagakure: "..."

The Kazekage was helpless. This was such a great deal! Grain at such a cheap price! But he had no money! He couldn't buy it!

What was he supposed to do?!

Just then, Yuya sent someone to find the Kazekage: "Hey, Sunagakure, interested in a loan? Given our relationship, I'll lend you 100 million ryo. You just pay me back 101 million next year."

The Kazekage was tempted. This interest rate was practically a gift, but...

Sunagakure really had no money.

Yuya continued to send people to entice him: "Even though your Sunagakure is all sand and can't grow grain, you could... grow other things... like chili peppers~ Once you grow them, sell them to us next year, then use the money you earn to pay off the debt you owe this year. Think about it, doesn't that make sense?"

The Kazekage pondered it and realized it did indeed make sense.

By borrowing money from Konoha this year, he could buy grain, water, and everything else they needed.

And all he had to do was vigorously promote it, getting the people of Sunagakure and the Land of Wind to plant crops like chili peppers and cactus, then sell them to Konoha next year for cash. Wasn't this just using next year's money in advance?

It wasn't that the Kazekage hadn't considered the risks, but upon closer inspection, the only risk was if the chili peppers and cactus couldn't be sold.

But was it possible they wouldn't sell?

The regulations clearly stated that Konoha was required to purchase 3,000 kilograms of crops from the Kazekage every year.

It was just like the agreement signed with Kirigakure.

The Kazekage wasn't afraid of Konoha welching on the deal at all. Besides, if Konoha refused to buy, he would just default on the 100 million loan. Let's see who would lose more then.

The Kazekage thought about this happily, failing to notice that the industrial structure of his Sunagakure was gradually becoming singular.

In the past, although the desert produced little grain, it still yielded some fruits.

But after he vigorously promoted the planting of chili peppers and cactus, the people of Sunagakure and the Land of Wind saw that they could indeed make money. Would they still bother planting those low-yield crops that actually filled their stomachs?

They wouldn't. It was impossible for them to ignore the profitable chili peppers to plant things that had low yields and couldn't feed many people.