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Year 18 of Konoha, a new year had begun, and Konoha was far livelier than it had been the year before.

It wasn't that Konoha was holding any festivals or celebrations.

The reason was far more fundamental.

Yuya had established a winery, a food processing plant, and a cannery within Konoha, while outside the village, he had initiated sericulture, expanded the steel mill, and issued missions to the ninja for land reclamation and water conservancy.

The strategy was built on heavy upfront investment with a long return cycle.

Fortunately, Senju Tobirama was at the front lines and unaware of the changes within Konoha; otherwise, he would have undoubtedly forced Yuya to hand over tens of kilograms of gold so he could go and scatter it like confetti.

The ninja on the front lines were truly working hard.

Yuya understood this and agreed that they deserved rewards, but they couldn't be handed out in the reckless, spendthrift manner Senju Tobirama envisioned, as that would set a terrible precedent.

Moreover, the village didn't currently have enough capital for Senju Tobirama to squander at will.

However, this situation would not last for long.

Because in Yuya's vision, this year was meant to be the turning point.

To Yuya, the problem with Konoha was that a vast amount of wealth was concentrated in the hands of the major clans, led by the Sarutobi and Shimura.

But once these clans got their hands on money, they wouldn't spend it; they were like mythical Pixiu, taking everything in and letting nothing out.

Once Yuya realized this, he understood that relying on these clans was absolutely out of the question.

In the original history, why did the Third Hokage fail to accomplish anything substantial after taking office? If one really had to point to his political achievements, it was training three disciples who represented gambling, vice, and toxicity.

Could that even be called an achievement?

Of course, these were only the surface-level appearances.

In reality, the Third Hokage had actually done a few things.

The representative of the Shimura clan, Shimura Danzō, had been dispatched by him to Root. Nominally, this Root was formidable, but in practice?

Before the Third Hokage died, did you ever see Shimura Danzō or his Root have any real opportunity to shine?

By the same token, Sarutobi Hiruzen himself was a member of the Sarutobi clan, but aside from his son Asuma, what about the rest of his clansmen?

Oh, was it possible that the only people who died in your Sarutobi clan were the two of you, father and son?

Could such a possibility exist?

Impossible.

Let's look at the other clans: Uchiha... well... let's skip that. The Aburame and Inuzuka clans—one went off to play with bugs, the other to raise puppies. Puppies are cute, but was that the point?

As for the Akimichi clan, Torifu Akimichi was one of the members of Senju Tobirama's guard; one could say he was the successor to the Akimichi clan designated by Senju Tobirama himself.

What about him and his clan?

Then let's look at the successor the Third Hokage chose for himself: Minato Namikaze, the little blond, a man who had nothing but talent and good looks.

To the Third Hokage, Minato Namikaze was of commoner origin.

Looking back at the period of the Third Hokage's rule, perhaps it wasn't that he didn't achieve anything, but that his achievements were difficult to bring to light.

After all, the act of suppressing the clans within one's own village was, in the end, not a glorious thing.

But if you really look at the process from the moment the Third Hokage took power to the end, you will find that this old man was not simple.

The Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, had a lapse in judgment and insisted on peace talks with Kumogakure. Fine, have your peace talks, but couldn't you have brought more people? What was the meaning of bringing only a single squad of guards?

The result was his sudden death, and before he died, he entrusted the position to Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Shimura Danzō wasn't convinced; he thought, I have also worked hard and sacrificed for Konoha, why can't I be the one?

Was Sarutobi Hiruzen angry?

He must have been absolutely furious.

My teacher entrusted this to me before he died, I cannot let him down. Danzō, what the hell is your problem? Is now really the time to throw a tantrum?

Looking at the Third Hokage's subsequent actions, it seems likely that during this period, he didn't receive help from a single clan.

With the village unstable internally, the Third Hokage could only retreat time and again in the face of external pressure, choosing to appease Kumogakure to keep the peace.

Then came the Second and Third Great Ninja Wars; despite winning the wars, it was Konoha that kept making concessions. It was a complete joke.

Yet, the Third Hokage turned around and focused on cultivating Minato Namikaze, a man without a clan background.

Having said all this, the central idea is actually quite simple.

These clans didn't dare give Senju Hashirama or Senju Tobirama any attitude, but as for him, Yuya... what kind of person was he supposed to be?

Yuya knew that if he didn't do something, once he took power, he would end up in the same predicament as the original Third Hokage.

So, what could he do?

Yuya hadn't fully decided yet, but there was one thing he knew for certain.

That was to focus on the villagers of Konoha; making these ordinary people wealthy and improving their lives was definitely the right path.

As for these newly built factories...

They were, naturally, one hundred percent owned by Senju Tobirama.

Could it be Yuya? What does he count for? If Yuya dared to list himself as the actual controlling shareholder, the families of Konoha would be knocking on his door the very next day to "request a purchase," and woe betide him if he refused to sell.

Not yet; it is not yet time for him to step onto the stage.

Develop slowly, just develop slowly.

In the spring of the 18th year of Konoha, Yuya integrated the overall streets of Konoha, demolished and rebuilt them, and designated a Commercial Street.

In the summer of the 18th year of Konoha, the Commercial Street was completed. The first batch of merchants fought tooth and nail for the fifty shop slots available. Just by selling the land-use rights for one year, they raked in a full three hundred million ryo.

Tobirama, stationed at the front lines, received the news and couldn't even keep his poker face straight.

After all, this was only the first year; it was foreseeable that this income would be available every year thereafter.

How could he not be happy?

Kirigakure, with its vast resources, bought ten shops outright.

The destitute Sunagakure only bought one, selling everything: Cactus, desert Chili Pepper, Sunagakure Puppets, Sunagakure ninja tools...

Hm? Puppets?

When Yuya learned that Sunagakure had put puppets on display in that shop, his initial lack of interest vanished instantly.

How should one put it? Who could resist a moving 2D waifu?

As it turned out, upon arriving, he saw only crudely made, simply painted wooden puppets...

Yuya fell silent. After a moment of thought, he pulled the young woman with light purple hair from Sunagakure to the side.

"Little brother, what would you like to buy? The desert Chili Pepper from our Sunagakure is very delicious, you know." The big sister with light purple hair looked at Yuya and asked in a very gentle tone.

Although she figured this little brat in front of her didn't have much money, one beggar shouldn't mock another—Sunagakure didn't have much money either, so she wouldn't speak harshly to him.

Truth be told, poverty gave the people of Sunagakure a very good temperament.

Yuya pulled this young lady aside and whispered to her.

As he spoke, the young lady's expression changed.

She looked up at Yuya, opening her mouth wide: "You stinking brat! What do you take puppeteers for?! Apologize to me! You bastard kid!"

Yuya looked at the young lady in front of him expressionlessly: "Ten million ryo."

"Aga..." The furious young lady froze.

She fell silent.

The dignity of a puppeteer made her unwilling to accept this little bastard's proposal.

But...

"Gulp." She couldn't help but swallow hard: "How much?"

Yuya grinned, revealing a smile: "Ten million ryo."

"...Deal."

The young lady ultimately couldn't withstand Yuya's money offensive and fell.

Yuya nodded, then took out a drawn blueprint and handed it over: "The body and facial features must be made exactly the same, okay?"

"Got it, got it, you stinking brat!" The big sister with light purple hair took the photo, glanced at it, rubbed her chin, and then said:

"One week. Come pick up your goods in one week."

Yuya said with a serious expression: "It's not picking up goods; this is my wife, I am coming to take her home."

The young lady's face twisted instantly.

This little animal!

What exactly do you take puppets for?!

Taking a deep breath, she thought of the price offered and held back.

"Fine... fine, fine, take her... home..." Heaven knows what the young lady was thinking behind that gritted-teeth expression.

Yuya didn't want to think about it, nor did he care to argue, simply pulling a gold coin from his pocket: "This is the deposit."

The young lady was slightly stunned. She took it, and upon feeling the weight, she estimated that it was definitely no less than 200 grams.

Adding in the gold price that had skyrocketed due to the war...

The young lady quickly tucked the gold coin into her pocket, a brilliant smile blooming on her face: "Little brother is truly generous! One week! I guarantee you'll be able to take her home in one week!"

Yuya left, feeling satisfied.

On the other side, a young man poked his head out from in front of the shop to urge her: "Sister, are you done? A customer is here."

The big sister with light purple hair waved her hand: "Oh, go handle it yourself, Ebizo. Your sister here just landed a big order! I'm not planning on leaving for the rest of the week."

"Huh?" The young man looked bewildered.

Suddenly, a problem was discovered: Senju Tobirama must die. If he doesn't die, the protagonist cannot ascend to power. Although there had been thoughts of abdication, as long as Senju Tobirama lived, no one else would have the qualifications to accept that abdication.