The Genius of Kumogakure

It's not that the Cloud Ninja are stupid; they're all shrewd, but the power imbalance is just too great.

Information asymmetry leads to an even greater asymmetry in professional expertise.

Uchiha Shingen could even write an investment and financing plan research report for Cloud Village on the spot.

Of course, this was unnecessary, since the opponent was too weak.

The final straw that broke the Dodai was when Uchiha Shingen directly listed out the Kumogakure's cash flow for the year up to this month.

God knows how much else he's hiding in his pockets.

Although it's not precise and the breakdown is very rough, it's just an estimate. But who among these people has the time to study this? They only remember a rough estimate, while Uchiha Shingen's estimated range is almost entirely correct.

You can tell this just by looking at the expressions on the Cloud Ninja's faces; not everyone is a master of controlling their expressions.

Uchiha Fugaku, a genius who turned a blank expression into an instinct, is even rarer.

If he hadn't chosen such an incongruous hobby, he would have been a perfect shadow assistant.

However, Uchiha Shingen felt that Uchiha Fugaku was not far from kneeling on a washboard, because Uchiha Sasuke clearly not the kind of person who could hide his handwriting well.

Uchiha Mikoto will explode.

When the Kumogakure negotiation team left the meeting room, their expressions were like those of a student who had just come out of an exam hall after failing a test.

This expression is called liberation.

Let's talk about it tomorrow.

I'm numb.

The Leaf Village side, on the other hand, warmly welcomed them by providing them with the best hotel – the Hyuga Hotel.

This hotel opened Third Shinobi World War and was jointly invested in and built by the Uchiha Clan and Hyuga Clans. It is now the most upscale hotel in Leaf Village.

The reason it's called Hyuga Clan is to symbolize the friendship between the two clans, and the Hyuga Clan does indeed contribute more money. After entering a honeymoon period with the Uchiha Clan, the Hyuga Clan is no longer as financially strained as before.

This clan has even started to venture into the medical industry; well, there's no way around it, one of the Hyuga Clan's secret healing medicines is just too amazing.

It's practically the Hokage version of the Black Jade Bone-Regenerating Ointment. There was no way to get it before, but now that there's a bit of a channel, there are tons of rich people who want this stuff.

However, the Hyuga Clan mainly deals with businesses for the nobility, which is exactly different from the main areas of the Ino-Shika-Cho.

The other clans had nothing to say about this; the Hyuga Clan had done a very good job.

Hyuga Clan the money for this hotel, but also sent people to help.

The receptionists are all girls from the Hyuga Clan, and business is booming. In Leaf Village, no one can compare to the Hyuga Clan in this regard.

The Hyuga Clan isn't all ninjas.

No ninja clan can boast an average of ninjas per person.

There are always people who are not suited to be ninjas; even a powerful bloodline can only determine the lower limit.

Watching the group from Kumogakure walk away like zombies, the Leaf Five turned their gaze back to Uchiha Shingen.

Uchiha Shingen thought it was awful.

The meeting's over, but you're still staring at me. What's going on?

"Shingen, when did you make such thorough preparations?" Namikaze Minato winked. "You're not being honest."

I've been behaving myself, okay? But you, Hokage, your flirtatious and shameless behavior has skyrocketed these past few years!

"I always keep these on hand, just in case," Uchiha Shingen said.

This is just his habit.

Be humble in your personal life, but ambitious in your work.

He doesn't need to promise to remain silent while he speaks, but since he's specifically asked to speak, he has to deliver an effective speech.

Whether someone is reliable or not is how their public image is established.

No one is born reliable; everyone has to prepare.

"Seriously, Lord Hokage, you're being way too lazy. You're the Hokage, why am I the one doing all the talking to the other side?"

"Oh, look how well you put it! The capable should do more work!"

Namikaze Minato was deeply moved.

Uchiha Shingen never disappointed anyone; he's incredibly capable. This time, he was brought in at the last minute.

"Seriously, Shingen, didn't you say there was a one-fifth chance? It seems there isn't."

Namikaze Minato knew he was being greedy, but he had previously planned the next phase of his project based on 12 billion ryo.

"Don't worry, Lord Hokage, there will definitely be overdue payments from Kumogakure Uchiha Shingen. "Their income is unstable. The previous overdue payments were due to the spillover effect of the Third Shinobi World War, and the Land of Earth has a strong absorption capacity, which will continue to grow. Kumogakure can come up with 3 billion yen at a time now, but in three years, they might not even be able to come up with 2 billion yen at once. Their income will decrease, so I haven't given them much room for savings."

"Wouldn't they take a risk?"

"No, the association will set up some training institutions later, and people from the Five Great Nations can participate. This way, they can cultivate some talents in this field, and they will start to get used to borrowing money and making expenses in advance."

Borrowing money isn't inherently a bad thing; it's people who cause trouble.

The Land of Lightning is still too rich; it needs a bunch of people who don't know anything about risk control to cause some trouble.

As long as they have someone to fight in the end, that's fine.

In this regard, Uchiha Shingen wouldn't weaken them excessively, as they were crucial cannon fodder.

Hmm? No, what does this have to do with him? He finished his business a long time ago!

Namikaze Minato tricked him again!

Uchiha Shingen shut his mouth and stopped talking.

The Leaf Five all showed expressions of disappointment.

I didn't manage to get one.

It only showed its head; it would have been better not to have used it in the first place.

"Alright, alright, I won't ask you so many questions anymore," Namikaze Minato said with relief. "I know you had a tough day, so I'm giving you a day off. I promise I won't add any more burden to you before the next negotiation."

"Really?" Uchiha Shingen was overjoyed upon hearing this.

There definitely won't be a next time in a few days; he can relax now!

"Of course, I'm the Hokage, and I keep my word."

Uchiha Shingen thought about it and realized that it was true; the Hokage shouldn't keep going back on his word, right?

This will severely dampen the enthusiasm of subordinates.

"Of all the Leaf Village, you are the one I trust the most." Uchiha Shingen was extremely satisfied. "Then I'll be going now."

"Okay, go ahead." Namikaze Minato smiled.

"Shingen, remember to go home first," Uchiha Fugaku said. "A man cannot stay away from home."

Uchiha Shingen knew which family he was referring to.

"Okay," he replied, then left impatiently.

There was no one at their home, because the model couple no longer ran a shop; they had become the Uchiha Clan's representatives in the association.

However, the couple were business people to begin with, and besides, they were actually the first people to come into contact with Uchiha Shingen. In terms of business, they actually knew more about it than Uchiha Fugaku.

However, regarding risk control, the overall direction still needs to be set by Uchiha Shingen himself.

However, it must be said that Uchiha Xinhu was actually very talented, and he thrived in the association.

So after returning to his clan's territory, Uchiha Shingen went to the Pakura family.

He opened the door with his key and smelled the aroma of food as he entered.

Chapter Thirty-Five Kumogakure

Kumogakure.

Since settling in the Cloud Thunder Grand Canyon, the Cloud Ninja have made full use of this place.

When it was first established, Cloud Village was not considered one of the strongest of the five great ninja villages.

At that time, the strongest Hidden Leaf Village, that much is undisputed.

Secondly, there are the Hidden Mist Village and Sand Village.

The First Kazekage dared to unleash his ultimate attack at the Five Kage Summit because he believed he could only lose to Leaf Village, and that Leaf Village would not attack him.

The one who directly shouted that he wanted to kill him was the First Mizukage. Like the First Kazekage, the First Mizukage also felt that although he was no match for Senju Hashirama, he could still handle Kazeryoku.

He only tolerates Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara showing off in front of him, since those two aren't even human.

As for Cloud Village and Iwagakure, they are ranked in the third tier, with Cloud Village even suspected of being at the very bottom.

Back then, Cloud Village didn't have Lightning Release Chakra Mode or a series of simplified Nintaijutsu, and Iwagakure didn't have Dust Release, but Iwagakure's Ninjutsu system was more complete, and they had more people than Cloud Village.

At this moment, deep within the Cloud Thunder Grand Canyon, in the training grounds established by the Kumogakure, a large number of Cloud Ninja are training.

The people of Lightning are difficult to manage, but still easier than the people of the desert. Most importantly, the Third Raikage united all the Cloud Ninja into one force, the key to which was to promptly shift the focus of conflict.

When there are too many people, it becomes difficult to distribute the benefits; people will then attack others. When there are fewer people, the pie becomes larger, so isn't it easy to divide it?

There's a fight going on in the village, and the higher-ups want to fight? Take it to the battlefield and beat someone else up. Real men fight the enemy, what are you doing acting tough in the village?

If we're short of money and food, needless to say, we'll just go out and rob them! This whole world is our Cloud Ninja's granary and treasury.

Gradually, the Cloud Ninja developed a habitual way of thinking.

When in doubt, go out and chop someone up.

When I have free time, I focus on my spiritual practice.

A united group.

This rule only became slightly less effective after the Third Shinobi World War.

The opponent is Leaf Village; you'll get attacked as soon as you step outside.

The enemy is the White Ghost, and no one can come back.

However, it cannot be denied that the conflict in the village did ease due to the loss of a significant number of personnel.

Conversely, the sense of shame strengthened the cohesion among the Cloud Ninja —if they couldn't defeat the White Ghost, surely they could find someone else to fight him?

This is another consensus reached among the Cloud Ninja.

The White Ghost isn't human; if he's alive, there's no need for him to fight with Leaf Village.

Fighting the Rock Ninja would be a good idea; they haven't avenged the Third Hokage yet!

Oh, you mean the Fourth Hokage's grudge? Wasn't that because the evil Iwagakure didn't play their part at all and left early on, forcing the Fourth Hokage to risk his life? This must be a conspiracy by the evil Rock Ninja!

Uchiha Obito had heard similar comments many times these past few days.

"Feizang, you need to use more force."

On the training ground, a Cloud Village Jonin spoke to Uchiha Obito.

"Now that you are Cloud Ninja, not a businessman, don't waste your talent. For most people, continuing to cultivate at this age is pointless. Geniuses like you are rare. The future of Cloud Village depends on the bravery of young people like you."

[Don't make me laugh. What bravery? He's just relying on strength. Look how scared those Dog Man are of him.]

"Yes, I will continue to work hard!"

In the eyes of the Cloud Village Jonin, although Takayama Hizo was not exactly passionate, he was resolute in his will, which made him very gratified.

It's alright. Kumogakure is a melting pot, and this descendant of the Senju Clan will gradually shed the weakness of the Land of Fire and become a true Cloud Ninja.

The descendants of the Senju Muzoku ninja have become Cloud Ninja and even awakened the Wood Release bloodline. This is truly a blessing for the Kumogakure.

Everyone firmly believes that only the Senju Clan can unleash the power of Wood Release.

Among the five great ninja villages, Hidden Leaf Village's physical modification technology is top-notch, and its Wood Release experiments are well-known throughout the Ninja World. There is a member of Leaf Village's ANBU who knows Wood Release. It can't be said that he is weak, but it is a special Ninjutsu that is only slightly stronger. This is irrefutable evidence.

As soon as Takayama Hizo's Wood Release power awakened, it created a thorny forest.

Those in the Cloud Village ANBU who had fought that Wood Release ninja said that compared to Takayama Hizo, that man's Wood Release was a joke.

The ability to Senju Muzoku and the Wood Release is enough to make Kumogakure Takayama Hizo Village. Otherwise, why would a Jonin him be so idle as to come and give a newcomer one-on-one tutoring?

It wasn't just that the older generation strongly demanded it.