Kakuzu's eyes lit up.
"Shaoyu, don't worry!" There was a rare hint of excitement in his voice, "I will do this beautifully, saving money and saving face!"
Raikage looked at his excited look and couldn't help but laugh again.
"You guys, are you so happy to hear about saving money?"
Kakuzu said seriously, "Third, saving money is not the purpose, spending money wisely is the purpose. Every penny of Kumogakure should be used where it is most needed."
Raikage shook his head.
"Okay, okay, you have the final say." He looked at Shaoyu, "Then it's settled. You are responsible for the clan affairs, and Kakuzu is responsible for the succession ceremony. My old man, I'm just waiting to retire and enjoy my life."
Kakuzu stood in the corner, holding a ledger in his hand and looking shrewdly.
As an old monster who has lived for nearly a hundred years, he has seen too much of the world and handled too much money.
Kumogakure's financial power is in his hands, every expenditure must be calculated by him, and every penny must be spent wisely.
Even if Third Raikage wanted to approve more military spending, he would interrogate him for a long time.
But at this moment, his eyes suddenly lit up.
It wasn't because of what Shaoyu just said. He had already heard what he said about the clan and the land, and he had already calculated the budget.
From his professional perspective, the solution chosen by Shaoyu is indeed reasonable, cost-effective and practical.
His eyes were bright because Shaoyu suddenly turned to him.
"By the way, Kakuzu."
Kakuzu raised his head, his shrewd eyes shining with anticipation.
Shaoyu looked at him, the corners of his mouth raised slightly.
"I suddenly remembered that Konoha still owes us a war compensation payment."
Kakuzu's breathing stopped for a second.
War reparations?
Konoha's war compensation?
Kakuzu's eyes lit up.
Not because of what Shaoyu said, but because of the meaningful smile Shaoyu showed when he spoke.
As an old monster who has lived for almost a hundred years, he is very familiar with this smile.
It is the smile when you see someone who has been taken advantage of, the smile when you are calculating other people's wallets, and the smile when you are preparing to make a big fortune.
"Sir Shaoyu." Kakuzu's voice contained a hint of uncontrollable excitement, "The compensation you mentioned... how much is it specifically?"
Shaoyu looked at him, the smile on his lips getting deeper.
"What do you think?"
Kakuzu's eyebrows raised.
He is Kumogakure's financial advisor and is in charge of the entire village's money bag.
He has to review every income and expenditure.
But regarding Konoha's compensation, he really didn't know the specific figure. It was directly discussed by Shaoyu and Sarutobi Hiruzen, and only the two of them knew.
"Master Shaoyu." Kakuzu rarely used honorifics, "Please don't tantalize me."
Shaoyu smiled, took out the scroll from his arms, and handed it to Kakuzu.
"See for yourself."
Kakuzu took the scroll and couldn't wait to unfold it.
Then, his eyes opened wider and wider, until they almost popped out of their sockets.
"Three... three billion taels?!"
The tone of his voice changed, "Add in food, minerals, timber, ninja tools, medical supplies... When converted, it is equivalent to three years of fiscal revenue of Konoha?!"
"Hohohohohohohohoho..."
Raikage was also shocked by this number and came over to take a look.
"Three billion? My dear, Konoha is so rich?"
Shaoyu nodded.
"Land of Fire is the richest country in Shinobi World. Konoha, as the village of Land of Fire, is naturally the richest in Five Great Shinobi Villages. Three billion taels, although it hurts Konoha, it won't break the bones."
Kakuzu's hands are shaking.
Three billion taels!
He has lived for almost a hundred years and has seen countless amounts of money, but never so much money at once!
And this is just the total amount. According to the agreement between Shaoyu and Sarutobi Hiruzen, this compensation will be paid in five years, with one-fifth paid every year.
That is - 600 million taels per year!
Including grain, minerals, and timber, the amount is at least 800 million taels per year!
Kakuzu's mind has begun to calculate rapidly.
How many things can be done with eight hundred million taels?
Ten new training grounds can be built, ninjas in the village can be given three-year subsidies, enough ninja tools can be purchased for five years, and...
He was just thinking hard when Shaoyu suddenly spoke.
"By the way, Kakuzu."
Kakuzu raised his head.
Shaoyu looked at him, with a cunning light flashing in his eyes.
"I mean, you should go to Konoha and get back this year's compensation."
Kakuzu's eyes lit up instantly.
Yes!
The money is sitting there at Konoha. If you don't go and get it, are you waiting for them to deliver it themselves?
"Sir Shaoyu!" Kakuzu's voice was full of energy, "You mean, you want me to go to Konoha to collect the bill?"
Shaoyu nodded.
"Yes. You are Kumogakure's financial advisor. You should be responsible for this kind of thing. And--"
He paused, and the smile on his lips deepened.
"With your character, you won't let them give you a penny less, right?"
Kakuzu's mouth twitched.
He said this as if he was a carefree miser.
Well, he is.
But he was still very useful.
"Shaoyu-sama, don't worry!"
His voice became louder and louder, "I will definitely get every penny back! Not even a penny less!"
Raikage laughed beside him.
"Kakuzu, you guy, when you hear money, you feel like you've been given blood."
Kakuzu said seriously, "Third, this is not a question of money, but a question of principle. Every penny of Kumogakure should be taken clearly."
Raikage waved his hand.
"Okay, okay, you go quickly. Get the money back as soon as possible and prepare for the succession ceremony as soon as possible."
Kakuzu nodded, turned around and left.
"Wait." Shaoyu called him.
Kakuzu Look back.
Shaoyu said, "After getting this money back, we will first use it to prepare for the succession ceremony. The rest -"
He smiled.
"Just think of it as our Uchiha's gift to the village."
Kakuzu's eyes lit up again.
Succession ceremonies cost money, but not much. According to his estimate, a decent succession ceremony would cost at most two taels.
The remaining five hundred million or so are all--
He didn't dare to think any more, for fear that he would faint from excitement.
"Shaoyu, don't worry!" His voice became louder, "I will definitely handle this matter beautifully!"
After saying that, he turned around and walked away, walking twice as fast as usual.
Raikage looked at his leaving figure and couldn't help but shake his head.
"This guy, when he hears the money, he acts like a different person."
Shaoyu smiled.
"With him here, Kumogakure doesn't have to worry about its finances."
Raikage nodded.
"Yes." He said, "The person you found is indeed very capable."
He turned his head and looked at Shaoyu.
"However, you are quite ruthless. Three billion taels, Sarutobi Hiruzen, that old guy, must be so distressed that he can't sleep at night, right?"
Shaoyu smiled faintly.
"What does it have to do with me whether he can sleep or not?"
Raikage was stunned for a moment, then laughed.