God of Wealth!

Damn it, could Hiruko be the reincarnation of the God of Wealth?!

The Third Hokage picked up his pipe with slightly trembling hands and continued smoking.

Looking at everything before him, he felt like an idiot for a moment. Why had he never thought of making money through commerce?

With this money, not only could Konoha's previous bad debts be covered, but the coming war could practically be considered a sure win.

After all, war was ultimately a contest of money—the continuation of political art and an economic war as well.

Clearly, those important figures had not realized at first that the state monopoly on salt and iron could be this profitable.

Now that they saw such enormous returns, they were all moved, then fiercely reprimanded their proxies.

The parasites at every level of the Land of Fire were truly far more powerful than the ninjas had imagined.

According to the ninjas' initial estimates, after taking down the parasites, earning tens of millions of ryo from the first batch of salt would already have been quite good. Yet unexpectedly, the first batch had earned this much.

Now that Konoha had forcibly cleared every link in the chain, all those middlemen who had wanted to take a cut had vanished without a trace.

Anyone who dared reach out had their claws chopped off directly by Danzo's men. The parasites could no longer cover for one another.

Only now had the true profits of the Land of Fire's salt industry truly been exposed.

When the daimyo of Konoha learned of this news, he was instantly furious enough to smash even the most precious glass vase in his home.

Those important figures who had originally believed banks were the only truly profitable business now regretted it even more.

Of course, they could earn so much only because the salt produced by Konoha's new technology was so abundant that it could now supply cheap salt to so many people throughout the Land of Fire.

Previously, many commoners had only been able to dip cloth in vinegar into a tiny bit of salt, barely sustaining their lives. How could they possibly have had the chance to buy salt this cheaply?

On the contrary, because Konoha had driven down the price of salt, everyone could barely afford it, so consumption naturally rose, and profits increased as well.

There were also merchants who hoarded goods and speculated, believing Konoha could not possibly produce salt in such massive quantities forever. They wanted to stockpile it and make a killing.

Naturally, salt sales climbed steadily.

Although everyone's share was much lower than before, the sales volume was enormous, so their actual income had increased considerably instead.

From any angle, the important figures of the Land of Fire had no opportunity to turn hostile.

Let those nobles try it and see whether Hiruzen Sarutobi would personally raise a club and shove it in their faces as a gift.

Usually, everyone got along and made money harmoniously, but trying to welch on a deal was something that absolutely could not be tolerated.

Because news from within the Land of Fire would soon reach the Land of Lightning, whose situation was similar to that of Konoha and the Land of Fire.

If anyone wanted to imitate this move, they would surely face severe condemnation from the important figures of the Land of Lightning.

Those important figures knew perfectly well that the Hidden Cloud Village would not covet their positions and would protect the Land of Lightning, but when profits were involved, there were times when they could not control themselves.

The nobles of the Land of Fire had no choice either. This time, Konoha had firmly claimed the moral high ground, so everyone could only swallow their pride and accept it.

The Hidden Cloud Village immediately erupted into an uproar. Konoha had gained so much money, and more would continue flowing in later. Unless the Hidden Cloud Village rose to prominence within a year or two, it would have no chance of competing.

In a year or two, if the Hidden Cloud Village received an injection of additional funds, it might still be able to fight Konoha. Without money, it would certainly suffer a crushing defeat.

Konoha would be able to earn even more wealth in the future, and life would surely become much easier.

Thinking of this, the Third Hokage's mood brightened considerably.

Danzo, however, thought even further ahead.

If Konoha could continuously accumulate wealth, perhaps it really could unify the entire ninja world.

But when he thought of Minato Namikaze's achievements and prestige, his expression turned as ugly as if he had swallowed a fly. Did he still have a chance to become the next Hokage?

Seeing this, Hiruko smiled and teased, "Mr. Danzo, you seem rather unhappy. Are you feeling unwell?"

Faced with Hiruko's teasing, Danzo could only give him a blank look.

The frustration Hiruko had accumulated over many days vanished at that moment, and his mood truly improved.

But Hiruko had no intention of stopping there and mockingly brought up Danzo's sore spot.

Minato Namikaze then happily slapped the table, swept out a hand, and loudly announced, "This is indeed exciting news!"

"Of course, such good news should be shared with everyone. Spread the word at once and let everyone hear it!"

After hearing his teacher's words, Kakashi immediately bowed, then turned and left to relay this exhilarating news.

Danzo's expression, however, grew even uglier, because he knew exactly what Minato Namikaze was about to do.

That was distribute the money!

Distribute money to everyone!

Although the Research Department would take the largest slice of this windfall, it had already raked in more than eighteen billion in revenue in the first month alone.

Even if the second month did not bring in as much as the first, it would still remain at the ten-billion level.

It was foreseeable that this income would not be easily spent even during wartime. Instead, it might increase in reverse as the intensity of the war rose.

Because during wartime, some impoverished people would not dare casually go out to buy things, so they would usually purchase several months' worth of salt and other necessities at once.

Here in Konoha, whoever controlled the financial power had influence.

The Hokage's faction went without saying; it would definitely receive financial support first.

And Hiruko and Orochimaru's Research Department would undoubtedly take the largest piece of the pie.

Minato Namikaze would naturally reward the other large and small clans generously, and of course, the commoners would receive a share as well.

As for how it would be distributed, that depended on how Minato Namikaze handled it.

Those who received more, even if they were not direct subordinates of the Hokage, could still be considered the Hokage's people.

Thinking of this, Danzo could not help feeling helpless.

He had originally thought that Minato Namikaze was young, and if he could find an excuse to push him down from the Hokage's position, he could rise to it himself.

Now, he truly could not find any reason to stop Minato Namikaze, because this enormous fortune had been secured for Konoha by Minato Namikaze.

Anyone who opposed it would probably end up stabbed several times in the back and dead in a filthy ditch.

Danzo was equally helpless against Hiruko's open scheme, yet he had no way to stop it.

All eighteen billion had been produced by the Research Department, and Hiruko had directly requested eight billion in funding from Minato Namikaze.

A small portion of those eight billion was allocated to Orochimaru, while Hiruko controlled all the rest.

Since he had decided to change this sorrowful world, Hiruko naturally meant what he said and did not hesitate in the slightest.

If true peace could really arrive someday, that would be nice too.

Danzo left in a fury, but no one paid him any attention.

The ninja world was no different from his previous life. Those with money were the bosses, and as it happened, Hiruko was now the God of Wealth.

So the clan heads of all the other large and small families...