Beauty

After all, who didn't like money?

After completing his first round of wealth accumulation, Hiruko did not squander the money on food, drink, and entertainment. Instead, he began aggressively expanding factories.

Minato Namikaze distributed the remaining funds among Konoha's clans, large and small, at a very fair ratio.

Of course, the civilian ninja also got a piece of the pie.

Using this as an opportunity, Hiruko's reputation in Konoha soared.

Everyone knew that Konoha had produced a major benefactor—Hiruko.

After spending several days and nights on it, the heads of the major clans finally finished arguing. Once they had divided up the salt profits, they left happily.

Afterward, they paid Hiruko a visit.

At his core, Kakashi was a combat-oriented ninja. Yet by now, anyone could see that Hiruko and Minato Namikaze truly regarded Kakashi differently.

Although Kakashi was considered one of Minato Namikaze's men, he had been born into a small clan and possessed an innate sense of justice. This naturally made the smaller clans trust him more.

Small clans generally could not contact the Hokage directly, nor did they have the same voice as the major clans, so they sometimes hoped to relay certain matters through Kakashi.

Kakashi had come prepared this time as well.

When he arrived at Hiruko's residence, Hiruko was eating.

"Sorry to disturb you, Lord Hiruko," Kakashi said with his head lowered.

"Come, sit down and eat with me." Hiruko beckoned Kakashi over.

At that moment, Rin Nohara was eating alone inside the house. Once she finished, she would feed Pakura.

Naturally, Kakashi could not be allowed to see Rin Nohara. Hiruko had deliberately concealed that fact.

"Is something the matter?"

"Some friends wanted to ask you why the Uchiha Clan received such a low share in the distribution among the large and small clans."

"The Uchiha Clan did not participate in the salt industry work at all this time. Isn't it only natural for them to receive less?" Hiruko said seriously, blinking his eyes.

In truth, they both understood that the Hyuga Clan had contributed greatly this time.

Although they had not provided direct sponsorship throughout the process, they had managed to negotiate with each clan without causing too much resentment. Only the ever-accommodating Hyuga Clan could have handled those delicate balances.

And no one would object to the smaller clans, which had shed blood and tears in past wars and had nearly been unable to hold on, receiving a little more.

Yet the Uchiha Clan had basically done nothing.

If they were given too large a share, the other small clans would certainly have objections.

On the surface, it was normal for major clans to occupy more resources, but the dissatisfaction in the hearts of the smaller clans would not erupt immediately.

However, as time passed and that resentment continued to accumulate, once it exploded, the consequences would be unimaginable.

That was why, in the distribution ratio Hiruko suggested to Minato Namikaze, the Uchiha Clan received a rather low share.

Of course, all of this had been the result of discussions between Minato Namikaze and the Uchiha Clan.

As for what the Uchiha Clan thought of it, it was not actually important.

The Uchiha Clan had a fairly substantial foundation, and Minato Namikaze had also given them some compensation, such as techniques for increasing the Sharingan's ocular power.

The Uchiha Clan could not find much fault with it either.

Then Kakashi said solemnly, "May I ask what plans you have next, Lord Hiruko? My teacher, Minato Namikaze, wishes to understand in detail."

Hiruko thought for a moment, then took a small notebook from his box. "This is my preliminary plan. You're not an outsider, Kakashi. You can take a look."

Kakashi accepted the notebook and began reading it carefully.

In his previous life, Hiruko had merely been an ordinary person. In terms of governing a country, he could only be considered quite average.

However, he could draw upon the experience of those who had come before him.

Moreover, Konoha already possessed an extremely strong military tradition. Even if they encountered certain problems, they could force the policies through.

"First, we must have an immensely lofty and noble goal.

"Second, in order to achieve that goal, we must establish strict yet approachable relationships between superiors and subordinates.

"As we advance toward that goal, we must always display healthy, cheerful smiles.

"Finally, we also need unified and handsome uniforms."

Konoha's original flak jackets were fucking ugly.

On the next page, Kakashi saw a German-style military uniform specifically designed by Hiruko—a handsome long-coat combat uniform that made its wearer look exceptionally valiant.

Kakashi stared blankly at the illustration of the handsome military uniform for a moment before continuing to read.

On that foundation, Hiruko divided the plan into four areas: technology, military affairs, the economy, and culture.

There was naturally no need to say much about technology. They simply had to seize the lead in development.

By the time of Boruto, the ninja world already possessed advanced equipment such as chakra cannons and carrier battle groups.

Working backward from that point in time, Konoha had begun the process of an information revolution no later than the era of the Third Shinobi War. In fact, that was indeed the case.

People in the Five Great Nations now mostly possessed an industrial foundation, yet they had not realized the importance of the information technology revolution.

But Hiruko, as a modern man, naturally had to seize the opportunity and strike hard.

There was nothing to worry about militarily. Konoha possessed abundant military knowledge and experience.

Hiruko only needed to provide sufficient funding so the ninja could freely display their ninjutsu and use ninja tools.

As for economic development, Hiruko planned to imitate the dollar system and ruthlessly harvest the wealth of the entire ninja world to support Konoha.

Once Konoha developed to a certain extent, it would achieve its goal of unification in one stroke, then directly swallow the ninja world whole.

If conditions allowed, it would be best to create a situation where "the army plundered at the front, while the South India Company provided advanced technological support in the rear and dumped Konoha products throughout the ninja world."

It had to be said that the current combat methods of the ninja villages in the Five Great Nations were simply far too backward and foolish.

The ninja villages fought each other without any strategy, like primitive tribal conflicts. They had been fighting for hundreds of years, yet even in the era of the Fourth Hokage, they were still doing the same old thing. How could that be acceptable?

Even capitalists would shake their heads and weep at the sight.

In this era, ninja participating in battles should have gained benefits from them.

Even if they could not sign a pile of unequal treaties, they should at least strive for mutually beneficial treatment. Failing that, they should at least capture some "hostages" to build railways.

Cultural export would be much simpler.

Through convenient artistic forms such as films, television dramas, and novels, they would extensively spread Konoha's ideals.

Hiruko planned to have around thirty handsome and beautiful ninja specialize in this line of work, striving to leave a deep impression on people.

Every Konoha ninja was a handsome man or beautiful woman, and they would surely fight to save the world and preserve peace.

No matter what, Konoha and the Land of Fire truly were the strongest nation and ninja village in the world today.

Of course, Hiruko's methods naturally had...