"Why does your clan get two percent?!"
"You think you deserve that?!"
"Bullshit!!"
"Why? You're asking why?!" One clan head tore open his shirt, revealing scars across his chest. "During the First Great Ninja War, I followed the Hokage into battle! I've died several times already!"
"…."
After the arms business passed unanimously, the meeting devolved into chaos once again.
Profit distribution.
Endless arguing.
Even the smallest percentage—
Was enough to make a clan rich for generations.
No one was willing to back down.
Uchiha Ren had long grown used to this.
Every time Konoha launched a new industry, it turned into this.
Eventually—
It even evolved into something simpler.
A fight.
Pure taijutsu.
The room next door had already been converted into a temporary arena.
Konoha's stage—
If you've got fists, step up!
—
By the end of the meeting—
Several clan heads returned home bruised and battered.
Winners grinned.
Losers sulked—
Already planning to train harder.
Ren watched with great satisfaction.
Entertainment.
And stronger leadership.
A perfect combination.
—
"Ahem… looks like you've all settled the shares."
Ren leaned back, glancing at the battered faces.
They hadn't held back at all.
But finally—
The division of profits was complete.
"Next topic."
"The Hidden Sky Village."
The atmosphere shifted instantly.
ANBU operatives stepped forward, distributing intelligence files.
"Everyone," Ren said calmly, "the Hidden Sky Village has significant ambitions. They're secretly developing large-scale weapons intended to threaten Konoha."
"I propose we eliminate this threat before it matures."
Silence.
Then—
Unease.
The reports felt… absurd.
A minor village—
Daring to challenge Konoha?
"Your intention, Hokage-sama?" Hyuga Takuma asked.
Ren didn't hesitate.
"Konoha needs to find the right opportunity… and destroy them completely."
Direct.
Decisive.
Because he needed—
Their machines.
Their technology.
Their scientists.
And most importantly—
His "project."
—
"Compared to them," another voice spoke up, "Amegakure is the real threat."
Senju Toma frowned.
"They border the Land of Fire. Their strength is growing rapidly. Soon, they may rival the Five Great Villages."
"The Hidden Sky Village… isn't worth a full-scale war."
Voices rose across the room.
Agreement spread.
"Exactly."
"War is costly."
"We're thriving right now—why risk it?"
"They haven't even provoked us."
Konoha was prospering.
Money flowed in.
Why start a war?
Ren sighed inwardly.
As expected.
Now wasn't the right time.
With conflict against Kumogakure approaching—
Splitting forces would be dangerous.
And he couldn't exactly explain his true goal.
The "mental sauna" project…
Definitely needed a scapegoat.
(Danzo… I miss you.)
—
"Fine," Ren said coldly.
"If you all oppose it, we'll table this for now."
"But remember this—"
His gaze swept across the room.
"If the Hidden Sky Village ever clashes with Konoha…"
"If even one of our shinobi dies—"
"I will wipe them out."
Silence followed.
Then—
Ren stood and left.
The remaining leaders exchanged glances.
What did the Hidden Sky Village do to anger the Hokage?
—
Two months later.
Hokage Office.
Ren leaned back in his chair, watching the latest episode of a newly released drama.
A hit across Konoha.
Music echoed through the streets.
Cold cola.
Cool air.
Snacks.
For a moment—
It felt like another world.
Peaceful.
Familiar.
Then—
Knock knock.
Nara Shikaku entered.
"Lord Hokage—great news!"
Ren sighed and turned off the TV.
"The price of explosive tags has crashed."
"Those small villages hoarding them… they're finished."
Shikaku couldn't hide his excitement.
Explosive tags had always been a stable currency.
But now—
Ren's strategy had shattered that.
First—
Spread rumors.
Konoha stockpiling explosive tags.
War coming.
Prices surged.
Small villages rushed to buy.
Then—
Konoha dumped its reserves.
Made a fortune.
And finally—
Released the product.
Grenades.
Half the price.
Equal power.
Mass production.
Unlimited supply.
—
The market collapsed.
Within a single day—
Prices crashed three times.
At the product launch—
Representatives from countless villages watched in despair.
Warehouses full of grenades.
Stacks upon stacks.
Their confidence shattered.
"Damn it…!!"
"Konoha!!!"
"Our money… it's all gone!"
Cash flow—
Destroyed.
And without cash—
Even the strongest village could collapse.
One shinobi lost control and attacked.
He was killed instantly.
Blood splattered across the floor.
The rest—
Fell silent.
This was Konoha.
Even if they were being exploited—
They could only endure.
This—
Was the beacon of the shinobi world.
—
Ren smiled as he read the report.
"Well, Shikaku… what should I say?"
"The lives of small villages matter too."
"Let's not do this again."
"…Yes, Hokage-sama."
Both of them were in excellent moods.
Harvesting profits—
Was satisfying.
"Interesting," Ren added. "A third of the orders are from Daimyo and nobles."
Shikaku nodded.
"No chakra required. Even civilians can use them."
"And hiring shinobi is expensive."
Ren understood immediately.
Konoha hadn't just replaced explosive tags—
They had opened a new market.
Civilians.
For self-defense.
In this world—
Even holding a grenade—
Could deter a shinobi.
—
"And the Hidden Flame Village?" Ren asked casually.
Shikaku's expression darkened.
"Heavy losses."
"They invested heavily in explosive tags."
"Their cash flow is gone."
"Their leadership is already turning on each other."
Ren nodded slowly.
Perfect.
"Keep an eye on them," he said.
Then—
He took a sip of cola.
"Oh, and Shikaku—"
"Contact those struggling villages."
"We'll offer loans."
"High interest, of course."
Shikaku froze.
Ren continued calmly.
"In exchange—Konoha companies enter their markets."
"If they default—assets as collateral."
"And require annual purchases of our products."
"That should be enough."
Shikaku stared at him.
First harvest—
Then harvest again?
"…Hokage-sama."
"I still have much to learn."
Ren waved it off.
"I'm just helping them survive."
"Nothing more."
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