Naruto: Did i Just Get Reincarnated as Gojo?

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Konoha's promotion of innovative tourism was expanding into diverse sectors, igniting a wave of dynamic new industries.

Gojo Kaigetsu, the Hokage Tower's esteemed expert—confidently stated that for every ryō earned by tourism, related industries could see their income increase fourfold.

This powerful engine of economic growth was also significantly improving the lives of ordinary citizens.

If Gojo Kaigetsu hadn't actively championed these ideas, the Shinobi World, with its current level of development, might have taken decades to grasp their potential.

However, even with the Hokage Tower's substantial financial resources, the sheer scale of Otogakure's development meant that initial construction costs remained a significant burden.

Otogakure was under construction, and so was the New Konoha Village.

Therefore, the current Otogakure was essentially a façade—a meticulously crafted shell designed to impress the daimyo of the Four Nations.

This impressive exterior would then be leveraged to secure a massive influx of cash to fund Konoha's true ambitions.

Gojo Kaigetsu considered himself remarkably conscientious. He ensured every essential element of a ninja village complex was included.

He wasn't just building a village gate and then "drawing big cakes" for investors, promoting some hollow corporate spirit.

Furthermore, Gojo Kaigetsu's planned primary money-making venture was gambling—specifically, the Fire Games lottery and betting.

Due to the time-sensitive nature of the Fire Games, establishing betting operations outside Otogakure was impractical; only the village itself could effectively manage this.

While official decrees prohibited private gambling dens—severely curtailing the common gambler's desire to wager, Konoha secretly dispatched Anbu operatives to manage underground gambling rings.

These clandestine operations would attract the substantial wagers of those with a thirst for risk.

This situation also presented Konoha with an opportunity to promote their own "Lottery" system.

Offering slightly lower odds than the underground rings, it compensated with greater stability and official backing.

Before the Fire Games officially commenced, elaborate backstories and personalities would be crafted for each participating ninja. "Experts" would be hired to provide commentary, hyping up the events.

Naturally, few would possess a genuine understanding of the intricacies of ninja combat, but even superficial knowledge, combined with the novel thrill of this entertainment, was enough to ignite the gambling instinct in the masses.

Gambling: a few would win, but the vast majority would lose.

Not only could they manipulate the odds to ensure their advantage, but as a government-backed entity, they could also legally skim a hefty percentage through taxation.

They would profit from both wins and losses, maintaining control on both sides of the wager, effectively capturing the wealth generated by the public's gambling desires. A double-edged sword, wielded with precision.

"Gambling is a scourge!" Gojo Kaigetsu mused, a hint of irony in his tone. "Tsunade must be kept close at hand. Perhaps exhausting her so thoroughly that she has no energy to gamble at night is the solution…"

——

Thump-thump…

The daimyo envoys could practically hear their own hearts pounding as they clutched the detailed Fire Games proposal presented by Gojo Kaigetsu, their eyes fixated on its contents.

The document meticulously outlined the plan's execution, from entrusting the competition's recording to a renowned director from the Land of Frost, to drawing inspiration from the Tailed Beasts for the Fire Games mascot.

The envoys were rendered speechless. Time ticked by. Gojo Kaigetsu allowed them to absorb the proposal.

Finally, they raised their heads, exchanging knowing glances. A silent consensus formed: they approved of Gojo Kaigetsu's audacious plan.

Simply put, aside from the significant initial investment, once launched, the project was practically a guaranteed money-printing machine. The longer the Fire Games continued, the greater the profits would become.

The advertising revenue, in particular, was a veritable gold mine.

Gojo Kaigetsu had set the reserve price for the prime advertising space at one billion ryō, with each subsequent bid requiring an increase of at least ten million ryō. The highest bidder would secure this coveted spot.

Only the super-wealthy could contemplate such an expenditure.

However, the potential returns were equally immense.

Over time, the concept of "branding" would take root. Brand loyalty would develop. Consider a product: a smaller company, using premium materials, might sell it for one hundred ryō. A major brand, cutting corners, could sell the same product for two hundred ryō.

Once brand recognition was established, as long as they avoided blatant misrepresentation, profits were virtually assured.

Every avenue led to a river of cash.

But… there was no such thing as a free lunch.

"So," the Envoy from the Land of Water began, cutting to the chase, "what's the price? What do we have to pay?"

Finally, the core question.

——

"Firstly," Gojo Kaigetsu began, "I require each daimyo to issue a joint statement to the Shinobi World, formally establishing the Fire Games Organizing Committee. They will jointly oversee all aspects of the Games: reception, competitions, security, medical services, foreign affairs, artistic performances, event planning, ninja tool provision, and insurance. This unified front will generate significant momentum for the inaugural Fire Games. This is a long-term endeavor. Only by ensuring the resounding success of the first Games can we expand them to your respective nations, creating a perpetual stream of wealth."

"That's understood," the envoys readily agreed.

Even the envoy from the Land of Lightning, typically antagonistic towards the Land of Fire, nodded in assent.

Once Konoha successfully hosted these Games, the Land of Lightning would undoubtedly compete fiercely for the right to host the next. For such a potentially lucrative venture, no daimyo would hesitate to invest.

"Secondly," Gojo Kaigetsu continued, "I require a complete cessation of all hostilities within the Shinobi World during the Fire Games period. Even the ongoing conflict between Konoha and Kumogakure must be suspended. Any village violating this truce will face the combined opposition of the other four nations. Furthermore, each village must send participants to the Fire Games – a minimum of one, a maximum of one hundred ninjas."

"That's also perfectly reasonable," the Wind envoy concurred. "If war erupts during the Fire Games, it will inevitably distract from the event's focus. I believe this 'no hostilities' rule should be enshrined for all future Games."

"Finally," Gojo Kaigetsu concluded, "I request that each daimyo contribute one billion ryō as a design and initial preparation fee for the inaugural Games. In return…" he unfurled the stadium map. "Apart from the prime advertising space, each daimyo can select a secondary advertising space to promote their nation's state-owned enterprises."

"And after securing these spaces, I encourage you to actively promote them to your nation's private businesses as well."

The Lightning and Wind envoys displayed visible displeasure. For the Lightning envoy, contributing funds to Konoha felt akin to funding the enemy. The Wind envoy, facing constant financial strain, simply resented the expense.

However, acknowledging the inaugural nature of the event, the necessity of building initial momentum, and the offered incentive of advertising space, they ultimately acquiesced.

"Gojo Kaigetsu," the Water envoy interjected, "Have you overlooked something crucial? How will the profits from the first Fire Games be distributed?"

Gojo Kaigetsu responded calmly, "A fifty-fifty split. Konoha, as the host nation, has made substantial initial investments and is entitled to fifty percent. Of that fifty percent, one-tenth will be allocated to a dedicated Fire Games fund for future events. The remaining forty percent will be divided equally among the Four Nations—ten percent each."

"This distribution model will be standardized for all future Games: the host nation retains fifty percent of the profits."

"Agreed!"

The four envoys raised no further objections. One billion ryō… while a significant sum, the daimyo commanded vast national resources.

If the Fire Games proved successful, one billion ryō was a negligible initial investment.

If the Games failed, it would be a setback, but not a crippling blow. However, if they succeeded, the returns would dwarf the initial investment, ensuring the daimyo would never again face financial constraints.

Regardless of the shifting tides of the Shinobi World, their bloodline guaranteed their positions of power. Wealth empowered them to enjoy the associated privileges, to live lives of luxury and influence.

As for whether the agreement to cease hostilities during the Fire Games would infringe upon their respective villages' strategic decisions…

Ninja were, ultimately, warriors serving the daimyo.

If the daimyo sought profit, the ninja leadership would have to yield.

BANG!

The five daimyo's official seals were swiftly and decisively affixed to the Fire Games Joint Declaration. The agreement, rendered in stark black ink on white parchment, was officially binding, punctuated by the vibrant crimson of the seals.

The first genuinely meaningful grand alliance in the Shinobi World was thus forged, seventeen years ahead of schedule.

This alliance wasn't born from a shared threat of global annihilation, but from the irresistible allure of wealth, a driving force that transcended national boundaries.

Money was the unifying principle, the enduring chain binding the daimyo across generations.

——

Having concluded his business in the Land of Fire, Gojo Kaigetsu returned to Konoha without delay.

During his brief absence, the first wave of refugees from Rōran had arrived, and Konoha's population was poised for another surge.

Furthermore, thanks to Gojo Kaigetsu's persistent efforts, a group of Uzumaki survivors had finally chosen to place their trust in Konoha once more—returning to the village's embrace.

While his subordinates would naturally follow his directives to welcome these newcomers, a personal reception was essential to underscore his sincerity and commitment.

The treaty with the Four Nations was signed, and a massive promotional campaign for the Fire Games was poised to engulf the Shinobi World.

It was also time to introduce the concepts of lotteries, bonds, and stocks, all conceived by Gojo Kaigetsu himself, to the populace of the Shinobi World.

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