NOVEL NEXT Chapter 105: Chapter 99 Lure him with benefits
As Youya distributed the profits from these lucrative, high-quality industries to one family after another, the other families couldn't remain indifferent. Initially, they believed they wouldn't gain much by aligning with Youya. However, witnessing the substantial shares being handed out, it became evident that the ventures were extraordinarily profitable.
Youya had long promised to reward families that supported him, leading others to reconsider their stance. Despite this, many remained hesitant to fully commit, as this world is one where strength is paramount. Regardless of how profitable one's ventures might be, strength is still the ultimate measure of power and influence. Without becoming Hokage, all current gains could be rendered meaningless. Once Hokage, Youya could distribute resources as he sees fit.
Understanding this mindset, Youya focused on infrastructure and technology development, preparing a significant project contingent on the Shimura family's cooperation. Throughout the spring of the 23rd year of Konoha, Youya worked tirelessly in the Hokage's office, drafting Konoha's development plans for the coming years. He couldn't predict when the Shimura family might align with him or how they might resist. However, the presence of Senju Tobirama made an outright rebellion unlikely.
Thus, Youya aimed to complete a five-year development plan within three months, providing a broad outline subject to adjustment based on specific circumstances. During this process, Senju Tobirama recognized Youya's exceptional economic development skills.
Youya's plan considered the entire population's needs, predicting how many children would graduate from kindergarten to ninja school and proposing the construction of primary schools to accommodate children from civilian families. This was one aspect of the comprehensive plan, which also included factory transformations over the next five years. For example, the iron smelting plant, which had been focused on manufacturing ninja tools, would transition to broader industrial cooperation, producing materials for packaging and other uses, not just for Konoha but potentially for other countries as well.
In January, while other Konoha families debated their stance towards Youya, a messenger from Sunagakure Village arrived. The messenger announced that their pepper planting area had quadrupled, and they were eager to deepen cooperation. Youya responded by agreeing to increase chili imports tenfold.
The messenger was initially taken aback, concerned about the practicality of such a large order. However, Youya explained the substantial demand generated by his barbecue restaurant chain, which consumed vast quantities of chili peppers. With only basic seasonings available, chili had become the most popular choice. The restaurant's demand illustrated a broader trend, suggesting that a tenfold increase in chili production would barely suffice to meet even the official demand from Konoha's stores.
Faced with this potential, the Sunagakure Village ninjas considered reallocating food-growing land for chili cultivation, pondering whether they could buy food from Iwagakure Village instead. Despite the second Kazekage's initial hesitation, the profits were too tempting, prompting a push for land expansion and reclamation to increase production.
After dealing with Sunagakure, Youya received envoys from Iwagakure and Kirigakure, who were also eager to increase their cooperation, albeit with more modest demands. Meanwhile, the Hidden Cloud Village remained reluctant.
Back in Konoha, the Akimichi clan, despite its small size, faced unique challenges due to their members' substantial food consumption. The clan's head, Akimichi Choza, approached Youya for shares, which Youya granted, providing a stake in the grain processing factory. This arrangement allowed the Akimichi clan to secure substantial yearly dividends and access to factory products, easing their financial burdens significantly.
With the Akimichi clan paving the way, other families like the Aburame and Inuzuka quickly followed suit, securing their own shares and dividends. These developments finally pressured the Shimura clan to act. Despite their annual subsidies, the Shimura clan found themselves at a disadvantage without additional income from Youya's ventures.
Danzo Shimura, understanding Youya's strategy, was reluctant to ask for shares. However, the pressure from within his clan eventually forced the Shimura patriarch to seek Youya's favor. Youya, playing coy, implied that he had already distributed all available shares, but he would continue to look for opportunities.
For several days, the Shimura patriarch persistently visited the Hokage's office, hoping for a favorable outcome. Youya's deliberate delays underscored the leverage he held, as his financial influence had woven a web of dependencies across Konoha.
By early February of the 23rd year of Konoha, Danzo Shimura finally approached the Hokage's office, ready to negotiate with Youya. The intricate dance of power, influence, and wealth in Konoha continued, with each move carefully calculated to secure Youya's position and the village's prosperity.
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