Sure enough.
Mrs. Yukinoshita and Haruno had real capability.
Shimizu Kantsuki sighed with genuine admiration at their ability to print money.
In reality, it wasn't that they were business gods. It was simply that modern commercial tactics applied to the Ninja World were a dimensional strike.
Of course.
The methods of asset transfer and hiding profits were also a dimensional strike.
Kantsuki had no intention of distributing the entire revenue.
Taking out a small portion to share was enough.
Embezzlement?
Don't use such ugly words.
This is called "normal operational loss" and "natural depreciation" within the supply chain.
Doesn't it cost money when raw materials spoil during transport?
Doesn't shipping cost money?
Doesn't greasing palms cost money?
There were plenty of places to spend money on the books.
Even so, just the "small portion" he presented was enough to make the Third Hokage and his cohorts ecstatic.
This was the violence of monopoly profits.
It had to be said—while the hidden villages lived bitterly, tightening their belts, the Daimyos of the Five Great Nations lived in eternal luxury and peace.
Was that fair?
Kantsuki shook his head. He was speechless at the deformed geopolitical structure of this world.
That saying really wasn't wrong: Kishimoto knows a hammer about Naruto.
Several days later.
Shimizu Kantsuki returned to Konoha.
He was ready to divide the fruit with the Third Hokage.
The Old Man had been waiting in his office early in the morning. The door was left wide open, as if he feared missing a single second.
Seeing Kantsuki approach with a cheerful smile, ready to knock, the Third Hokage perked up instantly.
"Kantsuki! Just come in! Why knock? I've been waiting for you!"
Kantsuki understood immediately.
After entering, he silently closed the door.
He maintained his usual respectful demeanor.
"Lord Hokage, Kantsuki has not disappointed you."
"Good! Good!!"
Seeing Kantsuki remain so steady and humble despite his success, the Third Hokage grinned so wide his gums showed.
But the old man kept his composure.
He lit his long pipe first, took a beautiful drag, and then personally poured tea for the "flattered" young man.
Lifting his own teacup, the old man didn't rush.
He believed in Kantsuki. He believed this lad had the Will of Fire.
"Lord Hokage, you know this. My business relies entirely on your support. Even the startup capital came from you."
However, the clothing business isn't actually as explosive as you saw, Kantsuki implied. Right now, it's the novelty factor driving profits. As the heat dies down, the earnings will naturally decrease.
The Third Hokage had anticipated this.
After all, clothes could be copied. Although other villages lacked the resources for an industrial chain, individual tailors opening shops was inevitable.
But it didn't matter. Eating the bonus from the first wave was enough. If it lost money later, they could just stop.
"Please take a look at this first."
Kantsuki placed the contract on the desk.
The Third Hokage didn't stand on ceremony. His eyes burned as he stared at the numbers.
Distribution:
The Third Hokage: 30%
Nara Clan: 30%
Shimizu Kantsuki: 20%
Operational Costs & Relations: 20% (Storefronts, network maintenance, etc.)
The Third Hokage didn't quite understand.
Three percent? (He misread the scale).
How much is that a year?
"Cough…"
Kantsuki coughed, looking ashamed.
"Lord Hokage, please don't think it's too little. With thirty percent, getting three to five hundred million ryo annually is already…"
"Pffft…!!"
How… HOW MUCH?!
The Third Hokage couldn't hold back a mouthful of aged tea, spraying it across the desk.
He stared blankly at Shimizu Kantsuki.
Three to five hundred million?
It is three to five hundred million, right?
I didn't hear that wrong, did I?
"Alas, Lord Hokage, I know you think it's low. But you know that the Nara clan represents the Ino-Shika-Cho trio. Their interests cannot be slighted. I'll take a loss—twenty percent is fine for me. The remaining twenty percent is necessary for greasing palms."
No, no, no.
Three to five hundred million…
"No, it's not little. It's truly not little…"
And seeing Kantsuki take such a loss on his own initiative, how could the old man have the face to complain?
"Kantsuki, rest assured! We old bones aren't dead yet! We absolutely won't let you suffer a loss!"
Although the Third Hokage couldn't bear to give up more money, he could open green lights in other areas!
Smoking his pipe, his eyes shone brightly as he considered the options.
He liked a lad loyal to him.
He liked a lad willing to risk his life for Konoha.
He loved a lad who was loyal, risked his life, and made the village massive amounts of money!
Since this boy could earn money, doing dangerous missions was a waste of time.
Talent should be placed where it belongs.
But for a moment, he couldn't find a position that was both vacant, prestigious, and didn't require field work.
Seeing his loyal subordinate's humble expression, the Third Hokage gritted his teeth and made a decision.
"How about this, Kantsuki. Konoha Hospital is currently missing a Director. Don't worry, it's largely an administrative role—a sinecure—but the rank is high."
"Yes! Kantsuki resolutely obeys Lord Hokage's arrangement!"
Good!
The Third Hokage loved that unwavering attitude.
After exchanging pleasantries and expressing concern for Kantsuki's well-being, the Third Hokage knew the lad was a newlywed needing time with his wives, so he specially approved a few days of vacation.
Kantsuki left.
Only when the boy's back had disappeared did the Third Hokage lose his composure. He snatched up the contract and scrutinized it.
The more he looked, the more energetic he felt. The more he looked, the happier he became.
Three to five hundred million!
Annually!
With this money, his ANBU budget would be overflowing.
The regular ninja forces wouldn't have to tighten their belts anymore. At the very least, they wouldn't have to delay mission payments.
Speaking of which…
Is the Nara clan getting too much?
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed.
He didn't think the Nara clan could spend that much money.
The distribution needs to be changed.
The lad is too honest.
Giving Ino-Shika-Cho ten percent is enough.
The lad's share stays the same. He's already taken such a loss; touching his share would be unconscionable.
And the remaining twenty percent for operational costs…
Hiruzen recalled Kantsuki saying this was for necessary bribes and maintenance. After struggling internally, he decided not to touch that twenty percent either.
But Ino-Shika-Cho…
Is ten percent still too much?
How about five percent?
Downstairs.
Nara Shikaku had been waiting for a long time.
Seeing Shimizu Kantsuki come down, he greeted him with a warm, burning heart.
With the Hokage involved, he didn't dare hope for a massive cut. Just some leftovers would be fine!
After all.
The Ino-Shika-Cho clans were poor too…
"Kantsuki, how did the talk go?"
Can we Ino-Shika-Cho get a seat at the table?
"Cough. Mister Nara, don't ask. And don't speak of it to others."
That meaningful, secretive look made Shikaku's heart skip a beat.
Could it be…?
"Okay, okay! I won't say a word. I won't say anything! Tell you what! My treat! Let's go get BBQ!"
As he spoke, he enthusiastically grabbed Kantsuki's arm.
We are brothers!
You must give me face today!