Money wasn't everything.
But without money—
Nothing was possible.
That truth had held firm in Ren's previous life, and in this world of shinobi, where power ruled all, it remained just as absolute.
The war had essentially ended. The Five Great Ninja Villages, without exception, were all severely weakened, requiring long periods of recovery to rebuild their strength and cultivate new generations.
And yet—
Under Uchiha Ren's near-miraculous maneuvering, Konoha now possessed more funds than the other four villages combined.
A dying patient—
Suddenly I jolted awake.
As if granted another five hundred years of life.
Now, as Ren spent lavishly, Konoha—once battered and broken by war—began to rebuild at an astonishing speed, bursting with vitality.
During the war, shinobi had poured all their money into supplies and rushed to the battlefield.
As a result, merchants within the village saw their incomes plummet, while prices rose due to scarcity.
Life had been harsh.
Now—
Everything had changed.
Ren distributed money freely among Konoha's shinobi.
Those who had survived the battlefield with their lives on the line—
Now had money in their hands.
And naturally—
They spent it.
After all, dying with money unspent was a regret no one wished to experience.
Money only mattered when it circulated.
Spending created flow.
Flow revived the fragile economy.
More activity brought more wealth.
More wealth—
More taxes.
Walking through Konoha's streets, Ren observed the lingering shadows of war still hanging over the villagers.
But in their eyes—
There was light.
Once people had hope—
They would generate unstoppable vitality.
Ren headed toward the Hokage Tower, with Kaede and Rin following behind him.
At first, the villagers had cast strange looks at the trio.
But after Ren lowered his moral standards—
Those looks faded.
This wasn't a monogamous world.
Let them be jealous.
—
Inside the Hokage building—
Nara Shikaku had already arrived early and begun the day's work.
Looking around, the entire building seemed filled with pineapple-haired figures.
The Nara clan excelled at management.
Naturally, Ren made full use of them.
If he had to sit behind the Hokage's desk reviewing documents every day—
He'd go insane.
As soon as he entered, the shinobi working inside greeted him.
They were long used to his habit of arriving late and slacking off.
As long as their "boss" could make them money—
And pay them well—
No one cared about his lifestyle.
"Hokage-sama, the Ninja Academy enrollment has begun."
"We are selecting talented children from civilian families."
"Following your directive, the system has been extended from two years to four."
Ren leaned back in his chair, listening.
The old two-year system—
Where children graduated early and were forced into missions—
Was something he despised deeply.
It wasn't just child labor.
It was mass production of cannon fodder.
If resources allowed—
He would've extended it to six years.
There was no strict age limit for enrollment.
Anyone under twelve could join.
Which meant—
He had seen far too many ten-year-old children enthusiastically heading out with kunai to kill.
Unlike him—
They had no cheat abilities.
Most of them—
Didn't end well.
"Also—pay special attention to the orphanage."
"There are bound to be exceptional talents among those children."
"…Understood."
"And if there are children who've lost both parents, carry deep grudges, and have some kind of engagement or dramatic background—bring them to me."
"I'll personally evaluate them."
"Also—avoid anyone surnamed Tang."
"And make sure they get meat at least every few days."
"…Understood."
Nara Shikaku remained calm.
By now, he was used to Ren's occasional… strange remarks.
Some things he understood.
Others—
He had no idea.
But if Hokage-sama emphasized it—
He would execute it.
After finishing the report, Shikaku presented the remaining enrollment plans.
Ren approved them with a signature.
The rest—
Would wait until the school opened.
Then he would personally meet the new students—
And deliver the Will of Fire.
"Is the price of pig iron still falling?"
Ren shifted the topic.
"Yes. Still declining slowly."
"Based on our intelligence, it should bottom out within a week."
Shikaku had grown deeply invested in futures trading.
He had already realized—
This field was pure gold.
It relied on information advantage and capital.
And in the Land of Fire—
Konoha had both in overwhelming abundance.
Manipulating prices—
Harvesting profits—
It was intoxicating.
"Good. I'll leave it to you."
Ren nodded.
Shikaku felt a surge of emotion at those words—
Until Ren spoke again.
"I want to purchase a batch of iron mines in the Land of Fire."
"…What?"
Shikaku 's heart skipped a beat.
That was a transaction worth billions.
"Hokage-sama… even a small mine costs over a billion. Large ones—tens of billions…"
"That's too much."
Ren smiled faintly.
"Shikaku , think long-term."
"Money is meant to be spent."
"We can even split the investment—joint ventures. As long as Konoha holds controlling interest."
"We need to control iron."
"Because in the future—"
"The demand for steel in the shinobi world will be unimaginable."
Steel—
Was the foundation of industry.
Ren's ambitions were far greater than they appeared.
If he wanted to industrialize this world—
Steel was non-negotiable.
And to control steel—
He had to control the source.
"I'll negotiate directly with the merchants and nobles."
"Buy their mines at low prices."
Those who had over-invested in pig iron—
Were now on the brink of collapse.
Some couldn't even pay their workers.
The mines were like hens that laid golden eggs.
Many wanted them.
But Ren—
Intended to take the largest share.
"Still… the nobles and merchants won't give them up easily…"
Shikaku hesitated.
Ren's smile turned cold.
"Anyone who dares compete with Konoha—"
"Buyer or seller—"
"Send shinobi to deliver fruit baskets daily."
The tone was casual.
But the meaning—
Anything but.
Those "fruit baskets" from Konoha—
Were very persuasive.
Shikaku sighed.
"…Understood, Hokage-sama."
This wasn't exactly… clean.
Last time, they had the Daimyō's backing.
This time—
It was entirely Konoha's own move.
But still—
He accepted it.
If the sky fell—
Ren would be the one holding it up.
What was there to fear?
—
After discussing future Five Kage negotiations, Shikaku left with lingering concern.
The office fell quiet.
Only Ren—
And the two girls who had just entered—
Remained.
Finally—
Time to relax.
Ren leaned back in his chair.
Kaede stepped forward, skillfully massaging his shoulders.
Rin quietly moved closer—
—
He restrained himself.
Barely.
The office wasn't exactly soundproof.
After enduring until the end of the workday, he sent them home first.
—
Later that evening—
Ren arrived alone at a remote underground chamber within the Uchiha compound.
Once dilapidated—
Now transformed.
Spotless.
Equipped with the most advanced experimental equipment in the shinobi world.
Strict guards surrounded the area.
Ren had given absolute orders—
No one was allowed inside—
Except him.
It was time—
To give Tobirama Senju a new "home."
Previously, Ren had tried to gather equipment from Konoha—
Only to find the best was all within the Senju clan.
And they had refused him.
So he had settled for less.
But now—
Things were different.
The lab reeked of money.
Every instrument—
Every reagent—
Was worth a fortune.
Ren opened a summoning scroll.
A coffin appeared.
With a kick—
The lid burst open.
Tobirama stepped out, clearly displeased.
"Uchiha Ren. I hope this time you've prepared something worthwhile."
Ren gestured calmly.
"Take a look."
Tobirama stepped forward—
Then froze.
His eyes widened.
He rushed to the equipment, hands trembling as he examined each piece.
"This instrument… it's a masterpiece. Only the Land of Wind—"
"And this solution—impossible. Even the Land of Demons struggles to supply it—"
He moved from one item to another.
Like a man possessed.
Finally—
He stopped.
Turned.
And looked at Ren seriously.
"…Did you embezzle Konoha's funds?"
"This lab is worth far more than three billion."
"You are the Hokage."
"You must lead by example."
"Do not walk the path of crime."
Ren rolled his eyes.
Embezzlement?
Who started that tradition?
"Relax."
"Do you know how much money Konoha has right now?"
"Over a hundred billion."
"…What?"
Ren then explained—
From beginning to end—
The pig iron futures plan.
Tobirama's expression shifted.
From disdain—
To thought—
To shock.
"…Impossible."
Ren smiled.
"Tobirama."
"You were a failure as Hokage."
"Do you know how long Konoha's clans suffered under you?"
"You should've seen Mito Uzumaki's face when she got her share."
"And now—"
"They call me the strongest Hokage."
Tobirama's face darkened instantly.
Failure?
Him?
And this brat—
Calling himself the strongest Hokage?
If Hashirama were here—
He'd crush him with one hand.
"Hmph. It's just a little money."
His tone remained stubborn.
But inwardly—
He was shaken.
Over a hundred billion…
If he had that kind of money back then—
Why negotiate with Kumogakure?
He would've crushed them outright.
Captured the Raikage alive.
And yet—
This Uchiha brat—
Had done something he never even conceived.
…Was he born into the wrong clan?
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