Hokage Office.
"Honored Hokage-sama, it is a great pleasure to meet you."
The industrial faction's representative had accepted the invitation immediately upon receiving it. Without delay, he set out for Konoha, traveling day and night.
Now, at last, he stood before Uchiha Ren.
For years, the industrialists had been suppressed within the Land of Fire.
The nobles looked down on them.
Exploited them.
Stripped their wealth.
And yet—
They could do nothing.
No power.
No military.
No protection.
Even the Daimyo favored those of "noble blood."
And Konoha—
Once their strongest shield—
Had always protected those same elites.
So the industrialists could only kneel…
And make money.
Until Ren appeared.
Factories.
Technology.
Capital expansion.
Respect for innovation.
Everything they had ever wanted—
Was now reality.
They had long desired to join Konoha.
To become part of it.
"To serve you is our honor, Hokage-sama."
Because Konoha's strength—
Was the greatest protection of all.
Stronger than lineage.
Stronger than status.
"Let's skip the formalities," Ren said calmly. "Konoha has a major deal for you. Interested?"
"Of course!"
Ren laid out the plan in detail.
"…Investing in the Land of Rice Fields…"
The representative narrowed his eyes, thinking.
"That land is indeed… tempting."
"Fertile beyond measure."
"If we control it…"
"We control grain."
"And if we control grain…"
"We control pricing power."
He smiled.
But didn't agree immediately.
There were obstacles.
Nobles.
Local forces.
Potential resistance.
"Don't worry," Ren said lightly. "The armed forces there are nothing to Konoha."
"We'll handle the fighting."
"You handle funding, management… and appearances."
"And recently, Konoha has drawn some… attention."
"I trust you've heard."
The representative's smile deepened.
Of course he had.
The nobles.
The Daimyo.
Their schemes.
"We will handle those concerns," he said respectfully.
"We still have some influence."
"Those petty conspiracies will fail."
"Good."
Ren nodded.
"Then let's cooperate."
Just like that—
The industrialists chose.
And they chose Konoha.
Loyalty to the Daimyo had always been about profit.
Now—
Profit lay elsewhere.
Next—
Ren presented a detailed plan.
Konoha would provide manpower, technology, and partial funding.
The industrialists would assist—
Funding gaps.
Management.
And most importantly—
Buying land under a different "skin."
"We'll form covert squads," Ren explained.
"They'll wear the headbands of other villages."
"Cloud. Mist. Rain."
"They'll eliminate resistance."
"Create chaos."
"Especially among the nobles."
"Force them to flee—and sell cheap."
The representative listened—
Eyes gleaming.
People would die.
Many.
But he didn't care.
This—
Was revolution.
And revolutions—
Required blood.
"The more chaos, the better," he murmured.
"Konoha will also establish a grain company," Ren continued.
"You'll form multiple companies as well."
"Konoha will hold shares."
Layered ownership.
Nested control.
A vast corporate structure.
Even with minimal shares—
Konoha would control everything.
In time—
They would become the true rulers of the Land of Rice Fields.
The representative was stunned.
This structure—
Was monstrous.
From birth to death—
The people there would never escape it.
"…Incredible."
He almost wanted to kneel.
Ren only smiled modestly.
"It's nothing."
After all—
He was just "learning from others."
"And that's not all," Ren added.
"Konoha's industries are expanding."
"You'll be interested."
"Very interested."
They toured the facilities.
"This factory produces fertilizer," Ren explained.
"Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium."
"Different ratios—different effects."
"Increased yield."
"Improved soil."
"Wheat production can more than double."
The representative's breathing quickened.
This wasn't fertilizer.
This was—
Money.
Life.
Control.
Then—
Medicine.
"Penicillin," Ren said.
"It treats infections."
"Scarlet fever. Pneumonia. Sepsis…"
The representative went silent.
A miracle drug.
Mass production would mean—
Profit.
Influence.
Public support.
Even ninjas—
Could not ignore the power of public opinion.
Then—
The power grid.
Modified transport vehicles.
And finally—
The test site.
A thunderous roar echoed.
Not far away—
Orochimaru was overseeing construction.
Rail tracks stretched across the ground.
Five kilometers already completed.
All built rapidly—
Using ninja labor.
The train roared forward.
Massive.
Heavy.
Efficient.
The representative's jaw dropped.
The current transport system—
Was already insufficient.
But this—
This would change everything.
"Temporary solutions like small vehicles aren't enough," Ren said, watching the train.
"This is the future."
"Soon, railways will cover the Land of Fire."
"And beyond."
"Konoha will connect the entire world."
Ambition.
Vast and terrifying.
Land acquisition.
Funding.
Labor.
Power.
Without strength—
It would be impossible.
"Can we cooperate in all of this?" the representative asked.
"Of course."
Ren nodded.
"Technology from Konoha."
"You provide manpower, land, funding."
"We build together."
Then—
He smiled.
"Of course… you respect technology, right?"
The representative straightened immediately.
"Absolutely."
"Without it, we wouldn't exist."
The meaning was clear.
Take the profits—
But don't touch the core.
Or suffer the consequences.
"We also hope," the representative added carefully, "to establish a patent protection organization."
"Some… people lack respect for innovation."
Ren nodded.
"Interesting idea."
Legal protection.
Backed by force.
If necessary—
Even legislation.
Let them handle the process.
Konoha would provide strength.
Everything was settled.
Ren hosted a banquet.
Konoha's leadership gathered.
The industrialists toasted eagerly.
Normally, meeting these figures required layers of approval.
Now—
They were all here.
Ren enjoyed the meal thoroughly.
There was only one issue.
Senju Momoka kept staring at him.
Relentlessly.
Because recently—
Tsunade had been making lunch.
For Ren.
Every day.
Just one portion.
None for her father.
Because—
That day—
He had scolded her.
So she stopped cooking for him.
Completely.
After learning this—
Ren shook his head seriously.
"Tsunade is such a naughty girl."
"Don't worry, Lord Momoka."
"I'll make sure to discipline her properly."
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