Chapter 122 : Chapter 122 Invitation
"Interest-free loans? Can there really be such a good thing?"
Listening to Minamikawa Yuu's words, all the Kumogakure Ninja present were puzzled.
Being able to borrow money for free and even getting help with investments—no matter how you looked at it, it seemed like a good thing.
But if it were just that simple, why would the Hokage specifically bring it up?
The Third Raikage instinctively felt that there must be some problem within this.
But as for exactly where the problem lay, he couldn't figure it out no matter how hard he tried.
Because on the surface, allowing this so-called Konoha Bank to enter the Land of Lightning seemed to have only benefits.
Just the fact that they could provide interest-free loans was enough to make anyone's heart flutter.
As for the business of collecting deposits and such, it seemed very ordinary, with nothing strange about it at all.
Although professional banks had not yet appeared in this world, similar institutions did exist.
The Daimyo of various nations often opened casinos and provided loans to make a profit.
However, in comparison, their loan interest rates were quite high.
Even a Great Ninja Clan like Kumogakure generally wouldn't want to touch them.
"If your Excellency the Raikage is willing to agree, there is also a great gift here."
Minamikawa Yuu smiled and presented a Project Proposal.
The Project Proposal listed one interest-free investment project after another.
"Gratuitous aid?"
The Third Raikage was astonished: "Is the Hokage serious?"
The Project Proposal detailed projects one by one, investing in industries such as agriculture and finance in the Land of Lightning.
The investment funds would be fully provided by the Konoha side, while the profits would be shared with Kumogakure.
In the Third Raikage's view, this was equivalent to the Konoha side giving him money.
After all, the other party was providing both the money and the effort, while his side didn't have to do anything except sit back and watch the profits roll in.
No matter how you looked at it, it was a great thing.
"Of course, it's not completely free and unconditional."
Minamikawa Yuu explained: "As stakeholders, Kumogakure must also fulfill certain obligations to safeguard the Konoha Group's business in the Land of Lightning."
"If trouble arises, the Raikage himself must step in to resolve it."
This was equivalent to pulling Kumogakure into doing business together.
The Konoha Group would conduct business within the Land of Lightning, while Kumogakure would act as a shareholder, providing protection for the Konoha side.
The earnings obtained could then be redistributed.
"Is that all?"
The Raikage asked in return, and only after confirming several times did he choose to agree.
In his view, this was a matter with absolutely no downsides.
Because he did not know what the consequences would be if many sectors of a country were completely opened up.
The current Ninja World was still in a stage of military confrontation; the version had not yet evolved to that level.
Only Minamikawa Yuu alone knew the consequences.
Of course, he personally felt that even if the Raikage knew those consequences, there was a high probability he would still agree.
On one hand, it was forced by the situation; on the other hand, the interests of Kumogakure and the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning were not aligned.
Opening up many sectors of the country would certainly bring great hidden dangers, but for Kumogakure, it was completely irrelevant.
After all, they were not the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning.
This country, in essence, did not belong to them.
Under the system of the Ninja World, Ninja Villages and Daimyos were often not of one mind.
Once this was understood, many things became easy to carry out.
Minamikawa Yuu had already thought about how to handle the Land of Lightning.
As a Ninja Village, Kumogakure only needed enough benefits to be pacified.
He would bring high profits to Kumogakure, allowing them to eat and drink their fill by leaning on the Konoha Group; the price would be that many industries in the Land of Lightning would be monopolized by the Konoha Group.
By the time they realized something was wrong, they would already be unable to leave Konoha.
"Before even doing anything significant, a country's market has been fully opened, even allowing your currency to circulate freely."
Standing there, Minamikawa Yuu thought about the content of the negotiation just now, and at this moment, he couldn't help but shake his head, not knowing what to say.
After a round of negotiation, both sides felt exceptionally satisfied.
Minamikawa Yuu naturally didn't need to say more, and the Kumogakure side also felt good about themselves.
After all, on the surface, they didn't seem to have suffered any loss.
Although the Lightning Release Chakra Mode was leaked, it was nominally an exchange; being able to trade it for two sufficiently powerful Forbidden Techniques wasn't considered a loss.
The Eight-Tails' flesh and blood were similarly worthless to Kumogakure.
As for the final gratuitous aid and so on, in their view, it was even a gain.
In short, after the negotiation, both sides were satisfied.
"These guys seem quite happy."
On the coast of the Land of Whirlpools, Shimura Danzo watched the Kumogakure people leave by boat, a cold sneer appearing on his face: "There will be a time for them to cry."
"Did you see through Ji's intentions, Danzo?"
Beside him, Mitokado Homura looked over.
Since a moment ago, he had been pondering Minamikawa Yuu's purpose.
That so-called gratuitous aid and interest-free loans seemed like Konoha was taking a loss, but Minamikawa Yuu had deliberately proposed them; no matter how you looked at it, it wouldn't be that simple.
Mitokado Homura had been thinking about Minamikawa Yuu's intentions, wanting to know the answer.
"I can't see it for the time being."
Shimura Danzo shook his head: "But since Ji deliberately did this, he must have his reasons."
"The Kumogakure people seem to have gained benefits, but they will likely suffer a great loss sooner or later."
He spoke faintly, his face full of certainty.
"Stop worrying about the Kumogakure people for now."
Beside them, Utatane Koharu spoke: "Let's clean up the mess first."
"There are still many places here that need cleaning."
Previously, the entire Land of Whirlpools had been reduced to a battlefield.
Although the battle had ended now, the mess on the ground still remained, and it was time to clean it up.
"Coming."
Mitokado Homura and the others nodded and quickly went to work.
While they were busy cleaning, Minamikawa Yuu was also meeting with Uzumaki Sōmei.
"A few years ago, I wrote a letter to warn your Excellency, asking you to watch out for Kumogakure."
Looking at Uzumaki Sōmei before him, Minamikawa Yuu spoke softly: "Now it seems that Patriarch Uzumaki did not pay much attention."
Hearing Minamikawa Yuu's words, Uzumaki Sōmei appeared somewhat embarrassed.
To be honest, regarding Minamikawa Yuu's warning back then, he really hadn't taken it seriously, even thinking in his heart that Minamikawa Yuu was making a fuss over nothing.
But looking at it now, it undoubtedly proved Minamikawa Yuu's correctness.
In just a short time, the Kumogakure people had rushed to the Land of Whirlpools and launched a surprise attack on the Uzumaki Clan.
If the Konoha people hadn't intervened in time, the situation this time would have been very hard to say.
"It was my oversight."
He let out a long sigh: "Times have changed; it's no longer the era where a single Ninja Clan fights alone."
"With the Uzumaki Clan's strength, facing any single Ninja Village alone, we would likely only face annihilation."
"So, why not reconsider my previous proposal?"
Minamikawa Yuu extended an invitation: "As long as the Uzumaki Clan is willing to relocate to the Land of Fire, Konoha is willing to provide a territory for the Uzumaki Clan."