Naruto-Start by eating the golden fruit

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Youya laughed and comforted the representative of Iwagakure Village, saying, "Hey, this matter is so significant, how can you, a representative stationed in Konoha Village, speak for Iwagakure? You should report to the Tsuchikage first."

Thus, the Third Tsuchikage, Ohnoki, was annoyed. "This is slander! This is absolutely slander!"

One of his advisors suggested a possibility: "Is it possible that the families of Iwagakure Village acted without informing you?"

Ohnoki frowned, "Damn, those bastards might have actually done it..."

In essence, the Kages of the five nations—wind, fire, earth, thunder, and water—and the families within their villages are both interdependent and contradictory. There are countless examples of families acting without the Kage's consent. In Iwagakure Village, the families in Kumogakure Village hoarded supplies against the Third Raikage's wishes, nearly destroying Kumogakure's economy. In Hidden Mist Village, some families traded privately with Konoha, and when the Second Mizukage saw the business potential, he profited greatly, only to have the Third Mizukage eventually take over due to the Second's reputation. The Second Mizukage was indeed unfortunate.

In the Wind Country, families pressured the Second Kazekage to stop focusing on barren lands and instead grow peppers. In Konoha, they competed with Yuya for the Hokage position before... Which village doesn't have families causing trouble? If they don't, it's likely because the family is too small.

Ohnoki knew this, but as the Tsuchikage, even if the families in his village contacted Kusagakure Village without his consent, he would have to clean up the mess. Who else but the Tsuchikage?

Therefore, Ohnoki traveled to Konoha in April of the 26th year of Konoha. Upon arrival, he found Yuya and wanted to clarify matters. Yuya, however, was in no hurry. He took Ohnoki, who was still in his thirties, on a tour of Konoha, occasionally offering insights to help him understand things more clearly.

Ohnoki was puzzled. What was Yuya, the newly appointed Third Hokage, trying to achieve? To be honest, when Ohnoki learned that Yuya had bombarded Kusagakure Village, he thought this new guy was another Senju Tobirama. But now, being shown around Konoha, Ohnoki was truly confused.

What was happening? Why show him these things? Was it a show-off? Was Yuya mentally unbalanced? Why care about showing off?

Yuya didn't hesitate. After visiting the power plant and showing Ohnoki the lights and wires in Konoha, he smiled and asked if Ohnoki wanted electricity in Hidden Rock Village.

Ohnoki was stunned and swallowed his saliva, wondering if it was truly possible. Yuya smiled and assured him that Konoha would build a power plant in Iwagakure Village, but the annual profits would belong to Konoha, with Iwagakure not sharing in them.

Ohnoki began to calculate the gains and losses. Ultimately, he decided he couldn't know without a sample, but if he wanted the people of Iwagakure Village to use electricity, then he had to seize this cooperation with Konoha.

Ohnoki pondered and finally looked at Yuya with doubt. "Konoha...is truly willing to cooperate with us?"

Yuya laughed, "Of course, I guarantee I won't cheat anyone."

Ohnoki thought for a long time before deciding to give an answer the next day. Yuya nodded in agreement, unfazed.

So, while Ohnoki originally came to talk to Konoha about Kusagakure Village, Yuya never brought it up. Since Yuya didn't ask, neither did Ohnoki.

Ohnoki returned to the State Guesthouse. Compared to previous years, it now had more amenities. Besides the phonograph, there was also a large radio, about the size of a general 20-inch TV. This radio couldn't yet access many channels; it was more for testing purposes. It was expected to be fully operational in the second half of the year.

Ohnoki spent the night at the State Guesthouse, discussing details with his staff. The next day, Ohnoki came to the conference room in the Hokage's office building and told Yuya that a power plant could be built, but not in Iwagakure Village. As for where to build it... wasn't there a recently vacated space?

Yuya smiled at Ohnoki's caution but didn't mind. He agreed to Ohnoki's condition—the power plant would be built in the Land of Grass.

Ohnoki suggested a second condition: while Iwagakure Village wouldn't have the plant's profits, they should receive its tax revenue. Yuya sat up straight and started bargaining. "This power plant is in the Land of Grass, and we're building it. You, Iwagakure, are not contributing, yet you want to collect taxes? That's unreasonable."

Ohnoki proposed providing resources needed for power generation, with the power plant paying the corresponding price. Yuya smiled and accepted this condition.

For the final condition, Ohnoki insisted the contract last only three years. Yuya held back laughter and agreed.

When Ohnoki left Konoha with his men, Yuya couldn't help but laugh out loud. Ohnoki thought he was clever, but Yuya's goal was never the power plant. Frankly, giving the plant to Iwagakure Village would be fine.

The radio frequency band was effective in trials, and the next step was a rollout. Yuya didn't plan to roll out the radio to Iwagakure but would extend TV and signals there. Imagine future TVs in Iwagakure broadcasting Konoha programs. What an easy way to influence the next generation of Iwagakure!

If other villages agreed, Yuya wouldn't mind helping build power plants there too. By then, everyone would watch Konoha TV and listen to Konoha songs. Sometimes Yuya felt like he was bullying a child.

Well, Ohnoki and his people weren't stupid; they just had no precedent. Ohnoki's three-year contract was a precaution. But often, renewing isn't up to your personal will. Will Iwagakure residents accustomed to electricity let Ohnoki and Konoha break the contract? Impossible.

As for Kusakage of Kusagakure, Yuya waved it off, telling him to dig potatoes. Kusakage was puzzled, wondering if Konoha admitted defeat to Iwagakure. Yuya ignored him, considering him clueless.

It's normal for big countries to clash. Iwagakure asked you to attack Konoha's caravan, and you did? Is Iwagakure your boss? You're the one who attacked and betrayed Iwagakure. If Konoha lets you off, Iwagakure won't.

If Konoha weren't so short on people, Yuya would have shown the shock of being cut in half. But now, Konoha needs even a piece of toilet paper, let alone a living person. He'd be useful for labor.

As for the Hyuga clan's potential objections... Yuya decimated Kusagakure; what objections could they have? Even the old Hyuga patriarch thanked Yuya, saying the clan hadn't been this happy in years. A whole country destroyed over the death of a Hyuga branch member—truly grateful to the Third Hokage.

Yuya pretended indifference to the Hyuga family. After exchanging pleasantries, the old patriarch asked about plans for the destroyed Kusagakure. Yuya sneered internally at the patriarch's intentions.

Yuya said the Kusagakure people were suffering, lacking food and clothing. He'd signed a cooperation contract with Iwagakure to rebuild Kusagakure and improve their lives, so the patriarch needn't worry.

The patriarch turned green, realizing Yuya's overt and covert warnings. The old Hyuga patriarch could only smile, saying the Hyuga clan wouldn't interfere, before retreating to silence.

Yuya curled his lips. These guys always want a piece of the action. Kusagakure's location is too strategic to give the Hyuga clan. It should be directly governed.

Of course, it's fine to help the Land of Grass's people besides direct governance, right? What? You bombarded before? I didn't. I bombarded Grass's ninjas. Ask the dead if you don't believe me.

Once Konoha and Iwagakure's cooperation became public, the Land of Grass approved strongly. It was simple: Grass was gone, and its people feared division by Konoha and Iwagakure. Now, both announced factory construction in Grass, averting extinction. The people of Grass were, of course, happy.

Yuya also started a propaganda campaign, telling Konoha's people that although Grass provoked Konoha, Konoha retaliated. Now, ordinary Grass people were starving, and Konoha had to help.

As for building a factory in Grass, Yuya promoted it as providing jobs. Konoha declared it would build factories in Grass and hire locals!

With this announcement, Konoha's people saw Yuya as kind-hearted. Grass provoked Konoha, yet the Third Hokage repaid with kindness—truly touching, bringing tears.

As for Yuya's statement, Iwagakure and the other three nations sneered at his "kindness." Flattened Kusagakure? It's easier to rebuild post-disaster. But these were just complaints, and they had to agree outwardly. After all, Konoha was their largest trading partner, and making money wasn't bad.

This Kusagakure conflict ended with Grass becoming a joint jurisdiction of Konoha and Iwagakure. For Konoha and Iwagakure, it was insignificant. However, for small countries like Rain, River, and Bear, it was a shock. They saw a small country's demise—so sudden, simple, and sloppy.

Grass still existed, but Konoha and Iwagakure didn't intend to annex it. It was a buffer zone and back garden left by both sides.

At this time, Konoha's chakra cannon launched. Other countries could see this war weapon clearly.

In response, the Third Raikage angrily smashed his table. He roared, "He is kind?! He is peaceful?! That bastard Third Hokage created this war weapon, and you call him kind?!" This statement was later unverifiable, and he denied it publicly.

The Third Raikage looked at the mess in his village and the Konoha-Iwagakure cooperation report, holding back his urge to smash the table. He was Raikage and had to be responsible for his village.

Though displeased, he packed his luggage, preparing to go to Konoha with his men. Why? To discuss cooperation! Otherwise, would he kill the hypocritical Third Hokage?!

It was the Third Tsuchikage Ohnoki's fault for personally negotiating in Konoha. Sending a representative seemed unserious. The power plant was too important. Confirming Konoha's cooperation intent required a visit.

In response, Yuya happily arranged a ceremonial guard to welcome the other Kages. Yes, other Kages.

Konoha selling the power plant drew Kazekage and Mizukage to Konoha with their men. Yuya happily accepted all orders and met the three Kages in the conference room.

At the meeting, the Third Raikage slammed the table, insisting Kumogakure Village receive all power plant profits, or they wouldn't cooperate!

Yuya internally dismissed it but argued outwardly, questioning Raikage's objection when no one else had objections.

Then Kazekage agreed to profits but demanded taxes, citing Sand Village's scarce resources and limited contribution.

Yuya considered and agreed. The Third Raikage was dissatisfied, questioning Yuya's bias against Kumogakure.

Yuya rolled his eyes, offering profits if Raikage provided all necessary resources—copper, iron, coal—for the power plant.

The Third Raikage agreed, as resources weren't lacking in the Land of Thunder.

Only the Third Mizukage remained. His request made Yuya narrow his eyes.

"Third Hokage, for Kirigakure's power plant, I don't need you to pay taxes. I only want a share of the profits, distributed by me."

The Third Mizukage's request made Yuya, Kazekage, and Raikage focus on him.

The request implied Kirigakure's Mizukage-family conflict was nearing a breaking point.