Naruto-Start by eating the golden fruit

The envoy took the scroll and examined it closely. The first clause stated: *Konoha and Kirigakure will open their ports and coasts to each other once both sides agree on the regulations and eliminate the tax on each other's imported goods.*

The second clause required Konoha to commit to importing at least 3,000 kilograms of fish from Kirigakure annually.

The third clause specified that if Kirigakure needed to purchase raw iron, kunai, shuriken, or other ninja tools from Konoha, Konoha would not impose higher prices. Kirigakure would only need to cover transportation costs.

As the envoy skimmed through the rest of the twenty-six articles, none of them demanded Kirigakure withdraw from the war or commit to supporting Konoha. The focus of the entire document was simple: trade.

Many of the regulations, in fact, were advantageous to Kirigakure. For example, the elimination of taxes on goods would allow Kirigakure to profit significantly. Konoha didn't have many ships trading with the Land of Water, but Kirigakure had numerous ships that needed to dock in Konoha.

The envoy was puzzled. What kind of agreement was this?

He glanced at Youya with suspicion, but Youya smiled confidently. "This is our gesture of goodwill. I believe you can see we've made concessions."

The envoy remained silent. He could tell Konoha had been quite generous.

"You should also inform Mizukage-sama of Konoha's interest in using your advanced waterways and cargo ships," Youya added, still smiling. "However, I understand that you may not be authorized to discuss prices. Please relay this to him."

Nodding uncertainly, the envoy listened as Youya continued, "Additionally, Konoha would like to build a steel processing plant in the Land of Water. Your country has ample mineral resources. Konoha only needs one-tenth of the iron production from the plant for three years. Please pass on this information."

Still in a daze, the envoy left the tent, completely bewildered.

*Konoha is being charitable?* he thought, astonished by the benefits offered.

As the envoy departed, Uchiha Kagami approached Youya, who had canceled his transformation technique, and frowned. "I understand you're trying to have Konoha pay a price to get through this period, but aren't you offering too much to Kirigakure?"

Youya looked confused. "What do you mean?"

"It feels like these terms all benefit Kirigakure," Uchiha Kagami replied.

Youya laughed. "That's good to hear! If you think so, then I'm sure the Mizukage of Kirigakure will think the same."

Uchiha Kagami was even more perplexed. Something seemed off, but he couldn't put his finger on it.

Youya didn't elaborate further. "I'm not giving away Konoha's resources for nothing. The benefits I've given Kirigakure now will lead to even greater profits for Konoha in the future."

What the ninjas of this world failed to grasp was the underlying principle of economics. While it appeared that Kirigakure was receiving all the benefits, they missed a critical detail—Konoha merchants would enjoy the same tax exemptions.

Even though Youya kept downplaying Konoha's current state, it was still a much stronger village than the other major ninja villages.

In Youya's previous world, a small fishing village named Pengcheng had transformed into an international metropolis in just over a decade—without any supernatural powers. With ninjas possessing extraordinary abilities, Youya figured Konoha could develop even faster.

Everyone believed these were advantages for Kirigakure. In reality, they would benefit Konoha just as much.

Kirigakure would face a competitive shock from Konoha's trade dominance.

...

As expected, Kirigakure's leadership, including the second Mizukage, Genzuki, didn't detect the traps hidden in the terms. After reviewing the regulations, Genzuki believed they were merely a delaying tactic to prevent Kirigakure from aligning with the Land of Lightning.

The second Mizukage sneered. *Do they really think I'll fall for these conditions?*

But when Genzuki summoned the heads of Kirigakure's major families, they disagreed. For them, the economic benefits were undeniable. The agreement guaranteed substantial profits, such as the 3,000 kilograms of fish sold to Konoha, which would generate over a million ryo in profit alone.

Though Genzuki was Mizukage, he couldn't override the council's decision without a vote. Begrudgingly, he conceded his authority in the matter.

Frustrated, Genzuki consulted with a trusted elder from his clan. The elder asked a crucial question: *Even if Kirigakure wins the war, can it destroy Konoha? And what would the ultimate gain be?*

Genzuki replied, "We could win with the help of Iwagakure and Kumogakure, but at a cost. Many of our ninjas would die, and we wouldn't be able to destroy Konoha completely. The ninja forces of the Land of Fire outside of Konoha would surely intervene if Konoha faced destruction."

"Our ultimate goal is to profit from the war."

But this made Genzuki pause. *Why are we fighting for profit when Konoha is offering it without the risk?*

Though Yunyin had promised Kirigakure substantial rewards for joining the war, Genzuki knew better than to trust them blindly. They hadn't even offered a deposit, while Konoha was already generous.

As a result, the second Mizukage sent emissaries to Konoha to sign the treaty.

By the summer of Konoha's 17th year, Kirigakure, which had initially promised to join Kumogakure in battle, was now sending delegates to sign a mutual market agreement with Konoha.

With that, Konoha's eastern front was secured.

Senju Tobirama was pleased but perplexed. He couldn't see the benefits in these terms, no matter how hard he tried, yet he trusted Youya. If it failed, Tobirama joked to himself, he could always send Youya to search for gold mines and recover any losses.

Despite Konoha's apparent concessions, the reality was that Youya had successfully kept Kirigakure out of the war.

Youya, for his part, was confident. In three years, Konoha would reap the rewards.

But what Youya and Tobirama hadn't anticipated was the reaction from Sunagakure. Upon hearing of the deal between Konoha and Kirigakure, Sunagakure sent emissaries to Konoha as well, with a single purpose:

*Whatever deal you made with Kirigakure, we want in too.*

Youya was stunned. *I've become a trendsetter?!*

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