Naruto: Did i Just Get Reincarnated as Gojo?-Chapter 249: Hokage Tower Meeting: Peace Talks Delayed for Gojo’s New Project!

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Hokage Tower Conference Room.

———

In previous eras, matters like peace negotiations would have immediately been brought to the council table for discussion. The topics would inevitably revolve around "the maximum price Konoha could pay," and "how to politely and elegantly refuse the conditions set by Kumogakure"—essentially, a process of careful negotiation.

But now, peace talks no longer enjoyed the priority they once had.

Compared to the matter Gojo Kaigetsu was presenting, it seemed utterly insignificant, pushed aside!

Gojo Kaigetsu stood up with a pleasant expression, pulling a large, square box from under the table and placing it firmly on top.

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The moment the box touched the table—

Thud!

It was heavy!

A sense of unease settled over many of the Clan representatives. They weren't afraid of the Hokage's anger, but Advisor Gojo's—amiability was far more unsettling.

Such a large box—so heavy—what did it contain?

The Clan representatives' faces paled in unison, shifting uncomfortably in their seats.

"Everyone, please relax~" Gojo Kaigetsu clapped his hands, attempting to lighten the tense atmosphere.

After all, what he was about to do was essentially "extracting funds" from the Clans. A pleasant attitude was—necessary.

"Gentlemen, you should all be aware of the lottery by now."

"That—yes, of course."

The lottery—a novel concept. But the prize Money was—insignificant. Everyone present was practically rolling in wealth. They enjoyed gambling, yes, but their wagers were on industrial progress, political alignments—things that brought substantial, long-term gains.

"I know, I know, the lottery—it's small potatoes for you all, not worth bringing to the table."

"Lately, with everyone's strong cooperation, the Village's economy has been flourishing. I felt it wouldn't be right for the Hokage Tower to monopolize the benefits. Sharing the joy is better than enjoying it alone. Let's make Money together, build wealth together!"

Oh—so it was about Money?

Many of the Clan representatives, harboring guilty consciences, breathed a sigh of relief. They tentatively asked, "Advisor Gojo, what kind of Business are you referring to? And what can we do?"

"Stocks~"

"Stocks?"

Gojo Kaigetsu began to introduce the stock system he'd devised: "Everyone here is a prominent figure in Konoha, familiar with the Village's current industries."

"Let me give an example~"

"When we signed the [Konoha-Kiri Trade Treaty] with Kirigakure, the Village established the [East Konoha Ocean Company], fully controlled by the Konoha State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission. Its current main Business is managing trade between Konoha and Kirigakure, and handling cargo transportation between the two Villages."

"More than half of the goods from the Konoha Archipelago are transported by the East Konoha Ocean Company's ships."

Konoha had always been a traditional landlocked Village. Although it had its own coastline, most of its ships were small vessels used for transporting Shinobi.

It wasn't until the [Konoha-Kiri Trade Treaty] was signed that they truly began to value maritime interests. The Hokage Tower started investing heavily in building large cargo ships, plying the waters between Konoha and the islands ceded by Kirigakure.

Although a single round trip generated profits exceeding one million ryō, Konoha still hadn't recouped the enormous costs of building the port and the large cargo ships.

Gojo Kaigetsu continued casually, "East Konoha Ocean Company—the name itself implies its purpose. Trading with Kirigakure is just a small part of the plan. The real goal is—deep-sea trade!"

Gojo Kaigetsu pulled out a map of the Shinobi world and a pen, circling distant maritime nations:

"One voyage, trading with the Land of Waves, the Land of Iron—these distant countries—profits can reach 200-300%."

"Spice profits are an astonishing 400%! And even—fruits that enhance a Shinobi's physical constitution—profits reach a staggering 1000%!"

"But deep-sea navigation is incredibly risky. Ships are often lost. Even the Land of Water, with its advanced shipbuilding technology, loses three out of ten merchant ships dispatched. Of those that return, only a third of the crew survive, including the accompanying Water Style Shinobi."

"Furthermore, deep-sea trade requires immense financial backing. We need to build ocean-going cargo ships capable of crossing vast oceans—all of this requires substantial funding."

The Clan leaders understood. Advisor Gojo wanted them to contribute Money and resources to the East Konoha Ocean Company.

"I believe you all understand what I'm about to say. But rest assured, you won't be contributing for nothing."

Gojo Kaigetsu's smile became even more amiable. He reached into the box and pulled out stacks of paper certificates.

Written on the stock certificates—

[East Konoha Ocean Company Limited Stock Certificate]

[Total Shares: Four Million]

[Price Per Share: Five Hundred Ryō]

[Stock Number: 001]

[Term: Indefinite]

[Issue Date: Konoha Year 51, September 25th]

[Chairman: Minato Namikaze]

[Vice Chairman: Gojo Kaigetsu]

[Shareholders:]

———

Gojo Kaigetsu moved quickly, distributing one stock certificate to each of the thirty-odd Clan representatives present.

"This is..."

The novel format immediately captured the Clan representatives' attention.

Gojo Kaigetsu explained: "This is a company. The Konoha State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission has divided the equity of the East Konoha Ocean Company into small, standardized, low-threshold paper contracts, making it easy for ordinary Villagers to purchase. Anyone who buys these contracts can bring their stock certificates, signed with their name, to Konoha after one year and receive a share of the company's deep-sea trade profits proportional to their purchase..."

"The trade profits won't be distributed all at once. Instead, the profits will be stored long-term within the company, used for reinvestment, creating a virtuous cycle to sustain frequent voyages."

"Why one year? An ocean voyage takes about a year for a round trip. Of course, the dividend distribution time might be extended depending on the circumstances."

"If an ocean merchant ship encounters a storm and the voyage fails, the invested capital is considered lost. Shareholders will share the cost, waiting for the next dividend opportunity."

"To facilitate trading, the Hokage Tower has decided to allocate a piece of land in the new Konoha Village to establish the [Konoha Stock Exchange], abbreviated as [KSE]."

"This [KSE] adheres to the eight-character principle of 'Legality, Supervision, Self-discipline, Standardization,' and is committed to creating a transparent, open, safe, and efficient market environment for all investors in Konoha, effectively protecting investors' rights. Its main functions include: providing a venue and facilities for stock trading; formulating the Business rules of the stock exchange; accepting applications for stock issuance from Konoha companies and arranging stock issuance; organizing and supervising securities trading; supervising shareholders and listed companies..."

"For the [East Konoha Ocean Company] stock, the Hokage Tower holds two million shares. The remaining two million shares need to be borne by everyone present. Whether you hold them yourself or distribute them to the Villagers, I need to see the result of the stocks being sold out."

Gojo Kaigetsu revealed his true purpose.

The details were laid out one by one. Many Clan representatives stared blankly at the stock certificates in their hands.

It felt like—ahead lay both Hell and Heaven.

As high-ranking Village officials, they were well aware of the profits from deep-sea trade. Though tempted, they lacked the resources to bear the costs themselves.

Even the initial costs, if the smaller Clans pooled their Money and tightened their belts, might be manageable. But if they were unlucky, and an ocean merchant ship sank—years, even decades, of a small Clan's savings would be lost to the sea.

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