Karin and Naruto lingered together for a while, completely unnoticed by the ministers below.
Eventually, Naruto asked, "So, what's going on here?"
Karin immediately explained the situation.
It turned out that news of Naruto's intention to establish his own ninja force had somehow spread.
As a result, merchants who were not affiliated with any established ninja village wanted to invest in Naruto in exchange for protection.
Naruto listened carefully, then glanced at the arguing ministers below with a strange expression.
With a hint of confusion in his tone, he said, "Someone's offering money. Shouldn't we just take it?"
Karin leaned closer and whispered a few words into Naruto's ear.
Only then did Naruto understand.
Accepting the money meant that these people would become "shareholders."
Once the force was officially established, they would gain a certain level of influence and a say in internal matters.
Naruto fell silent, thinking about the issue.
But he had already been standing there for some time, and soon a minister noticed him.
"Uh… who might you be?" the minister asked cautiously.
Naruto chuckled lightly. "Hello, everyone. My name is Uzumaki Naruto."
Uzumaki Naruto?!
Konoha's Nine-Tails Jinchūriki.
The man who defeated Dotō Kazehana!
As soon as they realized who he was, one minister immediately became agitated.
He shouted, "Lord Uzumaki! Those merchants are trying to meddle in your future internal affairs with just a bit of silver! They're clearly trying to profit without effort! You absolutely must not be blinded by money!"
Not to be outdone, another group of ministers argued back, "If they're willing to give money, then take it! Refusing money that's offered—isn't that just stupidity?"
Seeing that their attitudes toward him were acceptable, Naruto calmly said, "Don't worry. I already have an idea."
His words immediately drew everyone's attention.
After all, Naruto's decision would have a massive impact on the future of the Land of Snow.
Princess Koyuki Kazehana's position as queen might seem authoritative on the surface—
But in reality, her power was limited.
She did not control the military, so these ministers weren't particularly afraid of her.
As for Naruto, who planned to establish his own force in the Land of Snow—
In truth, what Naruto intended to create was only a small organization with limited personnel.
A full-fledged ninja village?
Too troublesome.
And far too exhausting.
Just look at Naruto in the original timeline.
A lively and energetic man, yet after becoming Hokage, he was worked to exhaustion.
Even after sending out Shadow Clones, he'd still end up sleeping on the ground.
Naruto didn't want that kind of life.
Facing the ministers' questioning gazes, Naruto directly stated his thoughts.
"The money will be accepted," he said plainly, "but I will not allow them to interfere in internal affairs."
"Anyone willing to invest is welcome. In return, I'll provide them with reasonable protection."
Hearing this, the ministers fell into silence.
Surprise and doubt flickered through their eyes as they looked at Naruto.
Could this young man… really be reliable?
Merchants invested precisely to raise their status and secure a safer environment.
So why, under Naruto, were they merely buying protection?
Wasn't this supposed to be a partnership?
Could it be that this kid—still underage—didn't understand how these things worked?
If all they received was protection, why wouldn't they simply hire ninja directly?
Wouldn't that be easier?
The ministers felt Naruto's proposal was completely unrealistic.
Once profit was removed, how could those merchants still be willing to invest?
It seemed that although Uzumaki Naruto was powerful, he was inexperienced in political matters.
The ministers quietly began considering where they should stand.
Naruto glanced at the ministers below, each harboring their own schemes, and lightly shook his head.
Internal factions, endless arguments, and state affairs decided through constant bickering—
It was absurd.
Still, this wasn't Princess Koyuki Kazehana's fault.
Anyone else in her position might not have done any better.
Unless that person possessed overwhelming strength—
Strength strong enough to ignore such threats entirely.
Naruto was exactly that kind of person.
He said no more and instead turned to Princess Koyuki Kazehana.
"Since this concerns me, I'll make my stance clear."
"Merchants who are willing to give up influence and only seek safety are always welcome."
"But those who wish to interfere with my decisions should look elsewhere."
Naruto had no intention of allowing a Council of Elders or Advisors to form within his organization.
Although such groups could sometimes be useful,
In reality, they only diluted authority.
And diluted authority weakened control.
Naruto understood the necessity of such councils—
But this was his organization, and he didn't want that.
Princess Koyuki Kazehana quickly relayed Naruto's stance to the merchants.
Upon hearing it, they exchanged uneasy glances.
Many began to hesitate.
Some even started withdrawing their plans entirely.
However—
Only half a day later, shocking news spread throughout the Land of Snow.
Kumogakure accused Naruto of destroying Kumogakure.
One person… destroying an entire great ninja village?!
Such a thing had never happened in recorded history!
The merchants who had planned to flee were forced to reconsider.
Naruto's strength alone made it clear that his future standing in the ninja world would be unimaginably high.
Regardless of profit, this was a chance to secure protection—and to curry favor with Naruto.
At first, the ministers had been skeptical.
After all, merchants valued profit above all else.
But after Naruto's stance was announced, even more astonishing news reached them—
Not only did the merchants refuse to withdraw…
They increased the amount of gold and silver they sent.
Two days later, the ministers finally learned the truth.
Naruto really was capable of destroying a major ninja village by himself.
And that village was Kumogakure—
One of the Five Great Ninja Villages, among the strongest in the ninja world.
A few more days passed.
Naruto had already received the merchants' payments.
Real gold and real silver.
Yet he did not immediately begin establishing his organization.
Instead, his attention shifted to another matter.
That was—
Uchiha Obito, lurking in the shadows of the ninja world.
Recently, Naruto had been occupied with other affairs.
He hadn't paid attention to that "bastard" for a while.
But now that he had some breathing room, it was time to deal with him.
If Naruto wanted to develop peacefully in the ninja world, Uchiha Obito had to be eliminated.
Think about it.
Born into privilege, the Hokage's son, loved and protected—
Life should have been perfect.
Then Uchiha Obito ruined everything.
Naruto lost his parents.
Had the Nine-Tails sealed into him.
Was turned into a Jinchūriki and grew up despised by the entire village.
Therefore—
A world without Uchiha Obito…
Was a good world.
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