Two birds with one stone!

After listening to Gojo Kaigetsu's story, the two shop owners exchanged glances, a mixture of shock and confusion evident in their eyes.

They had never imagined that the honey and books in their stores could produce such a bizarre chakra reaction, resulting in such a… strange tale.

As everyone knew, being a ninja was a profession that could be both lucrative and impoverished.

Generally, the most challenging and financially strained period of a ninja's career was immediately after graduating from the Academy, especially for those from commoner families. Once this phase passed, things tended to improve.

Those with talent who persevered through their early years and remained in the profession found that as their experience grew, so did the rewards from their missions.

And ninjas, being in a high-risk occupation, often indulged in common pursuits: alcohol, pleasure, wealth, and children.

Drinking, visiting bathhouses, gambling, and raising offspring to inherit their ninja way.

Whether from a ninja clan or a commoner background, ninjas were willing to invest heavily in their children. They would buy boxes of soldier pills they usually couldn't afford for themselves, purchase training tools and supplies, and even splurge on books like "Three Years in the Academy" at lectures.

In the shinobi world, the return on investment was high.

For Chunin and Genin families, raising a Jonin meant recouping their initial investment within just a couple of missions. For Jonin families, raising an elite Jonin or even a Kage-level offspring could mean a seat among the village's leadership!

With such aspirations for their children, even a book like "Three Years in the Academy" priced at tens of thousands of ryō would find eager buyers among ninja parents, especially if accompanied by a compelling narrative.

The phrase "Don't let your child fall behind at the starting line" was a guaranteed sales pitch.

Gojo Kaigetsu added, "This will be the 'outsiders-only special edition.' If any Konoha villagers inquire about the price, tell them it's exclusively for outsiders, not for sale to locals, and can only be purchased with a temporary green card."

Sometimes, what was offered to other villages wasn't necessarily the best. However, such exclusive policies often led outsiders to perceive these goods as having a unique prestige.

Furthermore, Gojo Kaigetsu wouldn't feel any remorse about the inflated profits from these sales.

"Huh? Only for sale to outsiders?" The honey shop owner's voice was tinged with regret.

Inspired by Gojo Kaigetsu's suggestion, a perfect scam was already taking shape in his mind.

He'd hire actors to pose as customers outside the honey and book stores. Lookouts would be stationed at the village gates to identify visitors from other villages and lure them into the stores… Then, they would focus on elaborate packaging and presentation.

Ideally, they'd even find a moderately famous Konoha Jonin to endorse the stores, claiming to be the protagonist of the story, someone who grew up eating honey.

"Yes. After all, 'Iki' is also only sold to outsiders. Remember, this is the bottom line: they must have a temporary green card to buy it." Gojo Kaigetsu warned. He didn't want such nonsense to influence the Konoha natives. "However, if it's an outsider buying for a local, just sell it as usual."

You can't save those determined to be fooled. If any Konoha natives actually believed this stuff… Gojo Kaigetsu wasn't going to stop them from paying the idiot tax.

"Also, I'll be taking half of your profits. Consider it the price for featuring your stores in 'Iki'."

"Yes, Visa Officer-sama!"

The honey and bookstore owners rubbed their hands in glee, eager to reap the cash from unsuspecting outsiders.

They could already envision the massive boost to their businesses once the fourth issue of "Iki" reached villages beyond Konoha.

Each special edition sold for tens of thousands of ryō, making it a highly profitable venture. Even after factoring in the costs of packaging, actors, and sharing half the profits with the "Visa Officer," it was still worthwhile.

Outside Konoha, the readership of "Iki" mainly consisted of the "middle class" of various nations and villages, individuals with a taste for the finer things in life, captivated by the depiction of Konoha. Each issue had already surpassed a million copies in circulation.

Based on their merchant instincts, the conversion rate would be exceptionally high. Hordes of outsiders, armed with Konoha temporary green cards, would flock to their stores to purchase goods. Even a one percent conversion rate would be enough to fulfill their dreams of striking gold.

The green card frenzy was officially underway!

…

…

Gojo Kaigetsu was in an exceptionally good mood today.

"Iki III," carrying the weight of shattering Sunagakure's dreams, had left the official publishing house warehouse and was en route to various locations across the shinobi world, with sales officially commencing at 11:00 AM.

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

Moreover, Samui, after fifteen long days away from Konoha, was finally returning! Only heavens knew how Gojo Kaigetsu had endured those days without her.

Mei Terumi, newly arrived in Konoha, was like a wild beast, completely ignoring Gojo Kaigetsu's invitation.

She had spent her days holed up in the house Gojo Kaigetsu had sold her, venturing out only for meals and hospital visits. Seriously lame, taking advantage of Gojo's generosity without offering anything in return.

Fortunately, Gojo Kaigetsu had quickly arranged a vacant ward at the hospital. After a stylish renovation overseen by his impeccable taste, it now looked presentable.

"But it doesn't matter. The seeds of dissent have already been sown in Mei Terumi's heart."

"When the time is right, Mei Terumi will surely rebel!"

The perceptive Gojo Kaigetsu made his judgment. It was merely a matter of time.

Perhaps… the moment Tsunade appeared before Mei Terumi, her true ambitions would be revealed.

Besides these two significant developments, Danzo had also contributed a substantial amount of prosperity points over the past few days. On the day the Konoha-Kiri Treaty was signed, Danzo had volunteered to oversee matters in Kirigakure, including the construction of trading ports and the selection of a base for the Konoha ninjas stationed there.

As the venerable elder of Konoha, Gojo Kaigetsu readily instructed Minato to approve Danzo's request.

Danzo, within Konoha, was a master of infighting, excelling at internal conflict but little else. However, if sent to another village, he would be forced to be productive and bear the responsibility for any mishaps. It was better to send him to Kirigakure to cause trouble for them than to let him obsess over the Uchiha clan's affairs.

As for whether Danzo would secretly establish a Root branch in Kirigakure…

As long as he wore the Konoha headband, he had to obey Minato's orders. A single summons from Minato would force Danzo to return to the village and fulfill his elder duties, reporting to the Hokage Tower. If he refused… Minato could send a dozen Hokage decrees!

Once Danzo returned to Konoha, the fruits of his labor in Kirigakure could benefit anyone. Shikaku Nara, known for his neutrality, could be dispatched to take over, eliminating concerns about clan loyalty to Danzo or an inability to control the situation in Kirigakure.

Ultimately, it was all about increasing the village's prosperity. Gojo Kaigetsu had no desire for power. Anyone could be the commander of the Konoha forces in Kirigakure, as long as it benefited Konoha.

Click

The sound of the front door lock turning signaled Samui's return! Gojo Kaigetsu sprang up from the plush sofa and strode towards the entrance.

"I'm back…" Her voice preceded her. Samui slowly pushed open the door, sounding exhausted.

Fifteen days had passed in a flash, and the self-imposed seal she had placed to avoid detection by Jiraiya was now released.

Upon its release, she received a mission briefing and a summary of recent events from her close friend, Mabui:

[Summary of recent events: …]

[Samui, this is an order from the Raikage's advisory council… Use all your resources in Konoha to provoke the Kiri kunoichi, Mei Terumi (be careful not to leave any evidence). Provoke her to the point where she attacks you, whether physically or otherwise… ]

[Afterwards, report to Gojo Kaigetsu, prompting him to retaliate against Mei Terumi on your behalf. This will escalate the situation and ultimately sabotage the Konoha-Kiri alliance.]

[The success of the Great Kumogakure Co-Prosperity Sphere depends on this mission. Failure is not an option.]

Samui felt utterly drained.

They said being an undercover ninja for Kumogakure was difficult, but being the… lover of a Konoha advisor wasn't easy either, especially one in his prime!

She had finally settled down, finding a chance to escape Gojo Kaigetsu's harassment, only to be used as a tool to provoke a Kiri kunoichi, preferably "seducing" her into attacking… And finally, she was expected to act like a damsel in distress, seeking Gojo Kaigetsu's protection.

What had happened during her fifteen-day absence from Konoha? How did Konoha and Kirigakure, two villages with a history of animosity, form an alliance so suddenly?

And not only an alliance, but with a kunoichi being sent to Konoha as a hostage. This shinobi world was becoming increasingly absurd.

Samui instinctively resisted the mission, but she had no choice. This was her fate as a kunoichi.

Despite the bitterness in her heart, Samui's face betrayed no emotion. Instead, she forced a sickeningly sweet smile, as if greeting a long-lost lover, allowing Gojo Kaigetsu to embrace her…

Such a familiar feeling.

For both of them.

After a moment of intimacy at the entrance, Gojo Kaigetsu led Samui, his arm around her supple waist, back to the sofa. "Ai, I missed you so much. How was your time in Tanzaku Quarters? I heard the tourism there is booming. Your friend sure knows how to pick a spot."

"Not really~" Samui said coyly. "Actually… I went to Tanzaku Quarters for you, Kaigetsu-kun."

"Eh? For me?"

Gojo Kaigetsu was genuinely surprised. Since Samui's trip hadn't triggered any changes in prosperity, he hadn't bothered to monitor her activities, only assigning his beloved student, Kurenai Yuhi, as her escort and bodyguard.

Now she was claiming her trip to Tanzaku Quarters was for him…

'Tsunade is also in Tanzaku Quarters. So, she went there for me? What did she do?'

'And what about Kurenai? She didn't even report back to me immediately after returning to the village.'

Seemingly sensing genuine confusion from Gojo Kaigetsu for the first time, Samui smiled brightly and pulled a letter, ghostwritten by Shizune, from her small bag.

"A letter?"

"It's from Tsunade-sama~"

"Because… my body isn't very well. When I was young, my parents consulted a medical ninja who said I might have difficulty conceiving. Since you've been chosen for the 'Blessings of Abundance Plan,' I wanted to help you overcome this predicament in my own way."

As Samui explained, Gojo Kaigetsu read the letter.

The more he read, the more perplexed he became.

The letter's style was rather formal and roundabout, but the handwriting resembled Tsunade's, suggesting it was written by Shizune. The central theme was simple: "Don't trouble Gojo Kaigetsu; having children isn't necessary."

Knowing Tsunade, if she had written the letter herself, the polite phrasing would have been replaced with something like: "*** you, you ***…"

As for who the "****" referred to, Gojo Kaigetsu chuckled nervously and touched his nose.

Hard to say.

Looking up at Samui, Gojo Kaigetsu's expression changed behind his dark glasses. So, this blonde bombshell, Samui, was trying to use Tsunade's influence to pressure him into leaving her alone.

'How dare she~'

Samui tilted her head up, like a woman awaiting praise, completely oblivious to the sinister plan forming in Gojo Kaigetsu's mind.

Gojo Kaigetsu took a deep breath, wiping away nonexistent tears from the corners of his eyes. "Ai, I had no idea you did so much for me behind the scenes. This is such a wonderful surprise. I'm so touched."

"It's nothing! I should be the one apologizing. Because of my condition, I can't help you with the Blessings of Abundance Plan. If your elder position is revoked because of me, I would be a sinner against the Gojo clan…"

"Well… actually, Ai, you didn't have to do so much for me." Gojo Kaigetsu scratched his head, feigning embarrassment.

Embarrassment!

How could such an emotion possibly emanate from him?! The smile froze on Samui's face, replaced by a growing sense of unease.

"There's… something you might not know. While you were in Tanzaku Quarters, a kunoichi from Kirigakure came to Konoha for an exchange program."

"She's so beautiful! Both in appearance and demeanor, she's practically your equal, Ai, except for… well, you know."

"From the moment I saw her, I've already thought of names for our children. I think with her, the Blessings of Abundance Plan will be easily fulfilled… Oh, and I also used the money you gave me to buy a house for her as well."

"Ai, you're not mad at me, are you?"

"Uh… Ai, are you listening? Why do I feel like… your… assets seem to have… grown?"

Samui felt like she was suffocating. A daring thought formed in her mind:

'Gojo Kaigetsu… you irredeemable trash! Seriously lame. I want to put a bounty on your head!'