"When they're not working hard, just whip them with chakra strings."

"directly attaching chakra strings without performing full puppet modifications and controlling them directly would be much better for the village's reputation and reduce the burden on the puppeteers."

Kosaka Kaoru muttered to himself, as if a new world had opened up before his eyes.

That's right! The foreign laborers were prisoners. Sunagakure only needed to ensure they didn't die from overwork… They could even lower the bar a bit; a few deaths wouldn't matter, right?

As for whether they would spread rumors after their "sentence" ended and they left Sunagakure…

Sunagakure was conducting business between villages, using its own native Land of Wind people. The words of a few powerless laborers wouldn't have much impact.

The outside world would only be satisfied with the high-quality products produced by Sunagakure and wouldn't care about the one-sided accounts of a few criminals or defectors.

As long as they didn't resort to extreme measures like directly transforming people into puppets, there was still room for maneuver.

Furthermore, if they only used chakra strings to whip people, with the average skill level of Sunagakure puppeteers, one puppeteer could manage a hundred laborers, and ten puppeteers could manage a thousand.

With a thousand fully operational, low-cost laborers working tirelessly to exploit the chakra metal mines and other resources buried deep beneath Sunagakure…

It wouldn't be long before Sunagakure grew stronger and wealthier!

Kumogakure provided manpower, Sunagakure produced goods and sold them to Konoha, and the profits were then used to purchase more cheap labor from Kumogakure…

This was a win-win-win situation! A true "Triangular Trade"!

His mind buzzing with excitement, Kosaka Kaoru looked at Gojo Kaigetsu with awe.

This was Konoha's advisor! Honestly an advisor brimming with wisdom!

"Hmm… If that's how you think, then alright."

Recognizing the ethically questionable nature of the idea, Gojo Kaigetsu coughed lightly and moved on from the topic.

"Next, we have a collaborative project regarding a comprehensive pilot program between our two villages…"

"Pilot program? What is it?"

Kosaka Kaoru was curious. What kind of project required the cooperation of two villages, and why did it need to be tested first instead of being implemented on a large scale from the start?

Gojo Kaigetsu raised his second finger:

"If my intel… analysis is correct, the supplies you wish to purchase from Konoha in large quantities should include water, am I right?"

Kosaka Kaoru nodded, his admiration for Gojo Kaigetsu's intelligence growing.

He even knew about Sunagakure's plan to buy water on a large scale to alleviate the village's chronic water shortage.

"Then I'm on the right track. I have an idea that might change Sunagakure's situation and create a continuous source of wealth for its future!"

"Please tell me!"

Kosaka Kaoru, as if sensing a huge business opportunity, became even more serious, his back straightening further.

Gojo Kaigetsu declared resolutely: "Plant cotton!"

"Oh, cot… What?"

Cotton was one of the major cash crops in the shinobi world. It had high yields, low production costs, and the resulting cotton products were inexpensive, making it popular among both ordinary people and ninjas.

Cotton fabric was durable and resistant to wear and tear, washable, and could be ironed at high temperatures. Cotton was comfortable to wear due to its quick absorption and release of moisture, making it the preferred material for ninja uniforms and combat attire.

If Sunagakure could Develop cotton on a large scale, it would indeed be a sustainable and continuous source of income, significantly improving the living conditions of Sunagakure villagers.

However-!

Sunagakure's environment was clearly not suitable for cotton Development! If it were possible, he would have already arranged for Sunagakure to start generating revenue.

"Advisor Gojo… You might not know this, being from Konoha, but not all places are suitable for growing cotton."

"Hey, I know you're eager, but hold on, hear me out."

"Why cotton? Because both Konoha and Kumogakure have massive cotton consumption markets. According to Konoha's official records, even during the Third Shinobi World War, the total value of cotton-related transactions exceeded two billion ryō."

"As long as we can grow it, we won't have to worry about buyers."

Kosaka Kaoru's heart stirred, but he still shook his head. "Advisor Gojo, no matter how much you say, it's useless. Sunagakure is located in a vast desert. Almost all agricultural and cash crops cannot be grown normally in Sunagakure."

"All essential supplies for livelihood have to rely on imports and aid from the Land of Wind's Daimyo…"

Kosaka Kaoru's expression darkened.

If only Sunagakure's geographical conditions were slightly better, offering ordinary people the hope of survival through farming, perhaps the root cause of the three Shinobi World Wars wouldn't have been Sunagakure's desperation.

"That's why it's a pilot program."

"As we all know, cotton Development is influenced by many factors, the four most important being: sunlight, irrigation, temperature difference, and soil."

"Sunagakure has ample sunlight, so there's no need to worry about that. The temperature difference is affected by the sandy terrain and is intrinsically linked to the soil factor."

"The remaining irrigation and soil… can be completely addressed by Water, Wind, and Earth Release ninjas."

"Earth and Wind Release ninjas can work together to create fertile land suitable for growing cash crops like cotton. Water Release ninjas can be responsible for deep tillage and water-saving irrigation techniques, providing the crops with the necessary moisture."

Stolen novel; please report.

"Konoha will provide the Water Release ninjas, while Sunagakure will provide the Wind and Earth Release ninjas and the testing grounds."

"As for the labor… you can use your villagers or the laborers acquired through the Triangular Trade."

"This…"

Kosaka Kaoru hesitated, unable to fully grasp Gojo Kaigetsu's intentions.

Based on what Gojo Kaigetsu said, it did seem feasible. Iwagakure was the largest cotton producer in the shinobi world. If they could snatch a piece of that lucrative market, Kosaka Kaoru would be more than happy.

However… directly utilizing ninjas with nature transformations for agricultural development was unprecedented. It was akin to breaking ancestral laws, dismantling the "military might" to bolster "people's livelihoods."

Ninjas would no longer be defined solely as combatants but redefined as agents of agricultural development.

Moreover, when it came to the cotton market alone, Konoha could completely ditch Sunagakure and develop it on their own. Konoha had the most comprehensive range of nature transformation ninjas.

It felt like a dangerous proposal with hidden motives.

"Kosaka~~ I'd say that a village's economic backwardness isn't solely determined by the official treasury or the abundance of natural resources."

"More importantly, it depends on what ordinary villagers and ninjas can achieve, how much money they have, and whether they have the confidence to spend within their village."

Gojo Kaigetsu spoke like a tempting devil. "If this experiment succeeds, the stereotype of Sunagakure's land being unsuitable for Developing cash crops will be shattered."

"With the joint efforts of our two villages, more and more deserts can be transformed into sun-drenched, fertile fields."

"Then… Sunagakure villagers will earn several times more through their own labor, and their disposable income will greatly increase."

"When the villagers' lives improve, their happiness increases, they have money and are willing to spend, and Sunagakure can collect more taxes from them~"

"Don't you want to see such a scene?"

Thump-Thump-

In just a few words, Kosaka Kaoru felt as if he could see the beautiful world Gojo Kaigetsu had painted.

If that day Really came, Sunagakure would be free from hardship… wouldn't it?

"But why?" Kosaka Kaoru voiced his soul's question. "Konoha could do this on its own, without involving Sunagakure, right?"

"No matter how you look at it, Konoha's conditions are more suitable for large-scale cotton Development."

Gojo Kaigetsu unscrewed the bottled water on his desk, took a sip, and sighed. "Yes, Konoha could completely leave Sunagakure out of this."

"I'm not leaving Sunagakure out because I'm kind!"

"I can't bear to see the ordinary people of Sunagakure living in such harsh conditions. Although Konoha and Sunagakure have a history of animosity, times are changing, and someone has to take the initiative to mend the relationship, right?"

"Consider this a testament to the friendship between Konoha and Sunagakure. We, Konoha, are willing to take the first step towards peace and achieve true peace with Sunagakure, not a temporary, superficial peace based on treaties."

Gojo Kaigetsu's words resonated deeply, captivating Kosaka Kaoru's heart.

He had misjudged Gojo Kaigetsu! His own cynicism had led him to overthink Gojo Kaigetsu's intentions!

Kosaka Kaoru slowly rose and bowed deeply to Gojo Kaigetsu.

"In that case… on behalf of the ordinary villagers and ninjas of Sunagakure, I thank Advisor Gojo."

"Oh, it's nothing."

Gojo Kaigetsu waved his hand dismissively.

Was he really motivated by pure altruism? Perhaps there was an element of kindness, but his primary motivation stemmed from Konoha's interests, not a genuine desire to save the people of Sunagakure across the desert.

It was also fortunate that the elders at the negotiating table belonged to the "Enjoyment and Freedom" faction.

If it were Sunagakure's hawkish faction, they would have probably jumped up and protested before the cotton Development proposal was even fully presented.

Demilitarizing ninjas, turning them into production tools.

The nature transformations possessed by ninjas were the most precious gifts bestowed upon humanity by the God Tree. Ambitious individuals could use them to conquer the world, while others could use them for farming and development. It all depended on how the wielders of these powers chose to utilize them.

To embrace peace or choose war.

Nature transformations did possess the ability to turn oceans into mulberry fields and deserts into fertile land. But the price was the gradual weakening of combat skills.

By agreeing to these two agreements, Sunagakure's puppeteers would be controlling laborers to exploit underground resources. Ordinary ninjas would become production tools, developing deserts into farmland for Developing cash crops.

As everyone knew, Sunagakure was internally divided into various factions due to differing views on the village's development path.

But no matter the faction, they were ultimately chosen by the people of Sunagakure.

Sunagakure had experienced repeated defeats and battles, always being the first to instigate wars during times of turmoil. Was it because they believed themselves to be too strong, that their military might could conquer Konoha?

Probably not.

Gojo Kaigetsu believed it was likely because the common people of Sunagakure could no longer endure the harsh environment of the Land of Wind and were struggling to survive. If death was inevitable, they might as well fight for a glimmer of hope.

As long as the basis of Sunagakure remained unchanged, the seeds of hatred and war would never be extinguished. Every ten or twenty years, the voices yearning for change through military conflict would rise, and the hawkish faction, catering to Sunagakure's public sentiment, would regain power and initiate wars.

What Gojo Kaigetsu needed to do was similar to guiding Sunagakure in transforming its deserts.

He needed to provide the ordinary villagers and ninjas of Sunagakure with a path to survival, a better way of life, thereby completely undermining the basis upon which the hawkish faction relied.

No matter how loud their voices became, as long as the most basic populace saw hope for survival and a better life, they wouldn't blindly follow the hawkish faction into war.

In that case… for the hawkish faction to manipulate the Kazekage and lead the village into war, they would likely have only one option left: a coup.

If it really came to that, if there were ambitious individuals who wished to stage a coup and drive Sunagakure towards destruction…

As an ally, Konoha wouldn't hesitate to intervene militarily in the internal affairs of another village to maintain the existing peace.

First, let the ordinary villagers of Sunagakure accept the concept of "hard work = better life" and "waging war = dead end." Then, gradually transition to "military spending is meaningless" and "trust Konoha for all village defense"…

By then, Sunagakure's military might would be crippled, leaving only a torso composed of "Puppet Technique," "Shukaku (One-Tail)," and "special Kekkei Genkai."

Coupled with the long-term influence of "Iki" magazine, there would naturally be people within Sunagakure advocating for Konoha. It was equivalent to establishing a "Konoha-Suna faction" and a "Gojo faction" across the desert within Sunagakure, with the goal of peaceful coexistence and mutual development.

Step by step, Sunagakure would be dismantled, both physically and mentally!

To achieve all of this, all Konoha needed to sacrifice was the cotton market and potentially other cash crop markets in the future.

This was called industrial transfer!

Exchange cotton for Sunagakure's chakra metal, develop Konoha's high-tech industries, and reap the wealth of the affluent class throughout the shinobi world.

Konoha would complete its transformation from "Ninjaism" to "Ninja-Characteristic Scientific Socialism," forming a technological and economic blockade against other villages. For other villages to break free from this dimensionality-reducing suppression… they would have to wait for Konoha to experience internal division.

By then, Konoha might not even bother with those meager profits from cash crops.

Severely suppressing Sunagakure's future potential while raising its current ceiling.

This was Gojo Kaigetsu's scheme!

He said aloud, "Of course, we in Konoha aren't purely saints."

"The price of chakra metal and other resources mined by Sunagakure… needs to be lowered when selling to Konoha."

"Similarly, Konoha will also transport and sell water to Sunagakure at near-cost prices through the newly established trade routes."

"Excellent, excellent!"

Kosaka Kaoru nodded repeatedly, clearly ecstatic.

Next, Konoha generously offered benefits in various aspects, covering almost every area of Sunagakure. It was a near-perfect diplomatic mission, securing the maximum benefits Sunagakure could achieve at this stage.

Gojo Kaigetsu was also very satisfied with the outcome of the negotiations.

Kirigakure was preoccupied with internal strife, and the Mizukage, along with the future Mizukage, were already under his control, essentially locked down like the civilizations in the Three-Body Problem.

Now, Sunagakure's future had also been locked down by Gojo Kaigetsu.

Really.. a negotiation where everyone emerged victorious!

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