Chapter 343: The Corrupted Merchant Association
Seeing Yasushi's completely satisfied expression, Mizuki immediately relaxed while smilingly agreeing:
"Lord Hokage's divine calculations—Mizuki admires you!"
"Only this way, our village must temporarily continue maintaining this 'mission system'—otherwise difficult earning this second round of money!"
"Then keep it temporarily!" Yasushi waved magnanimously, quite decisively: "From now on, mission approval responsibility falls to you."
"Necessary commissions—we'll accept. Unnecessary commissions—just tell clients the village has insufficient manpower, temporarily won't accept."
"I understand."
Mizuki bowed before exiting to arrange personnel. But Yasushi grew somewhat hesitant.
Who should succeed as Root's leader?
Someone as "selflessly devoted" as Danzo proved quite difficult finding.
Orochimaru could definitely handle it. Moreover, his research interest exceeded his power lust—no worries about tail wagging the dog. The only concern was whether all Root ninja might ultimately become experimental subjects.
However, making Orochimaru Root leader truly wasted talent. Yasushi hoped Orochimaru would focus on research rather than wasting time on meaningless administrative work.
Yakushi Kabuto proved actually quite good, but he currently handled the intelligence system.
Past Root's situation—handling everything, managing everything—definitely couldn't continue. Professional specialization represented the correct direction.
New Root's positioning proved very clear—doing dirty work!
Should Mizuki handle Root?
But if Mizuki left, where could Yasushi find such an excellent secretary again?
Yasushi truly felt reluctant!
"Sigh, lacking people!"
Yasushi sighed deeply, temporarily shelving this matter for future decisions.
Nomura Merchant Association was Fire Country's great merchant association inherited for over a century—historically one of Konoha Village's designated supply merchants, one of the Five Great Nations' trade system hubs.
During the First and Second Great Ninja Wars, Nomura Merchant Association sold goods to Konoha Village at low or even cost prices during wartime—establishing tremendous contributions toward Konoha Village's war victories.
Similarly, the First and Second Hokage reciprocated—after victory, designating Nomura Merchant Association as Konoha Village's designated war spoils purchaser.
By selling war spoils obtained by Konoha ninja everywhere, Nomura Merchant Association profited immensely from Konoha Village's victories—instantly becoming one of Fire Country's major merchant associations.
But after founding president Nomura Kanbē's death, new president Nomura Yūji no longer desired deep binding with Konoha Village. He decided becoming a more "pure" merchant—building Nomura Merchant Association into a super merchant association spanning the Five Great Nations.
He first extensively befriended nobles, finding backers throughout the Five Great Nations. Then partnering with other noble merchants, he transferred operational costs onto commodity prices—beginning massive wealth accumulation.
The Third Hokage proved extremely dissatisfied. But Nomura Merchant Association had painstakingly cultivated village connections for years, boasting extensive networks. Many spoke favorably for them.
Additionally, Nomura Merchant Association strongly supported Sarutobi clan development, generously spending money. Ultimately these matters only ended unresolved.
After the Third War started, Nomura Merchant Association exploited opportunities for enormous profits—simultaneously purchasing war spoils cheaply while selling strategic supplies expensively to warring nations.
Whoever paid more—he'd sell to them!
Though this practice displeased Konoha Village people, other nations' people greatly appreciated it. Especially that daily massive wealth inflow deeply pleased backing noble lords.
With noble lords pleased, even if the Third felt dissatisfied, he had to endure.
After Third War victory, Nomura Merchant Association successfully established branches throughout other nations.
Nomura Yūji successfully realized his dream—making Nomura Merchant Association a super merchant association spanning the Five Great Nations.
Originally when the Fourth War began, Nomura Yūji wanted repeating old tricks—making another massive haul.
Who knew this time Konoha Village proved so useless—actually suffering defeat!
Though selling reconstruction supplies expensively to Konoha Village could still profit enormously, compared to anticipated double-dealing beauty, this truly fell far short.
Especially after Konoha Village's defeat, Fire Country began experiencing turmoil. Mountain bandits, rogue ninja frequently appeared throughout the nation.
For merchant firm and merchant convoy safety, Nomura Merchant Association had to issue massive mission quantities, hiring numerous ninja guards.
Simple calculation of this expenditure gave Nomura Yūji severe headaches.
"Useless!"
"Why did this month's revenue decline again?"
Nomura Yūji heavily slapped the desk, scolding with stern voice and expression.
Numerous merchant firm managers knelt before him, heads lowered submissively—not daring even breathing loudly.
"Didn't they say Konoha Village already rebuilt?"
"Why still only this few orders?"
"You—yes you. You've always coordinated with Konoha Village. Honestly confess—what happened?"
The named manager couldn't avoid it. He could only steel himself:
"Though Konoha Village rebuilt, the new village has few people. They inherited village's remaining supplies—short term they don't lack resources."
"These orders are mostly necessities—the type they must buy."
"Since you also know they must buy—why price so low?"
Nomura Yūji slammed the account book on the ground while scolding furiously:
"Look at the accounts! These must-buy goods you only marked up fifty percent! This little money accomplishes what?"
"How did I educate you previously? Scarcity increases value! Scarcity increases value! Did dogs eat your brains?"
That manager hastily explained:
"Not that I didn't want raising prices. Higher prices and nobody wants them."
"What do you mean nobody wants them?" Nomura Yūji raged. "Our Nomura Merchant Association is the designated supply merchant of Lord First Hokage! How dare they not want?"
"Well..." The manager stammered: "Originally Konoha Village's procurement contacts all died or fled. Now procurement department leaders don't recognize us at all. When purchasing goods, they comparison shop—buying whoever offers quality at fair prices."
"Even this fifty percent markup—Konoha Village people were quite unhappy!"
"If not for our 'Konoha Village designated supply merchant' title, plus Konoha Village people worrying about other small merchants' questionable product quality—probably Konoha Village people wouldn't give us orders at all!"
Hearing procurement personnel changed, Nomura Yūji frowned—calming slightly.
"Damn!"
"That means reopening connections again?"
Just thinking about gold and silver expenses for reopening connections made Nomura Yūji's heart ache repeatedly.
However, he proved someone accomplishing great things. When money needed spending, he absolutely didn't stint.
"Like this—Konoha Village's reconstruction celebration is starting anyway. Go prepare a generous gift for our new Lord Hokage, incidentally discussing supply procurement matters."