Haruto Saito spoke to Tsunade enthusiastically. At first, she seemed indifferent, then her expression shifted to one of interest, but in the end, she looked skeptical!
Haruto explained everything clearly, but to Tsunade, it still seemed unreliable!
Because no one had ever done something like this before!
Could this really be profitable?
"That's the plan. So, Lady Tsunade, you only need to invest twenty million ryo, and I can guarantee that within a year, you will make a hundred million! And that's the most conservative estimate!" Haruto concluded.
"Brat, do you even hear yourself? You're saying real estate prices will increase fivefold? Do you think that's realistic?" Tsunade had the urge to smack him.
"More than fivefold!" Haruto shrugged. "You just don't understand real estate! I have absolute confidence in driving up property prices. Otherwise, why do you think I became the Minister of Commerce? I can make many arrangements that others can't. Fivefold is truly a conservative estimate! Besides, you're thinking about it the wrong way. How much does a single-story house cost? And how much can you sell individual apartments for in a high-rise?"
"Are you abusing your power for personal gain?" Tsunade squinted at him.
"Yep! You have a problem with that?" Haruto grinned shamelessly.
"If you can make me a hundred million, I have no problem with it!" Tsunade said.
"Not just you! I'm planning to bring Jiraiya and Orochimaru in as well!" Haruto lowered his voice. "Everyone makes money together!"
"And if it doesn't work?" Tsunade asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I'll compensate you!" Haruto promised without hesitation. "If, after a year, I can't make each of you a hundred million, I'll pay you each that amount myself. How about it?"
"Why don't you just give me a hundred million now?"
"You have so little faith in me?"
"Is there any reason to trust you?"
"Stop!" Haruto waved his hand. "Doubt me if you want, distrust me if you must. Let's just put it like this: you invest twenty million, and after a year, I make you a hundred million. If I don't reach that number, I'll personally make up the difference. Deal or not?"
"Deal, of course!" Tsunade nodded rapidly.
Too good to pass up!
No matter what, she would have a hundred million in a year!
"One more thing, Lady Tsunade. Can you find Jiraiya and Orochimaru now? I want to invite you three to be business consultants for the Commerce Department. There will be compensation. Sound good?"
"No problem! I'll find them right away!"
Tsunade finished speaking and immediately vanished.
Haruto smirked slyly.
Success!
He could have earned all the money himself, but that would make him a target. He really was "abusing power for personal gain." Even if it was within legal limits, people would impeach him just for making too much money. But if he brought Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru into the deal…
Haruto had nothing to fear!
Who would dare question the actions of the Hokage's three most trusted disciples?
---
By noon that day, explosive news spread throughout Konoha, causing an uproar!
The entire village was abuzz!
The Konoha Administrative Department officially announced on behalf of the Hokage that a Commerce Department would be established, and the first-ever Commerce Minister would be none other than the twelve-year-old personal disciple of the Hokage, Haruto Saito!
Rumors spread wildly!
Through these rumors, the major clans of Konoha learned the full extent of the Commerce Department's authority. It was like throwing a stone into a still pond, creating massive waves! Just within the afternoon, six high-ranking figures from Konoha visited the Hokage's office for private discussions!
Among them were the Hyuga Clan Leader, the Commander of the Defense Corps, and the Captain of the Jonin Squads—major figures!
But it was all pointless!
The Hokage had already decided, and the decision had been approved in a high-level meeting. It was impossible to change!
Haruto had to be the Commerce Minister!
The only way to remove him would be if he committed a grave mistake or if the Commerce Department failed to produce results within a set timeframe.
---
That afternoon.
The northern district of Konoha, the slums.
Haruto, Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru stood atop a tower, surveying the surroundings.
Compared to the bustling downtown area of Konoha, this place was filled with simple residential homes, small yards, and narrow, unplanned streets. The people who lived here were the lowest class of Konoha. Despite Konoha's overall wealth, every society had its working class—someone had to clean the streets, build the houses, and do the labor-intensive jobs.
"This tower beneath us," Haruto pointed down, "will be demolished and replaced with the Commerce Department headquarters. Over there… that will be a plaza. This is the heart of my plan… And the surrounding eight districts, we need to buy them all."
"Eight districts?!" Jiraiya was shocked. "That's a fortune!"
"You each only need to contribute twenty million!" Haruto glanced at Jiraiya. "Sixty million in total. Can you manage that?"
"Uh… Orochimaru and I can handle it," Jiraiya replied, then looked at Tsunade.
"I don't have enough. They'll lend me the rest." Tsunade pointed at Jiraiya and Orochimaru.
Jiraiya's face darkened, but he didn't argue. Orochimaru remained as silent as ever.
"But sixty million… After accounting for construction costs, you can only buy two districts at most, right?" Jiraiya added. "If those districts have commercial areas, we might not even afford that!"
"I'll contribute two hundred million!" Haruto stated. "Will that be enough?"
"Uh…" Jiraiya's eyelids twitched, then he nodded. "More than enough. You sure have money…"
"But it's not like you can just buy this place, right?" Tsunade folded her arms. "Even if we want to buy it, people might not want to sell."
"I've thought of that!" Haruto replied. "I'll offer a high price. For ordinary homes, the residents are regular people. If the price is right, they'll sell—no doubt about it! The problem is some businesses here are owned by ninja clans. For example, that weapon factory over there belongs to the Hyuga Clan."
"Yeah, so what? What if they refuse to sell?" Tsunade asked.
"That's where you come in." Haruto smirked. "You guys can't handle it? The Hyuga Clan has a grudge against me, so I obviously can't negotiate, but you… You're just buying land and relocating them, not stealing their business. You can't manage that?"
This was another reason Haruto brought them into the deal—he needed a "relocation team" to "negotiate" with any unwilling sellers!
"Why should we help you do something that makes us enemies?" Tsunade asked, narrowing her eyes.
"Five million ryo!" Haruto raised his hand. "I'm hiring you to handle land acquisition and relocation!"
Smack!
Tsunade slapped his hand. "Deal!"
They observed the area a bit longer before preparing to leave.
Suddenly, Tsunade asked, "Brat, why are you so obsessed with making money? With your talent, doesn't becoming an administrator feel like a waste of time?"
"Because I need money." Haruto glanced at her. "A huge amount of money. A startup fund. And I need management experience, so I'm learning from Lady Koharu."
"For what?" Tsunade asked, confused.
Haruto remained silent for a moment, then said, "You'll find out when the time comes."
He didn't say it.
All of this was in preparation for founding his own ninja village!