Naruto: Did i Just Get Reincarnated as Gojo?

Chapter 87: In the Shinobi World, You're Either at the Table or on the Menu

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"Kaigetsu-kun, I don't understand..."

"Address me by my title during work hours!"

"Gojo-san, I don't understand."

"What don't you understand?"

"This..."

Minato Namikaze marveled at Gojo Kaigetsu's political acumen. The journey from Konoha Hospital to the Hokage Tower took time, meaning Kaigetsu likely only heard snippets of his conversation with the Suna envoy, Baki. Therefore, the terms he'd just proposed were probably formulated on the spot, designed to maximize Konoha's advantage.

Such impressive on-the-fly judgment!

That being said, Minato still couldn't comprehend certain clauses that seemed detrimental to Konoha.

However, out of absolute trust in Gojo Kaigetsu, Minato refrained from questioning him during the treaty signing.

Now, it was time.

"Dispatching permanent ambassadors and technicians to Sunagakure... I understand this. Gojo-san, you're likely planting informants to monitor the impact of 'Iki' in Suna and make necessary adjustments, correct?"

"Smart, as expected of you, Minato."

"As for using our Land of Fire currency for settlements and allowing Suna students to study in Konoha, while I don't grasp the nuances, I presume it won't negatively impact Konoha."

"What I find puzzling is the final point."

Minato pointed to the road construction clause.

"Why should Konoha bear the entire cost of road construction? Even with tolls, it would take thirty years to recoup the investment, wouldn't it?"

"And assigning escort missions under the village's name incurs additional expenses. I don't understand."

Tariffs were a separate matter to be discussed in detail with the Suna delegation during future negotiations and weren't currently under consideration. The shinobi world was still relatively unsophisticated, and road construction was viewed as a loss-making endeavor with little chance of return.

High tolls would deter merchants and civilians. Low tolls wouldn't even cover maintenance costs.

Thus, ninjas traditionally traversed forests, mountains, and rivers using their ninja skills. Roads weren't of much concern to them. As for civilians, they either took detours or used the roads funded by the daimyo's treasury.

There was little precedent for villages proactively constructing roads to enhance trade, let alone one village shouldering the entire burden.

It felt like a larger village bullying a smaller one!

"You just don't see the big picture, Minato~ We need to think long-term."

"It's a known fact that vast deposits of chakra metal lie buried beneath Suna's deserts. And who knows what other rare resources they might unearth in the future."

"We're currently in a tumultuous era of shinobi warfare. Due to external pressures, Suna's resources remain largely untapped. But think long-term: five, ten, twenty years from now?"

Gojo Kaigetsu drew a straight line between Konoha and Suna on the map. "The easiest way for Suna to prosper is to sell its resources to the rest of the shinobi world. It's practically a guaranteed profit. Chakra metal is always in demand, and the more advanced shinobi technology becomes, the more valuable it gets."