"Lord Haruki, I was just about to look for you."
Konoha Bookstore's Omoki looked up and saw Haruki, then said.
"Is there something you need?"
"As per your instructions, our Konoha Bookstore is expanding outside of Konoha. Due to your and the Three Sannin's reputation, the process has been smooth. So far, we are considered one of the top ten bookstores in the Land of Fire."
"Isn't that good news?"
"But recently, the Daimyo's representatives have approached us, suggesting that we should pay taxes according to the laws of the Land of Fire."
"Taxes?" Haruki was slightly taken aback.
"Yes, initially, in Konoha, we were taxed according to Konoha's regulations. Konoha's taxation is quite lax, mainly because it relies on the support of the Land of Fire, and during the village's early stages, these matters weren't considered. Plus, you are the Hokage's secretary in charge of the economy, so naturally, no one dared to say anything. But the Land of Fire..."
Omoki couldn't help but shake his head. "The taxes are not only high but also incredibly complex. Our profits would be halved at the very least."
Haruki also frowned.
Indeed, it's the feudal era's ancient Japan.
If he remembered correctly, farmers were even worse off. To give a simple example, if they produced 100 ryo, they had to pay 60 ryo.
Apart from the nobles and samurai, others could hardly afford white rice.
There were also corvée labor and various additional taxes.
"Ignore them," Haruki said.
"Wouldn't that be inappropriate?" Omoki hesitantly asked.
"They're just envious of our Konoha Bookstore making too much money."
Haruki snorted but then thought of something and asked, "Does the Daimyo currently have the so-called Twelve Guardian Ninja?"
"Yes." Omoki first nodded, then quietly asked, "Are you planning to eliminate the Daimyo?"
"What are you thinking?" Haruki couldn't help but laugh. "Even you, with your thick eyebrows, have such rebellious thoughts?"
"Well, following your lead, I naturally need to be bold." Omoki scratched his head.
Since he was sent over, he had naturally received special training and knew Haruki's goals.
"It's not time for that yet." Haruki shook his head. "Tell them I will make time to visit the Daimyo to discuss this matter."
"Understood." Omoki was a bit disappointed but didn't say anything more.
"Alright, let's get down to business." Haruki took out a book from his storage scroll and handed it to Omoki. "This is the next manga to be published."
"Manga?" Omoki flipped through a few pages. "Slam Dunk? What's basketball?"
"A new type of competitive entertainment."
Haruki had received this as a system reward after playing a game of basketball with Tsunade in his dream. He planned to promote basketball as a form of entertainment.
Konoha's entertainment was really too scarce.
Jiraiya, the big player, mainly engaged in activities like writing novels, visiting hot springs, looking at beautiful women, and drinking.
"They say culture and sports are inseparable. In the future, Konoha Bookstore will also sell basketballs and make basketball hoops and courts."
Haruki instructed, "Study the manga carefully, familiarize yourself with the rules, train a few referees, and we'll first hold a basketball game at the ninja academy. Invite all the students' parents and the Hokage. That will instantly boost our reputation."
"Understood."
After a few rounds of manipulating public opinion, Omoki had learned quite a bit.
With the Hokage leading the way, starting with children, combined with the manga and the "Konoha Daily," he was confident that basketball would become popular in Konoha.
And once successful, as the sole supplier, the money would naturally roll in.
After leaving Konoha Bookstore, Haruki went to the research building of the ninja academy.
He hadn't seen Orochimaru in a long time but didn't go looking for him considering his personality.
Haruki arrived at the fireworks research group under the science department.
Fireworks, or rather gunpowder, were almost a must-have for time travelers.
But unfortunately, he couldn't achieve this traveler milestone.
Because in "Naruto," fireworks already existed.
There were summer festivals and fireworks displays in the original work.
Although the manufacturing process was not shown, Haruki was naturally aware of the power of gunpowder.
It might not be able to compete with those who cheat, but it could handle genin and chunin, and even accidentally harm jonin.
After all, a ninja's body wasn't impervious.
If kunai and shuriken could hurt people, so could gunpowder.
"Lord Haruki, are you here to check on the progress of the gunpowder research today?"
The person in charge of this project was named Minato Yoshio, originally a fireworks vendor in Konoha who had been recruited by Haruki and turned into an arms dealer.
But because of the suitable price, he was very diligent.
"No." Haruki took out a scroll again. "Temporarily set aside the research and return to your old job."
"Fireworks?" Minato Yoshio looked at the scroll's content and couldn't help but have a strange look in his eyes. "It's all love messages. Are you trying to woo some girl? Don't worry, I won't tell Lady Tsunade."
"Don't talk nonsense." Haruki patted his shoulder. "Making fireworks display text patterns is no easy task."
"I guarantee to complete the mission!" Minato Yoshio saluted.
"I've told you not to use that gesture for now."
"I couldn't help it." Minato Yoshio smiled sheepishly.
"Get it done by August 2nd, or the consequences won't be pleasant."
Haruki left this warning and departed from the research institute.
---
First Year, Class A.
Upon entering, Haruki saw Uchiha Obito.
Next to him was an adorable white cat, resembling a Ragdoll cat breed from his previous life.
At this moment, Obito was happily watching Rin Nohara pet the kitten.
In a sense, pets also help in dating.
"You have drool on your mouth."
"Huh?" Obito instinctively wiped his mouth. "No, I don't! You... Teacher?"
Rin Nohara also immediately looked up to greet him.
"Where's Kakashi?" Haruki rarely saw Kakashi not with the two of them.
"I think his dad called him away?" Obito sold out his good friend without hesitation. "Sometimes he skips class with a clone."
"If you score in the top three in every subject, you can skip class with a clone too." Haruki raised his eyebrows. "I might even take you for extracurricular activities."
"Extracurricular activities?" Obito's eyes lit up. "What kind of extracurricular activities?"
"Taking you out to have fun." Haruki smiled. "Interested?"
"Yes!" Obito nodded immediately, finding classes boring, but scoring in the top three was challenging.
"Rin can join too." Haruki added.
"I'll definitely do it!" Obito, now highly motivated, declared enthusiastically.
"Good luck. I'll take you to the beach during the summer break."
Haruki emphasized the word "beach," winking at Obito.
Beach, summer, swimsuits.
Obito instantly revealed his true nature, like an excited little wolf cub.
Haruki didn't explain further.
Extracurricular activities weren't as wonderful as he imagined.
He planned to take these students on field trips in the Land of Fire during the summer break.
Or, to put it another way:
Welcome to the real world.
Only by going to the front lines and getting close to the people can they truly understand the true face of this world.