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....
"Yare yare daze~"
Hoshigaki Kisame closed the Weekly Ninja World newspaper with lingering thoughts.
What an exhilarating, earth-shattering change~ It's like igniting the low-pressure atmosphere that had been accumulating since the end of the Third Great Ninja War!
It's bound to turn the entire ninja world upside down.
But this time, the roles have reversed. Konoha Village, which has always dominated the top of the ninja world, has begun to show its fangs to the world.
"The more chaos, the better. The more chaotic, the better."
Weak ninjas fear war; strong ninjas crave it.
For a ninja like Hoshigaki Kisame, war is an opportunity-a chance to reshuffle the deck.
As everyone knows, if a deeply entrenched system isn't interfered with by external forces, attempting internal reform is immensely challenging.
But if there's external war pressure... the progressive and reformist factions within a village have a chance to rise.
Times make heroes.
The current Hidden Mist Village desperately needs a chaotic era to undergo a transformative reform.
If a ninja war really breaks out, it might be the opportunity for Hoshigaki Kisame to return to his village.
"Gojo Kaigetsu, your death is timely."
Kisame murmured silently.
With the atmosphere hyped up to this extent, not dying would be impolite.
Let Gojo Kaigetsu's death usher in a new order in the ninja world!
From Kisame's perspective, a new ninja world order has already taken shape: the "Cloud Hidden Co-Prosperity Alliance" led by the Kumogakure, abbreviated as "Cloud Alliance."
And the "Konoha Hegemony Order Convention Organization" led by Konoha, abbreviated as "Wood Pact."
As for the other super-strong village, Hidden Stone, it hasn't caught this wave of the times. Falling behind step by step, it's been left far behind.
If the Fourth Ninja War breaks out this time...
In Kisame's view, it will be a battle between the Cloud Alliance and the Wood Pact.
The new order might not have a place for Hidden Stone.
After digesting this news, which was akin to a Tailed Beast Bomb, Kisame put away the weekly newspaper and pulled out the latest issue of "Iki".
Although "Iki" doesn't contain any valuable intelligence-if there is, it's quite outdated-it can't be considered a timely intelligence magazine.
However, the semi-documentary stories published in "Iki" have greatly inspired ambitious ninjas like Hoshigaki Kisame.
For example, last week's publications "Explosive Tags on the Wall" and "Reading Makes a Strong Village" gave Kisame significant insights.
The initial intention of the "Explosive Tags on the Wall" system was good, and the core of the story highlighted the truth, goodness, and beauty that ninjas lack. Although it doesn't fit the current situation of the Hidden Mist and won't for a long time, it doesn't prevent it from being a long-term goal to strive for.
As for "Reading Makes a Strong Mind," it's straightforward.
It's exactly what Hoshigaki Kisame is doing now! These days, he's no longer obsessed with training. After obtaining the Great Sword Samehada, his combat power has reached a bottleneck. So he turned to cultivating his mind.
The more books he reads, the wiser he feels.
When he returns to the village as a member of the reformist faction, he will surely shine!
"So, what's in this issue?"
Filled with anticipation, Kisame opened the first page-
....
"Respect Comes from 20 RyĆ Cash on the Konoha-Suna Trade Route"
<><><><><><><>
The Konoha-Suna Trade Route is the result of Konoha and Sunagakure expanding their trade scale and is also a symbol of peace between the two villages.
Although it was established not long ago, a large number of merchants have already settled there, showing a booming and prosperous trend.
Not long ago, I happened to be going to Sunagakure to sell goods, so I decided to take the Konoha-Suna Trade Route to explore. It left a deep impression on me.
Less than a kilometer from my inn, there was a shop called "Konoha · Fatty's Comeback," which is said to be a branch of the shop that was initially robbed in Konoha and subsequently reached a happy ending with customers.
While accompanying a friend to purchase supplies for desert living, I bought some cigarettes. After choosing two packs of "Soft Konoha," I joined the checkout line. The clerk at Fatty's Comeback quickly calculated my bill; the abacus immediately showed the price: a total of 620 ryĆ cash for two packs of cigarettes.
After strolling around the Konoha-Suna Trade Route, I felt a bit disappointed because I didn't find any advantages over other trade routes.
There was no beautiful scenery, and the goods weren't particularly affordable.
According to our schedule, we were to visit our partners in Sunagakure two days later.
Before departure, while organizing essential supplies, I discovered that my military ration pills had somehow gone bad. Helpless, I quickly went to Fatty's Comeback to purchase some of similar quality.
Unlike before, every clerk now held a photo before calculating on the abacus, comparing it with the customer's face. Even on the distant walls that weren't clearly visible, there seemed to be wanted posters offering rewards as high as 2,000 ryĆ cash.
I thought to myself, could it be that the scary underground exchange office has issued a bounty, and the Konoha-Suna Trade Route, lacking supervision, intends to assist them in earning this ill-gotten gain?
If that's the case, the Konoha-Suna Trade Route is really disappointing. I would also lose my original trust and goodwill toward Konoha.
When I nervously handed over the military ration pills, a slightly plump middle-aged female clerk scrutinized me. Suddenly, her mouth formed an "O" shape, and she shouted to other staff in serious Konoha official language: "Hey, it's him!"
As soon as she spoke, everyone's eyes instantly focused on me.
I panicked, almost ready to use ninjutsu to escape. I feared that a business rival had placed a bounty on me.
Half a minute later, I was invited to the lounge.
The staff at Fatty's Comeback brought me a cup of water and began apologizing sincerely. Faced with their attitude, I was even more puzzled. They explained:
Two nights ago, I had purchased two packs of "Soft Konoha" cigarettes at their store. The clerk had charged me 620 ryĆ cash. However, at 9 PM that night, they received a notification from the Konoha headquarters that from 8:15 PM onwards, each pack of "Soft Konoha" cigarettes would be reduced by 10 ryĆ cash.
I had checked out at 8:15:01 PM. Because the Konoha-Suna Trade Route is some distance from Konoha Village, the policy couldn't be implemented in time.
Only then did I realize that Fatty's Comeback had gone to such lengths to find me to refund the 20 ryĆ cash.
"We're very sorry. We need to refund the extra 20 ryĆ cash you paid. Please verify..."
Looking at the refunded money, I asked them: "You've printed my photo and even issued a wanted notice; the cost has far exceeded 20 ryĆ. Why bother?"
They replied that it was a necessary expense. Hearing this, I half-jokingly said: "What if I hadn't come shopping today and never returned?" "If we can't contact you within a year, we'll donate this money to the welfare home... or donate it to Konoha's Ichiraku Ramen Shop, adding a bit of goodwill and warmth to this cold ninja world in the form of a pending ramen," they said earnestly.
"Now that we've found you, to compensate for our mistake, we'll also give you the 2,000 ryĆ cash reward."
Although it was only 20 ryĆ cash, I really felt respected by Konoha Village. It was precisely because of this 20 ryĆ cash that I gained even more respect for Konoha.
As for why I said it was 20 ryĆ cash, it's because I added an extra 3,000 ryĆ to the 2,000 ryĆ cash they compensated me with, which I used to hire Konoha escort ninjas accompanying the Konoha-Suna Trade Route.
Respect and interest are always mutual. Moreover, only after hiring the escort ninjas did I understand why the Konoha-Suna Trade Route is so popular.
Even with the lowest-level 5,000 ryĆ D-rank commission, the escort ninjas conscientiously escorted me all the way to the gates of Sunagakure.
As an ordinary merchant, I felt unprecedented satisfaction. Perhaps in the near future, I'll invest in the Konoha-Suna Trade Route.
Their business philosophy of not saving a penny where it should be spent and not earning a penny where it shouldn't, along with the ninjas' serious and responsible work attitude, demonstrates the commercial standards of a village and the way ninjas conduct themselves.
<><><><><><><>
....
"I Came, I Saw, I'm Now Convinced!"
"Konoha-Suna Trade Route and Konoha Village Truly Live Up to Their Reputation!"
....
"Hiss-!"
Hoshigaki Kisame's shark body shuddered as a wave called "civilization" washed over his face.
The Great Sword Samehada on his back squirmed, seemingly saying: "Oh dear, you made me laugh."
"Is this something that could happen in the current ninja world?" Kisame stopped to ponder.
To evade pursuit from the Hidden Mist Village, he had traveled through most of the ninja world to the Land of Grass.
Indeed, living in the Land of Water across the sea, he didn't understand the customs of arid regions. But would someone really go to such lengths over 20 ryĆ cash?
Not to mention the "I" in the article; Kisame thought that if he were buying something in a store and someone compared his face to a photo for an extended time, he wouldn't even give them a chance to speak. He'd just draw Samehada and unleash an area attack to eliminate them.
As a ninja, caution is paramount.
Although it seemed unreasonable in every aspect, it also felt oddly logical, revealing an indescribable strangeness.
"Perhaps... such things are extremely rare in other parts of the ninja world, but if it happens in Konoha, it seems explainable."
Kisame reasoned with himself: "Moreover, this store is the same one mentioned in the first issue of 'Iki' that proactively compensated customers..."
"Civilization is an inner virtue that doesn't devolve into barbarism due to the loss of restraint."
"Integrity is a virtue that can't be measured by money. The reason I find it baffling is because I'm a ninja, and ninjas habitually measure things with money."
"I should reflect..."
Kisame stood there, deep in self-reflection.
These are all advanced experiences from Konoha! If he wants to transform the Hidden Mist Village, corrupted by the politics of the "Bloody Mist," these virtuous policies must be implemented.
The former Hidden Mist had degenerated into the "Bloody Mist."
Whether ordinary villagers or ninjas selected through cruel missions, they've lost the virtues that should exist in human nature.
But now, Hoshigaki Kisame is determined to reshape the Hidden Mist!
A blade reflects its wielder.
Sometimes, Kisame himself feels like a humanoid Samehada, greedily absorbing the village governance concepts learned from "Iki."
These profound insights may not be immediately applicable.
But Kisame believes that one day, these ideas will make the Hidden Mist Village shine through his efforts!
He stood motionless at the entrance of the banned book store until Samehada on his back began to squirm. Only then did Kisame snap out of it and put "Iki" back into his pocket.
Looking up at the sky, Kisame said: "It's about time; the underground exchange office should be opening."
Previously, Kisame wasn't picky; as long as he was paid, he'd accept any mission and dared to kill anyone.
But now it's different.
Virtue is an innate consciousness that requires no reminder.
Kisame has also learned self-awareness.
He has three "no-kill" rules-
"I don't kill those who have dependents because they have responsibilities."
"I don't kill virtuous women because they are chaste."
"I don't kill escorts because they are loyal."
"I don't kill good people because they are kind."
"Apart from that, all can be killed."
Kisame said coldly, reaffirming his ninja way.
He wasn't naive enough to avoid killing Konoha ninjas because he knew that even in an advanced and civilized village, there are rotten individuals.
But because of these self-imposed rules, Kisame hasn't had many missions lately.
He heard from a manager at an exchange office that there's an organization working efficiently in the shadows, sweeping up various tasks.
Ding-
As the scheduled time arrived, the secret door of the exchange office slowly opened. Kisame was about to walk in.
Suddenly, he heard a fat, big-eared boss loudly recruiting:
"High pay for thugs to help me collect debts! All my money was lost by a woman who gambles and refuses to pay back!"
"Reward is one million ryĆ, plus half of the collected debt!"
...
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