Yagura tapped his fingers rhythmically on the desk, his voice low as he murmured.
"But five years... Just these five years of the Shinobi World War... Time won't wait."
"Five years... In four years, those people on the continent will free up their hands. Computers are something everyone can have. Once they see them, they'll copy them."
"We must take advantage of these years while they're too busy to interfere or think too much. Our brand needs to seize the entire shinobi world's market."
Mangetsu and Zabuza exchanged glances, each seeing the same shock reflected in the other's eyes.
Even with their limited understanding, they grasped the meaning behind Yagura's words.
Yagura wasn't just pushing computers for the convenience of the people of the Land of Water—he wanted to take business away from the nations on the continent? Even their D-rank missions?!
"Mizukage-sama!"
A member of the finance department abruptly stood up, eyes alight with excitement.
"My colleagues and I believe this plan is worth discussing further."
Yagura blinked and looked up, genuine surprise flickering in his gaze. "Really?"
The group, who had just been bewildered moments ago, responded in unison, "Yes!"
Yagura's words had opened their eyes to an important realization.
D-rank missions didn't involve any national secrets; they were commissions issued spontaneously by civilians across the various nations.
Unlike C-rank and above, which required confidentiality, D-rank missions had no borders. They were open for anyone to claim!
And if Kirigakure used its newly established companies as a front to take on these D-rank commissions, then the issue of national borders would be completely irrelevant!
A single nation's D-rank missions brought in 2 billion ryō in Net Profit. Just roughly estimating, the five great nations combined would generate about 10 billion ryō!
(T/N: I honestly do not understand these numbers, always different.)
In the past, geographical proximity dictated that civilians would naturally prefer to hire their own country's ninja village.
It was closer, faster, and more convenient.
But if commissions were placed online—would distance still matter?
Not at all!
In other words, if they could solve the computer issue, Kirigakure's enterprise would be the first to claim this opportunity!
During these years of war, while the other nations were too preoccupied, they could swiftly and quietly capture the market.
By the time the other villages caught on, it would be far too late.
Sure, they could try to imitate—but they would never be able to bridge the gap that these years would create!
Yagura looked toward Elder Genshi. Compared to the younger members, the elder remained composed.
"Then let's discuss it first. If we can come up with a solid plan, even better."
"Understood," Yagura nodded with satisfaction. "I'll leave it to you."
...
As the discussions heated up, the Mizukage's office felt more like a bustling market.
Yagura, his mission accomplished, lowered his head slightly, the corners of his lips curving in an almost imperceptible smirk.
Heh.
What had he said before?
A leader needed to learn how to dangle a dream in front of their subordinates and inspire their initiative.
The Mizukage was in charge of driving the car. The subordinates had to figure out how to make it move.
Mangetsu and Zabuza caught the subtle shift in Yagura's expression.
They looked at each other, immediately understanding.
Yep. This was definitely the Yagura they knew.
What a schemer.
The argument stretched from nine in the morning until noon.
The office was littered with sheets of paper filled with hastily scrawled notes.
As lunchtime approached, Yagura, not being a tyrant, clapped his hands and called for a break.
"Save your progress. Resume the discussion after lunch."
However, the heated debates had left many restless.
Lunch was rushed, naps were skipped, and everyone was back at their desks, frantically jotting down ideas.
By the time Yagura returned at precisely two in the afternoon, the office was still packed.
The atmosphere was quieter than before, but filled with anticipation.
As soon as he stepped in, eager eyes turned toward him.
"Yo, good afternoon, everyone."
Yagura greeted them with a grin. "From the looks on your faces, you've already reached a conclusion? That was fast. Elder?"
He turned toward Elder Genshi, who was clearly the designated spokesperson.
"Yes. Everyone worked hard."
Genshi nodded approvingly. "Mizukage-sama, your idea was excellent. Everyone wants to see it realized."
"Ahh, you're making me blush." Yagura scratched the back of his head as he took his seat. "Alright, let's hear it."
Elder Genshi picked up the finalized proposal and began reading:
"First, D-rank commissions will be removed from the traditional system and instead handled through a corporate structure."
"Kirigakure will provide the initial investment (including cash, tangible, and intangible assets), retaining full ownership. Officials will select capable individuals to serve as CEOs of three state-owned enterprises, which will operate independently and distribute annual profits."
"Regarding employees, the companies may hire civilians from Kirigakure under standard labor contracts, or they may employ genin as part-time contractors."
"During the startup phase, these enterprises may use government-run service centers to accept commissions, similar to how Kirigakure currently handles C-rank and higher missions. Once they mature, they can establish independent offices."
...
"Second, the online commission system must be implemented in two stages."
"First, we must quickly spread computer usage across the Land of Water and the entire shinobi world. Only then can we develop and launch the online commission system."
Yagura nodded as he listened, jotting key points on a blackboard.
Shifting D-rank commissions to state-run enterprises was now a settled issue.
The primary challenge was the widespread adoption of computers.
Elder Genshi elaborated, "Within the Land of Water, we propose setting up public computer access points in collaboration with the government, while simultaneously developing the online commission platform. This will support our three startups as they grow."
"Since the days of the First Mizukage, Kirigakure has maintained a policy of isolationism, prioritizing intelligence security. Mizukage-sama, you can rest assured—other nations are still engaged in war and lack the resources to spy on Kirigakure's internal affairs."
Yagura's biggest concern was that his innovations would be stolen by the other four nations.
Because, in truth, this had no technical barriers.
Just as decades ago, when other villages copied the Second Hokage's ninja academy and ANBU model.
Yagura had no desire to become another Tobirama.
Learning the Second Hokage's Water Severing Wave was one thing. Becoming an easy blueprint for others? No thanks.
Tobirama: "All of your jutsu were invented by me.jpg"
Copyright infringement alert.
"Good. If Kirigakure doesn't end up like Konoha, all the better."
"It won't."
Elder Genshi chuckled. "We have the natural advantage of geography."
Yagura nodded. "Pros and cons."
"Our timeline is as follows: In the first two years—Year 43 and 44 of the Konoha Calendar—we will focus on implementing this within the Land of Water and establishing a foundation for the three enterprises. Simultaneously, we must find a way to increase computer penetration across the continent."
"And once that happens, with our scale and pricing advantage... we'll dominate the D-rank mission market before the other villages even realize it."
Elder Genshi's voice grew fervent.
If they succeeded, Kirigakure would stand atop the shinobi world in an entirely new way.
"So, we believe that relying solely on our official resources to implement this plan would be impractical—not to mention too conspicuous."
"The best approach is to leverage the market to achieve this goal, allowing it to develop organically and spread naturally across multiple locations."
"By expanding the civilian applications of computers and increasing their appeal to the general public, we can stimulate demand. At the same time, we must either drive or guide market forces to accelerate technological advancements, reducing production costs and retail prices. This way, we create a cycle where increased demand for computers leads to more independent purchases."
Supply and demand influence each other, and together, they determine pricing.
This is the fundamental rule of the market.
To boost demand, there are two key factors: enhancing the product's intrinsic value and appeal while simultaneously lowering acquisition costs from the supply side.
And in just one morning and afternoon, they had already pinpointed the core of the issue.
Yagura couldn't help but feel a genuine sense of excitement and anticipation. He asked eagerly, "Is there more?"
"Time was short, so we only managed to outline a few broad directions."
"We were thinking—if we wanted a personal computer at home, what would we use it for?"
Elder Genshi flipped to the last page of his notes and said, "For example, a computer could connect to television signals, receive radio broadcasts, play music from cassette tapes, and read optical discs. This way, it could become a multi-functional household electronic device."
They were really onto something...
Yagura glanced around at the group, filled with surprise and admiration.
His astonishment wasn't just because of their ideas—it was because these ideas were actually feasible.
Suddenly, as if catching Yagura's gaze or sensing his excitement and approval, a scruffy-looking man in his thirties shot to his feet, raising his hand high and shouting,
"Mizukage-sama! The radio broadcast idea was mine!"
Whoa—bold move!
"The TV one was mine!" A lively young girl quickly stood up, waving her hand enthusiastically.
The scruffy man whipped his head around and snapped, "Tch! You stole my idea!"
"We're discussing computer functions, not competing for credit!" The girl stuck out her tongue playfully. "Besides, old man, don't try to hog the spotlight!"
A shy-looking young man wearing thick glasses hesitantly stood up. "Um… the music playback idea was mine."
"The optical disc one was mine."
Yagura was genuinely taken aback—of all people, the last speaker was Ao, who usually had a rigid, old-fashioned demeanor.
Perhaps aware of the surprised stares, Ao straightened his face and explained in a serious tone,
"Mizukage-sama, I thought of it because… I usually record my favorite TV programs so I can rewatch them later."
"Hmm..."
That sounded oddly familiar.
He often did the same thing—downloading and storing files under innocent-looking names like "study materials."
Yagura's expression became hard to describe. "Ao… you wouldn't happen to be recording… adult-only paid programs, would you?"
"W-What?!"
There was a brief moment of stunned silence before the entire Mizukage building erupted with laughter!
"Hahahahahaha!!!"
"Ao, are you seriously recording adult programs?!"
"And watching them on repeat?! Hahaha!!"
"I misjudged you, Ao! So, this is the kind of man you are!"
Ao's face instantly turned crimson—his temperature must have shot up by at least sixty degrees. He stared in disbelief at Yagura, a mere eight-year-old child, who had just accused him of such a thing.
"Mizukage-sama! Please don't joke about things like that!"
"HHHHhhhhhh!!"
"Alright, alright!"
Wiping away tears of laughter, Yagura had to call for order multiple times before the uproar finally began to settle.
Even so, despite Yagura's best efforts to maintain the dignity of the Mizukage, sporadic bursts of laughter kept breaking out.
As everyone knew, laughter was contagious.
So, another wave of chuckles spread through the room.
And then another.
After repeating this cycle several times, Ao eventually retreated into a corner, sulking in silence.
It was only when the group laughed themselves to exhaustion—slouching in their seats, barely able to sit upright—that order was fully restored.
"Alright, sit properly. No more slouching. Show some decorum."
This little episode had taken nearly half an hour.
Bringing the discussion back on track, Yagura refocused.
With the people of Kirigakure showing such enthusiasm and insight, as their Mizukage, he couldn't afford to let them down.
Thanks to their efforts, a thought had sparked in his mind—a grand, final idea.
"Alright then. If I were to have a personal computer at home, what would I want it to do?"
For a young man who had once lived in the 21st century, the answer was obvious.
Yagura slowly murmured, "Of course… to play video games