Chapter 80: Politics
Arthur began his presentation with a sobering assessment of the Water Country's current economic standing.
He highlighted the trade imbalances with neighbouring countries, the Land of Waves and the Land of the Sea, pointing out instances where the Water Country needed to exploit.
"We aren't taking advantage of the situation," he stated bluntly. "Our resources are being drained, so let us form a treaty with them."
The councilors exchanged concerned glances. The head diplomat spoke up and said, "A treaty with the Land of Waves and the Land of the Sea? That could be a risky proposition. They might not be willing to negotiate."
Arthur smiled with confidence and said, "Risk is inherent in any endeavour. But the potential rewards far outweigh the risks. A treaty would open new markets for our goods, strengthen our position in the region, and reduce the risk of war."
The head advisor nodded. Because of that explanation, his skepticism faded.
The treasurer, however, was more direct. So she asked, "How would such a treaty benefit us economically?"
Arthur outlined a series of potential benefits, from increased trade to shared resources. He painted a picture of a nation that commanded respect on the world stage.
This caused the treasurer's eyes to light up with interest. Not because what he said made sense, but because the increase in trade caught the gold digger's attention.
The secretary-general, a man with a sharp mind, interjected, "But how do we convince the other nations to agree to such a treaty?"
Arthur smiled and said, "That is where diplomacy comes in. We need to present them with an offer they cannot refuse."
The meeting continued with him laying out a detailed plan for economic reform.
He emphasized the importance of agricultural development, suggesting the implementation of advanced farming techniques and irrigation systems. He proposed land distribution reforms to empower the farmers, ensure food security, and generate surpluses for trade.
The councilors listened intently, many of them in admiration. Even Hiromu remained unnaturally silent.
Arthur's ideas were bold, innovative, and practical. The head advisor, in particular, was impressed.
"This is exactly what our country needs," he said in a voice filled with enthusiasm.
"Yes," the treasurer agreed with the head advisor. "A well-thought out plan to ensure one's success... I mean our success."
Arthur then turned his attention to infrastructure development.
He emphasized the importance of transportation and communication, highlighting the role of the recently completed "Bridge of Unity" in connecting the country's trade routes with other nations.
This bridge was built by Tazuna and was originally meant to be called the "Great Naruto Bridge." Thanks to the other players' involvement, its name was different.
Arthur proposed further investments in roads, bridges, and canals to facilitate the movement of goods and workers.
The council members agreed that improving infrastructure was essential for economic growth. They discussed potential projects and funding options, their enthusiasm growing with each passing minute.
He then shifted the focus to the financial sector, which caused the treasurer to give a wide grin. He brought up the recent collapse of Gatō's shipping company, a significant blow to the country's reputation.
Though Gatō had died a few months ago, no one save Arthur knew what became of the shipping magnate's company—it was on the verge of going bankrupt.
Arthur proposed using the seized assets to recapitalize the banking system, injecting much-needed liquidity into the economy.
The treasurer was visibly excited by the prospect and said, "That is a wonderful idea!" Clearly, she was filled with too much anticipation. "Excuse my outburst. When do you propose, I can get started on the paperwork?"
Arthur nodded and replied, "After this meeting... But we need to go further. We need to attract foreign investments, create jobs, and improve the quality of life for the citizens."
"The economic health of our people is paramount," Hiromu added. "A decisive action should be taken, wouldn't you all agree?"
They all nodded, but the secretary-general said, "My lord, while this is a plausible idea, the tax burden is crippling our populace. A thousand pardons to both you and lord Hiromu, but the current system is unsustainable and stifles innovation, which discourages enterprise. It would be necessary to fund our defenses and public works."
Arthur was not at all deterred by this political talk. On earth, he was more than accustomed to how government worked.
"Your assessment is accurate," he said. "We must reform our tax structure to encourage prosperity, not hinder it."
His answer caught the secretary-general off guard. The others, seeing this, decided to address their own concerns.
"Furthermore, my lord," the head advisor said, "the lack of skilled labour is a growing concern. We're not equipped with the knowledge or skills to compete in the modern world. We must invest in education and training to cultivate a workforce capable of driving our economy forward."
Arthur leaned forward, his interest piqued as he said, "Elaborate, please."
"We should establish schools and vocational training centers in every village," the advisor continued. "Literacy and numeracy are fundamental, but we must also teach the citizens practical skills like agriculture, craftsmanship, and trade. A skilled populace is a prosperous populace."
The final speaker, the head diplomat, decided to chime in.
"And let us not forget the importance of resource management," he said. "Our forests are being depleted at an alarming rate, and our rivers are polluted. We must implement sustainable practices to preserve our natural resources for upcoming generations."
'How very much like their roles,' Arthur thought.
The head advisor laid out a strategic educational plan, but in truth, it would only benefit his division.
The secretary-general wanted a tax reform, yet he didn't understand how much that would cost. Arthur would also be buried in admirative paperwork.
The head diplomat seemed to care about handling diplomacy fairly, but that had nothing to do with foreign relations. If he was good at his job, he would have foreseen the impending struggle with the neighbouring countries fifteen years from now—something Arthur identified in a matter of minutes.
Then there was the treasurer. Despite her greed, she was the only one who seemed knowledgeable about how to leverage finances.
But Arthur knew that her budgeting might only put money back in her pockets.
He considered their requests, already knowing what to say.
"Your points are well taken," he replied. "We will reform the tax code to encourage investment and innovation. We will establish a comprehensive education system to first develop capital and see the results. And we will implement strict environmental regulations to protect the natural resources."
Not only did he respond to their desires, he did it in a manner that would bring about more pros than cons.
He paused for a moment, his gaze sweeping across the council members.
"These are ambitious goals, but they are essential for the long-term prosperity of our domain."
They all murmured in agreement and exchanged nods, their faces different compared to when they first entered. They were now confident and determined to proceed.
With Arthur's leadership and their collective knowledge, they believed that a brighter day awaited their land.
The meeting continued for several hours, with Arthur outlining the correct procedures to go about executing his plans. Not once had he used the Enhancing Flattery technique.
By the end, the council members were convinced of his leadership, his wisdom, and his determination. They left the room, eager to implement things.
As they departed, Arthur turned to Hiromu and said, "This will not be easy for you…"
He only said this because there was no way that he would tackle monotonous paperwork alone.
Hiromu nodded, understanding that his role as the feudal lord wasn't over yet.
"You have my word," he said. "We will work together to build a better tomorrow for the Water Country."
'Ridiculous talk…'
As soon as the door clicked shut behind Hiromu, Arthur's demeanour shifted. The calculated façade was replaced by a cold, predatory focus.
Not all the councilors felt the same way. He knew that it was the secretary-general who was most skeptical of his plans.
For him to ensure his rule was truly set in stone, he needed to instill a sense of loyalty and a belief in his vision without wasting too much of his time.
The instant he thought about what he would do, the door opened again. It was the secretary-general. Right on cue.
"Come," Arthur said. "Sit down… There is something I'd like to discuss with you."
The secretary-general sat.
"Tell me about the Mist Village's relationship with the other nations," Arthur began.
The secretary-general hesitated before wondering, "Why do you ask?"
Hiromu wasn't here, and Arthur hadn't been inaugurated as the feudal lord. So there was no need for anyone to formally address him as "my lord."
"It's important to understand the political landscape," Arthur replied simply.
The secretary-general nodded, his skepticism tempered by Arthur's directness. He proceeded to outline the complex web of alliances and rivalries that characterized the region.
The Land of Waves and the Land of the Sea, he explained, were the Mist Village's primary trading partners, but relations had been strained in recent years due to territorial disputes.
Arthur listened, already aware of the situation. He knew the basics, but the secretary-general's perspective offered a different insight.
It was clear that the Mist Village was caught in a delicate balance of power, a pawn in a larger geopolitical game.
"Rest assured," Arthur said. "If the peace treaty we send succeeds, as it will, you shall understand things as they progress."
After that, he thanked the secretary-general for his time, knowing that this was the reason he had come back. The man bowed and left the room, leaving Arthur alone with his thoughts.
Now he had to act on affairs as a ninja again, so he left the feudal lord's residence.
His destination was the remote village he had come from earlier; a journey he took using the flying raijin.
Some time later.
Setting up the ritual for the Reanimation technique was very easy. Two wanted thieves with a very low bounty were captured without drawing any attention. He then took them to a remote clearing where no one was around for miles.
Arthur entered his Simian Sage Mode, channeled his Sage Chakra, and performed the technique. Dust covered the thieves' bodies as two new characters began to stir.
When they were fully formed, he placed a charm attached to a kunai behind each of their heads. Their eyes opened, and they sat up.
This was them—the Gold and Silver Brothers, those who put fear into characters like the Raikage. But more importantly, they were Arthur's!
He stood before the reanimated corpses, feeling how these characters would cause someone to feel trepidation. They were monstrous figures that towered over him, but they were no more than machines right now.
Why he went to such lengths to acquire them was already known—the objects within their bodies that had converted into chakra for them to store, even after their deaths.
He formed one hand sign and commanded, "Summon the tools…"
The corpses stirred, their forms contorting in unnatural ways. Then, with suddenness, the tools gradually snaked from behind them and out of their mouths.
They had seemingly materialized out of thin air. The Leaf Fan, the Gold Rope, the Seven Stars Blade, and the Crimson Gourd—they were all present.
Arthur made the brothers remove the tools from their person and bring them to him.
They were light, and he could physically feel the chakra trying to weigh him down. Had he not been in his Sage Mode, just touching these weapons would gradually drain him.
Coffins emerged from the ground, drawing the brothers inside. He would undoubtedly use them when necessary, given that they each had the Nine-Tails' chakra.
After deactivating the reanimation, he carefully examined each of the weapons. To think powerful objects like these were used by Hagoromo.
Arthur could feel a strange connection inside each of them, almost as if they were waiting for mental commands to be used.
As such, he waved the Leaf Fan once. Three fiery tornadoes formed instantly, each twice his size. They shot forward, completely incinerating the trees and leaves!
Arthur could only watch the flames dance, knowing he had acquired something worthwhile.
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