Chapter 169: 169
Haruto sat at his desk, absorbed in the essay he was writing. The memory of his clone's progress on the explosive tag innovations lingered in his mind, but now he was focused on something far more significant. This essay wasn't about battlefield tactics or jutsu development—it was about Konoha's future.
His last big effort—the Will of Fire essay—had been sent through his old academy instructor, Rika. He wasn't sure if it had made any real impact. Haruto could only hope that it had somehow made its way to the Hokage's hands, but for now, all he could do was continue pushing forward with new ideas. If his last essay didn't get attention, this one would have to.
This time, he was writing about something that could reshape the very foundation of Konoha's economy. A village bank. Haruto firmly believed that such an institution would secure Konoha's future in ways that missions and military strength alone could not. A solid economic base would protect the village from uncertainty, and ensure that its wealth and resources stayed where they belonged—within the village, working for its people.
He leaned over the paper, making final adjustments, especially to the part about debt and the pitfalls of simply printing money.
"The Case for a Konoha Village Bank: Economic Prosperity and Security for the Future"
A village-run bank would provide Konoha with an unprecedented level of economic control, allowing it to protect its people's wealth while generating resources to grow the village. The benefits of establishing this institution are clear:
1. Secure Savings and Growth for Civilians and Shinobi
The bank would offer a safe place for all civilians and shinobi to deposit their wealth, allowing them to earn modest interest on their savings. This would encourage financial growth for the entire population while keeping the village's resources within Konoha, protecting against external financial manipulation.
2. Funding for Economic Expansion
With the bank providing affordable loans, Konoha could see economic expansion across various sectors—whether it be businesses, training programs for shinobi, or even public infrastructure projects. The loans would help Konoha's economy flourish, ensuring the village's wealth is continually reinvested in its own growth.
3. Revenue for the Village
The interest generated from these loans would provide a steady stream of revenue for the village, which could be used to improve public services, support shinobi operations, and fund projects that keep Konoha strong and secure.
Haruto paused before moving to his next point—one that carried much more weight. He began writing about the dangers of debt and why Konoha needed to tread carefully with it. He knew that debt could destabilize even the most powerful systems if not managed properly.
Debt as a Danger to Konoha's Stability
Debt itself is not inherently evil, but for Konoha, it represents a significant risk. A village that falls too deeply into debt loses control over its future. When we allow debt to spiral, we hand over our autonomy to those who own that debt. For Konoha, debt should be treated as a danger to the state. The village should only take on manageable, necessary debt, with strict limits and clear repayment structures to ensure it never grows out of control.
Haruto knew that some systems simply printed more money to cover their debt. He scoffed at the idea, knowing how foolish it was to devalue your own currency just to avoid paying what was owed.
Avoiding the Pitfalls of Reckless Finance
Konoha's wealth must always be tied to real, tangible resources. The bank should be backed by physical assets—land, resources, and other valuable goods—not a system of speculative "monopoly money." Simply printing more money to cover debt is a dangerous fallacy. It weakens the foundation of an economy and could lead Konoha to financial ruin. By ensuring that the bank's funds are grounded in real value, we will protect Konoha's future and prevent unnecessary financial crises.
Satisfied with the final touches, Haruto sat back, looking at the essay as a whole. It was bold, but necessary. Konoha couldn't rely solely on its shinobi strength. It needed a secure economy, and this essay provided a blueprint for how to achieve that.
His hope was that, eventually, the Hokage himself would take note. Hiruzen Sarutobi was known for his wisdom and his commitment to the village's future, and if anyone could appreciate the significance of a village-run bank, it would be him.
Haruto carefully tucked the essay away, making sure it was ready for when the right moment came. There was still much work to be done, but for now, this was a step forward.
With a final glance toward his work, Haruto made sure his clone was still busy with the explosive tag experiment, before heading to bed. His mind was buzzing with ideas—what Konoha could become, how his innovations could change everything—but tonight, he allowed himself a brief moment of rest.
Tomorrow, there would be more training, more refining, more planning.
And maybe, just maybe, his ideas would start to make an impact.
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