章節 53: Civilian Council
After the team introductions, I headed to the most infamous organisation in Naruto banishment fanfics, the Civilian Council.
Thankfully, unlike those trash fanfics, where the Civilian Council is all powerful and even has the power to banish the village's jinchuriki, it is not that powerful.
After the Third Ninja War Ended, Land of Wind and Water Daimyo's have been continuously cutting funding of their Shinobi villages.
So, after Father-in-law's death, and a Hokage candidate, Orochimaru going rogue, the village was worried, so Konoha decided to start trying to become self-sufficient.
Before, Konoha, like all ninja villages, was only allowed to collect tax from Shinobi missions. And relied on the rest of the funding from Daimyo. It wasn't a big deal until Hashirama and Tobirama were alive. Though Tsunade's mother was the daughter of the Daimyo at that time and married Hashirama's son, we all know how well political marriages work and how loving rich relatives are.
Hiruzen is the second weakest Hokage after Tsunade, or probably the weakest, and his long reign has weakened Konoha a lot. If Hashirama or Tobirama 'requested' Daimyo to be able to collect taxes in Konoha and operate businesses within Konoha without interference from the Daimyo, no way would a Civilian Council be required to exist.
Most of the businesses are concentrated in the Fire Capital. So opening up Konoha meant that the businesses from Fire Capital dominated Konoha's non-ninja economy.
And they started interfering in the Academy as well, lowering the standards so that their kids can become ninja. The academy that was headed by Tobirama upon its opening is now filled with just Chunins. Afterall, these guys just want their kids to be able to become Genin or Chunin and then help in the business.
Afterall, even a genin is far more stronger than normal mercenaries and bodyguards.
Well, the situation is changing because of me. In clothing, and entertainment industries, I am unchallenged in the Land of Fire.
And now that I am officially an adult, I can formally join the council.
"Good morning, lady Daimyo."
I greeted the Daimyo's wife with a smile, and the cat she was squeezing jumped away from her and landed on my shoulder.
"Meow!"
It hissed at her, and nudged against my face affectionately.
"Tora-chan, long time no see. Do you want me to take you to your friends?"
"Meow~"
I wanted to pet her, but that will offend this fat lady, so I held back.
Daimyo's wife frowned at her cat being affectionate with me, but as soon as I took out something from the scroll, she smiled.
"Lady Daimyo, a gift for you."
A carefully crafted golden necklace set. Tenten's shop doesn't only make weapons.
I whispered to her, "I have engraved some seals so that it will glow more in the sunset. This is for you exclusively. I am sure the concubines will be jealous. I plan to open a resort in the capital, so it will set the mood in the sunset dinner."
"Aww! You are really the best in Konoha!"
She pulled me in a tight hug, suffocating me, and Tora used this opportunity to escape.
She has literally bathed in perfume. I guess just being rich doesn't bring class.
After she was satisfied, she let me go.
"Well, it's about time for the meeting. From now on, sit beside me."
Well, no pain no gain. I got in the good side of the head of the Civilian Council atleast.
She knows that she doesn't stand much chance against the beautiful young women, and girls, in the Daimyo's harem. Afterall, he is the richest man in the whole world by a long shot. That's why she uses Konoha to keep her influence.
She isn't just some ordinary cat lady. Afterall, catching Tora is the most premium D-rank mission, paying even more than C-rank and even many of the B-rank ones. And she lets off Tora to have her fun with the other cats almost everyday.
She obviously knows that I am buttering her up, but well, atleast she knows that will not ally with the other concubines like businesses and nobles of Land of Fire.
I wonder how Hiruzen brought her to his side. Who knows, maybe she is secretly an ANBU whose mission is to keep Fire Daimyo connected to Konoha.
We arrived at the meeting, and everyone kept their smiles. Though, I could feel hostility from them towards a newcomer who has been affecting their businesses.
"Let's welcome the newcomer!"
"Good morning Councillors, I am Shiori, the co-chair of Uzumaki conglomerate. Nice to meet you."
Saying it, I sat down on the seat beside lady Daimyo.
A person handed me the proceedings until now, rules and regulations of the council, which I have read already.
33% tax is too high for companies. Moreover, the 30% tax for the rich civilians is audacious.
This council not only decides the things like business cases, civilian income tax of Konoha, and other such things, like rules and regulations of businesses.
Well, there is something that I need to take care off.
Copyright.
These guys copy everything shamelessly, so mch so that I have to spend more on advertisement and keeping my products 'premium' instead of cheap copycats.
But the thing is, Konoha doesn't have many rich people that are spendthrifts.
Hyuga clan is too rigid and traditional.
Jonins like Kakashi and Guy aren't interested in material things.
While Akimichi clan is rich and spends a lot on food, I have already reached the upper limit by giving them a place inside the mall to open their restaurant.
Nara clan is too lazy to bother going out of their house.
Yamanaka clan, well, they spend a lot. Especially Inochi for his daughter.
I don't think I have ever seen an Aburame besides Shino occasionally.
Inuzukas, well, I guess they rather like the cheap knock-offs. Afterall, they are dogs. What would you expect from them?
Sarutobi clan is good to me. Especially Asuma. He buys everything I say that Kurenai might like.
But, knock-offs seriously effect business. They hold the raw materials, so even if I bring cheap things, they wouldn't be able to compete in lowering the price. It's no wonder that 'Made in China' gradually replaced most competitors, especially the quality ones like 'Made in Japan'.
Monopolising on the raw material supply chain is evil, unless it's me. They have been increasing the prices of raw materials for me, so my profits are dropping.
I could have bought some of the raw material producers, but they are united against me, as if they have formed a union.
And we all know how harmful unions are for progress and benefit of the people. It's not like I exploit my people. They work in much better condition and have much more salary than the workers of these unofficial 'unions' against me.
Well, since they have picked a fight with me instead of joining me, I will make sure that they run out of business and get swallowed by my conglomerate at the lowest cost for me.
They have hundreds of thousands of workers?
I have Naruto.
But for now, I will quietly observe them, pick my targets, lure them to my side, and then introduce copyright system that benefits me.
Right now, I don't have the support of the majority.
Sigh. Only if ninjas used their talents in making money instead of fighting stupid wars. Despite having the power, they ultimately serve those without any real power besides money.
And ninjas can easily steal money.
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