Naruto: Konoha Spring of the Uchiha Prodigies

Kado glanced at the person who spoke, feeling somewhat displeased, and secretly memorized the person's appearance.

"As for taxes, let's not be so one-sided. Didn't His Excellency the Grand Minister of State introduce a policy that allows for tax deductions for investments within the Land of Fire?" Kado said.

"Investment? Besides the area around Konoha, where else in the Land of Fire is worth investing in?" the businessman complained. "Investing in factories in those poor places, how long would it take to recoup the investment? And why should he use our money to build up the Land of Fire!"

Kado shrank back and said, "We need to think long-term. As the lives of the people of the Land of Fire improve, we will be able to earn more money."

"Hmph, is that something you, Kado, should say? Why didn't you build factories and invest in that poor place when you were in the Land of Waves?" At this moment, another merchant said.

"Since everyone already has their own ideas, what else do I need to say?" Gato finally realized what was going on. Why should he be caught in the middle? As one of the first to pledge his loyalty to Uchiha Touko, although his assets had shrunk considerably and he now had several bodyguards living in his house, on the bright side, his quality of life hadn't decreased at all. After Uchiha Touko took his money, he had a lot of free time doing business in the Land of Fire. Although he had to share 70% of his profits with them, his business empire was much larger than before.

So, as long as you stick close to Uchiha Touko's coattails, why worry about not making money?

As for his colleagues, he felt he had done more than enough for them. After all, it's hard to reason with those who are determined to die. He had already warned them so many times, and if they still insisted on courting death, then he couldn't care less.

Besides, isn't the happiest thing in the world to die alongside your peers? Why am I so worried about them? Maybe I can even get a share of the spoils if they die.

Having figured all this out, Kado became more assertive and said, "I'm already prepared to invest in building a factory in the Land of Fire. As for what you want to do, don't drag me into it."

After saying that, Kado got up and left the party.

Once back in his carriage, Kado immediately changed his tune and said to Uchiha Tobishima beside him, "Mr. Tobishima, you must have heard what they said just now. I suggest you report this to the Grand Minister of State immediately. These people are truly lawless!"

"Yes, I will report this to the clan leader. You did a good job!" Uchiha Tobishima nodded.

Half an hour later, after sending Gato home, Uchiha Touka went straight to the Hokage Building and reported the matter to Uchiha Touka.

"They dare accuse me of robbery just because I asked them to pay taxes?" Uchiha Toukoku's eyes widened in anger after hearing Uchiha Tobishima's report. "Do they know who they're talking to? A bunch of merchants, what are they!"

"It seems these guys have had too much of a good life and have forgotten the hardships of life. They need to experience this firsthand!" Uchiha Touko said. "Uncle Tobishima, who are the leaders among these merchants?"

"According to Gato, this gathering was initiated by a businessman named Yokokawa Yuhiro. According to Gato, this guy's business started by selling rubber shoes in the Land of Lightning, and now his industry involves various daily chemical products. The largest daily chemical brand in the ninja world is his Yokokawa Daily Chemicals."

"I see, it was him." Uchiha Touko nodded. "Inahikawa."

"I'm here." Uchiha Inahi walked in.

"Go to the police station, bring some men, and under the pretext of investigating taxes, shut down all of this guy's businesses. Then go and have a good talk with President Yokokawa to see what he's really up to!"

"Yes!" Uchiha Inahi accepted the order and left.

……

Soon, the largest daily chemical retail store in Konoha and the warehouses around Konoha were sealed off by the guards. Yokokawa Yuhiro was furious when he learned of this, but the next moment, Uchiha Inahime came to his door.

"The Hokage's secretary has come to visit?" Upon hearing this news, Yokokawa Yuhiro was somewhat agitated, but he still patiently invited Uchiha Inahi into the house. There was no other way; he had invested a large sum of money in this move to Konoha, and now that his businesses were sealed off, he would face the risk of a broken cash flow if he could not resume operations as soon as possible.

"Good afternoon, President Yokokawa." Uchiha Inahashi, dressed in ninja attire, swaggered into Yokokawa Yuhiro's home.

Yokokawa Yuhiro frowned repeatedly. In his opinion, Uchiha Inahisa was just a lowly ninja, but now the other party was showing no respect for him at all, which was extremely impolite.

At this moment, Yokokawa Yuhiro's Jonin saw this and stepped forward to teach Uchiha Inahiro a lesson. However, Uchiha Inahiro simply activated his Sharingan, and the moment he saw the two tomoe, he dared not move. This Jonin from Kusagakure had naturally heard of the Uchiha's reputation for being able to fight at least two opponents at once. The moment Uchiha Inahiro activated his Sharingan, he understood that this person was definitely not someone to be trifled with.

"President Yokokawa, some of your subordinates are being a bit disobedient," Uchiha Inahisa said coldly as she turned around.

Seeing this, Yokokawa Yuhiro cursed inwardly, but thinking of his properties that had been seized by the security forces, he could only suppress his anger and said to his subordinate Jonin, "Get out of here!"

After the Jonin left to carry out his orders, Yokokawa Yuhiro said with a forced smile, "My subordinates are ignorant and have made the Hokage's secretary laugh at them. Please forgive them, Hokage's secretary."

Uchiha Inahisa nodded upon hearing this and swaggered over to sit down on the sofa in Yokokawa Yuhiro's living room.

Seeing this, Yokokawa Yuhiro could only curse under his breath, but he still had to have the servants in his household serve tea and water to the other party.

"Is there something you wish to discuss with me, Secretary Shiranui?" Yokokawa Yuhiro asked.

"President Yokokawa, aren't you asking a question you already know the answer to? We received a report that your company has tax issues, so we've come here to ask President Yokokawa to come back with us for an investigation," Uchiha Inahisa said coldly.

"Tax issues? How could that be? Our Yokokawa Group has always operated in accordance with the law, and we always pay taxes in full," Yokokawa Yuhiro said.

"President Yokokawa still has a long way to go in understanding the new tax law that was introduced this year," said Uchiha Inahisa.

"You mean that 70% tax rate?" Yokokawa Yuhiro asked patiently. "Our Yokokawa Group can't afford such a high tax rate."

"Didn't the Grand Minister of State introduce a policy that allows tax deductions for investments in factories within the Land of Fire?" Uchiha Inahisa said. "We haven't received your tax payment for this year, nor have we received your investment plan, which makes things difficult for us, President Yokokawa."

"Secretary Hokage, forgive my bluntness, but we business people are in it to make money, not to give money to any country!" Yokokawa Yuhiro said, patting the sole of his shoe. "Back when I was in the Land of Lightning, I was in the rubber shoe business. I climbed up from the bottom to where I am now. I've been in the business world for so many years, but I've never encountered a situation like this before."

"President Yokokawa, you don't need to tell me all this. You just need to tell me whether you're going to pay this tax or not?" Uchiha Inahisa gradually lost patience upon hearing this and asked bluntly.

"Please leave, Secretary Hokage! I will not pay this unreasonable tax!" Yokokawa Yuhiro said.

"Alright, I hope you won't regret it, President Yokokawa." Uchiha Inahisa nodded. "Then let's talk about your plot to rebel last night."

"This... how is this possible?" Yokokawa Yuhiro was shocked, but still forced himself to say, "You can't just make up a reason to slander an innocent person!"

"Whether it's slander or not, the security team will naturally produce the evidence. President Yokokawa, you'd better come with us!" Uchiha Inahisa said coldly.

"You can't do this! Someone come here! Someone come here!" Yokokawa Yuhiro shouted.

"Stop shouting. The ninjas under your command are no match for the security team with their paltry skills." Uchiha Inahashi stood up and reached out to hold Yokokawa Yuhiro down. "If you don't want to suffer, President Yokokawa, you'd better behave yourself."

……

Yokokawa Yuhiro was taken to the police station. Although he was released that night after an investigation, bad news followed one after another in the next few days.

First of all, the police force not only failed to lift the ban on his businesses, but also intensified its efforts against them. Throughout Konoha, any businessman who had any business dealings with the Yokokawa Group would be subject to inspections by the police force every few days.

In addition, at Uchiha Tokō's behest, Gato also began to take action, snatching business from the other party.

In just one week, Yokokawa Yuhiro, a member of the security force, received all sorts of unfavorable news about his group in the Land of Fire, severely damaging the entire Yokokawa Group.

It was at this moment that Yokokawa Yuhiro received an invitation to a dinner party from Uchiha Tokō.

……

Chapter 132 My Power as Hokage is Unlimited

Although Yokokawa Yuhiro really wanted to tear up Uchiha Touko's invitation, reason told him that he should just go to the banquet.

After the Land of Fire moved its capital to Konoha, anyone with a discerning eye could see how much business opportunity there was, let alone a seasoned veteran like him who had been navigating the business world for many years.

Therefore, Yokokawa Yuhiro used almost all of his available working capital to purchase properties in Konoha. As a result, after his properties in Konoha were sealed off, his properties in other countries were also significantly affected. In just one week, Yokokawa Chemicals faced a major problem of a broken cash flow.

This is not because Yokokawa Yuhiro lacks a sense of crisis, but because he has never experienced Uchiha Tokō's methods.

With his wealth and status, even the daimyo of the five great nations would have to treat him with respect, not to mention the rulers of some small countries, who sometimes had to watch their step. How could Uchiha Tokō be like that, turning his back on someone so easily?

Although Yokokawa Yuhiro was extremely unhappy, the most important thing right now was to find a way to get through the current difficulties.

That evening, Yokokawa Yuhiro arrived at the venue of the banquet—a newly opened upscale restaurant in Kado—with a gift.

When Yokokawa Yuhiro arrived, Kado was swaggering at the restaurant entrance, greeting the arriving guests.

Seeing Kado's smug look, Yokokawa Yuhiro almost ground his teeth to powder. It was this bastard who led the attack when his business was seized and investigated by the police, wielding a big knife to cut his flesh, so that in less than a week, his business had lost nearly 20%.

Now, it's supposed to be Uchiha Tohka's banquet, but Gato is acting as a greeter at the door. He's not even going to pretend anymore.

"President Yokokawa, how have you been?" Kado noticed Yokokawa Yuhiro's figure, immediately walked up with a smile, and greeted him.

"Hmph." Yokokawa Yuhiro snorted coldly, ignored Kado, placed the gift on the table by the door, and walked straight into the banquet hall.

Kado, feeling slighted, twitched his lips slightly: "These barbarians from the Land of Lightning really have no manners."

After Yokokawa Yuhiro entered the banquet hall, he found that almost everyone present was a colleague from their gathering that day. After exchanging a few words, Yokokawa Yuhiro also realized that he was not an isolated case. These businessmen who had acquired properties in Konoha, as long as they had not paid the 70% tax, had all had their properties targeted by the police.

Several of these businessmen, led by Gato, who submitted plans to the Hokage Building to invest in and develop the Land of Fire, received the green light to operate in Konoha. Furthermore, under the protection of the police force, they extensively seized the assets of these rebels.

Yokokawa Yuhiro wanted to find a few old friends to confide in, when Uchiha Touko, wearing the conspicuous Fifth Hokage robe and Hokage hat, walked into the banquet hall surrounded by a group of ninjas and swaggered to sit down in the main seat.

Seeing this, the others in the room could only fall silent.

Uchiha Touko removed the Hokage hat and placed it on the table. He glanced at the people in the room and then said, "Is everyone here? Please take your seats."

After the guests took their seats, Gato, who was sitting not far from Uchiha Touko, clapped his hands lightly. Soon, a group of waiters pushed carts and brought out the food and drinks.

Uchiha Touken picked up the wine the waiter had poured for him, gently swirled the glass, and the dark red liquid swayed slowly inside. Uchiha Touken did not speak, and the others in the room did not dare to speak for the time being.

After a while, Uchiha Touko finally spoke, saying, "You are all business tycoons in the ninja world. It is an honor for Konohagakure of the Land of Fire to gather here today."

"Your Excellency, what are you saying? It is our honor to have you invite us all together." At this moment, Kado hurriedly said, his sycophantic manner causing Yokokawa Yuhiro and the others to frown repeatedly.

"Hey, don't do that." Uchiha Touko waved his hand, then looked at the other people at the long table.

“When it comes to doing business, I may not be as good as you,” Uchiha Touko said, gently swirling his wine glass. “However, after becoming Hokage and being entrusted with the heavy responsibility of Grand Minister of State by the late king, I have also learned some things. One of them is that my power as Hokage and Grand Minister of State is unlimited.”

As soon as Uchiha Touko finished speaking, the entire banquet hall fell into an eerie silence.

“For example, if I lend a hand to a company, it can survive,” Uchiha Touko said, glancing at Yokokawa Yuhiro and the others who were planning to resist his tax plan. After finishing his drink, he said slowly, “But if I want to destroy a company, it’s not difficult either. That’s how powerful that power is, don’t you think, President Yokokawa?”

Yokokawa Yuhiro's lips twitched slightly when he was called out, but when he thought that the life and death of his company was still in the other party's hands, he could only smile and say, "What the Grand Minister of State says is true."

Uchiha Touko smiled, shook his empty wine glass, and remained silent.

Seeing this, Yokokawa Yuhiro could only respectfully stand up, take the wine from the waiter beside him, and intend to pour it for Uchiha Tokō.

However, at this moment, Uchiha Touko waved his hand and said, "I have official business to attend to later, so I won't drink, Gato."

"I'm here." Kado approached with a fawning smile. "What are your orders, Grand Minister?"

"You can drink this glass of wine with President Yokokawa for me," Uchiha Touko said.

Upon hearing this, Kado looked up and gave Yokokawa Yuhiro a smug look, while swirling the wine glass in his hand.

Yokokawa Yuhiro gritted his teeth. Before coming to the Land of Fire, the two had done business together before. Back then, Gato was like a stray dog ​​in his eyes. He could make Gato go bankrupt at any time if he wanted to. But now, he had to personally pour Gato a full glass of wine and then drink his own wine in one gulp.

Only then did Uchiha Toko reveal a slight smile, giving Yokokawa Yuhiro and the other restless businessmen a meaningful look: "Although I haven't read many books and don't know much about business, I do know a fundamental principle: only when the country is stable can domestic enterprises have a stable environment for development and make more money. Therefore, I believe that enterprises have an obligation to give back to the country. Do you all agree with my statement?"

"Your words, Grand Minister of State, are so insightful!" Kado put down his wine glass and clapped vigorously.

"Yes, yes, without the development of the country, where would we be today!" Several businessmen who had previously taken a big cut from the opposition, following Kado, stood up and enthusiastically praised him.

"Is that really what you think?" Uchiha Touko asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Of course, these are our heartfelt words!” Cardo said.

“Very well. Now that you have enjoyed the benefits of the country’s development, shouldn’t you do something for the country that makes you money?” Uchiha Touko’s eyes were like arrows as he looked at Yokokawa Yuhiro and the others. In an instant, the group felt as if they were being stared at by a ferocious beast. Within a few seconds, cold sweat soaked their backs.

"If anyone thinks that they don't need to give back to the country after their company makes money, then it is my dereliction of duty as the Grand Minister of State to allow such companies to make money. Don't you agree?" Uchiha Touhuan released his killing intent without reservation. Even some ninjas could not tolerate this killing intent, let alone these businessmen who were used to living a life of luxury.

"Your Excellency, it was all a misunderstanding. Our Yokokawa Group is already preparing to open a factory in the Land of Fire. The detailed plan will be delivered to your office soon." Yokokawa Yuhiro knelt down on the ground, sweating profusely, and said.

Others followed suit, and in an instant, a large number of people in the banquet hall knelt down.

"That's for the best," Uchiha Touko said coldly. "I suggest you don't test my patience. In this world, three-legged toads are hard to find, but there are plenty of people who want to make money. Understand?"

"Understood! Understood!" The person kneeling on the ground nodded hurriedly.