Naruto: I'm really not an evil scientist!

Does anyone else believe that this has nothing to do with you?

Anyway, the wealthy merchants who cooperated with Biluhu didn't believe it, but they just wouldn't say it out loud... After all, they were in the same group, sharing both prosperity and adversity, and their interests were closely intertwined.

They didn't care what Birukhu did, as long as they could achieve their goal and make money.

To be honest, it's all his own fault—for the past few months, he's been working hard to promote the popularization of television, making information spread so fast, like the speed of light, that news can instantly reach every corner of the city.

Previously, to spread information, one had to rely on newspapers, ninjas, and word of mouth, the inefficiency of which is self-evident.

No matter how hard we try to spread it, it would take more than a few days to reach this level.

Things are different now. With television, information spreads at the speed of light.

Akai can become known to the world overnight, just like a top internet celebrity, so the internal strife in the Tea Country is naturally the same... Now that the Angel of Peace has completed the first stage, and the completion rate of the second stage is more than half, it means that at least one-fifth of the people in the Fire Country already know about this, and the news is spreading as fast as a plague.

The internal strife in the Tea Kingdom was just that—internal strife. After all, small countries have had a tough time these past two years, and with the presence of ambitious individuals who would stop at nothing to achieve their own interests, it was only natural that chaos would arise.

—For example, the recent conflict between the brothers Feng Hua Zao Xue and Feng Hua Nu Tao caused a great uproar and plunged the entire country into turmoil.

Normally, if Hiruko knew this kind of information, she would just glance at it casually... But this time, it just so happened that Shisui had just passed by, and the Land of Tea was thrown into chaos... Indifferent people would say that this was just a coincidence.

And some people might say... Fifth Hokage, are you doing this again?!

This is an absolute injustice!

This time, however, he really didn't intend to do anything; it was a genuine, legitimate business!

He led a group of people to invest money in the Tea Country, and the ruler of the Tea Country was very welcoming. It was a mutually beneficial deal, wasn't it?

How could this be... From Hiruko's perspective, the ruler of the Land of Tea had no reason to betray him, which means that the occurrence and spread of this incident were all orchestrated by someone else.

Are they the three great powers?

It is indeed very possible that they have always harbored resentment towards Konoha's rise, seeing it as a thorn in their side and wanting to get rid of it as soon as possible.

However, considering his recent activities in the Land of Water, it's hard to say whether Black Zetsu played a part in it. After all, when it comes to intelligence gathering, Black Zetsu is truly formidable. He is omnipresent and infiltrates every nook and cranny, like a ghost in the darkness, making him impossible to guard against.

Hiruko was relatively confident about Operation Still Water; he certainly wouldn't let anyone discover it easily. The Land of Tea would obviously also try to block the news to prevent the situation from escalating.

But the news was still leaked... It doesn't seem like it was something Obito planned meticulously, since he's been busy with Mei Terumi's affairs lately and hasn't had time for anything else.

Could it be that we just happened to run into this...? That's just too unlucky!

Hiruko sat on his plastic chair, his hands clasped together, his brow furrowed, racking his brains to figure out how to handle the crisis and minimize the impact of the incident, like a captain struggling to steer a ship through a storm.

This matter may not seem like a big deal, but if it's not handled properly... Just as he was worrying about it, Shikaku came running over, panting.

"Hokage-sama!"

"Yes, Shikaku... you know about that incident too, right?"

"Yes! Hokage, the situation in Konoha is extremely dangerous. We must begin crisis management immediately!" Shikaku said anxiously, his eyes revealing deep concern for Konoha, as if Konoha were in the midst of a huge crisis and could fall into an abyss at any moment.

Since arriving in this world, all sorts of unpleasant things have happened one after another, like a tide.

Fortunately, Hiruko's continued efforts to transform this world have had some effect. For example, Shikaku has transformed from a simple strategist into an expert at handling all sorts of complex situations...

Of course, this is just a joke. In reality, Shikaku is a very upright and capable person. His wisdom and strategy are among the best in Konoha.

"Shikaku, you're right, I'll leave this to you." Hiruko said with a smile, entrusting the important task of crisis public relations to Shikaku, showing his complete trust in him.

"Yes, Hokage-sama!" Shikaku answered firmly, his eyes revealing unparalleled confidence, as if victory was already assured.

Currently, no one in Konoha understands the power of public opinion better than Shikaku. It may not kill people, but it can make the strongest ninja wish they were dead. This is true for White Fang, and it is also true for Konoha's reputation. It must be dealt with carefully, like guarding a precious treasure.

"But there are a few things I want to confirm one last time," Shikaku suddenly said, his tone becoming serious, as if he were about to reveal an important secret.

"Go ahead and say it." Hiruko also put away his smile and listened attentively, knowing that Shikaku wouldn't ask such a question for no reason.

"You sent Shisui to the Land of Tea, is that true...?"

"Hey, hey, hey, Shikaku, do you really think I'm that kind of person?!" Hiruko thought to herself, but she didn't show it on the surface, remaining calm and rational.

“I think I’m fairly trustworthy,” Hiruko said with a smile, trying to ease the tension and help Shikaku relax.

"Ah, that's true... I often talk about this with my foreign colleagues, and their comments about you are quite interesting."

"I believe you are honest and reliable, but I know that I am a minority. My views are indeed different from others." Lu Jiu said truthfully, his gaze steady and firm.

His work scope has long since extended beyond the borders of the Land of Fire. His frequent exchanges with foreign colleagues have given him a thorough understanding of the dynamics of all parties, and he is naturally aware of their various evaluations of Hiruko.

These evaluations, for him, are like multiple mirrors, reflecting different perspectives and serving as a valuable reference.

However, this answer...

"This is not a time for jokes and lightheartedness... We need to focus on the real issues and get serious."

Hiruko sighed helplessly, a hint of anxiety in his eyes.

He didn't want to joke around with Lu Jiu at this crucial moment; the most urgent task was to resolve the immediate crisis.

“Alright, Hokage Assistant, let’s get straight to the point—please tell me, what was your original, meticulously prepared plan?” Shikaku also put away his smile, his expression becoming serious, his eyes revealing a thirst for the truth, as if trying to pierce through the fog and see everything clearly.

"What else could it be? It's naturally about joining forces with the ruler of the Tea Country to sell cola together," Hiruko said truthfully, his tone tinged with confidence.

"Cola? The one I know?" "Yes, and it's Coca-Cola, not Pepsi."

I'm certain this thing will make money... it just might take a few years of patience.

Because they already possessed the Coca-Cola formula, the most difficult problem had actually been solved.

However, the overall coordination and allocation of various raw materials still requires time and experimentation. Just like cooking a delicious dish, it requires careful blending of various seasonings to achieve the best flavor.

Coca-Cola's quality control and cost control are exemplary in the industry. Even a genius like Hiruko could not learn its essence all at once; he could only learn and improve through continuous trial and error.

Fortunately, the investors are all wealthy and willing to pay for the future. As long as they can make money in the end, that's all that matters. They are looking at long-term returns.

Shikaku quickly took out paper and pen and began to rapidly record every word Hiruko said, afraid of missing any detail. His actions were like those of a serious student who was concentrating on recording the content of a teacher's lecture.

"Are you sure it's harmless?" Hiruko had no need to hide anything from Shikaku, so he told him frankly.

"Of course it is... well, okay, it might still have a slight impact on the human body," Hiruko said somewhat awkwardly, a slightly unnatural expression on his face.

"for example?"

"For example, my allies might add some semi-addictive substances, including but not limited to caffeine, to enhance the taste and appeal, making it more appealing to consumers."

"...This is harmless?"

“…We can make it legally harmless.” Hiruko scratched his head and smiled helplessly. “You can’t expect the horse to run without feeding it, can you? That’s unreasonable.”

Aside from your parents, no one will grant you such a capricious request.

He tried to defuse the awkward atmosphere with humor, easing the tension a little.

"The focus now is on making money. Only with money can you have the right to complain and pursue higher-level things."

Hiruko continued, his tone revealing a sense of helplessness towards reality and an expectation for the future, as if telling Shikaku that in this realistic world, making money is the only true principle.

Shikaku didn't argue, but continued, "Then do you think your actions might get out of control? Or even eventually become extreme?"

"Ha, I'm just selling Coke, how extreme can it be? I can't exactly brandish a ninja sword and force you to buy it, can I? Young people like new things, what's wrong with that?"

Hiruko said with a smile, trying to dispel Shikaku's concerns and convince him that his plan was safe and reliable and would not cause any adverse consequences.

Shikaku stared at Hiruko with deadpan eyes, seemingly not entirely satisfied with his answer. A hint of doubt flickered in his gaze, as if to say, "Have you really considered everything thoroughly?"

Hiruko shook his head helplessly. "Alright, there is one possibility... I'm just saying there is one possibility."

Some unscrupulous individuals deliberately control water resources and use various illegitimate means to make Coca-Cola more expensive than water, then force ordinary people to buy it and reap huge profits..."

"But there are many more heartless things out there; some people even make instant noodles with their feet..."

"Everyone only gives me face and makes me the leader because they respect me."

"But the company hasn't even been established yet... Isn't it a bit excessive to start blaming Konoha for its crimes at this point?"

Hiruko explained that he had indeed tried his best to consider all possible scenarios, just like a cautious chess player who thinks carefully before each move to ensure that nothing goes wrong.

Hiruko had indeed done everything in his power so that his son could have chrysanthemums.

But he also knew very well that he was not a god and could not stop those capitalists from doing anything for profit... There were some things he could stop in a very clever way, and others he could only try to minimize the damage... such as the overloading problem caused by three-wheeled vehicles... Lu Jiu nodded, quickly made two more notes in his notebook, and then put the notebook away.

"I think I understand what you mean... It's obvious that this was a premeditated frame-up."

Shikaku concluded, a hint of wisdom in his eyes, "Our enemies have obtained certain intelligence and have slandered us in an attempt to sabotage our plans. We cannot let them succeed."

"So now..."

An ANBU member knelt on one knee, his posture as steady as a rock, and reported in a low, somewhat solemn voice, "As you instructed, intelligence about the Land of Tea is still being gathered through the Cyber ​​Chakra Network, but currently... the situation is somewhat tricky, and progress is not going smoothly. The situation there is complex, with various forces stirring up trouble, and our intelligence personnel have also encountered some obstacles."

"Let's try having an affair with a few female celebrities first and see how it goes." Hiruko leaned back in the large chair, which was made of a special alloy and emitted a cold luster. It was inlaid with chakra energy stones that could automatically adjust the comfort level according to his physical condition.

He interrupted with a slight upturn of his lips, half-jokingly, a playful smile blooming on his face, as if he were talking about a trivial matter, completely disregarding the problem at hand.

He tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest of the seat, where a miniature display screen flashed various data.

"Yes, Lord Hokage!"

The members of the secret service were slightly taken aback, a hint of surprise flashing in their eyes, but they quickly recovered and withdrew in response.

After leaving the office, he couldn't help but mutter to himself: "The Hokage's thinking is truly beyond the reach of ordinary people. His unconventional style is really hard to fathom. In this era where cyber technology and chakra power intertwine, his decisions always carry a sense of advanced technology that is difficult for people to understand."

Konoha Village didn't release any major blockbusters this year, yet its influence in the entertainment industry is soaring and expanding daily. This is solely due to Konoha Village's consistently high-quality productions, which shine like brilliant stars in the night sky of the entertainment world.

These premium products are promoted using cyber chakra technology, enabling them to precisely reach audiences from all walks of life.

Chapter 393 Bullying the Big Cat

If Konoha were to open its mouth, many female celebrities whose careers have already faded and are at a low point would probably not mind taking this opportunity to have a second spring, like withered trees coming back to life, and regain their vitality.

Given the current lack of intelligence and the unstable situation, Hiruko had no choice but to adopt this seemingly absurd but actually extremely prudent strategy: to observe the development of the situation before making a decision.

After all, while cyber chakra technology is powerful, it still takes time to analyze and respond to complex human nature and situations.

After Shikaku left, only Hiruko remained in the large office.

He sat alone at his desk, pacing back and forth, his footsteps echoing in the quiet room, his brow furrowed, as if bound by invisible shackles.

Various cyber chakra devices were placed on the desk, including a holographic projector that was flashing a blurry image of the Land of Tea.

There was also a chakra data analyzer, constantly beeping.

However, the worst did not happen, which relieved him slightly and eased his tense nerves.

Soon after, he received a secret letter from Zhishui.