Chapter 91: I Have a Special Money-Making Technique!
The caravan, loaded with goods, stretched for kilometers with over a hundred wagons.
If bandits were to attack, they could easily launch an assault.
However, not a single bandit could approach the caravan because the Konoha ninjas took care of them before they could even make a move.
That's right!
This massive caravan was the logistics convoy of the Konoha Southwest Ninja Army.
There was more than one ninja squad escorting them, and they were led by a Jonin.
A single convoy wouldn't normally have such a large escort, but when multiple convoys merged, the scale of protection naturally increased.
Uchiha Takashi's strategy significantly enhanced the safety of the convoy without consuming additional resources.
Otherwise, according to previous data, at least a few of every ten wagons would be destroyed by Sand Ninja along the way.
Using this method, losses could be reduced by at least ten percent.
Don't think that's a small amount.
A ten percent reduction in losses for the entire southwest camp is no small figure.
Additionally, Hyuga Aotsuki and Yamakawa Koji were secretly overseeing the escort team.
Uchiha Takashi was in charge of logistics and couldn't participate in escort missions, but that didn't mean the other two couldn't, so they were sent directly.
With them around, there was no need to worry about the convoy encountering problems.
Especially with Hyuga Aotsuki! With her around, traps and ambushes were easily detected, allowing the convoy to move forward with ease.
Such a level of protection is something ordinary merchant caravans could never obtain.
Currently, a business association was hitching a ride, enjoying this special treatment.
Even if Sand Ninja were to attack, seeing this lineup would make them retreat immediately.
They were there to harass, not to commit suicide.
Within the convoy.
"We've reached Inaba City. We're definitely going to make a fortune this time!"
A middle-aged man resembling Honda in appearance looked at the faint outline of the city in the distance, his tone somewhat excited.
He hadn't expected such an opportunity.
As long as the goods were sold smoothly, profits would be at least ten million ryo, with a chance of reaching twenty million ryo—pure profit.
The key is that as long as the war doesn't end, this kind of profit will continue. This is just the beginning.
Although half of the profits had to be shared.
But he thought it was entirely justified because the partner provided so much.
Just the escort team alone included a Jonin, several Chunin, and dozens of Genin, practically a 'mini ninja army.'
Hiring these ninjas for a mission would cost at least several million ryo, not to mention needing the right connections.
Moreover, using the title of 'Ninja Army Logistics Supplier' allowed them to avoid exploitation by the nobles.
That's the key! Nobles being unreasonable is a harsh reality.
For a normal caravan, even if they arrived safely, the profit might only be around a million ryo, all while risking robbery and death.
But now, not only was it easy and safe, but the profit margin was ten times greater.
The difference was truly staggering.
"I never thought we could earn so much!"
The chubby man, Honda, murmured to himself.
"In the future, whatever Uchiha Takashi needs the Honda Association to do, you agree to it!"
Honda Sho quietly reminded his son.
He knew Uchiha Takashi very well.
Before graduation, he was known, but for negative reasons like 'failure' and 'dead last.'
However, during the graduation exam, he managed to defeat Kakashi, the son of White Fang, and in the Chunin Exams, he outshone all the geniuses to win the championship.
If the news hadn't been suppressed, he would have undoubtedly been labeled a super genius.
At most, he would have been seen as someone with potential.
But on the battlefield, he first saved his son from Pakura, and later retreated unscathed from Rasa.
This meant he had grown, no longer just a genius, but a strong ninja.
And isn't it natural to align with the strong?
For the Honda Association, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Without sufficient strength, expanding into a larger association would be impossible.
"I understand!"
Honda nodded silently.
Soon, the convoy entered Inaba City.
If it were an ordinary caravan, they would have to bribe the guards and deal with greedy nobles.
But once the convoy revealed its 'Konoha' affiliation, all troubles vanished.
Chapter 91: I Have a Special Money-Making Technique!
After all, Konoha is the strongest military organization in the Land of Fire. Even if the nobles are stubborn, they wouldn't dare to cause trouble. Do you really think ninjas can't wield a blade?
As the convoy continued after leaving the city, the number of vehicles decreased from over a hundred to just a few dozen.
Clearly, most of the goods didn't belong to the Southwest Ninja Army.
The empty carts wouldn't leave immediately. Instead, they would purchase local specialties and wait for the carts heading back to the ninja camp to return, traveling back to the Land of Fire together.
Due to the war, the prices of local specialty goods naturally dropped.
This way, they could profit twice from a single trip.
It's a perfect blend of military and commercial advantage.
Half a day later, the convoy arrived at the camp.
The commanding Jonin of the escort team brought Yamakawa Koji and Hyuga Aotsuki to the logistics department where Uchiha Takashi worked.
Upon entering the tent, he was taken aback.
Because it didn't look like a place for handling affairs at all; it looked more like a laboratory.
Several long tables had appeared at some point, covered with numerous bottles and jars.
"Lord Kobayashi, was the mission successful this time?"
Standing in front of a wooden table, Uchiha Takashi, shaking a reagent in his hand, asked without looking up.
"Everything went smoothly!"
Kobayashi replied straightforwardly.
"That's good!" Uchiha Takashi placed the reagent in a test tube rack and picked up a file folder from the table, handing it to him. "Thanks to your help, here's the agreed 'token of appreciation.'"
Inside was three million ryo, the previously agreed payment.
Yes, Uchiha Takashi specifically requested him to lead the logistics escort mission and offered a reward privately. Otherwise, why do you think the escort team was so smoothly assembled?
A Jonin!
Even though he's a civilian, the value of a Jonin's status is well understood. A transport team of this scale naturally requires a Jonin to oversee it.
If it were another Jonin, they wouldn't tolerate the Honda Trading Company 'hitching a ride.'
But with Kobayashi as the commanding Jonin for the escort mission, it wasn't a problem.
Got it?
Uchiha Takashi's money-making plan needed a 'Jonin' to oversee it, which is why he specifically invited him.
They had worked together before and knew each other's character.
If it were another Jonin, not to mention whether they would agree, even if they did, who knows if they would hold it over him.
Because this was about using the ninja army's 'resources' to make money.
Although everyone plays this game, you can't leave any evidence in someone else's hands.
"How could I accept this..."
Kobayashi, doing this for the first time, seemed a bit shy and didn't immediately take the money Uchiha Takashi offered.
"This is the reward you deserve."
Uchiha Takashi saw it differently.
Isn't it only right to receive payment for labor? He wasn't like the village elders, who only used the 'Will of Fire' to exploit people without wanting to pay.
"You're right!"
Kobayashi was finally convinced and reached out to take the reward from Uchiha Takashi.
He, as the team leader, would take one-fifth of the money, and the rest would be divided among the others.
And one-fifth of three million ryo is six hundred thousand ryo.
Doesn't sound like much, does it?
After all, an S-rank mission starts at a million ryo.
But consider how insanely difficult S-rank missions are. Even Jonin have a significant chance of encountering trouble on such missions.
But this escort mission was much less dangerous, almost risk-free.
Not to mention, escort missions already come with contributions.
This money was an extra gain!
Moreover, taking this reward didn't affect the escort mission, so there was no psychological burden in accepting it.
"I agree with what you proposed earlier!"
Kobayashi seemed to have made up his mind, leaving a sentence behind before exiting the logistics department.
Previously, Uchiha Takashi had approached him for long-term cooperation, and he said he would think about it.
Now it seems he couldn't resist the 'sugar-coated bullets.'
After he left, Uchiha Takashi turned to look at Yamakawa Koji and Hyuga Aotsuki, his eyes filled with inquiry.
Because some items were also brought in with this convoy.
(End of Chapter)