"These are…" Kakuzu eyed the items on the table, some familiar, others alien.
"Cigarettes, a drink, perfume." Kakuzu noted, puzzled by the assortment.
"Exactly. But these are crafted differently from anything in this world, special commodities." Tengen explained.
"Special commodities." Kakuzu echoed, picking up a drink and taking a sip. His eyes flickered. "Definitely unique."
"The key to commerce is exclusivity and advertising. Only then can we penetrate the five great nations. Of course, we'll need strong protection for these goods." Tengen said.
"Tell me more." Kakuzu urged, intrigued.
He recognized the allure of unique products, a veritable blue ocean in commerce.
The table held items from Tengen's previous world: Zhonghua soft-pack cigarettes, Red Bull, Chanel perfume, Wanglaoji herbal tea, and more. Over time, Tengen had not only acquired these items but also their production methods, simplifying their creation.
As a ninja, Kakuzu knew little of commerce. The ninja world's development was skewed. While technology wasn't weak, its focus was misaligned, stunted by constant wars among the great nations.
Without formidable strength, any faction risked annihilation. Becoming a true merchant required robust protection as a foundation.
The ninja world's elite forces resided within the great villages, whose shinobi had neither the knowledge nor inclination for trade. Their power made wealth easily attainable, and their expenses were minimal, reducing the need for commerce.
Thus, successful merchants often relied on ordinary Jonin or rogue ninja for protection, forming a niche in the black market.
The great villages offered no consistent protection, let alone subservience to merchants. Large-scale commercial empires were nonexistent. Even someone like Gato, a future tycoon, was confined to the Land of Waves, a minor nation, insignificant compared to the five great nations or even inland countries.
That such a figure was considered a rare magnate highlighted the ninja world's warped development. Destruction far outpaced creation.
But Tengen envisioned something grander: a commercial empire spanning the entire ninja world. This required formidable ninja strength, particularly elite forces, as the five great nations would not tolerate such a power without opposition.
This was merely a concept for now. With the Third Great Ninja War looming, the great nations would be preoccupied, giving Tengen's fledgling enterprise room to grow.
Tengen explained to Kakuzu the art of product promotion, brand-building, and celebrity endorsements. As they spoke, Kakuzu grew excited, these concepts were novel in the ninja world.
They debated whether to enlist daimyo or even Kages as endorsers, though they quickly realized such ideas were fanciful.
Still, Kakuzu was hooked.
"But Tengen, why not spearhead this yourself?" Kakuzu asked.
"Do you want me to become a Konoha rogue ninja?" Tengen replied, giving him an odd look.
"Oh, right." Kakuzu paused, realizing Konoha would never let a prodigy like Tengen leave.
As previously noted, ninja were akin to soldiers in Tengen's former world. Desertion was unthinkable.
Tsunade's departure was an anomaly, permitted only by her unique status as the First Hokage's granddaughter, the Second Hokage's kin, and the Third Hokage's disciple. Few in Konoha matched her privilege.
"Besides, no matter how much money we make, strength is paramount." Tengen said, glancing at Kakuzu. "Unlike you, Kakuzu, my potential isn't capped."
Kakuzu felt a pang of sorrow. It was true, at over seventy, his strength had plateaued. Maintaining Kage-level prowess was an achievement he was content with.
His pursuit of wealth stemmed from this stagnation; little else mattered to him.
"Tengen, I can't imagine how far your strength will grow. Hashirama Senju's level?" Kakuzu shook his head. At nine, Tengen's power suggested boundless potential, possibly rivaling Hashirama, who once subdued the ninja world, though the odds seemed slim.
Since the ninja villages' founding, no one had surpassed Hashirama, no matter their genius. He could effortlessly overpower Tailed Beasts, even the mighty Nine-Tails, and had defeated Madara Uchiha, wielding both Mangekyo Sharingan and the Nine-Tails, with ease. Madara only escaped through Izanagi.
Matching Hashirama's strength was a monumental challenge.
"Perhaps." Tengen said, sipping his tea with a faint smile.
He didn't tell Kakuzu that Hashirama wasn't his goal. The ninja world's power ceiling would rise dramatically, but even the Sage of the Six Paths wasn't Tengen's ultimate aim.
He sought to transcend the ninja world entirely.
The system's ability to draw items from other worlds proved their existence, fueling Tengen's ambition.
***
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