Chapter 41: The First Sunagakure Representative Assembly
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"Alright, alright, everyone quiet down, please. Take your seats." Jinghang gestured downward with his hands, and the conference hall gradually settled into silence.
Looking at the dense crowd before him, Jinghang couldn't help but feel a twinge of emotion. In his previous life, he was merely a small cog in the system, but he once had the chance to assist in setting up a large municipal meeting (which essentially boiled down to arranging nameplates and cleaning up). Who would have thought that in the world of Naruto, he would one day preside over a major assembly for a ninja village with nearly a million residents? It was truly a twist of fate.
As the crowd calmed, Jinghang cleared his throat and announced:
"Alright, let's begin the meeting!"
The attendees straightened their postures, ready to listen to the instructions of the Kazekage.
"Today is a rare occasion where we are all gathered together. Not only are the elders and heads of Sunagakure's traditional clans present, but we also have new friends from the Moonlake New District and workers from the Hourglass Group in the Land of Rain. This Kazekage Hall is truly a hub of distinguished guests and esteemed friends. Representatives from all corners of Sunagakure have assembled here.
Originally, we were to discuss the construction and equity distribution for the new city. However, since everyone is here, we might as well address a series of newly implemented policies. Let's discuss what needs to be discussed and implement what needs to be implemented. Yecang, your secretariat will be responsible for the logistical support of this meeting. Though the arrangements are rushed, you must ensure everything is as thorough as possible. We cannot have our representatives attending the meeting hungry or thirsty, and lodging must also be arranged. This meeting might take several days. If manpower is insufficient, go directly to Minister Shokusa from the personnel department. Any expenses incurred should be reported directly to the village's finance department.
Chiyo, your ANBU must mobilize to ensure the security and confidentiality of this meeting. The duration may be long, so I ask for everyone's patience. Rest assured, by the second assembly, things will improve. Alright, let's take a one-hour break now to mobilize all necessary preparations. After the break, we will begin the first agenda item."
Though the preparations were rushed and no one had experience organizing such a large-scale meeting, Jinghang, having witnessed large events in his past life (a mere few hundred attendees was nothing to him), managed to keep things orderly despite some initial chaos.
The meeting lasted a full five days and four nights. While the representatives were utterly exhausted with bloodshot eyes, they were also brimming with enthusiasm and excitement. On the first day alone, the future shares of the planned casino city were determined. The initial blueprint divided the city into several sections: casinos, hotels, restaurants, izakayas, and a Kabukicho-style entertainment district.
Management would be decentralized, but profits centralized under a unified entity named the Golden Sands Entertainment Group. A professional manager would later be hired to oversee operations. The equity structure was set as a public-private partnership, with the village's treasury holding 51% of the shares. The remaining 49% would be available for purchase by the representatives (restricted to prevent hostile takeovers from external forces).
The announcement sparked fervor among the attendees, who immediately began purchasing shares. Chiyo, now in her sixties, purchased shares worth 20 million ryō in one go, making her the largest individual shareholder. She claimed she had invested both her grandson Sasori's future wedding fund and her own funeral savings. Jinghang himself purchased shares worth 15 million ryō, stating that as the Kazekage, he needed to set an example. In less than two hours, all shares were snapped up, raising a staggering 800 million ryō. Jinghang was astonished by the financial potential of Sunagakure's clans, thinking to himself that if someone started a Ponzi scheme here, it would thrive.
On the second day, the assembly discussed the casino's location, design, infrastructure, industry layout, personnel arrangements, and more. Everyone actively contributed ideas, with Jinghang organizing some casino rules he remembered from Hong Kong gambling films. To his surprise, the representatives unanimously approved his suggestions, earning him yet another title: Chairman of the Golden Sands Entertainment Group Board.
As the blueprint for the future casino city took shape, the meeting's focus gradually shifted to broader issues affecting the village's livelihood. Topics such as educational reform, healthcare reform, ninja conscription policies, desert highway construction, mineral resource development, and anti-corruption measures were all addressed. Some decisions even outlined plans for the next five to ten years.
In the end, the assembly concluded amidst resounding applause. In his closing speech, Jinghang remarked, "Having such an opportunity to bring everyone together to address these critical issues is invaluable. This meeting has resolved many practical problems, and I believe it should become a tradition. I hereby declare that the Sunagakure Representative Assembly will convene every three years, and its resolutions will serve as the village's highest decisions!"
After the meeting, Jinghang announced a two-day holiday for all administrative staff, except for essential security and patrol positions. He then retreated to his villa with Tsunade, pulled up the covers, and fell into a deep sleep. "Damn, a five-day meeting is more exhausting than completing an S-rank mission!" he muttered.
The Daimyō's Palace: Half-Mountain Green Palace
The Daimyō's residence of the Land of Wind was a sprawling complex nestled on the slopes of Kunling Mountain. Its architectural style was elegant and ancient, exuding a refined charm. Due to its green-tiled roofs, locals affectionately referred to it as the Half-Mountain Green Palace.
In a nation where 80% of the land was desert, the palace's location was particularly strategic. To its north, the Kunling Mountain range shielded it from the relentless southern winds and sandstorms. To its south, the mountain range caught the warm ocean currents, creating a fertile plain known as the Kunling Plain. Though this plain comprised less than 10% of the Land of Wind's total area, it was the country's most fertile and prosperous region. Unlike the endless yellow sands and barren landscapes elsewhere, this area boasted blue skies, lush greenery, and vibrant life.
At this moment, within the palace's grand hall, the Daimyō of the Land of Wind was examining a report with a puzzled expression.
"Your Kazekage wants to purchase land? Does he even have the money for that?"
In the Daimyō's mind, Sunagakure's ninjas were still the same impoverished warriors—essentially mercenaries under his family's employ. The idea of them buying land seemed laughable. "What would they do with land? Farming? I've heard they've been farming quite well in the Moonlake area. Are they planning to become farmers now?"
"Yes, Daimyō-sama," replied Minister Kamisuiryū, bowing deeply with utmost respect. "Since you granted us the Moonlake lands, the Kazekage has led us in cultivating the area, raising pigs, growing crops, and developing production. We've now achieved self-sufficiency in food. However, the ninja of Sunagakure are still very poor. Thus, the Kazekage wishes to engage in trade and is seeking to purchase land near the border for small-scale business ventures."
"Oh? It seems Jinghang has been doing quite well in Sunagakure, achieving food self-sufficiency. Impressive. This pleases me greatly. However, there is no more land available on the Kunling Plain."
"Daimyō-sama, you misunderstand. The Kunling Plain is sacred land dedicated to your family's ancestral temples. We would never dare encroach upon it!"
"Oh? Then where do you propose to acquire land?" The Daimyō's curiosity was piqued.