84. Anything money can fix isn’t a real problem.

"Alright, enough small talk—let's get to the main point."

Hinata cut through the chatter sharply, flicking a corn kernel that hit Naruto squarely on the forehead as he was still making faces at Sasuke. Tossing aside her report, the white-eyed girl spoke coolly.

"The reason I called everyone here today is to discuss a critical decision about our next phase. Yes, our last two artbook issues made considerable profit after the rights reverted to us—but some troubling developments have surfaced."

She paused, voice cold but calm.

"First: our sales outlet in the Land of Wind was attacked by unknown forces. All artbooks prepared for sale were torched. Similar sabotage or obstruction has occurred in the Lands of Lightning, Earth, and Water. And notably, these incidents only began after we secured the rights back into Konoha's hands."

Though Hinata's face didn't change much, a flicker of anger flashed in her eyes. The room went tense. Everyone else instinctively sobered up.

Kakashi narrowed his eyes. Frankly, he wasn't surprised.

The Five Great Nations may be in peacetime on the surface, but private skirmishes and competition never ceased. The ninja world was brutal. Missions often meant clashing with foreign shinobi, breeding hatred and fueling rivalries.

When Fox Tales was published under the Land of Fire and didn't directly benefit Konoha, the other villages had turned a blind eye. But now that the rights were back in Konoha, and the Konoha Publishing House ensured each book sold meant tax revenue for the village—the other nations couldn't stay quiet.

Thus the attacks and interference. Classic cold war tactics.

"This... sucks. We're still students. There's no way we can strike back at those bastards. Aside from sending more guards, what else can we even do?"

Even Shikamaru, usually indifferent, had a serious tone. As someone from a ninja clan, he understood how sticky this situation was.

"Yeah... you're still kids. Best not to get too deep into this mess."

Kakashi also nodded, concerned. He admired Hinata's business smarts, but didn't want her drawn into a political storm. Better to leave these issues to grown-ups.

"You're not wrong. That's why I called everyone here today—to find a solution. One that can't be suppressed."

Hinata sat straighter, lips curving into a cold smirk.

"An approach that can't be targeted."

--

This suppression didn't surprise Hinata—it was inevitable. Any activity tied to real profit would invite backlash. Humans were greedy by nature; even if something didn't affect them directly, they'd still sabotage out of envy. And Fox Tales had become one of Konoha's top tax generators.

Reports showed the Sand Village in the Land of Wind was the most hostile. Not only were books destroyed, but sales staff were killed. Officially, they blamed bandits—but nobody believed that.

Hinata didn't care about compensation for the dead. What mattered was that Fox Tales had reached a turning point.

Cross that line, and its future would skyrocket. Stay behind it, and stagnation awaited.

"Alright then, what's your move? Ask Lord Hokage for more protection missions? Or scale back exports?"

Kakashi was curious. As a seasoned jōnin with a feel for politics, he felt compelled to advise her.

"The first option, yes. The second? Rejected. In fact—I want the publishing house to increase both print volume and sales range. And lower the price of each book by 300 ryō."

Her voice was calm, but the declaration was sharp.

To her, this was a declaration of war. Not with swords, but through the market. And Hinata was no stranger to battle.

In the ruthless pace of commerce, backing down meant you'd be trampled. Retreat even once, and the cost to catch up would be triple. You push forward, or you die.

And besides, humans had another trait: the more effort it took to get something, the more they valued it. Even if someone didn't care about artbooks, they'd still cherish one if they had to go through hell to get it.

Price alone didn't instill that pride. But now, with enemies creating obstacles for free? Hinata was thrilled.

She'd lower the price as a reward to those brave enough to keep buying.

These rival villages thought fear could kill demand. But they forgot—humans are rebellious by nature. Provoke that trait, and you don't get silence. You get revolution.

"Tch. So you're going on the offensive, huh?"

Even Kakashi had to admit some respect. Ninja fought with deception and cunning, but this kind of head-on resolve was admirable in any battlefield.

"No. I don't even consider those idiots my opponents. Shino, prepare a formal request to the Hokage's office: all future artbook shipments are to be designated as high-tier B-Rank escort missions. The mission ends once the convoy crosses the border into another nation."

She blew on her nails like it was no big deal, but her plan made everyone blink.

"Wait—are you saying we just abandon the convoys once they leave the country? That's like handing them over to enemy blades!"

Kiba couldn't hold back. Hot-blooded and loyal, his instincts flared at the thought of letting allies walk into danger.

"No need to panic. I'm not finished."

Hinata calmly gave him a side-eye and continued: "At the same time as issuing B-Rank missions from Konoha, we'll also request identical B-Rank escort missions from the receiving nations' ninja villages. The escort ends when the shipment safely reaches the destination city and sells out. Also, we reduce the number of shipments and increase the size of each one."

The room went dead silent. Then realization struck.

"Oh—so instead of abandoning the convoys, you're offloading responsibility. If we suspect sabotage came from another ninja village, we hire them to guard the convoy. That way, if it gets attacked, it's their reputation on the line!"

Sakura gasped. Hinata's maneuver was clean. Ninja villages existed to take paid missions and complete them professionally.

Their reputation depended on it.

Even if they hated Konoha's guts, as long as there was no official war, they had to accept paid requests—and protect them to the letter. Even if it killed them.

"Sure… the costs might go up a bit, but this really is the best move."

Kakashi let out a breath. Even through a jōnin's lens, this was a masterstroke. Attacks might still happen, but now the risk was distributed. Konoha only had to get the goods to the border. Survival rates for Konoha ninja would skyrocket.

"I said it before: anything money can fix isn't a real problem. But that said, increased mission costs will cut into our profits. So… time to expand."

Hinata's eyes sharpened. "Now for the main topic—I've decided. We're going into television production. You've all heard of it, right?"

TV, movies, even cassette players technically existed in the world of Naruto. But thanks to the last Great Ninja War, they were underdeveloped and undervalued. With no good content and poor distribution, the medium remained half-dead.

Hinata had previously avoided investing in TV. Too much cost, too little return.

But now? The timing was perfect.

Once an economy hit a certain threshold, it became its own unstoppable force. And in this world, things were even easier. As long as she had money, she could hire elite shinobi from any village to risk their lives for her cause.

Money ruled all.

What a wonderful world this was.

"Wait—will anyone even watch?" Ino looked doubtful. "I mean, yeah, I catch the occasional makeup infomercial, but..."

She had a point. Right now, each country had just one channel. Most broadcasts were bland product ads or statements from feudal lords. Half the time, the screen just said No Programs Currently Airing.

Hinata often felt a kind of lonely god-complex. A whole ripe market, and she was the only one playing. Fun, sure—but almost too easy.

"No one can predict the future. But the bigger the risk, the bigger the reward. Just like how we started with nothing—and got here."

She lifted her teacup, breathing in the rich aroma. If Konoha had one good product, it was tea. Chakra-enhanced cultivation really paid off—this high-grade blend was divine.

"Ahh… looks like there's no relaxing again anytime soon. But seriously—should we be making a big move like this? We're graduating in a week…"

Shikamaru sighed. He knew resistance was pointless, so he just braced himself.

"No problem. Even after we become shinobi, it won't interfere with our company. If needed, we'll just submit mission orders as formal requests."

Business and missions—one and the same.

Welcome to the age of Shinobi Capitalism.

---

(Now it begins. Also hers a list of identities and secret that I've saved so far if something missing Chapter comment.

Original Characters

Suigin Tou (Hinata's Akatsuki alias)

Ahri ( Naruko– Fox Spirit)

Lin ( Sasuke– Cursed Fiancé)

Princess Qing (Ino– Qingji-hime)

Lady Higan (Shikamari– Higan-hime)

Inuyasha (Kiba– Half-demon)

Mikage Yoru (Not confirmed– Exorcist, Yoru Clan)

🌀 Custom Technique Reference (Internal Use)

·Nanto Enshōken: Ultimate Technique: Orochi Pheasant

User: Hyūga Hinata

Style: Nanto Seven Sacred Fists(Third Stage)

Description: Fire-element taijutsu technique. Emits a wide, high-pressure flame arc. Leaves severe burn damage.

·Ultimate Technique: Shinsaaran k Divine Sandstorm)

User: Uzumaki Naruto

Style: Nanto Seven Sacred Fist

Description: Possibly a wind-based rotational attack resembling a chakra storm or whirlwind.

·Ultimate Technique: Amatsu-no-Habakiri (Heavenly Sword of Feathers / Heavenly Sword of Lightning)

User: Uchiha Sasuke

Style: Nanto Seven Sacred Fist (Third Stage)

Description: Likely a slashing or piercing energy technique with divine or "cutting fate" theme.

·Secret Technique: Sonic Blade

User: Naruto Uzumaki

Style: Nanto Seven Sacred Fist (Second Stage).

·Ultimate Technique: Yamata-no-Orochi (Eight-Fold Serpent Maiden)

Forbidden Technique developed by Hinata, targeting eight acupoints for precise and overwhelming taijutsu strikes.

·Nanto Fist: Aragai (Wild Fang)

Style: Nanto Seven Sacred Fist( First Stage)

A unique taijutsu move created by Hinata for supplementary attacks.

·Nanto Fist: Dokuraku Tō ( Solo Execution)

Style: Nanto Seven Sacred Fist ( First Stage)

Another specialized taijutsu technique created by Hinata, also meant for targeted strikes.