Chapter 157: Ninjas Are Human Too
There were many reasons why the war bond raising was successful.
Some of the people of Rain Country expressed their heartfelt gratitude and support for the Akatsuki organization.
They are grateful for the good life that Akatsuki has brought them, and they are willing to do anything to repay the favor.
Another group of businessmen make absolutely rational thoughts and judgments.
Many of them had visited Loulan not long ago and were very optimistic about the prospects of the factory invested by Akatsuki there.
Now, they heard that the Akatsuki organization had conquered two mines on the front line and obtained vital mineral resources. Therefore, they were certain that the future of the Rain Country was bright, so they were willing to buy a large number of war bonds at this time for investment.
Finally, there is a small group of people who do not have so many emotions and judgments, but are simply afraid of death.
This small group of people were the surrendered nobles who had been marked as targets by Kakuzu in advance.
They are obviously well aware of their awkward situation in the Rain Country and that they may be slaughtered at any time.
The order and rules of the past could not restrain the murderous leader of the Akatsuki organization! It would be better to offer it to the emperor and spend money to keep safe.
The combined efforts of various factors have made the miracle of 6 billion in two days possible!
However, all this ultimately stems from the fact that Shiba Kiyokawa has never been reluctant to share the benefits of victory with the people of Rain Country!
The reason why ninjas from other places are tired of war is that they simply cannot see the value of their fighting. Victory or defeat seems to have nothing to do with them.
The Ninja World War has been going on for so many years, but the situation in the Ninja World has never changed.
The bonuses of war have nothing to do with ninjas, but they will always have to taste the pain of war.
But in the Rain Country, the situation is completely different!
Every victory of Akatsuki will truly change the lives of everyone here, allowing them to feel that their lives are getting better day by day!
Coupled with Shiba Kiyokawa's unremitting publicity and promotion, such an amazing miracle was created in just two days!
At that moment, Kakuzu, who stayed behind, was finally convinced by Shiba Kiyokawa.
This ability to make money is enough for him to learn for a lifetime!
Seeing that the raising of war bonds was going smoothly, Konan, who had returned temporarily, immediately gave Kakuzu the second task - recruiting more ninjas.
Although the Akatsuki organization won the battle this time and dealt a heavy blow to Konoha, it also suffered heavy losses.
They need to gather more troops!
This time, the chief financial officer Kakuzu agreed very readily.
As long as there is money, Kakuzu is always full of energy!
Moreover, Shiba Qinghe had already prepared the prerequisites for mobilization - a military merit reward system, a complete martyrs' pension mechanism, and various positive publicity about expansion. Shiba Qinghe had already laid all these foundations before he left.
On this basis, the front line achieved another glorious victory, defeating Konoha's invincible Yellow Flash, and there was too much promotional material to use up in a short period of time!
In Kakuzu's opinion, this task was not difficult at all and there was no worry about not being able to complete it.
So much so that Xiaonan needed to urge him not to complete the task, but to "do not reduce the publicity efforts to save money!
This is something that the Qinghe leader specifically instructed us to do. We must let everyone in the rear know the significance of our battle!"
Kakuzu's dark face suddenly became even darker.
He is not allowed to save money on pension distribution, he is not allowed to save money on military merit awards, and now he is not even allowed to save money on conscription propaganda!
Damn it! Do you have any idea of saving money?
You are truly the worst leadership I have ever seen!
"Ninjas should be prepared to die, so why waste so much money promoting the meaning of fighting?"
Kakuzu couldn't help but choke.
Even if his bonus is deducted, he will seriously oppose this "wasteful" behavior!
Until Xiaonan said the next sentence, simple but seemed to hit his heart inadvertently.
“Because Qinghe said that ninjas are also human beings, and as humans they always get tired, and as humans they need spiritual support.
Being strong in heart is a ninja's advantage, but it is not an obligation. Those fighting on the front lines should not be made to shed blood and tears.
They deserve and must be understood and supported!"
For a moment, Kakuzu actually had the illusion that he was frozen in place, his whole body stiff.
He suddenly recalled the years many years ago when he risked his life for Takigakure Village.
No one had ever said anything like that to him in all those years.
At that time, everyone took his strength and dedication for granted...
If someone had said something like this to him before he left to assassinate Hashirama Senju, if the village had understood that he was also a person, not a pawn who was supposed to sacrifice everything for the village! Then, wouldn't he have wandered around the ninja world for so many years?
But there are no ifs in everything.
After a brief moment of distraction, Kakuzu turned his head away and covered up his previous gaffe with a cold snort.
"I understand. I will handle the propaganda and recruitment in the rear!"
Xiaonan smiled and pretended not to notice the fragility revealed by the dark-faced man in the previous moment.
"Okay, I'll also leave the supply of materials to you, Kakuzu-senpai. Qinghe promised to give you a bonus at the end of the year."
"Humph! I don't care about his little bonus!"
"..."
"So how much is the prize money? I just... just want to ask in advance."
Xiao Nan smiled, "He promised that as long as you work hard, you will be awarded first-class merit at the end of the year, and your bonus will be at the highest standard."
Kakuzu curled his lips and pretended to be disdainful, but his body still moved honestly, and he even used the body-flickering technique and ninja running to hurry on his way.
The smile on Xiaonan's lips became more obvious.
Not long after, Konan returned to the front line of the Grass Kingdom from the air.
Shiba Kiyokawa was also surprised to receive Konan's return.
“How could so many war bonds be sold?”
He didn't expect to sell so many.
He originally thought that if he could sell it for 10 billion, it would be good enough to ensure the normal payment of pensions and military awards, as well as supply for consumption on the front line.
Although ninja warfare has a low reliance on logistics, it does not mean that war does not cost money.
The outposts on the front line were repeatedly demolished and rebuilt; the ninja tools, scrolls, detonating tags, and various medical supplies and ration pills consumed during the battle all cost money.
The profits from taking over the mine will take time to be realized, so Shiba Kiyokawa came up with the idea of using bonds for short-term settlement.
However, he did not expect that the effect would far exceed his imagination and be several times better than his most optimistic expectations!
"What a pleasant surprise, Sister Xiaonan, why don't you go back and arrange——"
Before he could finish his words, Xiaonan predicted what he would say.
“With the proceeds from this bond, I have allocated new funds to the research institute, and the research and development of the prototype locomotive has been restarted;
In addition, I have arranged for people to repair the road from the Rain Country capital to the front line;
Also, I have ordered an increase in production at the airship factory and allocated funds, so the airship production capacity will continue to increase;
Finally, I contacted Beiliuhu, and he is now on his way to the border.
Next, he will oversee the construction of a new airship docking station on the border of the Grass Country. This air route will then go directly to Loulan, transporting ore to the factories there in a steady stream.”
Konan finished speaking in one breath, then looked at Shiba Kiyokawa with a half-smile, and asked in a slightly playful upward tone.
"Captain Qinghe, is there anything else you need to tell me?"
At that moment, Shiba Kiyokawa was stunned at first, then he smiled with relief and satisfaction.
"No, you have really grown up, Sister Xiaonan, and are becoming more and more like a qualified logistics leader."
Xiaonan immediately raised her eyebrows and glared at him, then approached him with a joking look of anger and said.
"Are you saying that I have never been qualified as a logistics commander?"
Shiba Kiyokawa hurriedly raised his hand in a French military salute.
"I'm not, I didn't, Sister Xiaonan, I'm innocent!"
The playful yet harmonious and warm atmosphere formed a sharp contrast with the sinister mutual questioning between Minato Namikaze and Hyuga Hideki not long ago.
(End of this chapter)
