Kazekage Ninja: The Rise of the Hidden Sand-Chapter 238: Kazekage Ninja- - 27: This Man Must Be Recruited

Chapter 238: Kazekage Ninja-Chapter 27: This Man Must Be Recruited

"How much money can you even make by running an iron mine? That kind of operation is labor-intensive and easily subjected to price manipulation. You know, Amegakure’s biggest mistake is failing to adapt to the times. They’ve squandered every good hand they’ve been dealt. And just to clarify, I hold no special prejudice against Amegakure—this is purely my personal opinion."

Aotu Tailuo, standing in a horse stance, was casually chatting with Yahiko in the cramped confines of their shared "small cell."

"What do you mean by that?" Yahiko asked curiously.

"Take the Hourglass Group, for instance. They’ve provided so many jobs to Amegakure villagers along the banks of the Shule River. It was a win-win opportunity! All they needed to do was implement the right policies and focus on developing the service sector. They could’ve been rolling in money. But what did Nōshin Kongō do? All he cared about was squeezing bribes and benefits out of the Hourglass Group. Then, when that so-called Akatsuki organization took over, they outright drove the Group away."

Aotu Tailuo’s tone was dripping with disdain.

"Did they really think Amegakure could manage without the Hourglass Group’s brand and technology? What a joke!"

Yahiko couldn’t help but ask, "If you were in charge of Amegakure, what would you have done?"

Aotu Tailuo chuckled. "Now? Heh, it’s already a chaotic mess. Fixing it would take a monumental effort."

"Tell me more," Yahiko urged, fishing out a cigarette he had picked up during one of Aotu Tailuo’s brawls—likely something another prisoner had stashed away. He extended it toward the adjacent cell.

The two cells were close enough that they could easily pass items back and forth.

"Oh, you’ve got a stash, huh? But there’s no fire here," Aotu Tailuo remarked.

"No problem. Hold on."

Yahiko held the cigarette and performed a small Fire Release jutsu, quickly lighting it before passing it over.

Aotu Tailuo accepted the cigarette with delight, taking a deep drag and exhaling a satisfied puff of smoke.

"Honestly, Amegakure’s best option would’ve been to emulate Iwagakure. Focus on low-end processing for the Hourglass Group while leveraging their logistical advantages to develop industries like transport, services, and entertainment."

"That wouldn’t make much money," Yahiko scoffed.

"Ah, but what else can a small country with a population of just over a hundred thousand do? You can’t expect it to sustain a grand economy. That would be like a rabbit trying to wear a tiger’s skin. And don’t underestimate logistics and entertainment industries. Do you know how much revenue those sectors generate annually in the Land of Stone? Six billion ryō!"

"That much?" Yahiko was stunned. Having never visited the Yuexi Peninsula or the Land of Stone, he couldn’t fathom the immense profitability of tertiary industries.

"Exactly. But for Amegakure to achieve that, it would be tough. First, they’ve already driven away the Hourglass Group, which is a huge loss. Second, the unions there are a constant headache. And third, the infrastructure is terrible. It would be an uphill battle."

Aotu Tailuo’s analysis was sharp and precise, echoing the assessments of seasoned strategists like Mokushima.

"But it’s not impossible—it all depends on whether the leadership has the resolve," he added.

"What do you mean?" Yahiko inquired.

"Radical transformation. Shed the baggage, start fresh, and optimize the layout."

Sixteen words, each one striking like a hammer.

"What about the twenty thousand workers?" Yahiko asked.

"Lay them off," Aotu Tailuo replied bluntly, flicking the spent cigarette butt far away.

"What?! Lay them off?" Yahiko was shocked. That was twenty thousand people—one-sixth of Amegakure’s population! If they caused unrest...

"Of course, you can’t do it all at once. It has to be gradual, step by step..."

In the confined space of the "small cell," prisoners were typically held for three days and nights. With nothing else to do besides eating, sleeping, and relieving themselves, Aotu Tailuo and Yahiko spent their time chatting endlessly. ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom

Over these three days, Yahiko was astonished to discover the depth of Aotu Tailuo’s experience. The man had served in Sunagakure’s Ministry of Finance, its factory defense forces, and its standing army. His insights into both civil and military governance were unparalleled. How had someone so capable ended up in prison?

"What else could it be? Corruption and extortion," Aotu Tailuo said with a shrug.

"What?! You were actually corrupt?" Yahiko couldn’t believe it.

"Yeah," Aotu Tailuo admitted without hesitation.

"Why?"

"Why not? In that environment, you either go along with the flow, or you become an outcast. Back then, the Fourth Division stationed in Yuexi Peninsula was rotten to the core, from top to bottom. If you didn’t join in, you couldn’t survive. The system was broken. What could a mere regimental commander like me do?"

Yahiko thought about it and realized there was some truth to his words.

"If—just hypothetically—you were given control of a nation’s military and government, how would you govern?" Yahiko asked.

"There’s no ’if,’ kid. Do you know how long my sentence is? Twenty-five years! By the time I get out, I’ll be pushing sixty—if I even live that long."

"Still, we’re just killing time here. Let’s entertain the thought," Yahiko pressed.

"Alright, if I were in charge..."

Aotu Tailuo began to outline a grand vision, speaking with such clarity and ambition that Yahiko was utterly captivated.

Compared to Aotu Tailuo, Mokushima seemed like an amateur. If Yahiko could recruit this man, perhaps Amegakure’s dire situation could truly be turned around.

After their time in the "small cell," the two became close friends. During their labor assignments, they talked about everything under the sun. The more Yahiko learned, the more he admired Aotu Tailuo.

Finally, Yahiko couldn’t hold back any longer and revealed his identity, extending an invitation to Aotu Tailuo.

But Aotu Tailuo wasn’t interested.

"You? The leader of a village, inviting a prisoner like me? You’ve got to be kidding. Thanks, but no thanks."

"Brother Tailuo, I’m not joking. I genuinely admire your talent. Someone like you shouldn’t spend their life turning screws in the Abyss."

"But by the time I get out, it’ll be twenty-five years later. Who knows if I’ll even still be alive?"

"Don’t worry. I’m about to be released soon. Once I’m out, I’ll petition the Kazekage—"

"Don’t! For the love of all that’s holy, don’t do that! If you draw the Kazekage’s attention to me, I’ll never get out of here!"

Yahiko wasn’t stupid. He quickly realized the implications of what Aotu Tailuo was saying.

After pondering for a long time, Yahiko suddenly came up with a bold idea.

"Brother Tailuo, why don’t you break out?"

Aotu Tailuo’s expression was one of shock, though deep down, he felt a surge of excitement. Finally, this kid gets it.

"Are you insane? Do you know where we are? This is the Abyss Prison!"

"So what? With a well-thought-out plan and my help from the outside, we could coordinate an escape. Do you really want to waste twenty-five years of your life here?"

Yahiko’s determination was unwavering.

Aotu Tailuo fell silent, contemplating the proposal.

"This would require a lot of resources," he finally said.

"For you, I’d spare no expense."

Aotu Tailuo shuddered internally. Could you not make it sound so... intimate? You’re giving me the creeps.

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