"Land?"
Ryuji looked at Gato with suspicion.
He seemed lost in some sweet fantasy, not even noticing his own drool.
'Could it be...'
Ryuji stroked his chin thoughtfully, then suddenly understood. "You want to engage in real estate development on the Mechanical City?"
"Hehehe... Ryuji-san is truly clever!" Gato rubbed his hands together with a sly smile. "Ryuji-san, rest assured. I only want land development in the residential area. The prices won't exceed the housing prices you sell to outsiders. This plan benefits Sunagakure while boosting the Mechanical City's economy… a true win-win."
"Hmm, it does sound quite good."
"So then..."
"I refuse!"
"You've agreed then, so... Huh?"
Gato suddenly snapped out of it, looking at Ryuji incredulously. "Ryuji-san, did you say you agreed?"
"I said I refuse!"
Ryuji refused firmly and righteously.
"Why?" Gato was puzzled.
"Do you think a Shinobi Village is a merchant guild?" Ryuji looked at him disdainfully. "Sunagakure opening the Mechanical City to the outside isn't for making money."
Initially, it was for money.
To cover the funding gap during the Mechanical City project, Ryuji devised the real estate plan.
But after the Daimyo privately paid two years' worth of project funds in advance, there was no longer a need to open the Mechanical City to the outside for money. Yet Ryuji still proceeded with the plan, aiming to increase the village's population.
Population affects a city's economy, military, education, and all aspects. Without sufficient population, Sunagakure's growth would slow.
Why did Ryuji, in a certain victory, only demand compensation from Konoha, and not even pursue Kirigakure?
Apart from fearing a joint attack from other Shinobi Villages, the biggest reason was Sunagakure's small scale, insufficient to quickly absorb the spoils of victory and transform them into strength capable of resisting a united Shinobi World Force.
If Sunagakure had Konoha's population, Ryuji would have chosen to destroy Konoha back then, then negotiate with the Land of Fire's Daimyo for Sunagakure to handle defense for both the Land of Fire and Land of Wind, receiving sponsorship from both nations.
He would then use the doubled military funding to intensify Shinobi Training, growing strong enough to confront other villages before they could react.
But Sunagakure, limited by environmental factors, had a sparse population.
Even if Ryuji destroyed Konoha and took over Konoha's role, he couldn't absorb the spoils quickly enough to grow to a level capable of handling subsequent situations. Instead, it would lead to self-destruction.
Therefore, rapidly increasing the village's population was imperative.
Raising housing prices in the Mechanical City wasn't impossible.
There were plenty of wealthy people in the Shinobi World. Even at the prices Gato envisioned, it would surely fill up.
But a city inhabited solely by the wealthy would inevitably lead to a single talent pool and unbalanced urban development.
After all, the Mechanical City was a flying city. Once the population settled, there wouldn't be significant mobility. Internal self-sufficiency had to be ensured.
"Cough, Ryuji-san, you might not realize the immense profits here. This could let..."
"Stop, stop, stop!"
Ryuji made a 'time-out' gesture. "I told you, I'm a Shinobi, not a merchant. Sunagakure is a Shinobi Village, not a merchant guild. Although we also need money, profit isn't our primary consideration."
After pausing briefly, he continued, "How about this: the Mechanical City's materials can be contracted to you. You provide them to me at 30% below market price, including transportation. Additionally, we'll allocate a plot of land for you to build luxury mansions, villas... In short, create an affluent residential area. You understand these things."
While the Mechanical City couldn't house only the wealthy, it also couldn't have none. Ryuji initially had plans for custom luxury homes for the wealthy.
Without wealthy patrons spending, the city's economic growth would slow significantly.
"How large a plot of land?"
"One thousand acres."
"One thousand acres!?"
Gato's eyes widened.
One thousand acres could build about a hundred buildings with around 30% density. If built as villa estates, even fewer.
Merely one thousand acres of land in exchange for materials at 30% below market price, including transportation... If this were called bargaining, then Ryuji was ending the deal with a single fixed price.
But was that really the case?
"Think it's too little?" Ryuji glared at Gato displeased. "Don't think just because I'm a Shinobi, I don't know the tricks in your merchant world. Even if I gave you no special favors, merely contracting materials to you at 30% below market price, you'd still make a huge profit."
Sunagakure had machines for forging metal, requiring only raw ore, greatly reducing the variety of materials needed.
In other words, the quantity was massive.
And large demand allowed for bargaining.
Shinobi might not understand these intricacies, but Gato, as a merchant, certainly did. He would profit immensely.
Not to mention this guy liked using shady means for strong-arm tactics. Even at a 30% discount, he'd earn more than other merchants without discounts.
"This..."
With his secret exposed, Gato still wanted to bargain but didn't know how.
Ryuji waved impatiently. "Just say yes or no. If not, forget it."
"I'll do it! I'll do it!"
Gato immediately agreed.
As Ryuji said, even providing raw materials at a 30% discount meant huge profits, not to mention a thousand acres for building luxury homes.
Host an auction later, and it'd be a massive profit.
He might even become the Shinobi World's richest person.
After all, it was materials for building an entire large city.
"Then sign the contract!"
Ryuji called out, and a Shinobi outside immediately went to handle it.
After a pause, Ryuji continued, "Let me state upfront: all materials will undergo strict inspection. If they don't meet standards, I won't pay you a single coin."
"Of course, of course, hehehe..."
Looking at Gato's servile, fawning face, Ryuji felt disgusted but still patiently instructed him on related matters.
"Additionally, since all buildings in the Mechanical City will connect into a unified whole, the buildings on that thousand-acre plot must be designed by Sunagakure's puppeteers. Construction workers must also be from Sunagakure. You can propose architectural requirements; we'll try to meet them."
"Of course, of course."
...
Two hours later.
Ryuji, representing Sunagakure, signed the relevant contracts with Gato's shipping company, then left the reception room.
In the corridor, passersby occasionally greeted him.
Though he couldn't remember most names, he nodded in acknowledgment each time.
Suddenly, Rasa appeared before him.
"Ryuji, come to the Round Table Meeting. Something's happened in the Shinobi World."
"What happened?"
"Iwagakure and Konoha have ceased hostilities. It's a bit strange. Kazekage-sama is summoning Round Table Council's members to discuss the situation."
"Understood."