"...Ryuji, are you saying we should mass-produce puppets?"
The Third Kazekage pondered for a long time before suddenly asking.
"Mhm." Ryuji nodded. "Although the Chakra Generator isn't practical yet, this is undoubtedly completed technology. Continued research and optimization can shrink it to palm-sized or smaller, allowing puppets to function independently far from the Dragon Vein."
"I naturally trust your abilities..." The Third Kazekage paused briefly, then continued, "But your proposal for each Sunagakure's Shinobi to be paired with one or two puppets would require enormous funding."
This was why Ryuji demonstrated the Chakra Generator.
According to Ryuji's vision, even with Konoha's advanced training system, Sunagakure couldn't match the entire Shinobi World's scale in three to five years.
To avoid numerical disadvantage in war, puppets had to compensate.
Autonomous puppets possessed consciousness, could fight independently; even without puppeteering skills, it was fine.
But considering post-reform Shinobi Academy training efficiency... In three to five years, Sunagakure's Chunin and above would number at least twelve thousand. With two each, that's over twenty-four thousand.
And that's a conservative estimate.
Manufacturing so many puppets would cost astronomical sums.
Sunagakure was a brotherhood Shinobi Village; the highest decision-making body was the Round Table Council. Important village decisions required over two-thirds approval.
"But it's all worth it." Ryuji said. "The strength of my autonomous puppets is evident to all. If every village's Shinobi had two, mission success rates would greatly increase, casualties decrease. Whether for the impending war or long-term future, it's absolutely worthwhile."
"True, but manufacturing so many puppets is too expensive; village finances likely can't support it," The Finance Minister spoke.
Others, though not commenting, nodded slightly in agreement.
But Ryuji and the Third Kazekage simultaneously smiled.
'Finances can't support' meant they approved expanding puppet production, just conditions weren't right.
If conditions were solved, no problem.
But if conditions weren't solvable, would Ryuji propose this?
Of course not.
Ryuji smiled slightly. "This funding naturally won't be entirely borne by the village."
"Not entirely by the village?"
The Finance Minister looked astonished.
'Who else could share the burden now?'
'The Daimyo?'
'Impossible. Village military funding came from the Daimyo's sponsorship, with fixed annual amounts. There's no additional investment.'
"The village's Shinobi must cover at least half."
Seeing confusion, Ryuji explained, "Though proposed for the impending war, once assigned to Shinobi, puppets become their property. They can't contribute nothing."
The village and Shinobi were interdependent.
If war erupted, war-related losses were naturally borne by the village.
But during missions outside war, weapons, medicine, food... all required Shinobi to prepare themselves.
"We can conduct pre-sales..." Ryuji explained. "Offer pre-sales to village's Shinobi. Participants buy puppets at half price, with free maintenance during the Third Shinobi World War, damaged ones replaced."
"That way, they'll definitely last until after the war, equivalent to buying at half price in advance."
Rasa quickly grasped the plan's key point.
Two puppets increased mission success, reduced mortality... In peacetime, even at full price, Shinobi would buy it.
During war, half-price but guaranteed to last until post-war… is there any reason not to buy?
"If so, I think no village's Shinobi would miss out."
"Since they'd buy eventually anyway, but buying early saves half the cost… truly, no one would refuse."
"With everyone having two puppets then, it'd truly be the Great Puppet Era!"
"With Shinobi funding it, village finances could sustain it too."
'Sustain it?'
'The village wouldn't spend a single coin.'
Watching discussing councilors, the Finance Minister couldn't help but sneer inwardly.
Half-price pre-sale meant half the selling price, not half the cost.
Autonomous puppets were exclusive; pricing was Ryuji's decision. Even half the pre-sale price, he'd still profit.
These councilors, as Shinobi, might have unique strengths, but in business, they were utter amateurs.
Hearing 'half-price pre-sale', they assumed village subsidies, benefits for all.
Actually... well, it was a benefit.
After all, paying half, but definitely not village subsidies… just half the profit.
Using pre-sale funds to buy materials, then making puppets to sell to Shinobi for huge profits... Though Shinobi got the item at more affordable price, it was still somewhat... crafty.
"Since no objections, this plan is approved." The Third Kazekage said. "Rasa will handle the detailed implementation."
"Yes!"
Thus, everyone dispersed.
Ryuji smiled contentedly.
As inventor and manufacturer of autonomous puppets, sales revenue naturally went entirely into his pocket. With these funds, his subsequent research projects could proceed unhindered.
Research required funding. Studying Dragon Vein formation principles, Chakra-enhancing cloth armor, Chakra Generator… Ryuji was now broke.
…
The autonomous puppet pre-sale plan proceeded smoothly.
When Rasa posted the notice about half-price pre-sales for autonomous puppets on the Kazekage Building's bulletin board, village's Shinobi responded enthusiastically.
Reputation precedes.
Ryuji's name resonated throughout the Shinobi World. His autonomous puppets were renowned; particularly the mechanical bird and Iron Fortress were hailed by puppeteers as pinnacle masterpieces.
They had almost god-like status.
With such items sold to village's Shinobi… how could they not be fervent?
Almost instantly after posting, hundreds of Shinobi inquired at relevant departments, then paid for pre-orders… and not just one.
Silver coins flowed into Ryuji's pockets.
He split the funds, placing two orders with Gato.
One for raw materials for standard autonomous puppets; another for experimental materials.
Simultaneously, the real estate pre-sale plan also advanced vigorously.
Although the Shinobi World secretly united against Sunagakure, ordinary people are unaware that other villages would soon have Sky Cities, so they believed Sunagakure could at least remain undefeated… that Mechanical City remained the safest place.
Thus, numerous wealthy merchants and nobles came for pre-sales.