The look in Uchiha Hikaru's eyes—as if he had just discovered a priceless treasure—made Kurenai all the more intrigued by what he called a "business plan."

I've been unsure about where my future's headed... maybe this is it?!

Without hesitation, she took the draft straight from Hikaru's hands.

Her eyes scanned the abstract sketches and scattered keywords.

Judging by what she saw, the central parties involved were likely Konoha and Kirigakure.

[Fishery][Animal Husbandry][Merchandise][Company][Shares]

These five terms seemed to be the key components. She began interpreting based on what she knew.

After a few minutes, Kurenai pieced together her thoughts and laid them out.

"So, it looks like the idea is to import seafood from Kirigakure and export livestock—pigs, cattle, sheep—from our end to them."

"The merchandise part likely includes daily necessities produced in the Land of Fire and Konoha. Stuff like clothes, kitchenware, tableware…"

"I'm not entirely sure what this 'company' structure means, but it seems like a group of merchants working together."

"And 'profit sharing' probably means each contributor gets a cut of the final profits based on their investment."

As she spoke, Uchiha Hikaru's eyes lit up more and more with each sentence.

He grabbed Kurenai and planted a firm kiss on her cheek.

"Kurenai, you're a born capitalist!"

"If I'd known you were this sharp, I'd never have let you waste time as a shinobi!"

"This whole project—it's yours now!"

Kurenai blushed slightly from Hikaru's enthusiasm, pleased by his reaction… but her smile faded into something more hesitant.

"I don't know what 'capitalist' means…"

"But in the shinobi world, if you don't have power, you're nothing."

"If I could've helped the village as a ninja, I'd never have looked elsewhere. But… I've already hit my limit. I only started thinking about other paths because I knew I couldn't go any further…"

Hikaru immediately noticed the faint self-deprecation in her voice.

His expression turned serious as he took her hand and held it firmly.

"Kurenai, that way of thinking—it's outdated."

"That was before. Things are changing now. As long as I'm here, no other village will pose a threat to us ever again."

"Don't sell yourself short. What you just did? That kind of insight is rare in this world."

"Picture this: I'll defend the village from external threats with force—while you use your brilliance to dominate economically."

"One day, the other villages will be completely dependent on goods from Konoha. Their economic lifeline will be in our hands."

"Over time, we'll get wealthier and wealthier, while they bleed out their funds. No money to train ninjas, no resources for weapons or food."

"Even if they want to start a war, they'll think twice—because if it starts, Konoha will seize total control over all resources, and they'll be left with nothing."

Kurenai could feel that Hikaru was trying to lift her spirits, but at the same time… he was presenting a vision too compelling to ignore.

She wanted to counter him, to challenge the scope of what he said.

But in truth, she didn't disagree.

This wasn't a rebuttal, Hikaru thought as he listened. This is someone truly hungry to understand. Someone brimming with the desire to learn everything there is to know about economic strategy!

They continued the conversation deep into the evening.

Kurenai, now fully invested, sat at the table scribbling furiously, guided by Hikaru's suggestions. She was jotting down every idea she could think of, every connection that might matter.

At some point, she completely forgot her earlier insecurities about her strength.

Power? Who needs it?

She already had someone strong.

Her new ambition? To become filthy rich! The wealthiest woman in Konoha—or better yet, in the entire shinobi world! ヽ(＾Д＾)ﾉ

She wanted to fuel Konoha's prosperity, squeeze profit from every other land, and make enough for herself to one day…

…buy a village. ✧(≖ ◡ ≖✿)

Of course, that was a distant goal. For now, she focused on gathering information—prices for goods across the Land of Fire, the market values of exports in Kirigakure, trading patterns, and resource scarcity.

She began sketching out a solid outline of the business plan on paper.

Uchiha Hikaru watched as Kurenai's rough notes came together. It was still a little raw, a bit simplistic—but this was the ninja world. For here, it was more than enough.

It wasn't something she could master overnight. She'd need hands-on experience and time to refine her instincts, but she was well on her way.

By the time it was past seven in the evening, Kurenai had completed her first draft.

She got up and handed it to Hikaru proudly—only for him to push it gently back toward her… along with a letter.

"Keep it," he said with a grin. "If you think there's anything that needs improvement, come to me anytime."

Kurenai opened her mouth to say something, but Hikaru cut her off again with a confident smile.

"Don't worry—I watched you write every word. I know exactly what's in there."

"It's solid. You've got this."

"Here—this is your appointment letter from the newly formed Foreign Trade Department."

"From today onward, you're the Minister of Foreign Trade for Konoha."

Kurenai blinked, confused.

"…Foreign Trade Department? But that doesn't exist in the village…"

Hikaru reached out and flicked her lightly on the forehead.

"Exactly why I'm creating one."

"And now that I've discovered a business prodigy like you, the job's all yours."

"I'll be counting on you to support me, my lovely sugar mama~ (≖‿≖✿)"

What Hikaru didn't realize was that his half-joking words had just lit a fire in Kurenai's heart—a spark that would eventually give rise to the business queen of the shinobi world.

Kurenai stood still for a moment, his words echoing in her head.

She began to imagine the future…

A sprawling, elegant estate filled with loyal attendants. A dazzling, palatial home grander than even a daimyo's.

In the center hall, Uchiha Hikaru sat like a king—cool, commanding, adored.

She curled up next to him, lovingly leaning into his chest, while Anko and Tsunade stood beside them holding fruit trays, gently peeling the skin and feeding them bite by bite.

(⁄ ⁄•⁄ω⁄•⁄ ⁄)⁄

A flush bloomed across her cheeks.

Hikaru blinked, confused.

Wait a minute… why is her expression suddenly like that? Did I say something weird?

Did I just awaken… something dangerous?

Kurenai wordlessly took the appointment letter from his hand and turned to leave. But just before vanishing out the door, she looked back over her shoulder…

…and winked. (｡•̀ᴗ-)✧

Bounding over rooftops, her movements became sharper, more focused, her crimson eyes glinting with ambition.

Supporting Hikaru~ Just thinking about it gets me excited. Tomorrow, I'll find Yamato and have him build my headquarters.

Kirigakure… you'll be my first target. ₍ᐢ •͈ ༝ •͈ ᐢ₎✧

…

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