Fortunately, there was someone in the "Akatsuki" organization who was considered sensible, and he also happened to be the organization’s financial manager. Although this person was not a ninja, he still had the privilege of wearing the red cloud uniform. During the most challenging and lowest moments of the "Revolution," he dedicated himself to financial planning, ensuring that the group didn’t starve.
This person had a deep and complex background. He was from the Land of Rain and had previously worked for the Hourglass Group in his early years. However, he was expelled from the factory by the foreman for slacking off and sleeping during work hours. Homeless and destitute, he accidentally heard Myuaba Taro’s street speech, condemning the Hourglass Group’s exploitation. This resonated deeply with him, prompting him to resolutely join the "Dawn" organization and participate in the Dawn Uprising. Yes, this person was none other than Mujima, a minor character mentioned earlier (refer to Volume 1, Chapters 78 and 95).
After the Dawn Uprising was suppressed, he once again became a drifting wanderer. Eventually, he found refuge with a distant uncle who owned a general store in Amegakure - Hidden Rain Village, where he learned accounting to make a living.
When "Akatsuki" was established, his revolutionary spirit remained unyielding, and he joined the organization, becoming one of the few "cultured individuals" in the group.
After nearly a decade of revolutionary experience, Mujima had long since washed away his youthful recklessness and impulsiveness. Now, as a middle-aged man, he had shed his laziness and arrogance, leaving only his revolutionary passion and a pair of eyes that saw through the essence of things.
"Actually, the Hourglass Group has been systematically withdrawing from Amegakure for quite some time now. This so-called branch is nothing more than a low-end processing factory and logistics hub.
I’ve summarized the reasons for this situation into three main points, which are also the challenges and difficulties we face."
Mujima, wearing the red cloud uniform of "Akatsuki," appeared slightly hunched, but no one cared about such details. Yahiko, Nagato, Konan, Daibutsu, and other high-ranking members of "Akatsuki" were all seated below, diligently taking notes.
"First, the political situation is too chaotic; second, the burden is too heavy; third, the labor unions are too aggressive."
Mujima extended three fingers.
"Could you elaborate on that?"
Mujima nodded and replied without hesitation.
"The first point, actually, we’ve already resolved. This was a problem left over from the era of Kaneshin Kongō. Now that the Land of Rain has been pacified by us, there’s no need to mention it further."
Mujima nodded to himself.
"The second point is that the burden is too heavy. This is a problem left behind by the Hourglass Group. As everyone knows, the Hourglass Group prospered during the Second Shinobi World War. At that time, orders for military equipment and canned goods from various countries poured in like snowflakes. When I worked in the ninja tools factory, I had to work almost twenty-five or twenty-six days a month from nine to five, and even then, we couldn’t keep up. Products were often sold before they even left the production line. To meet the demand, the Hourglass Group had to recruit a large number of workers.
This situation was manageable during wartime, when orders were plentiful and profits high, allowing them to sustain so many workers. However, once the war ended, these workers naturally became burdens and liabilities. With labor costs steadily rising, this burden grew heavier."
"Why didn’t they just lay off workers?"
"That’s a great question, which brings us to the third issue: the labor unions are too aggressive."
Mujima turned to Yahiko and asked.
"Leader, do you remember that so-called labor union chairman Nezō Kawaji, the one you met when you took over the Hourglass Group’s assets?"
"Yes, I remember. He seemed like a rather enthusiastic person."
"Ha ha, well, you were mistaken. That guy is far from a good person; he used to be the leader of a gang in Amegakure!"
Everyone was shocked.
Mujima then proceeded to explain the origins and thuggish behavior of the Hourglass Group’s "labor union" in detail, leaving the members of "Akatsuki" stunned.
What they had initially thought was a progressive organization opposing invasion and exploitation turned out to be nothing more than a criminal gang.
"How do we resolve this? Even if we resume production, with these people around, the Flying Rain Group will eventually be dragged down."
Nagato expressed his concern.
"Indeed, that’s the case."
"It seems we’ll have to resort to some extreme measures."
Yahiko’s expression darkened.
"Extreme measures, yes, but not right now. Trust me, if the workers can’t work, they’ll be more anxious than us. Don’t worry; they’ll come to us voluntarily soon enough."
Mujima smiled faintly, showing no sign of fear towards these thugs.
"Next, we need to consider how to get this vast industrial park running and ensure that these twenty thousand workers have food to eat."
"Yes, yes! Uncle Mujima, please elaborate."
Yahiko realized he had made the right choice in appointing this accountant.
"The Hourglass Group’s main revenue sources were threefold: ninja tools, canned goods, and the logistics center.
Currently, we can’t produce ninja tools or canned goods, and the logistics center faces obstacles due to road conditions. My suggestion is—transition."
"But the Sada Iron Mine and Sumu Iron Mine are already depleted, aren’t they?"
"Only the surface sections are depleted. If we dig deeper, there will still be resources. Of course, this will require some investment."
"Alright, that’s manageable. What next?"
"Then, we simply sell the ore. Before coming here, I checked the current market price of iron ore, and it’s quite decent. Given the scale and quality of these two mines, Discover more novels on NovelHub - your gateway to endless stories."
"You’re suggesting turning these workers into miners?"
"Exactly. Otherwise, how else do we sustain so many people?"
"What about the other ten thousand workers?"
"Simple. We’ll fund them to build roads. This not only improves the logistics environment but also provides jobs for these workers—it’s a win-win."
"What if they refuse?"
"Heh, someone will make them willing."
Before Mujima could answer, a knock came from the door.
"Leader, there’s someone outside claiming to be the chairman of the Flying Rain Group labor union, requesting an audience."
Yahiko asked in confusion. This guy had already self-appointed himself as the chairman of the Flying Rain Group labor union in the blink of an eye.
"Leader, the person for the job has arrived."
"Should I meet him? What should I say?"
"You’re the leader; you don’t need to say anything. Just make the final decision. I’ll handle the negotiations. Oh, and arrange for a few imposing individuals like Daibutsu to stand by for Discover more novels on NovelHub - your gateway to endless stories."
Mujima said with a smile.
"Are you sure? These guys are all gangsters from Amegakure."
Konan asked worriedly.
Mujima laughed heartily.
"Konan, do you know? Back when I was wandering the streets of Amegakure, Nezō Kawaji was still playing in the mud and wetting his pants!"
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