The Land of Earth, Iwagakure.
"What? Naruto printed six trillion?!"
Hearing the news, even Shirou was stunned—though, on reflection, this was exactly the sort of thing Naruto would do.
If he didn't have someone helping him, Naruto's impulsiveness would certainly lead him to do something like this.
"Yes, Father. I didn't expect it either. At first, when Konoha gave out money to the other villages, everyone just quietly started buying supplies, not showing off. That's when I noticed something was off. After investigating, I found out that prices across the ninja world are rising. Everyone thinks it's just a temporary supply issue caused by Konoha's rebuilding."
Black Zetsu spoke hoarsely, but couldn't hide his excitement.
After centuries of scheming behind the scenes, his perspective was far above Naruto's.
He could see the ninja world on the verge of a volcanic eruption.
"Is Naruto crazy? Doesn't anyone in Konoha realize what's happening?"
In the office, Fourth Tsuchikage Kurotsuchi was shocked. If this kept up, the whole ninja world's currency system would collapse, leading to disaster and chaos.
"Konoha?"
Black Zetsu grinned sarcastically.
"Konoha's busy rebuilding. Everyone is run ragged. The Seventh Hokage thinks he's being clever, never caring about printing six trillion. He thinks he's a savior and ordered Root to carry it out. Konoha as a whole doesn't even realize what's happening."
"Kakashi's busy with reconstruction and spends his time calming Naruto down. I'd love to see what happens when this disaster explodes."
Shirou shook his head with a smile, while Kurotsuchi frowned, her voice serious:
"The ninja world is about to be thrown into turmoil. The currency system will collapse. Iwagakure needs to stockpile as many strategic resources as possible."
"Yes—before the crisis hits and the other villages notice, we need to exchange this paper for supplies. Otherwise, it'll be worthless."
Even Black Zetsu nodded, showing how big this crisis would be.
Now, with money everywhere, the ninja world was frantically buying, but many were also storing the cash away for emergencies.
"Father, that's not all. Konoha is repeating the old White Fang incident."
Black Zetsu was still excited, describing Konoha's current situation.
Meanwhile, Otsutsuki Kaguya remained expressionless, as if these squabbles meant nothing to her.
"Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, those old geezers, are greedily eyeing the Chakra Fruit's immortality. Now, rumors are flying in Konoha that Naruto is a disaster..."
Black Zetsu revealed a sinister, vengeful smile—clearly, he was behind some of the trouble.
"Father, even if I wanted to, I couldn't push things too far—Naruto is still in the village. I can only stir things up a bit in the Land of Fire. The real movers are those two old geezers."
Shirou narrowed his eyes, smiling toward Konoha.
"Human greed is endless—just like me. Who wouldn't want immortality?"
"The ninja world is getting lively. First a currency crisis, now internal unrest in Konoha. I wonder what the so-called strongest Hokage will do when he realizes his rashness caused all this."
Shirou smiled. The negative energy only brought out Naruto's inner darkness, making him irritable.
If Naruto knew even a little about inflation and money, he'd never do something so foolish.
The Chakra Fruit only made him impulsive, not stupid.
...
Konoha.
Busy with reconstruction, Kakashivwas exhausted, but his former-Hokage instincts sensed something was wrong.
"Lord Kakashi, prices are rising in the Land of Fire. All the villages are buying up supplies."
"We need those supplies for Konoha's rebuilding—what do these small villages need them for?"
"Exactly! They're just trying to make a quick buck!"
"At least Kumogakure has a reason—they suffered too. But what about the rest?"
The department heads of Konoha shouted in anger.
Kakashi sighed, gathering up their lists.
"Everyone, rebuilding Konoha is our top priority. I'll bring this to Naruto myself."
"Yes, Lord Sixth Hokage!"
Kakashi's authority was still strong.
With Kakashi handling things, the others breathed a sigh of relief.
Since Naruto's personality changed, his temper had become explosive.
No one wanted to anger the strongest ninja in the world, even the Sage of Six Paths behind him.
Only Kakashi seemed able to calm Naruto down.
...
Hokage's Office.
"You useless fools! Can't even handle such a simple task!"
Naruto's yelling could be heard from afar, making Kakashi sigh as he entered, files in hand.
Seeing it was Kakashi, Naruto's anger subsided a bit, though he still glared at the nervous ninja.
"If you fail again, go back to the academy and start over!"
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
The three ninjas fled in embarrassment.
They'd failed a mission only because the planned reinforcements never arrived due to the chaos in the village.
They were just average chunin, not Kage-level!
"Naruto!"
Kakashi sighed, handing over the reports.
"Kakashi-sensei, what is it?"
"Naruto, rebuilding needs many supplies, and prices are rising. I'm worried about our finances..."
Kakashi was concerned—could Konoha afford so much?
But Naruto, seeing the lists, wasn't angry. He dismissed the concern:
"Kakashi-sensei, you're worried about money? Don't worry! Konoha's finances are strong—I've managed the village well all these years."
Naruto even managed a rare smile—though it looked frightening on his demonic face.
Kakashi was surprised but relieved.
"Looks like you've grown a lot, Naruto. You are a qualified Hokage, developing the village and saving up so much."
Kakashi had watched Konoha's growth—he didn't realize Naruto had been so prudent.
"With this, the rebuilding will go even faster."
"Don't worry, Kakashi-sensei. As long as I'm here, nothing will go wrong."
As Kakashi left, Naruto smirked at the paperwork.
Naruto waved his hand, ordering the hidden Root ninja:
"Go to the Daimyo's mint and print another six trillion!"
"Yes!"
The Root's crisp reply made Naruto relax.
"If we need something, just buy it. Why bother with all this accounting and paperwork?"
In Naruto's mind, money was no longer a problem.
Especially since the mint was under the Daimyo's control—why hesitate?
Print as much as needed.
"No! With so many casualties and losses, compensation must be doubled!"
Naruto frowned, then began writing new orders:
"Double all compensation for Konoha's dead and wounded! Every villager gets a million, every meritorious ninja three million..."
Naruto was throwing money around like it was nothing.
"Naruto, does Konoha have so much money?"
Kurama, the Nine-Tails, looked doubtful.
Naruto just grinned.
"Kurama, you don't get it. Printing money is just turning worthless paper into bills that can buy things. Spend a little on paper and print trillions."
Kurama felt something was off, but couldn't put his finger on it.
Naruto remained oblivious to the looming disaster.
...
"What?! Another six trillion?!"
The manager's eyes bulged, his face turning red with fear.
Six trillion was already a huge problem—now another six trillion?
This was going to end in disaster!
"Sir, this is going to cause problems! The last six trillion was already too much! If we act now, maybe there's still time!"
The manager was drenched in sweat. He didn't know exactly what would happen, but he knew that when the bubble burst, he'd take the fall.
But the Root ninja's voice was cold:
"I hope you'll carry out the order, Mr. Kotani Saburo. This is the Seventh Hokage's command!"
"I…"
Saburo looked miserable. The machines had been running nonstop, almost smoking.
Another six trillion!
If this kept up, the paper would be worth more than the money!
But facing that cold stare, Saburo gritted his teeth and yelled:
"Fine! I'll print it! What's six trillion, anyway?!"
"Everyone, full speed! The Seventh Hokage wants another six trillion—print as hard as you can!"
Saburo was determined—he'd print the money and then run before disaster hit.
He'd quit as soon as the job was done.
Six trillion!
He'd heard that during the Fourth War, the Akatsuki used six trillion explosive tags against Obito—thanks to their Kekkei Genkai.
Now, Konoha was about to print twelve trillion in total!