The spy agency controlled by Kumogakure was unlike any ordinary intelligence network. It trained and employed not only ninjas but also civilians, placing them across the world under countless layers of cover. These agents managed businesses, handled trade, and operated as access points for information gathering, all while performing their hidden duties. Despite sounding like a purely covert operation, the agency relied heavily on realistic disguises, many of which involved running legitimate enterprises with merchants, craftsmen, and traders. These businesses were not just fronts; they were active, profitable ventures that helped conceal the agency's movements while securing stable sources of income.
Konoha, of course, had its own web of such establishments: bars, casinos, theaters, game shops with arcade halls, and even restaurants. But Kumogakure and the Land of Lightning had elevated the concept further. Their crown jewel was the spread of massive supermarkets known as World Mart, modeled after large-scale enterprises similar to Costco or Walmart in the modern sense. These stores sold a wide variety of products from across the ninja world, everything from food and clothing to specialized tools, medicines, and, of course, goods for war, and national resources were not part of it. Their presence in major cities and trade hubs made them household names, accessible to both shinobi and ordinary civilians.
What made these businesses unique was their backing. Though they were managed by civilians and covert ninjas of the Land of Lightning, the operations were heavily supported and controlled by the Daimyo and the Raikage. The government, the spy agency, and even the Hollow Mountain Research Center all played a role in regulating, financing, and strategically directing them. Foreign trade especially fell under joint control, ensuring that profits, resources, and information flowed through safe channels while presenting a stable and lawful appearance to outsiders.
To the outside world, these were simply enterprises from the Land of Lightning, not directly linked to Kumogakure. This separation allowed trade to flourish without raising suspicion. Between nations, including wealthy lands like the Land of Fire, there was no objection to such arrangements. Trade meant tariffs and taxes, and tariffs meant profit for local governments. Goods became more expensive, yes, but they were also desirable, and the profits were shared with local partners. By involving locals in work and management, Kumogakure ensured two things: the enrichment of host nations and the smooth flow of money back into their own hands despite there being tariffs on their businesses.
This business model did more than strengthen commerce. By buying resources and hiring local labor, Kumogakure stimulated economies wherever these ventures appeared. People not only had food and essentials but also disposable income to spend on new products and luxuries. This, in turn, fueled more trade, more growth, and more opportunity for Kumogakure's agents to blend into society.
In practice, these enterprises became nearly indistinguishable from genuine businesses. To ordinary customers, they were trusted places of commerce. To locals, they were a boon to livelihood. And to Kumogakure's inner circle, they were perfectly concealed channels for gathering intelligence, influencing economies, and extending their reach, all while keeping agents safe and their true purpose hidden in plain sight.
For Konoha, Ron had already taken precautions. He quietly advised trusted people to purchase land and establish businesses on the outskirts of the village. If the Nine-Tails were to go on a rampage in the future, as he suspected might happen, the outskirts would be safer and easier to rebuild than the central districts. Land in the outskirts of the village was also significantly cheaper and raised far fewer questions than attempting to buy within the village itself. Ron himself planned to open new businesses in Konoha and other regions in the near future, and this was part of his preparation.
Despite the constant shadow of ninja wars, trade and commerce between nations had never truly been blocked. Shinobi villages required money to fund their armies, and countries depended on the exchange of resources to survive and grow. At this point in time, the Land of Fire stood as the world's largest exporter of grains, supplying food to nearly every nation. Trade was only interrupted during the height of wars, but otherwise, civilian business in Konoha was allowed to operate without significant obstruction.
The system was simple; civilians could run shops, restaurants, and markets freely. When ninjas from outside villages entered, they were only monitored if they appeared suspicious or displayed chakra levels equivalent to at least a genin. Escorts for caravans or travelers were common, and as long as such people abided by the rules, their movements were tolerated. This allowed foreign businesses, including those linked to Kumogakure, to function normally within Konoha.
Naturally, many of these businesses doubled as intelligence-gathering hubs. Hidden equipment, small electronic devices, or specialized tools were smuggled in sealed containers, undetectable to ordinary inspections. Spies who were actual shinobi disguised their chakra signatures through sealing techniques, making themselves appear no different from ordinary civilians. This was how professional infiltrators could blend seamlessly into the fabric of daily commerce or other spy professions.
Meanwhile, World Mart had grown into a true international marketplace, with the Land of Snow acting as its logistical hub. Products from every corner of the shinobi world flowed into these massive centers and were redistributed across nations, linking economies in a network that was both resilient and profitable. There was little reason for anyone to object openly.
Some even argued that the Land of Lightning was growing wealthier because of these ventures, yet the reality was more nuanced, with not so much objection. Kumogakure and the Land of Lightning reinvested heavily, purchasing resources and materials from foreign nations to fuel their own development. This was not just about profit; it reflected Ron's belief that stockpiling physical resources, infrastructure, and technology was far more valuable than hoarding paper money, which in itself was meaningless without material wealth to back it. Thus, other nations were more than willing to earn money and were not thinking about the larger picture.
The result was a cycle of prosperity. People in major and minor countries alike gained employment. Daimyo and noble families collected more taxes from thriving local economies. Shinobi villages benefited from increased demand for escort missions, supply runs, and protective contracts. In this environment, the Land of Lightning's expansion into trade and business was not seen as a threat. Instead, it was regarded as a civilian matter, not a military one, which minimized resistance and interference.
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