Chapter 353
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at the proposal, his expression gradually turning strange.
Danzo and Koharu Utatane leaned in to take a look, their expressions mirroring his. It was as if they had just read the most ludicrous joke. Koharu even made no effort to hide her disdainful smirk.
Finally, after finishing the proposal, Sarutobi Hiruzen raised his head and looked at Haruto Saito, his tone peculiar. "You want to establish a money-lending institution?"
"A bank," Haruto corrected.
"The terminology doesn't matter; it's essentially the same thing, isn't it?"
"Similar, but a bank has a more comprehensive set of functions. For example, loans—currently, Konoha's moneylenders do not offer loans to private individuals. The bank I intend to establish will, though at a higher interest rate..."
"You also want to attract deposits?" Sarutobi Hiruzen cut to the core of the issue.
"Exactly!" Haruto nodded.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression grew even stranger, as if he wanted to laugh but restrained himself.
"Do you seriously think people will entrust their money to your bank?" Sarutobi Hiruzen asked bluntly. "Why would they trust you? Even Konoha itself does not have such credibility. Konoha's financial institutions operate under the financial backing of the Land of Fire's Daimyo. Essentially, the entire nation guarantees its security."
"Does Konoha's moneylender offer interest?"