Konoha: Reforge the glory of Uchiha!

One week later

"I was wrong, I was really wrong!"

"Why did I act on my own? Why did I sell the futures I had?"

"No!!! Why on earth?"

Kakuzu was venting his anger alone in the woods. The surroundings were a mess, with large tracts of trees burned by fire jutsu, and the air filled with the smell of burning.

Kakuzu, who had sold his futures, was disappointed shortly after feeling relieved. The price of pig iron did not plummet as he had expected but continued to rise.

Although the increase wasn't as sharp as before, the daily rise of one or two levels left Kakuzu heartbroken.

For Kakuzu, missing out on potential earnings was worse than death.

"I can't just give up like this. I must make a name for myself in the futures market!"

Kakuzu recalled the looks of the leeks who had made a fortune, looking at him as if he were a fool.

If they weren't afraid of his power, they might have mocked him openly!

Humiliation lingered in Kakuzu's heart. Why could these leeks make money, but he couldn't?

He had once attempted to assassinate the First Hokage and survived. Any ninja understood the strength of the First Hokage. The value of surviving such an encounter was immeasurable!

Unique in the ninja world!

Failure is not a disgrace, but fear of failure is!

After reflecting, Kakuzu re-entered the futures market. With his sharp mind and Uchiha Nan's strategies, Kakuzu began to profit.

Of course, there was no special skill involved; it was purely due to a bull market. The rises, pullbacks, and minor declines were all orchestrated by Nara Shikayuan.

Nara Shikayuan, with his high IQ and Konoha's intelligence advantage, manipulated the market masterfully. His rapid progress impressed Uchiha Nan.

Nara Shikayuan was born for this!

After witnessing Nara Shikaon's abilities, Uchiha Nan confidently entrusted the futures plan to him. Initially, Uchiha Nan could keep pace.

But as the market expanded, it was beyond Uchiha Nan's control. As an Uchiha, he excelled in combat, not finance.

The peaceful days didn't last long, and the war that Uchiha Nan least expected began.

The Hidden Rock Village raided Konoha's garrison according to the original plan. Konoha's forces seemed to be in disarray, retreating several miles. This was, of course, a strategic retreat.

Konoha faced potential multi-front operations. Although Hidden Cloud Village had signed a peace agreement, Uchiha Nan remained cautious. Those unpredictable adversaries could surprise him anytime.

To reduce financial strain, Uchiha Nan decided to shorten the battle line. Konoha had an intelligence advantage and had foreseen the opponent's plans. This had to be leveraged.

Konoha's intelligence department exceeded Uchiha Nan's expectations, thanks to Senju Tobirama. How he managed to plant so many spies in Iwagakure was a mystery.

Lure the enemy deep and stretch their supply lines!

Iwagakure saw a chance to crush Konoha, and the Second Tsuchikage wouldn't miss it.

Konoha Operations Meeting Room

"Everything is proceeding smoothly. Uchiha Tomita has successfully completed the blocking mission and pinned the Iwagakure troops here."

Uchiha Nan pointed to a forest on the Ninja Realm map. Uchiha Tomita had fortified a defense there, with Konoha's elite gathering, using the terrain to strike Iwagakure hard.

Originally planning to march into Konoha, Iwagakure experienced the harsh reality of their arrogance. They couldn't advance, as if their previous victories were handed to them.

And they were.

The downside of their unchecked advance was now apparent. The supply line was stretched too thin, and Tsuchikage Mu felt the financial strain intensely.

Explosive tags, kunai, shuriken, soldier ration pills

Treating the wounded, buying medical supplies.

Bills piled up before Tsuchikage Mu like a torrent.

Uchiha Nan was committed to fighting Tsuchikage Mu here. Futures sales might lessen profits, but the long battle line had driven Iwagakure's costs to two or three times Konoha's, and rising.

But there was no advancing or retreating. Reaching this point, could they retreat in disgrace?

Even if Tsuchikage Mu accepted it, his troops wouldn't. They sought to crush Konoha and earn glory.

Another war of attrition!

Ninja teams from both sides roamed the forests and hills, targeting enemy strongholds, assassinating, ambushing, and poisoning.

These seasoned ninjas fought viciously. As the war progressed, it intensified, risking senior ninja casualties. No one wanted this.

Uchiha Nan was helpless; war was like this, and Konoha's foes were formidable.

"What's the situation with Kirigakure?"

Uchiha Nan inquired about Kirigakure, a key player in the war.

"Hidden Mist Village's warship was repaired and set sail three days ago. It should dock soon. Detailed info will come tomorrow."

Uzumaki Mito reported to Uchiha Nan. Despite past conflicts, they united against the common enemy.

"Understood."

"Keep a close watch on Kirigakure and report immediately!"

Somewhere on the shore of the Land of Fire

"What's the intel on Iwagakure?"

Ghost Lantern Hozuki eagerly asked about Iwagakure upon landing. He hadn't been living comfortably lately.

Konoha ninjas, with the Uzumaki clan, had harassed their fleet, using the same tactics—blowing up ships, not people.

All were shadow clones. No ninja could sustain this many clones, but the Uzumaki clan wasn't ordinary. Their chakra and resilience frustrated Ghost Lantern Hozuki.

He worried about logistics. If this continued, Kirigakure might outspend Konoha.

Fighting Iwagakure seemed more promising.

"Iwagakure's troops are deep in enemy territory, unable to advance or retreat."

Ghost Lantern Hozuki reviewed Iwagakure and Konoha's recent battles. As an outsider, he discerned Konoha's strategy.

Lure the enemy deep, extend the front, and bleed Iwagakure dry!

Veteran ninjas knew attrition wars tested endurance. Constant fighting, with companions dying beside them, was brutal.

Uchiha Kusu didn't want to use such tactics, but his strength didn't allow otherwise. He lacked Six Paths-level power, and overusing his Mangekyo Sharingan risked blindness.

Ghost Lantern Hozuki considered the Uzumaki clan's tactics. Kirigakure might face attrition against Konoha, constantly harassed by the Uzumaki clan, ending like Iwagakure.

Could Konoha sustain a two-front battle? Hozuki didn't know.

But Ghost Lantern Hozuki knew Kirigakure would suffer. Konoha's strong hadn't even joined. Only the Six Paths Sage knew the outcome of fighting Konoha.

After reflection, Ghost Lantern Hozuki resolved to strike Iwagakure. He had to achieve results. Konoha was too strong; Iwagakure was easier prey.

Ghost Lantern Hozuki felt excitement. When Kirigakure outflanked Iwagakure, Tsuchikage Mu would be shocked.

It was a pity Tsuchikage Mu was mummy-wrapped, hiding his expression.

"Let's go, Konoha is strong, Iwagakure is bleeding, attack Iwagakure!"

Ghost Lantern Hozuki ordered, turning against Iwagakure!

Kirigakure's unexpected attack baffled Konoha's defenders. You're going the wrong way!

Why head towards Iwagakure?

Uchiha Kusu learned of Kirigakure's move the next day, holding an excited combat meeting. Others might not understand Kirigakure's motives, but Uchiha Kusu did.

This was aimed at Iwagakure. Uchiha Nan's plan worked, keeping the ninja world on its original path.

He avoided direct clashes, fighting attrition wars until the three villages bled dry.

Iwagakure advanced deep into the Fire Country, realizing too late they were trapped by Konoha.

If Ghost Lantern Hozuki was smart, he'd avoid this. They couldn't retreat now. To succeed, he had to raid Iwagakure!

War meeting room

Uzumaki Mito, puzzled, looked at maps and intel, unable to understand Ghost Lantern Hozuki's strategy.

"Kirigakure's attack direction is odd, deviating from our defense."

"Should we adjust our plan to stop Kirigakure?"

Uzumaki Mito hesitated. Kirigakure's path required major defensive adjustments, exposing weak spots.

"No need, let Kirigakure pass!"

"Just pretend to block them; Kirigakure's target is Iwagakure!"

Uchiha Kusu confidently ordered. Konoha's plans were thoroughly researched and voted on. Only approved plans were enacted. This was Konoha's unspoken rule. If a plan failed, all shared blame.

Of course, the Hokage could bypass this, but bore the consequences alone. Even Senju Tobirama used this sparingly. War was dangerous, and failure damaged Hokage authority.

"Absurd! We lack full intel; how can you decide like this?"

Uzumaki Mito protested. This happened before, with the futures proposal!

Uzumaki Mito objected multiple times, but Uchiha Nan overruled her. The futures plan was isolated, managed by Hinata Takuma and Nara Shikaon, off-limits to others.

Konoha's safety was no joke. Uchiha Nan allocated 10 billion to the project, one-third of Konoha's funds.

Now, how much was spent? Only Nara Shikaon, Hinata Takuma, and Uchiha Nan knew.

"Uzumaki Mito, Konoha's safety is my responsibility, not yours!"

"Uchiha Nan, you'll regret this!"

"Enough, Uzumaki Mito, I'm the Hokage!"

Uchiha Nan signaled ANBU members, who escorted Uzumaki Mito out.

This was routine; they were used to it.

Uchiha Nan again wielded Hokage power, passing his plan among Konoha's leadership.

As Uchiha Nan's orders were executed, Kirigakure's march met no real opposition. Konoha's defense was just for show. Encounters ended with a few shurikens, then retreat.

Hozuki Gengetsu expected difficulty outflanking Iwagakure, but it was smooth.

Hozuki Gengetsu wasn't foolish. Konoha let him pass. Iwagakure faced a hard struggle.

Iwagakure lacked Konoha's resources, but even a bite could satisfy.

Meanwhile

The futures hall battle was intense, rivaling the ninja war.

Ninja wars burned blood and flesh; futures wars burned money.

For over a month, White Fang, under Nara Shikaon's guidance, shaped public opinion, predicting rises before they happened.

Nara Shikaon manipulated the market, boosting White Fang's profile by predicting downturns first.

Occasionally rewarding leeks encouraged final harvesting.

Nara Shikaon received Uchiha Nan's message, signaling the final harvest.

The Second Tsuchikage Mu and Second Mizukage Hozuki Huanyue would perish together. The First Ninja World War was ending. Uchiha Nan foresaw the outcome.

Though unsure how Hokage predicted the future, Nara Shikaon followed orders..

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