Naruto: The rise of Uzumaki Kingdom

At the end of the year, 29th year of Konoha.

Yesterday, the Land of Lightning was attacked by a mysterious organization, suffering heavy losses. The long-standing Chinoike Clan within the country was brutally exterminated by a mysterious figure from the Uchiha Clan.

At the same time, the treasured Six Paths Tools were stolen. According to the Raikage's description, the terrorists who attacked the Land of Lightning were the same as the mysterious individuals who assaulted Iwagakure, a short masked man with a single spiral eye and a strangely featured individual capable of space-time ninjutsu.

The Raikage warned all major villages to carefully safeguard their assets and beware of thieves.

At the same time, he issued a warning to the two thieves: if he ever sees them again...

Have you ever seen a fist as big as a sand pot?

...

Konoha.

"What are your thoughts?" Sarutobi Hiruzen took another troubled puff of his cigarette. He hadn't expected these two mysterious individuals to reappear. Space-time ninjutsu and the Mangekyō Sharingan—these were troublesome techniques indeed.

But who exactly were these two people?

"Is this mysterious organization collecting the Six Paths Tools?" Utatane Koharu frowned as she looked at the intel in her hands.

"In Iwagakure, they wiped out the Kamizuru Clan and stole the Six Paths Tools. Now, in the Land of Lightning, they exterminated another clan and took the Six Paths Tools again."

Couldn't they just take the tools?

Why did they have to wipe out one or two clans?

"That remains unclear," Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head. "But..."

"Are there really that many legendary tools in the ninja world?"

"The intel provided by our subordinates doesn't mention it," Utatane Koharu scanned the report again. "We should investigate further to determine exactly what these Six Paths Tools are."

Or...

Was this intel even real or fake?

Konoha had dealt with Iwagakure and Kumogakure many times before, yet they had never seen any Six Paths Tools in their possession. Well, except for the two terrorists from Kumogakure—Gold and Silver Brothers, who had ambushed the Second Hokage back then—they supposedly had some.

Were these their tools? After Gold was crushed by the Raikage, were the weapons taken by the Land of Lightning?

"I'll arrange it," Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded, taking another puff. This was indeed a blind spot. They needed to clearly understand the goals of these mysterious individuals to avoid being so passive. He turned to Danzō and asked, "Has there been any movement from the Uchiha Clan recently?"

He remembered that Danzō had been getting rather close to the Uchiha since his return.

"Monitor every move of the Uchiha Clan members closely," Sarutobi Hiruzen narrowed his eyes at Danzō. "If there's any action that threatens the village, then..."

Danzō's heart tightened. Though Hiruzen hadn't finished his sentence, he understood his old friend's meaning.

Right now, the entire ninja world believed that only Konoha could produce such powerful individuals—especially since one of them possessed the Mangekyō Sharingan.

Aside from Konoha's Uchiha Clan, who else could it be?

So, if push came to shove, for the sake of Konoha's stability and the peace of the ninja world, this matter would have to be pinned on the Uchiha.

And in the end...

Danzō, you'll have to wield the blade.

If they were right, it would be the Hokage's wise leadership. If they were wrong, it would be the fault of subordinates acting recklessly—resulting in nothing more than Danzō being temporarily removed from his position as ROOT's leader.

No real loss either way.

But for the sake of the village's safety...

"Understood. I will keep a close eye on the Uchiha Clan's movements," Danzō frowned solemnly. "However, I don't believe the Uchiha Clan is responsible for this."

After days of investigation, he had found no trace of the Mangekyō Sharingan among the Uchiha.

"Hmm." Sarutobi Hiruzen gave Danzō a deep look and nodded. "Just stay vigilant." Inside, however, he sighed helplessly. The old Danzō would never have defended anyone. If there was even the slightest threat to the village, he would act immediately, regardless of truth.

But now...

He was actually speaking up for the Uchiha?

He had truly changed.

Changed so much that even his friend of over twenty years barely recognized him.

...

Land of Whirlpools.

Kakuzu cheerfully carried his notebook as he followed Uzumaki Jun into the cave. He had heard that another big client had arrived in the Land of Whirlpools today, seeking a loan to buy a house. So...

Early in the morning, he had groomed himself meticulously, even washing his long hair for the first time in years—using the newly developed shampoo from the Land of Whirlpools. It felt quite comfortable, though the scent was a bit strong and unsuitable for shinobi.

After all, shinobi needed to remain hidden. How could they stay concealed with such a strong smell?

But today, for the sake of money—as the Land of Whirlpools' Minister of Finance...

He endured it.

"It's another interest-free loan," Uzumaki Jun said helplessly, looking at Kakuzu's excited expression. "Don't squeeze them too hard. They're just a bunch of poor folks."

After the previous incidents where Jun had taken money without permission, the Minister of Finance had been displeased. So now, whenever money was involved, Jun made sure to consult Kakuzu first. Otherwise, what if Kakuzu resigned in protest?

"No problem. The Kamizuru Clan was dirt poor when they first arrived too," Kakuzu said casually, grinning. "But aren't they doing well now?"

"Their honey sales are quite good."

Not only had they almost repaid their debts, but they had also contributed a fair amount in taxes.

"I hope you'll still be this happy later," Uzumaki Jun thought helplessly. The Kamizuru Clan had managed to repay quickly due to their inherent advantages. But the Chinoike Clan...

What could they even do? Jun hadn't figured that out yet.

"What are you muttering about?" Kakuzu frowned, noticing Jun's odd behavior. "Oh, right. What about that big business you mentioned last time?"

"Big business?" Uzumaki Jun looked puzzled before suddenly remembering. "Ah, right. It really is big business!"

Arms dealing—that was big enough, right?

"But it's not the right time yet," Jun sighed. The war hadn't started. Who would even buy this stuff?

And...

They'd need to find a genin to run some ads first to drive up the price.

"Not the right time?" Kakuzu asked. "When will it be?"

"When the war starts," Uzumaki Jun sighed. "I'll also get you a disguise."

The Land of Whirlpools absolutely could not be directly involved in arms dealing.

"What disguise?" Kakuzu frowned. What did that even mean?

"A new identity. Our current ones aren't suitable," Uzumaki Jun explained. "You'll understand when the time comes."

"When?"

"Probably within the next two or three years."

The war was coming soon. Though Konoha had suffered heavy losses in the First War, as the victorious nation and thanks to the Land of Fire's vast resources, the village had recovered relatively quickly. The other villages weren't so fortunate—whether located in remote mountainous regions or barren deserts.

So, to catch up with Konoha, war...

Was inevitable.