Disclaimer: Naruto and all of its character belong to Masashi Kishimoto. I own nothing but the original characters I make.
Chapter 89: Daimyo Took Action
Many good things were happening in Konoha lately, especially within the Uzumaki Clan. The Hokage disciples like tsunade and jiraiya had finally changed their mindset after witnessing the corruption festering among the nobles. Not just that, even ties between clans grew stronger, new marriages were formed, Nagato had been born, and both Kushina and Maruku continued to advance in strength. By the following year, they were expected to participate in the Chuunin Exams. Even more good is several women from the recent intermarriages were pregnant, ensuring the clan bloodline and legacy would continue to thrive.
While on the Uzumaki side is basked in joy, on the other side of the political world, the mood was far darker. The nobles, who had once enjoyed uncontested influence began to grind their teeth in irritation. Every success of the Uzumaki Clan only fueled their hatred because that means their sales would drop and their business would close down.
Even the Fire Daimyo had started to getting pressure because of Uzumaki Clan. But they can't do anything not even Daimyo have power to pressure Uzumaki Clan. The Guardian Pact and agreement clause still stood firm, as long as the pact existed, neither the Daimyo nor the nobles could openly move against the clan.
Frustrated and cornered, the Fire Daimyo, Rengoku, chose the final method available to him which is to start a war. Using war, he must make sure that Uchiha and Uzumaki Clan would be send on the frontline further reducing thier number.
The other daimyos across the continent had long been eyeing the fertile lands belonging to the Land of Fire. Its soil produced more food, more herbs, and more resources than any other territory. But they hesitated. Konoha still had the Uzumaki Clan, an iron wall of sealing and raw power. If they invested in a war that brought no returns, they would be crushed under the weight of their own military debts. So they waited, cautiously observing from the shadows.
Their hesitation finally broke the moment Fire Daimyo Rengoku secretly contacted them. He sent each of them a personal message, offering to financially support their hidden villages if they agreed to attack Konoha. In other words, he planned to wage war using other people's hands.
The other daimyos from other lands were amused. They laughed quietly, shaking their heads. If the plan succeeded and Konoha fell, they could claim the fertile lands with the excuse of "restoring balance." If the plan failed, the Fire Daimyo alone would bear the entire cost. For them, it was a perfect situation.
Compared to their coffers, Fire Daimyo Rengoku was at least ten times wealthier. For him, paying for a war was equivalent to spending loose change.
And so, one by one, every Daimyo agreed. They summoned their Kage and declared that their upcoming war efforts would be fully funded.
For Kumogakure, the message was met with excitement. Confident in their raw strength, they believed victory would be a simple matter. Iwagakure approached the situation more cautiously, they decided to observe Kumogakure first moves before committing their full force. As for Sunagakure, their poverty left them with no choice, once their Daimyo promised ample funding, they were practically forced into the alliance. Money controlled them and they were desperate enough to obey.
Meanwhile, preparations began across the lands. Weapons were stockpiled, armies mobilized, scouts dispatched, and new military supplies secretly purchased. The movements spread slowly at first, then rapidly, subtle enough for the public to ignore, but not subtle enough to escape the notice of Konoha intelligence division.
Deep within the shadows, a Konoha spy observed the enemy buildup, made his final calculations, and activated a secure message scroll, he relayed the information to Konoha.
Within hours, the report reached the Hokage Tower.
---Hokage Got The News---
"Hokage sama, the information is truth. Kumogakure has gathered an army, and they intend to conquer the Land of Fire," reported the ANBU, while passing the info scroll to him. He looked panic with the news because that means they would be forced to face enemy on war.
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen felt his breath tighten. "And Iwagakure?"
"Iwagakure has also begun stockpiling large amounts of food, weapons, and medical supplies. By the looks of it, they fully intend to join the war. Their movements are discreet, but our spy manage to gathered the news.
Hiruzen closed his eyes for a brief moment. He had feared this outcome ever since Rengoku, the Fire Daimyo, began behaving erratically… and now the consequences had arrived at Konoha doorstep.
As Hokage he knows about some ugly method from Daimyo, during warring states era the Daimyo influence are very wide and can kill entire clan with just a single world.
Now it was impossible to defeat the entire clan, because they have formed a village. Unfortunately he didn't have any proof because the one who started to gather resources for war is another village but his instinct as a Hokage told him that Fire Daimyo had a hands on the upcoming war.
"How about Sunagakure?" he asked, opening his eyes again.
"Our spy has not yet sent any message from that land, but based on their situation, they will likely join if the other two villages attack. Sunagakure is poor, and their Daimyo is desperate. If he promised them funding, even a small amount, they may not refuse."
Hiruzen finally spoke. "Call the elders and all available clan heads. We will have a meeting within the hour. Also summon Uzumaki Raiken immediately. His clan will be the primary target of any army bold enough to attack us."
"Yes, Hokage sama." The ANBU vanished.
Left alone, Hiruzen rubbed his forehead and stared out the window. Children were walking home from the academy. Families strolled through the marketplace. The smell of freshly cooked dumplings drifted in from the nearby food stalls. Life was peaceful… fragile… unaware of the storm forming beyond the borders.
War…
He hated the word. Yet the daimyos seemed intent on dragging their villages into bloodshed. Greed, fear, and politics, those were the poisons that could destroy nations even faster than blades and jutsu.
An hour later, the clan heads gathered in the council chamber located in a Hokage tower. Lady Mito sat as a representative of Senju Clan. Tsunade stood behind Lady Mito, arms crossed tightly, her expression darkening with each passing second. She had heard some information about upcoming war.
Then when they all arrived, Anbu started to repeat the report, the clans erupted into a mixture of outrage, disbelief, and frustration.
"They want war now? Wasn't this long peace is enough to show peace is better than war?"
"Kumogakure never hides their aggression. This is not unexpected."
"But why Iwagakure also wanted to join war at the same time?"
"Everyone think wisely, don't be panic," Mito said, her voice clear and firm. "We all know they wanted to attack land of fire because of our fertile land and the strong economy. So we must show them that Konoha is not to be looked down."
Hiruzen nodded grimly. "We also need to gather supplies and choose excellent shinobi to be included in a war."
His gaze shifted toward Mito and Raiken
"We will need the Uzumaki Clan strength more than ever."
Mito lowered her head slightly. "We understand."
"The Uzumaki will stand with Konoha," said Raiken who from the start just keep his mouth quiet.
Now is the time to show he had mastered teleportation Jutsu.
...........
There is 30 advanced chapter on my patreon.
Chapter 116: Operation SAR
Chapter 117: Reply The Letter
Chapter 118: Hiruzen Decision
Chapter 119: Tsunade Reaction
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