Konoha...
The Uchiha Clan!
"Father!" Uchiha Fugaku looked at his father, who seemed preoccupied after returning from the Hokage's office, and asked. As the young clan head, he had both the ability and duty to share his father's burdens.
"It's nothing." However, the Uchiha clan head shook his head and said lightly, "Go train."
"Yes!" Though curious about the matter, Uchiha Fugaku obediently followed his father's words.
However...
The Uchiha clan head was also completely baffled!
Aside from their ancestors Madara and Izuna, no one else in the Uchiha clan had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, right? So what was the deal with this sudden one-eyed Mangekyō user?
Could it really be Uchiha Madara?
That was impossible!
After all, Lord Hashirama had confirmed that Uchiha Madara was dead. Moreover, due to ideological differences, Madara had long severed ties with the Uchiha clan. If he were still alive...
"Sigh..." The Uchiha clan head sighed deeply. What should be done?
And because of this incident, the Uchiha clan was once again caught in a whirlpool of trouble. At some point, rumors began spreading in the village—that the Uchiha clan had stolen from Iwagakure, massacred another clan, that the Uchiha were an evil clan, a clan of thieves...
Combined with the Uchiha's expressionless demeanor and their strict, merciless enforcement of laws, the clan's reputation in Konoha had sunk even lower!
"Who exactly spread these rumors?" The Uchiha clan head sighed helplessly in his heart. In the village...
Who was trying to sabotage the Uchiha clan?
They were a clan that loved peace and desperately wanted to integrate into the village. Why did such malicious rumors keep surfacing?
Moreover, due to this unfair treatment, discontent was brewing among some Uchiha clansmen. If this continued, things might...
The Uchiha clan just wanted the same treatment as the Hyūga.
Why was it so difficult?
"Who could it be?" The Uchiha clan head murmured as he gazed at the scenery outside the door.
Who was slandering the Uchiha? Or rather...
Who was that one-eyed Mangekyō user?
...
"Of course, it's me." Uzumaki Jun said helplessly.
"What did you say?" Kakuzu looked at the boy who had suddenly started talking to himself. He had only asked why a large sum of money had been withdrawn from the national treasury without his knowledge.
When Jun said, "Of course, it's me," did that mean...
Kakuzu eyed Uzumaki Jun suspiciously. The boy had a history of this—according to the former financial officer of the daimyo's estate, he had been demoted to street sweeping because he failed to notice Jun's unauthorized use of public funds...
"Oh, right. Today's discussion is about this matter." Uzumaki Jun coughed lightly and snapped back to attention. "A few days ago, a clan joined us..."
Jun explained the situation with the Kamizuru Clan and pointed to Kamizuru Seihō beside him. "Due to certain circumstances, they have now changed their surname to the Kamizuru Clan."
All of Uzushiogakure's higher-ups nodded in understanding. After all, the Kamizuru Clan of Iwagakure had been wiped out by a mysterious one-eyed Mangekyō user.
But...
Everyone looked at Uzumaki Jun with strange expressions. Was that so-called Mangekyō user actually...
"Yes." Uzumaki Jun nodded with a smile. "That Mangekyō was fake." He pointed to the colored contact lens in front of him. "This thing—just put it on, and you're set."
"Of course, you mustn't leak this information."
This matter needed to be clarified with everyone. Otherwise...
The incident where the former Uzushiogakure daimyo was cuckolded could become very dangerous!!
"This little thing!" The elder picked it up in surprise. "I never knew such a thing existed!"
How fascinating. What would the Uchiha clan think if they found out?
They'd probably vomit blood!
Not only did they take the blame for their own clansmen, but that clansman...
Turned out to be from the Uzumaki Clan!!
"What about that money?" Kakuzu, however, ignored such trivial matters. After all, he had once fought the God of Shinobi. A mere Mangekyō...
Meant nothing to him!!!
"That money was loaned to the Kamizuru Clan." Uzumaki Jun averted his gaze, unable to meet Kakuzu's resentful eyes. This was his fault for not explaining clearly earlier. Sigh—this was all because of bad habits formed in the past!!
Blame the former finance minister!!!
"Interest?" Kakuzu's eyes lit up at the word "loan."
"Interest-free!!"
"..."
Kakuzu suddenly felt like resigning. This job...
Had no future at all!
"Don't worry, though." Uzumaki Jun smiled. "The money will be returned soon." He glanced at Kamizuru Seihō, signaling him to speak.
Kamizuru Seihō stood up and said, "The Kamizuru Clan wishes to purchase thirty two-story concrete houses and three shops."
Since they had come to Uzushiogakure, everything had to start anew. Moreover, due to their sudden departure, the Kamizuru Clan's fixed assets in Iwagakure had not been liquidated, leaving them short on funds. So they had no choice but to...
Take out a loan.
Kakuzu nodded in understanding. So that's why Jun said the money would return soon.
This deal had potential!
"We hope for your support." Kamizuru Seihō bowed. From now on...
They were also members of Uzushiogakure.
"The second matter is the nationwide surveillance plan for Uzushiogakure." Uzumaki Jun pointed to the documents beside him and had Uzumaki Hibiki distribute them. "This is also an urgent priority."
"Elder, how is the progress on modifying the Telescope Technique?"
"There's still a hurdle." The elder sighed. "The crystal must be pure and natural. Otherwise, glass cannot channel chakra properly."
Glass couldn't be used, huh...
Uzumaki Jun nodded in understanding. No wonder Sarutobi Hiruzen treasured that crystal ball so much!
It wasn't just because he could peep...
"This issue must be resolved." Uzumaki Jun said helplessly. In the short term, they could purchase crystals, but if Uzushiogakure's territory expanded, the cost would become unsustainable.
"This problem is already under research." The elder said. "But in the short term, it might..."
"Sigh. We'll have to buy a batch for now." Uzumaki Jun rubbed his temples helplessly. Since Gato had already gone out trading, this matter would have to wait a while longer. Truly...
Progress wasn't easy.
"Are the civilian-use heating stoves ready for mass production?"
The civilian-use heating stoves were designed to reduce flame intensity, improve safety, and extend chakra duration, making them usable by ordinary civilians.
"Preparations are underway." Uzumaki Hibiki nodded. "But we'll need to establish two factories—one for stove production and another for chakra energy storage."
"In that case, arrange it as soon as possible." Uzumaki Jun nodded.
With the success of chakra storage and utilization, something akin to Earth's rechargeable batteries had been created—though the containers for storing chakra were still quite large.
But this advancement represented a major leap in energy technology!!
Of course, chakra still had to be manually extracted and stored for now...
Which was still troublesome.
Currently, it was mostly disabled shinobi—those who had lost limbs in war—who were "charging" the chakra batteries.
In a way, this also solved the employment difficulties of the disabled!!
"Understood!" Uzumaki Hibiki nodded.
"The last matter is the issue of spies." Uzumaki Jun said helplessly. "Recently, we must be vigilant against other villages resorting to desperate measures. We must ensure their safety!!"
As for Danzō, he wasn't worried. Konoha...
Still couldn't do without him!