Early in Year 43 of Konoha's Calendar.
Suddenly, rumors spread across the entire shinobi world that the Five Great Shinobi Villages were indiscriminately killing innocent people. According to reports from informed sources, many helpful villagers from their own villages, those who always assisted the elderly and young children, were taken away by shinobi for no reason and never returned.
For a time...
The Five Great Shinobi Villages fell under the condemnation and scorn of the masses in the shinobi world. Their hard-earned reputations hung by a thread.
Immediately, the daimyos of various countries jumped out, petitioning on behalf of the people and condemning the reckless actions of the Five Great Shinobi Villages. They demanded an immediate explanation, and if these actions were truly committed, the villages must provide an account to the broad masses.
But...
The Five Great Shinobi Villages were instantly baffled. How were they supposed to explain this?
It was indeed something they had done, and wasn't this kind of thing normal?
Haven't plenty of innocent people died in every war?
This was a necessary sacrifice to maintain peace in the shinobi world. Otherwise, who could tell if someone was truly a civilian or just pretending? After all, losing a shinobi to save one ordinary person was too great a loss for a shinobi village.
So, the basic principle was to kill rather than let potential threats escape.
They didn't really care about the uproar among the civilians in the shinobi world. These ordinary people would soon be busy scrambling for their three meals a day and gradually forget the matter. The most important thing now was...
Where did these rumors originate?
Especially for Konoha, which had suffered greatly from rumors these past few years!
But...
No matter how hard they searched, they couldn't find the source.
Suddenly, the atmosphere in the entire shinobi world grew heavy again.
Who was this rat hiding its head and tail?
Or was it the doing of that Goddess Alliance?
Furthermore...
The atmosphere in Iwagakure, Kumogakure, and Sunagakure also grew tense. After all, this time they hadn't obtained the legendary swords, immediately putting their military strength at a disadvantage compared to Konoha and Kirigakure.
Therefore, to prevent sudden attacks from Konoha and Kirigakure, they began to form alliances and strengthened their village defenses.
For a time...
Everyone sensed an unusual smell in the air.
...
Land of Whirlpools.
January could be said to be the happiest time in the Land of Whirlpools. Right after the New Year celebrations, they immediately prepared for the Land of Whirlpools festival.
Everyone's faces were filled with joy.
Especially because of the anti-crime campaigns launched by the Five Great Shinobi Villages some time ago, more foreign villagers flocked to the Land of Whirlpools. The population surged instantly, but fortunately, the Land of Whirlpools was well-prepared, and no chaos ensued.
The civilians who came from outside quickly adapted to life in the Land of Whirlpools after staying for a few days. After all, compared to the uncertainty of meals outside and the occasional collateral damage during shinobi missions, this place was simply heaven!
If there is a heaven in the shinobi world, the Land of Whirlpools is surely in it.
Originally, they came to take refuge, planning to return once things stabilized outside. But now, no one wanted to leave. They obediently rented houses and started looking for work.
It's just that, according to seniors who had been here for several years, obtaining Land of Whirlpools citizenship wasn't easy. Even after all these years, they still hadn't qualified. So...
In the Land of Whirlpools, they were merely migrant workers, without rights to free education or property purchase.
However...
Apart from lacking some benefits, everything else was pretty much the same. Here, as long as you abided by the law, no one would bother you.
Of course, there was another way to obtain citizenship, and this method was simpler and more convenient. That was...
...
"Black Zetsu," Uzumaki Jun looked at the intelligence in his hand, shook his head helplessly, and muttered, "Being able to spread rumors so mysteriously and stealthily, besides that Black Zetsu, probably no one else could do it."
He's really cut out to be a paparazzo!
It's just that this Black Zetsu is too useless, holding out for just over a year before retreating from the sphere of influence of the Five Great Shinobi Villages. Truly worthless.
"Ah," Uzumaki Jun sighed, put down the intelligence report, and said to Uzumaki Hibiki, "The war is about to start."
"Is the Land of Whirlpools ready?"
"Everything is prepared," Uzumaki Hibiki nodded and said, "The artillery turrets and barriers are all set up. Chakra energy reserves are sufficient."
"Energy sources!" Uzumaki Jun nodded, feeling helpless, and said, "What is the Four-Tails jinchuriki doing?"
Even now, the Land of Whirlpools still lacks a stable source of chakra. It mostly relies on impoverished shinobi selling their chakra, bit by bit, to build up reserves.
"Still reclaiming land from the sea," Uzumaki Hibiki said, "Should the land reclamation mission be halted?"
After all, war is about to start. If they continue reclaiming land now, it could be troublesome if something unexpected happens.
"Not urgent," Uzumaki Jun shook his head and said, "Wait until the Five Great Shinobi Villages officially declare war." After a moment's thought, he added, "During this time, have the Chakra Center raise prices to attract more shinobi to sell their chakra."
When it comes to energy, having more reserves is never wrong.
"Okay," Uzumaki Hibiki nodded and said, "I will arrange it."
"And those spies," Uzumaki Jun paused thoughtfully, then said, "They must be thoroughly rooted out during this chaotic period."
Although they had indeed discovered quite a few spies within the country, they hadn't taken action yet. And who knew if those were all the spies in the Land of Whirlpools?
Indeed...
Finding spies really requires Zetsu!
He's a professional in that area. It's just that he doesn't dare come to the Land of Whirlpools anymore.
Uzumaki Jun sighed regretfully.
"During the operation, ensure the safety of the people's lives and property."
"Understood," Uzumaki Hibiki flipped open his memo, recording the important matters, and said, "I will have the military department cooperate."
So now...
Uzumaki Jun stood up, walked to Uzumaki Hibiki's side, patted his shoulder, and said, "Don't be too late for the festival tonight."
Over these past few years, even Komaki, Kai, and Keita had gotten married and had children. Only Uzumaki Hibiki...
Remained alone!!
Indeed...
His overtime hours are just too long, leaving him no time to go out on dates.
This is the nation's failure!!
...
"You understand the patrol duties for tonight, right?" Uchiha Fugaku looked at the Obito in front of him and said, "We cannot let our guard down during this period. If anything goes wrong, you will be penalized."
This Uchiha clansman was different from other Uchiha. He always had a cheesy, grinning expression on his face, and sometimes even dropped the ball, but he worked earnestly and hadn't disgraced the Uchiha clan.
"In a few days, there's an important mission from above. If nothing goes wrong today..." Uchiha Fugaku patted Obito's shoulder, left his sentence unfinished, and simply walked away.
As for Obito...
He was stunned for a moment, then jumped for joy.
It seemed his probation period was about to end!!
"I guarantee complete the mission," Obito puffed out his chest and shouted to Uchiha Fugaku's retreating back, "I will definitely not let Captain Fugaku down again."
He was finally about to become a glorious police officer for the people.
"Get to work," Fugaku's corners of his mouth turned up slightly, then returned to his expressionless face, saying blandly, "Don't just stand there dumbfounded. Hurry up and come here."
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