Renji unleashed a flurry of moves. At first, the Third Hokage didn't pay it much mind. But when he realized what was happening and tried to remedy it, he was already half a beat too late.
It wasn't entirely Hiruzen's fault, he was stretched thin. With both Orochimaru and Jiraiya dispatched to search for tailed beasts, manpower was scarce. His only other option was the Academy… but even there, students had begun joining the Sunflower Plan.
Under Renji's guidance, the Sunflower Plan spread in the school like the Young Pioneers of his past life. Every class bragged about how many Sunflowers they had. Kids competed to join, treating it as an honor. Wearing the sunflower badge on one's chest became a badge of pride, proof of good deeds and community spirit.
"Look at me, I've got a sunflower badge. I help grandmas cross the street dozens of times a day. Do I brag about it? No, I just quietly keep doing it."
The first week's Sunflower role models were chosen. Renji arranged for ninja hounds to carry the winning squad around town. Each member wore big red flowers, while their leader marched with a flag that read "I Serve the People." Along the way, they were showered with flowers, candy, and snacks.
The other groups were so envious they nearly exploded, vowing to win the next week. That was when Hiruzen Sarutobi realized the danger. The Uchiha weren't just making noise, they were digging up his ideological roots.
The orphans now saw hope in the Uchiha: hope of becoming shinobi, hope of learning trades. Rather than being given scraps, they were being given tools to shape their destinies.
The elderly, once ignored and despised, were suddenly surrounded by children eager to hear their stories and help with chores. Their lives turned vibrant and colorful.
Even wounded veterans, skeptical at first, soon realized the Uchiha weren't playing some cruel trick. Many of them had once opposed the Uchiha, but they were forced to admit they'd underestimated the clan's generosity and sense of responsibility.
By the weekend, Uchiha staff from the Veterans' Assistance Fund came knocking with weekly stipends. That's right, weekly pay. It helped veterans buy daily necessities. What's more, they enjoyed a ten percent discount at all Uchiha shops.
In just one week, the Uchiha had completely flipped public opinion among the common people.
For years, civilians had cursed the Uchiha, but the clan had never actually harmed them. Most of the hostility came from clashes with Anbu and Root families, and from blind conformity. Now, the Uchiha's actions spoke louder than words. Everything was visible, transparent, and open to participation.
"Are these really the same Uchiha we've been vilifying? Were we being used all along?" Such doubts spread like wildfire.
Renji had once again forced people to think for themselves. Why had they hated the Uchiha in the first place? It was like opening a window in a locked room, once they saw for themselves, they walked out and embraced the clan.
Hiruzen, watch me dig up your ancestors' graves! Let's see what wins: your Fire Will brainwashing or my Uchiha-funded charity. Your words, or money people can actually spend.
The Uchiha's new trade guild spread like wildfire, opening small shops on every street, mainly selling daily goods. Civilians quickly grew to prefer them, because their money didn't just buy things it also supported orphans, veterans, and the elderly.
Within a single week, the Veterans' Guild had achieved a miracle: balancing its books without further clan subsidies.
The clan elders were stunned by Renji's business tactics: coupons, loyalty points, raffles, prepaid cards with bonuses, even home delivery under the Sunflower banner.
At first, they couldn't understand. "We're giving discounts, handing out freebies, printing flyers, doing deliveries… how is this profitable?" But soon they stopped questioning it. Let the young people handle it. Counting money at home wasn't so bad.
Renji sipped tea while Mei Mei peeled fruit for him, thinking smugly: You don't understand marketing. A couple of simple tricks can rake in millions. This is emotional marketing, charity marketing. How could it lose money?
It was like Ant Forest or Ant Farm from his past life consumers paid happily because their purchases came with a sense of virtue. "I raised two kids, planted four trees. What about you?"
One parent said, "My son's a Sunflower. He visited an old widow today, and I even baked cookies for him to share."
The other replied, "My son's learning ninjutsu."
"Oh, so you want him to become some elder's disposable tool? Heartless parents, aren't you?"
The power of gossiping grandmothers and aunties was terrifying. Renji suddenly understood why White Fang had broken down under the weight of Konoha's scorn. This wasn't open insults, but constant social pressure. Wasn't this just another form of moral coercion?
Ninja had blind spots. Even the Hokage was no exception. Once, Hiruzen had Mitokado Homura to handle economics. Now, he had no one he trusted in that field. He couldn't find a solution in time. His only option was the simplest and dirtiest.
"When in trouble, find Danzo."
"When I want trouble, I find Danzo too."
"Kaoru, summon Elder Danzo back to the village. The tailed beast can wait. And call Orochimaru back as well," the Third Hokage ordered. His head was pounding. He needed someone to take action and someone to share the burden.
Renji had expected this all along. For decades, the Hokage faction had only one move: when in doubt, unleash Danzo.
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