Naruto: The rise of Uzumaki Kingdom

"Black Zetsu, do we really have to listen to that brat?" A group of White Zetsu surrounded Black Zetsu and said, "You know our goal is not like this."

"Have you all finished your tasks?" Black Zetsu frowned and asked. How could he want to listen to that brat? But that brat actually threatened him, saying that if he didn't obey, the brat would transform into Uchiha Madara and cause trouble tonight!

Black Zetsu had no choice!

After lurking for a thousand years, as the mastermind behind the scenes in the shinobi world, how could he be so easily threatened by an eleven-year-old kid?

Even if the kid had grown taller now, he still hadn't reached 180 cm. How could anyone believe he was impersonating Lord Madara?

So...

It was better to lie low. Lying low was important!

He wasn't afraid of that brat. He was just worried about failing to rescue Mother. Mother's mission was the most important. Everything else was insignificant.

"But this won't do!" A White Zetsu said anxiously. "Boss Madara asked us to find a replacement for him, and we still haven't found one!"

Would they really have to let that brat take the role in the end?

Just thinking about it was terrifying!

They would never have peaceful days again. That brat treated them like free labor!

"We really need to think of a solution," Black Zetsu nodded and said. "We must find a successor for Lord Madara's Rinnegan!"

He had waited so many years, finally encountering an Indra who could elevate his eyes to a level just sufficient to rescue Mother. How could he give up so easily?

He, Black Zetsu, the third son of the Mother of Chakra, could not be threatened by some brat!

"Then..." A White Zetsu hesitated before saying, "Should we still film the shinobi war documentary that brat asked us to make?"

"..."

The scene fell into silence.

"Sigh..." Black Zetsu sighed and said, "Send out some more White Zetsu to film it."

"We're not afraid of him. We're doing this to rescue Mother."

All the White Zetsu stared at Black Zetsu in shock. No wonder Mother made you the leader and us the cannon fodder!

You can make such a righteous excuse out of plain fear!

"Right, right, we're not afraid of him," all the White Zetsu echoed. "We're doing this to rescue Mother!"

...

Uzumaki Jun had no idea that Zetsu was dissatisfied with his arrangements and planning to cause trouble.

Right now, he was busy arranging the war affairs for Uzushiogakure. War was not something that could be explained in a few words. A series of tasks made it quite complicated.

Especially now that his prestige in the military was so high. If he didn't explain things clearly, the soldiers might really think they were going to help Konoha. If they fought recklessly, it would be over!

Although Uzushiogakure had paid to ensure that Amegakure wouldn't act rashly in the next few months...

Who knew if they might suddenly get impulsive?

From the First Kazekage, it was clear that Sunagakure was full of shameless people!

They just needed to hold on for a few more months. A few months would be enough for Uzushiogakure to gain some reputation and recruit refugees.

As for those who ran away in the end...

Uzushiogakure was a small nation with a sparse population. Holding off two major shinobi villages for so long was already very difficult.

Konoha would understand them. After all, Konoha and Uzushiogakure had a generations-long friendship!

Moreover, the weapons had to be delivered to Amegakure and Sunagakure in batches. Otherwise, what if they got arrogant after obtaining such powerful weapons?

Even though they were just defective products.

"Komaki, Kai, you already know the real objective of this mission, right?" Uzumaki Jun said to his right-hand men. "Don't let the people below foolishly throw their lives away!"

This time, Komaki and Kai would lead some Uzu-nin to the battlefields of Amegakure and Sunagakure, respectively.

The numbers weren't large because Uzushiogakure currently didn't have many shinobi.

So, in the end, they would still rely on shadow clones and transformation jutsu. It was just for show anyway. With fewer people, they could retreat faster if anything unexpected happened.

"Also, remember to protect the medical-nin!" Uzumaki Jun said helplessly. Medical-nin were truly precious to Uzushiogakure.

After all, medical jutsu were even rarer.

Komaki and Kai nodded understandingly, their expressions saying, "We get it. We won't let anything happen to them."

Uzumaki Jun shook his head and was about to explain when...

"Jun-nii." A familiar, dissatisfied voice called out.

Uzumaki Kai and Uzumaki Komaki immediately straightened their faces and said solemnly, "We will complete the mission!"

Then they quickly left, afraid they might get caught in the crossfire...

"Kushina." Uzumaki Jun looked helplessly at Uzumaki Kushina, who was pouting unhappily as she walked over. "What's wrong? Did someone make you angry? Tell me who, and I'll beat them up for you!"

"Yes!" Kushina pouted and glared at Uzumaki Jun. "You!"

"Impossible!" Uzumaki Jun averted his eyes and said carefully. "You must be mistaken!"

"It is you!" Kushina shouted. "Kyoko and Yoroi get to go out. Why can't I?"

"They are medical-nin going to help," Uzumaki Jun said helplessly. "Besides, the battlefield is dangerous and not fun at all."

Truthfully, he didn't want those two girls to go either. The battlefield was unpredictable, and accidents could happen.

But in the end, he couldn't resist their pleading. Their teachers also said their medical skills were already very good—they just lacked experience.

So, he agreed to let them go. For doctors, clinical experience was crucial. Since Uzushiogakure was peaceful now, they could only treat headaches, colds, and stomachaches. That wasn't enough for them to gain experience.

Amegakure was perfect. With its long-term war, the people there were starving and sick. They could follow the troops, treat refugees, and accumulate reputation. Eventually, they would need to take on leadership roles in Uzushiogakure.

"I-I can help too!" Kushina's eyes darted around. "I'm a shinobi now. I can definitely help."

She puffed out her chest and raised her head proudly.

But...

A mere genin was just cannon fodder on the battlefield. Even though he had ordered the Uzu-nin to retreat if things got dangerous, accidents could still happen.

He was worried Kushina might get hurt.

As for Kyoko and Yoroi, Uzumaki Jun had given each of them a specially crafted kunai so they could react quickly if something happened.

But Kushina...

Uzumaki Jun was afraid she would get bored staying at the rear and do something reckless!

"No!" Uzumaki Jun shook his head firmly. "It's too dangerous!"

"But..." Kushina lowered her head unhappily. "I want to help you too..."

Kyoko-nee and Yoroi could help so well, but she...

"Sigh!" Uzumaki Jun's heart softened. He said seriously, "Fine, I'll take you with me later. But you must not act recklessly. Stay by my side!"

"Mm! Mm!" Hearing this, Kushina immediately nodded happily. "I love you the most, Jun-nii!"

Then she kissed Uzumaki Jun on the cheek and skipped away joyfully.

"This girl..." Uzumaki Jun touched his cheek and smiled wryly. "Really."

...

In early year 32 of Konoha's calendar, not long after the war began, Uzushiogakure's aid set off grandly.