Naruto: The rise of Uzumaki Kingdom

Chapter 154: Chapter 154: Devoting the Nation's Full Strength to Help Konoha!



Konoha...

"Have you heard? Uzushiogakure has sent all its ninjas to support Konoha."

"Yes, yes, I know about this. My grandmother's younger brother's friend's older sister's nephew is a merchant who came to Konoha yesterday and told me."

"That procession! It was massive. I heard even ordinary civilians were drafted to join the war."

"Isn't that dangerous? How can ordinary people fight against ninjas?"

"Ah, there's no other choice. Uzushiogakure is just a small country. Resisting two ninja villages is impossible, so they have to send civilians to the battlefield too."

"This... this... Uzushiogakure is truly righteous!"

"..."

...

"So, we still haven't found out who is spreading these rumors in Konoha?" Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at the documents handed to him, frowning. "The police force hasn't discovered anything either?"

"Yes, Hokage-sama!" An Anbu jonin knelt on one knee and reported. "These rumors seem to have appeared in the village out of nowhere."

"What about outsiders and merchants?" Sarutobi Hiruzen took a puff of his pipe. "Have they all been investigated?"

"All have been investigated." The Anbu jonin replied. "Recent outsiders entering the village have been thoroughly checked."

"Ah, dismissed." Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed. "Continue to intensify the investigation. We must dig out whoever is hiding in the shadows!"

"Yes!!" The Anbu jonin responded and disappeared with a Body Flicker.

Sarutobi Hiruzen took a worried puff from his pipe as he looked at the intelligence report in his hand. Though he knew these rumors were likely related to Uzushiogakure, the fact that they spread through Konoha undetected meant the culprit was no ordinary person. Even the elite Anbu and police force found no traces. Who could it be?

During wartime, having hidden troublemakers in the village was a major threat to Konoha!!

"Uzushiogakure..." Sarutobi Hiruzen muttered with a frown. "What exactly are they planning?"

At that moment...

"Hokage-sama, the head of the Senju clan requests an audience!" An Anbu entered and reported.

...

Uzushiogakure...

The atmosphere of war had affected this island nation, but its citizens were not fearful. They remained high-spirited, working diligently at their posts, believing that Uzushiogakure would protect them, that Lord Jun would protect them.

Just as written in the Uzushiogakure Constitution...

Uzushiogakure is your strong shield!!

"Stay vigilant these days." The head of the Chinoike Clan, Muroto Jōmon, wearing the Uzushiogakure Public Security Bureau uniform, spoke seriously. "Patrol carefully, but do not disturb the ordinary citizens."

"At the same time, ensure no enemy ninjas infiltrate."

"Understood!!" All the officers responded loudly, chests puffed out.

Muroto Jōmon nodded in satisfaction. The peaceful life the Chinoike Clan now enjoyed was hard-won. Even during their clan's peak, they had never lived as happily as now.

They had found meaning in their lives—to protect Uzushiogakure!!

If anyone dared to threaten it, they would defend it with their lives, just as the red slogan hanging in the Public Security Bureau hall declared: 'Protect Our Home and Nation!!'

"Clan Head!" A Chinoike clansman entered, about to speak, but Muroto Jōmon shot him a sharp look, prompting him to correct himself. "Director, the Kamizuru Clan requests an audience!"

"The Kamizuru Clan?" Muroto Jōmon was momentarily stunned. He knew of the Kamizuru Clan—originally a major clan from Iwagakure, but due to their independent actions, they fell out of favor and, like the Chinoike, sought refuge in Uzushiogakure.

But why were they here?

As far as he knew, their honey business had already paid off their debts to that stingy finance minister. The thought made Muroto Jōmon curse the Uzushiogakure finance minister internally. It wasn't like the Chinoike Clan refused to pay—they were just a little slow!!

"Ah, why doesn't the Chinoike Clan have anyone who can control bees?" Muroto Jōmon sighed inwardly, but seeing the high morale of his clansmen, he smiled faintly. "Actually, this life is already quite good."

"Let them in." Muroto Jōmon said sternly. "As for the rest of you, return to your posts!!"

"Remember, don't slack off during this period. Even if Lord Jun forgives you, I won't."

"Understood!!"

"Go to work!" Muroto Jōmon waved them off.

At that moment, the Kamizuru Clan head and his clansmen entered.

"Oh, Director Kamizuru, what brings you here?" Muroto Jōmon sat in his seat, sipping the newly introduced tea from the mainland—his heart ached at how expensive it was. "Come, have some tea!!"

"Director Muroto!" Kamizuru Seihō smiled as he accepted the tea, ignoring the sarcasm. He understood the jealousy—after five years, the Chinoike still hadn't repaid their debts, and rumors said a certain stern-faced man came knocking regularly.

As for the title "Director"...

It was something he learned from Lord Jun's books on corporate management. He had transformed the Kamizuru Clan into a family business, adopting modern management styles. Following Lord Jun's advice, they were slowly building their brand. Lord Jun had said the Kamizuru Clan would one day openly return to the ninja world, and their "Divine Bee Honey" would sell across the lands!!

And this management style seemed to be working well!

"Speak!" Muroto Jōmon watched the confident Kamizuru Seihō. Both were clan heads who had sought refuge in Uzushiogakure, yet their paths diverged so much.

Truly, mastering a skill was crucial!!

"Did you come here just to drink tea?" Muroto Jōmon asked.

"No, I came today to contribute to Uzushiogakure." Kamizuru Seihō set down his tea, speaking earnestly. "Neither of us wants anything to happen to Uzushiogakure."

"We don't need you." Muroto Jōmon's expression turned serious. "The Public Security Bureau can handle domestic affairs."

"We will protect Uzushiogakure."

Was the Kamizuru Clan here to show them up??

"Don't misunderstand." Kamizuru Seihō shook his head with a bitter smile. "The Kamizuru Clan does not look down on the Chinoike. We are all citizens of Uzushiogakure and should help each other."

"The Kamizuru's bee techniques are highly effective for surveillance, investigation, and training."

"..."

Muroto Jōmon fell silent. Kamizuru Seihō had a point. With their help, security would improve, and efficiency would rise. But...

Why did it feel so irritating?

Did the Chinoike Clan lack any unique skills?

Oh, right!!

Interrogation was their specialty.

"What do you say?" Kamizuru Seihō asked seriously. "We mean no disrespect. We just don't want our peaceful lives disrupted."

"True." Muroto Jōmon smiled faintly, narrowing his eyes. "As citizens of Uzushiogakure, we should help each other."

Seeing the Chinoike Clan head relent, Kamizuru Seihō smiled, about to say he would assign clansmen to assist when...

"So, can the Kamizuru Clan lend us some money?" Muroto Jōmon sighed. "That stingy man keeps coming to collect debts. It's annoying!"

Three days, two visits—did the Chinoike Clan head have no face left?

"..."


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