Naruto: The rise of Uzumaki Kingdom

Uzumaki Jun avoided the Suna-nin guards. This time, when he came to Sunagakure to discuss cooperation, he didn't bring Kakuzu with him. After all, if two people appeared now and then two people of the same height appeared later…

It could easily cause problems.

As one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, Sunagakure was extremely poor. Otherwise, the First Kazekage wouldn't have shamelessly demanded money and land from Hashirama back then.

Of course, that situation didn't last long. When the tattooed socialite, the bald guy, became the Second Kazekage, Sunagakure escaped its financial crisis. At the same time, with the emergence of puppet techniques, their military strength gradually increased.

Otherwise, they probably wouldn't have dared to act so recklessly, repeatedly playing the game of allying with and then betraying Konoha.

After sneaking into Sunagakure, Uzumaki Jun went straight to the Kazekage Building.

A large building made of yellow earth.

The Second Kazekage, Sāmon, had made tremendous contributions to Sunagakure and was also the only Second Kage to survive the First Shinobi World War.

His strength was undoubtedly formidable.

But…

Now, he had entered his twilight years. While the Naruto series didn't specify how he died, it was likely around this time, since the Second Shinobi World War occurred during the Third Kazekage's reign.

Looking at the aged Sāmon, Uzumaki Jun released his aura. Since he was here to form an alliance, proper etiquette was necessary. Otherwise, the other party might think he was here to assassinate the Kazekage and immediately call for help.

There were definitely Konoha spies in Sunagakure. If he were discovered, and Konoha demanded Uzushiogakure repay its debts, what then?

Sure enough…

"Who's there?" Sāmon set down the documents in his hand and frowned, shouting, "Who dares intrude into the Kazekage Building?"

"Don't be nervous," Uzumaki Jun revealed himself, spreading his hands. "I mean no harm."

However, Sāmon ignored Uzumaki Jun's words. Sneaking into the Kazekage Building and claiming to mean no harm? Did he think the old man was senile?

He immediately summoned his puppets, while black iron sand surged around him, enveloping his surroundings.

Uzumaki Jun dodged the incoming puppet techniques and Magnet Release, sighing helplessly. "You can't catch me."

He looked at Sāmon with a headache. Though he had been a bit sneaky, it was all for the sake of peace in the shinobi world. Why couldn't the other party calm down and listen to his explanation?

It seemed that tattooed socialites were truly troublesome, especially those with dragon tattoos…

"Space-Time Ninjutsu?!"

...

"Done?" Kakuzu asked as Uzumaki Jun reappeared. "No accidents?"

"Nothing major," Uzumaki Jun spread his hands. "Just exchanged a few moves with a socialite."

When Sāmon realized Uzumaki Jun could use Space-Time Ninjutsu and hadn't done anything to harm Sunagakure, he didn't call for backup. Instead, he wanted to hear why Uzumaki Jun had come to Sunagakure, since…

He couldn't catch him!

Moreover, after a brief skirmish, Sāmon understood Uzumaki Jun's strength and recognized that only through cooperation could Sunagakure and Uzushiogakure achieve mutual benefit. After all, their common enemy was Konoha, and there was no need for unnecessary sacrifices on either side.

Then…

Sāmon agreed but immediately demanded an outrageous sum of one billion!

Uzumaki Jun slammed the table and roared, "You think I'm scared just because you have tattoos?"

He had no choice but to resort to threats. Two hundred million—take it or leave it. If Sunagakure refused, Uzushiogakure would declare war, and Uzumaki Jun would use Space-Time Ninjutsu to pick off Suna-nin one by one. It would just take a bit more time.

In the end, Sāmon relented. After all, earning money wasn't a loss. He also told Uzumaki Jun that Sunagakure would launch an attack against Konoha in about six months.

Two hundred million for five months. Uzumaki Jun left satisfied. Five months was enough for Uzushiogakure. By then, Uzushiogakure would retreat due to being a small nation unable to withstand the combined assault of two major villages.

They had done their best!

"So, where are we going now?" Kakuzu rolled up his sleeves, narrowing his eyes. "Let's make Sunagakure pay us a billion first?"

"Not yet," Uzumaki Jun shook his head. "We'll act later."

Since he had just left, if the Akatsuki appeared immediately, it would raise suspicions—especially since one of them was about the same height.

So…

They had to wait a bit. He needed to change his shoe inserts first, switching to elevated ones…

At the very least, his height had to be different from before.

...

In early year 32 of Konoha's calendar, before the Uzu-nin arrived in Amegakure, Kumogakure was the first to lose patience and launched an attack on Konoha. Iwagakure quickly followed suit, also attacking Konoha.

The two major villages attacked while loudly accusing Konoha of stealing their weapons, shouting until the entire shinobi world knew that Konoha had exterminated clans and seized their weapons.

Thus…

The war that swept across the shinobi world officially began. Other small and unknown villages also emerged, demanding Konoha return their weapons and declaring war on Konoha.

Though these minor villages didn't pose a significant threat to Konoha, they still diverted a considerable amount of Konoha's forces.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzō probably took note of these villages, planning to annihilate a few as a warning to others. Otherwise, what if all the minor villages declared war on Konoha later?

Against Iwagakure and Kumogakure, Konoha adopted a defensive stance. As for the minor villages…

"Be careful," Hiruzen Sarutobi said, looking at the intelligence report. "The operation must be swift. Only then will the pressure on Konoha ease."

"Understood," Danzō nodded solemnly. "I'll make the necessary arrangements."

Now wasn't the time to bicker with his old friend. This was a crisis of survival. If Konoha didn't quickly demonstrate its might, the situation would only worsen.

Danzō's eyes narrowed, and he smirked coldly. "I'll make them regret opposing Konoha!"

"I'll leave it to you," Hiruzen nodded in satisfaction at the familiar expression. It seemed the ruthless Danzō, who wouldn't hesitate to slaughter entire families, had returned. "As for the Uchiha clan, I'll handle them."

Now, they truly needed the Uchiha clan's assistance.

Hiruzen sighed inwardly. Fortunately, Uzushiogakure was tying down two villages for them. Otherwise, Konoha's situation would be even more dire.

"As for the Senju clan…" He shook his head helplessly. "Truly the clan of our teacher. They still love Konoha!"

...

"Have you decided?" Mito Uzumaki looked at Senju Toshiki kneeling before her and sighed. "Is there really no other way?"

"I'm sorry, Mother," Senju Toshiki bowed deeply, his voice filled with sorrow. "The Senju clan must do this."

Mito closed her eyes. For some reason, she felt a pang of sadness, but…

Everything she had done was for Hashirama's dream, for peace in the shinobi world. She sighed helplessly. "It seems I've truly grown old."

"What did you say just now?"

Hearing Mito's words, Senju Toshiki raised his head, tears in his eyes. "Thank you, Mother."

He didn't want to do this either, but he was afraid—especially when the Hokage came to ask Mother for… His heart grew even colder. As the clan head of the Senju, he had the responsibility and duty to dedicate himself to Konoha, especially since the First and Second Hokage were both Senju.

The Senju weren't afraid of sacrificing themselves for Konoha, but…

Konoha was no longer the Konoha of the past.

So…

"Mother, don't worry. The Senju clan will never betray Konoha!"