Cut Ties with Such Fair-Weather Brothers Sooner Rather Than Later!

The first step in war was to steady the people's hearts. After all, in a war that mobilized the entire nation and clan, if their own people caused trouble from within, they would be finished!

Facing the bewildered citizens who had suddenly been gathered below, the advantage of being a small country with a small population became apparent—it was very convenient to summon the entire nation...

Xun Uzumaki suddenly felt a little pained. Though the Land of Whirlpools was a nation, it was still far too small. He glanced at the Clan Head and daimyo standing to either side of him, took a deep breath, and stepped forward.

The Clan Head and the others exchanged looks, then followed behind him.

None of the people below knew why the ninja had gathered them, especially when Prince Xun was actually standing in front of the Clan Head and daimyo!

This...

Could it be war...?!

The citizens could tell from the Clan Elders' grave expressions that something was wrong, and they immediately fell silent.

The Clan Head stepped out from Xun Uzumaki's left and said loudly, "First, because of our mistaken decision, the Land of Whirlpools has been placed in danger of destruction. We apologize to everyone." He took a deep breath, then bowed together with the Clan Elders behind him. "We're sorry."

"No, no, it isn't Lord Clan Head's fault."

"That's right, it's all Kirigakure's fault."

"It's all their fault!"

"..."

Hearing the forgiveness from below, the Clan Head's eyes filled with tears. They were the ones who had caused this situation. Rather than listening to their own clan members, they had trusted the promises of another village, and now...

That was why they had fallen into such a predicament. Yet his clansmen, the citizens of the Land of Whirlpools, still believed in them. The Clan Head clenched his fists, and a cold glint flashed through his heart. Konoha...

Looking at the worried and uneasy faces below, he said, "Thank you, everyone. Thank you for forgiving us. Thank you for continuing to believe in us."

After wiping away his tears, the Clan Head raised his head and said sternly, "The second matter is this: from this moment onward, every member of the Uzumaki Clan will obey Prince Xun's orders. Those who refuse..." His sharp gaze swept over the crowd as he enunciated each word. "Will be expelled from the Land of Whirlpools and struck from the Uzumaki Clan genealogy."

The Warring States period had only just ended, and clan-based living was still the most common way of life. Being removed from the clan genealogy was an extremely severe punishment.

"Whoa—"

An uproar immediately broke out below. But when they saw the Clan Head's stern expression, they knew he was not joking. Everyone hurriedly calmed themselves and waited for his arrangements.

Once everyone had quieted down, the daimyo stepped forward and said, "In the name of the daimyo of the Land of Whirlpools, from this moment onward, the entire Land of Whirlpools will be managed by Xun Uzumaki. In every matter, everyone, including myself, will obey Xun Uzumaki's arrangements."

Though the daimyo's words startled them once again, after their initial shock, they remained quiet this time. After all, the Clan Head had just said something similar, and then...

"Yes!" everyone shouted.

Seeing that the atmosphere was about right, Xun Uzumaki stepped forward. A trace of incongruous seriousness appeared on his childish face as he said loudly, "I believe everyone knows me, right? The first heir to the Land of Whirlpools."

"But that isn't what I want to talk about now. From this moment onward, I will temporarily take command of the Land of Whirlpools and resist Kirigakure's invasion alongside everyone."

"When you heard that Kirigakure was invading, I believe you were confused and worried, but not afraid."

He paused.

"Because you knew—and even the entire Uzumaki Clan believed—that Konoha was the Land of Whirlpools' best friend, our brother. They would definitely come help us. But..."

Xun Uzumaki sighed. "You were wrong. We regarded them as brothers, but they did not see us that way. They treated us as tools, making the Uzumaki Clan shed blood and tears for them, making us give so much for them, making us lose so many loved ones in war. Yet when we asked them for aid..."

Xun Uzumaki's gaze hardened, and he said heavily.

"They refused."

"Whoa—" Everyone immediately wore expressions of disbelief, and an uproar rose from below.

"How is that possible? This was an agreement made with Lord Hashirama!"

"How could they break their word?"

"Those bastards, they... do they deserve our friendship? Do they deserve Lord Hashirama?"

"..."

"Quiet!" Hearing the despairing voices below, the Clan Head clenched his fists and shouted. His own heart was in turmoil. The Uzumaki Clan had trusted Konoha so deeply, yet...

They really were fair-weather brothers!

At the Clan Head's words, everyone fell quiet again, but despair showed in their eyes. The Land of Whirlpools had no hope on its own. Especially after sacrificing so many clansmen to help Konoha during the war, could the Land of Whirlpools really...

"Yes, upon hearing those words, you despaired. You became afraid." Seeing this, Xun Uzumaki knew the blow had been dealt hard enough. If this continued, they might lose even their courage. What war could they fight then? Perhaps the Uzumaki Clan had been destroyed until only a handful remained because they had failed to prepare in the beginning, then lost all morale after seeing how fierce Kirigakure was, allowing themselves to be pinned down and crushed. Xun Uzumaki changed his tone and said seriously, "But I swear in the name of the next daimyo of the Land of Whirlpools and the acting Clan Head of the Uzumaki Clan that the Land of Whirlpools will never perish. I will stand or fall alongside the Uzumaki Clan and the Land of Whirlpools."

His words sparked a trace of hope in their eyes, but it quickly faded. Who would believe the words of a seven-year-old child?

Seeing this, the daimyo stepped forward. "In the name of the daimyo of the Land of Whirlpools, I swear that under Xun Uzumaki's leadership, the Land of Whirlpools will never perish. The Uzumaki Clan and the Land of Whirlpools will stand or fall together."

"In the name of the Clan Head of the Uzumaki Clan, I swear that under Xun Uzumaki's leadership, the Land of Whirlpools will never perish."

"In the name of the Great Elder of the Uzumaki Clan, I swear that under Xun Uzumaki's leadership, the Land of Whirlpools will never perish."

"In my name..."

The Uzumaki Clan Elders behind them immediately stepped forward.

Seeing that even the Clan Elders, the Clan Head, and the daimyo believed the words of a seven-year-old child, hope also rose in the civilians' eyes. If even the Clan Head and daimyo believed him, why shouldn't they?

"Citizens of the Land of Whirlpools, members of the Uzumaki Clan, heed my command." Seeing that everyone had come to trust him with the daimyo and Clan Head's help, Xun Uzumaki quickly said, "From this moment onward, forget that brother of ours—Konoha. The Land of Whirlpools can only rely on ourselves if we are to avoid destruction and grow even stronger."

They should forget such fair-weather brothers as soon as possible!

Otherwise, who knew when they might end up wearing a green hat...

"Yes—" the citizens shouted in response.

"Ninja, arrange for the village's elderly, weak, women, and children to enter the underground shelters. Whether they are members of the Uzumaki Clan or not, as long as they are citizens of the Land of Whirlpools, they are all to go inside. Until the war ends, no one is to come out. I have prepared food inside, enough to last you half a year. Within those six months, we will drive out Kirigakure's ninja."

"Yes—"

"Then, all Jonin and Chunin, come in to receive your assignments."

Xun Uzumaki shouted, "I now declare that the Land of Whirlpools has officially entered war preparations. Citizens of the Land of Whirlpools will never become slaves of a fallen nation."

"We will never become slaves of a fallen nation!"

"Kushina?"