Ambush the Uzumaki Mito?

In a canyon to the southwest, at a secret trading post of the Sarutobi Clan.

Ever since Sosuke had destroyed their mountain stronghold, the trading post had been moved to this secluded location.

The Sarutobi Clan prepared essential supplies like Kunai, shuriken, and Explosive Tags in advance. Sellers came by regularly to collect them, paying on the spot.

There were only a few ways for a ninja clan to make a living.

First, taking on missions.

Clients assigned missions and offered equivalent compensation based on a clan's strength, reputation, and other factors.

Most conflicts between clans centered on competing for missions, or, as people commonly put it, fighting over market share.

There was only so much to go around. If you took your share, I had nothing left. A clan left hungry would naturally find ways to cause trouble.

Second, fixed assets.

A major clan like the Uchiha had fixed assets within its sphere of influence, such as fertile fields, land, and even mineral resources.

Mines were especially important. The ability to produce weapons independently was the mark of a fully mature clan. Otherwise, if they had to buy supplies from outside every time they went to war, their finances might collapse halfway through the fighting.

Third, the buying and selling of goods.

The Sarutobi Clan was the clearest example.

They believed in keeping a low profile. While other clans battled for supremacy, they focused on expanding their sales channels.

By now, the Sarutobi Clan had opened up a trade route for its weapons to the Land of Water.

Previously, someone had slandered Sosuke by claiming he was colluding with the Uzumaki Clan. In truth, it was the Sarutobi Clan that had business interests in other countries.

The large stockpile of iron goods in the canyon was intended for sale to a major clan in the Land of Water.

Besides gold, silver, and iron goods, "people" were also an important commodity in foreign trade. The biggest experts in the business were the Fūma Clan.

The Sarutobi Clan had also joined this shadowy supply chain. The alliance between the three clans was about far more than simply taking on the Uchiha.

In the end, profit was the heart of the matter. Otherwise, why would the Sarutobi Clan go out of its way to antagonize the Uchiha?

At that moment, Sarutobi Kiyoshi, the man in charge, was relaxing in the lounge as he browsed through some documents.

The clan's business was booming, and he had made a fortune himself. If he had to name one thing that still bothered him, it would be the fierce battle at the mountain stronghold.

If he had been more serious and gone all out from the start, that brat named Uchiha Sosuke would have died by his blade long ago.

Then things would never have reached this point, putting such a strain on the alliance between the three clans.

"Alas, it's too late for regrets." Sarutobi Kiyoshi shook his head with a sigh.

He picked up a letter from the desk. It clearly stated that an overseas force had been targeting the trade between the three sides.

After a careful investigation, they had traced the source to a remote island overseas: the Land of Whirlpools.

To ensure the trade route remained open, the family in the Land of Water had decided to lay a trap in advance and slaughter any enemies who dared to disrupt the trade.

"The Land of Whirlpools." Sarutobi Kiyoshi was puzzled. He couldn't understand why those people, who spent all day studying Sealing Techniques, had decided to make trouble for them.

Especially that young princess. She acted as though she wouldn't rest until she wiped them out. If you didn't know better, you'd think she had been a victim of human trafficking herself.

"This is what you get for meddling." Sarutobi Kiyoshi tossed the letter onto the desk, apparently not very concerned.

After all, he was the seller. All he had to do was ship the goods. Whether the buyer could transport them safely back home had little to do with him.

Besides, this time's business partner was exceptionally powerful. Even the Sarutobi Clan couldn't claim they were sure to win against them.

The Uzumaki Clan might seem formidable, but in a straight fight, they might not be a match for the other side.

"They're a bunch of lunatics." That was Sarutobi Kiyoshi's verdict.

Rumble!

Just then, a series of violent explosions sounded outside, followed by piercing cries.

By the time Sarutobi Kiyoshi had put on his signature black robe, the sounds of fighting outside had already faded away.

In less than twenty seconds, the clan's ninja guards stationed there had all been killed by the attackers.

He stopped in his tracks. Sarutobi Kiyoshi's expression changed several times before he finally gritted his teeth and fled the canyon alone in the opposite direction.

Let them take the goods. Nothing mattered more than his life.

The Sarutobi Clan controlled two small iron mines rich in ore. It wasn't worth risking his life against the enemy for a bit of merchandise.

If he wasn't mistaken, the attackers were probably the brat who had escaped earlier.

If Sarutobi Kiyoshi had been alone, he wouldn't have minded finishing the fight they'd left unfinished last time. But from the sounds of it, the enemy had brought at least ten people.

With that many people using Chidori at once, even he couldn't be sure he could withstand them head-on.

Hearing footsteps drawing closer, Sarutobi Kiyoshi gave a cold laugh, turned, and walked away without looking back.

There would be plenty of time to settle things with that brat later.

When the time came, he'd make sure the other boy understood the consequences of opposing him.

Not long after, Sosuke arrived at the Black-Robed Man's office.

He hadn't found much of value, but the letter on the desk caught his attention.

"A trap?"

Unlike Sarutobi Kiyoshi, Sosuke only had to think it over briefly to understand that Uzumaki Mito was trying to cut off the Fūma Clan's human-trafficking business.

No trade, no harm. She was planning to put an end to it at the source.

But the young princess hadn't expected her enemies to be far more troublesome than she imagined. They weren't afraid of the Land of Whirlpools. If anything, they were eager to strike back.

If she walked straight into the trap, Sosuke estimated there was at least a sixty percent chance she'd fall into enemy hands.

If the Kekkei Genkai clans of the various countries were ranked, the Land of Fire would take first place, and the Land of Water would undoubtedly be second.

The clan allied with the three clans was among the strongest in the Land of Water.

Its Kekkei Genkai was said to be the bane of close-combat Taijutsu, and it had held an extraordinary position of power during the Warring States Period.

"This is a real pain." Sosuke sighed inwardly, unsure whether he should hurry over and help.

Without their chance encounter, Uzumaki Mito would never have gotten involved in this business, nor would she have become a target.

By principle, he ought to help her. At the very least, he could earn some Points out of it.

Right. I can't pass up those Points. It's not easy to find so many enemy ninja all at once.

This was his own personal matter, and he shouldn't drag the unit into it. After cleaning up the battlefield, Sosuke told Uchiha Shū to lead the team back to their base for the time being.

As for Sosuke, he set off at once for the enemy's ambush site, lest he arrive too late and miss out on the spoils.