Mobbing, Cheese Sandwich!

One week later

"I was wrong, I was really wrong!"

"Why should I act on my own initiative? Why should I sell the futures contracts I hold?"

"No!!! Qiuya (crossed out)"

"Why is that?"

"."

Kakuzu vented his anger alone in the forest, surrounded by devastation. Large swaths of trees had been burned by his Fire Release, and the air was thick with the smell of burning.

Kakuzu's joy was short-lived after he sold his futures Kakuzu; instead of the expected plunge, the price of pig iron continued to rise.

Although there wasn't a surge like before, even a daily increase of one or two levels was enough to make Kakuzu's heart ache so much he could hardly breathe.

For Kakuzu, failing to earn the money he could have made was worse than being killed.

"I can't give up like this; I'm determined to make a name for myself in the futures market!"

Kakuzu recalled how, during the past few days in the Trading Hall, those investors who had made a fortune looked at him with the eyes of someone looking at an idiot.

If they weren't afraid of their own strength, they probably would have jumped right in to mock them!

Humiliation lingered in Kakuzu's heart. Why could these gullible fools make money, but he couldn't?

He had once attempted to assassinate the First Hokage and survived. Every ninja knew the First Hokage's strength, so the significance of surviving after attempting to assassinate him was self-evident!

One of a kind in the Ninja world!

Failure is never shameful; fearing failure is!

Having figured things out, Kakuzu once again plunged into the futures market. With his brilliant mind and Uchiha Nan's "leek-harvesting" techniques, Kakuzu actually continued to make money.

There were no tricks involved; it was simply catching a bull market. The various rises, corrections, and minor drops were all carried out methodically under Nara Luyuan's manipulation.

Nara Luyuan possesses exceptionally high intelligence, and coupled with Konoha's intelligence advantage, he manipulates the market with remarkable ease, his rapid progress astonishing even Uchiha Nan.

Nara Luyuan was born for this!

Having witnessed Nara Luyuan's abilities, Uchiha Nan confidently entrusted the entire futures trading plan to Nara Luyuan. Initially Uchiha Nan was able to maintain control of the process.

But later on, once the plate was opened, it was beyond Uchiha Nan's control; as an Uchiha, he was better at cutting people.

The peaceful days didn't last long; the war that Uchiha Nan least wanted to see began.

As planned, Iwagakure launched a surprise attack on Konoha's base, causing the Konoha to collapse and retreat dozens of miles. Of course, this was all an act.

Konoha is facing a two-front war, or even a three-front war. Although Kumogakure has signed a peace treaty, Uchiha Nan is still worried. Those black-clad guys have abnormal thought processes and might give Uchiha Nan a surprise.

In order to reduce the financial burden, Uchiha Nan decided to shorten the battle lines. Konoha had an intelligence advantage and had already learned about the enemy's battle plan in advance. This advantage must be taken advantage of.

Konoha's intelligence department was far more powerful than Uchiha Nan had imagined. For this, we have to thank Tobirama Senju. Heaven knows how he managed to plant so many spies within Iwagakure.

Lure the enemy deep into our territory and stretch their supply lines!

The Iwagakure people saw hope in annihilating Konoha, Mu, the Second Tsuchikage possibly give up this opportunity.

Konoha Operations Conference Room

"Everything is proceeding smoothly according to plan. Uchiha Tomita has successfully completed his interception mission, effectively sealing off the Iwagakure forces in this location."

Uchiha Nan pointed to a forested area on the Ninja world map. Uchiha Tomita had built a defensive fortification there, firmly anchoring it in place. The elite of Konoha's defenses gathered here, taking advantage of the terrain to launch a head-on attack on Iwagakure.

Originally, the Iwagakure, which was on a smooth march towards Konoha's hometown, experienced the bitter taste of pride leading to defeat. Their troops simply couldn't advance, as if their previous victories were a result of the enemy deliberately conceding and luring them forward.

But that is indeed the case.

The drawbacks of the previously unstoppable advance are now becoming apparent: the supply lines are stretched too long, and the daily expenses are driving Mū tearing his bandages apart.

Exploding Tag, Kunai, Shuriken, Soldier Pill

Treat the wounded and purchase medical supplies.

Various bills were laid out before Mū like a flowing stream.

Uchiha Nan was determined to fight the Mū further losses. At worst, he could sell some futures, even if he earned less. The battle lines were already stretched so thin, Iwagakure's losses had already reached two or three times that of Konoha, and this number was still increasing.

But now they can't advance or retreat; they've already fought to this point, are they just going to slink back like this?

Even if the Mū accept it, his subordinates certainly couldn't; they were just waiting to wipe out Konoha and gain military merit.

It's going to be another war of attrition!

The two ninja squads traversed the forests and hilly woodlands, taking down each other's defensive strongholds one by one, employing every means possible, including assassination, ambush, and poisoning.

These experienced ninjas were engaged in an incredibly brutal battle. The war had only just begun when it was already showing signs of intensifying. A Jonin could Jonin by the side of an inconspicuous rock, a situation no one wanted to see.

Uchiha Nan was also helpless about this, but that's war, and the enemy Konoha faced at this time was not so easy to deal with.

How's the situation with Kirigakure?

Uchiha Nan turned to inquire about information from Kirigakure, as they were the most crucial element in this war and determined its outcome.

"The Kirigakure warships have been repaired and departed three days ago. They should have already reached the shore by now. We'll need to wait until tomorrow for more detailed information."

Mito Uzumaki picked up the intelligence report and reported it to Uchiha Nan. Despite their many conflicts, with a formidable enemy at hand, they both chose to forget their previous unpleasantness.

"I see."

"Closely monitor intelligence on Kirigakure and report any news immediately!"

On a shore of the Land of Fire

"What's the intelligence situation with Iwagakure?"

As soon as Hozuki Gengetsu set foot on land, he couldn't wait to inquire about information about Iwagakure, as he hadn't been having a very pleasant time lately.

The Konoha ninjas, in coordination with the Uzumaki Clan, had been harassing their fleet on a small scale, using the same tactics: bombing the ships but not the people.

They used only Shadow Clone. Even a ninja couldn't withstand such a long period of time consuming Shadow Clone, but the Uzumaki Clan is no ordinary ninja. Their racial talents include a large amount of Chakra Yamato high health, which really disgusted Hozuki Gengetsu.

Hozuki Gengetsu couldn't help but worry about logistics. If things continued like this, Kirigakure might not be able to outlast Konoha.

It's more reliable to go fight Iwagakure.

"The Iwagakure and a hard place."

"."

Hozuki Gengetsu received the intelligence and reviewed the recent battles between Iwagakure and Konoha. Despite being an outsider, Hozuki Gengetsu astutely discovered Konoha's strategy.

Lure the enemy deep into our territory, stretch the battle lines, and prepare to wage a war of attrition to wear down Rock Shadow!

Any ninja who has fought knows that a war of attrition tests a ninja's endurance. There is constant fighting, and a comrade who was fighting alongside you just days ago may die next to you the next second.

To be honest, Uchiha Nan didn't want to use such tactics, but unfortunately, his strength wouldn't allow it. He didn't have the combat power of Six Paths cultivator, and his Mangekyō Sharingan wasn't permanent; using it too much would make him blind.

Hozuki Gengetsu recalled the Uzumaki Clan's latest disgusting tactics. He feared that if Kirigakure were to engage in battle with Konoha, it would inevitably be bogged down in attrition, and its logistical front would be constantly harassed by the Uzumaki Clan, ultimately suffering the same fate as Iwagakure.

Hozuki Gengetsu didn't know if Konoha could withstand the strain of fighting on two fronts.

However, Hozuki Gengetsu knew that his own Kirigakure would be severely weakened. The strong warriors of Konoha had not yet been mobilized, and only the Sage of Six Paths knew the final outcome of the bloody battle with Konoha.

After careful consideration, Hozuki Gengetsu became even more determined to crush Iwagakure. This time, he was determined to achieve some results. Konoha was a tough nut to crack, so it was better to target the Iwagakure.

Hozuki Gengetsu couldn't help but feel excited. He imagined leading the Kirigakure army in a huge circle to outflank the Iwagakure forces from behind. Mū would have quite a few expressions on his face.

It's a bit of a shame, though. The Mū wrapped up like a mummy, with his face completely covered, so we probably can't see his expression.

"Let's go! Konoha is powerful, Iwagakure is currently being bleed out by Konoha. Let's launch a surprise attack on Iwagakure!"

Hozuki Gengetsu immediately gave the order, turning his gun around and heading straight for Iwagakure's back!

The Kirigakure's unusual attack direction left the Konoha's defensive ninja completely baffled. "You're going in the wrong direction!"

Why are they heading towards Iwagakure?

The very next day, Uchiha Nan received intelligence about Kirigakure and immediately convened a strategic meeting in excitement. Others might not know Kirigakure's intentions, but how could Uchiha Nan not be aware of them?

This meant they had set their sights on Iwagakure. Uchiha Nan's battle plan had finally worked, and the timeline of the ninja world continued to move in its original direction.

They didn't give Kirigakure and Iwagakure a chance for a direct confrontation, instead engaging them in a war of attrition, wearing them down until the three villages were reduced to their last drop of blood.

Iwagakure's triumphant advance, penetrating deep into the heart of the Land of Fire, was met with a sudden and immobile retreat by Konoha.

If Hozuki Gengetsu weren't stupid, he would have avoided this situation. The fight had already progressed to this point, and there was no way he could go back. If he didn't want to return empty-handed, he had no choice but to head north and launch a surprise attack on Iwagakure!

War Room

Mito Uzumaki stared at the map and intelligence, utterly baffled, unable to fathom Hozuki Gengetsu's strategic intentions.

"The direction of Kirigakure's attack is too strange; it's completely outside our defensive range."

"Do we need to further adjust our operational plan to intercept the Kirigakure?"

Mito Uzumaki was somewhat uncertain. According to the direction of Kirigakure's attack, the original defensive plan would need to be greatly adjusted, as there were too many weak points in the defensive line along Kirigakure's advance direction that could be easily breached by Kirigakure.

"No need, just use Kirigakure your presence!"

"The ambush mission is just for show; Kirigakure's target is Iwagakure!"

Uchiha Nan confidently issued the order: Konoha's battle plans needed to be studied and planned by the higher-ups. Every battle plan required a vote by raising hands, and only plans approved by a majority would be implemented. This was considered an unspoken rule within Konoha: everyone raises their hands to vote, and if the battle failed, everyone would share the blame.

Of course, the Hokage can disregard this unspoken rule, but the consequences of a failed battle plan must be borne by the Hokage alone. Even Tobirama Senju rarely used this right. War is dangerous and a single failed battle can greatly damage the Hokage's authority.

"Absurd! How can we decide on a battle plan when we haven't even gathered enough intelligence!"

Mito Uzumaki retorted with dissatisfaction, "This situation has occurred once again, just like the previous so-called futures proposal!"

Mito Uzumaki objected several times, but Uchiha Nan dragged him away each time. In the end, he even listed the futures proposal as a separate project and handed it over entirely to Hyuga Takuma and Nara Luyuan, forbidding anyone else from interfering.

This is blatantly treating the safety of Konoha like a joke. Uchiha Nan has allocated 10 billion yen as project funding in one go, which is a third of Konoha's last budget.

No one except Nara Luyuan, Hyuga Takuma, and Uchiha Nan knows exactly how much money was spent on this damn project.

"Mito Uzumaki, the safety of the entire Konoha rests on my shoulders, not yours!"

"Uchiha Nan, you'll regret this!"

"Enough, Mito Uzumaki! I am the Hokage!"

Uchiha Nan gave a look to the Anbu members beside him, Anbu skillfully lifted Mito Uzumaki Mito Uzumaki up and then asked her to leave the operations room.

This has happened more than once or twice; they've gotten used to it.

Uchiha Nan once again acted arbitrarily, using the Hokage's authority over the remaining Konoha High Command, and the plan was naturally approved again.

As Uchiha Nan carried out his orders, the Kirigakure army marched unimpeded. Konoha's defenses were merely for show; they would throw out two or three Shuriken every time they met, and then immediately retreat.

Hozuki Gengetsu had originally thought he would have to pay a price to get around to the flank of Iwagakure's base, but he didn't expect it to be so easy.

Hozuki Gengetsu wasn't stupid; he saw that Konoha was holding back. This time, Iwagakure wouldn't be able to escape even if they grew wings.

The food in Iwagakure isn't as oily as in Konoha, but just one bite is enough to fill you up.

at the same time

The battle in the futures trading hall was even more intense than before, its ferocity rivaling that of a ninja war.

The only difference is that ninja wars burn with blood and flesh, while futures wars burn with money.

For more than a month, under the instructions of Nara Luyuan, White Fang has made occasional appearances to guide public opinion, and each appearance has been used to predict the rise in price just before the price surge.

Nara Luyuan would also deliberately drive down the price, letting the White Fang react quickly and predicting the decline in advance.

Give these leeks a little treat now and then, so that it's easier to harvest them later.

Soon after, Nara Luyuan received information from Uchiha Nan that the final harvest was about to begin.

The Mu, the Second Tsuchikage, will ultimately perish together with the Hozuki Gengetsu, the Second Mizukage, bringing the First Shinobi World War to a close. Uchiha Nan has foreshadowed the outcome of this great war.

Although he didn't know how the Lord Hokage predicted the future, since the Lord Hokage had given the order, he had to get to work.