Trouble in the Land of the Moon

The Uzukage Building, Uzukage Office.

"Uzukage, the Weasel Tanks, Rocket Launchers, and other equipment have been manufactured, but we're somewhat short on Chakra Capacitors for storing chakra for the Sealing Jutsu."

Uzumaki Shori was taken aback. They still didn't have enough ninja. They had to train them and store chakra, too.

"Elder Keimei, prepare the Chakra Capacitors that need to be charged. We'll charge them all at once at the Rocket Launcher Factory."

Where was the Uzukage supposed to get that much chakra? He'd just have to trust the Uzukage.

Uzumaki Shori returned home and saw Three-Tails Isobu fast asleep. Grinning, he walked over, took out a huge Sealing Scroll, and formed Hand Seals.

"Sealing Scroll: Release!"

"Poof!"

A huge basin of seafood appeared before them.

Three-Tails Isobu sniffed hard, then suddenly opened his eyes. Uncontrollable drool spilled from his mouth.

He lunged for the food, but Uzumaki Shori grabbed him.

"Brat, put me down! There's a whole basin of seafood, and you won't let me eat it? Are you trying to torture me?"

"You can eat it if you help me with something."

As he spoke, Uzumaki Shori carried Three-Tails Isobu out of the house.

"Put me down! Let me down and I'll give you the letter that brat Tsunade wrote!"

"So that's why Tsunade said everything she wanted to before she left. You'd secretly hidden the letter she wrote to me." Uzumaki Shori rubbed Three-Tails' head vigorously.

"Stop rubbing! I only wanted you to prepare a few more big meals. I'll give you the letter right now."

Three-Tails Isobu pulled a letter from the rice cooker and handed it over.

"That won't be enough. You're working hard today. Let's see if you dare try this again next time."

Uzumaki Shori opened the letter and took out the sheet of paper inside.

"The Third Hokage said that the war between Konoha and the Suna Ninjas is about to begin. As the granddaughter of First Hashirama Senju and Mito Uzumaki, you've already helped the Land of Whirlpools through its crisis. Now it's Konoha's turn."

"Saying goodbye was too much trouble, so I wrote you a letter instead."

"After the war ends, remember what you promised me, okay?"

After reading it, he tucked the letter into his chest and carried Three-Tails Isobu toward the Rocket Launcher Factory.

Elder Keimei saw the Chakra Capacitors in the warehouse and went to greet the Uzukage.

"Sir, are you planning to use the Three-Tails to charge them? Could it be dangerous?"

Uzumaki Shori waved a hand and replied,

"I dare say that when it comes to Sealing Jutsu in the Land of Whirlpools, no one would claim to be better than me."

Seeing a warehouse full of scrolls, Uzumaki Shori was clearly taken aback. He set Three-Tails Isobu on the ground and formed Hand Seals.

"Sealing Jutsu: Open the Eight Trigrams Seal!"

Steam began rising from Three-Tails Isobu's rice cooker as if it were cooking rice. The Three-Tails' chakra drifted into the warehouse. At the entrance, Uzumaki Shori formed Hand Seals.

"Sealing Jutsu: Chakra Capacitor!"

The scrolls inside the warehouse began absorbing the chakra that had drifted out.

Once all the Chakra Capacitor scrolls were full, Three-Tails Isobu lay weakly on the ground.

Uzumaki Shori sheepishly scratched his head and said to Elder Keimei,

"Make sure our hero is well taken care of. Give him all he wants for the next few days."

Three-Tails Isobu lay weakly on the ground, drooling.

A month had passed since the last time they'd charged the Chakra Capacitors in the warehouse.

Uzumaki Shori was chatting with Elder Keimei about the people they'd recently attracted.

Kirigakure had paid its ransom in full over the past month.

Once the ransom was paid, all the prisoners had left the Land of Whirlpools.

They'd earned about thirty million ryo. Prices in the Ninja World hadn't inflated yet, so its purchasing power was tremendous.

The Daimyo's inauguration ceremony and the Land of Whirlpools' invitation for people to settle there, complete with housing and farmland, had spread across the entire Ninja World through their messengers.

Tensions between the countries of the Ninja World were high, and ninja often attacked enemy villages and towns.

In retaliation, the other side would send ninja to do the same.

People struggled to survive in the crossfire.

The Land of Whirlpools bordered only the Land of Fire and the Land of the Moon. Civilians seeking a peaceful life had been steadily fleeing to the Land of Whirlpools.

Civilians had been organized into the Daimyo's army and administration.

An administrative system for the ninja alliance had also been established.

The army had recruited three thousand strong young people.

They had trained them to fire Rocket Launchers and drive Weasel Tanks, and the force was now combat-ready.

A series of hurried footsteps sounded outside.

A Genin pushed open the office door and said breathlessly,

"Uzukage, we have a problem! Our trade caravan headed for the Land of Lightning was ambushed by the Land of the Moon along the way."

Uzumaki Shori immediately sensed something was amiss. Frowning, he asked,

"Has the Land of the Moon given an explanation? Or did they seize our caravan for no reason?"

"The Land of the Moon claims that the caravan was spying on its secrets. But our caravan was only going to the Land of Lightning to buy iron ore."

"Every time, they make the trip quickly and never stop in the Land of the Moon."

The Genin hurriedly explained what had happened.

This was no ordinary incident. The Land of Whirlpools carried considerable weight among the smaller countries.

Everyone in the Ninja World knew about the Land of Whirlpools' battle with the Land of Water.

The Land of the Moon wouldn't dare provoke the Land of Whirlpools without reason. The two countries shared a border.

The Land of the Moon also bordered the Land of Lightning. They would have to be wary of Kumogakure getting involved.

Uzumaki Shori ordered Elder Keimei to summon everyone at once for a meeting in the Uzumaki Hall to discuss the matter.

One after another, the Land of Whirlpools' senior officials entered the Uzukage Hall. There were many more figures from the Daimyo's military this time.

The Land of Whirlpools was now conducting joint cross-training between its ninja and mechanized forces.

Everyone rose to their feet and saluted the Uzukage.

Uzumaki Shori entered with the intelligence in hand and gestured for everyone to sit down.

"According to the latest report, take a look at this intelligence."

After reading it, everyone frowned. This was a provocation against the Land of Whirlpools, and they spoke up in unison.

"Uzukage, we can send envoys to talk and see what the other side is planning."

"We're strong now. Let's fight them and show them what a stupid mistake they've made."

The Uzukage Hall instantly erupted into chaos. Uzumaki Shori cut them off.

"We'll pursue both plans at once. Uzumaki Sasuke, choose the people to take with you and set out for the Land of the Moon to negotiate. You can leave right away."

"Elder Keimei, prepare supplies and assemble the troops at the border. Put pressure on them and force them to see the difference in our strength."

Uzumaki Sasuke accepted the order first and promised to complete the mission.

Uzumaki Ashina watched his son grow more and more capable in the Uzukage's position.

He hurriedly passed the Daimyo's position on to his son, so he could enjoy retirement early.

Uzumaki Shori turned to Elder Keimei and asked,

"How many Weasel Tanks do we have that are combat-ready? How many Rocket Launchers?"

Elder Keimei took out the notebook in his hand.