Let's Begin, Nine-Tails' Rebellion (Seeking Recommendations, Collections, Powering Up for Love!)

One month after being elected leader of the Jonin Squad, Masaki Uchiha spent all his time frantically acquiring war supplies through the Uchiha Clan's channels, aside from coordinating work with Shikaku Nara.

One must know that Kumogakure had never signed a ceasefire agreement with Konoha.

Currently, both sides were merely maintaining a tacit, temporary truce.

He was worried that Kumogakure would take advantage of the situation once the Nine-Tails incident occurred.

After Sarutobi Hiruzen received news of the Uchiha hoarding war supplies, he immediately went to find Minato Namikaze, demanding that the Uchiha Clan explain their actions.

Naturally, Minato Namikaze asked Masaki Uchiha about this, receiving the following reply: "Kumogakure has yet to sign a ceasefire with Konoha. The Uchiha Clan is simply making full preparations now; once war breaks out, the Uchiha Clan will be the first to charge into battle."

Well, this reason was impeccable.

Sarutobi Hiruzen could do nothing about him, but for the sake of safety, the four major families—Sarutobi, Shimura, Utatane, and Mitokado Homura—also began purchasing war supplies as a precaution.

Who knew if the Uchiha Clan would lose their minds? In case they were driven to desperation, they had no choice but to arm themselves first.

Seeing this, other ninja clans also began to purchase war supplies, and for a time, an alternative arms race began within Konoha.

The prices of some war supplies rose accordingly, and at the same time, training grounds gradually became overcrowded.

After Minato Namikaze learned of these actions, he did not stop them. After all, the ninja clans were spending their own money, not Konoha's. You couldn't exactly forbid these clans from training, could you? That would cause chaos. Therefore, he adopted an attitude of tacit approval, which also served as a subtle warning to the outside world regarding the risk of war.

Spies from various countries within Konoha had already transmitted the intelligence back, and for a time, undercurrents surged throughout the Ninja World.

Masaki Uchiha did this so that Konoha's sacrifices would be fewer when the Nine-Tails Rebellion occurred.

As for the members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, they had long been notified by Masaki Uchiha in the name of preventing war, allowing them to take the first step in purchasing cheap war supplies.

Just as everyone was in the midst of preparing war supplies, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization's dividend meeting was held once again.

Except for Minato Namikaze, who found it inconvenient to attend, the heads or representatives of all other families were present.

Without further ado, the notebook in Uchiha Naoya's hand began to detail the revenue situation for the most recent quarter.

"Over the past three months, the trade route in the Land of Tea has transported a total of 33 shipments. The operation mobilized 524 Jonin and 1,652 Chunin and Special Jonin, resulting in a total profit of 800 million ryo."

The reason for such high profits was twofold: one was the expansion of the trade route in the Land of Tea, and the other was that the Daimyo and nobles 'sponsored' a portion, which accounted for the high returns.

Adding the 120 million ryo distributed in advance last time, the actual profit for these two months was about 680 million ryo.

Seeing that Uchiha Naoya had finished, Uchiha Shisui spoke up: "The maritime business in the Land of Waves has earned 180 million ryo in these past three months, mobilizing 120 Jonin and 526 Chunin and Special Jonin."

Uchiha Shisui had been called back by Masaki Uchiha a few days ago, and the business in the Land of Waves was temporarily handed over to the Nara Clan.

Because the critical moment was approaching, how could he let Uchiha Shisui, who possessed the Mangekyo Sharingan, drift outside?

After hearing the business reports, the clan heads and representatives present all showed joy, calculating how much their own families would receive.

In the end, they found that those who contributed less could still get 20 million, while those who contributed more could get 45 million ryo. They had struck it rich.

"Same old rules, line up to collect your money later."

"Yes, President."

Everyone responded with smiles.

"You have all noticed that the atmosphere in Konoha has been tense lately. First, the rumors about Wood Release experiments and Sharingan experiments are still circulating, and then there is the crazy price hike in military supplies. After you go back, tell your clansmen not to run around blindly; these are troubled times."

"President, I believe we should mobilize the Special Operations Unit of the Police Force to immediately arrest those spies spreading rumors and clear the Uchiha's name." The Inuzuka Clan Head stood up, speaking out for the injustice suffered by the Uchiha Clan.

"Right, the actions of these spies are destroying the stability of Konoha."

"Indeed, President. The Uchiha Clan has endured such grievances for so long, and the Anbu hasn't even caught anyone yet. They are simply derelict in their duties."

"Do not speak words that are detrimental to unity. The Fourth Hokage asked me if I needed help regarding this matter, but I refused," Masaki Uchiha said calmly.

The crowd was stunned, unable to grasp Masaki Uchiha's intentions for a moment.

"Because I actually found some clues, but unfortunately, some things are not easy to tell the Fourth directly, so I refused," Masaki Uchiha said with regret.

Hearing this, everyone had an idea in their hearts. If it wasn't easy to tell the Fourth, then it likely had something to do with the Third Hokage.

Thinking that the rumors might have originated from the Third Hokage, the crowd's already unfavorable impression of Sarutobi Hiruzen became even more disgusted.

Moreover, it was indeed inconvenient to tell the Fourth. Once said, it would cause conflict between the master and grandson, which was truly detrimental to the unity of Konoha.

They hadn't expected the President to endure such grievances for so long for the sake of the big picture.

For a moment, everyone was shocked by Masaki Uchiha's sense of the big picture.

The President truly lived up to the phrase he often kept on his lips: 'This is all for Konoha.'

"Sigh, I'll go rest first. Make yourselves at home."

Masaki Uchiha's departing figure appeared increasingly tall in the eyes of the crowd.

On the way home, Masaki Uchiha instructed the guards to be prepared for the coming days.

The time was almost here.

Danzo, I can hardly wait to kill you.

You must come.

Hahahaha.

Masaki Uchiha laughed wildly in his heart.

A few days later.

October 10th, Konoha Year 51.

Night.

Konoha was peaceful and tranquil.

The commercial district was bustling with crowds.

The sounds of clinking glasses and lively conversation were endless.

Hatake Kakashi and Might Guy were walking down the street, talking about something.

"Wouldn't it be better to just decide the winner with rock-paper-scissors today?"

"Again? Isn't there a more passionate way to compete?"

Hatake Kakashi suddenly stopped in his tracks, his expression tightening as he said, "Do you feel anything strange? The air seems to have gotten a bit colder since just now."

"What's cold is your attitude! Youth only exists in the present!" Might Guy said, full of passion as he raised his fist.

A bestial roar suddenly rang out, cutting off their conversation.

They looked in the direction the sound came from.

A giant orange fox had appeared within the village, roaring up at the sky.

"Nine-Tails?!"