After thoroughly discussing the feasibility of the plan, as well as its precautions and vulnerabilities, Uchiha Makoto returned with Sanjie.
Watching Uchiha Makoto's retreating figure, Uchiha Mikoto thought of what Uchiha Makoto had said about "saving her life," and felt a pang of unease.
Do you think Cheng might...?
Uchiha Mikoto asked Uchiha Fugaku with some concern.
We must believe him!
Seeing this, Uchiha Fugaku put his arm around Uchiha Mikoto's shoulder to comfort her.
"He's Uchiha Makoto!"
On the other side, Uchiha Makoto and his companion walked along the road, and Uchiha Makoto responded to each of the clansmen's greetings.
And so, they returned to Uchiha Makoto's residence.
Looking at the Sanjie in front of him, Uchiha Makoto's lips moved slightly as he asked.
"Hasn't she admitted her mistake yet?"
"?"
Sanjie turned her head, looking very puzzled.
She?
Who is Uchiha Makoto referring to?
Seeing Sanjie's expression, Uchiha Makoto coughed, belatedly realizing his embarrassment, but still shamelessly asked.
"How's the situation with the Sand Ninja?"
This time, when faced with Uchiha Makoto's question, Sanjie only thought for a moment before answering.
"As planned, we have now amassed a large sum of money, which is ready to purchase grain at prices higher than the market price to exert initial pressure on them."
"Numerous industrial spies are also ready, and personnel from Umbrella and the Golden Consortium have arrived in the Land of Wind. Everything is going smoothly so far!"
Hearing Sanjie's answer, Uchiha Makoto nodded, and asked again, still somewhat unwilling to give up.
"Has the Sand Ninja's higher-ups made any moves?"
He was curious: what would Pakura be doing now?
Should they focus all their efforts on purchasing grain to prepare, or should they vehemently advise the Sand Ninja Village leadership to separate the business from their own plans?
"Currently, there are no unusual actions from the Sand Ninja leadership; everything is still within normal limits."
Sanjie's answer surprised Uchiha Makoto.
How?
Pakura has come to terms with it and is already waiting to die.
Or did they simply not take him seriously?
Sanjie's narrative continues...
"It's worth mentioning the issue of who will be the Fourth Kazekage."
Sanjie glanced at Uchiha Makoto and continued.
"Rasa, who was previously a frontrunner for Kazekage, has seen his popularity decline after being revealed to be directly involved in the 'Sand Ninja Graveyard' incident, coupled with numerous rumors."
"The so-called 'Sand Ninja Graveyard Incident' is a claim made by the Sand Ninja to satirize the battle at the beginning of the war, in Chiyo used Sand Ninja as bait, resulting in the deaths of thousands of Sand Ninja!"
Uchiha Makoto nodded slightly.
Uchiha Makoto seemed somewhat uninterested in Sanjie's explanation.
He was very clear about all of this, and he had even participated in some aspects of the matter.
Is there anything else?
Uchiha Makoto, having given up all hope, asked.
"Well..."
Sanjie was momentarily speechless, but recalling the intelligence, he replied.
"Pakura, known as 'Scorch Release: Pakura,' announced her withdrawal from the Kazekage election a few days ago, insisting that she is anti-war and will try to achieve peace through peaceful means!"
At this point, Sanjie's tone became somewhat complicated.
"When faced with criticism, she said, 'Being a ninja doesn't mean I can't use peaceful means!'"
Hearing this, Uchiha Makoto's eyelids twitched.
Where did this Tier 0 player come from?
That's quite a masterful use of Tang Niu's inequality!
At this moment, Uchiha Makoto really wanted to say, "Woman, you're playing with fire!"
We are currently at war, and no high-ranking official would tolerate the development of such rhetoric!
Unless he's an idiot!
Uchiha Makoto couldn't help but wonder what the Sand Ninja Village leaders would do.
"Go on..."
Having received the order, Sanjie pondered for a moment before continuing his sermon.
"The Sand Ninja Village leadership was furious about her remarks, and some even wanted to expel her from the Sand Village, turning her into a rogue ninja!"
"But due to the situation, it ultimately came to nothing."
"But among the ordinary ninjas of Sand Village, the reaction to Pakura's remarks was very positive!"
"They wanted to nominate Pakura as the Fourth Kazekage, but Pakura refused, and the debate over this continues to this day within the Sand Ninja."
Listening to Sanjie's words, Uchiha Makoto was somewhat puzzled, and could almost conclude that this was a preparation made by Pakura to deal with him!
But what's the use?
Uchiha Makoto went over Sanjie's words again and again, and sensed that something was wrong.
"Sanjie..."
"Yes, Master!"
Sanjie bowed in agreement, Uchiha Makoto slightly raised his eyelids and asked.
"How good was the response you just mentioned? And what are those people who wanted to nominate Pakura as the Fourth Kazekage doing right now?"
His slightly cold tone gave Sanjie a jolt of energy.
"According to intelligence reports, about half of the Sand Ninja's frontline ninjas agree with Pakura's statement!"
"The ninjas who want to nominate Pakura as the Fourth Kazekage are still mostly gathered around Pakura's camp, numbering about three hundred in total."
Uchiha Makoto was somewhat surprised and uncertain upon hearing this.
Currently, there are approximately four thousand Sand Ninja on the front lines. If half of Pakura's statements express agreement, then that's about two thousand people.
Based on his earlier guess, Pakura was probably planning to use these ninjas against him, but there were only 300 ninjas surrounding her now...
That's a bit too little...
So what if they're all Jonin?
They have nothing in Sand Village; they're just a bunch of Jonin. Any Kage Level could easily wipe them out.
She was absolutely aware that the strength he had displayed towards Pakura was extraordinary.
Unless the entire Sand Village mobilizes, there's absolutely no way to deal with him!
"Um?"
Uchiha Makoto had a bad feeling. Could it be that the entire Sand Village was really going to come after him?
No, we might even have to add the Allied Shinobi Forces!
If Pakura only takes countermeasures against the highest-ranking individuals, this might really happen!
"Or rather, she simply wants to concentrate her superior forces and respond to any eventuality with a static strategy!"
"Only in this way will I not receive any intelligence."
Uchiha Makoto slightly closed his eyes, his heart already completely leaning towards this answer.
Suddenly, the "willow catkins" floating outside the window caught his attention.
Those were wisps of white snow, just like cotton.
With the year-end approaching, it has already started snowing in Konoha.
Uchiha Makoto stood up, put his hands behind his back, looked at the scenery in front of him, and spoke without any emotion.
"It's getting cold, let's bankrupt the Sand Ninja!"