Keep the music playing, keep dancing!

After seeing Ebizo and his group off, Hatake Sakumo immediately turned around and went back to the inner room.

Kakuzu was comfortably leaning back in his chair when he saw him enter, and he raised his eyelids slightly.

"So, what are Sunagakure's plans?"

Sakumo's expression was grave as he spoke, "Ebizo has taken it upon himself to invest all 200 million ryo of Sunagakure's treasury into Angel Plan."

"What?!" Kakuzu sat bolt upright, his sunglasses nearly slipping off, his face filled with disbelief. "Two hundred million taels?! Has he gone mad with poverty?"

He paced back and forth, muttering to himself, "That poor place, Sunagakure, I estimate their annual military expenditure is at most around ten billion ryo. To suddenly pull out two hundred million, I reckon that's their last remaining savings."

Kakuzu frowned and looked at Sakumo: "This matter is of utmost importance. We cannot make decisions on our own; we must send a message back and ask the Lord Hokage's opinion. Should we stop here, or continue to lure him in?"

Sakumo nodded solemnly. "I understand. I will immediately send someone back to Konoha with the information."

The scene shifts to the Land of Fire Capital.

Inside a grand hall, the soft sounds of string and wind instruments filled the air, and wine cups clinked together.

The Daimyo of the Land of Fire and Uchiha Kage sat opposite each other. The two exchanged glasses and chatted about state affairs. The Daimyo's conversation was filled with emotion about the current situation and his joy at having the Kingdom of Grass under control.

Just as the wine was flowing freely, Hayama Shirakumo strode into the hall, holding a secret letter in both hands, and bowed as he handed it to Kagami Uchiha.

Kagami Uchiha reached out and took the letter, quickly glancing at it before his expression shifted slightly.

Daimyo raised his wine cup, smiling broadly, "Brother, I am very satisfied with your hard work this time. Come, drink this cup to the brim."

Kagami Uchiha did not raise his cup, but instead slightly gestured with his hand, speaking calmly, "Brother, there's no rush. I have something important to tell you first."

Daimyo paused slightly, then put down his wine cup. "Oh? Please speak, my brother."

"Sunagakure has already invested all 200 million taels of silver from its treasury into the Angel Fund we've set up."

Upon hearing this, the Daimyo's pupils contracted slightly. "Two hundred million? How could a barren place Sunagakure possibly produce such a large sum of money? Brother, what do you think of this?"

Kagami Uchiha slowly put down the secret letter, his gaze steady, and calmly said:

"My plan is that since Sunagakure has just fallen into our trap, we need to let them taste some sweetness first. Once Sunagakure's military budget is allocated next year, we'll reap a hefty harvest. At that time, I'll have Shamon continue to lead the people of Sunagakure to diligently mine for gold."

"Furthermore, I've heard that the Daimyo of the Land of Wind has been very disrespectful to you, brother. So this time, I'm not only going to destroy Sunagakure, but I'm also going to make that Daimyo of the Land of Wind regret it for the rest of his life!"

"In this way, not only will my brother be relieved, but the Western of the Land of Fire will also be safe and secure for the next few years. We can also focus on managing the Land of Grass we just conquered, while remaining vigilant against the Iwagakure's restless advances, thus expanding our territory and consolidating the foundation of our nation."

Upon Daimyo burst into laughter. "Hahaha, excellent! My wise brother is truly insightful!"

Brother Jing, you treat me like this! I only regret that I was born twenty years too early!

Coming to his senses, the Daimyo waved his hand and shouted, "Guards! Keep the music playing, keep the dance going!!"

As he spoke, he stood up, took Kagami Uchiha's hand, and said with a smile, "Brother Kagami, today, you and I, brothers, will drink until we're both drunk!"

As the Daimyo's words faded, melodious music once again filled the hall, and dancers gracefully took to the stage, creating a lively scene of singing and dancing throughout the palace.

After several rounds of drinks, the banquet came to an end.

The dancers and musicians slowly withdrew, and the noise in the hall gradually subsided.

Slightly intoxicated, Kagami Uchiha, supported by two maids, slowly left the Daimyo's banquet hall and moved to the private VIP pavilion to rest.

The royal villa in the Land of Fire Capital was elegant and tranquil, with pavilions and towers scattered in a well-organized manner. A gentle evening breeze dissipated the warm aroma of wine from the banquet.

The maidservants laid out the bedding for him, brewed some tea, bowed, and left without a sound, closing the palace door behind them.

The large side hall fell silent instantly.

Kagami Uchiha leaned back on the tatami mat and closed his eyes to rest for a moment.

A ninja's physique is stronger than that of an ordinary person. The Daimyo is an ordinary man, and he is probably already fast asleep at this moment.

But for him, the banquet and drinks were nothing but a drop in the ocean, leaving not even a trace of intoxication.

Suddenly, all sleepiness vanished.

He got up and paced to the carved wooden window, then gently pushed open the window frame.

The night breeze swept into the palace, ruffling his jet-black hair.

Looking out, the entire Land of Fire Capital is ablaze with lights, stretching as far as the eye can see, the starlight and lights reflecting each other, a magnificent and prosperous scene unfolding before your eyes.

Such a peaceful and prosperous era is perhaps the most luxurious sight in times of chaos.

Kagami Uchiha stood by the window, a deep, brooding look in his eyes, his mind filled with a myriad of thoughts.

This year marks the 25th year of Konoha.

In two months, the year will change, marking the 26th year of Konoha.

The First Shinobi World War ended long ago, and the country has been recuperating for many years.

But Jing knew perfectly well that peace was always just a fleeting illusion.

The shadow of war had already been quietly brewing throughout the Shinobi World.

Although the Second Shinobi World War is still a long way off, all nations are biding their time and preparing for war. Iwagakure, Iwagakure, Sunagakure, and even their Kumogakure Kirigakure all secretly accumulating national strength, waiting for the right opportunity to unleash a war that will sweep across the Shinobi World.

He lowered his eyes slightly, his thoughts drifting into the distance.

Amegakure...

The starting point of the Second Shinobi World War.

That country, where rain lingers year-round and war has never ceased.

Turbulent times breed heroes.

Presumably, Amegakure of the Salamander, the future hero of Amegakure who will stir up the winds of the Shinobi World and reach the Hanzo of the Salamander, has already begun to show his talent, quietly growing in the darkness and mud, accumulating his own power.

In addition, there is the peerless Asura who hangs high above the history of the Shinobi World.

Madara Uchiha...

Just hearing that name is enough to send shivers down the spines of ordinary people.

A legendary figure who was once on par with Hashirama Senju and crushed countless heroes of the Shinobi World.

Many years have passed, and it is unknown whether that world-renowned man has successfully fused with the Rinnegan.

If Madara were to return in full force, what kind of earth-shattering upheaval would the entire Shinobi World face?

Heh... He's just creating trouble for himself. Well, even if Madara Uchiha fused with the Rinnegan, his body probably wouldn't be able to support his ambition!

Kagami Uchiha gazed at the city lights, his expression calm, secretly planning for the future.

Sunagakure is greedy and has already fallen into their trap. As long as Kakuzu doesn't cause any problems, Sunagakure will definitely not be able to cause any trouble in the next few years.

Having suffered injuries in the previous battle in the Land of Grass Iwagakure, Iwagakure's Jinchūriki Plan likely did not go smoothly.

The Kirigakure... let's not even talk about him... I don't know what the Third Mizukage was thinking. A leader who can't unite his subordinates is useless!

As for Kumogakure, they did not clash with Konoha during the Second Shinobi World War; instead, they were constantly fighting against Iwagakure. The original work did not explain this very clearly.

Hmm... Could it be that the Raikage is actually an honest and kind person?

Why then did they attack Konoha Third Shinobi World War?

Perhaps it's ambition; after all, no one in the Shinobi World would be indifferent to the Land of Fire.

Coming to his senses, Kagami Uchiha murmured softly, his words fading into the night with the wind.

"The days of peace are numbered..."

"Then let's take advantage of these last peaceful days and make a few more moves."

"When war comes, Konoha will surely be invincible."