Chapter 99: 99
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"Unjustly accused!"
"Let me go, you untouchables!"
"I'll report to the Daimyo, I'll report to the Daimyo!"
An important figure from the Fire Country had his clothes torn apart by guards, yelling frantically. Before he could understand the situation, he was already thrown into a prison van.
Teams of servants began to enter and exit his house, each pushing a trolley. Each time, the trolley was filled with various gold and silver treasures.
Konoha's ninjas mingled among the officers, assisting them in the raid.
Initially, Uchiha Nan wanted to oversee the entire operation and send Konoha's ninjas to conduct the raid, but the daimyo refused.
Konoha had already touched the delicate balance between the Fire Country and itself, and the Daimyo couldn't allow Konoha to interfere further in internal affairs.
However, Uchiha Nan didn't trust the daimyo and had even less trust in the daimyo's subordinates.
Previously, the information collected by Konoha wasn't comprehensive, especially regarding the insects' family assets. The figures could only be undercounted, not overestimated.
The family assets of these insects must be more than the 60 billion taels estimated, and Uchiha Nan wasn't about to let himself suffer any loss.
Moreover, when the house was raided, the piles of white money would tempt even the most upright person, let alone this group of corrupt individuals.
Seventy percent of this money belonged to Konoha!
After some "friendly consultations," the daimyo agreed to Uchiha Nan's request to let Konoha participate in the raid.
The confiscation campaign lasted for three full days, and as for those insects, their entire families were executed. This massive political upheaval shook the entire political scene of the Fire Nation's capital.
At this time, no one continued to pay attention to minor issues in Konoha's past.
The rabbit dies, and the fox mourns.
The big shots who were once as arrogant as them had their families destroyed in just three days, and the wealth they had accumulated over more than ten generations was seized.
It's not that no one went to the daimyo to plead for mercy. Facing these princes and ministers, the daimyo directly presented the charges collected by Konoha.
The evidence and testimonies were complete, leaving no room for denial. The daimyo's cold eyes and warning words made the remaining insects tremble, realizing the daimyo still had many accusations against them.
There's no saving it, no saving it. They still had to pray for their own blessings.
Before long, the clever ones among the insects were horrified to discover that the big shots being targeted were the most active in impeaching Konoha recently.
Everything became clear. Konoha took action. Their methods of hiding dirty deeds were fine for ordinary people, but for ninjas, it was like a master's degree. A simple illusion could make them confess everything.
The hedonistic Fire Nation dignitaries finally remembered the fact that they were ordinary people and took the initiative to ignore Konoha's various transgressions, becoming obedient children.
Secretly, they sent people to persuade Konoha to relent, each sending valuable gifts as an apology.
**Konoha**
"What a bunch of cowards."
"They can't live peacefully without causing trouble for Konoha."
Uchiha Nan sat in the office, in front of him a retainer of a powerful figure in the Fire Nation.
Even though Uchiha Nan unabashedly mocked his master, he dared not show any dissatisfaction. The recent political earthquake in the capital had scared these people to death.
The blood of the executed big shots was still flowing in the streets. Their status was more noble than his master. They were all executed with their families. How could he and his master dare to risk their lives? It was good to keep them.
Uchiha Nan chatted casually with these people for a few moments before telling them to leave. If it weren't for the gifts, Uchiha Nan wouldn't have met with them at all.
However, these people were indeed generous. The compensation received by Konoha these days exceeded one billion taels, not including the private gifts given to Uchiha Kusu by the insects.
These insects were truly wealthy.
Uchiha Kusu sighed inwardly, noting the severe class stratification in the ninja world. It was no longer a matter of three generations in business but more than ten generations in business and politics to accumulate wealth.
Compared to this group of insects, Konoha was a pauper, and still a pauper with the most powerful force in the Land of Fire.
What kind of poor life had they lived in the past?
Suddenly, Uchiha Nan's door was pushed open, and Kakuzu barged in, his eyes shining like a hungry wolf that had been starving for months.
"Hokage-sama, don't hesitate. Lead Konoha to charge, kill all those nobles. I, Kakuzu, will take the lead!"
"Kill them!"
"Kunai in hand, follow me!"
Kakuzu had been working on his accounts these days, and the constant flow of money made him excited.
He knew those nobles were rich, but he didn't expect them to be so wealthy. After following Uchiha Nan for a while, his rigid thinking suddenly opened up.
What kind of mission are you doing? It's better to get money quickly from big players!
"Don't be impatient. Their money will belong to Konoha sooner or later."
Uchiha Kusu comforted Kakuzu. This guy's eyes had turned green. Although his eyes were originally green, it wasn't time to fall out with the Fire Country. Let them calm down for a while.
Finally, Kakuzu left Uchiha Nan's office with reluctance.
Not long after Kakuzu left, Nara Shikato walked into the office.
"Lord Hokage, the Uzumaki clan is sending people to Konoha."
"I'm afraid they are seeking help. During the first ninja war, the Uzumaki clan helped Konoha a lot. Their recent situation isn't good."
"..."
Nara Shikato explained the situation of the Uzumaki clan.
An island country, a small nation with few people, no money, no manpower, no food—essentially lacking everything.
In name, it's a country with one Uzumaki ninja village. In reality, there's only the Uzumaki clan on the island. The so-called country is purely there to enclose territory for themselves.
To help Konoha win the first ninja war, all the wealth accumulated by the Uzumaki clan over the years was exhausted.
A poor relative had come to visit.
**A Few Days Later**
The Uzumaki clan and their delegation soon arrived in Konoha.
"It's so big and impressive."
"Lord Clan Leader, is Konoha this prosperous?"
Uzumaki Yayoi seemed like a country boy who had never seen the world.
Konoha's development was like driving a car on the highway. Konoha had transformed in just a few months.
The biggest change was naturally Konoha's traffic. Uchiha Nan ordered all walls around roads removed, roads expanded, and all roads rebuilt with new cement.
If you want to get rich, build roads first. Uchiha Kusu firmly practiced this concept, and facts proved this truth correct.
The widening of roads greatly accelerated Konoha's commercial trade. The spacious and clean cement roads were filled with merchants from various countries coming to Konoha for commerce.
Busy streets, pedestrians coming and going, and constant hawking outside shops.
"The changes in Konoha are indeed great."
"Incredible."
Uzumaki Reed blinked, unsure what to say, just observing.
"Lord Clan Leader, didn't you say Konoha's situation wasn't optimistic?"
Uzumaki Reed ignored Uzumaki Yayoi. He didn't know how Konoha had transformed like this.
The last time he corresponded with the second Hokage, Senju Tobirama was still complaining about Konoha's financial pressure and waiting for financial help from the Fire Nation's Daimyo.
A few months ago, Uzumaki Reed considered asking Konoha for help, but Senju Tobirama's description embarrassed him.
But the Uzumaki clan couldn't support themselves any longer. Even if they didn't want to trouble Konoha, they had to seek help.
"Grandpa, it smells so good."
Uzumaki Yangyue pointed to a tea shop, the aroma instantly attracting the thirteen-year-old girl.
After crossing the ocean and arriving in Konoha, the journey was long and their stomachs empty. The aroma of milk tea captivated Uzumaki Haruge.
"Then let's have a taste."
Uzumaki Reed touched Uzumaki Yangyue's hair lovingly. Uzumaki Haruge had a mission in Konoha, hoping she didn't meet the conditions.
"How much does this cup cost?"
The waiter quoted a price, making Uzumaki Reed frown. This milk tea was so expensive!
"Buy a drink."
For the children's sake, pay more.
"Clan Leader, what about me?"
"You're a grown man, and you want me to pay for you?"
"Buy it yourself!"
Uzumaki Reed glanced at Uzumaki Yayoi with disdain and paid out of his own pocket.
What happened to Konoha? The changes were drastic.
Uzumaki Reed walked the streets, observing Konoha, which was vibrant from top to bottom.
However, Uzumaki Ninja Village remained desolate, still trapped in the shadow of war.
Uzumaki Reed couldn't fathom how Konoha had become so prosperous.
Just stop thinking about it!
The Uzumaki clan was finally getting better!
Now that Konoha had developed, how could they forget the Uzumaki clan?
The good brother of Konoha stood up to drink and eat meat from a large bowl.
It's not easy for the Uzumaki clan, as the younger brother, to join the table and eat a few bites with the elder brother!
Originally, Uzumaki Reed worried on his way to Konoha. If Konoha wasn't wealthy, it would be enough to support him with some food, without bothering Konoha further.
Under Uzumaki Reed's best scenario, he hoped to get a billion taels from Konoha.
"You bastard, stop being so rude!"
"Damn it, you tore open the cup and just dug it out with your hands?"
Walking not far from the Hokage building, Uzumaki Reed straightened his clothes. He was about to meet Konoha's Sandaime Hokage. A poor boy should pay attention to etiquette when meeting a rich brother.
Unexpectedly, Yayoi Uzumaki, a rogue, tore the cup open, dug out the black pearls with his hands, and ate them.
"Master Patriarch, it's delicious. This delicious thing is called Black Pearl."
"Yang Yue, are you right?"
Uzumaki Yangyue nodded, continuing to drink, chewing pearls that were soft, smooth, and sweet.
"You good-for-nothing!"
Uzumaki Reed rolled his eyes at Uzumaki Yayoi, urging him to finish and clean his sticky hands.
**Hokage Building**
"Master Reed, why didn't you send someone to notify us when you arrived? Konoha prepared a grand welcome ceremony."
Nara Shikato was surprised to see Uzumaki Reed's party arriving two days earlier than expected.
"Lu Yuan-kun, Konoha and the Uzumaki clan are one family. There's no need for a welcome ceremony. We caught a favorable wind at sea, and the boat was much faster."
"Lord Reed, don't think Konoha's hospitality is lacking."
Nara Shikato said kindly; all of Konoha had a good impression of the Uzumaki clan.
This was a little brother who truly treated Konoha as a good big brother.
When the younger brother comes, the older brother naturally entertains him well.
"Hokage-sama, is it convenient to see us now?"
Uzumaki Reed's smile was slightly reserved. The Hokage of Konoha had always been from the Senju clan. The Uzumaki and Senju clans had been friendly for generations. Senju Hashirama was also the son-in-law of the Uzumaki clan, directly related.
The second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, was Hashirama's younger brother and also a relative of the Uzumaki clan, and they got along well.
But now things were different. The Hokage of Konoha was from the Uchiha clan, and the relationship between the Uchiha and Uzumaki clans was average.
This was his first meeting with Konoha's Sandaime Hokage, and Uzumaki Reed was a little nervous.
"Of course there's time!"
Nara Shikato answered confidently. Uchiha Kusu often procrastinated. His fishing time was longer than his working time; he should still be in the office.
"You're welcome, Mr. Reed!"
"…"
When Uchiha Nan heard the Uzumaki clan had arrived, he quickly invited them in and moved three sofas.
Uzumaki Reed, Uzumaki Yayoi, and Uzumaki Haruge sat on the sofas, slightly surprised by Uchiha Kusu's office environment.
Luxurious, too luxurious.
The spacious room was decorated in warm colors, with bright lights on the ceiling. It was winter, but the room was warm, with two pots of green plants on the desk.
Milk tea, cola, ice cream, cream puffs, cream cakes...
The coffee table was filled with desserts. Uchiha Nan only liked iced cola; Kaede and Suzu liked other desserts. Uchiha Nan made sure they were stocked daily.
Is this work?
This seemed like enjoyment!
It looked so delicious.
Yayoi Uzumaki was already hungry. As she was about to take one, she was stopped by Uzumaki Reed's stern gaze.
Uzumaki Yangyue swallowed. Girls couldn't resist beautiful and delicious desserts.
"A little snack, please try it."
Uchiha Nan noticed their restraint and took a cone, starting to eat.
The three of them relaxed and began enjoying the desserts.
The sea was vast, and eating fish daily made them nauseous. Rice dumplings were considered good food.
Dessert was a delicacy they couldn't enjoy!
"Cough, cough, cough."
Uzumaki Reed tried to maintain his image, eating slowly and orderly. Uzumaki Yayoi took one cake after another, her mouth full, nearly choking, so she sipped milk tea.
Uzumaki Yangyue was as reserved as a little girl, eating cake bit by bit.
Uzumaki Reed looked at Uchiha Nan, a bit embarrassed.
Uchiha Nan just smiled, understanding the Uzumaki clan's situation. They were short on food, and Uchiha Nan was waiting for them to seek help.
After some pleasantries, Uchiha Nan and Uzumaki Reed went to another room to discuss business.
"Lord Hokage, the Uzumaki clan's situation is dire."
Uzumaki Reed sighed, explaining the Uzumaki clan's circumstances.
"The Uzumaki clan and Konoha are one family. Konoha won't let the Uzumaki clan suffer."
Uchiha Kusu thoughtfully continued Uzumaki Reed's words. It was embarrassing for Uzumaki Reed to ask for money.
"How much support does the Uzumaki clan want from Konoha? Tell me a number."
Uchiha Nan said proudly.
"Five and a half billion taels?"
Uzumaki Reed tentatively suggested a number, not overly ambitious. This amount was enough for the Uzumaki clan to overcome their difficulties.
"Five hundred million taels?"
Uchiha Nan's voice rose an octave, surprising Uzumaki Reed.
"Actually, 400 million."
"Reed-kun, do you look down on Konoha?"
"Five billion taels!"