Konoha, inside the Hokage's Tower.
"Sarutobi."
The Third Hokage, who had been buried in paperwork, looked up to see Danzo walking in.
"What are you here for?" the Third asked, his tone placid. Though Danzo's ambition had previously grown difficult to control, Sarutobi's decision to relieve him of his duties had been a significant blow. He had cut off funding to Root and restricted other clans from working with them. Danzo's organization was likely in a dire state.
Still, Danzo had been his comrade for many years, and his usefulness was far from over. As long as he remained within Sarutobi's sphere of control, his past transgressions could be overlooked. The moment Danzo was needed, he could be restored to prominence.
"This is an estimate of the Uchiha's profits," Danzo said, producing a stack of data sheets.
The Hokage glanced at them. "This much? Twenty million ryo in a single month?"
Danzo's tone was as grim as ever. "That's just the data from Konoha. If you include the Land of Rice Paddies, it exceeds fifty million a month. Itachi and Shisui brought 'Zhonghua Cuisine' there, and although the country is poor, the restaurants are now spread across the entire nation. No one truly knows how wealthy the Uchiha have become."
He paused briefly. "The Daimyo has seen the profits this has generated for the Land of Rice Paddies and has ordered me to obtain all of their recipes. So, Hiruzen, I need your assistance." Danzo's face held a hint of triumph as he presented a written directive.
The Third Hokage frowned, taking the document. It was genuine. He took a long, deep drag from his pipe. He hadn't expected Danzo to go directly to the Daimyo. This complicated things. As the village leader, his expenses were immense.
Konoha's standing as the strongest of the great ninja villages was built on its vast financial and material resources, which could be converted into military might at a moment's notice. Its superior population, food supply, and other assets had given it the upper hand in multiple Great Ninja Wars. Even the militarily formidable Cloud ninja of the Land of Lightning, after more than a decade of intermittent conflict, had been forced to the negotiating table not by Konoha's superior military strength, but by its overwhelming financial power.
While the village generated its own income, the subsidies from the Fire Daimyo were its lifeblood. The Land of Fire was vast and populous, and the Daimyo maintained an excellent relationship with Konoha to preserve his nation's leading position. After all, only when Konoha defeated other nations could the Daimyo collect his riches in peace.
Now, the Daimyo had set his sights on Zhonghua Cuisine. And he had bypassed the Hokage to give the directive straight to Danzo. Was this because of the Uchiha's recent independence? It seemed his failure to report the matter had created a rift with the Daimyo. Although Konoha was a military organization and didn't strictly need to bow to the Daimyo, the fact remained that ninja were a small population who did not engage in production. They could not rule a country directly. The Daimyo was their patron, and under normal circumstances, the Third Hokage was careful to give him face.
Within the Hokage's Tower, the Third was poring over a mountain of files. He had investigated everything he could, from customer traffic to average spending. The long-term statistical data showed that Danzo's obsession with the Uchiha's business was nothing new. His preparations were so thorough, so detailed, that even the Hokage was surprised.
The Uchiha's income was truly staggering. According to the data, while Konoha's total revenue was dozens of times greater than the Uchiha's, that money was not his to command. Village construction, ninja salaries, jutsu research, Anbu maintenance—every expense was drawn from that central fund. The Uchiha, however, were different. Ninety percent of the clan's earnings went directly to their patriarch, Fugaku, to spend as he saw fit.
If this trend continued, could the Uchiha one day usurp his position? The other clans were pragmatic; if the Uchiha's economic power grew strong enough, their support for Fugaku as the next Hokage was not out of the question. The Third Hokage hadn't realized the situation had become so severe. A sense of urgency washed over him.
Just as he was about to formulate a counter-strategy, he noticed Danzo standing before him. A faint smile touched Sarutobi's lips. It was best to leave specialized work to the specialists. And Danzo was intimately familiar with such matters.
The Third Hokage tapped his pipe on the desk. "What's your plan?"
"We've tried to replicate their dishes," Danzo replied, "but the taste is always slightly off. There are secret recipes we don't have, so our versions can never compare."
Seeing Danzo's ambitious glint, Sarutobi couldn't help but issue a warning. "You're not planning to take it by force, are you? You can't withstand their Susanoo."
Danzo's expression soured. "Hmph. I would never clash with them head-on. Hiruzen," he said, brandishing the Daimyo's order, "you can use the pretense of supporting their business to have Fugaku share the recipes."
Sarutobi frowned. "I doubt Fugaku would agree to that."
A sinister smile crept onto Danzo's face. "If he refuses, there are ways to make him change his mind."
The Third seemed to be considering it. "What do you want in return?"
"Reinstate Root," Danzo said without hesitation.
Sarutobi paced for a long while, his eyes eventually falling on the astonishing numbers representing the Uchiha's income. He shook his head. "Reinstating Root is impossible."
Danzo remained silent. He knew rebuilding Root would not be simple, but this was a mission from the Daimyo. The Third would have to offer something to appease him. He waited for the rest of Sarutobi's sentence.
"However," the Third continued, "I can speak with the other clans and lift the ban on their cooperation with you."
Danzo scoffed. "That's not enough, Hiruzen."
The Third thought for a moment. "I will also give you two Honorary Elder positions."
"Honorary Elder…" Danzo mused.
Aside from the Uchiha, every major clan had such positions. They held no direct authority but possessed the right to advise, and their votes were crucial in the selection of a Hokage. It was a clear step into the echelons of power. To become a Council Elder, one first had to be an Honorary Elder. Hiruzen was clearly reserving one of the positions for Danzo himself. The other was an asset for Danzo to leverage.
Satisfied, Danzo asked, "And who do you think is suitable for the second position, Hiruzen?"
The Third took a drag from his pipe. "It's time for a change in the Military Police Force."
Danzo considered this. The police force was currently managed by Hizashi Hyuga. The Hyuga main branch was conservative, but they could be swayed by the right incentives. This was a perfect opportunity. The Root members Danzo had placed in the police force had become dead assets after being exposed during the Nakamura Kazuya incident. Because Hizashi was grateful to Kawasaki, he had restricted those agents, allowing them to patrol only the first four streets of Konoha. Now, with a Hyuga elder on his side, could Root finally make its move?
Inside the Hokage's Tower, Fugaku received a sudden summons from the Third Hokage and arrived promptly. As he entered the office, he saw the Third busy with his work. This was the first time they had met since the Hidden Cloud incident.
"Lord Third," Fugaku said, his mindset completely changed. He no longer held any particular feelings for the Hokage. When you knew the future held the destruction of the ninja world, it was difficult to feel respect for the leader of a single village.
The Third, maintaining his image as a kind old man, smiled. "Fugaku, you've come. Please, sit."
Fugaku sat as instructed. "To what do I owe the honor of this meeting, Lord Third?"
The Hokage picked up his teacup. "Fugaku, it's been too long. It seems the Uchiha clan has been prospering lately. As patriarch, you deserve much of the credit."
"It's been adequate," Fugaku said calmly. "But the credit belongs to Kawasaki. It has little to do with me."
The Third clearly sensed the shift in Fugaku's attitude. He chuckled. "Your Uchiha restaurants are very popular in Konoha."
When Fugaku didn't respond, Sarutobi continued, "Fugaku, the village wishes to provide significant support to your business."
Fugaku raised an eyebrow. "And how does Lord Third intend to support us?"
The Third unrolled a map of Konoha and drew a circle on it. "All the Zhonghua Cuisine restaurants are concentrated on Eighth Street. The other streets have heavy foot traffic, and leaving them untapped is a great waste." He spoke with an air of sincerity. "I plan to reserve eight storefronts for you on every street from First to Seventh, allowing your business to cover all of Konoha."
Fugaku followed the Hokage's finger. The circle encompassed nearly all of Konoha's bustling commercial districts. If they opened restaurants on all those streets, the Uchiha's income would undoubtedly double. However…
"Lord Third," Fugaku said with an apologetic expression, "the Uchiha clan is short-staffed. We simply cannot manage so many new locations."
The Third nodded. "I've already considered that. The village will send personnel to handle the management. The Uchiha will only need to provide the technical training. We can then split the profits proportionally. What do you think, Fugaku?"
Fugaku sneered inwardly. So, this was about the recipes. "That won't be necessary, Lord Hokage. I believe the Uchiha's business is sufficient as it is. We have no spare capacity for expansion and no plans to open new stores at this time."
He stood up. "Clan affairs are demanding. If there is nothing else, I will take my leave." With that, Fugaku turned and walked out.
While the Uchiha's profits in Konoha were less than a tenth of the village's total revenue, the franchise fees Kawasaki had secured from the Land of Rice Paddies gave them more than enough capital. Fugaku was filled with confidence and no longer felt the need to cater to the Third Hokage.
Sarutobi did not try to stop him. He calmly rolled up the map. This was merely the polite opening to his gambit. He had long realized that he could no longer control the Uchiha as he once had.
In the Hidden Sand Village of the Land of Wind.
"This is the recipe for sour plum soup, this one is for grass jelly, and this is the secret formula for herbal tea," Kawasaki said, presenting one business plan after another to Rasa. "This collection includes dessert series, peach gum series, glutinous rice products, cough-suppressing drinks, and even poria cakes. Each one has detailed preparation instructions."
Rasa accepted the thick stack of documents. As a Kage, his strategic vision was sharp, and he immediately recognized the commercial opportunities they contained.
"I've carefully selected these products to suit the climate of the Land of Wind," Kawasaki explained. "Find a reliable partner to manage the business, and we will split the profits proportionally."
Rasa's brow furrowed. "What is your true objective?"
"As a Kage, your endorsement will naturally bring greater profits to my Uchiha clan," Kawasaki answered with a smile. He paused, adding emphasis to his next words. "At the same time, this is to find a powerful ally for the Uchiha."
The implication was clear to Rasa. The Uchiha clan currently stood at the apex of Konoha. They were unparalleled in both economic strength and high-level combat prowess. However, their overall power was still less than that of Konoha's allied clans combined. What the Uchiha needed most was time to grow. They had decided on a roundabout strategy: using economic power to pave the way for a bid for the Hokage title.
Kawasaki, the Uchiha's vice-patriarch, had been incredibly generous since his arrival. He had single-handedly solved the sealing problem that had plagued the Hidden Sand for years. After having multiple ninja verify it, Rasa confirmed that Kawasaki's sealing techniques were indeed extraordinary. His visit was clearly an act of goodwill.
Now, Gaara could choose whether or not to communicate with Shukaku, completely eliminating the risk of him losing control. This had also helped mend the relationship between Rasa and Gaara, making Rasa realize his many past mistakes. Though the process had been humbling, reality was a harsh teacher. The strong had always made the rules. Besides, all Kawasaki asked for was an alliance. It was a win-win situation Rasa had no reason to refuse.
"Very well! I agree. For as long as I, Rasa, am in power, the Uchiha will be our most steadfast ally."
A smile bloomed on Kawasaki's face. "With official business concluded, let's move on to private matters." Having secured Rasa's promise, Kawasaki relaxed into his seat.
"Oh?"
"Though the ninja world has endured three great wars, ambitious men have never disappeared," Kawasaki said. "Gaara's seal is stable, but as a jinchuriki, he will always be a target."
Rasa listened intently. The Land of Wind was relatively poor among the five great nations. The Daimyo had no interest in governance, and the Hidden Sand's budget was perpetually strained. This was why Rasa, a Kage, had to personally venture out to mine gold to supplement the village's finances. If not for this skill, the title of Kazekage might never have been his.
A jinchuriki should have been a strategic asset, but the Sand was short on talent and lacked sealing masters. As a result, the One-Tailed Shukaku had long been an asset they could only look at, not use. The previous jinchuriki, Bunpuku, had excellent control over Shukaku, and his pure heart had even earned the Tailed Beast's praise. However, political infighting among the Sand's leadership—with each faction unwilling to let another control the jinchuriki—led to Bunpuku being imprisoned until his old age, wasting countless opportunities.
"The Uchiha have received reliable intelligence," Kawasaki continued. "A powerful organization is plotting to capture the Tailed Beasts. Their strength is immense, and their influence will likely extend beyond just Konoha and the Sand. Gaara is part of their plan."
Rasa did not ask for the source of the intelligence; that was a secret he was not entitled to. But his heart tightened. Someone was targeting the Tailed Beasts, and his son was a jinchuriki. Everyone knew that once a Tailed Beast was extracted, its host would die. This was a direct threat to Gaara's life.
"What do you propose we do, Master Kawasaki?"
"I see great potential in Gaara. In the past, his rampages prevented him from receiving a proper education. For the next few years, Lord Kazekage, I suggest you focus on training him to face the crisis that is sure to come. Gaara has limitless potential. When he comes of age, he will be the ideal candidate for the next Kazekage."
A warmth spread through Rasa's chest. It was one thing for him to acknowledge his son, but to have him acknowledged by another was something else entirely. He had witnessed Kawasaki's power firsthand. For such a formidable individual to place such high hopes in Gaara was truly meaningful.
"Rest assured, Master Kawasaki," Rasa promised solemnly. "I will devote myself to raising Gaara."
"Aside from our business partnership, I came to deliver this news so you would be prepared."
Rasa felt a deep sense of unease. As the Uchiha vice-patriarch and a wielder of the Mangekyo Sharingan, a man of his stature would not issue such a specific warning without reason. But with this organization yet to reveal itself, all Rasa could do was bury his anxiety.
His business concluded, Kawasaki did not linger. He departed immediately. His primary reason for visiting the Land of Sand was Gaara. Now that he had established a bond, he hoped to bring the boy into his fold one day. Obito was already making his move in the Hidden Mist, which meant Kawasaki was running out of time.
Kawasaki spread out a map and studied it. The people he needed to recruit were in the Land of Grass and the Land of Waterfalls. The Land of Water, rich with talent, was far from the continent, requiring passage through the Land of Rivers and the Land of Fire. A normal merchant ship from the Land of Hot Water would take months to reach it, even longer in bad weather. The ships from the Hidden Cloud and Hidden Mist were faster, taking only a month, and were available at any time. Besides, Kawasaki did not want to reveal his movements just yet. Konoha and the Sand had an alliance, making travel between them easy, but passage through other nations was difficult.
He considered his options. He would have to send Itachi. He could go directly to the Land of Water himself.
Seeing nothing but rolling yellow sand and no people for miles, Kawasaki quickly wrote on a scroll, ordering Itachi to go to the Land of Grass to retrieve Karin, then to the Land of Waterfalls to capture Jugo. Those two were crucial for Orochimaru's research.
Kawasaki formed the hand seals.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
Poof