Naruto: I'm really not an evil scientist!

Chapter 86 The Widow

Because everyone anticipated that this war would be exceptionally fierce.

This highest-level war mobilization incorporated all men and women capable of fighting into the combat ranks.

In the past, Konoha would never have acted this way, since some people always had to be left to protect their homeland.

But now, perhaps the war is so fierce that we have to exert all our strength to avoid worrying about the rear being empty, since the enemy is still on the battlefield.

Hiruko stared at the ninja roster and couldn't help but sigh, "Twelve thousand people? Konoha has fallen so weak, yet they still insist on conscripting them."

He raised his hand to rub his forehead, his gaze falling on the roster handed over by Minato Namikaze, and sighed again, "The Third Shinobi World War was too difficult, greatly reducing Konoha's manpower."

Konoha follows a system of one ninja number per person. Naruto's ninja number is 012607. This shows that since then, the total number of Konoha ninjas throughout history has been no more than ten thousand.

However, this only includes those on record; many members of each family are not included in the ninja statistics.

However, considering the battlefield achievements and commemorative significance of ninjas throughout history, and combining statistics from various sources, the actual number of people in Konoha may only be slightly over ten thousand.

Therefore, apart from the major clans, the other mission teams in Konoha are mostly led by a few elites and a majority of mediocre fighters.

These people who joined Konoha were either not formally incorporated into the organization for various reasons, or even had unknown origins; everyone knew this without saying a word.

In these turbulent times, everyone in Konoha knew that this war would be incredibly difficult, but in order to protect their homeland, they had no choice but to step forward, even if it meant facing mountains of knives and seas of fire.

As Hiruko looked at the list, he pondered to himself.

The reason why the Konoha Ninja Academy's training model for ninjas is so elite is entirely due to limited resources. These resources can only be concentrated on a small number of promising talents who have the potential to become main force officers.

It was an extremely unrestrained upbringing, but in reality, it was a last resort.

Of the dozen or so students, only nine were chosen by the Jonin for special training. Even if an ordinary person worked hard their whole life, they would only reach the Chunin level.

Those like the 12 Konoha Genin are the true Jonin-level talents.

Although Neji died young, he was still a Jonin.

The reason things are so awkward is simply because we don't have enough money.

Konoha simply doesn't have enough funds to train ninjas on a large scale.

Even 12 years later, when Konoha's economic situation had improved, there was still not enough money to expand the ninja force on a large scale.

This problem was even more serious 12 years ago, when Konoha's finances were in dire straits.

Fortunately, there was Biluhu, who managed to secure sufficient military funds on these occasions.

Minato Namikaze began the final check of the war supplies.

Having experienced numerous high-intensity wars, Konoha has extremely rich experience in this area, and there are ready-made templates for war preparation materials.

Hiruko also added many new things he developed himself to the template, such as new types of liquid fuel, the latest healing agents, and the latest grenades and detonators.

Ninjas value simplicity and patience, but Hiruko doesn't buy into that.

He needs to survive so that these ninjas can work for him.

Without sufficient manpower, when will he be able to initiate a capitalist revolution in the ninja world?

Therefore, in this war, it is essential to ensure that enough ninjas survive and that there is sufficient combat power to support the vast organization of Konoha, so that his plan can be implemented.

Moreover, money is inherently designed for circulation and spending.

Therefore, Hiruko and Minato Namikaze naturally agreed to arm all the ninjas participating in this operation to the maximum extent.

After a moment's hesitation, Hiruko surprisingly included three novelties—ice cola, ice cream, and chocolate—into the Allied Shinobi Forces' essential supplies list.

As for the reason, he naturally referred to the standards of enjoyment of troops similar to those in the United States.

If the enemy captures these items on the battlefield, their morale may be severely damaged.

Moreover, Hiruko was secretly planning to make a fortune by selling iced cola and ice cream.

When Minato Namikaze saw the list of supplies, he hesitated for a moment, but eventually nodded in agreement.

This time, we borrowed a lot of money from the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, so purchasing some extra supplies shouldn't be a problem.

Hirukoya was basically provided at cost price.

After all, on the battlefield, if ninjas could enjoy iced cola, ice cream, and chocolate, their morale would surely be greatly boosted.

Under Hiruko's leadership, everyone began to work on boosting morale.

The Uchiha clan's stronghold.

The meal they enjoyed today was entirely booked at the most upscale hotel in Biluhu and was extremely lavish.

This tradition has a long history. The Uchiha clan established a rule long ago that before every major battle, they must gather together for a good meal and sit around chatting.

However, the atmosphere at today's meal was unusually somber, so somber that the young Itachi Uchiha could hardly breathe.

Mrs. Uchiha Mikoto held Sasuke in her arms. Dressed in black, she gave off the feeling of a widow, and looked at her clansmen with a sorrowful expression.

How many of her relatives will come back?

Before this, Itachi would occasionally attend the funerals of Uchiha clan ninjas, where everyone was dressed in black and looked solemn and dignified.

But today, Itachi Uchiha was filled with grief. He wanted to cry out and stop his clansmen from going to the battlefield where they faced certain death, but he couldn't do it.

His power was meager, and in the face of this cruel reality, he was powerless to change any predetermined course, simply because he was the son of Uchiha Fugaku.

He sat quietly beside his father, his face displaying the same unwavering support as his family.

At this moment, no one complained about Konoha; they had long regarded Konoha as their home.

When other countries attempt to invade their homes, they must stand up and make a choice.

"May you have great success in your military endeavors!!!"

Without much conversation, after enjoying the sumptuous meal, everyone got up and went home to have a final reunion with their families.

Tomorrow morning, they will set off for the battlefield, and tonight is destined to be a sleepless night.

After everyone left, Fugaku Uchiha took Itachi Uchiha to his room.

The room was dimly lit, with only a faint light flickering.

"Itachi, if I die, you will naturally be the next head of the family." Hearing his father's words, Itachi Uchiha felt a pang of anxiety.

But he understood that he could not go against his father's will, just as his father could not go against the cruel rules of this world.

Itachi knelt on the ground, looking at his father with devout and firm eyes, and said, "Father, you will definitely come back safely. I will take good care of Mother and my younger brother."

"Perhaps." Fugaku Uchiha sighed softly. At this moment, he didn't want to hear his son's auspicious words; he had a much heavier worry in his heart.

"Itachi, you seem confused."

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