Uchiha's personal opinion

In the past, in order to raise funds for military expansion, the Kage of the major ninja villages would either shamelessly beg the daimyo and nobles for money, forcibly impose contributions on the village's powerful ninja clans, or increase the commission for missions, often causing a lot of trouble.

But if bonds are used as packaging and interest is used as bait, wouldn't it be easier to extract money from the pockets of nobles and aristocrats?

After all, with the constant depletion of resources during the war, even the wealthiest village, Konoha, felt that it didn't have enough money to spend, and the other ninja villages were even more impoverished.

Therefore, before Konoha Village's bonds were officially issued, Kumogakure and Sunagakure each announced bond plans worth billions of yen, and promoted that there were no purchase thresholds, and even rival ninja villages could buy them at will.

Cloud Hidden, Sand Hidden: You韭菜 (leeks, a term for inexperienced investors)! Time to collect your gold coins!

This news also caused a stir when it reached Konoha.

I thought it would be quite impressive if the Uchiha clan raised 250 million yen through bond issuance, and it would be pretty good if the village planned to issue 500 million yen in bonds. I didn't expect the other ninja villages to have even bigger ambitions!

Now it was the Hokage faction's turn to get restless.

Because the purpose of Yunyin's bond issuance is to fund military expenses.

Yes! It's blatantly written that it's for raising military funds!

The bonds issued by Sunagakure are for the purpose of reclaiming lost territory—Sunagakure regards the Land of Rivers as lost territory!

However, the Land of Rivers is currently controlled by Konoha's western border defense forces!

It was thought that as the war subsided, internal affairs could be reorganized and the ever-expanding power of Hatake Sakumo and Uchiha Tokumitsu could be curbed. However, it now seems that the intensity of the Fourth Shinobi World War may actually escalate to a new level.

After some internal discussions, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, decided to convene an expanded meeting of Konoha's high-ranking officials to discuss countermeasures.

Uchiha Tokumitsu, who had already returned to his eastern base, also received a notification to attend the meeting.

……

"I understand, and I will attend the meeting on time."

In the central command tent of the eastern border defense forces, Uchiha Tokumitsu spoke to the ANBU who had come to deliver the message.

The Ashina clan chief of the Uzumaki clan, who had come from afar, sat in the tent without any attempt to avoid them, nor did he seem worried that the Anbu would spread rumors upon their return.

Since we've chosen to ally with the Uchiha clan, let's stick to it to the end!

This is Ashina's strategy.

In retrospect, the benefits this alliance strategy brought to the Vortex Clan are obvious.

The smuggling activities of the Uchiha clan and the Hidden Mist clan did not hide from the Uzumaki ninja, and Uchiha Tokumitsu even planned to bring the Uzumaki clan into the fray to share the profits.

“Tokuko-kun, the Land of Whirlpools is a thing of the past. The Uchiha clan is willing to invest in its reconstruction, and we will certainly give our full support.”

Ashina Uzumaki expressed his gratitude for Tokumitsu Uchiha's respect for his ally.

With the 50 million ryo raised through the "Uzuki Country Product Revitalization Bonds" jointly issued with the Uzumaki clan, Uchiha Tokumitsu planned to invest in building various infrastructure projects in his homeland of Uzuki Country.

Although the amount of money is not much, it is enough to build warehouses, docks, and simple shipyards that may be used for other purposes in the future for 'special border trade'.

Tempted by the prospect of returning to the Land of Whirlpools, Ashina Uzumaki, on behalf of his clan, expressed appropriate understanding regarding conducting trade with the Hidden Mist Clan, with whom he had a deep-seated hatred for the destruction of his country.

"In any case, the Land of Whirlpools is, after all, the homeland of the Uzumaki clan, and the blood feud is unforgettable..."

Uchiha Tokumitsu naturally affirmed and praised Uzumaki Ashina's statement: "It's just the reality. Whether it's rebuilding our homeland or expanding our clan, we need huge sums of money to support us, so... we've wronged the Uzumaki clan."

"De Guang-kun, you flatter me... A tailed beast without chakra is less useful than a ninja dog. There are many reasons why the Uzumaki clan has fallen to this state, but the help from the Uchiha clan is what we are truly grateful for. As for personal honor and disgrace, they are nothing to us..."

Ashina Uzumaki was also filled with emotion.

"As fellow ninjas, it is only natural for us to watch out for and help each other!"

Uchiha Tokumitsu said happily.

The reason for choosing to involve the Uzumaki clan in the border trade with Kirigakure is that the most troubling issue for Uchiha Tokumitsu is that the Uchiha clan is running out of manpower.

This is also related to the Uchiha clan's rapid expansion of power.

Today, the relative scarcity of human resources has become a major constraint on the development speed of the Uchiha clan.

First, there was the Northwest Border Defense Force, currently under the command of Uchiha Hamon; then the reorganized Police Department; and most recently, the Eastern Border Defense Force; and the newly established Namakawa Stock Exchange…

Amidst a multitude of disparate groups, including numerous officials and soldiers, the Uchiha clan's unemployed ninjas quickly scattered in all directions, and even the clan ninjas directly led by the elders of various factions were all drawn away.

The number of clan members is limited, but the power and positions gained during the expansion of the clan, as well as the new jobs created during the development process, are constantly increasing.

Uchiha Tokumitsu's advice was to "focus on the big picture and let go of the small details."

In the past, it was understandable that the Uchiha clan valued their positions in the police department because they were firmly bound to it. However, with Uchiha Tokumitsu's continuous expansion through his conquests, the Uchiha clan members were no longer sufficient to cover all the positions. Introducing affiliated ninja clans as a supplementary force was a good option.

The eastern border defense force currently under the command of Uchiha Tokumitsu is an attempt at this model.

"Now that we live in an era of great powers, the strength of the ninja clans is no longer adequate for the extreme intensity of the Ninja World War. We must unite closely to resist any potential risks."

Ashina Uzumaki also deeply agreed.

Uchiha Tokumitsu was very pleased that the Ashina clan chief was able to convince himself.

"What are your thoughts on the expanded meeting regarding the village?"

Ashina Uzumaki returned to the meeting topic discussed by the Dark Guard.

"The Cloud Village is ambitious, and the Sand Village is still unwilling to give up."

Uchiha Tokumitsu scoffed at the bond plans of Kumogakure and Kirigakure, saying, "It's nothing more than old wine in new bottles, just to extract money from the daimyo's treasury."

"It seems that Tokumitsu-kun is very confident! Then the Uzumaki clan will not participate in the discussion and will only need to support the Uchiha!"

Ashina stroked his long beard and nodded repeatedly in flattery.

"With Chief Ashina's words, I'm sure this meeting will be a success!"

Uchiha Tokumitsu laughed heartily.

In response to the various bonds issued by other ninja villages, Uchiha Tokumitsu devised a "credit rating system" and planned to propose it at a high-level meeting in Konoha.

While it may not have an immediate effect on bonds issued by other ninja villages, it will at least influence Konoha's independent bond issuance.

This achieves Uchiha Tokumitsu's goal of controlling the securities market.

……

In the conference room of the Hokage Building, high-ranking officials, including the heads of various ninja clans, the leaders of Konoha's various departments, and the commanders of the border defense forces, were all present at the meeting.

The main reason is that the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, named this meeting the "Konoha High-Level Meeting." If anyone doesn't attend, wouldn't they feel like they're not part of the high-level leadership?

After a day of arduous travel, Uchiha Tokumitsu and the Uzumaki clan leader arrived at the venue at the last minute.

As soon as he sat down, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, led two advisors into the conference room.

"Gentlemen, I believe you all know the purpose of this meeting without me having to say more..." After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, got straight to the point: "Kumakuha and Sunagakure are ambitious and are trying to raise military funds by issuing bonds, which is detrimental to Konoha. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss a countermeasure."

"The village is planning to increase the amount of bonds issued, with the total amount of funds to be raised tentatively set at 2 billion taels. What do you all think?"

Koharu, who was turning over a new bed, continued.

"This is a critical moment. We urge everyone to donate generously, work together, and overcome this difficult time for the village!"

Mitomon provided supplementary information, setting the tone for the meeting.

So the purpose of the meeting was just to freeload!

The ninja leaders all lowered their heads and remained silent.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, sat calmly in his seat, without uttering a word.

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu turned their gazes toward the Uchiha and Hyuga clans.

Under the watchful gaze of the advisor elder, the Hyuga clan leader could no longer withstand it.

He sighed inwardly, just as he was about to speak up and offer to sacrifice his own flesh, Uchiha Tokumitsu spoke first.

"Does the Daimyo intend to abandon Konoha?"

Uchiha Tokumitsu shouted, "We are here to protect the land for the Daimyo. Are we supposed to raise our own funds for the war? Wouldn't that mean even the guard dogs we keep at home have to find their own bones to eat? How could such an absurd thing happen in the ninja world!"

"That's not the case! It's just that the daimyo's funds are also limited, so the village resorted to this tactic in order to raise more funds for the military."

Mitokado Yan quickly said.

Although powerful ninjas generally don't take daimyo seriously, they still can't openly criticize them too recklessly.

In particular, the legitimacy of the Hokage position also depends on the support of the Daimyo. The village's ninjas cannot be allowed to disrespect the Daimyo, otherwise the Hokage's power will be questioned.

"Since the Daimyo is already paying, why do the ninja clans still need to raise funds to buy bonds!"

Chief Anma immediately stepped forward as well.

The Uchiha clan chief gave him an approving look.

"Through our efforts, the Daimyo is prepared to allocate an additional two billion yen as supplementary military funds. However, according to the village's estimates, to cope with the expanded armies of Kumogakure and Sunagakure, the village needs at least four billion yen in military funds as reserves, so..."

So they're going after the ninja clan to freeload?!

The leaders of the ninja clans harbored endless slander in their hearts.

"Then announce the issuance of 10 billion!"

"Uchiha Tokumitsu said."

"Ten billion!"

Not only the ninja clan leader, but even the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was maintaining a calm demeanor, was stunned.

"Utterly absurd!"

The Nara clan chief immediately jumped out to refute: "Let's not even talk about whether we have that much money. Even if we borrowed it, the village wouldn't be able to pay back the interest!"

"What's the rush! Lord Deguang hasn't finished speaking yet!"

The Shiranui clan chief immediately jumped up and retorted.

"Quiet!"

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, lightly tapped the table with his pipe.

"Nominally issue 10 billion, but actually ask the daimyo for 4 billion, and the village raises another 1 billion on its own, I think that should be about right..."

Uchiha Tokumitsu's words shocked everyone: "The village's military expenditure shortfall is 4 billion yen. If the daimyo contributes 2 billion yen, it's equivalent to half; but if the village's funding shortfall is 10 billion yen, then the daimyo's contribution of 4 billion yen only accounts for 40%!"

"This...isn't this deceiving the daimyo?"

Mitokado Yan murmured.

"What deception? We protect the Land of Fire to protect the Daimyo and the nobles. This is the Daimyo's responsibility!"