Uchiha's personal opinion

In the records, the Kaguya clan refers to the three holy sites as "remnants of the old era" and "monsters who use natural energy to harm people," but they do not clearly state the source or reason for this statement.

This led Uchiha Tokumitsu to consider other interpretations.

"Notify the family to collect information from the secret files regarding the three sacred sites of the summoning beasts."

Uchiha Tokumitsu summoned an Uchiha Jonin and gave him instructions.

He then fell into deep thought again.

Like the Uchiha clan, the Kaguya clan are also known as "descendants of the Otsutsuki clan".

However, perhaps due to the different bloodline powers they inherited, the Kaguya clan may appear more reckless.

But that doesn't mean they're completely brainless.

Since this is how the Kaguya clan records it, then the records within the Uchiha clan and the Hyuga clan's records about the three sacred lands might become quite interesting.

Moreover, the three holy sites likely held different attitudes toward the different ethnic groups descended from the Otsutsuki clan.

For example, the Uchiha clan has never had a contractor from the three holy lands, and the Kaguya clan regards the three holy lands as remnants and enemies.

However, these materials are too old; the ashes of the parties involved have probably all decayed, making it difficult to review them, which is truly regrettable.

However... there's always a way.

Uchiha Tokumitsu recalled the news that had come from the village earlier that day about Jiraiya's return.

After years of wandering, Jiraiya chose to return to the village after being rebuffed by the visitors from Mount Myōboku. Uchiha Tokumitsu would never believe that he didn't have the heart to continue fulfilling the unreasonable demands of those toads.

However, although Uchiha Tokumitsu was unwilling to believe those inexplicable prophecies, and did not think that lying down and waiting to be saved by the so-called "savior" was a good thing, he did not mind adding another obstacle to the so-called "prophecy".

"Send the order back to the village and have the police training school and ninja school launch an exchange program, so that outstanding students from the ninja school can go to the police school for a period of study."

Uchiha Tokumitsu summoned another attendant ninja and instructed him, "Also, there is a student at the Ninja Academy named Namikaze Minato. Make sure to transfer him to the Police Academy."

"As ordered!"

The attendant ninja was ordered to leave.

Uchiha Tokumitsu fell into deep thought once again.

Jiraiya once wandered the ninja world for many years in search of the so-called savior, which shows that even the giant toad of Mount Myōboku could not be sure where the "savior" was.

However, Uchiha Tokumitsu, with his innate advantage of a God's-eye view, naturally understood that the so-called savior was the reincarnation of Indra and Ashura.

Moreover, searching at this point is pointless.

Because the current incarnation of Indra is still alive, and is becoming increasingly active.

"Age spots...you're still not in your grave?"

Uchiha Tokumitsu missed his ancestor for the nth time.

Chapter 261 Strategic Deception

In addition to assigning some of his attendant ninjas to collect and organize information from various ninja clans about the so-called Three Great Holy Lands, Uchiha Tokumitsu also began issuing secret missions to the Seii 3rd Column stationed in the southern islands of the Land of Water, ordering them to send people back to the Kirigakure-controlled area of ​​the Land of Water to gather intelligence.

In addition, Uchiha Tokumitsu fabricated a large number of fake arms trade contracts to confuse the public and issued a large number of arms procurement requests to his clan and affiliated ninja clans. In this way, he secretly accumulated military equipment while providing financial support to his clan and allies.

Conquering Kirigakure and capturing Uchiha Madara was by no means an easy task, so Uchiha Tokumitsu was on high alert, preparing for the battle and employing strategic deception.

After some time of turmoil, Kirigakure, who had returned from the battlefield of the Land of Lightning, finally received the shogunate's "visa permission" and successfully arrived at Fubuki Castle in the Land of Whirlpools aboard a Kirigakure ironclad ship that needed to be sent back to the shipyard for major repairs.

The arrival of the envoy did not disrupt the shogunate's military preparations. Right at the port, Biwa Juzo saw no fewer than ten black-lacquered ironclad warships docked at their berths. The enclosed port shipyard was filled with the clanging and banging of ships, and no one knew how many warships were under construction there.

Pipa Juzo felt somewhat heavy-hearted.

The Hidden Mist Village also had a shipyard built with the assistance of the Tokugawa Shogunate, but its technical level was really limited. It could only perform routine maintenance, and war-damaged ships had to be returned to the original shipyard for major repairs, which also limited the frequency of use of the Hidden Mist Ironclad Ships.

It wasn't that Kirigakure didn't want to maintain and repair their own warships; rather, their technical skills were indeed limited. Even though the shipyard technicians who provided assistance were willing to teach without reservation, Kirigakure still couldn't train many capable or competent workers.

This was also a regret for Uchiha Tokumitsu.

After all, the research and development and iterative updates of chakra technology require a lot of human and material resources. Because Kirigakure was not brought into this chakra technology arms race, Kirigakure's investment in conventional ninjas will not be affected, and the difficulty of conquering Kirigakure in the future has not been reduced.

However, Uchiha Tokumitsu thought for a moment and came up with a new way to trick people.

……

"General Deguang, I have come to pay my respects on the orders of Lord Mizukage of this village."

Uchiha Tokumitsu received Biwa Juzo and Chikunashi Atsushi in the Shogunate's main hall. After not seeing each other for many days, Biwa Juzo's aura had become calm and refined after his experience on the battlefield of the Land of Lightning, and he seemed to have made considerable progress in strength.

Judging from the gesture of bowing alone, Juzo Biwa's strength should now surpass that of the deceased Suigetsu Hobutsuki.

It seems that Kirigakure is not to be underestimated; we need to be even more thorough in our war preparations...

Uchiha Tokumitsu pondered to himself.

"You're too kind, please have a seat, envoys..."

Uchiha Tokumitsu nodded imperceptibly. "It's been a long time. How is the Mizukage-sama?"

"Lord Mizukage is currently on the front lines in the Land of Lightning, overseeing the war effort. He is doing well."

Pipa Juzo said solemnly, "I have come here on orders mainly because I have three requests to make of the shogunate..."

"Go ahead."

Uchiha Tokumitsu nodded.

"First, we request General Deguang to send more manpower to help us expand the shipyard..."

"That's what Pipa Juzo said."

This is a crucial probing question.

According to the envoy of the Daimyo of the Land of Water, Uchiha Tokumitsu seems to have intentions that are detrimental to the Land of Water and Kirigakure, and therefore demands that Kirigakure withdraw its troops to defend the area.

The reason for requesting aid was to see if the Tokugawa Shogunate still viewed Kirigakure as a profitable trading partner as before.

"can!"

After a moment's thought, Uchiha Tokumitsu nodded in agreement: "However, it will cost extra!"

"...Money is no problem."

Pipa Juzo breathed a sigh of relief.

The fact that they are still willing to do business with Kirigakure shows that the Tokugawa Shogunate doesn't have many plans for the time being.

Perhaps it was just that the envoy of the daimyo of the Land of Water angered him, and he felt weak in the knees after being frightened by a few words.

Hibiki Juzo glanced at Konoe Atsushi with a disdainful look.

"Thank you for your assistance, Lord Deguang."

Pipa Juzo bowed again and said respectfully, "This shows that the friendship between Kirigakure and the Shogunate will last forever."

"Of course!"

Uchiha Tokumitsu also agreed: "We are an unbreakable alliance!"

After exchanging various platitudes and compliments, Pipa Juzo continued.

"Our village plans to hire a portion of the ninja army from the shogunate to fight on the battlefield in the Land of Lightning. I wonder if this is feasible..."

"This is inappropriate."

Uchiha Tokumitsu immediately shook his head in refusal. He then explained, "The various ninja armies of the shogunate have been incorporated into the governor's office and are now the standing ninja armies of the Land of Fire. They are no longer the private armies they once were, so it is not convenient for them to participate in the battlefield of Kumogakure, where a ceasefire agreement has been signed."

"However, if Kirigakure is interested, I can introduce you to Mr. Hanzo's Rain Ninja Army, which is also a well-equipped and elite force..."

Uchiha Tokumitsu offered his advice with great enthusiasm.

Pipa Juzo felt a sense of relief once again.

Although the Tokugawa Shogunate rejected Kirigakure's offer of a war contract, this was understandable.

Given the immense wealth of the shogunate, only a fool like Uchiha Tokumitsu would be willing to send his ninja army to a battlefield beyond his control to earn a meager commission.

"Amegakure..."

Juzo Biwa wasn't disappointed. After all, the request was part of a test, and whether it succeeded or not didn't matter much.

"Then forget it. After all, they're no match for the Uchiha clan's ninja army. Even if we hired them, they wouldn't be of much use..."

Like Kirigakure, Amegakure primarily specializes in Water Release ninjutsu. Although the two villages have different styles of ninjutsu, ninjutsu of the same element cannot provide elemental advantage on the battlefield. Therefore, Kirigakure has no intention of wasting money hiring Amegakure.

"In addition, there is the matter of expanding arms procurement..."

Pipa Juzo took a deep breath and made his most important request: "Our village plans to purchase four more ironclad warships, as well as a batch of specially made explosive tags, kunai, and other ninja tools."

"The Mist Village is making unstoppable progress on the battlefield of the Land of Lightning, and the Shogunate's military equipment has repeatedly shone brightly in the battles. As the supplier, I am naturally very gratified..."

As Uchiha Tokumitsu spoke, he nodded, and a hint of difficulty appeared on his face.

"However... recent arms production may be slightly insufficient."

Pipa Juzo's face remained expressionless, though he showed some regret, but his heart tightened.

The reason for proposing the purchase of military equipment is that Kirigakure has also learned that Konoha has stepped up the production and stockpiling of military supplies, but does not know where they intend to use them.

Based on past experience, ninja tools, especially special items like explosive tags, are usually prepared three to five months before a battle. This is because storing ninja tools carries a certain risk; they might explode at any time due to some inexplicable chakra fluctuation. Moreover, storing them for too long may reduce the power of the explosive tags.

"Although the supply of ninja tools may not be able to keep up, the ironclad ships are still fine. If Kirigakure needs them, we can sell up to six ready-made warships at once..."

With a warm smile on his face, Uchiha Tokumitsu promoted the product to Biwa Juzo.

"Four ironclad warships would suffice... but it would be such a waste if we didn't have enough ninja tools..."

Pipa Juzo's tone was somewhat regretful, but then another question came to mind.

It is confirmed intelligence that the shogunate and Konoha have stockpiled large quantities of military supplies, but Uchiha Tokumitsu claims that the supply is insufficient...

So, if the intention wasn't to attack Kirigakure, where were those military supplies intended to be used?

Even the shogunate could sell ironclad warships that were invincible in naval battles, so why didn't they even plan to export ninja tools that had no technological content?

While pondering in his mind, Pipa Juzo continued his conversation with Uchiha Tokumitsu.

Suddenly, Juzo Biwa thought of another possibility—

"Could it be that someone pre-ordered ninja tools from the Shogunate?!"

Thinking about this, he immediately felt a chill run down his spine.