Uchiha's personal opinion

This powerful body was known to the public as the "Military Affairs Office".

On the Konoha side, Sakumo Hatake, Yomo Uchiha, Tsunade Senju, Homura Mitokado, and the heads of various departments of Konoha were all members; while the Shogunate appointed the Guiyi three clans to represent Kirigakure, and the Red Guard to represent the Shogunate's direct ninja army. In addition, the leaders of the affiliated ninja clans who were responsible for the affairs of the joint company were also able to join the high-level ranks. The leader of Kusagakure, Akira, also got a ticket to the Supreme Council, successfully realizing his long-cherished wish to be "on equal footing" with Hanzo of the Salamander, who was also a member of the Military Intelligence Bureau.

In short, this is a power structure that takes care of all the forces, groups, and families under Uchiha Tokumitsu's command.

However, due to the presence of Uchiha Tokumitsu, the Military Affairs Department not only avoided any wrangling, but under his personal leadership and supervision, all parties were highly motivated and focused all their energy on the intensive preparations for war.

"...The economic vulnerability of the Land of Lightning is truly shocking!"

Sakumo Hatake shook his head repeatedly as he looked at the report.

I had thought that when we gathered all our strength to launch a surprise attack on Mount Myōboku, we would need to reserve enough power to guard against Kumogakure and Iwagakure suddenly going berserk. But now it seems that we don’t need to worry too much about them.

"However, this time, it's probably because the Hidden Cloud Village exploited us too much..."

Even Tsunade was amazed, finding the level of taxation, or rather "plundering," by Kumogakure unbelievable.

Following the "Rice Riot" that broke out in the Land of Earth, the Land of Lightning also fell into a rebellion among the lower and middle classes outside of the alliance of ninjas and daimyo.

However, what makes this large-scale rebellion in the Land of Lightning different is that a large number of lower-ranking nobles, samurai, and even monks have actively joined the rebellion and assumed important core leadership roles.

In order to raise funds and resources for the expansion of the Cloud Village's military, the Taira clan daimyo of the Land of Lightning once again ordered a nationwide tax increase, and this time even the nobles were not spared, all of whom were subject to heavy taxes!

To avoid "getting their hands dirty," the daimyo delegated the tax collection task to the Cloud Village ninja. As a result, the already draconian tax increase immediately turned into a complete catastrophe.

The daimyo of the Land of Lightning demanded that all farmers in the Land of Lightning, regardless of their wealth, pay a tax equivalent to the land tax. Under this heavy burden, some poor people had no choice but to donate their land to temples or local nobles in order to have them pay the taxes so that they could barely survive. As for the rich farmers and small landowners, although they managed to pay their taxes, they were also severely weakened as a result.

If that were all, it would be fine, but the second tax was imposed on all the common people of the Land of Lightning: regardless of their profession, they had to pay a head tax of one thousand taels.

Although the lower and middle nobles and temples were dissatisfied this time, they still paid their taxes obediently because they could gain some benefits from the tax increase and because the fierce and ruthless Cloud Village ninjas were indeed not to be trifled with. As a result, the rich farmers, small landowners, and merchants were also severely weakened.

But that wasn't the end of it. Then came a whole host of taxes, such as the "roof ridge money" calculated based on the number of roof ridges, the "field money" calculated based on the area of ​​the land, and the "stone money" calculated based on the amount of family wealth. The minor nobles and temples were immediately exploited to the point of near collapse, while the landlords and merchants simply went bankrupt.

But that wasn't the end of it. Since the tax collection in the Land of Lightning was personally overseen by A, the designated successor to the Raikage, the Cloud Village ninjas, still not satisfied, first announced that all mines, ironworks, and other assets within the country that might be involved in military production would be "nationalized"—that is, owned by the Cloud Village. Then they introduced a super tax that completely drove the minor nobles and temples into rebellion—the Gold Exchange Decree.

In short, it meant that all local nobles and temples should hand over their hoards of gold and other precious metals in exchange for the country's paper money, which had long been devalued beyond recognition and was even rejected by the Cloud Village ninjas for tax payments.

As a result, apart from the Daimyo Prefecture and the Kinki region, all the territory under the actual control of the Land of Lightning was lost overnight. Bankrupt nobles and landless peasants immediately colluded, relied on the power of samurai to drive out the local tax-collecting ninjas, and announced that they would no longer fulfill their tax obligations.

The temple directly organized its warrior monks and gathered samurai among its followers to launch the "Ikki Movement," killing the ninjas who were committing all sorts of evil deeds in the area.

From then on, the Land of Lightning was thrown into chaos.

The "achievements" of Uchiha Nakagen's internal affairs department and the Hyuga clan leader's intelligence department, which had been planning for so long, were simply insignificant compared to the atrocities committed by the Cloud Village ninja in just half a month!

Therefore, during this meeting of the Military Affairs Department, Uchiha Nakagen took advantage of being the father of Uchiha Tokumitsu to make a "sick leave," while the usually proud Hyuga clan leader huddled in a corner and didn't dare to raise his head.

"However... the Land of Earth is still a bit lacking!"

While the Cloud Village's self-conquest strategy in the Land of Lightning was incredibly effective, the "industrial innovation" plan promoted by the Iwagakure in the Land of Earth only affected a portion of wealthy merchants and did not lead to a nationwide rebellion like that in the Land of Lightning.

"The intelligence department needs to step up its efforts..."

Sakumo Hatake also mentioned it briefly.

Of course, the work results of the Internal Affairs Department were also rather average, but unfortunately, its head was Uchiha Tokumitsu's father, so Hatake Sakumo naturally couldn't say anything. Thus, the Hyuga clan head had no choice but to bear all the blame alone.

"The intelligence department aims to instigate another rice riot in the southern region of the Land of Earth within a month!"

The Hyuga clan chief quickly patted his chest and said...

Of course, there's a technique to this statement.

The southern region of the Land of Earth has been designated as a demilitarized zone, and the Iwagakure garrison is limited to a thousand people. Most of the areas that have experienced riots have not yet been completely quelled, and the intelligence department has also planted a considerable number of agents. Therefore, it is not difficult to launch a "rice riot".

If only Iwagakure were as "sensible" as Kumogakure...

The Hyuga clan leader couldn't help but feel sorry for the Iwagakure ninja's granite-like head.

Why don't you just raise taxes?!

"In addition, the charity under the United Company provides porridge and relief in the border areas."

Uchiha Tokumitsu gave the order again.

Perhaps for backward countries like the Land of Earth and the Land of Lightning, those bankrupt civilians are of no use except for causing trouble, but for the United Corporation, which is best at exploiting surplus value, these bankrupt civilians who have fled are the perfect assets.

Moreover, the company's numerous workshops, mines, and farms have always been short of workers, so it would be a shame not to take this opportunity to recruit more "lifetime contract workers" to contribute their talents.

……

"Kuroko!"

After a long absence, Afei excitedly rushed into Black Zetsu's secret base, entering Black Zetsu's most important research lab without any hindrance, as if he were in a place where White Zetsu did not exist. Along the way, he accidentally dismantled a few strange-looking "Ironwood Combination Toys".

"What are you doing!"

Enraged, Black Zetsu roared, "Ah Fei! Are you trying to rebel?!"

With a cold expression, Scorpion looked the strange man up and down, who had destroyed several of his high-level puppets, and was filled with apprehension.

"That's right! We're going to rebel!"

Ah Fei danced with joy and cheered.

"What did you say!"

Black Zetsu's anger vanished instantly, and he quickly advised, "You are Lord Madara's most trusted White Zetsu, please don't act impulsively and make a mistake!"

"What are you barking about, you dog?!"

Tobi continued to express his excitement through various strange poses: "The Land of Earth! And the Land of Lightning are in chaos! We're going to rebel too!"

"What's the matter?"

Black Zetsu, who had been holed up in his secret base, was unaware of the recent changes in the ninja world.

Of course, it never imagined the world would change so quickly!

"Look!"

As if by magic, Afei pulled out a newspaper and displayed it in front of Black Zetsu and Sasori.

"Lessons and Countermeasures from the First Economic Crisis in the Shinobi World..."

Black Zetsu read out the newspaper's headline: "...Commentary writer Uchiha Tokumitsu?"

"You've willingly accepted Uchiha Tokumitsu's poison again!"

Before even reading the contents, Black Zetsu immediately flew into a rage: "I think you've been brainwashed by Uchiha Tokumitsu! You've forgotten the glory and dream of dedicating your life to Lord Madara!"

"I didn't do it, I didn't! Don't talk nonsense!"

Afei immediately jumped up and retorted, "I think you're the one who's going to give up on Lord Ban's ideals!"

"You, spending all your time holed up in the cave with this weird brat, are not only unambitious but also wasting the precious resources used to create White Zetsu by making useless ironwood toys!"

Afei pointed to the hundreds of human puppets placed around and said, "You! Kuroko—you are the traitor among the White Zetsu!"

"What nonsense are you spouting!"

This time it was Black Zetsu's turn to get angry.

Unlike Tobi, who possesses Wood Release, if he lost his loyalty to Madara, he wouldn't be able to control so many White Zetsu!

The reason why the corpses of the ninjas who created White Zetsu were used to create human puppets was because the newly created White Zetsu only listened to Tobi and not to the words of the dignified Lord Black Zetsu!

But these words couldn't be said to his face, so he could only argue with Tobi, who was determined to return to the southern part of the Land of Earth and recreate the glorious moment of the "Rice Riot".

Scorpion simply stood silently to the side, listening to the argument between the two strange men, one in black and one in white.

but……

"So much information!"

……

As Konoha's intelligence department continues to increase its investment, the common people of the Land of Earth, who have been harassed by the Iwagakure ninjas who are leading the "industrial innovation," have once again learned the "Southern Spirit" and started another round of riots.

This time, however, the conflict broke out directly in the western region of the Land of Earth. Although it didn't plunge the entire country into war like the Land of Lightning, the western region is the Land of Earth's mineral-producing area, and the unrest directly affected Iwagakure's military preparations.

Thus, the Iwagakure ninjas began a merciless massacre, annihilating all the rebellious civilians.

This time, Iwagakure was not threatened by the shogunate's ninja army. Moreover, in order not to give the shogunate a chance to intervene, Iwagakure was serious and completely subjugated the entire western region in just two days.

The southern region, which had just been preparing for a major event, quickly calmed down as a result.

However, thanks to the efforts of Konoha's intelligence department, the Land of Earth fell into an absolute state of "non-resistance and non-cooperation."

Farmers stopped cultivating the land, merchants frantically liquidated their stocks in an attempt to transfer their assets, and minor nobles who were not qualified to attend the meetings in Daimyo Prefecture secretly used large sums of money to buy bonds on the Naga River Stock Exchange. As for the circulation of goods within the Land of Earth, it fell into complete paralysis.

The daimyo of the Land of Earth, Tachibana, thought this was just a protest from the bandits, so he hypocritically condemned the Iwagakure ninja's "excessive behavior" but had no intention of punishing them.

As a result, the outflow of gold from the Land of Earth became even more severe.

In order to prevent the gold reserves from being depleted by a run on the bank, the daimyo of the Land of Earth had to announce that he would start limiting the amount of gold that could be redeemed, thus reducing the scale of the exchange in an attempt to weather the run on the bank.

However, things didn't go as planned. Although the Land of Earth's paper money couldn't be exchanged for gold coins, the small and medium-sized nobles and wealthy merchants who still had some savings immediately transferred their last assets to the shogunate's territory after learning about the Land of Lightning's dire situation. They tried to escape the Land of Earth, which was becoming increasingly strictly controlled. Even if they could only live as idle people waiting to die in the shogunate's territory, it would still be better than being completely devoured!

As a result, the economic crisis in the Land of Earth became even more severe.

In addition, the purchasing power of the country's own paper money continued to decline, which allowed the Shogunate Gold Yuan, which had been tacitly resisted, to take advantage of the situation and become the most popular currency in the Land of Earth!

Meanwhile, the commentaries published by Uchiha Tokumitsu became the spiritual support for those minor nobles and merchants of all sizes who were transferring their assets and defecting.

……

"We must immediately declare a nationwide state of emergency and bring everything under complete control!"

At the Daimyo's Palace meeting in the Land of Earth, Huang Tu offered his suggestion: "Our situation is much better than that of Kumogakure, but we absolutely cannot let things continue like this, otherwise a nationwide riot is definitely waiting for us!"

"We can't control them! Those rebels all made their way to the shogunate's territory through the southern region, and we don't have enough ninja and shogunate troops in the south to cut off all their escape routes!"

The Iwagakure high-ranking officials who had previously proposed the joint venture immediately jumped out to object, saying, "Moreover, this would also allow us to get rid of those disloyal and ungrateful non-citizens, while adding burden to the shogunate and wasting their food supplies. It's a win-win situation!"

Upon hearing this and seeing the expressions of agreement on the faces of the nobles, Huang Tu felt a chill run down his spine!

"you……"

Huang Tu barely managed to suppress his anger: "Haven't any of you read De Guang's quotes and recent commentaries?!"

"We are all loyal subjects of the Land of Earth, and we would never read those vulgar words that are exaggerated and sensationalized!"

The high-ranking officials of Iwagakure said this with a straight face.

"Just wait to die! There's no hope for you!"

Huang Tu disregarded etiquette, jumped up, cursed angrily, and left the table.