Konoha Year 49, Red Year 21, April...
Konoha officially launched a revolution. Led by the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, the Konoha high command, at noon on April 20th, led all surviving Konoha ninja to attack the Daimyo's capital from all four directions: east, west, south, and north. Of course, saying 'attack' is a bit exaggerated. After all, ever since the village system was established, most of the country's ninja were concentrated in Konoha's hands. This included warfare, domestic security, and intelligence gathering from other countries, all handled solely by the ninja village.
Therefore, the main purpose of this attack was not to destroy the Daimyo's capital. The Daimyo's family had ruled the Land of Fire for hundreds of years. By bloodline, they were recognized as the kings of the Land of Fire. Even if Namikaze Minato destroyed the Land of Fire's Daimyo's capital, he would not gain the Land of Fire's recognition to become the Daimyo. Unless...
He carried out a great purge!
But if he did that, not only would the Land of Fire need purging, probably even some ninja within Konoha would need purging!
Perhaps there were quite a few ninja who dared to draw their swords against the Daimyo and commit such treasonous acts, but ultimately, the vast majority were ninja with morals, cultivation, and loyalty...
And...
Namikaze Minato was precisely such a ninja!
His main goal was to change the current state of the Land of Fire, not to destroy it!
Faced with Konoha's fierce assault, the Daimyo's capital panicked instantly. Especially since the Twelve Guardian Ninja had either fled or been killed, the Daimyo's capital now had even fewer ninja.
Although Konoha did not launch a full-scale assault on the Daimyo, if this situation persisted, it would inevitably cause extremely severe damage to the Daimyo's capital's prestige. To prevent Konoha from threatening the rule of the Land of Fire's Daimyo's capital, the Daimyo's capital secretly sought help from neighboring countries. They also secretly communicated with the Konoha missing-nin, Shimura Danzo, hoping to gain the help of the Root ninja, and promised Root...
If they successfully killed that so-called Fourth Hokage, you, Shimura Danzo, will be the Fifth Hokage. Do not worry, your father, the Land of Fire, still loves Konoha. We can definitely maintain our previous relationship, understanding each other and progressing together.
However...
Except for Shimura Danzo agreeing, the other four great nations refused.
Why?
Because they were panicking too!!!
Konoha had set this precedent. Needless to say, their own ninja villages were also rubbing their hands together, preparing to attack them. Now they were just waiting for Konoha to destroy the Land of Fire and bear the infamy, after which these villages would take action. So...
Most ninja villages and nations inwardly cursed the Land of Fire vehemently. If you hadn't pushed Konoha so hard, would Konoha have rebelled?
How could they have found themselves in this difficult position now?
Although they had long known that because of the Land of Whirlpools incident, the ninja villages were becoming restless, but...
As long as no one took the lead, there would still be peaceful days and time to prepare. But now Konoha suddenly started a war. They weren't fully prepared yet. It was truly too dangerous.
So...
The major nations began to increase the speed of their purchases of food and ninja tools. Even better, if your ninja could come to help?
That would be even better. Money is not a problem, as long as you can help us resist the ninja from the ninja villages.
However...
The ones panicking were the nations with ninja villages. Their own countries' military strength was already insufficient; how could they have time to help other countries? And the nations of the Red Alliance had explicit rules against interfering in other countries' internal affairs. So...
Except for some rogue ninja from various countries who had experienced the revolution and couldn't bear to see the Daimyo just be eliminated coming to help, there was no other support.
But these ninja, eliminated from their villages, were a drop in the bucket for so many ninja villages!!!
To prevent the Daimyo's capital from being destroyed, the various nobles began to work together. Those with money contributed money, those without money sent their own samurai to help. After all, this was not the time to stand by and watch. If the ninja villages succeeded, who knew how many of these nobles would survive.
So, at this time, the Daimyo's capital and its various nobles began to work together, preparing to overcome the difficulty together!!!
...
"Continue! Continue!" Kakuzu grabbed his assistant by the collar, his eyes red, and shouted, "Tell the homeland to quickly expand production. If we don't take this opportunity to make a huge profit now, there won't be another chance later."
So much money, there's just so much money!
Indeed...
A few measly ninja swords couldn't possibly drain the blood of these great nations. Back then, he and Jun were too merciful. Such precious ninja swords were only sold for about ten billion?
What a huge loss!!!
But it's fine. Now we have bulk discounts, small profits but quick turnover. With the Five Great Nations and the surrounding ninja village nations buying like this...
Wouldn't it be better than selling a few ninja swords alone?
"I just asked Lord Gato," the assistant said, spreading his hands helplessly. "The stockpiled inventory in the homeland is completely sold out too. Everything that was just produced has already been shipped over."
Including food, clothing, tents...
Everything that could possibly be used in the war had been sent over.
"Right now, the Land of Whirlpools is working overtime to produce."
He also really wished for another large batch of goods. That way, even if Lord Kakuzu was stingy, when this was over, his share of the profits would be enough for a down payment on a house in the homeland.
But...
The situation doesn't allow it!
Who knew these countries would all go crazy like this, even purchasing the equipment phased out by the Land of Whirlpools!
"Continue, overtime!" Kakuzu released the assistant's collar, saying excitedly, "We need to solve the employment issue in the Land of Hot Water. Have them start setting up factories there. Then have the Land of Whirlpools send the production lines over. Get them powered up and start working, work overtime, work day and night. Double the wages. I don't believe they won't do it."
After deducting costs and such, there's still a huge profit to be made!
Especially since there's still a batch of supplies here that haven't been gathered yet. Time is very tight. Once the war is over, finding such a good opportunity next time will be impossible.
"Ah," the assistant hesitated after hearing this, then said, "The Five Great Nations said they don't want the Infinite Gauntlets anymore. They're worried the thing might malfunction for no reason like in the last war."
"Tell the Five Great Nations, the ones sold to them last time were sold by Pain of the Akatsuki. It has nothing to do with our Land of Whirlpools." Kakuzu drew his long sword, his eyes completely red. "Our Land of Whirlpools emphasizes honesty. If the equipment has problems, have them bring it over themselves. We will accept returns or exchanges for no reason!"
What does the substandard products sold by Pain of the Akatsuki have to do with him, Kakuzu?
"Also tell them, starting from now, subsequent supplies will be prioritized for those who bought the Infinite Gauntlets."
Damn it, if they don't buy them, that batch of junk will just sit in the warehouse, right?
"And the airships. Ask them if they need them. These are essential items for home travel, killing and robbing, plotting murder and seeking fortune."
He promised that brat he would definitely sell this batch of goods. Rather than selling them to the Red Alliance nations, it's better to sell them to the Five Great Ninja Villages. They offer higher prices!
"Understood." Seeing the man-eating look in Lord Kakuzu's eyes, the assistant quickly nodded. "I'll go arrange it right away!"
It's truly too terrifying. Lord Kakuzu really becomes a different person when it comes to money!
I'd better go quickly!
Otherwise, what if my share of the profits gets deducted for no reason later?
As for that 'no reason returns' talk...
He completely ignored it. The sword was already drawn; did anyone really think they could return things for no reason?
That's simply daydreaming!