One Week Later
In Konoha, the prices of war resources began to rise across many shops.
Once the Uchiha increased the prices of their goods, other merchants quickly followed.
For many shop owners, this was an opportunity they had been waiting for a long time.
Because of the Uchiha, most civilian shops had been forced to survive on average—or even low—profits.
The Uchiha sold cheaper and better-quality goods, covering almost the entire civilian market of the village, while other shops were limited to selling mainly to clans and shinobi families.
During the Second Ninja War, the Third Hokage had made extensive use of Uchiha-produced resources.
By providing high-quality weapons and supplies—often at lower prices or even freely—he strengthened his public image among civilians and ninja alike.
Meanwhile, the other clans received resource funds directly from the village to support their fighting forces and purchase equipment.
This had been one of the reasons Hiruzen was regarded as an ideal Hokage by the common people—after all, who wouldn't admire a leader who provided better and cheaper resources than other villages?
But yesterday, everything changed.
The prices of essential war resources—kunai, detonating talismans, and even chakra-metal weapons—had risen to nearly ten times their original cost.
Concerned, Hiruzen ordered an ANBU to investigate.
The report confirmed that the increase had originated from the Uchiha.
The prices of Uchiha shop products had increased fivefold the previous week.
When questioned, the clan's merchants explained that they had been operating at a loss since the last war.
Their funds were nearly exhausted, and they no longer had enough capital to purchase raw materials for manufacturing.
Raising prices, they claimed, was the only option left to them.
Seeing the Uchiha take this step, other merchants followed suit, pushing the overall prices in the village to nearly ten times the normal rate.
When Hiruzen and the village elders first heard the news, their immediate reaction was suspicion.
They believed this was revenge from the Uchiha for not receiving resources for the war and both elder demanded that the Uchiha clan head should be summoned for an explanation.
However, after hearing the full report, Hiruzen understood that the situation would not be easy to resolve.
He sighed, took a slow puff from his pipe, and spoke.
"Go," he said quietly. "Call the Uchiha clan head for me."
Elder Danzo slammed his palm on the table.
"They are making trouble while the war is still ongoing," he said harshly. "They are profiting from it, Hiruzen. The Uchiha are going to rebel."
Hiruzen looked at Danzō as if he were an idiot.
Even if everyone could see that the Uchiha were creating trouble, Danzō didn't need to state it so bluntly.
"They may feel that I am deliberately not giving them resource funds," Hiruzen said calmly. "In their eyes, that would look like targeting. Don't worry—Fugaku will understand the village's situation. Just wait for him."
Yet even as he spoke, something felt wrong.
The Uchiha were a straightforward clan.
They acted openly, clashed openly, and protested openly.
Strategy and indirect pressure were not their style.
That was why Hiruzen had always found them easy to handle.
But this?
This sudden, calculated move meant that someone among them had begun to understand the game.
At the same time, the Uchiha clan was holding another meeting.
Fugaku stood at the center, his posture firm, his voice loud and resolute.
"The Uchiha have decided to join the war," he declared. "All Uchiha jōnin, chūnin, and genin selected for this campaign are to begin preparations immediately. We have one month."
His gaze shifted—locking onto Elder Setsuna and Toyoma, who were seated among the Hawk faction.
"Grand Elder," Fugaku continued, his tone changing, sharpening, "will no one from your Hawk faction be joining us? You should understand this—it will be the Uchiha fighting the Hidden Mist. And you people are also Uchiha."
The words sounded like a question.
But the meaning was accusation.
The Hawk faction members stiffened.
Even without speaking, Fugaku's intent was clear.
Elder Setsuna stared at Fugaku in silence for a long moment.
In the past, such provocation would have earned an immediate rebuke.
But now…
"Pfft."
A short laugh escaped him.
The room froze.
This was a serious clan meeting—and the one laughing was the Grand Elder himself.
Fugaku frowned.
Setsuna shook his head lightly, amusement flickering in his eyes.
"Clan Head," he said calmly, "if this were a war of the Uchiha, my people and I would join without hesitation."
He paused.
"But this is not an Uchiha war. This is Konoha's war."
Murmurs rippled through the hall.
"The village has given us no funds. No resources. No assurance of recognition," Setsuna continued. "And even if we fight, whether we gain merit or fame is… doubtful. We have already seen how the last war ended for us."
His tone remained calm, logical—undeniable.
"So no," he concluded. "My people will not join this idiotic war."
Silence fell.
Many clan members lowered their eyes, unable to refute a single word.
Toyoma rose from his seat.
"Our faction will not join the war," he said evenly. "However—if the clan head insists on sending the Uchiha to battle, we can offer something in return. Something that will help you… a little."
He glanced at Elder Setsuna, who nodded.
Fugaku's eyes lit up. He assumed—naturally—that the Hawk faction was offering war resources again.
Toyoma reached into his sleeve and pulled out two scrolls.
"So you don't cry all the time and ruin everyone's mood," he said casually, "we decided to give you these."
Both elders twitched.
"These two scrolls contain mujinjutsu created by us," Toyoma continued. "Both are A-rank. Even elite genin can learn them. You can imagine what that means for the clan's strength."
The hall erupted.
Shock.
Greed.
Excitement.
The Dove and Neutral elders leaned forward instinctively.
"Is it really a self-created mujinjutsu?" one elder asked eagerly. "Can you explain it?"
Toyoma nodded and gestured.
"Uncle Uzuku."
Uzuku stepped forward as Toyoma began to explain.
"The first jutsu is called Chidori," Toyoma said. "A Lightning Release mujinjutsu."
Uzuku formed chakra in his hand. Lightning screamed.
"This technique requires precision," Toyoma continued. "With the Sharingan active, it becomes deadly accurate."
Uzuku thrust his hand forward.
The plank was pierced clean through—then shattered.
Gasps filled the room.
"Woah—"
"Powerful!"
"Incredible technique!"
Toyoma raised his hand slightly, silencing them.
"Because it requires Sharingan control, it is an Uchiha-exclusive technique," he said. "Any clan member with a lightning affinity can learn it."
Fugaku's expression changed completely.
What he had first dismissed now looked like a massive boost to the clan's military power.
Both elders realized it too—an Uchiha-only weapon that no other clan could copy.
Then Toyoma took out the second scroll.
"This one is called Rasengan," he said. "No elemental attribute. But it requires extremely fine chakra control and large chakra reserves. Only chūnin and above should attempt it."
Uzuku formed a rotating sphere of chakra and slammed it into another plank.
It disintegrated.
Toyoma handed both scrolls to the elders of the Dove Kazuto and Neutral factions Kohaku.
"We are giving each elder one jutsu," he said calmly. "Teach it only to selected jōnin. Let them spread it carefully."
Then his gaze shifted—to Fugaku.
"And one piece of advice," Toyoma added. "No clan has ever handed its jutsu to the village. I assume there's no one here foolish enough to sacrifice the clan just to suck up to the village."
His voice sharpened.
"But if someone does decide to do that…"
He shrugged lightly.
"I don't know what to say to an idiot who has already decided to destroy his own clan."
The insult hung in the air.
Fugaku's fists clenched.
This boy never missed a chance to disgrace him.
The elders exchanged glances.
Everyone in the hall knew exactly who Toyoma was talking about.
Toyoma then reached into his sleeve and took out a small bottle—the energy fasting pill—raising it slightly as if he was about to explain its purpose.
Before he could speak, the doors burst open.
"Uchiha Clan Head," an ANBU said sharply as he stepped inside, "the Hokage-Sama has summoned you."
Fugaku turned toward him. "Very well. Inform him that I will come shortly."
Then he faced the gathered members. "As you can see, today's meet—"
He didn't get to finish.
Bang.
Toyoma moved.
In a flash, his foot slammed into the ANBU's chest.
The masked shinobi was sent flying, rolling across the floor until he crashed near Uncle Uzuku.
"Uncle," Toyoma snapped, his face cold with fury, "apprehend this bastard."
Uzuku didn't hesitate.
He and several Hawk faction members instantly restrained the ANBU, pinning him to the ground before anyone else could react.
The entire hall froze.
Everything had happened too fast.
Most of the Uchiha present hadn't even processed what they had just seen—one moment an ANBU was delivering a message, the next he was on the ground, restrained like a criminal.
Fugaku stood stunned for a heartbeat.
Then his eyes fell on the injured ANBU.
His face darkened with rage as he turned toward Toyoma.
"What the hell are you doing, brat?!"