In Naruto, build the strongest Hidden Mist Village.

Chapter 72 A Bright Future, Uchiha's Thoughts
"Is it completely exhausted?"

Naoki Kaguya took the brand-new ledger and sighed as he looked at the alarming numbers.

War is a bottomless pit.

Such a smooth and successful war, without any major setbacks, and with considerable gains on the battlefield, has depleted Kirigakure's accumulated resources over the years.

He didn't even have the funds to start his initial plans.

To suggest ending the war and waiting for the village to recoup its funds would be absurd.

Under the leadership of the Third Hokage, Kirigakure's policies had become deeply entrenched and difficult to reform. The village could barely cover its daily expenses, let alone implement any reforms.
Thinking it over, she frowned and prompted Terumi Mei to tentatively ask a question.

"Perhaps, Naoki, your plan to unite with major merchants and build stable trade routes can be put on the agenda?"
That way, we can quickly recover our funds.

Hearing the sound, Naoki snapped out of his reverie, put down the ledger, and, deep in thought, shook his head after a moment.

"In this chaotic country, filled with wandering ninjas, rogue ninjas, and outlaws."

The local areas are filled with corrupt officials who only know how to extort and blackmail.

"As long as we, the Hidden Mist, are willing to provide them with a peaceful and stable environment for trade routes, countless people will soon flock to us like moths to a flame."

"but."

Kaguya Naoki changed the subject abruptly, then walked to the map and tapped it with one hand.

Mei Terumi looked in the direction of the finger and saw the land that Naoki had previously requested the Land of Fire to lease or cede.

"If we only focus on building such trade routes within the Land of Water, how can we attract merchants with truly substantial economic power to join us?"

"How then can we create our own hub for wealth accumulation?"

"Only by securing a stable trade route from the Land of Water to the Land of Fire can we attract truly powerful merchants to join us."

As soon as she finished speaking, Terumi Mei nodded in realization.

The Third Hokage, who was secretly paying attention, couldn't help but make a heavy stroke on the scroll, leaving a deep mark of ink.

He is the Kage, the former Kage of Kirigakure. No matter how incompetent he may be, he can still see what the future that Kaguya Naoki speaks of means.

"That's not all."

Mei Terumi broke free from her preconceived notions and immediately spoke in a slightly excited voice.

"Konoha Village has never been defeated since its founding."

"Do you think that if we were to sign an absolutely unequal treaty with Konoha, it would cause a huge upheaval throughout the world?"

"They will have greater trust in the strength of our Hidden Mist Village, and also greater confidence in this model, thus attracting even more substantial funds,"

"I see, Ming."

"But we don't need to think about that now."

"The initiative is not in our hands now; it depends entirely on when Konoha will formally discuss peace with us."

Naoki Kaguya's stomach made a soft sound at just the right moment.

"It's time to go eat."

"Okay."

Mei Terumi stretched out her arms, revealing her shapely figure.

After relaxing, he leaned lazily against Kaguya Naoki's shoulder, looking at the starry sky outside the window, and said with a hint of schadenfreude.

"I really don't know what the situation is like in Konoha right now."

The third generation leader lowered his head and continued handling government affairs.
-
In the Land of Fire, in Konoha Village, under the twinkling stars, the Uchiha clan's territory was utterly silent, save for the occasional shouts and arguments that emanated from one of the houses.

Inside the house, an elderly Uchiha clan member with graying hair and eyes sparkling with wisdom gestured animatedly as he spoke eloquently.

"Chieftain, the village has suffered such a crushing defeat under the command of the third generation leader; he must step down."

“In the past, with Minato Namikaze as a shining example, the chances were slim, but now I’m just a useless person, how can I compete?”

"Danzo is a worthless scoundrel with no achievements, Orochimaru is a defeated general, and Jiraiya and Tsunade have no ambition. Isn't this the perfect time for the clan leader to ascend to the position of Hokage?"

After the words were spoken, there was complete silence at first, then pairs of scarlet eyes, radiating power, lit up in the dimly lit room.

"Quiet." All eyes were on Fugaku Uchiha, who had been sitting in the main seat like a stone statue. He slammed his hand on the table, immediately silencing the entire room.

The position of the fourth generation.

Fugaku clenched his fist, his heart pounding.

He had to admit that this was the best chance he, Fugaku, had ever had to reach that position.

"This time, we will do our best to fight for the position of the Fourth Hokage."

"but."

Fugaku Uchiha clenched his fists, his tone becoming serious.

"You must obey my orders and not act rashly, so as to avoid any unspeakable incidents with the village!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the Uchiha clan members, though their faces were filled with malice, still bowed their heads.

Besides being the head of the Uchiha clan, he was also the strongest member of the Uchiha clan at the moment.

Only the strongest can make them willingly obey orders!

Ding!
Hearing the commotion behind him, Itachi Uchiha remained calm and composed, simply thrusting the kunai in his hand into the target. The metal clashed, the kunai penetrating deep into the target.

not enough.

Uchiha Itachi formed hand seals, gathering chakra, and spat out a fireball from his mouth, its eerie light illuminating the dark courtyard.

not enough.

Rubbing his eye sockets, he channeled his chakra, and his blood-red eyes shone brightly in the lake's reflection. One, two, three or four kunai collided in the air, sparks flying as they struck their targets.

Still not enough.

Uchiha Itachi muttered to himself, but his eyes were involuntarily fixed on the bright moon in the sky.

Brother Shisui, if you could come back, perhaps that would be enough.

Stop these unnecessary conflicts, stop those wars that constantly erode lives.

But that's just how the world is.

Strife, battle, death, tragedy—it's always the same, without any waves.

Brother Shisui, if you were to come back, what would you do?

What should I do if you don't come back?

Lost in thought, waving his kunai, Itachi Uchiha suddenly opened his eyes, turned around, and behind him stood a man with a satisfied smile, Fugaku Uchiha.

All the emotions on her face—anticipation and worry—vanished in an instant, leaving her utterly cold.

"Father."

"Ah."

Fugaku Uchiha nodded in approval.

“I saw it all. You truly are my most outstanding child. The future of the clan is now in your hands.”

Uchiha Itachi bowed respectfully, his tone steady and meticulous.

"I will certainly live up to my father's expectations."

Fugaku Uchiha nodded in satisfaction, turned around, and silently recalled the scene that had just occurred to him.

Itachi always looks so preoccupied.

But that's the price of excellence; only those who are truly excellent will encounter more and more troubles as they grow.

Mediocre people wouldn't have this feeling.

Grow up quickly, Itachi; the future is in your hands.

As he was pondering, an anxious shout interrupted his thoughts and pulled him back to reality. Fugaku looked up and saw an Anbu ninja surrounded by several Uchiha clans.

"Clan Chief Fugaku, please go to the Hokage Building for a meeting immediately."

(End of this chapter)