Naruto: The Ninja World's Life Buyer

Chapter 158 Changing the War Landscape: Yu Yan Joins Forces

early morning.

Kaori got up very early. She was wearing a house apron and holding silver scissors and a comb in her hand.

Sosuke sat in a chair, with a white cloth wrapped around his body.

"Lower your head a little, boss."

Kaori's voice was very soft, and the scissors made a soft "snip, snip" sound as they opened and closed.

Black, stray hairs slipped down.

Her movements were highly professional. As a former ANBU member, using bladed weapons was instinctive. The way she trimmed her hair was as precise as when she killed, only with an added touch of gentleness.

"I think I've gotten two more gray hairs lately."

Kaori gently touched Sousuke's temple with her fingers, and said with some heartache.

"It's the price of overusing your brain."

Sosuke closed his eyes, enjoying the tranquility.

"Should we pull it out?"

"No need. Keep it."

Sosuke said calmly.

"These are the marks of time. In this world, to live to the point of having white hair is an honor."

Trimming complete.

Kaori removed the white cloth and used a brush to sweep away the stray hairs.

The man in the mirror looked much more energetic. The eye patch on his left eye remained mysterious, while his right eye was deep and calm.

He is now seventeen years old, and compared to a year ago, he has gained a more mature and composed demeanor.

"The craftsmanship is quite good."

Sosuke stood up.

"From now on, you'll be in charge of taking care of my hair."

Kaori nodded slightly.

"Yes."

A month has passed.

Outside Konoha Village, upstream of the Namaka River.

The area is now enclosed by a towering wall.

A black column of smoke shot straight into the sky, and a huge waterwheel roared and spun in the river, driving the heavy forging hammer with a deafening clang.

This is the Uchiha Armory.

Sosuke stood on the high platform for the inspection.

Beside him was Uchiha Sōji.

The young clan chief had removed the bandages from his eyes, and his pupils had regained their power. He wore a dark blue, fitted robe, and his demeanor had become more that of a leader.

"How's the production?" Sosuke asked, looking down at the busy production line.

Hundreds of workers are toiling away. Among them are recruited refugees and ordinary members of the Uchiha clan who lack ninja talent.

There were even a few Uchiha genin who had awakened their Sharingan, standing at the quality inspection post, using their discerning eyes to check the sharpness and weight of each kunai.

Using the Sharingan for quality inspection.

"Three thousand kunai produced daily, five hundred explosive tags, and one hundred Fuma shuriken."

Soji's voice was filled with confidence.

"Moreover, the defect rate is kept below one in a thousand."

"Thanks to Master Heif, who improved the forging process, our production efficiency is now ten times higher than before."

Sosuke nodded in satisfaction.

"What about sales channels?"

"Supply cannot meet demand."

Soji pointed to a pile of sealed boxes in a corner of the factory area.

"Those are goods destined for the Land of Iron, the Land of Grass, and even the Land of Rain."

"Although the Konoha Supplies Department has been trying to lower the price, the price on the black market has been inflated to three times the original price."

"Now, not only ninjas, but even samurai take pride in owning a sword with the Uchiha fan symbol."

This is the power of branding.

Under Sousuke's planning, the Uchiha clan was no longer a fearsome enforcer of the law, but a provider of high-quality ninja tools.

"very good."

Sosuke looked at the busy workers.

"Remember, money is secondary; what matters is the quality of the product. Therefore, quality must be guaranteed."

The two walked down the platform and arrived at the core workshop.

This place not only produces cold weapons, but also researches and develops new things.

In a closed testing ground, several craftsmen are assembling a huge crossbow.

"Here is the 'City-Breaching Crossbow' you requested."

Sōji stroked the cold metal frame.

"The most penetrating crossbow in the ninja world, used since the Warring States period—this is a version improved by our Uchiha clan, with the addition of a unique gear structure. Its range reaches 800 meters and can penetrate earth walls."

"Unfortunately, the manufacturing process is too complicated and requires extremely high precision in the parts, making mass production impossible."

"We must overcome any difficulties to mass-produce it."

Sosuke did not hesitate.

"It can change the future landscape of warfare."

"Change the course of warfare?"

The chief priest did not think so.

"The siege crossbow is powerful, but it can't hit ninjas at all; it's only suitable for siege warfare. In modern warfare, ninjas are the main force, and even samurai are rare. If you want to change the course of the war, this alone will probably be insufficient—"

"What if we add explosive tags?"

Upon hearing this, Zongsi suddenly understood.

With the addition of detonating tags, the destructive power of the city-breaking crossbow itself becomes completely irrelevant.

Importantly, it has a long range and strong penetrating power!

With a long enough range and the ability to penetrate obstacles such as earthen walls, the pre-ignited explosive tags can be delivered to the vicinity of the enemy!

Avoiding the blast radius of an explosive tag is many times more difficult than dodging crossbow bolts.

Sōji became excited. If that were the case, then mass production was a must! This weapon, capable of changing the future landscape of warfare, would bring unimaginable profits to the Uchiha clan!

After leaving the Uchiha factory, return to Kikyo House.

Sosuke received a letter.

It's a letter with jagged edges.

Sousuke opened the letter.

Boss:

The situation in the Land of Rain is more complicated than expected.

First, regarding the Fuuma clan. Those guys were definitely desperate for money. I only used a chest of gold bars, plus a promise to provide them with food and ninja tools, and the entire clan surrendered. Now, with the Fuuma clan joining the "Iron Forest" stronghold, the defenses have improved several levels. Their traps and mechanisms are practically meat grinders.

Secondly, regarding Xiao.

Yahiko has become quite thoughtful lately after reading the book you gave him. He's started to consider whether "achieving peace through dialogue" is truly feasible. This is because Hanzo's Rain Village has been increasingly aggressive in its attacks on Akatsuki. Several Akatsuki strongholds have been destroyed, and many children have died.

Nagato—that red-haired boy. Lately, he's been acting strangely. Once, I saw him staring blankly at the rain late at night, and the rain around him—it stopped. That power made me tremble. I felt something within him was about to awaken.

Finally, and most importantly.

During our acquisition of the grain processing plant, we discovered a secret.

Hanzo was able to control the food supply because he had powerful backers.

It is Iwagakure Village.

Onoki of Iwagakure seems to be secretly funding Hanzo, aiming to turn the Land of Rain into a force against Konoha. They are currently transporting large quantities of explosive clay to the Land of Rain.

If this intelligence is true, then Konoha's northwest front is in danger.

—Sawtooth

Sousuke put down the letter.

His brows were furrowed.

Are Yan Yin colluding with Hanzo?

This is a plot point not present in the original work.

It seems that as the war continues, the strategies of the major powers are changing.

That old fox, Onoki, is not only causing trouble on the front lines, but also plotting in the shadows.

"Exploding clay————"

If Iwagakure's demolition squad were to combine with Hanzo's poison gas—that would be an absolute nightmare for Konoha.

"This intelligence must be sent up."

This is not only for Konoha, but also for the interests of the Takaya Trading Company in the Land of Rain.

If the Land of Rain were to fall completely under the control of Iwagakure, his smuggling trade routes would be cut off.

Sosuke picked up his pen and quickly wrote a reply to Sawtooth.

Increase aid to Akatsuki, especially weapons.

Also, have the Fuuma clan select a few clever members to infiltrate Hanzo's logistics unit. I need to know the exact location of the Iwagakure supplies.

The Hokage's office.

When Hiruzen Sarutobi saw the information brought by Sousuke, he almost dropped his pipe.

-

"Iwagakure — Hanzo —"

'

Hiruzen's expression was extremely solemn.

If these two factions join forces, Konoha will face a desperate situation of being attacked from both sides.

Is the intelligence reliable?

"This is intelligence that my caravan risked their lives to obtain."

Sosuke did not reveal the name of the serrated edge.

"Furthermore, the recent abnormal fluctuations in the price of explosive clay on the market also corroborate this point."

Hiruzen stood up and walked to the window.

"It seems we must take action against the Land of Rain."

"However, our main forces are currently on the front lines, and we cannot spare too many troops."

3

"Then send an elite squad."

Sousuke suggested.

"Perform a decapitation strike, or—break their alliance."

"Who do you think should be sent?"

Hiruzen looked at Sousuke.

"Lord Orochimaru."

Even knowing that the Third Hokage was testing him, Sousuke still uttered that name.

"Lord Orochimaru is very familiar with the Land of Rain. Moreover, he is also quite knowledgeable about poison gas."

Hiruzen gave Sousuke a deep look.

This businessman is not only doing business, but also manipulating Konoha's politics.

He's looking for an opportunity to let Orochimaru accumulate merit—he's pushing Orochimaru to the position of the Fourth Hokage.

"----I see."

Hiruzen turned around.

I will consider it.