Naruto: Konoha Spring of the Uchiha Prodigies

"That's about right, but it seems like Kurama isn't too keen on me learning that," Naruto said, scratching his head.

"What's so great about learning the techniques of those stinky toads?" Nine-Tailed Fox sneered.

“Kurama, as you just saw, natural energy is currently the only power that Naruto can obtain to deal with the Ten-Tails,” Uchiha Touko said.

"Yes, yes, I understand. I won't bother this kid learning those toad techniques anymore," Nine-Tails said somewhat impatiently.

……

After Uchiha Touko returned to Konoha with the corpses and armor of the dozen or so artificial humans, he sent three to Konoha's current Scientific Ninja Tool Research Institute, and then sent five to Orochimaru, who was currently hiding in Ryuchi Cave. Of course, Uchiha Touko also left two research materials for the older generation scientist, Senju Tobirama. With these three approaches combined, he should be able to research something soon.

More than a month has passed, and there has been little progress in the research on the artificial human corpses. However, during this time, many wealthy merchants from the Land of Thunder fled to the Land of Fire with large sums of cash.

Chapter 271 The Grand Commander Only Collects 9% of the Tax

These merchants, being ordinary citizens, would only undergo a simple chakra check upon entry and be allowed to pass after confirming they were not ninjas. However, the merchants from the Land of Fire, who had received advance notice, did not seem particularly welcoming to these outsiders.

Merchants led by Gato who invested in Konoha back when the Land of Fire moved its capital have reaped the benefits of the new capital's development in recent years. Although 7% of their earnings are subject to taxes or require them to use the money to support the Land of Fire's economy, the increased profits have made them earn far more than before. The major merchants from the Land of Lightning, who previously had reservations about Uchiha Touko due to taxation issues, have also shifted their business focus to the Land of Fire after tasting success in the past two years.

Moreover, after Uchiha Touko led Konoha to a great victory in a special military operation against the Land of Lightning, these merchants who were among the first to come to Konoha felt a strong sense of security.

After all, doing business in the ninja world is quite dangerous. The ninjas of the great ninja villages will abide by the rules, but rogue ninjas and wandering ninjas will often rob their businesses. However, ever since Uchiha Tokō severely injured the Hidden Cloud Village in the battle, when they hire Konoha ninjas to protect their caravans, they don't even need to lift a finger. The Konoha headbands are enough to deter many petty villains in the ninja world.

Now, faced with the merchants from the Land of Lightning who are transferring cash over, they have spontaneously banded together to try to stop the influx of this capital.

After all, although the Land of Fire has a huge cake to offer, who would want someone else to take a slice of the cake that's already in their mouth?

However, they also knew that their opinions were worthless in front of Uchiha Toko, the Hokage and Minister of State whose power was almost limitless. Therefore, they could only send representatives to request Uchiha Toko not to let these people in.

Soon, Gato was chosen by this group and brought to Uchiha Touko's office.

"Lord Hokage, this is a Snow Mountain Rock Tea from the Land of Snow, sent to you by Koji Kinoshita, the president of the Kinoshita Group. Since the geothermal facilities in the Land of Snow started operating these past two years, the production of this tea has been decreasing. This year, only this much was produced. That guy spent a fortune at the auction and asked me to bring it to you." As soon as Gato entered the office, he placed the various bags at the door and took out several exquisite gifts. "And this is this. This is a new type of tea that I've had cultivated on an island I leased near the Land of Water. However, I'll need your feedback after you've tasted it and can offer some guidance on how to improve it."

“Keep the new tea leaves you cultivated, and take the rest back later. The price of that Snow Mountain Rock Tea is almost 350 million per tael, right? It wouldn’t look good if others knew I was drinking this kind of tea,” Uchiha Touko said, gesturing for Kado to sit down on the sofa.

After Kado sat down on the sofa, he conscientiously lit the stove and boiled water for Uchiha Touko before speaking, "What are you saying, Hokage? Do you think I don't know what kind of person Kinoshita Koji is? He's just a nouveau riche who got rich thanks to the reforms of our Land of Fire. In your hands, this tea is something to appreciate, but in his hands, it's a complete waste. As a master of tea ceremony in our Land of Fire, you certainly wouldn't want such good things to be wasted, so please accept it."

"I really can't do anything with you. This is the last time." Uchiha Touko shook his head helplessly and said.

To be honest, although Uchiha Touko loved drinking tea, he only learned a little about tea ceremony when he first started out, and then he figured it out on his own. But even so, the higher-ups in the Land of Fire are now saying that Uchiha Touko is the tea master with the highest tea ceremony skills in the Land of Fire.

Uchiha Touko picked out the tea leaves that Gado had brought, brewed them, and took a sip.

"How is it, Hokage? Does the tea I had cultivated suit your taste?" Kado asked expectantly.

You should know that this tea was specially selected and cultivated by him. This tea requires a lot of sunshine and rain, so Gato spent a lot of money to buy an isolated island in the southern part of the Land of Water and then had someone take care of it. Wasn't he doing all this to satisfy Uchiha Touko?

"Hmm, not bad, you've put in the effort." Uchiha Touko nodded at the other party.

"Hehe, I'm glad you're satisfied." Kado smiled when he saw that Uchiha Touko was pleased.

"Speak, what brings you here in such a grand manner?" Uchiha Touko put down his teacup and asked.

"Well, thanks to the Hokage's guidance, aren't I now the president of the Fire Country's Business Association?" Having worked under Uchiha Touko for years, Gato knew that Uchiha Touko wasn't the type to waste time on trivial matters, so he got down to business. "We've heard that recently, due to the oppressive policies of the Lightning Country, many businessmen have brought capital into the Fire Country. I wonder how Your Hokage plans to deal with them?"

“I’ve heard about this too,” Uchiha Touko said. “However, as you probably know, I’m not very knowledgeable about business. I’d like to hear your opinion on this matter.”

"Your Excellency Hokage, you are sometimes too modest. With your understanding of business acumen, if you hadn't become a ninja, you would undoubtedly be the richest person in the ninja world." Kado first flattered Uchiha Touko before continuing, "However, according to the Fire Country Business Association, no one really wants these people to join. They nominated me to come to your office to express their wishes to you. But personally, I still think that this kind of thing can only be decided by Your Excellency Hokage."

"Is that so?" Uchiha Touko said with a half-smile. "Then what if I said I planned to let this group of merchants from the Land of Lightning in?"

“Of course, we will follow your wishes and the opinions of the Chamber of Commerce. I will appease them for you. If there are any individuals who react strongly, I will also help you deal with them,” Kado hurriedly said.

"Can you tell me why you don't want them to enter our Land of Fire?" After hearing Gato's declaration of loyalty, Uchiha Touko nodded in satisfaction before asking the question.

“It’s like this, Hokage. As you know, although the development of Konoha and the Land of Fire in recent years has relied more on your leadership, the members of the Business Federation also believe that they have contributed to the development of the Land of Fire. Now, these people who were unwilling to enter the Land of Fire because they thought the taxes were too high when Konoha was not yet developed are now trying to enter and share the pie with everyone because of some external reasons. Naturally, everyone is dissatisfied,” Gato said.

"Don't worry, they won't get a piece of your pie anytime soon after they come in." Uchiha Touko stood up and patted Gato on the shoulder. "I've seen all the contributions your Business Federation has made to the Land of Fire over the past two years, so I won't forget your contributions to the country."

"However, the Land of Lightning has now forced these people to abandon their established businesses and come here with only cash to invest. Out of humanitarian considerations, we cannot turn them away. Therefore, in order to protect your interests, I have decided that if they want to do business in my Land of Fire, their business will be subject to a 9% tax rate for the first 10 years," Uchiha Touko said with a smile. "With such a tax rate, if they want to make money, they can only try to find new avenues to operate, rather than trying to squeeze into the industries you have been cultivating for years and compete with you for a share of the profits."

"Huh? Ninety percent? Will they come?" Kado was startled when he heard Uchiha Toko's words. They currently pay 70% tax, which can guarantee that their industry will grow at a rate of about 30% per year. Uchiha Toko has raised the tax rate to 90%. Won't that scare them away?

"Who knows? The policy is right there. Whether they come or not is their own decision. Besides, if they are scared off by this tax rate, wouldn't that be exactly what you wanted?" Uchiha Touko said with a smile.

“Okay, so I’ll just go back and tell the people at the Business Federation like this?” Kado asked.

"Go!" Uchiha Touko waved his hand, indicating that Gato could leave.

When Uchiha Touko's policy was announced, the members of the Business Federation breathed a sigh of relief. In their opinion, the 90% tax was just an excuse to keep this group of people out. The Hokage still remembered their contributions!

However, to their surprise, 80% of these merchants who had fled the Land of Lightning gritted their teeth and accepted the 90% tax rate, and began to set up businesses in the Land of Fire.

This was not unexpected by Uchiha Tokō. After all, the businessmen of the Business Federation were unaware of the specific information within the Land of Lightning, and they did not know why this group of people were so desperately trying to escape.

The Land of Lightning, which has been rushing headlong down the path of militarism, simply robbed these people of their industries. After taking their property, they forcibly converted their factories into military factories to produce ninja tools and other war equipment.

At first, they naturally wouldn't sit idly by and wait for their doom. They had cultivated deep roots in the Land of Lightning for many years and naturally had some official support. However, after waiting for two days, they discovered that the Land of Lightning was now ruled by the Raikage, who was also the Grand Minister of State.

Those who took the lead in using official power to try to stop the Raikage from seizing their property were killed along with their entire families. The Cloud Village ninjas even hung the corpses of these people's entire families at the entrance of the Land of Lightning's Commercial Association, which terrified the group of merchants. Otherwise, they would not have fled overnight with their cash.

You should know that before this, these merchants from the Land of Lightning had mocked the Land of Fire for being such easy targets, actually paying 7% of their taxes.

But now it seems that compared to the Raikage, Uchiha Tokō is much better. Although he pays high taxes, at least he is reasonable.

So, at this moment, faced with the Land of Fire's offer of 90% tax revenue, everyone gritted their teeth and accepted it. After all, Commander-in-Chief Uchiha Tokō only wanted to collect 90% of the tax, but the Raikage behind him wanted to kill the whole family!

As for other countries, the Land of Water is not a suitable place to invest right now. The market in the south is already almost completely divided up by merchants from the Konoha faction. As for the north, who in the entire ninja world doesn't know that General Mei Terumi in the north is the Land of Lightning's most steadfast partner? Going to the north is simply suicide!

As for the Land of Earth, let's put it this way: if the ninja world had a credit system, Onoki and A's creditworthiness would be about the same. They were the kind of people who, in Uchiha Touko's previous life, would have to pay a 99-dollar deposit to borrow a lighter from someone at the village entrance. Having just escaped from the jaws of death, how could they dare to gamble that the Land of Earth might be the next den of wolves?

Therefore, Konoha is actually their only option right now. At least Uchiha Tokō's attitude towards merchants who are willing to make money under his rules is the most generous among all the major countries in the ninja world. Moreover, the tax only needs to be paid for ten years, right? After ten years, they may still have a chance to make a comeback.

After these merchants entered Konoha, they took their funds and began investing in the Land of Fire, which led to the development of some of the poorer areas in the Land of Fire.

After dealing with these matters, news came from Jiraiya that Naruto had resumed his journey after visiting the Tailed Beast Protection Area, and Sasuke had learned Snake Sage Mode and returned to Konoha in the past few days.

Meanwhile, Neji took advantage of being alone to complete the test specially set for him by Uchiha Touko and became a Jonin in the village.

The day after Neji became a Jonin, Uchiha Touko summoned Hyuga Hiashi to the Hokage's office.

"Lord Hokage, what are your orders?" After entering the office, Hiashi Hyuga greeted Touko Uchiha and then asked.

“It’s like this. The Land of Lightning has been making a lot of moves lately. To guard against them, I plan to send another force between the border garrisons of the Land of Hot Springs and the Land of Rice Fields to connect the border garrisons of the two countries,” said Uchiha Tokō. “And after thinking it over, it seems that the only person in the village who is capable and qualified to lead this force is you, the clan chief of Hiashi.”

"Since it is the Hokage's order, then I will certainly live up to the Hokage's trust," said Hiashi Hyuga.

"It's good that Clan Chief Hiashi has this awareness," Uchiha Touko said with a smile. "However, once Clan Chief Hiashi goes to the border, what will happen to the clan's affairs? The Hyuga clan is different from Inuzuka and Aburame. It is the second largest clan in the village after our Uchiha clan. There are many daily affairs, which is why I hesitated. After all, we can't let national affairs interfere with your Hyuga clan's family affairs."

Upon hearing this, Hiashi Hyuga understood why Touko Uchiha had come to him today. Now that Neji had grown up, it was time for this old man to step down.

Chapter 272 Neji Ascends the Throne and Purges the Hyuga

Hiashi Hyuga was actually prepared for this day, after all, he could sense that war was approaching, and Touko Uchiha would never allow a powerful ninja clan that he could not fully control to exist in the rear when war was about to break out.

After all, the Hyuga clan has a history of rebellion. Moreover, given the current situation of the Hyuga clan, if it weren't for the relationship between Uchiha Touko and Neji holding them back, the other main branches of the clan would probably have already started to make trouble for them. This is because even though the young clan leader has already been chosen, his two daughters have not yet been put in captivity.

Under these circumstances, some of the more talented members of the branch families have become quite restless lately. After all, none of them are qualified to be members of the main family. Why is it that Hinata, who is already 14 years old, has not been put into the Caged Bird Seal? Is it just because they are the daughters of the clan leader?

To be honest, Hiashi Hyuga felt ashamed. For the past two years, Neji, the young clan leader, had been bearing the brunt of the pressure. After all, he was Hinata and Hanabi's father, so he lacked confidence in whatever he said, and he didn't have the ability to make a one-man show within the Hyuga clan.

Now that Uchiha Touko has almost made it clear, Hyuga Hiashi feels that there's nothing wrong with handing over the position to Neji. He knows he's not cut out to be a clan leader, otherwise he wouldn't have been helpless about his brother's death. Besides, Uchiha Touko has given him a position as a border commander as compensation.

Thinking of this, Hiashi Hyuga did not hesitate any longer and immediately said, "Lord Hokage, there is no need to worry. National affairs should naturally take precedence over family affairs. It is an honor for me and the Hyuga clan that Lord Hokage is willing to entrust me with important responsibilities. As for clan affairs, Neji has grown up and I think it is time to give him more responsibilities."

“Since Clan Chief Hiashi thinks so, that’s perfect.” Uchiha Touko nodded.

"I wonder if Lord Hokage would be so kind as to attend Neji's inauguration ceremony as clan leader in a few days?" Hiashi Hyuga asked.

“Of course, Neji is my disciple, so I naturally have to be there for such an important moment in his life,” Uchiha Touko said.

……

After Hiashi Hyuga left, a figure slowly emerged from a shadowy corner of the Hokage's office.

"Fifth Hokage, you should know what kind of impact it would have on the Hyuga clan if your disciple became the clan leader," Tobirama Senju said, emerging from the shadows.

Seeing the person walking out of this corner, Uchiha Touko was speechless. He now understood where Danzo's habit of liking to hide in that corner of the office came from. You see, this corner had been used as a place to pile up junk for a long time after Uchiha Touko came to power, but Senju Tobirama managed to clear this place out, and occasionally the staff would come here to hide when there was nothing to do.

"Second Hokage, don't stay there unless it's absolutely necessary next time." Uchiha Touko first gave a helpless reminder, and then said, "What impact would it have on Neji becoming the clan leader? Neji is already the strongest in the Hyuga clan. Putting aside his advanced equipment from the Konoha Ninja Tool Research Institute, his Gentle Fist technique alone makes him the most talented person the Hyuga clan has ever produced since the Warring States period. Whether it's his improvement on their Hyuga clan's Bagua Step or the staff technique he developed by combining it with Gentle Fist, these are things that the Hyuga clan has never seen before. If he doesn't become the clan leader, who will?"

“But he used to be a member of a branch family with a caged bird on his head, right? If he becomes the clan head, the Hyuga clan will inevitably be thrown into turmoil,” Tobirama Senju said. “If your disciple learns your techniques, then the final result will probably be the complete abolition of the caged bird system.”

"Isn't this good?" Uchiha Touko shrugged. "If Neji hadn't become my disciple, his talent would probably have been buried by this Caged Bird. From the Warring States period to now, how many geniuses like Neji from the Hyuga clan have you thought have been buried by the Caged Bird? You know, as far as I know, the Hyuga clan has the same Sage bloodline as your Senju and our Uchiha clans."

“However, not every branch family member is as talented as your disciple, and almost everyone in the Hyuga clan can awaken the Byakugan at a certain age. If the Caged Bird Seal is removed, ordinary Hyuga clan members will be coveted by the entire ninja world,” Tobirama Senju warned.

“Second Hokage, I think your thinking is still stuck in the Warring States period,” Uchiha Touko said. “I don’t deny that the Caged Bird Seal can protect those branch clan members who don’t have enough talent. Given the conditions of the Warring States period, without the protection of the Caged Bird Seal, the Hyuga clan would probably have been wiped out long ago. However, this is the era of ninja villages. Every war in the village involves more than just the Hyuga clan. I think the village is capable of taking on the responsibility of protecting its comrades in the Hyuga clan.”

"Furthermore, didn't the Second Hokage always think that our Uchiha clan couldn't integrate into the village because of our arrogance? Don't you think that the Caged Bird Seal is also an obstacle to the Hyuga clan's complete integration into the village?"

After hearing Uchiha Touka's words, Senju Tobirama fell silent. He knew, of course, that the Hyuga clan, with the existence of the Caged Bird Technique, had never fully integrated into the village since its founding. While the Caged Bird Technique had ensured the stable inheritance of the Hyuga clan to some extent, it had also artificially created two opposing classes. The main family of the Hyuga clan remained secluded for years, while the branch family members were born slaves. Under such circumstances, how could they possibly integrate into the village?

Tobirama Senju hadn't paid much attention to this issue before. After all, compared to the Uchiha clan, which produced a superhumanly powerful lunatic every now and then, the Hyuga clan, which had crippled itself, didn't require his excessive concern. Moreover, with the Caged Bird Seal, the Hyuga clan didn't need him to worry about the Byakugan, a strategic-level bloodline limit, falling into the hands of other villages. Therefore, Tobirama Senju had always adopted a laissez-faire attitude towards the Hyuga clan, focusing his energy on guarding against the Uchiha.

"Didn't you ever think about what would happen if the white-eyed look fell into the hands of other villages..."

“If such a thing happens, it would be a dereliction of duty on my part as the Fifth Hokage, or the future Hokage!” Uchiha Touko said resolutely.

Tobirama Senju gave Uchiha Touko a deep look, and after a while, he laughed self-deprecatingly: "It seems that I, who grew up in the Warring States period, am indeed a bit outdated."

……

When Hiashi Hyuga brought the news back to the clan and announced at the clan meeting that Neji would soon officially inherit the position of clan leader and that he himself would become the commander of a new garrison in the village, the Hyuga clan was immediately thrown into an uproar.

“Hiashi, it’s certainly a good thing that you’ve become the village’s garrison commander, but Neji is still so young. Isn’t it a bit too hasty to let him succeed as clan leader? I think it would be better to proceed gradually and let Neji take over the clan leader’s duties slowly. It would be better to formally succeed him in a few years,” said an elder of the Hyuga clan at this moment.

“Is it too hasty? I don’t think so.” Hiashi Hyuga shook his head and then said, “Neji has been helping me handle some of the clan’s affairs over the years. Neji is already very skilled at handling the things that the clan leader needs to do.”

"But, Hiashi, don't forget the family rules." At this moment, the successor of the main branch of the family, who had been removed from power for forcing Hiashi Hyuga to abdicate, also spoke up.

"Rules? Elder, you might as well remind me." Neji, who was sitting to the left of Hyuga Hiashi, suddenly turned his head to look at the other party, his gaze sharp as a knife, scrutinizing him. At this moment, he did not activate his Byakugan, but even the Hyuga's Grand Elder felt like he was being pricked by a thorn under that gaze.

Neji's gaze immediately suppressed the idea that Neji was going to suggest putting Hinata and Hanabi in the Caged Bird Seal.

"Elder, what rule do you need to specifically bring up?" Neji continued to ask when he saw that the other party had fallen silent.

"Uh... Hiashi, Neji, as you know, the clan head must get married before taking over the position; this has been a rule for many years." The elder, who was being targeted by Neji, racked his brains to come up with this reason on the spot.

"Really? The clan has such a rule?" Hyuga Neji turned to look at Hyuga Hiashi and asked.

“Well, strictly speaking, there is such a rule. It’s written in the clan rules, but both my father and I were already in our twenties, married and had children, when we became clan leaders, so no one specifically brought it up.” Hyuga Hiashi thought for a moment and then nodded. “But it’s easy to handle. Just get engaged before you officially become clan leader.”

"Then I'll trouble you, Uncle, to deliver the betrothal gifts to Tenten's family these next few days." Neji was also a bit troubled upon hearing this news. He didn't want to break such trivial rules and cause trouble when it came to what he wanted to do, so he said to Hyuga Hiashi.