Early morning...
The refugees, led by the Uzu-nin, boarded the ships with nervous expressions. They didn't know whether their destination would be heaven or hell. But no matter what...
They no longer wanted to live that painful, terrible life.
So their hearts were filled with both hope and unease...
They hoped life in the Land of Whirlpools would truly be as the Uzu-nin described, or even slightly worse than what they said...
As long as there was no war, and they didn't starve or freeze, that would be enough!
This was their only prayer.
"What's wrong?" Uzumaki Jun looked at Yakushi Nonō, who was angry and ignoring him, and smiled. "You look upset."
Probably because he had deceived her last time when recruiting people, which made her angry.
Yakushi Nonō turned her head away, still ignoring Uzumaki Jun, as if to say, "You lied to me, I'm very angry."
Uzumaki Jun rubbed Yakushi Nonō's dry, yellowish hair and smiled. "Not everything was a lie. At the very least..."
"Life in the Land of Whirlpools will truly be very good."
This was his promise as the leader of the Land of Whirlpools—the country would definitely become a much better place.
Yakushi Nonō, her hair being ruffled by Uzumaki Jun, stared at him blankly. "You're a ninja?"
"Yes," Uzumaki Jun nodded but didn't tell her his rank.
"Then, Lord Jun..." Yakushi Nonō asked cautiously.
"You'll understand when you reach the Land of Whirlpools," Uzumaki Jun smiled. "I believe you'll become a ninja too in the future."
An excellent medical ninja...
"Really?" Yakushi Nonō's eyes lit up. She also wished to have power to protect her family, but then her expression dimmed again. "I hate war."
And thus...
She also detested ninjas!
"War will disappear. The ninja world will get better and better," Uzumaki Jun sighed.
Currently, war in the ninja world was inevitable. On one hand, it was due to resources and military reasons. On the other hand...
Black Zetsu and White Zetsu were lurking in the shadows. That filial son would do anything to revive his mother.
Ever since Hashirama sold the tailed beasts like livestock, the seeds of war had already been sown...
"Really?" Yakushi Nonō widened her eyes.
"Of course," Uzumaki Jun rubbed her head.
She was such a big-eyed, adorable little girl now. How did she end up wearing glasses later?
Was it because of studying medical ninjutsu?
Uzumaki Jun sighed inwardly. Truly, there was a reason why she became a top student...
"The ship is about to leave," Uzumaki Jun said. "See you in the Land of Whirlpools."
"Mm!" Yakushi Nonō nodded, smiling with her eyes narrowed. "See you then, Lord... no, Brother Jun!"
...
Hokage Building...
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at the intelligence report sent from below, took a puff of his pipe, and sighed helplessly. "What exactly is Uzumaki Jun trying to do?"
Introducing scum to Konoha?
Was this kid trying to stir up trouble?
While it did boost Konoha's reputation in a way, Nara Shikazo was complaining about how troublesome it was, and...
Who would want such scum?
"What a headache-inducing kid," Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed. "Order them to stop this behavior immediately!"
At this stage, they couldn't afford to clash with the Uzumaki Clan. After all, Lady Mito was already old, and the issue of the Nine-Tails needed to be resolved soon. If something unexpected happened at this time...
Konoha might have to restart the jinchūriki experiments among ordinary people.
"Yes!" replied the Anbu jonin.
"Dismissed," Sarutobi Hiruzen waved his hand, took another puff of his pipe, and frowned. "What is Danzō trying to do?"
He actually sent people to attack the Uzu-nin at this time and even committed such atrocities as killing civilians. Hadn't he already warned him?
Not only did the operatives die...
Now he had to compensate for the losses?
"What a headache," Sarutobi Hiruzen rubbed his forehead. "This money should definitely come out of Danzō's own pocket. He has to take responsibility for his own mistakes."
But...
Damn it!
Magnetic Release traces were found on the dead Root ninjas. What was going on?
Had the Land of Whirlpools formed an alliance with Sunagakure?
That couldn't be possible!
Not only was Sunagakure geographically very far from the Land of Whirlpools, but their economy...
They barely avoided fiscal deficits by relying on the Second Kazekage's socialite-style Magnetic Release to sell gold dust.
Sunagakure was extremely poor! Otherwise, why would the First Kazekage cry about poverty at the Five Kage Summit and beg Hashirama for money?
This incident was still mocked by people today.
If Hashirama hadn't intervened back then, the First Kazekage might have been beaten into calling him "Daddy"!
No money, no strength, yet still daring to make demands?
So...
What could the Land of Whirlpools possibly gain from allying with Sunagakure?
Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned in thought. "Is it to deal with Konoha?" His eyes sharpened at this thought. "Someone!"
"Here, Hokage-sama," an Anbu appeared instantly.
"Increase intelligence gathering in the Land of Wind, especially any information related to the Land of Whirlpools. Report everything."
"Yes!"
"I hope it's not what I'm thinking," Sarutobi Hiruzen muttered, watching the Anbu leave, then took another puff of his pipe. "Otherwise..."
Konoha would have no choice but to take action against the Land of Whirlpools...
...
After sending off the first batch of refugees, the Uzu-nin continued staying behind to recruit more...
Uzumaki Jun frowned at the unusually sparse crowd of refugees today and murmured, "This won't do."
If things continued like this, how long would it take to gather enough refugees?
If only he had printed more recruitment posters and sent the Uzu-nin to advertise everywhere. But...
How many refugees could even read?
"For now..." Uzumaki Jun glanced at the nearby Konoha-nin and called out to the Uzu-nin. "Go and spread the word to nearby refugees."
If the Uzu-nin left at this time, the Konoha-nin would surely send people to follow them. After all, given the last incident...
It cost too much money!
And if the Konoha-nin followed, it would be much easier for the Uzu-nin to recruit people. After all, Konoha's reputation was still quite good, while the Land of Whirlpools, a small country...
Probably wasn't even known to many.
So, to reassure people about following them, they needed a guarantor—like...
Konoha!
Otherwise, forced relocation would only be a last resort.
So...
...
Nara Shikazo frowned as he watched the Uzu-nin leave for some unknown reason. He signaled to a few nearby jonin. "Follow them!"
He didn't believe another accident would happen.
Before the Hokage's orders arrived, maintaining peace was the best course of action, especially...
The money issue wasn't settled yet!
"What a pain," Nara Shikazo grumbled. He just wanted to peacefully get through this month. Why did the Uzu-nin always like to stir up trouble? What were they planning this time? "Can't they just go to Konoha quietly now?"
Why was this seven-year-old kid still here?
Things had stabilized. Shouldn't he be heading to Konoha by now? Or...
"What a detestable child!"