100 Chapters 🥳🥳
And guys, I appreciate your support up to this point.
----
The same scene unfolded in Iwagakure.
The only difference was that Ōnoki, the Third Tsuchikage, was far more interested in scientific ninja tools than the missions being offered.
---
In the original timeline, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, caused internal strife in Konoha, reducing the strongest ninja village to the third-largest.
Sunagakure suffered due to betrayal from its own Daimyo, and Kirigakure was manipulated by Obito, making Konoha's situation miserable in comparison.
Meanwhile, Iwagakure and Kumogakure thrived under the strong support of their Daimyos, engaging in an intense arms race and participating in secret small-scale conflicts.
Ōnoki even hired the Akatsuki on several occasions to fight against Kumogakure.
During the Chūnin Exams, Orochimaru's claim about the major nations preparing for war largely referred to Kumogakure and Iwagakure.
It was this looming threat from the two villages, coupled with Konoha's internal chaos, that led Orochimaru to decide to uproot Sarutobi Hiruzen and set Konoha back on track.
---
When Kenichi from the Uchiha clan's 1ancer team approached Ōnoki, the old Tsuchikage immediately picked up on the key points in Kenichi's words.
Scientific ninja tools?
Ōnoki's sharp instincts kicked in. What could possibly drive every ninja in Konoha to focus on manufacturing?
His curiosity grew when Kenichi demonstrated the tools. Watching a mere academy student effortlessly perform an A-rank jutsu left Ōnoki stunned.
"This... anyone can use this?" Ōnoki asked, his face darkening.
Kenichi smiled calmly. "As long as they can extract chakra, yes."
Ōnoki's expression turned grave. Anyone who can extract chakra? That's practically everyone in the ninja world!
The key difference between individuals had always been their talent—some could extract more chakra or use it more effectively than others. Those with poor talent struggled to even perform basic jutsu.
But with these tools, anyone capable of extracting even a small amount of chakra could execute advanced techniques.
The implications were staggering. What's the point of training for years when others can just buy their way to power?
Ōnoki realized the danger immediately. It wasn't just about rival villages—it was about the broader consequences for ninjas as a profession.
If wealthy merchants and nobles could perform advanced jutsu, why would they bother hiring ninjas? Why train for decades when money could grant you the same results?
"This... this is digging up the roots of the ninja system!" Ōnoki roared, glaring at Kenichi. "You Uchiha know what you're doing, don't you? Haven't you learned from the fate of the Uzumaki clan?"
Ōnoki's reference to the Uzumaki clan was deliberate. Their mastery of terrifying sealing techniques made them a target. Without Konoha's protection, they were destroyed by the Five Great Ninja Villages.
To Ōnoki, the Uchiha were now committing a similar transgression by disrupting the established order.
Kenichi, however, remained composed. Taking a sip of tea, he replied with a faint smile, "Tsuchikage-sama, please don't be so agitated. Our clan leader has already considered this. We're not denying anyone a way to live—so long as they show us some respect."
Kenichi continued, "Konoha is no longer a ninja village, and we're quite poor now. The clan leader came up with a balanced solution: sell ninjutsu scrolls at premium prices.
"A C-rank scroll costs 100,000 ryō, a B-rank scroll 200,000, an A-rank scroll 1 million, and an S-rank scroll 10 million. This way, hiring ninjas remains more cost-effective than buying scrolls. Merchants and nobles will still turn to ninja villages for their needs."
Ōnoki's eyes widened in disbelief. "You're insane! Why not just rob people outright?!"
He did the math quickly. The cost of hiring three genin for a month is equivalent to buying a single C-rank scroll. With that money, I could have them perform C-rank jutsu daily!
But then, something clicked in Ōnoki's mind. Wait a minute… if these scrolls are so expensive, wouldn't only ninjas end up buying them anyway?
Ōnoki stroked his beard, a mix of realization and frustration washing over him. This is a trap! A perfectly crafted trap!
By making these tools prohibitively expensive, Konoha ensured they could profit while also undermining other ninja villages. If Iwagakure refused to buy them, they'd be at a disadvantage against villages that did.
Ōnoki glared at Kenichi. "Aren't you afraid of suffering the same fate as the Uzumaki clan?"
Kenichi sneered, his Sharingan morphing into the Mangekyō.
"If you don't want it, someone else will. And if you think you can threaten the Uchiha, think again. We're not Uzushiogakure.
"Konoha may no longer take missions, but that doesn't mean we've stopped being ninjas. You've wanted to crush Konoha since the First Ninja War. Have you succeeded yet?"
Ōnoki froze, his gaze locked on the swirling patterns of Kenichi's Mangekyō Sharingan.
"Impossible... Mangekyō Sharingan?!"
Memories of his youth flooded back—of standing before Uchiha Madara during peace talks. The sheer terror of Madara's Mangekyō had left an indelible scar on Ōnoki's psyche.
And now, the Uchiha clan wielded those same eyes again.
A shadow of dread loomed over Ōnoki as he realized just how dangerous the Uchiha had become.