"Captain, trouble! The Utatane clan's ninja are here to steal our credit!"
Shukudō rushed in, delivering urgent news.
"Let them try. They're nothing but clowns."
Umino Yoru didn't even bat an eye. If Utatane Koharu herself had come, he might've hesitated—but a few clan lackeys? Delusional.
With his sensory range covering the entire camp, he already knew the situation.
After news of the **"Konoha Hundred"**'s victory reached the village, many clans grew restless—especially upon learning they'd brought the Daimyō of the Land of Rivers back.
The Utatane clan acted first, sending elite ninja on summoning hawks to Wave Country, hoping to seize the daimyō and claim the glory.
But the Konoha Hundred—now far stronger than before, with a full squadron of puppet masters and ample funds—shut them down.
Without official mission orders, the Utatane envoys couldn't even see the daimyō. When Uchiha Shun stepped in, they could only rage impotently before being thrown out of the camp.
The Daimyō's Gambit
The daimyō, though portly, was no fool. After witnessing the ruins of the coastal fortress—obliterated by Yoru's forces—he dropped all arrogance.
To curry favor, he even offered two slots among his "Six Guardian Ninja" to the Konoha Hundred.
Yoru seized the chance, assigning Ebisu and Shiranui Genma as the daimyō's escorts. The final decision would require the Third Hokage's approval, but Hiruzen would likely agree—this was a golden opportunity to expand Konoha's influence.
Why Ebisu and Genma?
Strength: Both had grown beyond typical special jonin, nearing true jonin level after mastering new techniques. Loyalty: Ebisu: Yoru's childhood friend, unshakable. Genma: Bound by his nephew Shiranui Ryou (a rising star in the Konoha Hundred), ensuring his allegiance.
Meanwhile, prodigies like Uchiha Shun and Hatake Raidō were too valuable to waste as mere bodyguards.
The Utatane's Greed Backfires
Humiliated, the Utatane ninja sought another target—the fleet of ocean-going ships.
But Yoru had already sold them (via shell companies) to the Wave Country Maritime Trade Group, with:
20% shares to Konoha/the Daimyō (as "protection fees"). 10 million ryō spent relocating River Country refugees.
When the Utatane tried to strong-arm the trade group, Kakuzu beat them bloody.
Wave Country filed a formal complaint, forcing the Konoha Hundred to arrest the Utatane ninja for Hiruzen to judge.
Enter the Uchiha
Soon, more clans arrived—including the Uchiha, led by heir Fugaku.
Though they followed protocol, the daimyō refused, feeling safer with the Konoha Hundred.
But when Fugaku pressed, Yoru snapped:
"The Uchiha abandoned the Land of Rivers in battle, and now they dare steal our credit? ARREST THEM!"
His outburst wasn't about credit—it was political theater.
By painting the Konoha Hundred as anti-Uchiha hardliners, he ensured:
Village Support: The Hokage and clans would protect them to counter Uchiha influence. Unity: External threats (the Uchiha) would bind the group tighter. Expansion: Konoha might even expand their ranks to balance power.
Fugaku's blade flashed. "You wouldn't dare."