The first step in preparing for war was to reassure the people. In a nationwide, all-clan war, internal discord could be fatal.
Facing the confused citizens suddenly gathered before him, Uzumaki Jun realized the advantage of a small nation with a sparse population, it was easy to mobilize everyone. Yet, his heart ached.
Though the Land of Whirlpools was a recognized nation, it was far too small.
After exchanging glances with the Clan Head and the daimyo standing beside him, Jun took a deep breath and stepped forward. The Clan Head and elders followed closely.
The citizens didn't understand why they had been summoned, especially with Prince Jun standing ahead of the Clan Head and daimyo. But the grim expressions on the elders' faces told them something was wrong. The crowd quickly fell silent.
The Clan Head stepped forward from Jun's left and spoke loudly, "First, we must apologize. Our poor decisions have brought the Land of Whirlpools to the brink of destruction."
He took a deep breath, then bowed alongside the elders. "We are sorry."
"No, no! It's not your fault, Clan Head!"
"Right! It's Kirigakure's doing!"
"Blame them!"
"..."
Hearing their forgiveness, the Clan Head's eyes welled with tears. This situation was entirely their fault, they had ignored their own clansman's warnings and trusted outsiders instead. And now...
Yet, despite everything, their people still believed in them.
Clenching his fists, the Clan Head suppressed a cold rage.
Konoha...
Looking at the worried, uneasy faces below, he said, "Thank you. Thank you for forgiving us. Thank you for still trusting us."
Wiping his tears, he straightened and declared sternly, "Second, from this moment onward, all Uzumaki will obey Prince Jun's orders. Anyone who disobeys..."
His sharp gaze swept over the crowd. "...will be exiled from the Land of Whirlpools and struck from the Uzumaki clan registry."
In this era, where survival still heavily relied on clan structures, expulsion was a severe punishment.
The crowd erupted in murmurs, but the Clan Head's stern expression silenced them. He wasn't joking.
Once order was restored, the daimyo stepped forward. "By the authority of the Land of Whirlpools' daimyo, I hereby entrust full governance of the nation to Uzumaki Jun. Every aspect, every individual, including myself will follow his directives."
Though shocked, the people quickly quieted. The Clan Head had already set the tone.
"Yes!" they shouted in unison.
Seeing the atmosphere was right, Uzumaki Jun stepped up. His youthful face carried an uncharacteristic seriousness as he announced, "You all know me, Prince of the Land of Whirlpools, first in line to succeed the daimyo."
"But that's not what matters now. From this moment, I will temporarily assume command to lead us against Kirigakure's invasion."
"When you heard Kirigakure was attacking, you were confused, worried but not afraid."
He paused.
"Because you believed, as the entire Uzumaki clan did, that Konoha was our closest friend, our brother. That they would surely come to our aid. But..."
Jun sighed. "You were wrong. We treated them as brothers, but they saw us as tools. They let the Uzumaki bleed and sweat for them, sacrifice so much in their wars. And when we begged for help..."
His voice hardened.
"They refused."
Gasps spread through the crowd. Disbelief.
"How? This was Lord Hashirama's promise!"
"How could they betray us?"
"Those bastards... after everything we've done for them? After Lord Hashirama's vow?"
"..."
"Silence!" The Clan Head's roar cut through the despair. Even he struggled to stay composed. After all their trust, Konoha had...
Fake allies.
The crowd quieted, but hopelessness filled their eyes. Alone, the Land of Whirlpools stood no chance not after losing so many in Konoha's wars. Was this truly the end?
"Yes. Hearing this, you feel despair. Fear." Seeing the mood shift dangerously, Jun knew it was time to pivot. If morale collapsed now, the war would be lost before it began.
Maybe this was why, in the original timeline, the Uzumaki were nearly wiped out—no preparation, no spirit left to fight.
"But," Jun declared firmly, "I swear on my name as the next daimyo of the Land of Whirlpools and as an Uzumaki, this nation will not fall. I will stand with the Uzumaki clan until the end."
A flicker of hope sparked in the crowd, but it quickly dimmed. Who would believe a seven-year-old?
Noticing this, the daimyo stepped forward. "By my authority as daimyo, I swear under Uzumaki Jun's leadership, the Land of Whirlpools will not perish. The Uzumaki clan stands with this nation until death."
The Clan Head followed. "As leader of the Uzumaki clan, I swear the same."
Then the Great Elder. "As elder of the Uzumaki clan, I swear it."
One by one, the elders pledged their faith.
Seeing even the daimyo and Clan Head believe in this child, the people's hope reignited. If they trusted him, why shouldn't they?
"Now, citizens of the Land of Whirlpools, clansmen of the Uzumaki, hear my orders!" Jun seized the moment.
"From this day, forget our so-called 'brothers' in Konoha. Only by relying on ourselves can this nation survive and grow stronger!"
Damn these fake allies. Better to cut ties now before they stab us in the back.
"Yes!" the crowd roared.
"Shinobi will escort the elderly, women, and children into the underground shelter. All citizens, Uzumaki or not, must enter. Stay there until the war ends. I've stored enough supplies to last six months. We will drive Kirigakure out by then."
"Yes!"
"All jonin and chunin, report for assignments immediately."
Jun raised his voice. "I hereby declare, the Land of Whirlpools is now at war. We will not become a nation of slaves!"
"We will not be slaves!"
...
"Kushina?"