After Uchiha Makoto had completed all the preparations...
He rested for a night.
The next morning, he took the mission personnel to Konoha. Since both ninja villages were within the Land of Fire, and ninja were truly faster and had more endurance than the fastest horses, a truly top-tier beast of burden, it didn't take long to reach Konoha.
Before long...
Uchiha Makoto arrived at the outskirts of Konoha. Senju Hashirama, who had been waiting, had specially brought a welcoming party ten miles out to greet Uchiha Makoto's group, to show respect for Akatsuki Village.
Uchiha Makoto saw the vast procession from Konoha from a distance.
It could be said...
In the welcoming party, all of Konoha's higher-ups were present.
As soon as Uchiha Makoto approached, he saw several familiar faces.
Senju Hashirama, Uchiha Madara, Uzumaki Mito, the Hyuga clan leader... oh~ and Senju Tobirama.
"Lord Hashirama, long time no see!"
"Makoto, you're finally here. The last time we met was in the Land of Fire... Madara, come and say hello!"
Uchiha Makoto stepped forward and greeted Senju Hashirama, who responded enthusiastically and pulled Uchiha Madara, who was standing to the side.
"Kid, long time no see."
"Lord Madara, you're as magnificent as ever!"
"Hmm..."
Uchiha Madara's expression was a bit stiff. His memory of Uchiha Makoto was still from several years ago—a naive, incredibly arrogant kid.
Back then...
Uchiha Makoto, unable to accept the Uchiha clan making peace with the Senju clan, claiming that the Uchiha would sooner or later be destroyed by Konoha's hands, chose to leave the clan.
At that time, Uchiha Madara had already been captivated by the Senju demon. Although he was displeased, he did not choose to stop him, respecting the young man's thoughts.
Because he only saw Uchiha Makoto as a young and reckless person who had never experienced the harsh reality of the ninja world—an ordinary Uchiha clansman leaving the protection of his family to survive alone in the ninja world was already difficult enough, let alone wanting to build a career and establish a ninja village on his own~~~ How ridiculous!
Starting a business on one's own, establishing a ninja village, was no easy task.
Not just Uchiha Madara, but the other Uchiha clansmen also thought Uchiha Makoto was delusional. Although some of them held the same thoughts as Makoto, unwilling to make peace with the Senju clan, since Lord Madara had... they had to accept their fate.
No one was optimistic about Uchiha Makoto, but he turned out to be the most determined!
He had established Akatsuki Village in the ninja world completely without relying on his family's power. The village's status was on par with Konoha, and not long ago, he had led Akatsuki Village to defeat Kumogakure, another major village, and had even single-handedly killed the First Raikage!
Now, although Uchiha Madara didn't say it, his attitude was already an admission that he had misjudged.
"Tobirama, why don't you say hello when you see me?"
"We're old acquaintances!"
"Even the Hokage welcomes me. You wouldn't be unwelcoming of my visit to Konoha, would you?"
"At the very least, you should call me—Lord Light Shadow~"
Uchiha Makoto turned his head to look at Senju Tobirama on Senju Hashirama's right. The guy was staring at him without a word, a deadpan expression on his face.
But Uchiha Makoto didn't care at all. He teased him with a smile, emphasizing the word "Hokage"—Tobirama, in terms of status and position, I can sit and eat with Senju Hashirama, while you can only stand by and toast me!
In private, you can call me a "naturally evil Uchiha brat," I won't mind.
But here and now... what should you call me?
"Tch~ this naturally evil Uchiha brat..."
Senju Tobirama was very unhappy in his heart. He had received the message Uchiha Makoto had sent.
Hokage... I'll be on equal footing with you sooner or later!
It's just a matter of time!
Looking at Uchiha Makoto's smug and frivolous smile, Senju Tobirama really wanted to slap him right then and there. But everyone's eyes were already on him, so he could only force a smile and play along.
"Lord Light Shadow, what are you talking about? I've been missing you!"
"Hahaha, that's good. We'll have plenty of opportunities to get along in the future... The days are long..."
Seeing Senju Tobirama's forced smile, Uchiha Makoto's satisfaction was self-evident... This naturally evil old ghost of the Senju was probably cursing him in his heart right now!
But... it's useless!!
A Senju Tobirama who hasn't become Hokage is just weak!
Then, Uchiha Makoto's gaze passed over the resentful Senju Tobirama. He also needed to greet the other high-level officials of Konoha one by one.
Several of the Uchiha clan elders greeted Uchiha Makoto with smiles.
The largest number of people in the welcoming party were from Uchiha Makoto's own clan.
This was specially prepared for Uchiha Makoto by several of the Uchiha clan elders. The scale was far greater than when the clansmen had sent him off when he left the Uchiha clan.
Of course, there was a family connection... but more than that... it was a very realistic relationship of interests.
Although the Uchiha clan had made peace with the Senju clan, formed an alliance, and jointly established Konoha...
But upon closer inspection...
The Uchiha clan had actually been defeated in the war with the Senju clan. So, from the very beginning of Konoha's establishment, the Uchiha clan's status in Konoha had always been a step lower than the Senju clan's. Uchiha Madara also did not participate in the village's management, which led to the core power of the village being firmly held by the Senju faction.
The longer the time dragged on...
The further the Uchiha clan was from the core power.
Of course... the Uchiha clan was certainly aware of this.
So they were not content to be idle and had been trying to find a chance to break through.
And Uchiha Makoto, as an Uchiha clansman who had left Konoha and established Akatsuki Village, which was comparable to Konoha, had recently won a foreign war and had even single-handedly killed the First Raikage. Both his personal strength and the power he possessed were the best external support for the Uchiha clan in Konoha.
The Uchiha clan was very willing to form an offensive and defensive alliance with Uchiha Makoto, to grow bigger and stronger together!
In that case...
The Uchiha clan could also use Uchiha Makoto's prestige within Konoha to expand its own power and right to speak.
In fact, some results had already been achieved.
Senju Tobirama had taken the Konoha ninja army on a tour in the war against Kumogakure and had only come back with a sip of the soup.
At a high-level meeting in Konoha...
The Uchiha clan had taken this opportunity to put pressure on Senju Tobirama, accusing him of incompetence and delaying the speed of the army's support... Whether Senju Tobirama had deliberately delayed or not, as the commander of the army, for him to have Konoha just take a stroll and come back without gaining significant war benefits was his fault. Who was to blame but the person in charge!
What could Senju Tobirama do?
He could only grit his teeth and make concessions... hmm... it should be said, he deliberately made concessions.
Not long ago, Senju Tobirama had established a special department for the Uchiha clan—the Konoha Military Police Force, which would probably be renamed the Uchiha Military Police Force in the future.
The jurisdiction of the Military Police Force was very broad. It had an independent armed force, special financial allocations, and was responsible for managing the village's public security, arresting spies... a considerable part of its functions overlapped with the ANBU.
It was just that this part of the function was not used in normal times.
After all, the ANBU under Senju Tobirama were not just for show.
But the power, even after being castrated, was still not small. The Uchiha clan became Konoha's police, monopolizing the village's public security function, and it was hereditary!
The entire establishment of the Military Police Force, from top to bottom, was in the hands of the Uchiha clan, which was equivalent to giving the Uchiha clan a department to do as they pleased, and the power was not small!
Senju Tobirama's only condition for this was that for the first three years of funding, the Uchiha clan had to solve it themselves.
The Uchiha elders readily accepted. Was their family short of money?
Not at all!
Uchiha Makoto had given them a full one billion ryō!
Now, Uchiha Makoto's return was like a triumphant homecoming.
The Uchiha elders had brought a group of family disciples to support Uchiha Makoto!
Wealth is known even in the deep mountains, poverty is ignored even in the streets. Even the Uchiha clan could not escape this law.
Uchiha Makoto warmly responded to the Uchiha elders' goodwill. Although this group of his clansmen were stupidly obvious, they were good fighters... Did I give you one billion ryō to spend it like this?
After some pleasantries...
The two sides merged into one and walked towards Konoha together.
During this time, Senju Hashirama took the initiative to get close to Uchiha Makoto, and in their chat, he mentioned the movie recently released by Akatsuki Village.
"Makoto, I saw the movie your Akatsuki Village made... It reminded me of the Warring States Period... Peace is hard-won!"
"Lord Hashirama, the only purpose of my filming this movie was to make people realize the cruelty of war, to show the struggle of ninja in war... and ultimately... to make people realize the preciousness of peace."
Uchiha Makoto said what Senju Hashirama liked to hear, and Senju Hashirama nodded repeatedly.
And Senju Tobirama's eyes were fixed on the "nonsense" spouting Uchiha Makoto, his heart filled with indignation.
No one knew Uchiha Makoto better than him!
This naturally evil Uchiha brat, was he using a movie to promote peace among the ninja armies?
This guy was the most eager to see the world in chaos!
A belly full of bad water!
And he slandered me for the entire movie!
Beast!!
"Tobirama, what do you think of the movie I made?"
"Isn't it great!"
Uchiha Makoto, as if he had eyes in the back of his head, knew that Senju Tobirama was staring at him fiercely at this moment and took the initiative to ask.
Senju Tobirama's face darkened.
This was the second time today that Uchiha Makoto had deliberately provoked him!
Uchiha Makoto, you naturally evil Uchiha brat, don't think you can keep being smug just because of your status... Thirty years the river flows east, thirty years it flows west!
But...
At this moment...
Senju Tobirama could only force a smile and say against his will, "Good... excellent, I like it very much..."
"That's great. Akatsuki Village will continue to make such movies in the future!"
"Tobirama... I hope you will always like them!"
Uchiha Makoto said with a hidden meaning. Senju Tobirama's face turned even darker. Both sides knew the meaning behind the words—Senju Tobirama, I will always slander you!
"Good, that's great. The more such movies there are, the more people in the ninja world should realize the horror of war."
Senju Hashirama smiled and patted Uchiha Makoto's shoulder in encouragement.
In their chat...
The group quickly passed through the Konoha barrier and entered the village.
"What a vibrant scene of life and competition!"
Uchiha Makoto looked around and said in a perfect local accent.
Although it was a compliment, in Senju Tobirama's ears, it sounded a bit sarcastic.
Konoha had indeed developed well over the years...
It was just that compared to Akatsuki Village, Konoha's atmosphere seemed a bit desolate.
But at this time, he still had to give Konoha some face... at least in front of Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara.
Uchiha Makoto sighed a few times. He didn't say much. This wasn't his village!
Subsequently...
The welcoming ceremony ended.
Uchiha Makoto was taken to the Hokage's office. Only Uchiha Makoto, Senju Hashirama, Senju Tobirama, and Uchiha Madara were left in the room.
This would be a more private meeting.
This meeting of the high-level officials of Konoha and Akatsuki Village was naturally not just for a meal at Senju Hashirama's house. It was more about discussing the future development of the two villages and exchanging views on the future direction of the ninja world.
Especially the war between Akatsuki Village and Kumogakure...
This would inevitably have a profound impact on the future situation of the ninja world.
Senju Hashirama did not interfere in the village's affairs at all; it was all handled by Senju Tobirama. So, regarding the cooperation between the two villages, he skipped this part directly.
As for the future of the ninja world... the attitude he expressed was very simple.
He hoped that Akatsuki Village would exercise restraint in its future actions and try to avoid armed conflict... looking at the bigger picture...
"Lord First, I fully understand your meaning."
"But the tree desires stillness, yet the wind will not cease. I also hope to enjoy a peaceful life, but... conflict is sometimes unavoidable."
"Our generation may still remember the tragedy of the Warring States Period and understand the cruelty of war, but our descendants... and conflicts will continue to escalate. It is not something you can resolve with wishful thinking."
"War... the only lesson mankind has learned from history is that mankind learns nothing from history..."
Uchiha Makoto spoke frankly. If it weren't for Senju Hashirama's status and strength, he would have even wanted to laugh out loud.
From the bigger picture... I am the bigger picture... okay!
"I agree with Uchiha Makoto's point of view."
Uchiha Madara nodded. He and Uchiha Makoto had the same view.
There will be a war between the ninja villages sooner or later. Since it will happen sooner or later, it is better for our generation to bear all the sins and end all wars!
Unify the ninja world!
"Madara, your thinking is too extreme. The situation has not reached that point at all."
"Forcing people to submit with force, such a peace will not last. We should try to let the ninja villages understand and help each other..."
"Hashirama, you are too naive!"
"Madara..."
Uchiha Makoto looked at the two arguing people.
He neither agreed with Senju Hashirama, because his ideas were too naive.
Of course, he did not agree with Uchiha Madara either... Unifying the ninja world naturally also included Akatsuki Village.
Letting Konoha lead all this, wouldn't his years of effort be in vain?
"You two, I have a compromise."
"What is it?" x2
"It's simple. I call it mutually assured destruction... If the ninja villages all have the ability to destroy each other, then they will inevitably exercise restraint in the face of conflict, and war will not easily occur, to avoid being destroyed."
Uchiha Makoto said slowly.
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