Uchiha Makoto laid out all his speculations, strongly suspecting that the high-ranking officials of the Land of Fire were behind all of this.
The relationship between Konoha and Akatsuki Village was appearing far too close, so close that the Daimyo of the Land of Fire couldn't sleep at night. And this was before the matter of the arranged marriage between Uchiha Makoto's family and Senju Hashirama's family had been widely publicized.
A year from now.
When the children from both families were born, and Konoha and Akatsuki Village officially announced the matter to the outside world.
The Daimyo of the Land of Fire would probably really lose sleep.
No one understood the meaning of a marriage alliance better than he did.
It provided a nominal pretext for a union, to combine the forces of Konoha and Akatsuki Village.
And once these two forces merged within the Land of Fire.
Whether Konoha annexed Akatsuki Village, or Akatsuki Village annexed Konoha, it would be an extremely terrifying event.
It would mean that there would no longer be any force within the Land of Fire that could restrain the power of the ninja villages. Externally, it would take at least three to four villages of equivalent scale to contend with a united Akatsuki Village and Konoha. It would take nothing short of a Great Ninja War to weaken them!
Faced with Uchiha Makoto's analysis, Senju Tobirama fell silent.
He was a smart man.
He had already had his own suspicions about the strange shift in public opinion within the Land of Fire. Now that Uchiha Makoto's Akatsuki Village could be ruled out.
The true culprit behind the media incident was self-evident—it was the high-ranking officials of the Land of Fire!
Besides the high-ranking officials of the Land of Fire...
No one else in the Land of Fire possessed such powerful strength and energy to sway public opinion.
But even though Senju Tobirama had now confirmed that the masterminds behind the smear campaign against Konoha were the high-ranking officials of the Land of Fire, this result actually made him wish even more that Uchiha Makoto was the one behind it.
After all, if Uchiha Makoto were pulling the strings.
Things would become simple.
As long as Konoha ninjas found evidence, Senju Tobirama could take that evidence and hold Akatsuki Village accountable.
It would be a simple matter of having his big brother go and give Uchiha Makoto a good thrashing.
There would be no need to consider Uchiha Makoto's status.
Senju Tobirama was eager to find such a good opportunity to curb Uchiha Makoto's current arrogance, and at the same time, use this opportunity to strike at the Uchiha clan in Konoha and make them quiet down for a while!
It would be killing two birds with one stone!
But if it was the high-ranking officials of the Land of Fire, things would be more complicated.
Senju Tobirama was different from Uchiha Makoto; there was a fundamental difference in their thinking.
If it were Uchiha Makoto handling this matter.
Given Uchiha Makoto's temperament, he would surely send Akatsuki ninjas to investigate, turning everything upside down!
He would find out exactly who was involved in this matter, and then send each of them a warm greeting from Akatsuki Village.
And while he was at it, he would take this opportunity to send some of the guys he didn't like to see the Sage of Six Paths.
These were not just any high-ranking officials of the Land of Fire!
A heavy fist was necessary!
Finally, he would take the heads of those high-ranking officials to warn the Daimyo of the Land of Fire—behave yourself and don't cause trouble, and we can still talk in the future!
Considering the Daimyo of the Land of Fire's initial investment in Uchiha Makoto, which had helped him successfully get through the most difficult period—the debt of gratitude still remained.
The two had also had a very memorable honeymoon period.
The Daimyo had almost married his daughter to Uchiha Makoto.
It was just that the Uzumaki clan was a step faster.
So Uchiha Makoto wouldn't mind giving the Daimyo of the Land of Fire a decent outcome. Letting him live out his days as a wealthy man in the Land of Fire was still possible!
But if the Daimyo of the Land of Fire continued to be tactless... then Uchiha Makoto could only send him to see the Sage of Six Paths as well!
But the person who had to solve this matter now—was Senju Tobirama.
Senju Tobirama could also swear on the lamp before him that he truly had no rebellious intentions against the Daimyo. He genuinely wanted to be a loyal and capable general of the Land of Fire, defending the Daimyo's rule... At most, at most, he would act like Duke Cao and enjoy the four-piece set—entering the court with his sword and shoes on, not hurrying when walking in court, not being addressed by his name during ceremonies, and establishing his own administration!
But as the old saying goes, you can't know a person's heart... how could the Daimyo possibly believe him?
But Senju Tobirama was indeed a loyal subject at present!
So according to the long-standing tradition of the ninja world and the agreement made when Konoha was founded.
Ninja villages were ninja villages, and the country was the country.
The two would not interfere in each other's internal affairs. The country would provide funds for the ninja village, and the ninja village would be responsible for protecting the country.
This matter involved the high-ranking officials of the Land of Fire, and ninja villages were strictly forbidden from interfering in the internal politics of the Land of Fire.
The correct way for Konoha to handle this was to report it to the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, and then let the Daimyo handle it, investigate the ins and outs of the matter, and ultimately give Konoha justice.
Even if Konoha ninjas were to participate, they could only act under the command of the Daimyo of the Land of Fire.
But...
Could this matter really be solved so easily?
Back then, because of Uchiha Makoto's reckless actions, slaughtering the entire family of a great noble from the Seika family, he had caused a huge disaster in the Land of Fire.
This act of crossing the red line had greatly angered the Daimyo of the Land of Fire.
And then...
Konoha received a compliance test from the Daimyo of the Land of Fire—was Konoha loyal... go and teach Uchiha Makoto a lesson, and pledge your loyalty to the Land of Fire.
Senju Tobirama had never forgotten the matter of receiving more than a dozen golden-plated arrow orders from the Daimyo of the Land of Fire in a single day.
But in the end, Uchiha Makoto had persuaded Senju Tobirama, making him inexplicably stand on Uchiha Makoto's side.
The result of the compliance test... Konoha failed.
Senju Tobirama had not forgotten the matter of the dozen golden-plated arrow orders, and neither had the Daimyo of the Land of Fire.
This was the retaliation from the Land of Fire.
And as long as Konoha wanted to investigate, they would surely find something.
But they couldn't just investigate everything.
What if they really found something?
It would be one thing if only some of the high-ranking officials of the Land of Fire were deliberately targeting Konoha... but what if the real mastermind was the Daimyo?
That was what Senju Tobirama feared—heaven and earth could bear witness, he was a loyal subject of the Land of Fire!
This kind of thing, crossing the red line, seeing blood and killing people, Senju Tobirama really didn't want to do it.
That guy, Uchiha Makoto, was waiting for Konoha to collude with him.
Once he got his way... it would be difficult for Konoha to extricate itself in the future.
"Tobirama, if you're not good at these things, I can help you."
"I'm very skilled at handling these things."
Seeing Senju Tobirama's hesitation, Uchiha Makoto quickly guessed what was on his mind—it was nothing more than the dispute between the country and the ninja village.
The stronger the ninja village.
The more the high-ranking officials of the Land of Fire feared it!
If the ninja villages continued to develop, the conflict between them would only become more and more acute, until it could no longer be reconciled. How could a group of ordinary people forever suppress ninjas with powerful strength!
It was just that the ninjas had not yet been able to break through that mental shackle.
That was why the high-ranking officials of the Land of Fire would resort to any means to provoke discord between the ninja villages... even if such means were crude.
But the more extreme, the more eye-catching, the more likely it was to be effective.
And as long as there was an opportunity...
Uchiha Makoto wouldn't mind giving Konoha a push.
Some things, once you do them often, you get used to them.
"No need."
"Once a guy like you gets involved, you'll only make things worse, and might even cause the situation to spin completely out of control. And in the end, Konoha is being targeted by the high-ranking officials of the Land of Fire precisely because of you, Uchiha Makoto, that naturally evil Uchiha brat. Why did I ever get possessed and help you back then..."
"It's clearly you and your Akatsuki Village that are the cause... but in the end, Konoha takes the blame... Logically, Konoha should be the one being praised!"
Senju Tobirama glared fiercely at Uchiha Makoto and began a series of complaints.
How could he not know Uchiha Makoto's little schemes.
If he let Uchiha Makoto handle this matter, he would surely drag Konoha into a bloody storm in the Land of Fire, and in the end, all the blame would fall on Konoha.
The already difficult relationship between the Land of Fire and Konoha would be even harder to repair in the future!
Uchiha Makoto was just thinking of using this opportunity to drag Konoha down with him!
And this matter, at its root, was because of Uchiha Makoto. If it weren't for this guy's reckless actions, how could Konoha have been resented by the high-ranking officials of the Land of Fire... Even if they wanted to smear Konoha, they should have smeared Akatsuki Village as well. Why deliberately put Konoha down!
This wasn't fair at all!
"Hmph... Tobirama, haven't you heard the saying?"
"Only good people get pointed at with a kunai!"
"The reason the Land of Fire doesn't dare to smear Akatsuki Village is because I will really kill people. Do you dare?"
Uchiha Makoto couldn't help but sneer repeatedly.
He would not have a shred of mercy for those vermin.
Uchiha Makoto had been using the salami-slicing tactic all along.
As long as he left a little room each time.
Those vermin would hold onto their illusions, and there would always be someone unwilling to have a complete falling out with him.
But when it came to the last slice, the vermin would have no more chances.
But right now, Konoha... still couldn't keep up with him...
And Senju Tobirama was not the true Hokage.
This matter also involved the high-ranking officials of the Land of Fire, and even the Daimyo.
On such a highly sensitive matter, if Senju Tobirama were to make a decision on his own and secretly attack the high-ranking officials of the Land of Fire.
Once the matter was exposed, and the Land of Fire found evidence...
Then... just the opposition within Konoha would be enough to give Senju Tobirama a hard time! (Uchiha clan: It is I!)
It would be best to get his big brother Senju Hashirama's approval first.
If Senju Hashirama were there to take the responsibility, Senju Tobirama could also bend his bottom line a little and send a warm greeting from Konoha to some of the high-ranking officials of the Land of Fire—he couldn't kill them... but he could make them walk the line between life and death.
As long as he handled it with the right measure, this matter could still be resolved.
But Senju Hashirama's temperament...
It was another classic case of being stuck between a rock and a hard place.
"Konoha is loyal to the Land of Fire and would never do something as rebellious as you!"
"Tch~ suit yourself. It's not my Akatsuki Village being smeared anyway. When the time comes and Konoha ninjas can't take it anymore and come to my Akatsuki Village, don't you come crying to me... I've already thought it out. For such ninjas, I'll give them Akatsuki Village visas. After living here for five years, they can get an Akatsuki green card!"
"Visa, green card, what are those?"
"Hmph... simply put... it's giving rogue ninjas from the ninja world a legal status to live in Akatsuki Village, and accepting talents from the ninja world!"
Senju Tobirama's face instantly darkened.
He knew that this situation was very likely to happen in the future, but he also knew that it would be difficult for him to prevent it from happening. A sense of powerlessness suddenly rose in his heart.
Looking at Uchiha Makoto's extremely arrogant expression.
Senju Tobirama felt very displeased, so he silently reached for his ninja tool pouch.
"Don't do it."
"We are both ninjas. Although Akatsuki Village is the beneficiary in this matter, we must present a united front at this time!"
"If you need Akatsuki Village's help, I don't mind lending you a hand. Of course, it's limited to physical assistance."
"No need. You are not to interfere in this matter. I will solve it myself!"
"Don't let me find out you did something behind my back..."
Senju Tobirama took out a kunai, gestured a few times in front of Uchiha Makoto, warning him not to get involved.
"Alright."
Uchiha Makoto threw up his hands.
He had been working non-stop in Akatsuki Village recently, and his energy was very precious. Since Senju Tobirama's attitude was so firm, he didn't care whether he interfered or not.
Anyway, even if Akatsuki Village just watched from the sidelines, it would still be the beneficiary of this matter.
Soon.
The meeting between the two ended.
Before parting.
Senju Tobirama gave Uchiha Makoto a middle finger as a farewell.
Uchiha Makoto returned the gesture with two middle fingers.
Returning to Akatsuki Village.
Uchiha Makoto received a secret letter from the First Tsuchikage.
Just after finishing his confrontation with Senju Tobirama, Iwagakure had come knocking. They really didn't want him to have a moment of peace.
But the letter from Iwagakure was a good thing.
At least it showed Akatsuki Village's status in the ninja world—if Iwagakure and Kirigakure wanted to perfectly resolve this dispute, they had to consider Akatsuki Village's attitude. Whoever Akatsuki Village sided with would have the advantage in this dispute!
This had nothing to do with justice!
In the end.
The ninja world was not a place of fairness and justice; it was a place where the size of one's fist mattered!
Uchiha Makoto would also prioritize the interests of Akatsuki Village above all else!
Opening the letter from the First Tsuchikage.
Uchiha Makoto's eyes quickly scanned the contents—it was like getting a pillow just when you were feeling sleepy!
According to his and Senju Tobirama's plan, they were going to continue to expand the public opinion, waiting for the dispute to ferment to the brink of war. Then, Konoha and Akatsuki Village would jointly intervene under the banner of peace in the ninja world, and then use their military power to uphold justice (and seize benefits).
But now, the First Tsuchikage had proactively invited Uchiha Makoto as a third-party force, hoping that Akatsuki Village would preside over the dispute between Iwagakure and Kirigakure.
In short, Uchiha Makoto was to act as a judge.
Iwagakure and Kirigakure would debate in court to resolve this matter peacefully, and ultimately punish the culprit.
"Interesting~"
The First Tsuchikage was truly an interesting guy.
Uchiha Makoto exclaimed.
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