Uchiha Makoto wanted to rule the world, and he would face many difficulties.
Especially within the Land of Fire, Akatsuki Village first had to handle its relationship with Konoha properly.
And the current de facto leader of Konoha was that naturally evil old demon of the Senju, Tobirama.
This led to a very delicate relationship between Uchiha Makoto and Senju Tobirama.
From an emotional standpoint.
Uchiha Makoto considered himself wise his entire life, but he would never underestimate the heroes of the world.
And Senju Tobirama was Uchiha Makoto's greatest concern.
He had already screwed Senju Tobirama over several times.
Uchiha Makoto knew with his toes that Senju Tobirama dreamed of getting back at him, of settling the score.
There's a saying that a thief can steal for a thousand days, but you can't guard against a thief for a thousand days. He was always worried that he would be tripped up by some trick Senju Tobirama pulled in the shadows.
So Uchiha Makoto really wanted to send Senju Tobirama to the Pure Land to see the Sage of Six Paths.
Now, immediately, right away.
He didn't want to wait a single second.
To completely eliminate this possibility on a physical level.
As long as that evil old demon of the Senju, Tobirama, was in Konoha for a single day, Uchiha Makoto couldn't even sleep peacefully.
But from a rational standpoint.
Such boundless thoughts were something Uchiha Makoto would only entertain in his mind.
Because he knew that killing Senju Tobirama was very difficult.
Truly, very difficult!
Senju Tobirama had already mastered a variety of powerful and potent forbidden techniques with unknown effects. He also possessed a space-time ninjutsu like the Flying Thunder God Technique.
As is well known, this type of space-time ninjutsu is the most insidious, unpredictable, and difficult to guard against. It's also good for both fighting and fleeing.
Uchiha Obito was able to stir up trouble in the ninja world with just his Kamui.
The same was true for Senju Tobirama.
In a battle, unless Senju Tobirama was instantly killed, he could be said to be in an invincible position from the start... And instantly killing Senju Tobirama was something even Uchiha Madara couldn't do.
In the original story, his death at the hands of the Gold and Silver Brothers while covering for his disciples was purely a plot-driven death given by AB.
Under normal circumstances, he should have run faster than anyone.
As a Kage, how could he not know how dangerous it was to appoint Sarutobi Hiruzen as the Third Hokage on his deathbed.
The ninja war was not yet completely over.
The Uchiha clan was also covetously eyeing the position of the Third Hokage, hoping day and night that a Hokage would emerge from their family.
The same was true for the Senju clan.
The First and Second Hokage were both from the Senju clan. The glory of the Third should rightfully belong to the Senju clan!
A mere Sarutobi Hiruzen... If Senju Tobirama were alive, it would be fine, but once he died, who the hell in Konoha would recognize you!
The village could have a major internal conflict over this matter alone.
The plot design was too absurd; Uchiha Makoto couldn't even bear to look at it... but that's how AB drew it. He's the author, after all!
A common ailment of shonen manga.
But for Uchiha Makoto, this was now a living reality.
Thinking about real-world problems with a shonen manga mindset could lead to a very miserable death.
Now, the plot had even deviated to a certain extent. The ninjas of Kumogakure all dreamed of killing Uchiha Makoto!
Waiting for Kumogakure to send Senju Tobirama off with a bang, Uchiha Makoto no longer held much hope for that path.
So Uchiha Makoto could only try to coexist with Senju Tobirama for a long time.
He had to use the Uchiha clan in Konoha to continuously weaken his power and influence in the village, divert his attention, and buy precious development time for Akatsuki Village.
At the same time, he also had to cooperate with Senju Tobirama, giving him some sweet deals from time to time to prevent him from getting desperate... If this guy was pushed to the brink, he might disregard everything and sabotage Akatsuki Village's actions, and Uchiha Makoto would truly be unable to accomplish anything.
The aspect of ideology was especially important.
Because Uchiha Makoto's attitude towards Konoha had always been consistent: never confront them head-on, always use a soft knife to cut the flesh, giving Senju Tobirama no opportunity to make a move against Akatsuki Village.
But towards the vermin of the Land of Fire, he would strike with a heavy fist!
His main strategy was to bully the weak and fear the strong, picking on the soft persimmons.
But... the financial resources and influence of the vermin were enough for Konoha to suppress Akatsuki Village's actions...
So Uchiha Makoto needed to continuously "brainwash" Senju Tobirama, making him agree with his set of theories in his heart—that everything he did was beneficial to this ninja world, could improve the status and lives of ninjas, and ultimately reduce turmoil in the ninja world.
Until a critical moment.
Senju Tobirama could proactively cover up problems for Uchiha Makoto and silently support Akatsuki Village's actions.
This extremely delicate relationship.
Made Uchiha Makoto feel like he was playing a very strange dating sim... and one without a progress bar!
Senju Tobirama was still silent, looking unwilling to continue the deep conversation with Uchiha Makoto.
"Any technology that already exists when I am born is a normal part of the world. Any technology that is invented between when I am 15 and 35 is revolutionary and will change the world. Any technology invented after I am 35 is against the natural order of things."
This was true for technology, and also for ideas.
—The ninja-as-a-tool mentality is truly harmful!
Even Senju Tobirama was deeply influenced by it.
Not to mention Uchiha Makoto's identity as a member of the Uchiha clan.
Under normal circumstances...
When an ordinary Uchiha clan member spouted such sensational theories to Senju Tobirama, he would surely be rudely interrupted—you naturally evil Uchiha brat, how dare you... The rest goes without saying.
So Senju Tobirama was now silent.
Uchiha Makoto was not in a hurry. Getting Senju Tobirama to abandon his prejudice against the Uchiha and shake off the influence of the ninja-as-a-tool theory he had been subjected to for decades was destined to be an extremely difficult battle.
"But... I like it!"
"This is what's challenging, what's worth putting effort into!"
The weak, when faced with difficulties, will fear and run away.
But a strong person like Uchiha Makoto will only become more excited, more willing to face the challenge.
The wilder the horse, the more it arouses the desire of an excellent rider like him to challenge it!
And remaining silent was actually the best reaction. At the very least, Senju Tobirama had seen his actions and was beginning to take his theories seriously.
Uchiha Makoto carefully assessed the current situation in his mind.
In this situation.
It was precisely when Senju Tobirama's mind was in chaos and his thinking was unclear, so he had to press his advantage.
Thus, Uchiha Makoto continued to speak:
"Tobirama, I know what you're worried about. It's nothing more than the financial power and influence of the Daimyo, and the shackles that the secular world has placed on ninjas... But the students before you are the embodiment of my ninja way. With their aptitude, they have no chance to participate in normal ninja missions and battles, so they are destined to go deep into the grassroots production of the Land of Fire, and ultimately spread my ninja way throughout the Land of Fire, to the entire country!"
"This process will take a very long time, and I don't want to cause chaos in the world."
"But in the process, some conflicts will inevitably arise, and sometimes I will inevitably have to do things that no one wants to see."
"Do you understand what I mean?"
Uchiha Makoto inched forward.
He wanted to secure more room for Akatsuki Village to maneuver, to loosen its bonds.
Because of the matter of the slaughter of the great noble family from the Seika family, Konoha had been keeping a very close watch on this aspect. Senju Tobirama did not want such a bloody incident to happen again.
And the recent series of actions by the Land of Fire were timed very cleverly.
Uchiha Makoto admitted that this kind of divisive tactic would likely be very effective.
After all, Konoha ninjas also had their own pride.
When the dignity of Konoha ninjas was trampled upon, there would definitely be resentment.
As such a large target, Akatsuki Village would naturally have to bear a large part of the fire.
But one must be strong to forge iron.
The high-ranking officials of the Land of Fire had no military backing, so they could only play these little tricks.
Akatsuki Village was now seizing the opportunity of the era to soar.
This wave of public opinion would bring the resentment of Konoha ninjas in the short term.
But what if Akatsuki Village really achieved those praises, those words of flattery meant to kill?
"A meal at an ordinary fast-food restaurant in Akatsuki Village is more delicious than a New Year's Eve dinner in a Konoha villager's home," this kind of flattery was indeed sensational, but the data survey showing that the purchasing power of a day's salary in Akatsuki Village was three to four times higher than in Konoha could really become a reality.
That immense resentment would be transformed into a yearning for the beautiful and happy life in Akatsuki Village, helping Uchiha Makoto complete the ideological strangulation of Konoha's grassroots.
Of course, these things needed time to brew.
And the reason why the recent series of actions by the Land of Fire were timed so cleverly was because there was also a difference in perspective involved.
The information available to ordinary people and the Konoha higher-ups was asymmetrical.
Senju Tobirama knew much more than ordinary people.
Uchiha Makoto had eliminated the great noble family of the Seika family, so the high-ranking officials of the Land of Fire issued a compliance test to Konoha—evidence was not important; what was important was to let Akatsuki Village taste failure.
We, the high-ranking officials of the Land of Fire, are not fools, not so easy to placate. Do you really think that just because you can't find evidence, you can't deal with Akatsuki Village!
And in the end, Senju Tobirama chose to play deaf and dumb, pinning all the blame on Takigakure.
Konoha had completely failed this compliance test!
And then... the retaliatory and divisive actions of the high-ranking officials of the Land of Fire came.
The masterminds behind the media campaign against Konoha were the high-ranking officials of the Land of Fire.
On the surface, Senju Tobirama did not let Uchiha Makoto interfere in this matter, wanting to use more peaceful means to negotiate with the high-ranking officials of the Land of Fire.
Admit your mistakes, and don't do it again.
It was nothing more than putting on a smiling face.
Putting on a smiling face for the country's high-ranking officials, Konoha's financiers, was not something to be ashamed of. The Kage of all the great ninja villages would inevitably experience such things.
But... what about in Senju Tobirama's heart?
The matter of a dozen golden-plated arrow orders in one day, he had never forgotten.
Indeed.
This incident was entirely caused by Uchiha Makoto.
But in Senju Tobirama's heart, he was never a good person to begin with, he was a bastard... Uchiha Makoto had the advantage of a low reputation!
But the high-ranking officials of the Land of Fire were different.
Senju Tobirama had always wanted to be a loyal and filial subject to them, but they were bullying the honest man who wanted to be a loyal and filial subject—Senju Hashirama had been acting far too leisurely.
But towards Uchiha Makoto, that evil brat who liked to use underhanded tactics, they were as fearful as if he were a tiger, not daring to provoke him, afraid of making him unhappy and causing him to go on another killing spree.
I am loyal to you, and you stab me in the back... How could Senju Tobirama not have resentment in his heart?
It was just that he was of the lawful alignment and was willing to endure like his big brother.
But the resentment was real!
Senju Tobirama's throat was dry. After a moment of silence, he said, "Don't take things too far... do it cleanly, and don't leave any evidence."
"Don't worry, my work is always clean and neat, leaving no traces!"
Uchiha Makoto immediately understood the meaning Senju Tobirama was conveying.
It meant that if you're wearing a condom, it doesn't count as giving!
If you're not caught, it doesn't count as having done it!
This meant that Senju Tobirama would turn a blind eye to Akatsuki Village at certain critical moments.
Unlike their last meeting.
Senju Tobirama had fiercely declared to Uchiha Makoto: "If you dare to act recklessly again, I'll have Konoha ninjas investigate you from top to bottom, the kind where they can conjure up evidence even if there is none. Don't think I'll clean up your mess again, you naturally evil Uchiha brat!"
This was progress!
He would push a little further, see what color Senju Tobirama's underwear was... uh... what his bottom line was.
"If the Daimyo of the Land of Fire personally comes to find the First Hokage, can you help me..."
"Uchiha Makoto, don't even think about it. I would never help you fool my big brother!"
"If big brother wants to investigate you, then you'll have to pray for yourself. Don't be fooled by his usual naive appearance. When he gets serious... even I..."
Senju Tobirama did not hesitate in the slightest.
When it came to his big brother, Senju Hashirama, there was nothing to argue about. He would definitely stand by his big brother one hundred percent.
If Uchiha Makoto couldn't get his head straight, made a mess of things, and poked a hole in the sky, ultimately dragging his big brother into this mess.
Although his big brother usually had a naturally dazed and occasionally foolish image, when he got serious, his intuition was exceptionally sharp... so whatever his big brother told him to do, he would do it, and he would definitely complete the tasks his big brother assigned him seriously.
And his big brother was his big brother, his real big brother, not a cousin... how could he possibly help an outsider fool his big brother!
And the one he would be helping was Uchiha Makoto, that naturally evil Uchiha brat... even though he had already made another concession just now.
Uchiha Makoto was so ungrateful, truly pushing his luck!
"Hahaha, I was just kidding!"
Uchiha Makoto laughed it off. He wasn't surprised by Senju Tobirama's reaction at all.
After all, Senju Tobirama and Senju Hashirama were real brothers. And Senju Hashirama had seduced Uchiha Madara like an incubus. It was normal for him to lose to him.
But he would have to redouble his efforts in the future!
Sooner or later, I will thoroughly shape Senju Tobirama's mind into my "shape"!
Uchiha Makoto thought to himself silently.
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