A look of difficulty appeared on Uchiha Makoto's face.
Of course... this was definitely an act.
After all, even if Senju Hashirama, the "Hokage," personally invited him, his status as "Hikarikage" dictated that he couldn't agree easily.
If he readily agreed to participate deeply in Konoha's reforms, he would easily be criticized.
Uchiha Makoto didn't want to damage his "reputation" because of this.
Then, as expected, Senju Hashirama immediately began to "plead" with Uchiha Makoto.
"Makoto, I trust you. My granddaughter is going to marry your son in the future; we are family!"
"Besides, I don't really participate much in Konoha's official duties myself, and Tobirama can't handle it well all alone... If you can come and help him, Konoha will definitely become as prosperous as Akatsuki Village in the future... I believe in you!"
Senju Hashirama was an honest man, and even more so, a genuinely good person.
He personally had no desire for power, only a public-spirited heart, hoping that Konoha's future could become as prosperous as Akatsuki Village.
However, it was a pity.
He was facing Uchiha Makoto.
Uchiha Makoto was a thorough "bastard." In the future, he would definitely try every means to wring Konoha dry.
Only after wringing Konoha dry would he continue forward carrying Senju Hashirama's dream.
But at least the result would be good... This could be considered worthy of Senju Hashirama's trust in Uchiha Makoto.
However, Senju Tobirama didn't think so.
"This naturally evil Uchiha brat!"
"All day long, he only knows how to deceive my big brother. If you have the ability, use these crooked tricks on me!"
Senju Tobirama muttered this under his breath.
In his view, his big brother's behavior was simply equivalent to sending a sheep into a tiger's mouth.
The situation was indeed so.
A long time ago, Uchiha Makoto had always wanted to infiltrate his influence into Konoha and thereby influence Konoha's decisions.
Initially, his only helper was the Uchiha Clan.
With Uchiha Makoto's efforts, the Uchiha Clan, leveraging his momentum, gradually broke free from Senju Tobirama's restraints and began a massive expansion in Konoha. At one point, they could even stand up to Senju Tobirama as equals. During this period, the Uchiha Clan also subtly helped Uchiha Makoto influence many village affairs.
If it were only this, Senju Tobirama could barely cope and maintain the situation.
But the situation he faced was deteriorating day by day.
Because of the Uchiha Clan's continuous actions, the light belonging to the Hikarikage of Akatsuki Village had already shone onto Konoha Village.
Konoha villagers and grassroots ninjas had already begun to spontaneously defend Akatsuki Village.
Even... because of the assassination case of the Land of Fire's Cabinet Elder, the Konoha Anbu under Senju Tobirama, which was once impenetrable and firmly controlled, now had to be investigated by Uchiha Makoto.
The Konoha Anbu was the sharpest and most relied-upon knife in his hand!
Senju Tobirama knew very well that the scales of the current situation had already tipped towards Uchiha Makoto.
Otherwise, he wouldn't be so impatient, determined to reform, wanting to replicate the miracle of Akatsuki Village in Konoha.
This was actually a gamble.
If he won, he could continue to fight against Uchiha Makoto. If he lost, Konoha would probably have no future.
But damn it, Senju Tobirama didn't expect that the enemy was within Konoha Village, the enemy was the village's own Hokage!
His own big brother, the Hokage of Konoha, Senju Hashirama, directly acted as a mole, actively inviting Uchiha Makoto, this naturally evil Uchiha brat, into the center of Konoha's power.
If Uchiha Makoto infiltrated and participated in such a core affair as Konoha's internal reform this time... he dared not imagine whether Konoha would be completely infiltrated by Uchiha Makoto until it became like a sieve.
"Big Brother, enough!"
"This is an internal affair of Konoha. No matter how close our relationship with Uchiha Makoto is, he is the Kage of Akatsuki Village. No matter what, he cannot participate."
Senju Tobirama was incredibly agitated in his heart. He really wanted to explode... but he ultimately held it back.
There were too many people here.
His big brother was the Hokage after all; he had to save him some face.
But no matter what, he had to stop his big brother's foolish behavior!
After saying his piece...
Senju Tobirama stared fiercely at Uchiha Makoto.
Uchiha Makoto wasn't afraid at all. He blinked at Senju Tobirama, the smile on his face undiminished.
"Hmm... Lord Hashirama, you saw it too."
"Senju Tobirama also disagrees, and you know about the relationship between him and me..."
"I ask myself, I haven't offended Senju Tobirama, but he just always finds me unpleasant and argues with me often."
"So it is indeed inconvenient for me to participate in the Konoha reform plan, even though Senju Tobirama's reform plan indeed has many omissions in my view. Konoha will encounter a lot of trouble and suffer considerable losses during the implementation process because of this."
"But when the time comes and Konoha needs help, just send me a letter. I absolutely will not stand by and watch."
Uchiha Makoto chose not to argue with Senju Tobirama this time.
He still chose to "retreat," but his words were full of "tea art" (feigned innocence/manipulation).
Senju Tobirama only stubbornly sticks to his own views, harming Konoha's interests... while I, as the Hikarikage, even as a victim, will still repay grievances with virtue!
Comparing the two, the superior one was immediately obvious.
Senju Hashirama immediately sided with Uchiha Makoto.
No, he sided with Konoha!
He couldn't just watch Konoha miss a good opportunity to correct mistakes and suffer avoidable losses just because of the exclusion by some "jealous of the capable" petty person.
Not only Senju Hashirama, but even the onlookers in the room gradually stood on Uchiha Makoto's side.
"Senju Tobirama, jealous of the capable..."
"Lord Hikarikage, truly of noble character and high prestige!"
Such thoughts coincidentally emerged in the hearts of many ninja clan patriarchs.
As everyone knew.
The relationship between Senju Tobirama and the Uchiha Clan had always been incompatible like fire and water, and recently it had intensified.
If it weren't for the two big shots, Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara, suppressing things from above in Konoha, the two families could have had a shootout in Konoha during the last conflict.
And although Uchiha Makoto hadn't appeared in Konoha the whole time, he was deeply entangled in their conflict.
There was no helping it...
Compared to Senju Tobirama, this "loser," Uchiha Makoto's performance was too outstanding.
He left the Uchiha Clan at a young age and returned as the Hikarikage renowned throughout the ninja world, establishing the now prosperous Akatsuki Village.
And Senju Tobirama always hid behind his big brother Senju Hashirama. The Konoha he initially took over was much stronger than Akatsuki Village, but what was the result?
The development of the two villages was now worlds apart.
Therefore, the Uchiha Clan often held high the banner of Uchiha Makoto, accusing Senju Tobirama of incompetence over the years in various decision-making meetings, and flaunting the necessity of the Uchiha Clan governing as Hokage.
This was a life-and-death power struggle.
So... wasn't it only natural that Senju Tobirama found Uchiha Makoto unpleasant?
And Lord Hikarikage's attitude could be called a template for repaying grievances with virtue.
Unknowingly, Uchiha Makoto's status in the hearts of the patriarchs rose steadily, and even his figure seemed to become much taller.
However...
Uchiha Makoto's "posturing" naturally couldn't deceive Senju Tobirama's eyes.
Those tea-like words made him want to vomit just hearing them.
Senju Tobirama wished he could tear Uchiha Makoto's mouth apart on the spot.
"Uchiha Makoto, enough. Don't say such things in front of Big Brother."
"I will handle these omissions... Don't think I don't know your intentions!"
"As long as I am here, you will absolutely not succeed!"
Senju Tobirama said this.
—Naturally evil Uchiha always like to do this; this is how Big Brother was deceived away by that guy Uchiha Madara!
However.
Uchiha Makoto still didn't refute.
The more rampant you are, the more I retreat. Right and wrong, justice and fairness are in people's hearts.
Then, he showed a bitter smile to Senju Hashirama and everyone, sighing slightly.
"Sigh..."
"I didn't want to get involved in your Konoha internal affairs anyway. It was you all who happened to meet me and then chatted about this topic, so I just said a few extra words."
"My intention was for Konoha's good; I didn't expect Senju Tobirama to misunderstand."
"Lord Hashirama, let's not mention this matter anymore. I don't want to destroy the unity within Konoha and affect the relationship between the two villages because of this."
Uchiha Makoto once again displayed his tea art skills.
This opportunity was indeed a coincidence.
If these ninja clan patriarchs hadn't actively come to give him the chance, it would have been difficult for him to actively steer the topic here.
Soon...
The atmosphere in the room changed noticeably.
Uchiha Makoto's words deepened the stereotype of Senju Tobirama among the ninja clan patriarchs: "Senju Tobirama has mediocre ability, is jealous of the capable, and cannot lead Konoha!"
And their favorability towards Uchiha Makoto continued to increase.
But after all, they were just "small figures" in Konoha; they couldn't contend with Senju Tobirama at all, nor could they make decisions on this matter.
But... there really was someone in the room right now who could decide this matter.
Uchiha Makoto's usual "disguise" was perfect, and an afternoon of "guidance" could indeed save Konoha from many detours.
Of course, today's impromptu tea talk also played a huge role.
Senju Hashirama's expression became rarely serious.
"Tobirama, that's enough from you! Look at Uchiha Makoto's attitude."
"When will you truly understand the Will of Fire!"
"If the village's interests are harmed, even if it's a brother, a friend, or even me or my child, I will not forgive!"
Senju Hashirama said this, his gaze burning like a torch, looking straight at Senju Tobirama.
He could usually be sloppy and lack the dignity of a big brother and Hokage, but at critical moments, he wouldn't compromise easily.
Even if the person in front of him was his own biological brother.
Actually...
Senju Hashirama wasn't that "stupid."
He knew his younger brother always held prejudice against the Uchiha Clan, but... not everyone could achieve true reconciliation like he and Uchiha Madara. This hatred accumulated over a thousand years needed time to resolve, so Senju Hashirama was willing to give Senju Tobirama time.
He also knew his younger brother wanted to become the Second Hokage.
This was, of course, harmless.
Although in his heart he hoped Madara could become Hokage, Senju Tobirama had paid silently for Konoha over these years, even fainting once from overwork. Senju Hashirama saw all of this.
Anyway, the Konoha Hokage wasn't inherited by blood but born through election. When the time came, just let the two of them compete fairly.
No matter who became Hokage, he would choose to support them.
Also, Senju Hashirama was willing to tolerate Senju Tobirama's various petty thoughts, turning a blind eye to them... as long as Konoha's interests weren't harmed.
But the fact was, this time without Uchiha Makoto's help, Konoha would suffer losses that could have been avoided.
And his younger brother still... this really disappointed him.
"Big Brother, you absolutely must not be deceived by this guy Uchiha Makoto!"
"He is doing it on purpose!"
"He is using retreat as an advance; you absolutely cannot fall for his trick!"
Senju Tobirama was truly anxious now.
He could certainly sense his big brother Senju Hashirama's attitude.
This kind of look was simply terrifyingly scary.
Whenever his big brother revealed this look, the decision he made would almost never change.
But Senju Tobirama could swear on his life that Uchiha Makoto truly had bad intentions!
If Uchiha Makoto were allowed to intervene so blatantly in Konoha's core affairs now, Konoha might really taste sweetness at first, but this was the most terrifying part.
Having tasted the sweetness, Konoha would definitely be hooked by Uchiha Makoto through some means.
In the future, it would be very difficult to break free from Uchiha Makoto's control.
So, even facing the serious state of Senju Hashirama, Senju Tobirama was still unwilling to relent.
He did all this for Konoha.
With a clear conscience!
"Alright, Tobirama, don't say anymore."
"I fully support your reforms in Konoha because I saw the prosperity of Akatsuki Village, but this doesn't mean I will turn a blind eye to your mistakes."
"You really disappointed me this time."
"Regarding the Konoha internal reform plan, you should not participate for the time being."
"Makoto, sorry to let you see this joke. I still hope you can let bygones be bygones, help me find the problems in the reform plan, and help me provide solutions to the problems."
Facing Senju Tobirama's arguments, Senju Hashirama didn't want to continue rambling.
He had already made his decision.
Konoha's reform still needed the guidance of Uchiha Makoto, a Hikarikage with foresight, excellent ability, and successful experience.
Tobirama, you have done enough; now you can rest for a while.
—Until you realize the mistakes you have made!
Senju Hashirama thought this in his heart.
However, Senju Tobirama still wouldn't give up.
Clearly, he was the big brother's biological younger brother; why didn't the big brother trust him?
Clearly, the Konoha internal reform plan was drafted by him single-handedly, and he had made massive efforts to push this matter in Konoha.
In the end, he was actually going to be excluded from the core circle by his big brother?
He couldn't figure it out!
"Big Brother, you will definitely regret this!"
"Enough, Tobirama, I am the Hokage!"
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