As Uchiha Makoto's voice faded.
Everyone's gaze in the room shifted in unison toward Senju Tobirama.
Senju Tobirama instantly put on a face like a dead person.
He certainly knew that Uchiha Makoto was deliberately disgusting him again.
In fact, ever since Konoha was first founded, he felt like he had been living in Uchiha Makoto's shadow.
Clearly, many ideas regarding the construction of the ninja village were conceived in his own mind, but Uchiha Makoto was always one step ahead, implementing them in Akatsuki Village... From that time on, he had been forced to wear the hat of a "copycat" in Konoha.
Now, this "copycat" hat was firmly nailed onto his head.
So... he was very unhappy right now.
However, Senju Tobirama could be soft all over, but his mouth would always remain hard. Especially when facing Uchiha Makoto, he was as unwilling to admit the facts as ever.
"Hmph... well, it does seem a tiny bit similar."
"I think it's more than a tiny bit... but it doesn't matter. Konoha's development over these years has indeed been unsatisfactory. But changing from now on and learning from an excellent ninja village is not a shameful thing."
"And as the Hikarikage of Akatsuki Village, I can still offer some suggestions regarding Konoha's reform affairs."
Uchiha Makoto did not push his luck with Senju Tobirama as he usually did; instead, he chose to stop while he was ahead.
After all, promoting Konoha's internal reform was also in line with Akatsuki Village's interests. There was no need to have an unpleasant fallout with Senju Tobirama over this matter.
Moreover, the ninja clan patriarchs present were not fools. They all knew in their hearts that Senju Tobirama was copying Akatsuki Village's development model. Continuing to embarrass Senju Tobirama in front of so many Konoha ninjas would actually be a slap in their faces, and a slap in Konoha's face.
Uchiha Makoto only wanted to strengthen his voice in Konoha.
—The weak need to learn from the strong, and the strong's suggestions must be executed "one hundred percent."
Senju Tobirama did not say anything more.
He knew very well that he was essentially still a Warring States ninja, and there was a fundamental difference in logical thinking between him and Uchiha Makoto... How could a freak like Uchiha Makoto suddenly pop up in the ninja world? The Uchiha Clan is truly too evil!
If looking only at Konoha's actual situation.
He was actually unsure in his heart whether the set of reform plans he copied from Akatsuki Village would really work in Konoha.
And Akatsuki Village was indeed a shining example before them; its current development was in a state of vibrant vitality where all things were flourishing.
Leaving aside the personal grievances and conflicts of interest between him and Uchiha Makoto, Senju Tobirama actually did want to hear Uchiha Makoto's suggestions on the internal reform plan he had drafted for Konoha.
But Senju Tobirama really cared about his face, and he was also afraid that by doing so, he would actively fall into a pit dug by Uchiha Makoto.
.....The current situation was just right.
This group of small and medium-sized ninja clans were actually Konoha's fence-sitters and opportunists; they couldn't play any decisive role in Konoha's overall situation. Since they actively sought out Uchiha Makoto this time, he could use this opportunity to get some things out of Uchiha Makoto through them.
And Uchiha Makoto naturally wouldn't fear such a thing.
When it came to capitalism and ninja village construction.
No matter what, Uchiha Makoto was a Hikarikage who had received a formal higher education in university, learned the "Dragon Slaying Arts" of statecraft, experienced the modern information explosion, and possessed years of governing experience!
If he were facing the top governing elites of the great nations from his previous life, Uchiha Makoto might not be confident in teaching them anything.
But what stood before him now was just a group of ninjas who hadn't even attended school properly for a few years, who learned to read only to study ninjutsu, and who spent years hacking people down on the battlefield... they were essentially a ragtag amateur troupe!
There was simply too much Uchiha Makoto could teach them.
In short, Uchiha Makoto spoke eloquently.
Relying on his years of governing experience and abundant theoretical knowledge, he gave a lecture on the spot.
For a time, the various ninja clan patriarchs were incredibly excited.
They actually held some indicators for the Konoha internal reform plan in their hands, tasks that needed to be completed. Some even involved business plans. These contents were seriously inconsistent with the philosophies they had held all their lives and the skills they relied on for survival.
Just the data reports involved in the plan gave them headaches.
Crucially, they couldn't just copy homework like Uchiha Makoto did.
The lash of reform was truly hitting them.
Uchiha Makoto certainly didn't mind answering their questions one by one... without showing some real substance, he couldn't expand his voice in Konoha.
As for Konoha's internal reform.....
There is a saying that a small boat is easy to turn.
But Konoha was a giant oil tanker; turning it around was not a simple matter.
Because of the huge pressure Uchiha Makoto exerted, Senju Tobirama was simply too anxious.
Regarding the Konoha internal reform plan he designed, just from the partial intelligence obtained from the Uchiha Clan, Uchiha Makoto felt Senju Tobirama was being too radical.
This didn't just involve the huge gap in financial funds, but also involved ideology, whether the content of the plan fit reality, execution capability... and many other issues. Even Senju Tobirama himself only had a half-baked understanding of Akatsuki Village's development model.
He was in such a rush... so Senju Tobirama's Konoha reform plan inevitably had many omissions.
If executed just like this, nine times out of ten, there would be the pains of reform.
At this moment, Uchiha Makoto finally didn't need to worry about being polite.
He went full firepower!
Whenever a family patriarch brought up a problem with the reform plan of the department they were responsible for to ask for advice, he could always pinpoint the unreasonable parts with a single glance. Then, he would ruthlessly criticize it with venomous words, almost pointing directly at the nose of the plan's creator and cursing.
He did all this for Konoha!
—This "Get Out of Jail Free" card was really useful!
Moreover, the creators of the Konoha internal reform plan were not these ninja clan patriarchs, but Senju Tobirama. Even with Uchiha Makoto's venomous remarks, the scolding wasn't directed at them.
These ninja clan patriarchs actually echoed him from the sidelines.
After all, when the leader slaps his head and comes up with a plan, the specific executors are this group of people.
Although Senju Tobirama didn't have the prestige of "One Pillar Holding Up the Konoha Sky" like his brother, compared to these small and medium ninja clans, they were still quite powerless against Senju Tobirama.
Now, Uchiha Makoto could simply be considered their top-tier mouthpiece.
And he scolded even more fiercely than these ninja clan patriarchs did privately at home.
Senju Tobirama was right there!
While cheering for Uchiha Makoto, these ninja clan patriarchs could even use their peripheral vision to quietly observe Senju Tobirama's expression.
It simply doubled the pleasure.
Soon, Uchiha Makoto established authority in the hearts of these ninja clan patriarchs.
There was no helping it.
The comparison between the two sides was just too obvious.
On one side was the wise and distinct Hikarikage, who single-handedly created the prosperous Akatsuki Village of today, sympathized with subordinates, started from reality, found problems with a single prick of blood, and provided solutions.
On the other side was the "stupid and incompetent" Shadow Hokage, self-righteous, relying on "nepotism," ruining a good hand of cards, plunging Konoha into a development predicament, and liking to pressure his subordinates.
Comparing goods requires throwing one away; comparing people drives one to death!
".....Why did Lord Hikarikage break away from the Uchiha Clan?"
"How great would it be if he could replace Senju Tobirama's position in Konoha!"
Watching Uchiha Makoto giving directions with such vigor, many ninja clansmen in the room couldn't help but have this thought pop up simultaneously.
They actually didn't care at all whether the next Hokage was named Uchiha or Senju.
Anyway, no matter what, it wouldn't be the turn of their small families and clans. They would support whoever could make Konoha prosperous and let ninjas live good lives.
It was a pity...
The Hokage and Uchiha Madara, these two big shots, both believed in governing by doing nothing and liked to be hands-off leaders. They couldn't fulfill their wishes. But that didn't matter; it was enough that they could fight, as long as the people responsible for the actual governance of Konoha behind them were reliable.
Senju Tobirama had proven his ability over these years; he was a "piece of trash."
And Uchiha Makoto, the most capable member of the Uchiha Clan, had happened to leave the family and create a ninja village on his own.
This was truly a case of mutual affection... Uchiha Makoto wanted to lead Konoha, and this group of Konoha ninja clans also hoped to be led by Uchiha Makoto.
However, the actual situation just didn't allow it!
For a time, the atmosphere at the scene gradually heated up, while adding a touch of inexplicable significance.
With full firepower, Uchiha Makoto got along famously with this group of ninja clan patriarchs, and this was exactly the result he wanted.
Buying off the large Konoha ninja clans would cost a huge price.
But buying off these small and medium ninja clan patriarchs was much easier. He didn't even have to spend money; they actively rushed to curry favor with Uchiha Makoto... This was the advantage of unequal status.
During this period, the biggest victim was the continuously silent Senju Tobirama.
Facing Uchiha Makoto's extremely sarcastic and merciless verbal attacks, he wished he could have a one-on-one man's battle with Uchiha Makoto right there.
But even so, Senju Tobirama never interrupted Uchiha Makoto midway.
Because Uchiha Makoto indeed pointed out the problems in the Konoha internal reform plan and also gave solutions.
Although, sometimes, the problems encountered weren't Senju Tobirama's fault.
They were purely problems that a traditional ninja village like Konoha had to face when transitioning. Ninja clan interests would inevitably be damaged, but Uchiha Makoto's words were just more effective than Senju Tobirama's.
These ninja clan patriarchs were willing to choose to endure temporarily because of a few words from Uchiha Makoto.
—Ninjas are people who endure; they really aren't afraid of hardship!
But if Senju Tobirama were to solve it himself, he would definitely have to spend some effort.
"Clearly Uchiha Makoto is just an outsider..."
"This bastard!!"
Senju Tobirama thought this in his heart.
But he could only be like an "incompetent" husband, staying silent on the side, listening to the passionate interaction between Uchiha Makoto and that group of ninja clan patriarchs.
Time slipped away quietly, and an afternoon passed quickly.
Uchiha Makoto spoke until his mouth was dry, and the ninja clan patriarchs listened with unsatisfied desire.
However, this exchange was nearing its end.
It wasn't that Uchiha Makoto couldn't go on.
How could Senju Tobirama's entire set of Konoha reform plans be discussed in just one afternoon? Rather, he actively chose to end it.
"Everyone, let's stop here for today."
"Regarding suggestions for the Konoha reform plan, one afternoon is certainly not enough to finish speaking."
"There are also some ninja clan patriarchs who haven't participated. Konoha is a whole. Lacking their attitude, even if you are prepared, it is useless without their approval."
The "some ninja clan patriarchs" Uchiha Makoto mentioned were naturally known to everyone present—those large families possessing Kekkei Genkai, mastering secret techniques, truly holding Konoha's power and voice, and even able to influence the village's direction.
The patriarchs of those families hadn't arrived at all.
"Many thanks to Lord Hikarikage today."
"Yes, yes, the Hikarikage's suggestions truly benefited me greatly."
"Lord Hikarikage, if you have time in the future, you must come to my humble abode..."
The ninja clan patriarchs in the room stood up one after another to thank Uchiha Makoto.
This trip today was not in vain. Not only did they see Uchiha Makoto in person, but they also truly received many reliable suggestions. Even if they were "insignificant" in Konoha and couldn't influence village decisions, when facing village affairs in the future that involved their vital interests and required them to take a side, at least they knew which side would be more beneficial to their family.
"Makoto, you really worked hard this time."
"Hmm... regarding the Konoha reform plan Tobirama prepared... are there still quite a few omissions..."
"It's rare for you to come to Konoha... can you take this opportunity... to help Tobirama?"
Senju Hashirama, who had been silently AFK the whole time, popped up from who knows where.
Although he was a hands-off leader and wasn't very familiar with Konoha's government affairs, he truly wholeheartedly wanted what was best for Konoha.
Uchiha Makoto had sprayed insults at Senju Tobirama for a full afternoon today, and yet, Senju Tobirama hadn't stood up to say a single word. This was enough to show that his younger brother, Senju Tobirama, also admitted the problems Uchiha Makoto pointed out.
Now Konoha needed Uchiha Makoto's super intellect.
"Lord Hashirama, do you mean to let me participate in your Konoha internal reform plan?"
"Isn't this a bit inappropriate?"
"My identity..."
Uchiha Makoto immediately refused.
—Did he want to participate in the Konoha internal reform plan?
Without a doubt, of course he wanted to!
If Konoha's reform was guided by the participation of the Hikarikage, Uchiha Makoto could guide the direction of Konoha's policies during the process, silently carry out economic colonization of Konoha, and even penetrate the core of Konoha's power.
This was exactly the thing Senju Tobirama had always been guarding against.
Uchiha Makoto couldn't bring this up himself, because if he spoke up actively, it would seem like he had bad intentions.
Now, Senju Hashirama had actually actively delivered this opportunity to his doorstep!
Act reserved first...
If he agreed directly, his eating manners would look too ugly!
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