Senju Tobirama took a long, steady breath, forcing himself to remain calm as he faced his sister-in-law. "Sister-in-law," he asked carefully, "what exactly do you need all these funds for?"
Deep down he already dreaded the answer. In his experience, whenever his sister-in-law and his elder brother worked together on something, it meant trouble. When it came to tormenting him, those two were perfectly in sync. Truly, it was a curse.
Uzumaki Mito folded her hands with serene elegance, but her eyes gleamed with purpose. "Why, of course it's to purchase the latest magazine New Ninja in bulk," she said, her voice smooth and persuasive. "I intend to distribute it to the women of the village. It will help them break free from outdated notions of achievement and allow them to reclaim their Ninja Way. With renewed strength, they can continue to shine brightly for Konoha!"
She punctuated each phrase with a graceful nod.
"To reclaim their Ninja Way."
"To once again become proud kunoichi."
"To shine brightly for Konoha Village."
The words flowed like a rallying cry. Even Tobirama, who prided himself on razor-sharp logic, couldn't immediately find a flaw. And that, of course, was the problem. Something about the idea felt… suspicious. His instincts screamed that this had Uchiha Makoto's fingerprints all over it. That brat was inherently troublesome, and Mito's radiant enthusiasm was eerily similar to the mood Hashirama used to display when Makoto dragged him into some mischief.
If he allowed this to proceed unchecked, Tobirama feared it would spiral into chaos.
He cleared his throat. "Sister-in-law, the village's funds are not infinite. Many projects require careful budgeting. Spending precious resources on magazines…" He paused, choosing his words with care. "It feels—perhaps—a little wasteful."
This was his subtle way of saying no. There was no way he would let his sister-in-law run wild with public funds.
But Mito was ready. "This endeavor is anything but wasteful," she countered, eyes flashing. "Female ninja are no less capable than men. Why should marriage force them to abandon their calling and confine them to their homes? That is neither fair nor wise. If these women return to active service, Konoha's strength will only increase. Tobirama, are you truly like those narrow-minded men who discriminate against female ninja?"
The accusation hit like a kunai. Tobirama stiffened. "Sister-in-law, that is not what I meant," he protested, keeping his voice even. "This is a matter of importance and cannot be decided lightly. I simply cannot give you an immediate answer."
Mito tilted her head, a knowing smile touching her lips. "Tobirama, I have been married into the Senju clan for years. Perhaps I lack grand achievements, but I have devoted myself wholeheartedly. I bore children for your family and managed your brother's household without complaint. You know Hashirama's… tendencies." She sighed, her tone shifting to gentle melancholy. "I have decided it is time to live for myself. This is the first step of my new life. Can you truly bear to see me idle at home, day after day, growing depressed and unhappy?"
Tobirama froze. One tactic after another—her eloquence was formidable. And now she played the part of the long-suffering wife, neglected because of his absent-minded elder brother. What man could easily refute such an argument?
"Sister-in-law, please," he said, faltering. "Don't be like this."
Mito pressed her advantage. "Just one word, Tobirama. Yes or no. Will you support me?"
Tobirama's jaw worked soundlessly. She had cornered him completely.
Moments later, Mito left the Hokage's office with a triumphant smile, the faint scent of her perfume lingering in the room. Behind her, Senju Tobirama sat slumped at his desk, face etched with defeat.
"Big brother," he muttered darkly, "my life is nothing but cleaning up your messes. You're the Hokage, and yet I suffer for your negligence. Curse you, Hashirama… and curse Uchiha Madara while I'm at it!"
---
Two Months Later
Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara finally returned to Konoha after a long absence. They had actually completed their assigned missions a month earlier but, in true Hashirama fashion, the pair had spent extra weeks wandering the countryside, taking detours and enjoying themselves.
From a distance, Konoha looked more prosperous than it had two months ago. Yet beneath the familiar skyline, subtle changes had taken root.
Uzumaki Mito, revitalized by her new purpose, had thrown herself into a mission of her own. She went door to door, delivering rice and flour while encouraging former kunoichi—women who had abandoned the life of a ninja after marriage—to reclaim their Ninja Way. Her charisma and sterling reputation quickly won hearts. Within weeks she founded the Female Ninja Mutual Aid Association, a group devoted to empowering and supporting kunoichi across the village.
Membership swelled. What began as a modest circle of friends became a burgeoning movement. Their ambition was nothing less than to unite all of Konoha's female ninja under one banner.
Meanwhile, Tobirama buried himself in paperwork and experimental research. He still performed his duties with relentless efficiency, but whispers followed him through the halls.
Because the New Ninja magazine—lavishly funded thanks to Mito's lobbying—had become a runaway success. The village council and even the Hokage's advisors subscribed eagerly. They began to notice something… amusing.
Some of Tobirama's newest policies bore a suspicious resemblance to ideas from Akatsuki Ninja Village. In fact, detractors snickered that his versions were inferior copies. Behind his back, a few even called him a "copycat dog."
Tobirama only scowled when the rumors reached his ears.
"If I don't copy," he grumbled to himself, "then I don't copy. End of discussion."
---
The Partners Return
As dusk painted the sky in shades of crimson, Hashirama waved to his traveling companion. "Madara, I'll head home first. Mito will start scolding me if I'm late."
Madara's Sharingan eyes softened slightly. "Understood."
They parted ways with a nod.
Far beyond Konoha, in the Akatsuki Ninja Village, a tense meeting was underway. Every high-ranking official had gathered in the conference hall.
At the head of the table sat Uchiha Makoto, his face grim. "According to the ANBU report," he began, his voice a low growl, "our joint squad with Konoha encountered Kumogakure ninja during the mission in the Land of Rice Fields. Fighting broke out. We suffered casualties—two of our chūnin are dead. Konoha lost one."
The words hung heavy in the chamber. Makoto's Sharingan flared with anger. "Damn it, Kumogakure! How dare you kill my horse!"
He slammed a fist onto the table. The echo silenced the murmurs of the room. Though he and Senju Tobirama rarely saw eye to eye—and often looked for opportunities to undercut each other—the alliance between Akatsuki and Konoha remained vital, especially for high-risk missions. To suffer losses because of Kumogakure's aggression was intolerable.
Some of the smaller clan leaders shifted uneasily. One finally spoke, voice measured. "Kage-sama, perhaps this was a misunderstanding. During missions, skirmishes happen. Sometimes there are casualties on both sides. Such incidents are… inevitable."
Another added, "Yes, yes. If proper compensation is arranged afterward, we can avoid escalation. There's no need to make this a major incident."
Their nonchalance grated on Makoto's nerves. These minor families had survived the Warring States period by playing both sides. For them, loss of life was simply a matter of accounting and repayment.
Makoto's eyes narrowed. "Kaguya Clan Head, what is your opinion?"
Huiye Masao, leader of the proud Kaguya clan, rose with a sneer. "Kage-sama, I say we gather our forces and strike Kumogakure at once. When our people are killed, it cannot be settled with mere coin. Let them pay in blood."
Another elder nodded in fierce agreement. "Their casualties are irrelevant. They drew first blood. We cannot allow such insolence to stand."
The chamber erupted in heated debate—some calling for restraint, others demanding war. Makoto listened, the weight of leadership pressing heavily upon him. His Sharingan gleamed like molten rubies as he contemplated the path ahead.
---
The political storm was only beginning, and the alliance with Konoha would soon be tested.
For Uchiha Makoto, the insult was personal.
For Senju Tobirama, it would be yet another mess to untangle.
And somewhere in Konoha, Uzumaki Mito's Female Ninja Mutual Aid Association continued to grow, blissfully unaware of the clash of nations about to unfold.
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