Senju Tobirama's fists clenched tightly, his knuckles whitening. This was going too far. Too far! How could a naturally cunning Uchiha, a brat with an audacious sense of superiority, behave so boldly in front of him?
Tobirama's anger surged, and he genuinely wanted to strike Uchiha Makoto across the face, to reduce this insolent youth to the ground. Yet, for the sake of Konoha's future, for the stability of the village and the lives of all its people, he forcibly restrained himself. He forced a strained smile onto his face, a fragile veil over the storm raging inside him.
"This time, Konoha hopes to cooperate with the Daimyo of the Land of Fire," Tobirama began in a measured voice, though his teeth clenched with barely contained fury. "We seek both economic and political assistance for Konoha. Furthermore, regarding mission distribution within the Land of Fire, Konoha hopes to establish a unified platform to manage and grade missions."
He spoke quickly, stringing together the points he had meticulously prepared. The plan was precise, almost ruthless in its scope. By standardizing all missions under Konoha's supervision, Tobirama intended to monopolize the ninja economy of the Land of Fire. At this time, the livelihood of nearly every ninja, large or small, depended entirely on missions. To control the missions was to control the lifeblood of the clans.
Even if Konoha allowed non-affiliated ninja clans to participate in the mission platform, they would only receive menial, low-reward tasks fraught with risk. The lucrative and safer missions would naturally be divided among Konoha's internal members, with Konoha also taking a cut. Any clan outside Konoha would struggle to endure such conditions. Their choices were simple: join Konoha or leave the Land of Fire entirely.
In essence, this was a monopoly disguised as reform. But the advantages were unmistakable. The endless infighting among ninja clans for missions, a hallmark of the Warring States Period, could finally be curtailed. With Konoha controlling distribution, missions would be managed fairly—or as fairly as the village's leaders determined. No more children sent to fight over minor disputes; no more needless bloodshed over petty competition.
A man without money is like a worm without a spine, Tobirama thought. A clan without missions is similarly vulnerable. By establishing control over missions, Konoha would directly influence the economic lifelines of every clan within its reach.
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Uchiha Makoto Observes
Uchiha Makoto, seated elegantly, could not suppress his admiration. Clever tactics, he thought. Once these measures were implemented, Konoha would dominate the Land of Fire, controlling every ninja clan, every mission, every economic opportunity. Even if the Uchiha Clan left under Madara's leadership, the village would still hold sway over all mission channels.
The Warring States system of independent clans would crumble, replaced by a singular, centralized structure. The economic and political landscape of the Land of Fire would be irrevocably altered. Any clan outside Konoha's influence would find survival difficult, while the founders, the Uchiha themselves, would retain access and privileges through their association with Konoha.
Makoto nodded subtly, focusing only on the benefits of Tobirama's plan, while deliberately omitting the drawbacks. From his perspective, this was a masterstroke in both governance and manipulation.
Hashirama, standing nearby, beamed with pride. His younger brother's brilliance had always impressed him, and now Tobirama's strategy promised to bring lasting peace and order to the Land of Fire. Children would no longer be forced to battle from an early age, clans would not suffer devastating internal conflicts, and Konoha's influence would expand without a single blade being drawn.
"Hmph, it's good that you understand," Tobirama said with a slight curl of his lips. Pride surged within him; he had devised a plan that not only secured Konoha's influence but also ensured the peace and stability of the Land of Fire—a true triumph of intellect over brute force.
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A Twist in the Negotiation
However, the brilliance of the plan clashed with the harsh realities of Konoha's current reputation. Tobirama's confident expression darkened as he considered the situation.
"For now, however, it's highly impractical," he admitted quietly. "Konoha has already suffered significant mission cancellations, not only within the Land of Fire but also due to the opinions of nobles in neighboring regions. To expect them to cooperate fully under these circumstances is unrealistic."
Makoto, sensing the vulnerability, leaned forward, his black eyes gleaming with mischief. "Mutual consent is required for missions. At present, even the employers hesitate to submit assignments to Konoha. Lord Hashirama, do you intend to force them?"
Hashirama stammered, deflating under Makoto's sharp observation. Of course not, he thought. He could never coerce others. Their visit to the Land of Fire's Daimyo was to seek assistance in implementing Tobirama's proposals—not to impose force.
Tobirama's hands tightened into fists beneath the table. Trouble had arrived from the sky, unbidden. The situation was precarious. Who had provoked Konoha? And why did they face so many obstacles while simply trying to recover losses?
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Makoto's Proposal
Makoto's smile widened, calculating and cunning. "I have an idea," he said smoothly. "This unified platform for mission grading and distribution… Akatsuki Ninja Village can handle it entirely. Konoha's ninjas can participate fully, while the outcome remains the same. Everyone benefits."
He continued, "To ensure fairness, Konoha may send representatives to oversee operations. This way, all parties' interests are protected. The mission system continues, but the reputation risk and logistical burden rest with Akatsuki Ninja Village. It's the optimal solution—a win-win-win."
Hashirama considered the proposal. While it seemed sound, a faint unease gnawed at him. Tobirama, however, recognized the audacity immediately. Makoto had cleverly inserted his village as the central authority, subtly undermining Konoha's foundational control while presenting an appearance of cooperation.
Tobirama's jaw clenched, his mind racing. You inherently evil Uchiha brat! Do you realize the audacity of your suggestion? To use Akatsuki Ninja Village to hijack the very system I intended to build for Konoha?
Makoto's eyes glimmered with delight at the internal struggle he had provoked. The naturally evil Uchiha had once again demonstrated why he was a threat not only to Konoha's reputation but also to its very foundation.
Fame, power, influence—they could not be entrusted to others. Tobirama understood the principle as clearly as he understood the necessity of patience and cunning in political dealings.
The negotiation had reached a critical point, and the seeds of an unseen power struggle were being sown. Konoha's future rested precariously in the balance, and every word exchanged in this room would shape the fate of the Land of Fire for generations to come.
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