The icy wind sweeping across the Kumogakure battlefield carried with it a tension so sharp it could cut flesh.
Uchiha Makoto stood tall at the edge of the encampment, his expression calm, but his eyes dark with silent fury.
Opposite him, Senju Tobirama arrived with the Konoha delegation, his polite smile stretched thin, concealing the turmoil brewing beneath.
Makoto didn't waste a second.
Leaning slightly toward Tobirama, he lowered his voice so only the two of them could hear.
"Senju Tobirama… you naturally evil old ghost. You really were hoping Iwagakure would step in, weren't you? You dragged your feet in Konoha for ages, marched at a snail's pace halfway across the continent, pretending nothing was wrong. Don't think I can't see through your little schemes."
There was no anger in his tone—only biting contempt.
"You were hoping, weren't you, that the Akatsuki would be forced into an unconditional ceasefire, pulling back with nothing to show for months of bloodshed?"
Makoto's voice dropped even lower, his words like steel blades.
Tobirama's grin widened as if carved into his face. The humiliation he had suffered earlier in the Capital of Fire still gnawed at him like an old wound. He, Senju Tobirama—Shadow Hokage of Konoha, the man who had personally killed Uchiha Izuna—had been forced to bow and smile before a young Uchiha brat.
That disgrace had burned in his bones.
But now?
Now every moment of Uchiha Makoto's struggle, every flicker of frustration in his gaze, was a sweet draught of revenge.
Makoto's pain was his delight.
It was petty. It was childish. But Tobirama was a man who remembered every single slight.
"Lord Kage," Tobirama replied lightly, "I'm only acting for Konoha's peace."
His polite tone carried the unmistakable scent of mockery.
Makoto's expression didn't change—but inside, Tobirama reveled in the feeling of victory.
Thirty years east, thirty years west.
Time always gave its chance for revenge.
---
Three Days Later — The Announcement
The sky was overcast when Uchiha Makoto summoned the high-ranking members of the Akatsuki Village and the Uzumaki Clan, with Konoha's delegation standing by to witness.
"For the peace of the Ninja World," Makoto declared solemnly.
"The Akatsuki Ninja Village will accept the mediation of Konoha and Iwagakure. We agree to Kumogakure's request for an unconditional ceasefire."
The uproar that followed shook the tent.
"No!"
"Lord Kage, we've fought for months—how can we retreat now?!"
"Konoha didn't even participate! Why should we be the ones to step back?!"
The Akatsuki high-ranking officers felt their world collapsing. They had crushed Kumogakure's forces, slain the First Raikage, and pushed the enemy to the brink.
Victory was within reach—yet Makoto had chosen to withdraw.
Every gaze in the room turned hostile toward Konoha.
Konoha's senior leaders stiffened, unable to look any Akatsuki member in the eye.
They had indeed planned to join the battlefield late, hoping to share the glory and influence of the final victory. Their rank-and-file shinobi simply wanted to support their allies… but now?
Now they looked like cowards.
And no one said a word in their defense.
"Good!" Tobirama stepped forward, voice booming with self-righteous vigor. "Lord Kage is truly a defender of Ninja World peace. To make the correct decision at such a critical historical juncture—remarkable!"
He was practically glowing with pride.
Makoto's expression didn't flicker.
---
Tobirama Pushes the Decision Forward
Three more days passed.
Makoto, wanting to prevent his own subordinates from stirring rebellion, ordered the ceasefire to be immediately announced to the world.
"Tobirama," Makoto said flatly, "Konoha can handle promoting this news, correct?"
Tobirama's smile returned instantly.
"Of course."
He understood Makoto's intention clearly—this public announcement would ensure that Akatsuki held a favorable image in world opinion.
And Tobirama didn't care.
He only wanted the decision sealed permanently so Makoto couldn't reverse it. Once the news was spread across the world, backing out would stain Akatsuki with international shame.
Tobirama was far less interested in helping Makoto's reputation than he was in restraining him.
So Konoha mobilized its channels.
Akatsuki's unconditional ceasefire was broadcast across every major nation.
The public praised Uchiha Makoto for stopping the war. Even Senju Hashirama was moved.
"Tobirama," Hashirama said gently, "you misjudged Uchiha Makoto."
Tobirama's eyelid twitched.
---
Akatsuki's Fury — Konoha Takes the Blame
Among the Akatsuki and Uzumaki clans, resentment boiled like molten steel.
Their anger did not fall upon Uchiha Makoto.
They knew his character—this man had risked his life fighting the First Raikage in a death match. He would never willingly surrender a war he was winning.
So the only explanation was Konoha pressure.
And once that conclusion formed, every Konoha shinobi became a target of scorn.
The previous days had been filled with unity—Konoha ninjas visiting Akatsuki kitchens to enjoy their superior food, sharing drinks and stories, cursing Kumogakure together.
But now?
"Backstabbing dogs!"
"Cowards!"
"Konoha—shameless trash!"
A single Akatsuki chunin spat venomously:
"They don't deserve to call themselves our allies!"
Konoha's shinobi stood silently and endured it.
They had no arguments. No excuses.
Even Tobirama, who enjoyed seeing Konoha's influence grow weaker, couldn't intervene openly. The situation was too delicate. Provoking Makoto now would be dangerous.
And so, he simply watched.
---
The Signing Ceremony — Five Factions Gather
Two days later, the five major groups gathered for the official signing of the ceasefire:
Akatsuki Village
Uzumaki Clan
Konoha
Kumogakure
Iwagakure
The tension in the open-air venue was suffocating.
Kumogakure's shinobi had eyes red from grief, fury, and humiliation. Their First Raikage had fallen; their forces had been devastated.
To stand here and sign an unconditional ceasefire was bitter beyond words.
Yet the Akatsuki and Uzumaki were no less angry. They had fought hard, bled hard, and earned overwhelming advantage—only for everything to be thrown away.
Anger met anger. Hatred met hatred.
The acting Second Raikage stood stiffly, fists trembling, chakra flickering around him. When his gaze fell upon Uchiha Makoto, it burned with murderous intensity.
But one touch from the First Tsuchikage on his shoulder calmed him. Barely.
Uchiha Makoto didn't spare him a glance.
His gaze locked onto the First Tsuchikage instead.
"Tsuchikage," he said quietly, "that was a clever move. Joining the war at exactly the right moment."
The killing intent in his eyes was thin—but sharp as a scalpel.
The First Tsuchikage bowed slightly. "All for the peace of the Ninja World."
"Lord Kage is indeed sensible," Tobirama added immediately, voice as smooth as oil.
Makoto ignored both of them.
He stepped toward the center stage.
The negotiation began.
---
Tobirama's Speech — Words of Peace
Tobirama was the first to speak, offering flowery pleasantries:
"Why must Shinobi kill one another? If all disputes could be resolved by negotiation—perhaps one day peace will reign…"
As he spoke, he watched Makoto from the corner of his eye, savoring the simmering fury on the Uchiha youth's face.
He enjoyed every second of Makoto's helplessness.
Finally, he concluded:
"Next, we invite the Lord Kage of the Akatsuki Ninja Village."
Uchiha Makoto walked to the stage.
His voice was steady and powerful.
"The Akatsuki Ninja Village stands firmly for peace.
We are an important force maintaining balance in the Ninja World…"
"Therefore, for the peace of the Ninja World—"
"I am willing to unconditionally cease fire."
Makoto's words were perfect.
But beneath them, Tobirama could feel the storm building.
He smiled again.
---
The Unexpected Attack
Then—
The world exploded.
"Die!"
"Avenge the Raikage!"
A furious shout tore through the air.
A kunai shot toward the stage at terrifying speed, screaming across the distance of three hundred meters.
Makoto turned his head.
Shhk!
The blade sliced through his earlobe, warm blood spilling down his jaw.
Chaos erupted instantly.
"Protect Lord Kage!"
"Kage-sama, get back!"
Guards rushed forward, forming a wall around him.
But Makoto shoved them aside.
His eyes burned with a fire no one had seen in days.
His lips curled into a smile.
And he raised his arms—
"Fight!!! Fight!!!"
---
For a heartbeat, time froze.
Then—
The Akatsuki.
The Uzumaki.
Even Konoha's shinobi—
—all unsheathed their weapons and turned toward Kumogakure.
"Kumogakure! Step forward if you dare!"
"You want another war? We'll finish what we started!"
The Second Raikage stared, petrified.
The First Tsuchikage looked at him like he'd just witnessed a ghost.
Tobirama's smile vanished instantly.
Because that smile had transferred—
onto Uchiha Makoto's face.
A slow, satisfied grin.
Like a hunter who had finally set his trap.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)