The negotiation hall plunged into chaos the moment the kunai sliced through the air.
Senju Tobirama's smile froze on his lips.
A second earlier, he had been calculating his next political move—pressuring Akatsuki Ninja Village into more concessions, stabilizing Konoha's position in the triangle of power, and maintaining an illusion of balance. But all his plans shattered the moment that mysterious Cloud Hidden Ninja assassin burst forward.
One kunai.
One reckless throw.
And the negotiations—already built on fragile trust—collapsed instantly.
"Was that kunai arranged by Hidden Cloud Village?" Tobirama muttered, unable to hide his disbelief.
"Have they lost their minds? Who would send an assassin to a peace negotiation?!"
For once, the famously sharp and decisive Second Hokage was genuinely confused. The timing made no sense. Hidden Cloud was on the brink of collapse. Akatsuki Ninja Village had all the advantage. Agreeing to an unconditional ceasefire was practically a gift from the heavens. Why sabotage it?
He turned sharply toward the Second Raikage.
The First Tsuchikage of Iwagakure was thinking the same thing. His stone-hard expression wavered, his gaze filled with accusation as he glared at the Raikage beside him.
"Was this your plan?"
"Is this the surprise you prepared?"
"Has your Hidden Cloud Village gone completely mad?"
The Tsuchikage silently cursed his decision to ally with Hidden Cloud. Enemies could be reasoned with, feared, or manipulated—but a foolish, unpredictable ally could destroy everything before he even noticed.
Meanwhile, the Second Raikage looked completely dumbfounded.
He, too, had no idea who that assassin was.
As acting Raikage, he hadn't fully secured the position of Second Raikage yet. Many powerful factions inside the village were still watching him, testing him, and in some cases, hoping he failed. Could one of his rivals have secretly arranged this assassination to sabotage him?
His stomach tightened. If that was the case, then not only was he being framed, but Hidden Cloud Village might be completely destroyed before he could even prove his innocence.
But none of their internal doubts mattered anymore.
Because the center of the stage…
had shifted.
All eyes—those of the delegates, the guards, the accompanying clans, and even the reporters—had turned toward Uchiha Makoto.
Makoto raised both arms dramatically, his voice exploding through the hall like a battle drum.
"Fight! Fight!"
The photographers who had been waiting for a peaceful handshake ceremony now rushed forward like hungry wolves. Their cameras clicked wildly, trying to capture the perfect angle of Uchiha Makoto's righteous fury.
Tomorrow's headlines were guaranteed.
Uchiha Makoto's face.
His blazing expression.
His passionate stance.
This single scene would dominate every newspaper in the ninja world.
He continued his fiery speech, voice full of power.
"Akatsuki Ninja Village has never sought war. We only defended our interests when forced to. Even when we gained overwhelming advantage on the battlefield, we still chose peace and agreed to an unconditional ceasefire."
He slammed his fist against his chest.
"Because peace matters more than pride!"
The crowd trembled.
The Uzumaki Clan warriors tensed with excitement.
The Akatsuki Ninja Village elites roared with approval.
Their blood boiled.
Never had their Kage-sama seemed more heroic.
"But Hidden Cloud Village, even at such a time, insists on launching a cowardly sneak attack!"
His eyes flashed.
"If they want war—then we shall grant them war!"
The Uzumaki and Akatsuki ninja erupted in fury. Many were already stepping forward, chakra swirling around them like violent storms.
A single kunai had almost struck their Kage-sama.
That alone was unforgivable.
But what made it worse was that Hidden Cloud had already been painted as arrogant aggressors in the previous battles. Now this? A sneak attack during peace negotiations?
It didn't matter whether it was truly ordered by the Raikage.
The people had already judged.
Meanwhile, the Konoha ninja—who had been wearing their forehead protectors tucked away these past few days—were quietly raging.
They had endured humiliation for days.
Backstabbers.
Cowards.
Spineless dogs.
These insults came not only from the Akatsuki Ninja and the Uzumaki Clan but from many regions of the ninja world. While they could not refute the accusations due to the political reality, the shame had burned deep into their bones.
And now, Hidden Cloud Village launched a sneak attack not just on any Kage—but on their ally's Kage-sama—right in front of their faces.
This wasn't just an insult to Akatsuki Ninja Village.
It was a slap across Konoha's face.
If they remained silent again…
Konoha's reputation would be ruined across the entire ninja world.
The First Tsuchikage saw the situation worsening and nearly broke into tears. He whispered harshly to the Raikage:
"Hurry! Explain yourself! Do something!"
If a full-scale battle started here, in the middle of the negotiation hall, with Akatsuki, the Uzumaki Clan, and Konoha all ready to attack…
Would Iwagakure fight?
Or would they watch?
Or escape?
Every choice was disastrous.
The Second Raikage finally stepped forward, shouting desperately:
"I don't know anything about this! I swear—on the name of the First Raikage—the assassin was not sent by Hidden Cloud Village!"
His voice carried sincerity and panic.
"Even if that ninja was from Hidden Cloud, he acted alone! He does not represent our village!"
He bowed deeply.
"Please, do not escalate a lone man's foolish actions into a war between our villages!"
It was almost a plea.
But Uchiha Makoto's cold voice cut through the hall like a blade.
"So you admit he is from Hidden Cloud Village?"
The Raikage froze.
It was too late.
Makoto raised his hand slowly.
"Then there is nothing more to say."
A chilling smile curved his lips.
"Akatsuki Ninja Village, Uzumaki Clan, Konoha forces—hear my command!"
He pointed forward.
"Attack every Cloud Hidden Ninja present!"
His voice echoed like thunder.
"Yes, Kage-sama!!!"
The response shook the hall.
War—real war—was about to explode.
The Uzumaki Clan's chakra spiraled into brilliant crimson storms.
The Akatsuki elite unsheathed weapons, eyes sharp and filled with killing intent.
Konoha ninja—long suppressed and humiliated—finally felt the chance to redeem their pride and surged forward with raw fury.
The negotiation hall, once meant for peace, now stood on the brink of turning into a battlefield drenched in blood.
And at the center of it all…
Uchiha Makoto hummed softly, almost cheerfully.
As if he had been waiting for this moment all along.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)