At Uchiha Makoto's command, the forces of the Akatsuki Ninja Village, the Uzumaki Clan, and even Konoha's own shinobi were already brimming with excitement. Hands were raised, fingers flying through hand seals, chakra flaring as if a single spark could ignite a wildfire.
"Wait! There must be a misunderstanding!"
"Lord Kage, calm down!"
"Uchiha Makoto, listen first!"
"Everyone, hold your ground—don't move!"
The frantic pleas of the First Tsuchikage and Senju Tobirama were drowned instantly by the roar of thousands. It was unclear whether the three factions truly couldn't hear them, or whether they simply chose not to. After days of simmering distrust and outrage, emotions had finally boiled over. Today, everything exploded.
Even the disciplined Konoha shinobi—Tobirama's own forces—were swept up in the tide. Once a ninja's emotions cloud their judgment, no order or reason can restrain them.
From atop the platform, Uchiha Makoto watched the chaos unfold with a serene, almost admiring smile.
Everything happening now…
was exactly as he had arranged.
No one understands injustice better than the one who has crafted it. If the Second Raikage had the chance, he could probably sing a tragic ballad about how thoroughly he was being framed. Even the heavens would sympathize—if a sudden snowstorm fell in the middle of summer, it would only make the scene more poetic.
The truth was simple:
the Kumogakure ninja who "attempted assassination" had been manipulated by Makoto's genjutsu.
And now? They had vanished—conveniently leaving no witness behind.
Makoto had planned it all meticulously.
From the moment he realized that Iwagakure had inserted itself into the war, he knew the conflict had reached its limit. The Akatsuki Ninja Village could handle one Kumogakure…
but not a combined force of Kumo + Iwa. And as for Konoha—whether it was the overly idealistic Senju Hashirama or the calculating and assertive Senju Tobirama—neither brother would allow the Akatsuki Village to expand the war further. They would obstruct him at every step.
And agreeing to an unconditional ceasefire?
Impossible.
The Akatsuki Village had only achieved half of its strategic objective. Makoto had killed the First Raikage, destroyed over a thousand Kumo shinobi, and taken two entire defensive lines. If Iwagakure hadn't interfered, the third would have fallen as well.
Kumogakure had already lost this war.
This conflict was meant to establish prestige.
In that respect, Makoto's strategy had succeeded brilliantly.
After the war, the Akatsuki Village's reputation would skyrocket. Their backbone, their confidence, would rise like steel—steel heated, hammered, and reforged. Merchants from the Land of Fire and beyond would invest freely. Influence, wealth, and manpower would flood toward Akatsuki.
Yet one objective remained unfinished:
Kumogakure had not been weakened enough.
To finish that task, he needed leverage during the ceasefire negotiations.
But convincing Konoha and Iwagakure to help him crush Kumo was not easy.
Then came his answer:
Advance by retreating.
Pretend to resist negotiations, pressure Tobirama, accept the unconditional ceasefire only after "reluctantly" compromising, and then demand—under the banner of justice—that Konoha help champion Akatsuki's righteous concession.
Humans crave meaning.
Standing on moral high ground was something Uchiha Makoto required as much as he required air.
And he had earned it.
The entire Ninja World praised him as a selfless leader, someone who could set aside grudges for peace. Even Senju Hashirama admired the righteousness he displayed.
But now?
Kumogakure had dared to attempt assassination during negotiations.
The moral high ground belonged solely to Uchiha Makoto. Unconditional ceasefire?
Absolutely not.
The Akatsuki Village wouldn't agree.
The Uzumaki Clan wouldn't agree.
Konoha couldn't propose such terms anymore.
Even Hashirama would be helpless.
"Raikage!" the First Tsuchikage hissed, panic creeping into his voice. "Take your men and run! Do not fight the Akatsuki, the Uzumaki, or Konoha. If you do, Iwagakure will not accompany you to madness!"
Makoto's forces were surging forward.
Retreat was the only sane option.
And under no circumstances were they to retaliate.
A single spark would ignite a full war.
The First Tsuchikage knew very well: if the three forces clashed, Iwagakure would be dragged into hell alongside Kumo, and he had no intention of sacrificing his village for a reckless Raikage.
The Second Raikage finally snapped out of his shock.
"I–I understand! All Kumogakure forces, retreat immediately! Avoid all conflict at any cost!"
He did not care who the assassin truly had been. Survival came first.
If they clashed with Makoto's coalition, Kumogakure would be annihilated.
"Hurry! Go! I'll hold them back!" the Tsuchikage shouted, throwing up Earth Release barriers to slow the charging shinobi.
But Makoto's three factions were already overcome with anger.
"Kumogakure again!"
"And now Iwagakure wants to play mediator? You think you're the good guys?!"
"Out of my way!"
A chaotic clash erupted.
Iwagakure didn't retaliate—they only dodged, blocked, and fled. Still, they were beaten bloody.
Under the Tsuchikage's protection, the Kumo forces managed to escape to their third defensive line—injured, humiliated, and furious.
Uchiha Makoto stepped forward, expression cold as steel.
"Tsuchikage," he said, voice sharp as a blade, "go tell Kumogakure to wash their necks. This war won't end today."
"If Iwagakure wants to stand in my way, I'll make you my enemy too."
He raised a hand.
"Everyone—are you afraid?"
"No fear!"
The three factions roared back as one.
The First Tsuchikage's face turned as gray as stone.
He had come to mediate… and ended up getting beaten.
But he had no choice.
He swallowed his pride, forcing a smile that looked more painful than his injuries.
"Lord Makoto, today was a misunderstanding. Kumogakure sincerely wishes for peace, and Iwagakure does not want to fight you."
"For the sake of the Ninja World, please, let us discuss matters calmly. I promise Kumogakure will give you a satisfactory explanation."
His humble tone should have earned him face.
But Makoto did not even blink.
Because he was waiting…
for Senju Tobirama to intervene.
The Tsuchikage turned to the white-haired Senju with desperation.
"Lord Tobirama, surely you desire peace as well. Kumogakure did not retaliate. Their retreat proves this was all a misunderstanding!"
The words struck Tobirama like needles.
Because the truth terrified him:
Uchiha Makoto had just given orders directly to Konoha shinobi…
and they listened.
It was mutiny.
Mutiny right under his command.
He felt a chill run down his spine.
Someone—
a very large hand—
was manipulating everything.
"Lord Tobirama…"
The Tsuchikage's pleading dragged him back to reality.
The ceasefire that had been progressing smoothly was now a disaster. A mysterious Kumo assassin had blown the entire negotiation apart. Tobirama could not allow the situation to escalate further. His brother had entrusted him with preventing war—entrusted him sincerely, seriously.
He had to fix this.
Somehow.
But when he looked up, he met the cold, amused eyes of Uchiha Makoto.
Time to collect interest, Makoto thought.
Tobirama had been arrogant just days ago, pressuring him with Hashirama's authority.
Now, Makoto watched him struggle from the palm of his hand.
Everything was going exactly as Makoto foresaw.
If the five forces—Akatsuki, Uzumaki, Konoha, Iwa, and Kumo—truly fought, a new Great Ninja War would break out instantly. Hashirama would be forced to intervene. And Hashirama, with his Asura-like belief in peace, would pressure Tobirama to bow if necessary.
But Makoto had already positioned himself as:
A righteous leader who compromised for peace and was then unjustly attacked.
Even Hashirama couldn't invalidate that.
If Tobirama wanted peace…
he would have to bend.
Makoto didn't actually plan to push things that far.
But pressure—extreme pressure—was necessary for negotiation.
Tobirama was merely another piece in his play.
Senju Tobirama,
do you really want your elder brother
to kneel before me?
Makoto smiled faintly.
Everything was under his control.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)