"Naruto: My Ninja Skills"Chapter 153: Annoying Little Brother
The Senju, Hyūga, Uzumaki, and Sarutobi—four powerful, ancient ninja clans—held a secret alliance meeting.
Clearly, Senju Hashirama's idea to "go all out from the start" was ruthlessly stopped by Senju Tobirama. The more critical the moment, the more important it was to maintain a low-profile approach of quietly building strength.
Simply put, the impact of this alliance would be far greater than Yūshin uniting the small and medium ninja clans into a whole. At least in the early stages after the Senju Alliance's announcement, there would be a brief phase of "the whole world as enemies."
Senju Tobirama's idea was to wait until several ninja clans completed their initial integration before announcing the alliance's formation. At that point, even if "the whole world became enemies," it wouldn't matter... At minimum, the four ninja clans needed to physically assemble together. Announcing the alliance before this would very likely give hidden enemies a chance to defeat them one by one.
The more critical the moment, the more patience was needed. Tobirama's thinking was sound.
The Sarutobi Clan, under Sarutobi Sasuke's leadership—he was a young man with no generational gap with the Senju brothers in terms of ideology. He recognized Senju Hashirama's strength, and after all these years of Tobirama's overt and covert "brainwashing," he had already been assimilated by the Senju brothers.
On one hand, Sarutobi Sasuke agreed with the concept that "unity creates peace." On the other hand, as a super-elite ninja, Sarutobi Sasuke stood high and saw far, so he had long understood this era's ultimate truth—only Hashirama cannot be opposed.
As for the Hyūga Clan, the Hyūga had always been close to the Senju—the two clans could be considered as thick as thieves.
The Uzumaki Clan were distant relatives of the Senju Clan, equivalent to cousins—the kind of relationship that in Mary Sue novels would be prone to romantic complications.
Theoretically, the more ancient, the more stubborn and difficult to change, but uniting didn't mean stripping ninja clans of their independence... Without thinking, one could know that Senju Tobirama made many concessions, clarifying the boundaries between "village authority" and "clan authority."
For example, regarding the Hyūga Clan's main and branch family system, from beginning to end Konoha never interfered, causing the Hyūga branch families to not only resent the main family but also develop an identity crisis with Konoha as a whole.
After all, you can't run a "quasi-slavery system" within the village while preaching the "Will of Fire." It's just that compared to the Uchiha's "recklessness," the Hyūga were more "yielding"—otherwise they too would have to "eliminate the treacherous ministers."
But overall, considering the three clans' situations, only the changes in the Uzumaki Clan and their clan head Uzumaki Ashina seemed somewhat fantastical.
Originally, the Uzumaki Clan should have remained isolated, then quietly awaited destruction. However, now they were actively moving closer to the Senju and the future Konoha.
There seemed to be some hidden circumstances here.
In any case, from a macro perspective, the four ninja clans' alliance was already decided. As for micro-level problems, they needed to be solved bit by bit... Every ninja clan would have stubborn ninja who felt they shouldn't band together and should maintain tradition.
Four ninja clans gathering at one table—was this mahjong? Even mahjong needs someone to deal and someone to win, right?
After settling matters with the three major ninja clans, Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama secretly came to Fireflies Village, and both sides began formal negotiations.
These two, as "representatives" of the four ninja clans, invisibly brought tremendous pressure to the Fireflies organization. Comparing actual strength, the latter appeared far too weak.
Without thinking, these "little schemes" all came from Tobirama. Only Yūshin-sama was magnanimous enough not to fuss over these trivial details—otherwise he'd definitely kick him out... A closed-door meeting between two organization leaders—what business was it of Tobirama's?
What's your status? Ah, surely not just "family member" status?
Yūshin first clarified that he would join the "Senju system"—or more accurately, it should be called the "Land of Fire system." Since the Land of Fire hadn't been established yet, and the alliance's leaders were the Senju brothers, it would be temporarily called the Senju system.
In a conference room, secret negotiations were underway.
On the Senju side were the two brothers. For Yūshin's side, there were also two people participating equally in the talks—Yūshin himself and Nara Shūji... Although Nara Shūji was only a recorder and wouldn't express opinions, the implicit meaning was obvious.
Even though Nara Shūji was actually considerably older than Yūshin.
"Yūshin, your recognition of this alliance method is truly wonderful... I still think you're more suitable than me to lead this collective. Honestly, I have no talent in this area."
At this time, Hashirama was at his most idealistic, since he hadn't yet been heartbroken by treacherous betrayers. Therefore, Yūshin knew he was speaking the truth... Sincerity is the ultimate technique. In comparison, looking at Tobirama's behavior, the difference was clear.
Yūshin could only wave his hand in refusal:
"You're joking, Hashirama. Only you could accomplish this... I couldn't suppress those stubborn major ninja clans."
Mainly, he didn't want to deal with the messy affairs within those thousand-year ninja clans. A thousand years of inheritance? Heh, this just meant every ninja clan had corrupt, rotten parts.
If Senju Tobirama was willing to do this work, let him do it.
"We need to determine the alliance's controlled territory." Senju Tobirama quickly pulled out a map and placed it on the table.
Talk business, talk business. Since Yūshin also recognized the alliance, they should hurry up and discuss serious matters.
"This area internally, plus the south, east, northeast, and north, will be cleared by the four ninja clans' alliance. The west and northwest directions will be handed to the Fireflies... Yūshin, no problem, right?"
Yūshin looked at that map—the circled area was basically the territorial outline of the Land of Fire.
So he nodded and said:
"No problem, but we need you to support us with some ninja."
Determining territory naturally required deploying combat forces. Yūshin planned to expand his side's combat team from thirty to sixty people, then request the Senju Alliance to support forty people. This way they could handle most situations.
As for his "no problem"? Just listen to it for fun. Since there would be combat, naturally his opinions would take priority. Senju Tobirama wanted to micromanage? Heh.
How the "Land of Fire's" western and northwestern territories were delineated would naturally be Yūshin's call.
The smaller the capability, the smaller the responsibility. The Fireflies organization's combat tasks weren't heavy. Though nominally responsible for the west and northwest, the west bordered the stable Ishii Clan.
Going forward, the Fireflies organization's warfare would be concentrated in the northwest direction.
"Of course. We'll dispatch the most capable ninja to the Fireflies' side." Hashirama immediately agreed.
Tobirama nodded along, then said:
"However, borders are borders. We still need to expand outward to create buffer zones."
"Understood."
Whatever Tobirama said, Yūshin agreed to everything. This made Tobirama very happy—he felt Yūshin was someone who understood the big picture and overall situation.
Next, both sides discussed more details, even involving internal system issues after establishing a large ninja village... There wasn't much to say about this aspect—just copy the Fireflies Village system first, then improve and develop it.
The process went much more smoothly than imagined. The Senju brothers returned with full satisfaction.
Involving multi-ninja clan alliances, the two brothers had been very busy during this period. Therefore, after ending the dialogue, they couldn't stay long in Fireflies Village and had to depart immediately.
Yūshin and Nara Shūji rose to see them off, accompanying them out of Fireflies Village and continuing for some distance before stopping.
After finishing business, both sides began casual conversation.
"With Yūshin's personality, I was worried you'd break away from this system and insist on developing your own enterprise." Tobirama said—he hadn't expected Yūshin to be so easy to handle.
"With our strength, it's very difficult to subdue major ninja clans. If we insisted on an independent path... at most we'd exist as a small ninja village in isolation, and small ninja villages can't determine the Shinobi World's direction—they can only drift with the current."
Actually, by this time Yūshin had already figured it out. The Senju Alliance had completed the annexation of the Fireflies, but in reality? Who was annexing whom was really hard to say.
First, clarify one point: compared to the lifeless major ninja clans, Yūshin's Fireflies organization was full of vitality.
The future "Konoha Village" would model itself after Fireflies Village in establishing various departments, but where would the talent to manage these departments come from?
Of course, "those with experience and management background get priority"—so who had experience?
Damn it, only Fireflies ninja had experience.
During the ninja village's founding period, naturally only meritocracy could prevail—the capable rise, the mediocre fall. If Tobirama wanted to play balance games, he'd be drowned in spit and become the culprit of Konoha's division... Moreover, Hashirama would be in charge then.
Don't think Hashirama was Tobirama's puppet. Regarding matters of fairness, how could Hashirama possibly approve of Tobirama's bad ideas?
Considering this, the possibility of "a snake swallowing an elephant" was surprisingly high.
Yūshin wouldn't serve as leader, but his subordinates would control almost all of Konoha's departments... "Konoha within Konoha" seemed to be no empty words.
Like Boeing swallowing McDonnell Douglas, but looking back, management was all McDonnell Douglas people—who really swallowed whom? No way around it—engineering teams can't beat stock manipulators.
Senju Tobirama seemed quite happy now? No problem, he could continue being happy for a while.
"Indeed so. As long as everyone assists big brother together, the entire Shinobi World will soon welcome dramatic change."
Yūshin couldn't stand his smug expression, so before the other party left, he gave him a big one.
"Tobirama, you needn't be so pleased... Let me ask you: suppose we establish a ninja village, clear internal and external enemies, leaving only one military force and one political force in this territory—would you consider this a great achievement?"
"Of course."
"How long could peace last? Would it be a thousand-year legacy?"
"Let me help you answer: no."
"So if I refused to cooperate with the Senju and could create a thousand-year legacy myself?"
"I'll continue answering: also no."
"So turning back to the first question—even with Hashirama's power, how long could peace last? 1000 years? 100 years? Dream on. I think maybe 10 or 20 years."
"Our alliance is just the alliance of powerless mortals. You needn't get carried away."
You don't think your big brother is an immortal, do you? Yūshin mercilessly revealed the key point: everyone's just mortal—be happy if you want, but don't put on airs.
Before human nature, history, and developmental laws, even the "God of Shinobi" must kneel when he should kneel.
Senju Tobirama completely stopped talking.
Yūshin could make Uchiha Madara shut himself away in depression—making Tobirama depressed wasn't much.
What Yūshin said, Tobirama would figure out himself in a year or two. Human growth requires time, but... it does require time.
At this moment, Tobirama only felt he'd encountered a father... an ideological father. He had never considered the Shinobi World situation after the great ninja village's establishment, but Yūshin?
Far-sighted, profound in thought—to such a degree.
At this moment, ideologically Senju Hashirama was far stronger than Tobirama. He took over the topic and said:
"Yūshin, 20 years of peace also has meaning."
"Of course, Hashirama. 20 years is just an instant in history, yet it's also our lifelong goal."
The two reached out and gripped hands tightly.
So you see, big brother is big brother, and annoying little brother will always just be annoying little brother.
After the two left, Nara Shūji, who had remained silent throughout, said:
"Yūshin-sama, Senju Hashirama can bear great responsibility, but Senju Tobirama is too narrow-minded."
"Not really. This is just normal power struggle within a large organization... You think Tobirama is narrow-minded? No problem—you'll have plenty of time to fight with him in the future."
"Ah?"
Nara Shūji was first confused, then...
"Let's go. We're heading to Reitō Castle."
Shūji didn't have time to think through the implications before Yūshin interrupted him. The two turned and headed toward Reitō Castle.
Soon after, they met Daimyō Shimizu Kiyosuke.
"Lord Daimyō, our plan can be launched." Yūshin didn't waste words—upon seeing the daimyō, he went straight to the point.
"...Yūshin-sama, I knew nothing good would come of meeting you." The Shimizu Daimyō said irritably.
During this period, his lifestyle had become increasingly austere.
"Gold—I saved up gold for so long, and now I have to spend it all."
"Being able to buy the position of national ruler with money—isn't that a good thing?"
Yūshin thought: I just finished lecturing someone who got benefits but still complained, and now the daimyō wants to taste my verbal attacks too?
But the Shimizu Daimyō was just complaining. Yūshin was doing his utmost to help him—naturally he was grateful and wouldn't drop the ball at the crucial moment.
"Then let's begin."
The Shimizu Daimyō dared to sit at the gambling table, and after sitting down, dared to go all-in directly—this was something ordinary people really couldn't do.
Of course, Yūshin's claim that "you can buy the national ruler position with money" was strategic deception of the daimyō. To sit firmly in the "Land of Fire Daimyō" position, there would definitely be moments requiring Shimizu Kiyosuke to risk everything.
Otherwise, how could a small rural daimyō from the frontier overturn the deep-rooted Enshi clan?
Even comparing gold reserves, the Enshi clan far exceeded the Shimizu clan. But would the former be willing to take out gold that had already entered their pockets?
"Those who feast on meat are short-sighted and cannot plan far ahead"—an eternal truth.
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