On the very day Uchiha Makoto resolved to blow a tulip bubble in the shinobi world, he sent Kazuma as an envoy, taking Darkness, toward the capital of the Land of Fire.
As for why he didn't have Kazuma bring Aqua and Megumin—those who know, know. With those two prodigies in tow, who knew what trouble they might stir up.
Uchiha Makoto himself stayed at the village's base; he had more important matters to handle.
Recruiting clans, for instance—one of the top priorities.
But progress was less than smooth.
In ninja circles—
The Uchiha and the Senju were the hottest of clans, their millennia-old feud known to every shinobi. Now that these two had suddenly clasped hands, allied, and founded a village, clans large and small paid close attention.
Alliances between clans weren't rare in this world.
Take the famous trio—Ino–Shika–Chō. To solidify their alliance, they moved their lands together in a trident layout.
Moreover, the three clans had their juniors grow up together, cultivating bonds and tacit understanding, even assigning mixed-team missions.
But that was the extent of it.
Senju Hashirama's village concept went far beyond clan pacts—truly ambitious.
For a clan to exist within a village had obvious benefits: vastly greater resilience. The shinobi world had plenty of tiny clans of barely a dozen members; a single war could exhaust their heirs, trap them in a negative spiral, and leave the clan in ruin.
Of course, there were downsides.
Ninja were famed for discipline and obedience; once a clan joined a village, members faced a question—do they obey the clan head, or the village leader?
Joining someone else's village demanded compromises and a loss of autonomy.
And in the Warring States era, clans were rivals for missions; to snatch high-paid jobs they'd bash each other's heads in. Grudges large and small piled up with time; the longer a clan existed, the more enemies it had. Living under one village roof with your enemies—hard not to sharpen knives at midnight.
Now Hashirama had pioneered the village concept, drawing every clan's gaze. The sharper ones sensed the turn of the age.
Fighting as standalone clans no longer worked; they needed to unite as much as possible. In this world, backing and power blocs mattered.
If those two behemoths had joined forces… could any other clan really solo the world and survive?
Strong in a fight?
What good would that do!
Could you outfight the Uchiha and the Senju—especially when they'd teamed up?
Clans of this era were known for being hidebound, but when family survival was at stake, they could turn pragmatic and smooth. Pragmatism—worth trying.
The era of ninja villages had begun.
Powerful great clans harbored ambition, seeking to emulate the Senju and Uchiha by founding villages and seizing the initiative.
Smaller clans lacked the strength to found villages; they would hold themselves for sale, bargaining for a good price and a promising future.
"Rejected again!"
"Hyūga clan, just you wait!"
"Ino–Shika–Chō, you wait too!"
"Sarutobi clan, Shimura clan, Mitokado clan, Utatane clan… Konoha's F4, right? You wait too!!"
…
Makoto's recruitment drive wasn't going well.
With a "worth a shot" mindset, he sent invitations to every clan he knew, asking them to join his village.
To package it nicely, he gave his village a good-sounding name—Akatsuki.
Akatsuki Village carried a fine meaning—the newborn light in the east.
The charter of Akatsuki Village was to unite the ninja clans, build a community of shared destiny, help one another, and realize peace in the shinobi world.
Though it was all plagiarized and remixed rhetoric, it couldn't be denied that Uchiha Makoto was earnestly painting the grand vision, spreading positive energy bit by bit. For peace in the shinobi world, please join the Village of Akatsuki!
But the clans were realistic.
At first, hearing Uchiha Makoto's name, they were enthusiastic. Uchiha?
Could it be the village founded by the Uchiha and the Senju, sending a letter to invite their clan to join?
If so, seize the chance; join the family of villages early—contribute to peace.
Another clan famed for eye techniques—yes, the Byakugan—the Hyūga even sent people immediately to inspect Akatsuki on-site.
But after looking into it, they learned that Uchiha Makoto had long since left the Uchiha and was founding a village on his own.
"Uchiha Makoto, isn't that deceiving people?"
"I admit, Uchiha Makoto—your strength is solid; even three to five jōnin together might not be your match."
"But that many jōnin—we Hyūga can add a zero to the end."
Thinking that, the Hyūga ninja decisively declined Uchiha Makoto's invitation.
"Leader Makoto, we Hyūga appreciate your kindness. As for our joining your village, we will consider it further."
To his credit, his manner was polite, befitting a bloodline clan.
"Consider it further" clearly meant no—parting on good terms and saving face.
Though annoyed at the Hyūga's pragmatism, Makoto only cursed under his breath; he could understand.
Even when you go work like a beast in a factory, you weigh the benefits—hourly wage, benefits, weekends, triple pay on holidays. Granted, such perks rarely exist when you're the beast—but you can choose not to go.
So it was with the Hyūga.
Where the Hyūga would settle was a century-shaping decision; they had to find a village whose strength and terms matched their status.
Living on love alone—that only happens in dreams.
__________________________________
Read 20 Advanced Chapters on : patreon.com/Kaizo247