Uchiha Makoto stood there spouting nonsense with a straight face. What he said was all over the place and could not withstand the slightest scrutiny, yet it still landed like a critical hit in Uzumaki Shinji's heart.
After all, Uchiha Makoto really intended to pay.
When a rich man speaks, even if he is solemnly talking nonsense, crowds will treat that nonsense like scripture.
"What a wise and outstanding Lord Light Shadow. For the Uzumaki clan to have such an ally is truly our honor."
Thinking this, Uzumaki Shinji looked at Uchiha Makoto and agreed to the request in one breath.
As long as it let the Uzumaki clan hold its head high in front of Konoha, it was worth it. Of course, even if the 3.68 billion ryo bride price would be promoted only low-key within the clan, the Uzumaki must not slight the matter. They had to etch into memory the friendship of Akatsuki Village, the grace that came from Lord Light Shadow.
Stars sparkled in Uzumaki Tsubaki Shizuku's eyes. She gazed at Uchiha Makoto with open worship, feeling that his lavish spending without seeking fame made every gesture of his radiate a charm that captivated her.
With the deal sealed, the Uzumaki clan and Akatsuki Village quickly drafted an alliance pact. Uchiha Makoto, as Lord Light Shadow's representative, pressed his red thumbprint on the pact and signed his name. Uzumaki Shinji did the same.
"I hope you all can stay in Akatsuki Village a few more days so we can be proper hosts."
Uchiha Makoto offered the polite invitation, wanting to keep Uzumaki Shinji's group in Akatsuki for a while. The outer perimeter still needed a large sealing barrier designed end-to-end by a master of the sealing arts.
Since Uzumaki Shinji had become the clan head, it went without saying that he was one of the shinobi world's foremost sealing masters. With him taking the lead, the outer barrier of Akatsuki Village would certainly be no worse than Konoha's.
At the very least, it would be on par.
You don't spend 3.68 billion ryo for nothing.
"Then I shall gladly accept."
Uzumaki Shinji did not stand on ceremony. He nodded and agreed.
He also planned to personally take part in designing the wedding of Uchiha Makoto and Uzumaki Tsubaki Shizuku. This concerned the face of the Uzumaki clan and could not be handled carelessly.
After that, Uzumaki Shinji did not linger. Sensible as ever, he left Uchiha Makoto's office, intending to give the room over to Makoto and Tsubaki Shizuku so the two could be alone. Feelings need time to grow.
Uchiha Makoto poured a glass of his favorite honey water for Uzumaki Tsubaki Shizuku, then returned to his desk. There was still one important task left.
He had to notify Konoha about the alliance between Akatsuki Village and the Uzumaki clan, as well as his betrothal to Uzumaki Tsubaki Shizuku. No matter what, Akatsuki was currently an ally of Konoha, and the Uchiha clan, his own family, was still in Konoha. Considering Konoha's close ties with the Uzumaki as well, both sentiment and reason dictated that Konoha should be the first to know.
Uchiha Makoto was truly looking forward to Konoha's reaction.
Especially that
naturally evil old Senju codger.
…
Konoha.
At this very moment, the Shadow Hokage, Senju Tobirama, was busy with the day's routine affairs in the Hokage's office, while the official Hokage was going street to street checking the small wooden boxes placed the day before yesterday.
"Empty."
"Empty again."
"Still empty?"
The more he checked, the tighter Senju Hashirama's chest felt.
Not long ago, Senju Hashirama had worn Tobirama down with words, shamelessly pestering him for an entire afternoon, and finally wrung two million ryo out of him as funding. He had made fifty wooden boxes and placed forty thousand ryo in each, hoping to learn from Akatsuki Village's advanced practices and build the Konoha of his dreams.
The result was a stinging slap in the face.
Not a single person was willing to add a loving donation from their own purse. Instead, after just two nights, every box's forty thousand had vanished without a trace.
"Vicious roots."
"This is Konoha shinobi's vicious roots."
On the street, Senju Hashirama drooped in dejection, voicing his unwillingness to accept it and venting his frustration. He had been full of confidence and wanted to show Tobirama that this time his initiative had succeeded. After all, he still held expectations for the village he had founded with his own hands.
But the outcome was disappointing, even a complete failure.
Two million ryo straight down the drain.
Soon, Senju Hashirama's street-corner "freak-out" drew the attention of passersby.
The villagers of Konoha were familiar with Senju Hashirama. With nothing to do, he had become like a street loafer, wandering every alley of Konoha. That innocent, infectious smile made him quickly recognizable.
By contrast, people were less familiar with the always-getting-things-done Senju Tobirama. From dawn to dusk he was in the office handling daily affairs, too busy to spare a moment, and he still had to find time for his research, which left little chance to show his face and maintain presence among the villagers.
The higher-ups of Konoha, however, knew Tobirama well, since daily missions and matters involving each clan were all handled by him.
"What's wrong with Lord Hashirama?"
"He looks so downcast."
"What is this vicious roots thing?"
The villagers murmured as they listened to Senju Hashirama's voice. "I was still too naive. Konoha really has vicious roots."
"You don't even know what vicious roots are?"
"Have you read New Ninja? It's the hottest and best-selling publication in the Land of Fire, and it sells across the other four great nations. You could say it's the best-seller of the entire shinobi world."
"No."
"If you haven't read it, you're really behind the times."
"See that little wooden box? It's empty now. I bet Lord Hashirama was trying to emulate Akatsuki Village, but the results were disappointing. I saw that box yesterday. Sure enough, our Konoha has vicious roots."
"Right, right. I agree with you."
"My friend has been to Akatsuki Village. I'm telling the honest truth. He told me himself."
"Akatsuki is full of equality and freedom and is prosperous. Compared to Akatsuki, our Konoha is still far behind. That is vicious roots. You simply can't change vicious roots."
Several people in the crowd began chiming in, their words full of worship for Akatsuki and contempt for Konoha. Such people are strange, yet not few. They like to belittle the ground beneath their feet and raise outsiders for no reason, to satisfy a peculiar sense of superiority.
A phantom braid had unknowingly sprouted from the backs of their heads.
"How can you disparage Konoha like that?"
"You degenerate."
There were still righteous voices in the crowd.
But they were quickly shouted down.
"Hmph, I'm only speaking the truth."
"Is your pathetic self-esteem really so fragile? The facts are right in front of you. Look, the money in the boxes is gone. Whereas in Akatsuki Village…"
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