The once low-key Senju Tobirama
now stunned everyone at the negotiating table.
It wasn't just the Second Raikage who hadn't expected Tobirama to jump in at this moment with that face.
The First Tsuchikage and the representatives of a number of minor villages hadn't expected it either. Tobirama, suppressed for so long, finally vented his emotions, but…
Tobirama's over-the-top performance left a bad taste.
After all, they hadn't taken part in the war from beginning to end. Even if Konoha's stance could indeed decide the outcome, it was Akatsuki Village and the Uzumaki who did the heavy lifting.
Tobirama's behavior made them feel Konoha's appetite looked ugly.
But there was nothing to be done.
The ninja world had always been this cruel, from the Warring States era on. Social Darwinism permeated everything.
Every year, countless small ninja clans vanished.
The Village era was no different.
And Konoha really did have the strength to grab a slice. Their strength had remained intact.
The spoils of victory are carved up by strength.
Still, there were ripples. Minor villages that had wanted to cozy up to Konoha began to look more toward Akatsuki.
Granted.
Those outrageous terms no one could accept had all been put forward by Uchiha Makoto.
But Akatsuki's harsh attitude and harsh terms were to be expected.
They had held the advantage in this war, yet for the sake of peace still chose unconditional talks with the Cloud Hidden Village—only for the outcome to be…
Makoto was "almost" cut in the throat by a Cloud assassin at the table. If his goodwill was betrayed, wasn't he allowed to vent?
In short…
Makoto was justified. Tobirama was grasping for unearned gain.
"With a righteous big brother like Akatsuki, it's got to be better than Konoha's ugly appetite."
"If this is how Konoha treats the Cloud Hidden Village, then how will they treat small villages like us…"
So thought the delegates of the minor villages.
Finding a patron isn't easy. In essence they were all dishes on a great village's table. Pick the wrong boss and, when he gets hungry and can't bite the enemy, he'll eat a little brother to fill his belly.
"Senju Tobirama, that's enough. The Cloud Hidden Village has also made sacrifices for peace."
"Let me say a few fair words."
"These compensation terms are indeed too harsh."
The First Tsuchikage stoppered being invisible and stood up to speak a few "fair words."
Fair words? Since when are they fair when spoken by such a man.
At the table there is only naked interest.
His position had been clear from the start: help the Cloud Hidden Village reduce their losses as much as possible. Even if their performance had been… not very smart, they would be allies in the days to come.
They were already that miserable. If he didn't help, who would?
Makoto still didn't speak. Uzumaki Shinji at his side was getting restless. He'd been air all day; time to straighten his back and say something.
But… Makoto stopped him.
No rush.
Let Tobirama scrap with them a bit more.
Now was the perfect time to have Tobirama charge the lines for them.
Konoha's deterrence had always been formidable—and this also conveniently "tarnished" Konoha's name.
Makoto watched the minor village reps' expressions and could basically guess their thoughts. His eyes swept over them with a slight, cordial smile.
When you're strong, the world meets you with smiles.
"Bastards… why aren't you two stepping up with me!"
"Do you really want me to fight alone, one versus two!"
Tobirama saw that Makoto and Uzumaki Shinji still weren't speaking, and Makoto even gestured under the table—keep going—obviously using him as a gun again.
"Damn you, Uchiha Makoto, you born-evil Uchiha brat!"
"Just you wait!"
He was seething. Since meeting Makoto he'd been eating dirt, calculated against and humiliated over and over. Even Uchiha Izuna hadn't made him feel like this… Since there is Yu, why must there be Liang!
There was no help for it.
To chew the fruits of victory,
Tobirama charged again.
The plain negotiating table turned into a shouting match. As the fixer for his big brother all these years, he was indeed a fine vanguard; borrowing force and pressing with momentum, he played the set expertly.
Though Konoha hadn't fought in this war, they sat with the victors. The Cloud had lost again and again in the field and had little leverage at the table; only with the First Tsuchikage's support could they barely keep up… Tobirama versus the First Tsuchikage and the Second Raikage ended about even.
Neither side could do anything to the other.
The Second Raikage still gritted his teeth and refused to yield.
Makoto felt the time was ripe. Tobirama had effectively said everything he wanted to say. Dragging it out was pointless, so he dropped the wrangling and offered a revision.
"If the Cloud feels the terms are too harsh, then reduce the compensation to three hundred billion ryō, payable in installments. Other clauses can be adjusted in wording only—the fundamentals will not change. That's my bottom line."
"Otherwise, we keep fighting."
"Senju Tobirama, am I right?"
After speaking, he deliberately cued Tobirama. Tobirama fumed, but could only nod grimly. Borrowing Konoha's name to pressure them again—this born-evil Uchiha brat was infuriating.
The Second Raikage and the First Tsuchikage exchanged a look, their hearts even heavier. After all that effort, they had only shaved one hundred billion ryō off.
Otherwise, the war would continue…
They truly could not go on fighting.
What you fail to take on the battlefield, don't dream of at the table.
"Then… let it be decided."
The Second Raikage forced the words out, his signing hand trembling. He was going to carry the First Raikage's blame.
In youth you don't know how hard signing is; in age you learn what it means to be a true Raikage. Makoto saw his struggle, but there was no helping it. Reality was cruel. They were enemies.
He brought pen and paper. "Everyone agrees, yes? If anyone has objections, speak now."
No one answered.
"Good, looks like we agree. I'll make some edits…"
Makoto changed 400 billion ryō to 300 billion, and in the second clause changed "our side" to "Akatsuki Village, Whirlpool Village, and Leaf." He changed nothing else.
"Damn it, Uchiha Makoto, you're only changing one thing?"
"I'll kill you!"
Tobirama cursed in his heart, now hopping mad. He stared straight at Makoto, the meaning obvious: "You're not keeping your word!"
"Did I promise you anything?"
Makoto answered with his eyes as well.
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