"Iwagakure?"
Uchiha Makoto's expression darkened instantly. Now that Vortex Shinji had finished explaining everything that happened while Makoto was unconscious, he finally understood the situation clearly.
"I actually miscalculated… that move?"
Makoto had concentrated most of his attention on Hidden Cloud Village, but he never completely ignored news from the other major villages. Even so, he hadn't expected that the First Tsuchikage would dare intervene in person at such a critical moment.
The Tsuchikage hadn't mobilized a massive army. Instead, he led a hundred elite jonin—silent, disciplined, deadly—and observed the battlefield from the shadows. When Kumogakure's third defensive line was on the verge of collapsing, he stepped in at the perfect moment.
The power of a hundred elite jonin, especially under a Kage-level commander, could not be underestimated. Their presence alone tipped the balance. With them there, even if Akatsuki Village and the Uzumaki Clan worked together, they wouldn't break through the third line in a single decisive push.
The most frustrating part?
The First Tsuchikage had been extremely restrained. He didn't attack aggressively. He didn't escalate the conflict. He simply defended—calmly, passively, "peacefully."
That restraint gave Kumogakure enough time.
The Hidden Cloud main forces, originally waiting for an ambush, immediately retreated and reinforced the third defensive line. The moment that should have been Akatsuki's victory… slipped away.
"What is Iwagakure's goal?" Makoto asked coldly.
This was what mattered most.
If the problem had been only Kumogakure, Akatsuki could still handle it. The war was nearly at its end. Victory was within reach.
But if Iwagakure joined the conflict fully…
Everything would collapse.
Shinji repeated the Tsuchikage's message:
"He wants an unconditional ceasefire between Akatsuki Village and Kumogakure. He says too much blood has been shed, and conflicts should be resolved with negotiation rather than war."
Shinji paused.
"He said he will suppress Kumogakure's desire for revenge. He has already sent envoys to Konoha to express the same idea."
Then Shinji finished the final line:
"'Lord Makoto, for the peace of the Ninja World, please accept his suggestion—do not become a sinner who disrupts that peace.'"
Makoto fell silent.
Peace of the Ninja World.
What a convenient slogan.
So that was how the First Tsuchikage wanted to play this—standing on "moral high ground" while blocking Akatsuki's final victory.
Makoto knew the real reason behind this interference:
Iwagakure was afraid.
Konoha + Akatsuki Village was too strong. If Kumogakure was crushed here, the next target in any major war would be Iwagakure. Hidden Mist was overseas, Hidden Sand was deep in the desert… Only Iwagakure was an accessible target.
This "peace" was nothing but fear.
And the timing of intervention?
Perfect for Kumogakure.
Now both villages could form an alliance.
And Akatsuki's victory had been destroyed.
"Leave," Makoto said quietly. "I want to think."
The Akatsuki higher-ups understood his emotions and retreated from the tent.
Makoto clenched his fists tightly.
Damn it.
Just a little bit more.
They were so close to crushing Kumogakure entirely. With the third defensive line broken, Kumogakure's supply chain would collapse, and they would have no choice but to surrender. Makoto had already prepared the humiliation package:
War reparations
Forcefully taking high-level ninjutsu
Territorial concessions
Military restrictions
Public shaming
And even forcing the Second Raikage to dance in Akatsuki Village
He had everything planned.
The entire timeline of the First Shinobi World War would have been altered!
But now?
All gone.
"Iwagakure… you bastards."
Akatsuki had also suffered losses. Supplies were limited. Continuing the war now was reckless—especially since the First and Second Tsuchikage were both present. Facing both at once was not a fight Akatsuki could win easily.
And Konoha?
Makoto already knew.
Senju Tobirama would absolutely not support Akatsuki continuing the war.
Because Konoha didn't want Akatsuki getting too powerful.
Tobirama would hide behind excuses like "balance," "peace," and "stability," and push for an unconditional ceasefire.
Especially now that the First Tsuchikage had given him a perfect excuse.
Makoto exhaled sharply.
"A ceasefire… is the best choice for now. But unconditional?" His eyes narrowed dangerously. "Impossible."
Akatsuki had not fought this hard to walk away empty-handed.
Makoto glared at the tent ceiling.
"There must be a way… Something that can reignite the fire… Tsk. Should I stage… my own assassination?"
He paused.
"…actually. That might work."
---
A few days later
Kumogakure and Iwagakure held lengthy discussions.
In the end, they agreed:
Unconditional ceasefire.
Even though Kumogakure suffered massive losses—including the death of the First Raikage—they now had Iwagakure supporting them. With such a powerful backer, they dared to push for the ceasefire with confidence.
Makoto ignored them entirely.
He was waiting.
Waiting for Konoha.
Sure enough, once Senju Tobirama learned about Iwagakure's intervention, he immediately accelerated Konoha's march. The Konoha forces arrived quickly and joined with Akatsuki's army.
Normally, Makoto—as an ally—should have greeted Tobirama personally.
He didn't.
Instead, he stayed "injured" inside his tent.
He was indeed wounded, but not enough to prevent him from walking. He simply didn't want to face Tobirama's sanctimonious face.
He could already imagine Tobirama's lecture:
"Makoto, for the peace of the Ninja World…"
"Makoto, Akatsuki must not demand too much…"
"Makoto, let's agree to an unconditional ceasefire…"
Makoto could practically hear Tobirama already.
Outside the tent, Tobirama's cheerful voice rang:
"Makoto is injured? Then I should visit him myself! He is my comrade, after all!"
His tone was practically humming with satisfaction.
This sudden intervention by Iwagakure was the perfect excuse for Tobirama to force the war to end on Konoha's terms.
He entered the tent.
Makoto lay on the bed, wrapped in bandages.
"Makoto! How did you get so injured? Is it severe?"
Tobirama looked genuinely "concerned."
Makoto resisted the urge to roll his eyes.
He knew exactly what Tobirama was actually concerned about:
Whether the Mangekyō Sharingan had been activated. Whether Makoto's eyes had gone blind. Whether his power had grown too dangerous.
Makoto replied calmly, "Just need rest."
Tobirama leaned in. "Your eyes… they're fine?"
Makoto waved lazily. "No major issue."
Tobirama nodded quickly.
"That's good. Very good."
Neither believed the other for a second.
They exchanged polite, meaningless small talk for appearances.
Then Tobirama shifted the conversation immediately.
There was no time to waste.
He had to finalize the unconditional ceasefire before Makoto caused trouble.
Because Tobirama understood one thing better than anyone else:
An Uchiha who felt cheated was the most dangerous thing in the world.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)