"When did this happen?"
Senju Hashirama frowned, a rare look of serious contemplation appearing on his face.
Incidents like this were extremely common during the Warring States Era. When ninja clans carried out missions, conflicts were inevitable, and once blood was spilled, friction between clans often escalated. If mishandled, it could easily erupt into a full-scale clan war.
The logic was the same now—
Only the participants had changed from clans to villages.
If this incident wasn't handled properly, it could very well evolve into a war between ninja villages. The hatred and bloodshed that had only just subsided would surge back once more, endlessly repeating, until they followed the same tragic path as their ancestors.
That was something Hashirama absolutely did not want to see.
Konoha was doing so well now.
The period right after the end of the Warring States Era was, without question, the most peaceful time imaginable. These ninja—who had barely survived the chaos of clan warfare—were finally enjoying a rare moment of tranquility.
No one was allowed to destroy this precious peace.
"It happened a week ago. The mission team members only returned to Konoha yesterday," Tobirama replied after hearing his brother's question.
Hashirama fell silent for a moment, then spoke slowly.
"First, make proper arrangements for the fallen chūnin's family. Then immediately send envoys to negotiate with Kumogakure."
"Clarify the facts, uncover the truth, and finally discuss compensation."
"Do not let the situation escalate."
With that, Hashirama set the overall tone.
This matter had to be handled discreetly. Its impact must not be expanded.
Konoha could pay additional compensation out of its own coffers to the chūnin's family. As for negotiations with Kumogakure, they had to remain restrained and peaceful.
Konoha needed both substance and face—but it also had to consider Kumogakure's stance. They couldn't allow unnecessary misunderstandings to arise.
They needed a solution that allowed both sides to walk away with dignity.
As for the specific execution of that plan—
That was Tobirama's responsibility.
"I understand, Big Brother," Tobirama nodded.
Truthfully, this was also his own view.
Peace was hard-won. There was no need to trigger a large-scale armed conflict over an ordinary mission dispute.
Especially when it involved only one chūnin.
Right now, the most important thing was internal development.
Since Hashirama thought the same way, Tobirama only needed to carry out his wishes carefully.
"However… Akatsuki Village also lost two chūnin this time," Tobirama added hesitantly.
"Konoha's stance is easy enough to decide, but Akatsuki Village's reaction is another matter."
The two brothers could decide Konoha's position—but they couldn't dictate Akatsuki Village's.
If they wanted to resolve this perfectly, they had to coordinate with Akatsuki Village in advance.
"That's easy," Hashirama said cheerfully.
"Uchiha Makoto is from the Uchiha Clan. You can talk to Madara about it and have the Uchiha convey Konoha's stance to Akatsuki Village."
"…Me? Go talk to Madara?"
Tobirama's eyes widened instantly.
At this point, he genuinely suspected his brother was deliberately trying to torment him.
While Tobirama did believe Madara was unlikely to attack him outright, he wasn't willing to gamble his life on that assumption.
No matter what, he would never willingly be alone in the same room as Uchiha Madara.
Even Li Jing wouldn't stay in the same room as Nezha without holding the Pagoda—this was that level of danger.
"Tobirama, you're still the same," Hashirama said helplessly.
"You don't trust Madara at all."
"I'll just mention it to him later when I go have dinner with him."
"Dinner?"
"With Madara again?"
"And what about me?"
Uzumaki Mito, who had been listening quietly, immediately locked onto the key phrase having dinner.
Hashirama, you blockhead—don't you even care whether I've eaten dinner?!
"Mito… why are you staring at me like that?" Hashirama asked, confused.
Even Tobirama could sense the resentment radiating from her gaze.
Yet Hashirama still had no idea what he'd done wrong.
"Big Brother," Tobirama said pointedly,
"Sister-in-law hasn't eaten dinner either."
"How about you two go eat together first?"
As a considerate younger brother, Tobirama provided a crucial assist.
A family couldn't be allowed to fall apart because of his brother's obliviousness.
This was one situation Tobirama absolutely couldn't ignore.
"Mito, you haven't eaten dinner either?"
"Mm."
Hashirama looked suddenly enlightened.
Mito nodded, a hint of relief flashing in her eyes.
He's not completely hopeless… Even if it took Tobirama prompting him.
"Well, what a coincidence!" Hashirama said brightly.
"You didn't cook, and judging by the time, Madara's probably finished cooking by now."
"We can go together—"
The small spark of hope in Mito's heart was instantly doused with cold water.
"Hashirama, you wooden idiot!"
"Why would I go with you to Madara's place to mooch a meal?!"
"Don't we have our own home?!"
"And another thing!"
"I'll go with you to see Madara—why?"
"So I can be a third wheel?!"
"You'll never grow a clue in this lifetime!"
Mito was seething inside, though years of noble upbringing kept her from exploding outwardly.
In a cool voice, she said,
"No. I'm not hungry. I still have documents Tobirama handed me to process."
Tobirama lowered his head in despair.
He'd hinted this hard, and his brother still didn't get it?
If he didn't know Hashirama so well, Tobirama would have suspected he was doing this on purpose.
Madara… just wait.
Another grievance has been added to our tab—and this one's on behalf of Sister-in-law.
"Oh… that's a shame," Hashirama said regretfully.
"Don't let Madara's cold exterior fool you—his cooking is really good. I heard he even trained for it specially."
Mito's irritation deepened.
Tobirama lowered his head even further.
He was genuinely afraid Mito might snap one day, whip out the Adamantine Sealing Chains, and hang Hashirama up for a beating—blood splattering everywhere.
And if that day ever came?
Tobirama would absolutely cheer from the sidelines.
"If Mito's not going," Hashirama continued,
"then what about you, Tobirama?"
Trying to be a caring brother, Hashirama extended the invitation.
It might even help resolve the misunderstandings between Tobirama and Madara.
"I'm not going," Tobirama replied flatly.
"You go by yourself."
"I'd rather starve to death than eat a single bite of food made by Uchiha Madara."
"…Alright then."
Hashirama left the office with deep regret, his steps light and cheerful as he headed toward the Uchiha district.
After he left—
The atmosphere in the room turned unbearably awkward.
To break the silence, Tobirama forced himself to speak.
"Sister-in-law… you've really been wronged these past few days."
"You know I'm firmly on your side."
"Big Brother's just been bewitched by Madara. One day he'll come to his senses!"
"…Sigh."
Mito let out a long sigh, said nothing more, gathered a stack of documents, and left.
The night passed quietly.
[Official Statement from Akatsuki Village, issued under the order of Lord Hokage:]
The Hidden Cloud Village of the Land of Lightning has carried out a terrorist attack against a joint ninja squad from Akatsuki Village and Konoha, resulting in three fatalities.
This act gravely violates humanitarian principles of the shinobi world and poses a severe threat to Akatsuki Village's peace and security.
For the future of the shinobi world, and to inject a strong dose of stability into world peace, Lord Hokage hereby issues a solemn warning.
Kumogakure must bear full responsibility.
Compensation is demanded as follows: thirty million ryō for each deceased, five million ryō for each injured.
The perpetrators must be delivered to Akatsuki Village for trial.
The Raikage must personally appear before the victims' families to offer condolences and admit guilt.
Akatsuki Village reserves all means to pursue justice and peace.
Act immediately—do not say you were not warned.
Akatsuki Village moved with astonishing speed.
Before Konoha had taken any action, Akatsuki Village had already broadcast its announcement across the entire shinobi world using every available channel.
Although Makoto had already informed Akatsuki's leadership that he intended to use this incident as a pretext for war against Kumogakure, a surprise attack without justification wouldn't stand.
Nor would it gain Konoha's support.
Public opinion had to be seized first.
The moral high ground had to be claimed.
Thus, the compensation demands were announced immediately—
And they were brutal.
Thirty million ryō for each fallen chūnin.
Five million ryō for each injured shinobi.
At that price point, everyone might as well be injured.
And that wasn't all.
All Kumogakure personnel involved were to be publicly tried and executed in Akatsuki Village.
The Raikage himself had to come and apologize in person.
This was the equivalent of punching Kumogakure in the face twice—then stomping on it while it was down.
The path to resolving the conflict had been laid out clearly.
Makoto wanted to resolve it.
The only question was—
Would those muscle-bound, hotheaded Cloud ninja be willing to bow their heads?
If not—
Then they had only themselves to blame.
At the same time, Makoto launched an aggressive propaganda campaign promoting the justice and necessity of Akatsuki Village's actions.
He wrote several lengthy essays and poured enormous funds into disseminating them.
The incident quickly became common knowledge throughout Akatsuki Village.
Konoha would be next.
The entire shinobi world was only a matter of time.
"The Rise of the Ninja Village and the Dignity of Shinobi!"
"Civilization Within, Ferocity Without!"
"The Importance of the Wolf-Warrior Spirit to Ninja Villages!"
Every article was packed with inflammatory rhetoric, perfectly calibrated to stir the emotions of rank-and-file ninja.
Why did people join ninja villages?
Because they wanted a village that would protect them—right or wrong—when it mattered.
A village that would avenge them even in death.
For ordinary ninja, it was easy to put themselves in the fallen chūnin's place.
After all, jōnin were rare.
Most were chūnin—or even genin.
Why did they become ninja?
To pursue some lofty "ninja way"?
For world peace?
More often than not, it was simply a dangerous job—a man's stubborn struggle to earn money for his family with blood and sweat.
If they fell, a family might collapse with them.
Clan backing could help—but those without clans were left to fate.
The vast majority of mid- and low-ranking ninja imagined their own end—
Dying senselessly in some mission conflict.
But now—
They were lucky.
A great Hokage had stepped forward, shining a light on their worth.
Makoto acted on what they truly felt—boldly,霸道, without giving another great village any face at all.
He proved with action that Akatsuki Village was the strongest shield behind them.
And this kind of leader—
How could you oppose him?
Are you even human?!
Unknowingly, Makoto's prestige within Akatsuki Village skyrocketed yet again.
The constant system notifications ringing in his ears made him sigh in admiration.
"No wonder Modi loves using this trick," he muttered.
"The effect really is remarkable—shame he can't actually win wars."
Still—
Cohesion and authority alone weren't enough.
What was missing was hatred—hatred toward Kumogakure.
So Makoto thoughtfully organized a grand memorial ceremony for the fallen chūnin.
The vast majority of Akatsuki's ninja attended.
Seeing the bereaved families weeping openly, everyone present was filled with grief.
And their hatred toward Kumogakure soared.
If Kumogakure refused these demands—
Then full-scale war was the only answer.
"Damn those beasts from Kumogakure!"
"They really think Akatsuki Village is easy to bully?! We must get justice!"
"What? They won't compensate as Lord Hokage demanded?"
"Then what's there left to say—war!"
Even some leaders who had opposed war in the council began to waver.
Others felt only fear.
Akatsuki Village had been twisted into a single rope by Makoto.
His will was the village's will.
Anyone who dared oppose him would meet a miserable end.
Makoto smiled in satisfaction.
Now all that remained was preparation for war.
The wartime supply chain he had spent massive sums building finally had a real test.
The explosive tags piling up in warehouses would at last be put to use.
"Kumogakure…"
"What will your answer be?"
"And Konoha…"
"How will you choose to handle this?"
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