"Huh? Takigakure is done for?"
"What the hell..."
"Could it be that naturally evil Uchiha brat, Uchiha Makoto, pulling strings behind the scenes again?"
Senju Tobirama frowned as he looked at the latest intelligence report in his hand.
His plans had been disrupted again.
In just one night...
The situation for Takigakure, which was on the brink of being cornered and beaten by Konoha, seemed to have taken a turn.
Konoha was not sending troops!
The reason for this was certainly not out of kindness.
It was because many of Takigakure's higher-ups had been killed or wounded in a single night by the escaped Kakuzu.
Only a couple of them were left, struggling to maintain the village.
Under these circumstances...
It was meaningless for Konoha to continue sending troops to conquer Takigakure.
Senju Tobirama seriously suspected that this was once again the work of that naturally evil Uchiha brat, Uchiha Makoto, messing with him from behind the scenes, but he had no proof.
However, disgusting as it was...
The two great crimes of assassinating the Hokage and slaughtering a great noble were both on Takigakure's shoulders. Even though the main culprit had escaped, some things still had to be done. At the very least, according to principle, Takigakure had to sign unequal treaties and, of course, pay reparations.
As for the beating... that could be waived... His brother had even come to him to plead on their behalf after hearing about the matter.
Soon...
The meeting, originally scheduled for a week later, was held ahead of schedule.
The two remaining higher-ups from Takigakure urgently participated in the talks.
They were truly at their wits' end. Natural and man-made disasters were piling up on their village, and now they had to face Konoha's accusations... It was very likely that Takigakure was finished this time!
At the negotiation meeting...
Uchiha Makoto was also present. As the guardian ninja village of the Land of Fire, as the Light Shadow, he could not be absent from such an important meeting. (Although he was one of the main culprits...)
Of course, he was not the protagonist of the day.
But since he was already here, Uchiha Makoto did not intend to leave empty-handed.
With the joint efforts of Senju Tobirama and the Uzumaki clan, the technical problems had been solved, and the canning factory had logically started production.
The Takigakure market, and even the entire Land of Waterfalls market... this was an excellent opportunity to seize them.
The Takigakure higher-ups sat trembling on the sofa.
"Lord Tobirama, we have been wronged!"
"This was all the doing of that rogue ninja, Kakuzu. It has nothing to do with us... He even escaped from prison and slaughtered..."
The Takigakure higher-up cried out, on the verge of tears.
"You've been wronged?"
"So you mean it's Konoha's fault?"
Senju Tobirama slammed his palm on the table. His harsh attitude made the Takigakure higher-up tremble. Now, facing the powerful Konoha, Takigakure had no bargaining power at all. Even if they sold themselves to Konoha, they wouldn't get a good price.
"Sign it."
On the table were the terms drafted by Senju Tobirama. It was a copy, almost a direct replica of the terms Uchiha Makoto had imposed on Kumogakure.
Only the names involved had all been changed to Konoha—not a single mention of Akatsuki Village!
"This... Lord Tobirama... we can agree to these terms... but the reparations... one billion ryō..."
"As you know, Takigakure was heavily damaged by that traitor, with heavy casualties. To recover..."
"If possible..."
The Takigakure higher-up finished reading the terms. He had no objection to the clauses that stripped them of their sovereignty and dignity. To protect Takigakure, these were necessary evils.
But the reparations... no...
Without that money, Takigakure would have a hard time surviving, no matter what.
If possible, the Takigakure higher-up even wanted to sell the village more thoroughly in exchange for economic aid from Konoha.
They would even allow Konoha ninja to be stationed directly in Takigakure.
Senju Tobirama's eyes widened.
He never expected the Takigakure higher-up to try and reach into Konoha's pockets... What benefit was there in stationing Konoha ninja in a small village like Takigakure?
Konoha didn't need to cultivate lackeys all over the ninja world to maintain its status.
Uchiha Makoto, watching the top-tier speeches of Takigakure's brilliant minds from the side, couldn't help but laugh.
This was pure comprador behavior.
But he could actually understand the feelings of the Takigakure higher-up.
Takigakure was now severely lacking in high-level combat power, and the ninja world was a pure jungle. If you were weak, someone would naturally want to step up and eat you. If they could use this opportunity to latch onto the great tree of Konoha, it could be said to be a brilliant maneuver, enough to help Takigakure weather this crisis.
So what if they became Konoha's dogs?
You might not even get the chance if you wanted to!
The situation became delicate for a moment.
Senju Tobirama wanted to directly empty Takigakure's pockets and earn some reparations.
Now that Konoha was strong, with Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara, they really looked down on the small Takigakure.
And without that money, even with installment payments, Takigakure would face a shortage of funds. Coupled with the great reduction in the village's strength, it seemed to have no future. The mid-to-low-level ninja would most likely leave for better prospects. So, no matter what, they couldn't pay this money. In fact... they even wanted to get some from Konoha.
"How about this, Tobirama? We can sign a contract with Takigakure, have them order our cans every month, and be responsible for promotion... The canning factory is already open. The Takigakure market, and the entire Land of Waterfalls market, are worth more than these reparations."
Uchiha Makoto stood up. He did not look at this issue from a ninja's perspective.
He was more concerned about the population and market of Takigakure and the entire Land of Waterfalls.
Since Takigakure wanted to be a comprador, wanted to be a dog, and Konoha didn't want them, Akatsuki Village was quite interested.
"Lord Light Shadow!!"
The eyes of the Takigakure higher-up instantly lit up. He had been so focused on licking Konoha's boots that he had forgotten about the Lord Light Shadow who was currently a hot topic in the ninja world.
If we can't be Konoha's dogs, we can be Akatsuki Village's dogs!
It's all the same!
Senju Tobirama glared fiercely at Uchiha Makoto. Why did this naturally evil Uchiha brat always like to interfere at critical moments?
But compared to the impulse to kill Uchiha Makoto with a Flying Thunder God Slash, he was more concerned about the money.
One billion ryō was no small sum.
But whether he could earn it back, Senju Tobirama was not very confident in Uchiha Makoto's grand vision before seeing any returns.
Konoha's twenty percent stake in the canning factory was a technical investment, not requiring a single cent.
If Uchiha Makoto invited Senju Tobirama to invest real money... he would probably refuse without hesitation. Everyone has their own comfort zone and habits. It was very difficult for a traditional ninja who had spent half his life on the battlefield to learn business management and investment.
Investment and entrepreneurship itself had countless pitfalls; one misstep could lead to bankruptcy.
And he had been burned by Uchiha Makoto before.
There was also the precedent.
His two good disciples had rashly dabbled in the tulip business and almost lost their respective family fortunes and Konoha's funds.
This was a bloody lesson!
"Are you sure you can earn me back one billion ryō?"
"The decision is yours. I'm just giving a suggestion. And you don't want the canning factory to go bankrupt, do you? Konoha is also a shareholder."
The words Uchiha Makoto spoke made Senju Tobirama grit his teeth.
One billion ryō... this was one billion ryō within his grasp!
Considering that Takigakure certainly couldn't pay this sum all at once and would need to make installment payments for many years...
And the canning factory, which he had successfully invested in after so much technical effort, couldn't just be watched as it went bankrupt!
Damn it...
The majority of the canning factory's profits still went to Uchiha Makoto!
This bastard, could he be doing this on purpose again!
After much deliberation...
Senju Tobirama still chose to take a gamble.
"Then let's do as Uchiha Makoto says."
As Senju Tobirama relented, the Takigakure higher-up instantly breathed a sigh of relief and gave Uchiha Makoto a ninety-degree bow.
Akatsuki Village is benevolent!
Senju Tobirama coughed lightly, the meaning clear—you two bastards, in my presence, so blatantly kissing Uchiha Makoto's ass, you have no respect for me at all!
"Thank you, Lord Tobirama."
The Takigakure higher-up immediately gave Senju Tobirama a ninety-degree bow as well.
However, Senju Tobirama's expression was still not good.
Uchiha Makoto did not stand idle and took out a contract he had already prepared from his robes.
Senju Tobirama's face turned even darker.
"Bastard, did you plot against me before you even came!"
"Not at all. This was unexpected... and how can it be called a plot when it's voluntary?"
Uchiha Makoto ignored Senju Tobirama's fiery eyes and slowly unfolded the contract.
Unlike a start-up company, Uchiha Makoto intended to sell the cans throughout the ninja world, becoming the industry leader, completely monopolizing the canning industry. It was a modern corporate structure, so the various rules and regulations, rewards and punishments, were clearly defined. The Takigakure higher-up roughly read through the contract.
By signing this agreement, Takigakure would become a distributor for the canning factory, required to order a large number of cans from the factory every month.
Whether they ate them themselves or sold them was up to them!
Of course, if they ordered beyond a certain quantity, Uchiha Makoto would also give them a rebate.
There were many specific details, but that was the general idea.
"Tobirama, don't glare at me like that. I will amend the contract with Takigakure. Half of the profits from this part will be given to Konoha until the one billion is paid off."
"Tch... this was Konoha's money to begin with. You make it sound like I'm taking advantage."
"How can that be the same... If we sell more, when we distribute the dividends, your Konoha will also get an extra sum of money!"
"Bastard, your Akatsuki Village holds a fifty percent stake. You earn more!"
"What, are you not convinced... You can withdraw your shares if you want. I can buy them!"
"In your dreams!!"
The two were naturally at odds, and they bickered back and forth.
They were on the verge of fighting.
The Takigakure higher-up felt a little more at ease.
Compared to directly compensating Konoha with one billion ryō...
The current situation was much better than before.
They spent the money, but at least they got cans in return.
And because of the cheap cost of fishing for ninja, the cost of the cans was very low, much cheaper than buying fish directly from the market.
If the cans were sold at a discount or given away in the village, it could also make up for a lot of the losses and boost the village's morale.
Although he didn't know how they tasted, he thought they should be good, definitely better than soldier pills.
And this contract was very strict. The stricter it was, the more it proved that Akatsuki Village was taking this matter very seriously and was unlikely to be a one-time deal.
If they could sell a large number of cans... Akatsuki Village would also value them.
Thinking of this...
The two Takigakure higher-ups looked at each other—when they got back, they would eat cans for all three meals a day, vigorously promote them in Takigakure, and strive to sell them throughout the entire Land of Waterfalls.
Soon.
The Takigakure higher-up signed the contract and the treaty. He looked at Uchiha Makoto with an expectant and eager gaze. Uchiha Makoto naturally understood what the two of them meant and nodded slightly. He also wanted to take in these two compradors.
Senju Tobirama was very unhappy.
He felt that his carefully prepared operation to establish prestige had gone bankrupt, and in the end, it seemed that Akatsuki Village had benefited the most.
"If there's nothing else, you can go."
Senju Tobirama couldn't help but say. The Takigakure higher-up, under Senju Tobirama's intimidating presence, left the room.
They could only discuss the matter of being dogs with the supreme Lord Light Shadow afterward.
The room was once again left with only Senju Tobirama and Uchiha Makoto.
This time...
Uchiha Makoto didn't want to bicker with Senju Tobirama anymore and started to talk about some serious business.
"Tobirama, in the Land of Fire, there must be some movements recently... we should be careful. In terms of intelligence... we are all ninja..."
"Enough. Don't try to sow discord between Konoha and the Land of Fire. We are loyal to the Daimyō."
"Ahem, I know. I won't make any rash moves before your brother dies."
"Are you cursing my brother to die early?"
Uchiha Makoto had no intention of doing anything to the Daimyō and the nobles for now. He just hoped that capital could flow freely in the Land of Fire.
At least before Senju Hashirama died, he would absolutely not go on a killing spree.
It was just that his expression was too direct, which enraged Senju Tobirama.
This naturally evil Uchiha brat is cursing my brother to die early!
"I am very young, younger than you and your brother, and much younger."
"Then my brother and I will also live longer than you!"
Senju Tobirama's expression darkened slightly.
Indeed, Uchiha Makoto was younger than them... If he outlived them, who in the ninja world could be his opponent?
Konoha's younger generation did have many good young people.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, Shimura Danzō, Utatane Koharu... they were all very good. Some had made big mistakes when they were young, but after a few years of observation and training, they could still be entrusted with great responsibilities. But compared to Uchiha Makoto, who was of a similar age, they were much inferior.
But Senju Tobirama was still unwilling to admit defeat.
"Impatient again!"
"We're just protecting ourselves, just exchanging information..."
"Hmm... I know."
Senju Tobirama's tone was indifferent. He also knew that because of his previous stance... the Daimyō would make him pay.
But what could he do... the Daimyō was the Daimyō after all.
"Let's talk about something that will make everyone happy. Lord Madara is in Konoha..."
"I'm not happy at all talking about him."
"Tell me... if you don't tell me, I'll find out eventually. It'll just take a little more effort."
"What can he do? Besides hanging out with my brother every day, he just stays deep within the clan grounds and doesn't come out... oh, I almost forgot, he's been reading that novel called Sengoku Enbu every day... it was on hiatus for a while, but it's back now, and he's been nagging my brother about it all day..."
"Oh~~"
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