Meanwhile...
Akatsuki Village.
Uchiha Makoto and Uzumaki Tsubaki walked out of their residence. Saving Chūnin Pain was the first film produced by Akatsukiwood. As the Light Shadow, he certainly had to come out and promote it.
Especially for the premiere!
He definitely had to contribute his own ticket!
Uzumaki Tsubaki held Uchiha Makoto's arm as they walked towards the Akatsuki cinema. Along the way, people constantly greeted him.
"Lord Light Shadow."
"Lord Light Shadow..."
Uchiha Makoto nodded in response to each one, a warm smile on his face. He saw many familiar faces among them—clan leaders, Akatsuki ninja who had participated in the war against Kumogakure, and even more ordinary villagers. They were all basically going to the cinema to watch the movie.
It was normal for ninja to have spare money for entertainment, but it was very difficult for so many ordinary people in the village to have the spare cash to go to the movies.
Heaven be praised.
His efforts had not been in vain.
Akatsuki Village should now be considered the wealthiest ninja village in the entire ninja world.
The continuous stream of investment from across the ninja world, as well as the large amount of funds specially approved by the Akatsuki treasury for construction, had led to the rapid economic development of Akatsuki Village.
"Let every villager of Akatsuki have a chicken in their pot, a ninja in their family, a wife in their bed, and a job outside..."
This was the grand promise Uchiha Makoto had made back then, and now, a large part of it had been realized.
Now, in Akatsuki Village, as long as you had hands and feet and were willing to work, you could live a decent life.
In a period of economic upswing...
Everything was so prosperous.
"It's not enough... those nobles are still richer than me..."
"I'll have to redouble my efforts next year. The urbanization progress of Akatsuki Village is still too slow..."
Uchiha Makoto thought to himself.
He wanted to create a qualitative gap between the economy of Akatsuki Village and Konoha in the shortest possible time.
Of course...
The gap had already begun to form. The Land of Fire, as the country with the most fertile land, the largest population, and a peaceful environment in the ninja world, naturally siphoned a huge amount of talent and capital from across the world.
Konoha, as an old-style ninja village, was only passively eating the dividends, and it was eating neither fast enough nor ruthlessly enough.
Akatsuki Village, on the other hand, was not only actively devouring, but also felt that its own bowl was not enough and went to snatch food from the nobles' bowls.
Capital always likes a place where it can multiply safely and efficiently, and the most suitable place for it in the entire ninja world was called Akatsuki Village.
Now, the scale of Konoha was actually only that of a small city in the Land of Fire.
But the urban scale of Akatsuki Village had already begun to have the air of the Land of Fire's capital.
Soon...
Uchiha Makoto had arrived at a cinema in Akatsuki Village.
This cinema was considered the largest in Akatsuki Village, occupying the best location. This area was planned as the consumption center in Akatsuki Village's construction plan.
The area around the cinema was a commercial district, with everything one could want for food, drink, and entertainment.
Because the movie's promotion was so well done, the place was now completely packed.
Movie tickets were hard to come by.
It had even given rise to scalpers.
Uchiha Makoto watched as a young couple, who had arrived late, looked dejected for not being able to buy tickets at the ticket office. A scalper quietly approached them and took out two tickets.
The young couple showed a hesitant expression, probably due to the price... but after a moment's hesitation, they still bought them.
Uchiha Makoto, of course, disliked scalpers.
But this did indeed reflect the consumerism that was slowly growing in Akatsuki Village—willing to pay extra for a movie ticket just to see the premiere.
In any case...
It was a good thing that the villagers were willing to spend money. It showed that they really had money and dared to spend it.
This confidence came from their faith in the future development of Akatsuki Village.
As long as the economy continued to circulate, the effect of gradual accumulation would be limitless.
...
While Akatsuki Village and Konoha were joyfully welcoming the new year...
This new year was truly difficult for Kumogakure.
There was nothing to be done.
In the war, a large number of Kumogakure's elite ninja had been killed, leaving every ninja clan in mourning. Even their First Raikage had died in the war. To end this losing war as soon as possible, Kumogakure had even signed a series of unequal treaties with Akatsuki Village, the Uzumaki clan, and Konoha, and was burdened with heavy reparations.
For all these reasons, the situation in Kumogakure was bleak.
If the First Raikage had not died, the situation might have been better. At least the village would have been stable internally.
But the First Raikage was dead.
He had left the entire mess to the Second Raikage.
Outside, there were reparations to be paid. Inside, a large amount of pension funds was needed. The first and second lines of defense needed funds for repairs. There was also a group of ambitious opponents within the village waiting for an opportunity to attack him. Oh... and the Daimyō, the Land of Lightning's Daimyō, also did not look kindly upon him, the Second Raikage.
The current predicament of Kumogakure had even made the still-young Second Raikage think of abdicating.
Even though it was already the new year...
The Second Raikage was still holding on, not having left the Raikage's office for a single step.
He had many people to deal with.
The leaders of some ninja clans were asking him for money to alleviate their families' difficulties.
There were also young ninja who were unwilling to accept defeat and hoped that the Second Raikage would lead them to charge again.
A pitiful woman cried that her husband and son had both been killed, the pillars of her family gone, and the pension had not yet been issued.
The Land of Lightning's Daimyō had indeed given him a sum of funds, but it was not enough, far from enough.
This money could not possibly cover the deficit all at once. Kumogakure needed money for everything right now.
And with too many holes to fill, the Second Raikage could only use the funds sparingly, on critical areas.
The funds for the ninja clans could only be distributed selectively. Powerful families were prioritized, while weaker families... were postponed.
Or, whichever ninja family supported him would be prioritized...
And the pension for ordinary ninja families with no background could only be postponed... The Second Raikage had to use the precious funds to cultivate new talent.
This would, of course, make the heroes of Kumogakure shed both blood and tears.
But he had no choice. To secure his position as the Second Raikage, he had to do this.
And there was only so much money.
In fact, no matter how it was distributed, someone would be dissatisfied.
And the consequence of robbing Peter to pay Paul was... he was now being blockaded.
"...There's no money... please bear with it a little longer..."
"Lord Raikage, what about the funds from the Daimyō?"
"This... everyone, please be patient. Once we get through this year, everything will be better."
The Second Raikage was extremely aggrieved, but he still explained tirelessly.
After dealing with the debt-collecting ninja clans...
Facing the incessantly crying woman...
His mood became even more depressed. He could only take out the little savings he had left from his pocket.
Public funds could not be misappropriated, so he could only use his own money... If nothing unexpected happened, he would have to eat soldier pills with water for the entire new year.
Among those blockading the door were many malicious people with ulterior motives.
For those who opposed the Second Raikage, the current situation was simply wonderful.
Just stirring up trouble was enough to keep the Second Raikage busy, and they could take the opportunity to... do something...
After a long day's work, the Second Raikage finally appeased everyone who had blocked his door. He sat down on his chair, completely dejected.
"Lord Raikage, as you ordered... I have obtained it..."
An ANBU ninja appeared in the Raikage's office, holding a videotape.
It was a videotape of the Akatsuki Village movie.
"Hmm... I understand..."
The Second Raikage took the videotape, a hint of killing intent in his eyes...
Their Kumogakure was already in such a difficult situation, yet the culprit, Akatsuki Village, still had the leisure to make movies for entertainment!
But the Second Raikage still endured it. He had to endure now, and then slowly restore Kumogakure's strength... waiting for an opportunity... In the meantime, he had to find Akatsuki Village's weakness.
"Since it has come to this... let's see what Akatsuki Village has filmed..."
...
The Land of Fire's Daimyō dismissed his attendants. He held a videotape in his hand and began to play it, an indescribable emotion in his heart.
Back then, he had initially chosen Uchiha Makoto as the object of his support simply because Uchiha Makoto was weak and easy to control, and he spoke pleasingly. He had always thought that Senju Hashirama and Konoha were the ones he should be wary of.
But...
The Land of Fire's Daimyō had never expected that the thick-browed Uchiha Makoto would be like this too.
Uchiha Makoto had even deceived him!
He had been completely fooled.
But... in the current situation, it was already impossible to eliminate Uchiha Makoto.
And for some reason...
Even though Uchiha Makoto's strength was far from Senju Hashirama's, the Land of Fire's Daimyō now felt that compared to Konoha, compared to Senju Hashirama, Uchiha Makoto was the one he should truly be wary of.
From Uchiha Makoto's various actions... he was truly special.
The Land of Fire's Daimyō had seen many ninja.
Whether it was the Senju clan ninja or the Uchiha clan ninja... even Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara... had never done anything so out of character for a ninja as Uchiha Makoto.
The current strength of Akatsuki Village was inseparable from Uchiha Makoto's unusual, transcendent behavior.
Some things even the Land of Fire's Daimyō found strange.
For example, a ninja village personally producing a movie.
So, through simple means, the Land of Fire's Daimyō had obtained this videotape.
"I'd like to see what you, Uchiha Makoto, have filmed..."
...
Senju Tobirama carried a bucket of popcorn into the movie theater. He sat alone in a corner, his eyes fixed on the third row.
Just now, Uzumaki Mito had launched her attack.
She and Senju Tobirama had gone to buy three buckets of popcorn. One was in Senju Tobirama's hands.
The other two buckets...
Uzumaki Mito had learned from Senju Tobirama's experience and directly handed one bucket to Uchiha Madara first, leaving one for herself and Senju Hashirama, distributing the popcorn in advance.
At this moment, Senju Hashirama sat in the middle, with Uchiha Madara on his left and Uzumaki Mito on his right.
"Mito, you bought popcorn... that's great..."
"Why did you buy one less bucket?"
"There were only three buckets left just now, and Tobirama took one. But it's okay... we can share one!"
Uzumaki Mito didn't beat around the bush. She knew Hashirama had low emotional intelligence... she was afraid he would act generously and directly give her a bucket of popcorn.
Was she here to eat popcorn?
She was here to personally show off her affection in front of Uchiha Madara, to make him recognize his place. Even as Hashirama's best friend, he needed to maintain a sense of propriety!
You are too close to Hashirama!
"Ah, open your mouth. See how it tastes."
Uzumaki Mito began to feed him while secretly observing Uchiha Madara's expression.
As a third wheel... Uchiha Madara should feel uncomfortable, right?
"Is it good..."
"It's good."
Uchiha Madara was completely unmoved, which greatly displeased Uzumaki Mito... She felt it was necessary to step up her efforts.
But...
"Madara, why aren't you eating? Let me try your bucket and see how it tastes."
"Hmm... I feel like mine is a bit crispier than this one. You should try it."
Senju Hashirama tasted a piece of popcorn from Uchiha Madara's hand and then commented on it.
But Uchiha Madara still didn't eat the popcorn.
So, Senju Hashirama simply grabbed a few pieces of popcorn and put them to Uchiha Madara's mouth, personally starting to feed him.
The popcorn was already at his mouth. Uchiha Madara originally didn't want to eat it... but Hashirama's hospitality was hard to refuse.
"Madara... how does it taste?"
"It's actually quite good."
"I told you so. Try a few more!"
Senju Hashirama took a few more... This made Uzumaki Mito, who was about to say "Hashirama, feed me...", swallow her words.
"What a drama queen!"
When girls are upset, they always like to eat something sweet.
Uzumaki Mito angrily grabbed a handful of popcorn and stuffed it into her mouth, hoping to alleviate the frustration in her heart.
One handful was not enough, so she took another...
And another...
Before the movie even started...
One-third of Uzumaki Mito's bucket of popcorn was already gone.
"Mito, you're eating so fast."
"It seems you really like popcorn... Then this whole bucket is for you. Madara and I will share one."
"????"
Listening to Senju Hashirama's "caring and warm" concern, Uzumaki Mito really wanted to dump the entire bucket of popcorn on his head.
"Dignity... dignity... I must maintain my dignity..."
"I am Senju Hashirama's legitimate wife, Konoha's legitimate Hokage's wife, the one who even has a child... Uchiha Madara is just a mere..."
"Aaaah... Uchiha Madara, I'm going to kill you!!"
Uzumaki Mito's mouth was stuffed full of popcorn, like an angry hamster. Her eyes shot a death glare at Uchiha Madara.
"Did I offend Uzumaki Mito again??"
"I don't think so..."
"Could it be because I ate the popcorn she bought... she has such a bad temper... Hashirama... tsk tsk tsk..."
"Unlike me... I would only..."
Uchiha Madara compared himself and quickly averted his gaze, not looking at Uzumaki Mito. He was afraid Hashirama would be caught in the middle.
It wasn't worth it... over a bucket of popcorn.
Besides, he didn't even want to eat popcorn in the first place. He only ate it because Hashirama fed him.
After a while, Uzumaki Mito's gaze finally... retracted.
The movie began.
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