In the dim room, filled with spectators...
The big screen lit up.
Senju Tobirama, who had been spying on the "happy daily life of Madara and Hashirama" from a dark corner, had to avert his gaze and look up at the screen.
The movie began.
Saving Chūnin Pain, in any case, was a war film. The opening was a tight, high-pressure battle scene.
The flashy taijutsu moves, the dazzling ninjutsu clashes, and the incredibly exciting combat scenes quickly captured the attention of the audience in the room.
Admittedly...
If these moves were used on a real battlefield, they would seem somewhat flashy and impractical.
Because a ninja's attack emphasizes speed, precision, and ruthlessness. A single fatal blow is the best choice.
Only true battlefield masters would use such flashy moves in actual combat... For example, Uchiha Madara, who was nodding from time to time, thought such moves were beautiful. He even optimized them in his head, creating better, flashier, yet still powerful upgraded versions.
But this was a movie, not a real battlefield.
As long as the fights were exciting and could stimulate the visual senses, it was enough.
Even Senju Tobirama, that naturally evil old ghost of the Senju, only curled his lip and snorted coldly, then looked on with a disdainful face, anticipating the rest of the plot.
After about half an hour of battle scenes, the plot finally got to the main point.
As the pace of the plot slowed down slightly...
Some of the moviegoers began to discuss in low voices.
It was obvious...
This movie was based on the recently concluded war between Akatsuki and Kumogakure.
Akatsuki Village's feat of a thousand-mile night raid had made the entire ninja world take notice.
"The ninja of Akatsuki are really amazing."
"They beat Kumogakure so badly. I wonder if Konoha could..."
"Who knows... It seems our Konoha didn't participate in this war..."
"It would definitely be no problem!"
"Although Akatsuki Village is strong, our Konoha is definitely not weaker than them..."
At this time...
The villagers of Konoha had full confidence in the strength of their ninja.
The whispers reached Senju Tobirama's ears, which put him in a good mood... No matter how strong Akatsuki Village was, it still couldn't compare to Konoha!
On the other hand, the Land of Fire's Daimyō, who was also watching the movie, noticed something was not right.
In the movie, the flag of the Land of Fire appeared from time to time alongside the flag of the Akatsuki side.
So much so that...
In most of the cinemas in the Land of Fire, the praise heard was, "Our Land of Fire's ninja are so strong, beating the ninja of other countries to a pulp..."
Of course, such a situation would not happen on a real battlefield.
Whose grain you eat, whose flag you fly. Waving the wrong flag, making a big deal out of it... could be very dangerous.
But in the movie...
This was purely Uchiha Makoto's doing.
The Warring States Period had just ended a few years ago. Even though the ninja villages established by various countries had sworn to protect their nations, from the daimyō and nobles down to the common people, ninja were basically used as tools. As long as you paid, a ninja would do things for you.
Ninja are a group of tools with no standpoint, no country, and no home...
This stereotype could not be eliminated in a short time.
And in the psychology of cinema...
The audience will always unconsciously substitute themselves into the protagonist's side... which was Akatsuki Village.
In the movie, Akatsuki Village openly flew the flag of the Land of Fire. The common people of the Land of Fire almost subconsciously regarded the Akatsuki ninja as their own. Why were the Akatsuki ninja fighting so desperately on the battlefield?
To protect the Land of Fire!
Then isn't it only natural to support Akatsuki Village?
This sense of identity was exactly what Uchiha Makoto wanted.
Even after watching the movie...
The common people of the Land of Fire might revert to their original stereotype, but... that was enough.
Like a spring breeze that nurtures life, some things have to be done slowly.
This method was subtle and difficult to detect.
Even the Land of Fire's Daimyō only frowned slightly and didn't think much of it.
Was it wrong for Akatsuki Village to fly the flag of the Land of Fire?
No!
Even the Land of Fire's Daimyō dared not say that Akatsuki Village was not a part of the Land of Fire.
The plot continued...
"We cannot tell a great mother that all of her sons died on the same day. She entrusted all of her children to me... Even if such a decision is irrational, I must still do it. Send an elite squad to save Chūnin Pain!"
Uchiha Makoto's cameo appearance appeared on the big screen.
This was him playing himself.
His powerful words echoed in the room.
The common people of the ninja world were spiritually uplifted!
This was a far cry from the cold, cruel, thoughtless killing tools they imagined ninja to be. They couldn't help but look forward to the squad members successfully rescuing the poor Chūnin Pain.
And the ninja in the cinema...
They secretly shook their heads.
How could such a thing happen?
No one knew their own harsh living conditions better than they did. A mere chūnin, what was a chūnin on the battlefield... nothing more than cannon fodder... unless his surname was Senju!
"This part is a bit fake."
"For a mere chūnin... what's a chūnin on the battlefield... it's not... just cannon fodder... unless his surname is Senju..."
"Hahaha, be careful, don't you want to live?"
The ninja complained in low voices. Such a plot could really only fool ordinary people.
They were basically chūnin and genin. They knew exactly how the village's higher-ups treated them!
Cannon fodder must have the awareness of cannon fodder.
"I don't think that's necessarily true... Don't forget, the Kage in the movie is Lord Light Shadow... Don't forget, Lord Light Shadow was for two chūnin..."
"Now that you mention it, you've reminded me... If it's Lord Light Shadow, it might actually be possible."
"The ninja of Akatsuki Village are so lucky to have a Kage like Lord Light Shadow... I remember that time in our Konoha, it seems..."
"Don't speak carelessly, have you forgotten 'No Talking of Village Affairs'... be careful the ANBU don't take you for a cup of tea!"
The words of the Konoha ninja were full of envy for the Akatsuki ninja.
No one cares about the sacrifice of low-level ninja?
No, someone does!
Not only in the movie, but even in the cold and cruel reality, there was someone who cared about them.
Lord Light Shadow had indeed done it, both in the movie and in reality!
Senju Hashirama was silent. He did not blame the Konoha ninja for complaining.
He was just thinking, if he were Uchiha Makoto, would he... and so Hashirama couldn't help but start to reflect.
And Uchiha Madara was silent.
He saw something deeper in such a plot and began to think.
In fact, as a Kage...
Whether to save or not, there seemed to be ample reason to justify oneself.
On an emotional level, he admitted that this kid Uchiha Makoto's decision did not disgrace the Uchiha clan's name. Some things could not be measured by cost and price. But on a rational level, the cruel and cold reality forced one to make a choice.
It seemed that no matter which choice was made, it was not wrong. Everyone had their own reasons that could not be given up.
So... could it be that this world was wrong?
Senju Tobirama was much more simple and direct. He had no such twists and turns in his mind.
"Damn it... that bastard Uchiha Makoto is using this opportunity to win people's hearts!"
"Public opinion... he's playing with public opinion again... so that's how it is."
"He really is a naturally evil Uchiha brat!!"
Senju Tobirama also heard the whispers of the Konoha ninja clearly. He was so angry that he gritted his teeth, and a grinding sound came from his molars.
No wonder Uchiha Makoto specifically made a movie. It was to put gold on his own face.
A reckless fool like Uchiha Makoto was just lucky this time.
Without Konoha to back him up...
The ninja world war would have started long ago!
For the lives of a few chūnin, should the entire ninja world be dragged into the quagmire of war?
"Stupid, reckless, ignorant, misleading, his heart is punishable..."
Senju Tobirama kept labeling Uchiha Makoto in his heart. He also had a new understanding of Uchiha Makoto's methods.
Clearly...
With the spread of this movie...
Uchiha Makoto's prestige would once again soar throughout the ninja world. This was prestige that money couldn't buy... This naturally evil Uchiha brat, Uchiha Makoto, could always come up with something new. Senju Tobirama never understood why Uchiha Makoto did these things, but the effects were surprisingly good.
By the time he came to his senses...
Uchiha Makoto had already gotten what he wanted, and there was nothing he could do!
Copy it, copy it!
I'll make a movie to promote Konoha later!
Senju Tobirama thought to himself.
Compared to the various ulterior motives in the Konoha cinema...
The thoughts of the villagers and ninja in the Akatsuki Village cinema were more unified.
"No regrets in this life for entering Akatsuki, in the next life I will be an Akatsuki person again!"
"Lord Light Shadow, loyalty!!"
"In my next life, I will still be your ninja!"
The villagers and ninja watching the movie were emotionally stirred, sighing in low voices.
For Lord Light Shadow, they had only the word "loyalty." To be a part of Akatsuki Village in this lifetime was their great fortune!
Uchiha Makoto, for his part, sat in his seat, the corners of his mouth turned up, a smile on his face, and he even couldn't help but hum lightly.
Beside him, Uzumaki Tsubaki held his hand tightly, her eyes filled with adoration—My beloved is a peerless hero!
The plot continued.
With a command from Lord Light Shadow, a temporary search and rescue team was formed.
The team went deep into enemy territory, where constant enemy searches and all sorts of unimaginable difficulties and dangers awaited them.
"Damn it... there's no other way. Go, I'll cover you. You must complete Lord Light Shadow's order."
The journey of the search and rescue team was naturally not smooth. Due to the enemy's frantic search and their unfamiliarity with the terrain, they soon attracted Kumogakure ninja.
To cover the team's escape...
A member of the team stepped forward without hesitation, offering himself as a decoy to lead the Kumogakure ninja away.
Such an act was so brave. Everyone knew what the result would be.
Without a doubt...
Death.
Hakuzawa Akira was truly a great director of war films. During the rescue journey, he used small daily moments to quickly create vivid, three-dimensional characters, and then pushed them to their deaths. He was so young, so excellent and brave, yet he died.
This brought tears to the eyes of many sensitive viewers.
The ninja were silent, certain memories hidden deep in their hearts attacking their tear ducts.
They had all experienced cruel ninja battles, watching their comrades choose to die... they could more or less empathize with such feelings.
"Do we continue the mission..."
"Yes."
"But we are surrounded... Lord Light Shadow..."
"Lord Light Shadow has already sent other teams to cover us. We are short on manpower... Lord Light Shadow has done his best."
"I understand."
The remaining members of the search and rescue team hid in a cave, complaining as they treated their wounds.
Anyone who saw their comrades fall would start to complain.
Choices have consequences, and being a hero even more so.
Exchanging several lives for one, was it really worth it?
The audience could not blame Lord Light Shadow; he was already perfect enough.
How can one have the best of both worlds!
And what was the source of all this evil?
Without a doubt, it was war.
Making a war film is not to glorify war, but to stop it, to reflect on it.
"Ah... this is war."
"Madara, sometimes I also hesitate. When you make a choice, perhaps to save people... it's very possible that your choice will cause more deaths."
"Sometimes... such a choice is always... have I become weak..."
"No, Hashirama, it's not you who is wrong, perhaps it is..."
Senju Hashirama spoke with deep feeling, an indescribable expression on his face.
He thought the movie Uchiha Makoto made was damn good!
It perfectly showed the reality faced by ninja. Each one had flesh and blood, would cry and laugh, would complain, would be timid, and would also sacrifice themselves... and in the end, firmly complete the mission!
Uchiha Madara was also quite moved. Certain hesitant choices in his heart began to lean... perhaps... he should...
Of course, the content Uchiha Makoto wanted to show was not limited to this.
The private goods... were not over yet.
The remaining members of the search and rescue team continued to advance. On their rescue journey, casualties continued.
Another comrade died.
"Konoha... where are the Konoha reinforcements? They promised... At this time... the Konoha reinforcements should have been here long ago!"
"Did they delay again?"
"If they had arrived on time, perhaps the Pain brothers wouldn't have died, Pain wouldn't have... and we wouldn't have had to come to this damn place!"
"I don't know."
"The commander of the Konoha reinforcements, Lord Senju Tobirama, sent a message... they are still preparing... but I believe Konoha will come... we are allies!"
"Let's hope so..."
The surviving team members looked at their comrade's body and couldn't stop complaining.
Someone angrily accused Konoha of breaking their promise!
Someone was comforting their teammates' emotions. Konoha was Akatsuki Village's ally; they would definitely come.
The culprit behind all this was naturally war... but it wasn't necessarily without man-made disaster.
Senju Tobirama heard his name, and his face instantly turned green.
Uchiha Makoto, you are definitely doing this on purpose!!
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