"It's too small. The scope… it's far too small!"
Senju Tobirama muttered to himself, staring at the mountain of gold laid out before him. The amount that had been requested initially—eight billion ryō—already seemed audacious. And yet, Uchiha Makoto had taken it to an entirely new level. Five billion ryō, almost casually seized, as if it had always belonged to him. Not a flicker of hesitation, not a moment's doubt—Makoto had treated it as though it were mere pocket change.
Tobirama hesitated. He had never encountered such audacity in his life. The temptation was undeniable; the sheer wealth could fund decades of research and village initiatives. But a voice of caution rang loudly in his mind. What would the Daimyo of the Land of Fire think? Could this naturally cunning Uchiha brat, Makoto, be trusted to act entirely in good faith?
"Isn't that… a bit much?" Tobirama finally asked, unable to restrain himself.
Makoto's smile was casual, almost amused. "If no one speaks and I remain silent, who will ever know?"
Hashirama, standing nearby, scowled, his brows drawn in anger. "But this is deceiving the Daimyo! Such an enormous sum… you can't just take it without question!"
Makoto waved a hand dismissively. "Ah, I understand your concerns. You think the total is too large. Fine. Konoha can still have eight billion ryō. I will take seven billion ryō myself. If you refuse, so be it—I'll handle it alone."
He laughed, a low, confident sound that carried both charm and menace. The two billion ryō meant to "buy off" Konoha as a form of hush money would easily find its way into Makoto's coffers. Tobirama's and Hashirama's moral concerns were irrelevant. Fifteen billion ryō in total might strain the Daimyo's treasury, but the funds were public, not private. Painful as it may be, it was bearable—and the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, fearful of Konoha's strength, would not begrudge the expenditure if it averted potential disaster.
"No, no, no! This will not do!" Tobirama protested, shaking his head vigorously. This wasn't just two billion ryō—it was the embezzlement of Konoha's funds in addition to the five billion ryō Makoto had already taken. This naturally evil Uchiha brat's corruption exceeds even my own, he thought bitterly.
Makoto merely smiled, nodding in casual agreement. "No problem," he said smoothly.
Within moments, the tension dissolved. What had been fierce argument was replaced by smiles, as the lubricant of money had softened Tobirama's resistance. Even a proud Senju, once immovable in principle, was swayed when faced with the right amount of funding.
After finalizing the agreement, Makoto excused himself, leaving Tobirama and Hashirama to simmer in the room. He went alone to report the "results" of the negotiations to the Daimyo of the Land of Fire.
"Your Highness! Disaster has struck!" Makoto called as he entered the Daimyo's chambers, his voice ringing through the hall. "I almost clashed with Senju Hashirama just now!"
The Daimyo nearly fell from his chair, startled by the outburst. "Makoto! What happened? Did negotiations break down? Is Senju Hashirama really going to rebel?"
Makoto nodded gravely, though in truth he was fabricating the story. He detailed a dramatic narrative of an enraged Hashirama and a ruthless, complicit Tobirama, portraying the Senju brothers as dangerously demanding, almost threatening the stability of the Land of Fire.
"They arrived here demanding answers, Your Highness!" Makoto continued, eyes wide with feigned concern. "How dare Konoha and its leaders squeeze the village treasury? Do you not wish to live under your rule?"
"And then?" the Daimyo pressed, hanging on every word.
"In the end," Makoto said, lowering his voice for dramatic effect, "it was I who intervened. I pleaded and reasoned with Hashirama, invoking the honor of the Uchiha Clan to finally persuade him to relent."
The Daimyo exhaled in relief. "Good, good! The Uchiha Clan… indeed, they are loyal heroes."
Makoto seized the moment. "However, Konoha still made an outrageous demand. Tobirama, naturally evil as he is, insisted that thirty billion ryō be allocated to manage the situation. I managed to negotiate it down to fifteen billion ryō, which is the final sum needed to settle this matter."
He emphasized Tobirama's complicity, ensuring the Daimyo's ire would not rest solely on Hashirama.
"Thirty billion ryō!" the Daimyo muttered, his eyes narrowing. "Konoha's appetite is insatiable! The Senju brothers… truly insatiable!"
Makoto allowed a shadow of a smile to cross his lips, knowing he had masterfully manipulated perception. The Daimyo could only sigh helplessly—battles were easier to predict, but negotiations required subtlety, deception, and leverage.
"Fifteen billion ryō, I'll approve it," the Daimyo finally said. "Consider it spending to avert disaster. Makoto, your Akatsuki Ninja Village must grow strong quickly. I will support you fully. I don't want another incident like today!"
Makoto bowed slightly, his expression one of sincere humility. "Your Highness, don't worry. I will do my utmost. All efforts will be devoted to the stability and prosperity of the Land of Fire."
The Daimyo studied him, emotions conflicting on his face. Makoto's apparent loyalty and competence inspired genuine trust. The boldness of Hashirama and the practicality of Tobirama had been woven into a narrative that left the Daimyo satisfied and grateful.
"These are the terms of the agreement from today's negotiations. Please review them, Your Highness," Makoto said, handing over a carefully prepared document.
"Very well. I'll review them," the Daimyo replied, scanning each clause meticulously. When he reached the section stating that Konoha and the Akatsuki Ninja Village would jointly protect the Land of Fire and uphold his rule, a sneer involuntarily crossed his face.
Protect me? Protect the Land of Fire? he thought. When Konoha's power grows fully, will they truly be allies? Only one person commands the wind and rain in this land—and that is me. Only one village shelters from the storm—and that is the Akatsuki Ninja Village. Konoha will inevitably become a rebellious faction. Their words cannot be trusted.
He exhaled, shaking his head, yet the trust he had placed in Makoto remained intact. "Makoto, you did an excellent job. I leave it all in your hands."
With a wave of his hand, the Daimyo granted Makoto the authority to finalize the agreement and apply the Daimyo's golden seal. Everything was now under Makoto's control, allowing him to operate with both legality and immense political leverage.
Makoto accepted the responsibility with humility, though inwardly he was thrilled. The negotiations had gone even smoother than he had anticipated. By carefully promoting the perception of the Senju brothers as greedy, obstinate, and potentially rebellious, he had ensured that the Daimyo of the Land of Fire viewed him as the only reliable mediator. In reality, the only people in the room at the critical moments were Makoto, Tobirama, and Hashirama—yet the Daimyo had no reason to doubt Makoto's account.
It was a masterstroke of political manipulation, combining audacious embezzlement, persuasive negotiation, and the careful orchestration of perception. Tobirama had been temporarily swayed by greed, Hashirama distracted by concern, and the Daimyo fully convinced that Makoto was the only figure capable of maintaining order.
As he stepped back, Makoto allowed himself a small, satisfied smile. The Akatsuki Ninja Village was now not only legitimate but financially secure, politically supported, and recognized as a critical partner in the Land of Fire's stability.
The seeds of influence, power, and subtle control had been planted. And though few could see it now, the future would reveal the brilliance—and the danger—of Uchiha Makoto's cunning.
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