The golden seal of the Daimyo of the Land of Fire landed firmly on the agreement. With a final resounding thump, the document was validated, and the destiny of the Ninja World seemed to pivot on this moment. The era of Ninja Villages had officially arrived. The old economic and operational models were being swept aside by progress. The traditional clan-based missions, carried out by families as units, could no longer sustain the growing demands and complexities of the age. Those who failed to adapt would be submerged by the tide of change, while those who seized the opportunity would rise to unprecedented heights.
At the farewell banquet, Hashirama Hashirama, sitting opposite his younger brother, frowned slightly. "Big Brother, do you feel… the Daimyo of the Land of Fire seems… cold toward our Konoha Village?"
Tobirama, ever perceptive, studied the interactions between the Daimyo and the Senju brothers. The Daimyo himself was not fond of Hashirama's intimidating presence, yet social etiquette compelled him to attend. Despite the formalities, there was a noticeable distance—a polite but deliberate coolness in his demeanor. Tobirama, trained in sensing chakra and reading intent, picked up the subtle undertones of wariness and hesitation in the Daimyo's energy.
"Hashirama, your trusting nature is showing again," Tobirama said with a measured tone. "The Daimyo approached with a warm expression, shook our hands—it may seem genuine, but appearances can be deceptive."
Hashirama waved his hand dismissively. "Tobirama, you're too suspicious. He's shown us respect; that should be enough."
Tobirama's sharp eyes, however, lingered on the Daimyo's movements, scanning for hidden motives. "Respect in appearance, yes. But for Konoha to prosper and flourish, we must ensure our relationships are not just polite—they must be mutually beneficial. Makoto and the Daimyo seem to have a rapport that makes me uneasy. If the Daimyo is entirely on Makoto's side, our village could lose leverage in the future."
Hashirama remained silent for a moment, weighing his brother's words. Tobirama's concerns were not baseless. Uchiha Makoto, with the Akatsuki Ninja Village, had rapidly gained both the Daimyo's trust and the legitimacy to alter the political and economic landscape of the Ninja World. He had not relied on genjutsu to gain influence. Tobirama's chakra scans confirmed that the Daimyo had no unusual chakra patterns. Makoto had achieved his position entirely through strategy, persuasion, and impeccable timing.
How did he earn such complete trust? Tobirama wondered. To be entrusted with establishing a new Ninja Village, creating a mission-dispatch platform, and altering the future of the entire Ninja World… this is no small feat. The Daimyo's support for the Akatsuki Ninja Village is total. Konoha's influence, meanwhile, seems to waver in comparison.
The banquet concluded, and both Hashirama and Tobirama departed the capital of the Land of Fire. Makoto did not linger either; he returned swiftly to his newly established village. This trip had yielded tremendous gains: ninety-five billion ryō in funding and formal certification from both the Daimyo of the Land of Fire and Konoha. From that moment onward, the Akatsuki Ninja Village was recognized officially, and Makoto's title of "Light Shadow-sama" spread throughout the Ninja World.
Though the village's strength was not yet equal to its prestigious title, the combination of a rightful name and substantial funds made recruiting soldiers and acquiring resources straightforward. With finances and legitimacy secured, expansion was inevitable.
A few days later, Makoto returned to Akatsuki Village to oversee the construction of the village, coordination of missions, and recruitment of new ninja clans. During his absence, the Daimyo had signed a series of agreements supporting the infrastructure, ensuring the village had the foundation to thrive. Konoha's prominence meant such support was not surprising, but Makoto's rapid consolidation of resources drew attention throughout the Ninja World.
The name "Akatsuki Ninja Village" began to trend almost immediately, sparking curiosity, speculation, and envy. Makoto's own reputation as an Uchiha only amplified the village's fame. Rumors began to circulate: Is Akatsuki Ninja Village secretly a front for Konoha?
"Damn it! Who is spreading this nonsense?" Makoto muttered, frustration furrowing his brow. The speculation that the village was an alt account of Konoha irritated him, though there was little he could do. After all, the Akatsuki Ninja Village did, in many ways, resemble Konoha—well-organized, properly funded, and structured. Clarification would only make the rumors grow.
Indeed, an official statement was impossible. As history had shown, clarifications often worsened public perception. When Emperor Yongzheng had ascended the throne, rumors accused him of usurpation. Despite publishing his personal explanation and even authoring The Great Righteousness and Secret Records, the rumors persisted until his son, Emperor Qianlong, decisively suppressed them. For now, Akatsuki Village lacked such proof to quell misconceptions.
Yet there was a silver lining. The association with Konoha, even if false, inadvertently drew attention and prestige. Small and medium ninja clans took notice, intrigued by the potential wealth, security, and mission opportunities within the Akatsuki Ninja Village.
The Hyuga Clan, for instance, politely declined overtures, preferring the stability of their current allegiances. Others—the Yuki Clan, Kaguya Clan, and Kurama Clan—expressed genuine interest in joining Makoto's burgeoning village. The opportunities were attractive: cash incentives, strategic positioning, and mission allocations designed to maximize efficiency and profit.
Makoto's offers were generous. Bloodline-limit ninja clans were promised five hundred million ryō for relocation, secret technique families received three hundred million, and smaller clans were compensated proportionally. Monetary incentives, combined with mission allocations, created a powerful draw. In the age of ninja, as in the secular world, money and opportunity dictated loyalty and migration.
The Akatsuki Ninja Village's mission quota was vast. Despite only possessing three-tenths of the market share for missions, the village's ninja numbers ensured the allocation would never be exhausted. Occasionally, missions had to be outsourced, further extending influence and fostering alliances with smaller clans.
The Land of Fire's central location, wealth, and political importance made settlement in the Akatsuki Ninja Village an attractive alternative to distant lands such as the Water Country, whose isolation and distance limited interaction and opportunity. The village's strategic position and robust financial incentives made it the best choice for ambitious ninja clans.
Uchiha Makoto watched with satisfaction as applications and inquiries poured in. Each new ninja clan represented not just manpower but potential allies, intelligence, and influence across the Ninja World. He could feel the village's power and reputation swelling.
In a moment of private triumph, Makoto leaned back in his chair, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. "Truly… this is a world full of energy, where all things compete to flourish," he murmured in his Fenghua accent. Pride filled him, tempered by the understanding that management and diplomacy would remain crucial as the village grew.
Amid the celebration and logistical coordination, Makoto convened a formal meeting of the Akatsuki Ninja Village clans. Strategy, rules, mission allocations, and future expansion were laid out in meticulous detail. The village was no longer just a project—it had become a living, breathing entity, poised to shape the future of the Ninja World.
As the clans assembled, whispers of excitement and speculation filled the air. The Akatsuki Ninja Village had become more than a name; it had become a movement. Its influence spread like a rising wind, unstoppable, gathering strength with each passing day.
The wind carried with it the promise of change, the inevitability of evolution. And at the center of it all stood Uchiha Makoto—calm, calculating, and prepared to seize the world that awaited him.
The era of the Akatsuki Ninja Village had begun.
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