The news of Akatsuki Ninja Village's overwhelming victory spread like wildfire throughout the Ninja World. Naturally, the first to receive the intelligence in Konoha was none other than Senju Tobirama, that sharp-eyed, ever-suspicious Second Hokage.
Inside the Hokage's Office, Tobirama sat behind his desk, two pieces of intelligence paper resting before him. His expression was as calm as the surface of a still lake—but beneath that surface, waves of analysis churned relentlessly.
The first report was Akatsuki's official statement of self-defense, declaring:
> "Kumogakure has repeatedly ignored our warnings and maliciously murdered two of our Chunin. They even attacked our peace negotiation delegation, endangering their lives and violating all ninja principles!
Forced into a corner, Akatsuki Ninja Village had no choice but to retaliate in self-defense."
The statement had already been picked up by multiple media organizations in the Land of Fire, all echoing the same narrative: Kumogakure was the aggressor, while Akatsuki was the victim of unjust provocation.
Smaller nations surrounding the Land of Fire followed suit, parroting the message to curry favor with Akatsuki. Even the major powers—Lands of Earth, Wind, and Water—joined the chorus, denouncing Kumogakure's actions.
The irony was not lost on Tobirama: even within the Land of Lightning, the home of Kumogakure, several prominent newspapers dared to publish articles condemning their own village.
He snorted. "Media… They're all the same—mercenaries with pens instead of kunai. Give them enough ryo, and they'll call night day."
The ninja world, in truth, was no different from the modern world's politics—money could twist perception, and perception shaped truth.
Despite Uchiha Makoto's stunning victory in the court of public opinion, Tobirama's conclusion was brief and biting:
> "Toilet paper."
He crumpled the intelligence in his fist.
No matter how convincing the reports seemed, Tobirama knew better than to believe anything that favored a Uchiha. His instincts screamed deceit.
"Makoto," Tobirama muttered under his breath. "That arrogant, calculating brat would never act purely in self-defense. This reeks of manipulation."
Akatsuki's earlier demands for "compensation" had already sounded more like extortion. Their sudden escalation into war confirmed his suspicions: Akatsuki had fabricated or exaggerated the evidence, paying off reporters to shape the narrative.
"Clever," he admitted grudgingly. "Terrifying, even. Manipulating hearts and minds like this… he's turned the battlefield into a stage."
He leaned back in his chair, tapping the edge of his desk. "Kumogakure's already lost the war of reputation. No matter how they try to defend themselves, they'll sound guilty. One truth against a thousand lies—it's hopeless."
A long exhale escaped his lips. "That damned Makoto… evil to the core, but undeniably brilliant."
He tossed the first report aside and opened the second. This one contained battlefield details.
The moment his eyes scanned the contents, Tobirama froze.
> "Over a thousand elite Kumogakure ninja… annihilated overnight?"
His eyes widened. "Impossible… that's—no, it's Makoto."
Even he, one of the greatest tactical minds of his era, had to admit it was a flawless execution. A lightning-fast strike that crushed the enemy's main force in a single night—a "beautiful annihilation battle," as the intelligence described it.
"Leaving aside monsters like Madara or Big Brother Hashirama…" Tobirama murmured, "…even if I led Konoha's forces myself, replicating such a clean victory would be nearly impossible."
He frowned deeply, mind spinning. "But what's his angle? What does Uchiha Makoto gain from provoking Kumogakure?"
There was no major resource conflict between Akatsuki and Kumogakure. No territorial overlap. Declaring war over two Chunin deaths made no strategic sense.
"Absurd," he said to himself, pacing before the window. "Impulsive. Irrational. Then again… for the Uchiha, madness and logic often blur."
Unable to discern Makoto's true motives, Tobirama sighed and came to his usual conclusion:
> "He's simply gone mad. Typical Uchiha insanity."
It was the easiest explanation. In the Warring States era, he had witnessed countless Uchiha warriors lose themselves to the curse of their own blood—the hatred, the grief, the twisted emotions fueling the Sharingan until sanity burned away.
"Makoto is just another one of them," Tobirama said grimly.
Just then, the office doors burst open.
Senju Hashirama, covered in dust and panting, entered hurriedly. "Tobirama! What's this I'm hearing? Akatsuki has gone to war with Kumogakure?"
Tobirama handed him both intelligence papers. Hashirama's eyes scanned them rapidly, his expression shifting from confusion to shock to worry.
"This is terrible," Hashirama said, voice heavy with concern. "Kumogakure provoked Akatsuki, and now the whole world is at war again! We must mediate before this spirals out of control!"
Tobirama resisted the urge to roll his eyes.
"Big Brother," he said, forcing his tone calm, "you still think Akatsuki acted in self-defense? Please. Makoto fabricated the entire incident. He's using propaganda to paint Kumogakure as the villain. They fell right into his trap."
Hashirama frowned. "Tobirama, I've told you many times—don't say such divisive things. If Madara hears that you're accusing another Uchiha again, he'll think we distrust him. You'll ruin the fragile peace we've built!"
Tobirama exhaled sharply. "And I suppose we should stay silent while Makoto toys with nations? You always think with your heart, not your head!"
"Enough!" Hashirama's voice was firm, fatherly. "You speak of unity, yet your words only drive wedges deeper. If we can't trust the Uchiha, how can we ever have peace in Konoha?"
Tobirama clenched his jaw. "Fine, fine. Let's focus on the situation."
He folded his arms and spoke coldly. "The war has already begun. Whether Akatsuki or Kumogakure was right doesn't matter anymore. What matters is Konoha's stance."
Hashirama blinked. "Our stance?"
"Yes," Tobirama said. "Akatsuki is officially allied with Konoha. They're fighting under the banner of avenging the three Chunin who died during that earlier mission. The whole world already believes their side of the story. Publicly, we must support them."
Hashirama hesitated. "But… to send our troops—wouldn't that escalate things further?"
"That's precisely what we should do," Tobirama insisted. "Strike fast, crush Kumogakure completely. End it before it spreads."
Hashirama frowned deeply. "Tobirama… we can't solve everything with force."
"You can't solve everything without it either," Tobirama shot back.
Silence filled the office for several seconds. The air between the brothers felt heavier than any battlefield mist.
Finally, Hashirama sighed, rubbing his temples. "I'll… think about it."
Tobirama said nothing, but his gaze darkened. He knew his brother too well—Hashirama would never approve an all-out offensive. His heart was too soft, too trusting, too idealistic.
But Tobirama could already see where this path led.
He stared out the window, watching the wind rustle the Konoha banners. "Frictions between villages will only grow," he whispered to himself. "Today it's Kumogakure. Tomorrow… it could be Akatsuki. Allies don't stay allies forever."
His mind turned back to Uchiha Makoto—the dangerous visionary who had split from Konoha to form Akatsuki Village. "He's no ordinary Uchiha," Tobirama thought. "He's patient. Strategic. He's thinking ten steps ahead."
Even now, Makoto was still young. Give him a decade—and Konoha could be standing against him rather than beside him.
Right now, Konoha was safe because Hashirama was alive—because the god of shinobi himself stood as the pillar that held the world steady. But what would happen when that pillar eventually fell?
Tobirama's hands tightened into fists. "When Big Brother is gone… and I too am no longer here… who will protect Konoha from the likes of Makoto? From Madara? From the Uchiha's endless hunger for chaos?"
He could already envision the danger—a future where the Senju were gone, the Uchiha's ambitions unrestrained, and Konoha engulfed in internal war.
"No," he whispered fiercely. "I won't let that happen. Even if I have to dirty my hands. Even if the world curses my name."
Tobirama rose from his chair, the faint glimmer of resolve hardening in his eyes.
> "For Konoha… for the Senju Clan… I'll do what must be done. No matter the cost."
Outside, the wind howled softly through the Hokage monument, carrying with it the scent of rain—a storm approaching, both in the skies and in the hearts of men.
And far away, in the shadows beyond the horizon, Uchiha Makoto smiled faintly as he looked over the battlefield he had orchestrated.
War, after all, was not just fought with weapons. It was fought with beliefs.
And in that war, he was already winning.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)