The truce negotiations between the Akatsuki Ninja Village and Kumogakure reconvened once more.
This time, however, the venue, the scale, and even the participants were far beyond anything Uchiha Makoto had anticipated. The location was chosen entirely by the Akatsuki, and the number of delegates was staggering. Not only were the major powers—Akatsuki Ninja Village, the Uzumaki Clan, Konoha, Kumogakure, and Iwagakure—present, but even smaller nations and minor Ninja Villages had rushed in to "observe" the proceedings.
To them, this was not just a truce negotiation.
It was an opportunity.
An opportunity to build ties with the rising superpower that Akatsuki had become… and to curry favor with Konoha, the eternal giant of the Ninja World.
Even more shockingly, the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, the Land of Lightning, the Land of Earth, and several other countries had personally come with sizeable entourages. Their presence alone pushed this conference to an unprecedented scale in the history of peace negotiations.
But despite the grand setting, the world outside the beautiful conference hall was anything but calm.
---
Outside the Hall — Chaos
Outside the hall, the atmosphere was explosive.
Members of the Akatsuki and the Uzumaki Clan were trading vicious words with young and hot-headed Kumogakure Shinobi.
"Cloud Ninja! You're lucky our Lord Kage is merciful. Otherwise, you would've been bombed off the map already!"
"Hah!? Look who's talking! A bunch of sneak-attack cowards with no Ninja ethics! Rich brats throwing money and Explosive Tags around—come out and fight me one-on-one if you've got guts!"
"I'm right here! Let's go!"
"Don't tempt me!"
The bodyguards of the Daimyo hurriedly formed a wall, forcing the two sides apart before true violence erupted.
The situation was so tense that even the air felt like it could ignite.
---
Inside the Hall — Harmony and Hypocrisy
In contrast, inside the negotiation hall, the atmosphere was almost ironically harmonious.
Everyone present here had status.
Identity.
Power.
And thus, an image to maintain.
Even sworn enemies had to play the game.
The Second Raikage and Uchiha Makoto shook hands upon meeting. Makoto smiled brilliantly, almost arrogantly, while the Raikage's smile was stiff and painful, more forced than a cramp.
A professional photographer captured that moment.
And in the days to come, that photo would spread across the entire Ninja World—mockery for Kumogakure and a future classic image of humiliation. But that was a story for another time.
Soon after, the representatives took their seats, and the negotiations officially began.
---
The Second Raikage — Humiliated Beyond Words
As one of the central figures of this truce, the Second Raikage looked coldly across the table at Uchiha Makoto. His gaze was as sharp as a blade, full of suppressed fury and humiliation.
A clean, unconditional truce? Impossible.
This meeting was, for all practical purposes, a surrender negotiation… and he knew it.
Everyone knew it.
The pressure he had endured these past weeks was tremendous.
Firstly, after the disastrous outcome of the war, the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning had torn into him mercilessly. The Daimyo was furious—not over money, for wealth meant little to someone of his stature—but over the shame.
The Land of Lightning was a great nation.
Not some insignificant small country like the Land of Grass.
Yet its carefully nurtured Ninja Village had suffered a crushing defeat.
And worse—its headquarters had nearly been breached.
If Iwagakure hadn't intervened at the last moment…
If the international community hadn't applied pressure on Akatsuki…
The entire Hidden Cloud Village might have fallen in one night.
To the Daimyo, that shame was unbearable.
He scolded the Second Raikage relentlessly.
Even though the war began during the First Raikage's tenure, and even though the First Raikage's heroic death had absolved him of all blame, the successor—Raikage No. 2—was stuck taking responsibility for everything.
To add to the humiliation, Cloud Village's younger generation was crying for revenge, and internal dissent was rising. They accused him of cowardice, incompetence, or worse—of tarnishing the First Raikage's legacy.
The Raikage felt as if he was dragging a crumbling mountain behind him.
In truth, he was right to avoid further confrontation.
Against the financially overwhelming, explosively armed Akatsuki Village, continuing the war was practically suicide.
If he did not endure now, there would be no Hidden Cloud Village left to avenge anything.
But common Ninja did not understand strategy.
They understood only passion, honor, and impulse.
Few in the world had the wisdom of Goujian's patience or Han Xin's humiliation under the crotch.
Thus, the Raikage could only suppress the chaos within his Village while dealing with the humiliation outside it.
---
A Small Trick — And a Big Embarrassment
After enduring so much humiliation, the Second Raikage subconsciously reached for a chance to regain face.
He looked around at the silent hall, then rose to his feet.
"Before we begin the negotiations," he announced solemnly, "I propose that we all stand and observe a minute of silence for the Cloud Ninja who died in this war."
It was a reasonable request on the surface.
Perfectly proper.
Difficult to refuse.
And he knew that.
He was counting on that.
He wanted Makoto to stand.
To comply.
To acknowledge the losses Cloud Village had suffered.
But Uchiha Makoto merely leaned back in his chair and laughed inwardly.
Oh?
Trying to test me?
Not happening.
Makoto didn't move.
Senju Tobirama, who was about to stand, froze mid-motion. He glanced at Makoto, realized the trap, and awkwardly sat back down.
"Damn it!" Tobirama cursed inwardly.
"You evil Uchiha brat! You almost made me embarrass myself again!"
Behind them, Uzumaki Shinji simply followed Makoto's lead without hesitation—if Makoto didn't stand, he didn't stand.
Representatives from the smaller Villages panicked. Some half-rose then sat. Some bent awkwardly. Some even stumbled back into their chairs in confusion.
The photographer snapped the scene at once.
Another future classic photo.
---
Makoto's Quiet Smile — The Birth of a Hegemon
Watching the chaotic reactions, Makoto felt something warm and powerful surging inside him.
So this was what true power felt like.
One decisive war.
One overwhelming victory.
And now—
His every gesture could influence the entire Ninja World.
A Village that is wealthy, well-armed, ruthless, vengeful, and willing to fight at any cost—
who would dare offend such a force?
Makoto felt satisfaction settling over him like a cloak.
His gamble had paid off.
---
A Slap to the Face — And Another One
The minute of silence ended.
The Raikage had only stood for twenty-two seconds, unable to hold out from embarrassment.
Everyone else sat down with noticeable relief.
But Makoto wasn't done.
As soon as the room settled, Makoto suddenly stood and declared:
"I propose that we stand and observe a minute of silence for all the Ninja who died in this war."
Everyone panicked.
But since Makoto stood, they had no choice but to follow.
The First Tsuchikage sighed heavily.
These idiots from Cloud Village…
Why do they always provoke trouble at the worst possible moments!?
Makoto's request was not even unreasonable—but now it became a sharp revenge for the Raikage's earlier ploy.
The Second Raikage felt the slap sting across his cheek, then the other cheek, as Makoto "returned the courtesy."
His murderous glare could have killed a lesser man.
Makoto ignored it.
Get in line behind Tobirama if you want revenge.
Maybe, in another world, you two might even become brothers in suffering.
---
The Final Straw — And Tobirama's Frustration
The second moment of silence ended.
Makoto didn't sit down.
He stood there for three seconds.
Silent.
Expressionless.
Everyone stared, terrified he'd ask for a third moment of silence.
Then Makoto smiled.
He sat.
Everyone else exhaled in relief like drowning men granted air.
Meanwhile, Senju Tobirama clenched his fists.
He was livid.
Konoha was the strongest Ninja Village, yet today he felt utterly overshadowed—reduced to a background decoration while this Uchiha brat monopolized the spotlight.
A Konoha representative being treated like a supporting actor?
Impossible!
Unacceptable!
His pride as Senju Tobirama burned.
"Konoha… cannot continue like this," he thought coldly.
He suddenly understood Makoto's motives.
A sword kept hidden in a sheath is useless.
Only a blade stained with blood can intimidate the world.
Tobirama's mind sharpened with resolve.
Konoha must change.
And so, while Makoto celebrated his victory, Tobirama silently began planning…
something new.
Something dangerous.
Something specifically aimed at the Uchiha.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)