After a long series of overt and covert clashes, Uchiha Makoto suddenly realized something remarkable:
after his decisive display of overwhelming authority, his personal prestige had grown far beyond his expectations.
Right now, if a deer were to walk into the negotiation hall and Makoto casually pointed at it and said, "This is a horse," half of the representatives from the minor Ninja Villages would probably nod obediently and reply,
"Lord Kage's insight is unmatched. Yes, that is indeed a horse."
Thinking about it, Uchiha Makoto could not help the amused curl at the corner of his lips. He even hummed quietly to himself.
He had completely seized control of today's negotiation table.
Settling comfortably into his seat, he spoke with an amiable tone that contrasted sharply with his earlier ruthlessness.
"Our Akatsuki Ninja Village has always valued peace and is genuinely committed to maintaining stability throughout the Ninja World. I believe everyone here is familiar with the war situation, as well as the unfair treatment I personally suffered during the previous negotiations. But I won't bring up the past again—I wouldn't want to disrupt the rare harmony we have today."
As soon as he finished speaking, the expressions of several people subtly changed.
Senju Tobirama felt his scalp tightening.
Shameless—absolutely shameless.
This kid orchestrated that entire assassination farce himself, framed Kumogakure without blinking, and now had the audacity to play the victim?
He is indeed a pure-blooded, textbook-example, naturally wicked Uchiha brat.
The First Tsuchikage and Second Raikage also had sour expressions. They had both expected Makoto to use the incident to make a fuss, but they hadn't expected him to speak so righteously. After analyzing the situation earlier, both men had noticed too many suspicious points. Unfortunately, without evidence, they could only swallow their resentment.
At this critical juncture, none of them could afford to act recklessly.
But Uchiha Makoto wasn't worried about that at all. He had already crossed the bridge—why fear anyone discovering the truth?
Once something is done, it is done.
He clapped his hands lightly.
A long scroll appeared.
[Armistice Agreement]
He unrolled it slowly, revealing several neatly written clauses:
[Akatsuki Ninja Village, Whirlpool Ninja Village, and Kumogakure officially cease hostilities and aim for eternal peaceful coexistence.]
[1. Kumogakure bears primary responsibility for this war. They must pay 40 billion Ryo in reparations to us, and an additional 1 billion Ryo for medical fees, nutritional fees, and emotional compensation to the Akatsuki's Kage, who suffered an assassination attempt.]
[2. To avoid future conflicts, our side shall possess special law-enforcement rights and immunity within Kumogakure. We may pursue Cloud-nin across borders, and Kumogakure must unconditionally support our pursuit teams. If our ninja violate laws, Kumogakure has no right to punish them and must safely escort them back to us for handling.]
[3. Our villagers and merchants may freely trade in Kumogakure without following previous restrictions. They may conduct business in all inland towns and coastal ports. We will send personnel to manage commercial affairs, and Kumogakure shall not interfere. Preferential tax rates are mandatory.]
[4. Kumogakure must permanently cede a town and a port to us. These locations will be governed by Akatsuki laws, with the right to station ninja for protection.]
[5. Kumogakure must send no fewer than ten young elite ninja to Akatsuki each year for three years to study the Will of Light.]
There were more than a dozen articles in total, but the first five were the most important. The rest were symbolic privileges—things that would enhance Akatsuki's prestige when they interacted with the outside world.
When the other parties finished reading the scroll, a collective gasp filled the hall.
Akatsuki had struck with terrifying force.
The first clause alone—40 billion Ryo—was enough to send shockwaves through every village.
Even Kumogakure in its prime could not produce such a sum, let alone now, after this disastrous war.
The first clause alone could crush Kumogakure like a mountain.
The second clause directly trampled on Kumogakure's dignity.
Signing it meant Cloud-nin would forever have to bow before Akatsuki ninja. Akatsuki could punish Cloud-nin at will, but Cloud-nin could never lay a finger on them.
Wherever Akatsuki ninja walked, Cloud-nin would have to retreat three steps.
The third clause was a gift to the powerful merchant groups backing Akatsuki.
Once the Land of Lightning's vast commercial network opened up to Akatsuki merchants, the Akatsuki could buy off, bribe, and manipulate the Lightning Country's officials with ease.
After all, a village belongs to everyone…
but personal wealth belongs to oneself.
The fourth clause involved blatant territorial cession—something that could break a nation's spine. The ability to station ninja there made it even worse.
The fifth clause was a slow, steady knife—an infiltration tactic disguised as goodwill.
The Second Raikage, however, couldn't even focus on the insidious long-term clauses. His brain was still stuck on the first two.
"Akatsuki Ninja Village… is truly pushing Kumogakure to the brink."
His hands trembled slightly.
He had prepared himself mentally for a heavy loss.
After all, he had long known Uchiha Makoto was greedy, vengeful, and obsessed with extracting payment for any slight. Even during peacetime, because a few Chunin had died, Makoto had demanded surrender-level terms from Kumogakure.
But even then, he had never expected this degree of cruelty.
If he signed this treaty…
he might as well dig his own grave.
He would return home not as a Raikage, but as a traitor.
Opposition factions would tear him apart.
"This… this is impossible to accept. Kumogakure cannot, under any circumstances, sign such a document. These terms are far too severe!"
The Second Raikage inhaled deeply, suppressing his desire to flip the negotiation table.
Uchiha Makoto didn't look surprised at all.
Negotiations always start high.
Then you push.
Then you push more.
He leaned back lazily.
"Oh? Raikage-dono, which article do you find unreasonable?"
The Second Raikage's eye twitched.
All of them.
Every single line.
If Kumogakure had 40 billion Ryo lying around, would they be in this miserable state?
If they had even 20 billion Ryo, they would have fought Akatsuki to the bitter end instead of negotiating.
Makoto turned his gaze toward Senju Tobirama.
"Ah, Tobirama-dono. Any thoughts?"
The moment their eyes met, Tobirama understood.
If Konoha wanted a share of the spoils, then they needed to step forward now.
Even if they hadn't shed blood,
they still had to contribute at the negotiation table.
"The problem is difficult. Close the door—release Tobirama."
"Senju Tobirama, go bite him. Bite hard."
Tobirama's eyebrow twitched.
"Uchiha Makoto… you wicked little Uchiha serpent.
You're using me as a weapon."
But for Konoha's sake, he grit his teeth.
He must use this chance to insert Konoha's name into those key clauses.
Otherwise, Konoha would return home empty-handed.
"Enough!"
Tobirama finally stood up.
He slammed his hand on the table and pointed at the Second Raikage.
"Raikage, do not stall! This is a crucial moment. If you disrupt these peace negotiations, are you prepared to face a united war from Konoha, Akatsuki, and the Whirlpool Clan?"
The Second Raikage's eyes widened in disbelief.
Konoha?
Konoha was the first to jump out?
His face twisted in humiliation and helpless rage.
"You… Konoha… you are pushing too far!"
It wasn't just anger—it was the bitterness of a man whose last ally had betrayed him.
Tobirama, feeling long-suppressed frustration bubbling up, took one step forward.
"What? Are you dissatisfied? Do you want to fight? Then say so!"
He wasn't just helping Makoto—he was venting.
He couldn't beat Akatsuki.
But he could absolutely stomp on Kumogakure.
"Konoha will not leave empty-handed this time."
The Second Raikage lowered his head, teeth grinding.
He had no power to resist.
And thus, the once-dignified leader of Kumogakure could only stand there, trembling with humiliation, as Senju Tobirama bore down on him like a raging storm.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)