"What did you just say?"
Uchiha Makoto's expression darkened instantly. The black pen in his hand struck the desk with a sharp clack as he slammed it down, his gaze locking onto the man standing before him.
"Tengwan… are you telling me that every well-known director in the Land of Fire has refused the commission?"
"That's right, Kage-sama."
Takahashi Tengwan lowered his head slightly, his voice steady but strained. "Not a single one was willing to accept."
For a brief moment, the office fell into silence.
The Akatsuki Ninja Village had just concluded a victorious war—one that firmly established its authority and existence in the Land of Fire. Morale was soaring. The villagers' sense of belonging, the ninja's pride, and the village's influence were all climbing at a visible pace.
This wasn't merely a period of prosperity.
It was a golden age.
At this moment, Akatsuki Ninja Village stood unrivaled within the Land of Fire. Whether in military prestige, combat power, or internal unity, it had reached a peak that few could challenge.
And yet—
Someone had already dared to test them.
Uchiha Makoto slowly exhaled, forcibly suppressing the displeasure rising in his chest.
"Explain it clearly," he said calmly. "I don't believe this is just a coincidence."
Takahashi Tengwan straightened his posture.
The film Saving Chunin Pain was meant to be the opening shot of Akatsukiwood, the cultural and commercial expansion Makoto had personally approved. It was not a half-hearted project—it was a declaration.
From the very beginning, Uchiha Makoto had followed one ironclad principle:
Professionals handle professional matters.
Directors would choose actors. Actors would perform. Producers would manage logistics.
He had not interfered.
The director had been personally invited by Takahashi Tengwan himself, acting as the representative of the Wealthy Merchants of the Land of Fire. The budget was generous—almost extravagant by the standards of this era. The Akatsuki Ninja Village also provided a vast pool of real, battle-hardened ninja to serve as performers.
Even the choice of protagonist had been left entirely to the director, with only one requirement:
The lead must be a ninja of Akatsuki Village.
As for the script?
It was flawless.
A time-tested classic—one that, if placed in another world, could easily rank among the top one hundred cinematic scripts of all time.
A perfect script. Abundant funding. Elite performers. Complete creative freedom.
Given such conditions, Uchiha Makoto genuinely could not think of a single reason why the most famous directors in the Land of Fire would refuse.
And yet—they had.
"Kage-sama," Takahashi Tengwan said carefully, "after returning, I first contacted a director I've known for many years. He praised the script endlessly and was clearly interested. Everything seemed settled."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"But after I left… he suddenly changed his mind. No explanation. No negotiation."
"To complete the task you entrusted to me, I used every connection at my disposal to visit other major directors. Without exception, all of them avoided me. Some refused politely. Others didn't even see me."
"They all rejected the invitation."
As he spoke, Tengwan's fists clenched unconsciously.
This had been the first major task the Kage-sama personally entrusted to him—and he had failed.
But more than frustration, he felt wronged.
This wasn't a failure of negotiation.
This was fear.
Almost all top directors in the Land of Fire came from noble or semi-noble backgrounds. It wasn't that they didn't want the project.
It was that they dared not take it.
The political struggles at the highest level were not something artists could afford to touch. Even a ripple caused by those in power could utterly destroy them.
Their collective abnormal behavior was nothing more than a response to a clear political signal:
> The Akatsuki Ninja Village must not be allowed to expand any further.
The establishment of Arasaka Company was the true warning.
Akatsuki Ninja Village was no longer content to exist as a traditional ninja stronghold bound by centuries-old customs. It was attempting to break free from the invisible chains imposed on ninja by tradition.
And once ninja collectively abandoned those traditions—
What reason would the nobles have left to exist?
Especially when Uchiha Makoto already had a record.
The unification of the salt market. The restoration of the official salt system.
Those actions had already crossed the invisible red line of what ninja were "allowed" to touch.
It was only because the Lord of the Land of Fire had publicly supported the decision—and because the great nobles ultimately earned even more profit—that the matter had been peacefully resolved.
But this time was different.
The Arasaka Company was not merely a business venture.
It was a signal.
An alliance of wealthy merchants spanning multiple industries. A financial entity capable of independent growth. A structure no longer dependent solely on state funding.
In other words—
Akatsuki Ninja Village no longer wished to remain merely a military base.
After all, with a gun barrel already in hand, who would willingly live without a money bag?
The annual funds from the Lord of Fire were generous—but they were still charity.
And no one who had tasted power would be content kneeling forever.
The Lord of Fire and the great nobles were corrupt—
But they were not fools.
Konoha was terrifying. A ninja village capable of flattening the entire ninja world.
But Akatsuki Village?
It was becoming just as frightening.
And unlike Konoha—
After years of observation, Konoha had remained obedient. Even the Lord of Fire, once obsessed with the so-called "Senju Hashirama Threat Theory," had begun to doubt himself.
Did I misjudge Hashirama?
But Uchiha Makoto?
He was unpredictable.
"Kage-sama," Takahashi Tengwan said carefully, "someone is clearly operating behind the scenes to target Akatsuki Ninja Village."
Uchiha Makoto nodded slowly.
"That's obvious."
He did not blame Tengwan. After hearing the full explanation, everything had become clear.
This was a test.
A test of obedience from the ruling class of the Land of Fire.
If Akatsuki Village behaved like Konoha—docile, compliant, and restrained—then peace could continue. Funding could be negotiated. Profits could be shared.
But if not—
Even without open conflict, obstacles would appear everywhere.
Policies. Public opinion. Resources. Culture.
All could be quietly strangled.
These people controlled the state apparatus. They didn't need to issue orders—just a glance was enough.
The so-called "ban" never appeared on paper.
And yet its effects were absolute.
The Land of Fire excelled at internal struggle.
The reason two major ninja villages had been established—despite the doubled cost—was precisely to maintain this balance.
If Akatsuki rose too high—
Konoha would be raised to counter it.
Today the east wind suppresses the west. Tomorrow the west suppresses the east.
Balance must be maintained.
Uchiha Makoto frowned slightly, deep in thought.
Beside him, Takahashi Tengwan spoke again.
"Kage-sama, if you still wish to proceed with the film, we don't necessarily need directors from the Land of Fire. I know several renowned directors from other countries. Their abilities are beyond doubt. I can contact them immediately—"
"No need."
Uchiha Makoto interrupted calmly.
"From the moment I accepted your shares, I knew this day would come."
"I am someone who earns money standing upright. If I have to kneel and beg every time they blink, then I might as well become a beggar."
"If they want to challenge me, let them try."
"I'll be fine."
"But them?"
He smiled faintly.
"That's hard to say."
"Tough!"
Takahashi Tengwan laughed, relief flooding his face.
"Absolutely tough, Kage-sama!"
That was the answer he had been waiting for.
If Makoto had retreated today, then tomorrow he would be sold out without hesitation.
Why had these merchants risked noble retaliation to bind themselves to Akatsuki Village?
Because Akatsuki protected its interests with blood.
During the Cloud Village War, it had struck decisively—without hesitation—until the enemy could no longer endure.
As for cost?
Winners didn't pay costs.
They reaped profits.
"Kage-sama," Tengwan said eagerly, "do you have a plan?"
"Just give the order."
"Through fire and water, we will not hesitate!"
Makoto considered for a moment before speaking.
"I've heard that Konoha's First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, was recently assassinated by a ninja from Takigakure?"
"Yes," Tengwan replied, puzzled. "That is correct."
Makoto smiled without explaining.
A plan was taking shape.
Konoha hadn't been peaceful lately.
The assassination attempt on Hashirama had shaken the village. In the original course of history, Konoha would not even have seriously pursued Takigakure.
Instead, Takigakure had scapegoated Kakuzu, triggering a chain of tragedy.
But this time—
The butterfly effect had changed everything.
Reliable intelligence confirmed that Senju Tobirama was now stirring chaos within Konoha.
Public opinion was boiling.
Tobirama had been deeply stimulated by Akatsuki Village's recent display of might.
While he cared little for economics or public sentiment—
He was hypersensitive to ninja affairs.
The increasing number of small ninja factions aligning themselves with Akatsuki Village could not have escaped his notice.
"Damn it…"
"Uchiha Makoto, you inherently evil Uchiha brat…"
Tobirama was furious.
His plan had been to slowly absorb all small ninja factions into Konoha, isolating Akatsuki completely.
Instead—
Makoto had overtaken him in a single turn.
Yet Tobirama still had a chance.
He intended to use Takigakure as an excuse to establish Konoha's might—just as Akatsuki had.
Mobilize troops. Launch a punitive expedition. Unify the ninja world through fear.
But Makoto saw through him.
Tobirama couldn't command the army directly.
Because his greatest obstacle—
Was his elder brother.
Senju Hashirama.
Hashirama would never allow Konoha to initiate a war, no matter how justified.
"Kage-sama?" Tengwan asked.
Makoto looked at him.
"If Takigakure dared to assassinate Konoha's Hokage…"
"Then is it unreasonable to suspect that they might also attempt to assassinate the great nobles of the Land of Fire?"
Tengwan's eyes lit up.
"Brilliant!"
"Absolutely brilliant!"
Makoto smiled faintly.
"Tobirama…"
"This time, I'll help you."
"Let's see whether public opinion can crush the so-called Ninja Way."
"And let's see—"
"Where Senju Hashirama's bottom line truly lies."
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)