Senju Tobirama stared at the twelve golden imperial decrees laid out before him.
For the first time in his life, he felt numb.
The ninja world had never known a legend like Yue Wumu. Yet now, Tobirama found himself receiving treatment no different from that of a disgraced general awaiting execution.
If this pressure were placed upon an ordinary ninja, their ninja way would have collapsed long ago.
"Solve the case quickly. No more delays."
"Resolve it immediately. No mistakes allowed."
"Find the truth at once!"
"Now!"
Each decree carried the blazing fury of the Lord of the Land of Fire, pressing down on Tobirama's shoulders like a mountain. Even without hearing the words spoken aloud, he could almost hear the roar echoing through the paper.
And yet—Konoha still had no concrete evidence.
Everyone knew Uchiha Makoto was responsible.
Everyone believed it.
But belief was not proof.
Uchiha Makoto had planned everything flawlessly. No witnesses. No traces. No loose ends. Every clue at the scene pointed only toward Takigakure, with no direct connection to Akatsuki Ninja Village.
Without decisive evidence, Tobirama could not persuade his elder brother to act against Makoto.
And with Makoto's current status, the absence of proof meant only one thing:
Legally, he was innocent.
Even if evidence were somehow discovered, punishing him would still be nearly impossible. Uchiha Makoto had already crossed into the realm of the untouchable.
Hashirama, despite firmly believing that Akatsuki was behind everything, would never directly sanction Makoto. At most, he would attempt mediation.
Good people were always the ones forced to compromise.
That was the cruel truth.
The real issue was never evidence.
The nobles of the Land of Fire did not care how the truth was uncovered—or whether it even was. What they wanted was an outcome.
They wanted their dignity restored.
Evidence?
Fabricate it.
You're Konoha ninja—aren't you supposed to be good at that?
No matter how absurd the explanation, as long as Akatsuki Ninja Village handed over a few scapegoats, the nobles would accept it.
They needed the people to see one thing clearly:
Anyone who offended the great nobles would pay the price.
Even Akatsuki Ninja Village was no exception.
As long as the Hokage appeared cooperative, as long as Konoha showed loyalty, everyone could pretend the matter was resolved.
Tobirama understood this perfectly.
If the problem could not be solved, then the person who caused it must be.
Of course, that person was not one of the great nobles.
Konoha existed to protect the Land of Fire, the Lord, and the nobles beneath him. This principle was carved directly into its laws.
Ninja were tools.
That ideology had been passed down for generations, embedded so deeply that it was treated as common sense—no different from believing one plus one equaled two.
Even rogue ninja rarely targeted nobles. Not only did it attract endless bounties and pursuit, but nobles were also deeply entwined with the ninja system itself.
They were employers. Patrons. Providers of missions and wealth.
Ninja lived to serve them.
And Tobirama did not believe the nobles were at fault this time.
In his eyes, only one person was guilty.
Uchiha Makoto.
"Damn it!"
"Uchiha Makoto, you inherently evil Uchiha brat! You go around stirring trouble, and I'm left here bearing all the pressure!"
"Where in this world is there such an unfair deal?!"
"I'll kill you—ahhh!"
Tobirama roared alone in his office, veins bulging on his forehead. Moments later, he summoned a ninja and ordered him to secretly arrange a meeting with Uchiha Makoto.
Akatsuki Ninja Village.
"The filming speed was astonishing."
"It's already finished."
Uchiha Makoto sat comfortably in his office, Bai Zeming standing beside him. Together, they prepared to watch the completed film: Saving Chunin Pain.
The speed exceeded even Makoto's expectations.
Nineteen days.
That was all it took.
"This was only possible because of Akatsuki Ninja Village's full support," Bai Zeming said respectfully.
It wasn't flattery—only truth.
For a war film shot from a ninja's perspective, realism was everything. Ordinary actors had to study psychology, rehearse emotions, and learn how to fight convincingly.
Akatsuki ninja needed none of that.
They weren't acting.
They had just returned from war.
Every movement, every expression, every clash of steel was real. Long takes were completed in a single shot, with almost no retakes required.
Coupled with Bai Zeming's exceptional directing talent and refined workflow, the film progressed at an unbelievable pace.
"Well shot," Makoto said with a chuckle.
"The Konoha segment was especially good—slow, hesitant, wrapped in self-reflection and heroism. It looks noble on the surface, but the audience will see through it."
"Konoha won't even bother refuting it."
"Very realistic."
Bai Zeming wisely said nothing. He had no desire to be dragged into inter-village conflict. Still, he understood one thing clearly—maintaining a close relationship with Akatsuki Ninja Village was essential if he wanted to live a long life.
After the screening ended, Makoto leaned back, satisfied.
Even as a veteran ninja and strategist, he had found himself completely immersed.
"Lord Kage, this will be the highest-grossing New Year film of the year," Bai Zeming said confidently. "No one will be able to resist it."
Makoto nodded. Promotion and distribution would be the next steps—areas outside his expertise.
"Leave it to me," Bai Zeming said smoothly.
With his industry influence, this task was trivial.
He bowed and departed.
Not long after, a Konoha messenger arrived.
"Lord Kage, Lord Tobirama wishes to meet with you."
Makoto raised an eyebrow.
"So he finally cracked."
He already knew about the investigation ordered by the Land of Fire and the increased activity of Konoha ninja in the region.
But he was confident.
There were no flaws.
No evidence.
After brief consideration, Makoto agreed to the meeting and deliberately chose one of the three contested counties as the location.
"Lord Tobirama. Long time no see."
Uchiha Makoto entered an elegantly furnished office—property of Arasaka Company.
Senju Tobirama sat inside, expression cold and rigid.
Makoto casually took a seat.
Tobirama's gaze darkened.
Days of pressure, humiliation, and frustration erupted into anger as he faced the relaxed culprit.
For a fleeting moment, he wondered—
Should I kill him here?
But the thought passed just as quickly.
He couldn't.
And he didn't dare.
Still, he could vent his rage.
"Uchiha Makoto, you inherently evil Uchiha brat!" Tobirama snapped.
"Was it you who ordered Akatsuki ninja to massacre that noble family in the Land of Fire?!"
"The Lord is furious! He already knows it was you! Konoha is investigating, and you must give us an explanation!"
Makoto yawned.
"I thought you came to discuss canned food technology."
"On what grounds are you accusing Akatsuki?"
"Do you have evidence?"
"Without proof, you want to frame a Kage? Do you think you're the Hokage?"
"Do you have Wood Release? Can you use True Several Thousand Hands?"
Tobirama's face twisted with rage.
If he could, he would have smashed Makoto into paste.
Instead, he pulled out a thick stack of documents—records of Akatsuki movements, business disputes, suspicious timing.
"All coincidences," Makoto said calmly.
"My ninja were on missions. My company expanded business."
"Is that a crime?"
Tobirama slammed the table.
"You went mad with greed! You're no better than rogue ninja!"
"You've disgraced the Uchiha Clan!"
Makoto smiled faintly.
Then he stood up.
"Follow me."
Confused but furious, Tobirama did.
Outside, the city buzzed with life—factories, workers, trade, prosperity.
Makoto spoke softly.
"This is the future."
"And you're still clinging to the past."
Tobirama fell silent.
Light and shadow stood side by side—
And slowly, inevitably, began to merge.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)