Chapter 173: Senju Tobirama — I Just Made the Mistake Everyone Makes: I Trusted Uchiha Makoto!
Uchiha Makoto laid out his entire theory. He strongly suspected that the Fire Country's upper echelons were the ones secretly orchestrating everything.
The relationship between Konoha and Akatsuki Village had become too close—so close that even the Fire Daimyō could no longer sleep peacefully.
At least for now, the arranged marriage between the Uchiha and Senju families hadn't been made public.
But a year from now, when both families' children were born and the alliance was officially announced…
The Fire Daimyō would probably have sleepless nights for the rest of his life.
No one understood better than him what a political marriage meant.
It would give both villages a legitimate excuse to unify—to merge Konoha and Akatsuki's power into one.
And once that happened—whether Konoha absorbed Akatsuki, or Akatsuki absorbed Konoha—it would create a terrifying entity within the Fire Country's borders.
The Daimyō's authority would be meaningless.Externally, it would take three or four major villages working together just to stand against them.
And the only way to weaken them… would be through another world-scale ninja war.
Tobirama fell silent at Makoto's analysis.
He was no fool.He had already suspected that the strange shift in Fire Country's public opinion was being driven by the upper class.Now, with Akatsuki cleared of blame, the true culprit was obvious—
The Fire Country's elites.
No one else had the money, power, or influence to manipulate the national press on such a scale.
Yet, even after confirming this, Tobirama found himself almost wishing it had been Makoto behind it all.
Because if Makoto were the mastermind, then the solution would be simple.
Konoha could just collect the evidence, confront Akatsuki, and demand accountability.Worst case, his big brother Hashirama could just beat Makoto half to death, and it'd all be over.
That would've been perfect—an excuse to knock Makoto down a peg and suppress Konoha's Uchiha clan for a while.
Two birds with one stone!
But if it really was the Fire Country's ruling class… things were far more complicated.
Unlike Makoto, Tobirama didn't act on impulse.Their entire way of thinking was different.
If Makoto had been in charge, he'd have already sent a team of Akatsuki ninjas to dig into the matter—dig until the ground bled.He'd find every single person involved and personally "deliver warmth from Akatsuki Village" to each of them.
And by "warmth," he meant death.
He'd roll heads until the Fire Daimyō himself got the message:
"Behave, and we can talk. Otherwise… I'll send you to meet the Sage of Six Paths."
And to be fair, Makoto had reason to be lenient—for now.The Fire Daimyō had once invested in Akatsuki during its hardest early years, helping it survive.
There had even been talk of the Daimyō marrying off his daughter to Makoto—if not for the Uzumaki clan snatching that chance first.
So Makoto didn't mind giving the Daimyō a graceful retirement.But if the man kept playing games… well, Makoto wouldn't hesitate to end him.
Tobirama, on the other hand, was nothing like that.
He could honestly swear—hand on the nearest lamp—that he bore no treacherous intent toward the Fire Daimyō.
He genuinely wanted to be the Daimyō's loyal servant, protecting his reign.At most, he wanted a little recognition—something like the old "four privileges":
Sword at court, no need to bow, addressed by title, granted a private office.
But who in power ever truly believed a loyal subordinate's heart?
Tobirama was loyal—but the Daimyō would never fully trust him.
And per the founding agreement between the Fire Country and Konoha Village,
"The state governs the nation; the village governs the shinobi.The two shall not interfere with one another.The state provides funding; the village provides protection."
If the Fire Country's elites were involved, then this became a domestic political issue—something the ninja village was forbidden to meddle in.
The correct approach was to report it to the Daimyō and let him investigate.
Konoha's ninjas could only act under his direct command.
But… would it really be that simple?
Makoto's past reckless slaughter of a noble family from the "Qinghua Clan" had already infuriated the Fire Daimyō, causing a massive scandal.
After that, the Daimyō had sent a series of loyalty tests to Konoha—
"If you're truly loyal, go discipline Uchiha Makoto on my behalf."
Tobirama still remembered that day vividly—ten golden imperial edicts arriving within a single day.
And yet, somehow, Makoto had talked him into ignoring them.
The result?Konoha failed the loyalty test.
The Daimyō never forgot that humiliation.And this whole media campaign… was likely his revenge.
Tobirama knew he could easily uncover the truth if he started digging—but what if he found too much?
What if the trail led not just to corrupt nobles, but to the Daimyō himself?
That was his greatest fear.He, Senju Tobirama—the loyal servant—couldn't cross that line.
Makoto, that devil, would love nothing more than to drag Konoha down with him.If Tobirama took the bait and got blood on his hands, Konoha would never escape the consequences.
"If you're not good at handling this kind of thing," Makoto said casually,"I can help you. I'm very experienced at dealing with problems like this."
Tobirama glared at him.He didn't even need to speak—Makoto could already guess what was on his mind.
The age-old conflict between nations and ninja villages.
The stronger the village grew, the more the country feared it.No normal human could suppress warriors who could summon storms and raze cities.
That fear drove the Fire Country's leaders to sow division between Konoha and Akatsuki—even using crude tactics.But crude or not, they worked.
"No need," Tobirama finally said coldly."You'd just make things worse. The entire mess exists because of you, Uchiha Makoto. You and your damned Akatsuki are the root of all this!"
"If not for your reckless behavior, Konoha wouldn't be hated by the Fire Country's elites. If anyone deserves bad press, it's you!"
Makoto smirked.
"Heh, Tobirama, haven't you heard the saying?""Only the good ones have kunai pointed at them.""The Fire Country doesn't slander Akatsuki because they know I'll kill them. Can you say the same?"
Makoto's laugh was cold.He had no mercy for "insects."
He'd been using the salami-slicing strategy for years—pushing his enemies bit by bit, always leaving them with just enough hope to hesitate.And when the final slice came—there'd be no escape.
Konoha, however, still wasn't ready for that kind of ruthlessness.
And Tobirama wasn't the real Hokage.If he acted unilaterally against the Fire Country's elite and got caught,the political backlash alone would destroy him.(Especially with the Uchiha clan eager to pile on.)
So, he'd need Hashirama's approval first.
If his brother took the blame, Tobirama could act—not by killing the nobles outright, but by "sending them warmth from Konoha."A near-death experience or two might be enough to remind them of respect.
But Hashirama's temperament…was as predictable as ever—idealistic to a fault.
"Konoha is loyal to the Fire Country! We would never stoop to rebellion like you!"
"Suit yourself," Makoto shrugged. "It's not my village being slandered. When your ninjas can't take it anymore and come begging to join Akatsuki, don't come crying to me.""I've already planned it out—special Akatsuki visas for any Konoha defectors. Five years of residence, and they get green cards!"
"Visas? Green cards? What are those?"
"Simple. A legal way for rogue ninjas to immigrate and join Akatsuki—basically, a talent acquisition program."
Tobirama's face went pitch black.
He knew something like this could very well happen in the future—and the worst part was, he probably couldn't stop it.
He glared at Makoto, who was looking unbearably smug, and his hand slowly reached toward his weapon pouch.
"Don't," Makoto said quickly."We're both ninjas here. Even if Akatsuki benefits from this chaos, we should stay united right now.""If you really need help, I can assist—physically, of course."
"No need," Tobirama snapped. "Stay out of it. I'll handle it myself. And if I find out you meddled—"
He drew a kunai and waved it threateningly in Makoto's face.
"Alright, alright," Makoto said with a shrug.He was already swamped with work in Akatsuki; he didn't mind sitting this one out.
After all, Akatsuki would benefit no matter what happened.
Soon after, their meeting ended.
As Tobirama left, he flipped Makoto the middle finger.Makoto cheerfully returned it—with both hands.
Back in Akatsuki Village, Makoto received a secret letter from the First Tsuchikage.
He sighed.Barely finished dealing with Tobirama, and now Iwagakure wanted a piece of him too.No rest for the wicked.
Still, this was a good sign.
It meant Akatsuki's influence had grown so great that both Iwagakure and Kirigakure felt the need to court his favor.
Whichever side Akatsuki supported would hold the upper hand—not because of justice, but because of power.
Makoto tore open the letter and scanned its contents.A grin spread across his face.
"Well, well… speak of the devil."
According to the Tsuchikage's message, Iwa and Kiri were locked in a bitter conflict.He wanted Makoto to act as a neutral third party—to mediate the dispute peacefully and punish the guilty.
In other words, they wanted Uchiha Makoto to play judge.
The two villages would present their cases before him, publicly debating their grievances.
Makoto chuckled softly.
"Interesting…""The First Tsuchikage really is an amusing old man."
(End of Chapter)