As the Fire Daimyō pressed his golden seal onto the agreement, the course of history began to align—much as it had in the original timeline.
The era of shinobi villages had truly arrived.
A change in the ninja economic system inevitably demanded a transformation in organizational structure.
The old model—where individual clans accepted missions independently—was no longer sufficient for the times.
From now on, they had only two choices:
Adapt, or be swept away by the tide of history.
"Brother… don't you feel like the Daimyō's attitude toward Konoha was rather cold?"
At the farewell banquet, the Fire Daimyō still appeared before Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama.
Though he personally had no desire to be anywhere near the dangerously powerful Hashirama, protocol and political etiquette left him no choice.
However, his manner was unmistakably businesslike—his smile polite, distant, and clearly insincere.
As a sensory-type ninja with keen perception, Tobirama immediately noticed the subtle sense of alienation emanating from the Daimyō.
"Tobirama, you're being paranoid again," Hashirama replied cheerfully.
"Didn't you see? The Daimyō came over warmly, shook our hands, and greeted us."
"He seemed very friendly!"
"Brother, you're far too trusting," Tobirama said flatly.
If Konoha wished to prosper long-term, it had no choice but to maintain a close, cooperative relationship with the Fire Daimyō.
Yet the Daimyō's current attitude deeply unsettled Tobirama.
What made it worse was watching Uchiha Makoto chatting enthusiastically with the Daimyō—laughing together like old friends.
That sight irritated Tobirama to no end.
Earlier, when Tobirama shook hands with the Daimyō, he discreetly circulated chakra through his body, carefully examining him.
No abnormal chakra fluctuations.
No signs of genjutsu.
Makoto hadn't used illusion techniques at all.
So why did the Fire Daimyō trust him to such an extent?
Entrusting him with matters as monumental as founding shinobi villages and establishing a unified mission-dispatch system—things that would reshape the future of the ninja world itself.
Even Akatsuki Village had been built almost entirely with the Daimyō's direct backing.
Tobirama felt he needed to act—to reinforce Konoha's relationship with the Land of Fire, secure more funding, and stabilize their access to missions.
Of course—
In Makoto's eyes, Tobirama's future efforts would be futile.
As long as Senju Hashirama lived, the Fire Daimyō's fundamental stance toward Konoha would never truly change.
Even if Hashirama knelt and swore he only wished to be a humble village leader with no rebellious intent—
History had proven one thing time and again:
Whether you intend rebellion doesn't matter.
If you have the ability to rebel, that alone is reason enough to suppress you.
After the banquet ended, Hashirama and Tobirama departed the Fire Capital.
Makoto, too, did not linger.
This trip had been immensely profitable.
Not only had Akatsuki Village secured 950 billion ryō in funding, but it had also gained official recognition from both the Fire Daimyō and Konoha.
From now on, the ninja world would have to address him as—
"Lord Kōkage."
(Light Shadow)
Though Akatsuki Village's current strength didn't yet match the title, legitimacy plus money made everything else inevitable.
Recruitment.
Expansion.
Military buildup.
All of it would now proceed naturally.
Several days later, Makoto returned to Akatsuki Village.
During that time, the Fire Daimyō signed and publicly announced a series of agreements regarding shinobi village construction.
Konoha was already famous and powerful.
That it received the Daimyō's full support surprised no one.
But—
Akatsuki Village?
Where the hell did that come from?
In an instant, Akatsuki Village shot to the top of the ninja world's rumor mill.
Makoto's name spread across the continent.
"Oh—an Uchiha?"
"So it's basically Konoha's side account."
"Damn it!"
Makoto slammed the documents in his office, furious at the rumors.
"Which bastard started this nonsense? Akatsuki Village is not Konoha's subsidiary!"
Unfortunately, he had no effective way to refute it.
After all, the treaty clearly stated:
If Akatsuki Village is attacked, Konoha will provide unconditional military support.
With clauses like that, no amount of denial would convince anyone.
And Tobirama's silence only made it worse—clearly enjoying the spectacle.
Makoto sighed deeply.
Still, he had no intention of issuing public statements.
Rumors only grow worse the more you try to explain them.
Words were useless.
Only irrefutable action could silence doubt.
History had proven this time and again.
For now, being mistaken as Konoha's "alt account" wasn't entirely bad—it let Akatsuki Village ride Konoha's influence and attract attention from across the ninja world.
The Hyūga Clan had already committed to Konoha and declined again.
Makoto didn't mind.
If a direct approach failed, he'd take the indirect route.
The Yuki Clan, Kaguya Clan, and Kurama Clan had all responded with strong interest.
Konoha already had too many bloodline clans—Senju, Uchiha, Hyūga, and numerous secret-technique families crowded the ecosystem.
With Konoha holding 70% of missions, even that might soon be insufficient.
Akatsuki Village, on the other hand, held only 30%—
But with its current manpower?
The workload was absurdly generous.
Too many missions.
Not enough ninja.
They would even need to subcontract some work out.
The Land of Fire was wealthy and centrally located.
Compared to isolated regions like the Land of Water, settling here was a superior choice.
And Makoto's confidential letters made the offer irresistible:
Bloodline clans: 500 million ryō relocation grant
Secret-technique clans: 300 million ryō
Smaller clans: scaled accordingly
Cash, paid immediately upon relocation.
Shinobi joined villages for the same reason merchants joined guilds:
To make money.
To grow stronger.
To secure their future.
With abundant missions and overwhelming financial power, Akatsuki Village grew rapidly.
Watching the village flourish, Makoto couldn't help but sigh with satisfaction:
"Truly… a scene of thriving vitality, where all things compete and flourish."
Amidst the joyful atmosphere—
Uchiha Makoto convened the Akatsuki Village Clan Council.
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