I've Awakened—I See the World Clearly Now!**
"Marriage alliance?"
Uchiha Makoto repeated the words aloud.
In the ninja world, political marriages were anything but rare—one could even say they were commonplace.
Daimyō and nobles loved using marriage to strengthen ties, ease conflicts, and bind interests together. Ninja clans were no exception. The close relationship between the Senju and Uzumaki clans was, at its core, the result of such a union.
Even though Uzumaki Mito lived her days like a long-suffering victim, there was no denying that she was the legitimate wife of the Senju clan head—and Konoha's rightful First Lady.
From the current situation, if the Uzumaki clan truly wished to form a relationship with Amegakure as close as the one they once shared with Konoha, then marriage was, in fact, the most effective solution.
For both sides, it was all benefit and no harm.
"If the Light Shadow is willing to form a marriage alliance with the Uzumaki clan," Uzumaki Shinji said solemnly,
"then we are willing to enter into a blood alliance with Amegakure—life and death shared."
These words carried tremendous weight.
Though Uzushiogakure was currently weak, a rotten ship still had three thousand iron nails. The Uzumaki clan's strength was not to be underestimated. Makoto also trusted that, when it truly mattered, the Uzumaki would step in—something already proven in canon history.
"In that case, I see no reason to refuse," Makoto replied smoothly.
"I thank the Uzumaki clan for its goodwill. I will invite the Fire Daimyō to personally preside over the wedding. The betrothal gifts will be prepared immediately—I guarantee you will not be disappointed."
"This will be a grand wedding."
Makoto accepted the political marriage without hesitation.
As the leader of a village, this was not merely a choice—it was duty and responsibility.
"That's wonderful!"
Joy flooded Uzumaki Shinji's face. He looked lovingly at the girl beside him before gently pushing her toward Makoto.
"Tsubaki… from today onward, you are the Light Shadow's wife. Do not bring shame upon the Uzumaki clan."
The little girl who had just been baring her teeth at Makoto moments ago now nodded quietly, as if she had long known this outcome.
Makoto's gaze lingered on Uzumaki Tsubaki.
Fair-skinned and youthful, her red high ponytail was eye-catching. Sensing his gaze, she grew nervous, her eyes darting about.
Even if this was a loveless political marriage… she wasn't exactly losing out.
After a brief moment, Makoto withdrew his gaze and steered the conversation back on track.
They began discussing the betrothal gifts—which, in essence, were financial aid under a more palatable name.
On this matter, Makoto had no intention of being stingy.
He wanted the Uzumaki clan to understand one thing clearly:
Who was truly worthy of their trust.
The simplest—and fastest—way to test sincerity was money.
If someone wasn't even willing to spend money, what sincerity could they possibly claim?
It sounded like twisted logic.
Yet in practice, it was extremely effective.
Makoto wanted the Uzumaki to realize:
Konoha was nothing more than a superficial ally.
And canon history proved it.
Konoha had perfectly embodied the phrase "When allies are in trouble, remain unmoved as a mountain." After Uzushiogakure's destruction, Konoha absorbed the Uzumaki clan's legacy wholesale—yet never seriously searched for the scattered survivors.
Uzumaki Nagato wandered Rain Country unattended.
That could be excused by Jiraiya's fear that the Rinnegan might draw danger.
But Uzumaki Karin?
She openly entered Konoha during the Chūnin Exams—red hair, Uzumaki name, no ambiguity. Konoha knew.
And did nothing.
As for the countless Uzumaki who never appeared in canon—there were many more.
In the end, Konoha kept only Uzumaki Kushina.
And even then, not as a person—but as a Nine-Tails container.
That she later met Namikaze Minato was luck… or perhaps design.
(Personal conspiracy theory—purely for fun.)
Such "allies" were better off discarded.
"Three point six eight billion ryō."
"I like that number."
"Let that be Tsubaki's betrothal gift."
Makoto made his decision after a brief pause—an astronomical sum, offered upfront to buy hearts and loyalty.
"R-really?!"
Uzumaki Shinji's voice trembled. His knees nearly gave out—thankfully, he was seated.
He had expected perhaps five or six hundred million… even one billion would've been shocking.
But 3.68 billion ryō?
This wasn't aid.
This was sincerity.
This was treating the Uzumaki clan as true allies.
Compared to this—
The Senju clan looked downright stingy.
Human nature was like that.
People were easily moved by sudden kindness from strangers.
Especially when that kindness was worth 3.68 billion ryō.
Who wouldn't be dazed?
Money really was king.
Beside him, Uzumaki Tsubaki covered her mouth in shock, then began counting on her fingers.
Ones, tens, hundreds… millions… billions…
She ran out of fingers at ten billion.
Her eyes immediately lit up, sparkling as she stared at Makoto.
Her earlier anxiety about this marriage quietly faded.
What if he was a bad man?
She'd heard the Uchiha were… temperamental.
A woman feared marrying the wrong man—it determined her entire future.
But for the sake of her clan, she had been ready to sacrifice herself.
Now?
She felt far more at ease.
Even if this money was aid to the clan—it was given in her name.
Girls were emotional creatures.
And prone to fantasies.
What if… this was just for me?
Love at first sight?
She knew it was childish.
But she couldn't help it.
After all—
What if?
(Affection +3 +3 +3 +3 +3)
"Of course it's real," Makoto said firmly.
"A promise from the Light Shadow is unbreakable."
"This is not only Amegakure's sincerity toward the Uzumaki clan—
It is also my resolve in marrying Uzumaki Tsubaki."
He glanced sideways at her.
The effect was immediate.
Silent rizz. Absolutely terrifying.
"Then let us drink!" Uzumaki Shinji exclaimed.
"Though there's no wine—tea will have to do!"
"From today on, the Uzumaki clan and Amegakure share life and death!"
He drained his tea in one gulp, then excitedly poured more for Makoto and Tsubaki.
"A cross-cup toast!"
"Tsubaki, don't be shy—this is your future husband!"
Her face flushed red, but she obediently lifted the cup.
Makoto followed suit, though inwardly he could only think—
This man has truly sold all dignity for money.
After finishing the tea, Makoto spoke again:
"One thing, however. I hope the 3.68 billion ryō will be handled discreetly within Amegakure and the Uzumaki clan."
"But in Konoha—it must be publicized grandly."
A wicked idea had already taken shape in his mind.
A special Konoha edition of New Ninja.
On astronomical bride prices and women's 'awakening'.
"Gone are the days when female ninja meekly stayed at home!"
"This is the era of villages—sisters, we must awaken and see the world!"
"Konoha's systemic oppression of women is utterly revolting!"
"Don't talk to me—we aren't on the same level. I will always stand unconditionally on the side of my own gender and interests!"
This ideological bombardment would never stop.
Bit by bit.
Until the First Shinobi World War erupted.
In a war that brutal, death rates would skyrocket.
Washed by endless rhetoric, Konoha's women would remain safely behind the lines.
And in the ninja world, there was an old custom:
Men earned.
Women managed the household finances.
Even Hashirama handed his money to Mito.
A perfectly harmonious system.
But—
The patch version has changed.
While Konoha burned itself from within, Amegakure would promote independence, entrepreneurship, and "new ideals."
A ninja-world version of a white feather movement.
With high death rates and massive compensation payouts—
Who would be tempted by that money?
Hard to guess.
Amegakure would simply keep pressing its advantages—money, economy, propaganda.
"Those pathetic Konoha ninja—how dare they compare themselves to us?"
"Bride price?"
"Sorry, Amegakure doesn't have such backward customs."
"Our moon is rounder. Our air is sweeter."
Just imagining it made Makoto itch with excitement.
As for Amegakure itself—
Its ideology had already been branded deep:
Loyalty.
Loyalty to the Light Shadow.
To offer everything—body and soul—when required.
Man or woman, it made no difference.
"I understand why it must be publicized in Konoha," Uzumaki Shinji said, puzzled.
"But why keep it low-key within Amegakure and our clan?"
Makoto replied earnestly:
"First—wealth should not be flaunted. Konoha is our ally; publicity there poses no risk. But within our own sphere, caution is the mark of a proper ninja village."
"Second—I don't want outsiders to think our alliance is built on money alone."
"We are not fair-weather friends. We are a blood alliance—one that will stab both ribs for each other when it matters."
Makoto spoke with righteous conviction.
Of course—
It was all nonsense.
But some thoughts were never meant to be written down.
Not even in a diary.
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