Senju Tobirama immediately coughed violently, his eyes urgently signaling his brother, Senju Hashirama: "Don't say any more, don't say any more!"
If this continued.
Uchiha Madara would know everything!
But Uchiha Madara just glanced faintly at Senju Tobirama, immediately sensing that something was amiss. He then turned to Senju Hashirama: "Hashirama, go on... What's the solution... that could make you so troubled?"
Senju Hashirama paused for a moment, his brain working at high speed.
Clearly...
His brother Tobirama wanted him to shut up and keep this matter from Madara, but Madara was the witness of this mission.
If he were to hide something like tearing up the mission agreement from him.
How could Madara trust him in the future?
After a moment of struggle, Senju Hashirama finally decided to tell Uchiha Madara everything.
Tobirama, I'm sorry!
This is all for Konoha!
"Oh~ Actually, you know about this too. When we were in the Akatsuki Ninja Village, Uchiha Makoto used my Wood Style to cultivate high-yield crop seeds. He didn't initially want to cooperate with Konoha; it was only later changed to a mission contract... Now Tobirama has discovered that the profits from this business are astonishingly large, possibly reaching tens or even hundreds of billions a year in the future, so..."
Senju Hashirama's heart was filled with trepidation. As he spoke, he kept a close watch on Uchiha Madara's expression out of the corner of his eye.
Indeed.
If they tore up this mission agreement with the Akatsuki Ninja Village, Konoha would indeed gain a large sum of income out of thin air.
But morally, this was a great disservice to Uchiha Makoto—he had given them a chance to cooperate, but they didn't seize it. Now that they saw the potential for profit, they wanted to go back on their word and tear up the agreement?
The more he spoke, the hotter Hashirama's cheeks became. In the end, he couldn't even bring himself to say the words "tear up the agreement."
"Hmph, so that's how it is."
"I see. Hashirama, you mean you want to tear up the agreement with Uchiha Makoto?"
Upon hearing of tens or hundreds of billions in profit, even Uchiha Madara was startled. He was also a "poor" ninja. At the current rate, even if he devoted himself entirely to work, the money he earned would be nothing in the face of this national-level income. Senju Hashirama stammered and didn't finish his sentence, and then... Uchiha Madara understood!
And faced with Uchiha Madara's questioning.
Senju Hashirama shook his head guiltily.
"No, no... I was just considering it..."
"You really thought about it?"
"Hashirama, I was there the whole time. That kid, Uchiha Makoto, tried to persuade you for half a day, and you still didn't agree... If you do this... what face will Konoha have left..."
Uchiha Madara began to speak sarcastically.
Senju Hashirama was so in the wrong that he couldn't find the words to refute him. But although the words were directed at Hashirama, every few sentences, Madara would deliberately let his gaze rest on Senju Tobirama.
It was obvious he was scolding the mulberry tree while pointing at the locust tree!
—Senju Tobirama, you naturally evil old demon of the Senju, did you think I couldn't see that you were the bastard behind this whole thing?
It was because of you that the cooperation between Konoha and the Akatsuki Ninja Village fell through. Now that you, you insidious villain, see the benefits of the cooperation, you want to turn around and have Hashirama tear up the agreement?
This is utterly shameless!
"Enough, Uchiha Madara... If you have something to say, say it directly!"
"There's no need to beat around the bush like this!"
Senju Tobirama soon couldn't listen anymore.
However, facing Uchiha Madara, and with the fact that he was indeed in the wrong this time, his tone of voice lacked a bit of confidence.
"Hmph, Senju Tobirama... I thought you were going to hide behind Hashirama forever. This whole thing is your fault from beginning to end, isn't it? It's because of your scheming that the cooperation between Konoha and the Akatsuki Ninja Village fell through. Now that you see the benefits of cooperation, you want to instigate Hashirama to tear up the agreement again?"
"And... you've been so busy all these years, yet you've made Konoha fall so far behind the Akatsuki Ninja Village!"
"You're a huge failure!"
"Uchiha Madara, don't change the subject!!"
"....."
"Then let's talk about this matter, this matter..."
"So what? Everything I do is for Konoha... Uchiha Makoto is using my brother's Wood Style... My brother absolutely cannot be his tool for free... Five million Ryo... so..."
Uchiha Madara launched into a passionate tirade, listing Senju Tobirama's faults.
He believed that Konoha's falling behind the Akatsuki Ninja Village was solely Tobirama's fault!
And now, his behind-the-scenes scheming against the Akatsuki Ninja Village made Tobirama seem like an incompetent, shameless, and despicable villain.
And Senju Tobirama, knowing he was in the wrong, that all of this was ultimately his own lack of foresight, for not emulating the Akatsuki Ninja Village sooner... and he should have gone to the Akatsuki Ninja Village with his brother back then... otherwise, there wouldn't be such an awkward situation today.
So he had no intention of arguing with Uchiha Madara about Konoha's development or the previous contract signing.
At this point, no matter how he defended himself, he would seem incompetent. The more he argued, the more points of attack Uchiha Madara would have.
It was a case of the more you say, the more mistakes you make.
Thus, Senju Tobirama just stubbornly insisted that tearing up the cooperation agreement now was all for Konoha, refusing to discuss anything else, trying to forcibly cover up his own mistakes with Konoha's interests.
His every move was quite reminiscent of the future Shimura Danzō.
Senju Tobirama was making excuses for his actions. The biggest taboo in politics is admitting fault—never admit fault to a political enemy, not even if it kills you!
And Uchiha Madara just found Senju Tobirama extremely shameless. If it weren't for Senju Hashirama's sake, he would have taught Tobirama how to be a man with his Susanoo by now.
"Hashirama, are you just going to stand by and watch Senju Tobirama act like a scoundrel? Konoha will be destroyed by him sooner or later. We should correct this mistake right now!"
"Madara, is it really that serious?"
"Tobirama, he's also considering things for Konoha..."
At this moment, Senju Hashirama was very much like the old and muddle-headed Sarutobi Hiruzen.
That moment then was exactly like this moment now!
He was treating Senju Tobirama just as he would treat Shimura Danzō.
Senju Hashirama knew that his younger brother was indeed at fault first, but Tobirama was, after all, his own brother who had grown up with him, fought alongside him, and whom he had always entrusted with important responsibilities.
And he also believed that Tobirama was indeed considering things for Konoha, just that he had made a mistake for a moment. The matter was far from being as serious as Uchiha Madara made it out to be—that Konoha would be destroyed because of Tobirama. How could that be!
"Hashirama, hmph, I know you just want to protect this brother of yours."
"Madara... I just... leave Tobirama's matter to me. He won't be like this again... I swear..."
"..."
"Heh, Hashirama, so... what are you going to do about this? Listen to Senju Tobirama's slander and tear up the mission agreement with the Akatsuki Ninja Village?"
"...."
"Uchiha Madara, enough! You have no idea what Uchiha Makoto wants to do in the future... Everything I do is for Konoha!"
"Shut up!!" *2
"....."
Uchiha Madara's mood grew worse. He believed that Hashirama was determined to protect his brother. Then Hashirama started playing the emotional card, even going so far as to make a vow. But Madara was still relentless, and the two of them argued just like that.
Senju Tobirama tried to get involved.
Unfortunately, he was brutally interrupted by both Hashirama and Madara before he could say a few words.
Gradually.
The topic of their conversation became sharper.
Uchiha Madara really regretted not insisting back then. He should have found a way to kill Senju Tobirama. Even if Hashirama couldn't bring himself to do it, he could have done it for him.
Unfortunately, there was no chance now!
"Enough! What are you arguing about!"
"Both of you, shut up!!"
Uzumaki Mito spoke up at this critical moment—if these two, Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama, were to get into a real fight, Konoha would be in trouble!
Faced with Uzumaki Mito, whose hair was floating and whose eyes were fierce, Senju Hashirama immediately shut his mouth obediently... He knew that if he didn't shut up, Mito would really use her Adamantine Sealing Chains to force him to shut up right in front of Madara!
And Uchiha Madara also wisely snorted coldly and said no more.
Seeing that the argument between Madara and Hashirama had stopped, Uzumaki Mito began to try and smooth things over... oh no, to find a solution to the problem—the core issue at the moment was whether or not to tear up the agreement between Hashirama and the Akatsuki Ninja Village.
Ever since her "awakening," Uzumaki Mito was no longer the same as before, staying in the Senju clan doing "nothing." She had been involved in Konoha's internal affairs for a long time, so she was very clear about Konoha's financial situation.
If Konoha's finances were measured against the expenses of a normal large hidden village, it could be said to be more than comfortable. But compared to the Akatsuki Ninja Village, the difference was too great.
So she believed that Senju Tobirama was right.
This was a business involving tens or even hundreds of billions.
Even if Konoha was in the wrong first, they absolutely could not just give it up—allies are allies, business is business!
However, Konoha was indeed in the wrong in this matter...
And Uchiha Makoto's identity was very special. Not only was he a member of the Uchiha clan, but he was also the son-in-law of the Uzumaki clan and the in-law of the Senju clan. So, when dealing with this ally, the Akatsuki Ninja Village, if they were to act shamelessly and unreasonably, it would only make the situation more embarrassing.
So, how they handled it was very important!
After a moment of silence, she finally spoke:
"I agree with Tobirama's opinion. Konoha absolutely cannot lose the benefits behind this big business."
"Yes, yes, sister-in-law has great insight!"
As soon as Uzumaki Mito spoke, Senju Tobirama couldn't wait to exclaim, "Sister-in-law has great insight."
However, before Tobirama could be happy for a few seconds.
Uzumaki Mito continued: "However, considering that the initial cooperation fell through because of Tobirama, to recover Konoha's losses, why don't we have Tobirama go to the Akatsuki Ninja Village to personally apologize and do his utmost to obtain Uchiha Makoto's forgiveness? I believe Uchiha Makoto might be lenient."
"That way, Konoha won't lose so badly on the moral front."
"I think Mito is right. Whether we tear up the cooperation agreement or not, we should inform Uchiha Makoto first!"
"Let's have Tobirama go to the Akatsuki Ninja Village and offer a humble apology to Uchiha Makoto!"
As soon as Uzumaki Mito's voice fell, Senju Hashirama was the first to raise his hand, his eyes full of agreement.
The one who tied the bell is the one who must untie it...
This matter was caused by Tobirama in the first place, so it was natural that he should be the one to clean up this mess. Let him go to the Akatsuki Ninja Village, bow his head, admit his mistake, and beg Uchiha Makoto for forgiveness, then renegotiate the cooperation!
This was a good opportunity to teach Tobirama a lesson, so that he wouldn't make a similar muddle-headed mistake in the future!
And by punishing Tobirama... Madara, he, would probably agree too?
This was already the best solution they could think of!
Senju Hashirama then secretly glanced at Uchiha Madara's expression, his tone carrying a hint of cautious hope: "Madara, what do you think of this idea?"
"Hmph..."
After hearing this, although Uchiha Madara was very reluctant to let Senju Tobirama, this naturally evil old demon of the Senju, off so easily.
But... he still had to give Uzumaki Mito face.
Makoto... Senju Tobirama, when he gets to you, you definitely won't let him off easily, right?
You must give him a good thrashing for me!
In the end, Uchiha Madara snorted coldly, which was considered a tacit agreement to Uzumaki Mito's proposal.
With Uchiha Madara's agreement, all the pressure fell on Senju Tobirama.
At this moment, a chill ran down Tobirama's back.
Sister-in-law... you... aren't you just pushing me into a fiery pit?
Senju Tobirama didn't even dare to imagine the scene if he were to go to the Akatsuki Ninja Village to see Uchiha Makoto.
Uchiha Makoto, that naturally evil Uchiha brat, he wouldn't be like Uchiha Madara, having to consider his own status, his brother, his sister-in-law. Once he came to beg for mercy, Uchiha Makoto would definitely do everything he could to humiliate, ridicule, and mock him.
And what would he do then?
Wag his tail and beg for mercy!?
Force himself to be friendly to Uchiha Makoto... even turn the other cheek after being slapped?
Senju Tobirama felt that this would be more painful than being killed with a single slash.
"What, Senju Tobirama, you're not unwilling, are you?"
"Didn't you keep saying that everything you do is for Konoha... Now that you're really being asked to sacrifice for Konoha, why are you silent?"
Uchiha Madara looked at Tobirama's hesitant appearance.
A corner of his mouth couldn't help but curl up, a smile appearing on his face, and he even couldn't help but hum lightly.
Senju Tobirama, you hypocrite, weren't you just saying it's all for Konoha?
You were shouting slogans just now, using Konoha as a shield. Now it's your turn to sacrifice yourself.
Besides, this is the responsibility you should have borne in the first place, yet you were still妄想ing that Hashirama would take some of the heat for you!
Now all the pressure is on Tobirama... Uchiha Madara was well aware of Uchiha Makoto's private attitude towards Tobirama, and of course, he was also well aware of Tobirama's attitude towards Makoto... so, this was just too satisfying!
"I... hmph, it's just going to the Akatsuki Ninja Village to renegotiate the cooperation with Uchiha Makoto. What's the big deal!"
"I'll go!!"
So-called forbearance is to be open-minded and to endure!
Senju Tobirama knew that he couldn't escape this ordeal, so he could only grit his teeth and agree.
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