Although the "head chef" Uzumaki Mito had left, it did not affect the progress of this gathering at all.
Despite Uchiha Madara staying in the Naka Shrine all the time and only filling his stomach with food pills every day, his cooking skills were actually quite good.
Overall, this meal was quite pleasant.
During the meal, Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara reminisced about the past as usual, missing the happy times from back then.
That's right.
It was the happy times of the past.
Now their relationship was facing a severe test.
They had drifted apart, their relationship seemingly separated by a pathetically thick wall.
When Senju Hashirama asked why Uchiha Madara suddenly stayed in the Naka Shrine all the time, Uchiha Madara chose silence.
Uchiha Madara didn't want to talk about this topic with Senju Hashirama right now.
And Uchiha Makoto mediated in time to ease the cooling atmosphere, so he brought up little Tsunade.
Little Tsunade was indeed very cute right now.
Fragrant and soft, smelling nicely of milk.
Even Uchiha Madara liked her very much, but Uchiha Madara seemed naturally prone to scaring children into crying.
When Senju Hashirama pinched little Tsunade's cheek, she would giggle.
When Uchiha Makoto pinched little Tsunade's cheek, she also giggled.
But as soon as Uchiha Madara laid his hands on her, his face, cold and hard as steel, instantly made little Tsunade start crying loudly.
Uchiha Makoto subconsciously felt that little Tsunade might be afraid of being cut in half by Uchiha Madara.
After all, this strange uncle Uchiha Madara was really heavy-handed when dealing with Tsunade in the original plot!
After finishing this simple meal, Uchiha Makoto also obtained what he wanted at the dinner table—the Seven-Tails.
Getting something for free really feels good!
.....
After a day and night of preparation.
Uchiha Makoto also began to formally face a very tricky problem—the meeting regarding Konoha's internal reform.
Early the next morning.
The various ninja clan patriarchs and Konoha high-level officials, who had received notice long ago, arrived at the Hokage's office on time.
Honestly.
With so many people gathering in the Hokage's office for a meeting, it appeared very crowded. Most people didn't even have a seat to sit on.
Of course, even if there were seats, they wouldn't dare to sit.
Because in the entire office, the only thing that could truly be called a chair was the one behind the desk.... the only other thing left was a sofa.
But since the meeting location was arranged here, they could only obediently come over.
The atmosphere in the office was unusually silent.
Senju Tobirama also arrived early, but he maintained a standing posture throughout, his eyes fixed tightly on the door of the Hokage's office, his thoughts seemingly entangled by some emotion.
Suddenly.
The door opened again.
Senju Tobirama's eyes instantly gained some color. He was expecting the person walking into the office to be his big brother Senju Hashirama, however... the person walking in was clearly Uchiha Makoto, wearing a Hikarikage robe and a Hikarikage hat, followed by a group of Uchiha.
"Everyone, Lord Hokage has something to do today, so we can start the meeting now."
Uchiha Makoto silently scanned the surroundings, announced this news to them, and then his eyes looked towards the chair behind the Hokage's desk.
Subsequently, Uchiha Makoto didn't hesitate at all.
He walked straight up and, under everyone's gaze, sat down steadily.
—The Hikarikage sat on the Hokage's seat!
"What's wrong? Why are you all looking at me?"
"The Hokage asked me to preside over this meeting. Do you have any objections?"
Did anyone have objections?
Of course there were.
For example, Senju Tobirama.... but more people were just watching the fun and considering how to fight for enough benefits for their families in the upcoming reforms.
The position of Hokage had nothing to do with it at all.
"Lord Hikarikage, we have no objections."
The Uchiha crowd was the first to respond to Uchiha Makoto.
No matter what, Uchiha Makoto was an Uchiha clansman. Now that Uchiha Makoto was sitting on the Hokage chair, for the Uchiha Clan, it was a good thing no matter how you looked at it.
Keep the goodies within the family, after all.
A Hikarikage is still a Kage!
"Senju Tobirama, do you have any objections?"
"No... none."
Senju Tobirama felt infinite desolation in his heart. This seat was clearly left for him by his big brother, but now it was defiled by Uchiha Makoto.
His soul was defiled.
The position of Hokage was also defiled.
But at this moment.
Uchiha Makoto represented Senju Hashirama, and his identity was still the Hikarikage. Him sitting in the head seat, even if slightly controversial, was harmless.
Even if it was brought to Senju Hashirama, Senju Hashirama would only laugh it off.
Of course... more importantly, Senju Tobirama was about to read a letter of guarantee in public soon.
If he started a conflict with Uchiha Makoto at this time, he wouldn't have a good outcome.
"Alright then, since everyone has no objections."
"Let's start today's meeting.... Ah, I almost forgot, Senju Tobirama, is your letter of guarantee ready?"
"....It's ready."
Senju Tobirama's voice was somewhat hoarse, his tone difficult.
For a moment, everyone's gaze focused entirely on Senju Tobirama.
After two days of fermentation.
Almost everyone present knew what had happened that afternoon.
Senju Tobirama was dealt with miserably by Uchiha Makoto, to the point where he had to make a public self-criticism and read a letter of guarantee.... Senju Tobirama had never fallen into such an embarrassing situation in Konoha.
Everyone had a serious expression on their face, but in their hearts.... anyway, the Uchiha Clan had already started laughing loudly.
"I, Senju Tobirama.... I swear...."
"I will always uphold Konoha's Will of Fire, always uphold and maintain the relationship between the Senju Clan and the Uchiha Clan...."
Senju Tobirama took out the letter of guarantee from his pocket, conducting some self-counseling in his heart.
My dignity as the Shadow Hokage will be completely shattered today!
But, endure!
Must endure!!
Subsequently, he began to read in a monotonous tone without emotion, trying his best to focus his gaze and attention on the letter of guarantee.
Reading, reading, there was still an untimely sound.
.......Someone hummed happily.
"Pfft... hum..."
Senju Tobirama endured the urge to kill, ignoring this sound as much as possible. He wanted to finish reading this damn letter of guarantee quickly.
However, Uchiha Makoto couldn't accept such a thing.
At such a serious and solemn moment, how could it be treated as a joke? Subsequently, he followed the sound to search, and his eyes quickly locked onto the target.
.....Sure enough, it was an Uchiha!
"That Uchiha... what are you laughing at?"
"Sorry, Lord Hikarikage, I suddenly thought of something happy."
"What happy thing?"
"My wife is giving birth."
"Pfft... hum...."
"Hey, what are you laughing at again?"
"Sorry, my wife is also giving birth."
Uchiha Makoto had a serious face, contrasting with the two Uchiha who were trying their best to hold back their smiles.
The room was instantly filled with a cheerful atmosphere.
Senju Tobirama gritted his teeth, casting a murderous look at Uchiha Makoto. The meaning was obvious: if you push your luck any further, he was going to explode.
"Alright, just this once."
"The Uchiha is a serious family. In a serious occasion, for one thing, no matter how funny it is, we won't laugh."
"Tobirama, sorry, you continue, you continue."
"...I hope every Konoha ninja and villager can supervise me in the future...."
Senju Tobirama gritted his teeth, forcibly suppressing the anger in his heart, and finally finished reading this letter of guarantee.
Uchiha Makoto was the first to lead the applause. As soon as he led, thunderous applause erupted in the Hokage's office.
It was just that.... this made Senju Tobirama's expression even uglier.
After enjoying Senju Tobirama's extremely entertaining performance, the main topic of today's meeting could finally begin.
Since Senju Tobirama's reform plan involved every aspect of Konoha, and Uchiha Makoto's preparation time was limited, he could only modify the reform plan at a macro level based on his experience. As for the specific practical operations, they could only be left to the gentlemen of Konoha.
Everyone flipped through the reform plan modified by Uchiha Makoto with increasing seriousness.
But even so, many people still raised various objections during the meeting.
There was no helping it.
Senju Tobirama's action this time was simply too rushed. It was inevitable that various flaws difficult to modify would appear in this reform plan.
The actual situations of Konoha and Akatsuki Village were also different. Whether it was funds, ideology, or execution capability.... they were completely different.
Even Uchiha Makoto couldn't calculate everything perfectly and solve all problems.
Therefore, the pains of this massive reform were ultimately unavoidable. Sometimes a policy could even trigger chain reactions, and no one could judge whether it was a blessing or a curse.
At this time, one could really only make the hardworking, willing-to-do, and enduring Konoha ninjas suffer a bit, letting them bear the cost.
This was a necessary sacrifice.
However, such a result naturally led to huge arguments.
When self-interests were involved, certainly no one was willing to compromise easily.
To defend the reform plan he launched, Senju Tobirama argued with multiple Konoha high-level officials alone at the meeting.... Regardless of whether the result was a blessing or a curse, he could only bite the bullet and continue.
Otherwise, the humiliation he suffered today would definitely happen again.
Uchiha Makoto would support Senju Tobirama at critical moments.
The two cooperated very tacitly, just like when they deceived Senju Hashirama together in the Land of Fire's capital.
As an enemy, Senju Tobirama wished he could send Uchiha Makoto to hell immediately. But as a teammate, Senju Tobirama wished there were more people like Uchiha Makoto; that way, he wouldn't have to work so hard.
After a great debate lasting three days and three nights.
The Konoha high-level officials finally made a collective compromise and formally passed Senju Tobirama's Konoha reform plan modified by Uchiha Makoto.
Senju Tobirama got a satisfactory result and instantly let out a long sigh of relief.
Uchiha Makoto looked faintly at the exhausted Konoha high-level officials in the room.
He felt Senju Tobirama was happy too early.
Senju Tobirama had only learned the surface of the Akatsuki Village model, learning nothing of the inner core.
The reason the Akatsuki Village model could succeed was mainly because Uchiha Makoto harvested the leeks of the Land of Fire's nobles internally, obtaining a large amount of wealth, and externally killed a large bunch of conservatives opposing him within the village through a war.
Currently, Konoha couldn't do either of these two points.
It could be said that the conservatives still occupied the vast majority. The reason they compromised now was not because of Senju Tobirama, but because of Senju Hashirama behind him, and Uchiha Makoto's powerful assistance today.
They just saw that things couldn't be done otherwise and endured temporarily.
To oppose something, one just needs to execute it with two hundred percent effort.... Even the most perfect policy, if executed by a bunch of idiots, will not have any effect.
Not to mention Senju Tobirama's reform plan already had many loopholes.
Senju Tobirama would be busy with Konoha matters in the future.
Uchiha Makoto thought this in his heart, and then brought up another important matter.
"Alright, since everyone has agreed to this plan."
"Then regarding the specific execution part...."
As soon as Uchiha Makoto spoke, the originally exhausted crowd immediately forced themselves to perk up.
Although Senju Tobirama's reform plan was hard for Konoha conservatives to accept, there were still some things worthy of their joy.
For example... money.
A big reason the conservatives could compromise was that Senju Tobirama really got money in a very short time.
The bandit suppression funds were a large sum.
The loan from Akatsuki Village was also a large sum.
Ninjas working themselves to death was actually just for this.
And Konoha's power could control these funds, and even have the opportunity to manipulate them.
...Funds belong to Konoha, but what falls into one's own pocket is one's own.
"For Konoha, Uchiha will not shirk responsibility... all these.... leave them all to Uchiha."
"Do you have any objections?"
With a wave of his hand, Uchiha Makoto selected several powerful departments for the Uchiha Clan.
—There wouldn't have been such a good opportunity before.
Under Konoha's old system, many departments had been allocated by Senju Tobirama from the beginning.
The Uchiha Clan foolishly made no moves, and in the end, only the Konoha Military Police Force was left. And even this, the Konoha Military Police Force, was a trap deliberately set by Senju Tobirama for the Uchiha Clan.
Now with the transition from old to new, Uchiha Makoto also had to help the Uchiha as much as possible.
After all, it was the Uchiha who had been in the limelight recently, and after all, he was the Hikarikage; for a time, no one dared to stand out and be the bird that gets shot.
...Except for Senju Tobirama.
Senju Tobirama felt very dissatisfied; he felt Uchiha Makoto had really crossed the line.
Not only did he sit on the Hokage chair, but he also issued orders exceeding his authority.
Big Brother only asked Uchiha Makoto to modify the Konoha reform plan, not to let Uchiha Makoto intervene in Konoha's core internal affairs without authorization.
But before Senju Tobirama could raise an objection.
Uchiha Makoto couldn't wait to push Uchiha Kagami to the forefront.
"Uchiha Kagami, come out and say hello to everyone. In the future, you will be specifically responsible for these."
"Uchiha Kagami??"
After speaking.
Uchiha Makoto specifically kept his eyes unblinking, watching Senju Tobirama's reaction.
Senju Tobirama's face gradually twisted.
—Uchiha Makoto, how dare you use my disciple against me!
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