"Impossible… this is absolutely impossible!"
Senju Tobirama almost shouted instinctively, his voice rising with indignation. He could not, under any circumstances, agree to the plan Uchiha Makoto had proposed. Even in the face of diplomacy, even for the sake of the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, Tobirama's sense of pride and principle surged.
He understood perfectly well the benefits Konoha would gain if this plan were implemented. In theory, it could unite all the ninja clans within the Land of Fire under a single cooperative system—without a drop of blood being shed. And yet… it also risked diluting Konoha's influence and authority.
Uchiha Makoto sat across from him, hands clasped elegantly on the table, a faint, knowing smile playing on his lips. He did not respond immediately. Of course, he already anticipated Tobirama's objection. Any negotiation worth its salt involved asking for the sky and settling for less. This was just the opening salvo, the prelude to the concessions he would extract later.
For a few moments, the three men—the two Senju brothers and the cunning Uchiha Makoto—sat in silence. In negotiations, the first to speak often revealed weakness; neither side was willing to give that advantage. The room was thick with tension.
Finally, Tobirama exhaled, his pride forcing him to bite back the sharper retort that had formed in his mind. He realized that, given the circumstances, he had no choice but to bow his head slightly and concede, at least temporarily.
"Alright," he said through gritted teeth, his voice calm but firm. "Konoha can partner with the Akatsuki Ninja Village to establish a mission distribution platform. Afterwards, missions will be divided according to a proportion agreed upon by both Konoha and the Akatsuki Ninja Village."
This concession was significant. Tobirama had no prior knowledge of the existence of Akatsuki Ninja Village before arriving in the Land of Fire. By all accounts, it remained a fledgling village, small in scale, lacking even a handful of elite Jonin. Uchiha Makoto's position, enhanced by his pre-negotiation work with the Daimyo, had elevated the Akatsuki Ninja Village to a level nearly equal to Konoha. Without such groundwork, the village would have been left to pick up scraps behind Konoha, never seated at the table of power.
Makoto nodded in agreement, a subtle acknowledgment of Tobirama's concession. For the current situation of the Akatsuki Ninja Village, this represented both tangible and symbolic victories. They gained recognition, authority, and, most importantly, legitimacy.
"Then," Makoto asked, tilting his head, "how should we divide the mission allocation ratio between our two villages? This should be clarified immediately to avoid disputes later."
Tobirama considered for a moment and finally stated, "Temporarily, a 70:30 split, with Konoha taking seventy percent and the Akatsuki Ninja Village taking thirty percent."
Makoto's eyes sparkled with challenge. "No. Fifty-fifty," he countered, pressing his advantage. This was consistent with the approach he always took when negotiating on behalf of the Daimyo: an equitable share for both sides.
"Impossible!" Tobirama snapped, barely restraining his temper. A fifty-fifty split was outrageous. The Akatsuki Ninja Village did not yet have the manpower or infrastructure to manage such a volume of missions. If it weren't for the Daimyo's presence and political backing, the Akatsuki Ninja Village would not even qualify to sit at the negotiation table.
"Forty-sixty then," Makoto replied smoothly, his tone still carrying the air of confidence that belied the precariousness of his actual position. "If this is unacceptable, we part ways. Consider Konoha's current circumstances carefully. The Daimyo has already decided to support the Akatsuki Ninja Village. We can manage alone if necessary. But cooperation ensures mutual benefit."
These words were spoken deliberately in front of Tobirama, a subtle yet powerful display of leverage. In truth, Makoto knew that the Akatsuki Ninja Village could not yet handle such responsibilities independently. A significant portion of these missions extended beyond the Land of Fire, reaching neighboring regions. Thirty percent was already a monumental workload for a village of their size, but Makoto's words created the illusion of uncompromising confidence.
He leaned back slightly, feigning indifference. "No more discussion," he added casually, applying maximum psychological pressure. Tobirama's instinctive reaction—to storm off—was precisely what Makoto had hoped to provoke, even if it was only a ploy.
Tobirama's jaw clenched. A three-seven split, he realized, was already a severe concession. More importantly, he could not afford to appear weak before this Uchiha. Reluctantly, he gritted his teeth and accepted.
Makoto allowed himself a slight, calculated smile. While he regretted that he could not push for more, he also recognized the wisdom of maintaining the negotiation's momentum. He changed his tone, adding a note of compromise.
"Since that is the case, I will also step back," he said graciously. "Given the current small scale of the Akatsuki Ninja Village, we can temporarily adopt the 30:70 split. However, this arrangement is not permanent. Should the Akatsuki Ninja Village grow in strength and capacity in the future, the ratio will be reevaluated."
He continued, "In return, should the Akatsuki Ninja Village ever face an attack, Konoha must provide unconditional military support. This commitment should be formally documented and witnessed by the Daimyo of the Land of Fire."
Makoto understood the stark reality: wealth alone could not secure power. The Akatsuki Ninja Village had recently acquired considerable resources, but transforming those into effective combat strength would take years. With this concession, the village gained a powerful protector, ensuring its survival in the turbulent political and military landscape of the Land of Fire.
"Hmph," Tobirama snorted, unwilling to show approval. "At least you understand your place."
While outwardly displeased, Tobirama also recognized the wisdom of this compromise. Konoha's military might, with Hashirama's presence, was more than capable of defending a fledgling village. The Akatsuki Ninja Village would nominally appear equal, but the balance of power remained firmly in Konoha's favor.
With the core issues settled, the remaining details became far easier to negotiate. Uchiha Makoto, empowered by the Daimyo's political authority, formally recognized Konoha's existence. Both villages acknowledged each other's legitimacy within the Land of Fire, agreeing to cooperate under the principle of equality and mutual benefit. Together, they would oversee mission distribution, maintaining the Daimyo's authority and ensuring stability across the region.
Once political matters were resolved, the focus shifted to economic support. Building and maintaining a ninja village from scratch was an expensive endeavor, one that required considerable funds, resources, and infrastructure. Makoto, ever pragmatic, understood this. Without Daimyo-sanctioned economic aid, Konoha would struggle to survive the initial years of its establishment.
"Senju Tobirama, how much economic assistance does Konoha require?" Makoto asked, projecting calm authority.
Tobirama's eyes narrowed sharply. This inherently evil Uchiha brat… he thought. Has he used genjutsu to influence the Daimyo? How can he make unilateral decisions on behalf of the Land of Fire? Once this negotiation ends, I must verify the Daimyo's condition myself.
Makoto, seemingly oblivious to Tobirama's inner turmoil, leaned forward and continued. "If you can agree to cooperate with me, I can take a more lenient stance on the proposed economic aid for Konoha." His voice was deliberate, controlled, and persuasive. Every word applied pressure while offering a seemingly reasonable compromise.
The negotiation had reached a delicate equilibrium. Political authority, economic necessity, and strategic influence intersected in a complex dance. Tobirama knew he could not act rashly. Konoha's future, the stability of the Land of Fire, and the delicate balance between the ninja villages all depended on measured decisions, careful foresight, and unwavering vigilance.
Makoto's confidence was both a challenge and a test. The Akatsuki Ninja Village had secured a place at the table of the ninja world, poised to participate in the grand banquet of power. But as Tobirama stared across the table, he knew this Uchiha would be a formidable adversary in both politics and cunning—a natural enemy to watch, respect, and outmaneuver in the days to come.
The banquet of the ninja world had begun, and the Akatsuki Ninja Village had claimed its seat.
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