"Work for you?"
Senju Tobirama's eyes widened in disbelief, almost instinctively rejecting the proposition. He was, after all, nominally Konoha's second-in-command, and in truth, the village's real backbone. How could he—Tobirama, the proud and steadfast Senju—consider working under a naturally cunning and "evil" Uchiha like Makoto?
"How is that even possible?!" he barked, shaking his head in refusal.
Uchiha Makoto did not appear perturbed. His gaze was calm, calculating, and sharp. "Don't be so quick to refuse," he said softly. "I understand your position, your pride, and your achievements. But let me make my offer clear."
Tobirama's brows furrowed.
Makoto continued, his words deliberate, measured, and designed to cut through Tobirama's instinctive stubbornness. "I know of your talent in ninjutsu research and development. For instance, the Flying Thunder God Technique… that move alone was capable of killing Madara-sama's younger brother. Yet you are still developing jutsu specifically to counter the Uchiha Clan. Setting aside all your personal grudges, I admire your skill and ingenuity."
Tobirama could not help but smirk at the first half of the compliment. Yes, it was true—the solo defeat of Uchiha Izuna was indeed his highlight achievement. His pride swelled slightly. Yet the latter half—claiming admiration while referencing the Akatsuki Ninja Village's potential gain—struck a nerve.
Hashirama, ever watchful, shot Tobirama a dangerous glare. "Tobirama! Why are you still targeting Madara's clansmen?" he hissed under his breath.
"This is outrageous!" Tobirama muttered, slightly defensive. "I am not developing ninjutsu against the Uchiha Clan right now!"
Makoto's expression, however, betrayed disbelief. He leaned forward slightly. "I can provide you with the most advanced laboratory in the entire Ninja World, along with a full suite of supporting facilities. All research results produced there would be submitted directly to the Akatsuki Ninja Village, and they would hold the technical patents. Even you, Senju Tobirama, would not be permitted to use them without authorization. Additionally, I will pay you two million Ryo per month for your work."
The sheer audacity of the offer stunned Tobirama. Two million Ryo per month? In the ninja world, this was an astronomical sum—equivalent to the earnings of two S-rank missions every month. Moreover, all experimental costs would be covered by Makoto. Tobirama could engage in his research without financial risk or administrative interference.
He swallowed hard. The temptation gnawed at him. Yes, working for an Uchiha felt humiliating, even revolting, but the sheer resources and freedom offered by this deal were unmatched. Any researcher, any scientist, could hardly refuse access to a world-class laboratory with full funding and zero personal cost.
Makoto, reading Tobirama's hesitation, pressed further. "Senju Tobirama, surely you wouldn't want Konoha to lose the Land of Fire's financial aid and face economic hardship, would you?"
The words hit Tobirama like a hammer. The Land of Fire's aid was essential. Without it, Konoha would struggle to stabilize its finances, much less defend against the machinations of rival ninja villages and internal political threats.
"Bastard!" Tobirama muttered under his breath. "Do you really think you can control the entire Land of Fire by yourself?"
"Hmph. Then you just try and stop me!" Makoto retorted sharply, eyes gleaming with confidence.
The two of them once again locked horns, their voices rising, filled with competitive fire and mutual disdain. Hashirama, seeing the confrontation escalating beyond control, quickly stepped forward to mediate.
"Enough, both of you," he said firmly, placing his hands on their shoulders. "Tobirama, this is simply an opportunity to conduct some of your favorite research in a properly funded laboratory. What's the harm in that?"
Tobirama grumbled, resisting the advice. "Big Brother, don't interfere! Do you have any idea how busy I am managing Konoha's affairs? You do everything for the village while I try to keep things in order. And now you want me to listen to Uchiha Makoto?"
Makoto, unfazed, interjected calmly. "Actually, there's a solution. You could use Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu to create a few clones to manage village duties, while your main body conducts research in the lab. Combine this with your Flying Thunder God Technique to travel between locations efficiently. You could manage everything without neglecting either task—killing two birds with one stone."
Hashirama nodded approvingly. "That is indeed a clever method."
"Good my ass!" Tobirama snapped, his patience fraying. "You forget the dangers of forbidden ninjutsu! Overuse can damage the caster's body, even cause sudden death." His dark glare swept over Hashirama, annoyed at his tendency to side with outsiders.
Uchiha Shin, Makoto's trusted aide, spoke solemnly. "I can also offer a very high price. With your cooperation, the matter of Konoha's funds will be easy to negotiate. The Daimyo of the Land of Fire has sufficient resources and is more than willing to invest to maintain stability. All the expenses required for your research will be covered—completely and without burdening Konoha."
Tobirama's eyes narrowed. Is the Daimyo under Makoto's influence? Has he been subtly controlled by genjutsu? He shook the thought from his mind for now.
Makoto, sensing the hesitation, smiled subtly. "So, what is your price, Tobirama?"
Tobirama raised a few fingers, his demand outrageous yet deliberate. "Eight billion Ryo!"
Hashirama's eyes widened in astonishment. Konoha's liquid assets were barely ten billion Ryo at the moment. Even after recovering some losses from the infamous tulip incident, the village's financial reserves were perilously low. Asking for eight billion was nearly a full year's budget—and a challenge to Makoto's patience.
Makoto's eyes narrowed slightly, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Too little," he said calmly.
Tobirama blinked. "Too little? Are you serious? Did you just say 'too little'?"
Makoto leaned forward, voice steady and commanding. "Let's double it. One hundred and fifty billion Ryo. For Konoha, I can allocate one hundred billion Ryo."
Tobirama's jaw dropped. He could hardly believe his ears. One hundred billion Ryo for Konoha? And fifty billion effectively pocketed by the Akatsuki Ninja Village?
Makoto's audacity left Tobirama momentarily speechless. He had embezzled half the Daimyo's allocation with nothing more than casual words and strategic leverage. Tobirama's mind raced, trying to calculate the implications: economic dominance, political leverage, and military influence—all secured under Makoto's hand.
In that instant, Tobirama realized the truth: Uchiha Makoto was unmatched in cunning, negotiation, and corruption. If corruption were an art, Makoto was the undisputed master. Tobirama could respect his skill, even while despising the moral cost.
The room fell into tense silence, broken only by Makoto's calm, deliberate breathing. Hashirama, ever the mediator, stepped forward cautiously. "Tobirama… perhaps we should consider this carefully. The resources and facilities Makoto offers are beyond anything Konoha could provide. It could advance your research tremendously and benefit the village in the long run."
Tobirama exhaled slowly, his pride warring with practicality. He had long despised working under an Uchiha, but Makoto's offer was more than just tempting—it was transformative.
Finally, with a reluctant nod, Tobirama met Makoto's gaze. "Very well… I accept, under these conditions. But know this—any misstep, any breach of agreement, and I will hold you accountable."
Makoto's smile widened, his victory subtle yet absolute. "Of course. Your loyalty and expertise are greatly appreciated. Together, we shall make this collaboration prosperous for both Konoha and the Akatsuki Ninja Village."
Thus, the stage was set. Tobirama, the proud Senju strategist, would work alongside the cunning Uchiha Makoto, bringing his genius to bear in a laboratory funded by the Daimyo's resources. The Akatsuki Ninja Village had secured unprecedented legitimacy, political support, and wealth, while Konoha ensured its continued survival and influence in the Land of Fire.
In the intricate chessboard of the ninja world, Makoto had placed a powerful piece, and Tobirama, despite himself, had accepted the role assigned to him. The consequences of this alliance, both seen and unseen, would ripple across the ninja world in ways no one could yet predict.
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