"Tobirama, you're right! Konoha should do exactly that!"
Hashirama Senju spoke with a bright smile, nodding approvingly at his younger brother's proposal. Every word Tobirama said resonated deeply with him.
What a reliable brother, Hashirama thought proudly. He always finds the best solutions when it matters most.
Since Akatsuki Ninja Village and Kumogakure had already gone to war, Konoha couldn't afford to add fuel to the flames. Their duty now was to mediate, to prevent the conflict from spiraling further out of control. If the war spread across the other villages, chaos would engulf the entire ninja world—something Hashirama desperately wanted to avoid.
"Since you, Elder Brother, have agreed to my plan for mediation," Tobirama said with calm confidence, "I'll volunteer to serve as overall commander of the operation. I'll lead Konoha's ninja forces to intervene and settle the dispute."
Hashirama blinked, taken aback. "You? Personally?"
"Of course," Tobirama replied smoothly. "You're the Hokage, brother. You can't leave the village so easily. Konoha's safety rests on your shoulders—you must remain here. Leave the rest to me."
He paused, his tone dropping slightly. "Also, keep a close eye on Uchiha Madara. You know his temper—if he joins us, he'll only make things worse. I won't be able to restrain him in such a volatile situation. So, please, handle that matter yourself."
Tobirama's words were respectful, but behind his calm tone hid a sharp cunning. This was his true intention—to take command of Konoha's army himself.
If Hashirama went, he'd be too soft-hearted, trying to please everyone.
If Madara went, it would be even worse—the man's arrogance and impulsiveness would ignite the battlefield.
No. Only Tobirama could control this mission.
He had already calculated everything meticulously. His first goal was simple: let Kumogakure and Akatsuki bleed each other dry.
The second goal? Reap the rewards when both sides were exhausted.
He could already envision it. Akatsuki and Kumogakure locked in a brutal, bloody war. Whichever side survived, they would be left weakened and battered. At that moment, Tobirama's well-rested Konoha army would strike like a thunderbolt.
If Kumogakure managed to gain the upper hand, Tobirama would lead his forces to "mediate," crush Kumogakure's army in one decisive move, and then dictate a peace treaty on Konoha's terms.
If Akatsuki emerged victorious, that was fine too. Akatsuki would be depleted, ripe for Konoha to swoop in and claim equal spoils under the guise of alliance and negotiation.
Either way, Konoha would win—no matter who lost. They'd gain resources, prestige, and influence without shedding much blood. It was the perfect plan.
Cunning? Perhaps. Ruthless? Definitely.
But in the ninja world, only the strong survived.
Who could dare to criticize him? The world of shinobi was a battlefield of predators—those too naive were destined to be prey.
Akatsuki Ninja Village? Tobirama scoffed inwardly. He had never once considered them a true ally. That alliance was nothing but a convenient illusion, one he would discard as soon as it outlived its usefulness.
And what about within Konoha?
None of the major clans would object. Every clan stood to gain from Tobirama's scheme—maximum profit with minimal loss. As long as the benefits were clear, no one would question his methods.
Perhaps only his elder brother, Hashirama, would disapprove. Always selfless, always soft-hearted. Elder Brother… forgive me, Tobirama thought coldly. To govern a village like Konoha, kindness alone is not enough.
Hashirama, oblivious to the scheming behind Tobirama's calm expression, smiled warmly. "Alright, Tobirama. I'll leave it all to you."
"Don't worry, brother," Tobirama said with a slight bow. "Aren't you confident in me?"
Hashirama chuckled. "Of course I am."
Satisfied, Tobirama left immediately to organize the army. He also dispatched ANBU operatives to gather real-time intelligence from the Akatsuki–Kumogakure battlefield. Every move was precise, deliberate. Tobirama Senju was ready.
---
Meanwhile – Uchiha Territory
"Excellent. Truly worthy of an Uchiha!"
Uchiha Setsuna's sharp eyes gleamed as he read the coded letter sent by Uchiha Makoto. It detailed Akatsuki's overwhelming victory—Makoto's army had marched hundreds of miles overnight, annihilating over a thousand Kumogakure ninjas.
Setsuna exhaled in relief. "Makoto never disappoints."
Toward the end of the message, Makoto had written another request:
> "If the First Hokage refuses to send troops, spread the news of Akatsuki's great victory. Let the people of Konoha know what we've done in their name."
Makoto knew Hashirama's nature well. The man would try to mediate, not fight. That was fine—Makoto wanted this outcome.
He didn't need Konoha's help to crush Kumogakure. What he needed was to stir the pot inside Konoha itself—to sow doubt and division.
If public opinion could be turned against the Hokage's inaction, Konoha's political harmony would begin to crack.
He could already imagine the whispers spreading through the streets:
> "Akatsuki risked everything to avenge our comrades!"
"And what is Konoha doing? Sitting idle?"
"Aren't we supposed to be allies?"
Once the villagers grew emotional, outrage would follow—and with it, instability.
Perfect, Makoto thought. Let the people's anger do my work for me.
Uchiha Setsuna, far from disapproving, nodded approvingly. "Makoto is right. Akatsuki fought for justice. Konoha should at least acknowledge their sacrifice."
---
Land of Wind – Hidden Sand Village
News of Akatsuki's astonishing victory soon reached the desert nation. The First Kazekage listened to his subordinates' report in silence, his face grave.
"The Land of Fire truly breeds monsters," he murmured. "First Konoha… now Akatsuki."
A young jonin—who would one day become the Second Kazekage—spoke up. "Kazekage-sama, we'll rise as well, one day."
The old man shook his head with a weary smile. "Perhaps. But this land… it gives us only sand and wind."
He looked out at the endless yellow dunes. The harsh wind bit at his face like needles. The Land of Wind was vast but barren, its people hardened by scarcity.
"This land has nothing—no crops, no resources. We fight just to survive."
The young jonin clenched his fist. "Even so, before chakra, samurai ruled the world. Now it's our turn. Fate will shift again. We just need to hold firm and wait for our chance."
The Kazekage's tired eyes softened. "Well said. You'll make a fine successor."
But he knew that day wouldn't come easily. The Sand Village was too poor, too far from the centers of power. For now, all they could do was watch the great powers clash from afar—and hope the storm didn't reach their desert.
---
Land of Water – Hidden Mist Village
Across the sea, the First Mizukage sat shrouded in fog, reading the latest reports.
"Akatsuki Ninja Village… Konoha… two monsters born from the same land."
He sighed. The Mist's isolation was both its curse and its blessing. Separated by the ocean, they couldn't project power onto the continent—but neither could the wars reach them easily.
"Let the mainland devour itself," he muttered. "We'll focus on strengthening the Mist."
---
Land of Earth – Iwagakure
Far to the north, a weary jonin burst into the Tsuchikage's office, kneeling before the First Tsuchikage.
"Lord Tsuchikage, news from the front! Akatsuki wiped out over a thousand Kumogakure ninjas overnight!"
The Tsuchikage's expression darkened. "Impressive… and dangerous."
He rose from his seat, his voice calm but heavy with implication. "Send word to Mu. Gather our forces. Prepare to move."
The jonin looked alarmed. "Are we… going to strike them?"
The Tsuchikage shook his head. "No. We will mediate."
"M-Mediate?"
"Yes," he said coldly. "If Kumogakure falls, the balance of the world will shatter. Akatsuki and Konoha together are too strong. Today it's the Cloud that burns—tomorrow it could be us."
The jonin swallowed hard. "Understood."
For Iwagakure's survival, Kumogakure could not be allowed to fall—not now.
---
Land of Waterfalls – Taki Village
The leader of Taki gathered his council. "You've all heard, haven't you? Akatsuki and Konoha together are unstoppable. They crushed Kumogakure's army in a single night. If this continues, who will they target next?"
One elder spoke cautiously. "Lord Leader, we border the Land of Fire. What if their eyes turn toward us?"
The leader nodded grimly. "Exactly. We must act before it's too late."
A younger ninja suddenly stood. "I have a plan!"
"Oh?" the leader said. "Speak."
"If Akatsuki and Konoha are allies," the man said, "then strike at the heart of their bond. Assassinate the First Hokage! Without him, their alliance will crumble."
For a long moment, silence filled the room. Then the leader's lips curled into a sinister smile.
"What a bold idea," he said softly. "Perhaps… the time has come for small nations to bite back."
---
The undercurrents of the ninja world were growing darker by the day.
Konoha's peace was a fragile illusion.
Akatsuki's rise was reshaping the balance of power.
And far away, in the shadows, wolves were sharpening their fangs—ready to pounce.
But among those wolves, hidden behind layers of deceit and loyalty, one fool still wagged his tail—an unsuspecting husky among predators.
The storm had only just begun.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)