"Impossible. Absolutely impossible!"
Senju Tobirama almost shouted his rejection on instinct.
There was no way he could accept Uchiha Makoto's proposal.
Cold, calculating as he was, Tobirama understood perfectly what that plan represented. If it were implemented, Konoha could—without spilling a single drop of blood—absorb every major and minor ninja clan within the Land of Fire.
Makoto merely smiled and said nothing.
Of course Tobirama would refuse. That proposal struck directly at Konoha's core interests. But negotiations were never about the first demand.
Ask for the sky, settle for the roof.
This was merely leverage for what came next.
For a moment, the three fell into silence.
At the negotiation table, the first to speak was the first to lose ground.
In the end, Tobirama yielded—forced by circumstance.
"Very well," he said coldly.
"Konoha and Akatsuki Village will jointly establish a mission distribution platform."
"Afterward, missions will be divided between our two villages according to an agreed ratio."
Frankly speaking, this was an enormous concession.
Before arriving in the Land of Fire, Tobirama hadn't even known Akatsuki Village existed. And in truth, it was little more than a nameless upstart—barely able to gather a handful of jōnin.
Makoto was clearly using his political access to elevate Akatsuki to Konoha's level.
Without the Daimyō's backing, such a partnership would have been unthinkable. At best, Akatsuki might have scavenged leftovers behind Konoha.
Makoto nodded calmly. For Akatsuki's current situation, this outcome meant both prestige and substance.
"Then how shall we divide the missions?" Makoto asked evenly.
"Let's make that clear now."
"Thirty–seventy," Tobirama replied after a pause.
"Konoha takes seventy percent. Akatsuki takes thirty."
"No."
"Fifty–fifty."
Makoto pressed forward without hesitation.
After all, when he did business with the Fire Daimyō, that was always the split.
"Impossible."
"That is already the maximum concession."
Tobirama restrained his temper with visible effort.
A fifty–fifty split was completely unacceptable.
If not for the Daimyō's position, Akatsuki wouldn't even be qualified to sit at this table.
"Then forty–sixty," Makoto countered.
"Otherwise, we can end the talks here."
"Think carefully about Konoha's current situation. I can represent the Daimyō's position—you're free to leave right now."
"Either way, the Daimyō has already decided to support Akatsuki Village. This can be done without Konoha."
Makoto's tone was light, almost casual.
Of course, this was pressure—pure pressure.
In truth, this was a deadly gamble.
What Konoha could withstand, Akatsuki could not. A cornered ninja clan might hesitate to offend nobles—but they would absolutely dare to attack a small village.
Even if the split were fifty–fifty, Akatsuki didn't have the manpower to handle that volume of missions. Thirty percent of all missions across the Land of Fire and neighboring regions was already immense.
"So?" Makoto said lazily.
"Nothing to say?"
He looked completely unconcerned.
Extreme pressure tactics, he thought. A classic.
If Tobirama really stood up and walked out—
Heh.
Then thirty–seventy it is.
"No."
Tobirama bit the word out through clenched teeth.
Seventy percent was already bleeding Konoha dry in concessions. More importantly, he could not keep retreating in front of an Uchiha.
Makoto clicked his tongue internally.
Stubborn bastard.
Trying to squeeze more from Tobirama was harder than expected. He changed tactics.
"Very well. I'll take a step back."
"Given Akatsuki's current scale, we'll temporarily accept a thirty–seventy split."
"But this arrangement is not permanent. If Akatsuki grows, the ratio must be renegotiated."
"However—"
Makoto's gaze sharpened.
"In exchange for my concession, if Akatsuki Village is ever attacked, Konoha must provide unconditional military assistance."
"This clause will be written into the treaty and witnessed by the Fire Daimyō."
This time, Makoto also retreated—strategically.
Akatsuki was still too weak. Turning money into real combat power took time.
A village rich but defenseless was a walking target.
He needed a shield.
"Hmph. At least you know your place," Tobirama snorted.
He hadn't expected Makoto to shift so quickly.
Still, Tobirama agreed. With Hashirama alive, protecting a minor village was hardly a burden—though the idea of Akatsuki standing as Konoha's equal left a sour taste.
Thus, an agreement was reached.
With the core issue settled, the remaining details fell into place.
Makoto, representing the Fire Daimyō, formally recognized Konoha politically. In return, Konoha and Akatsuki acknowledged each other as legitimate ninja villages within the Land of Fire.
Under the principle of mutual benefit, they would jointly establish the mission platform.
A dual-village system would operate within one nation—Konoha and Akatsuki together safeguarding the Daimyō's rule.
Aside from the addition of Akatsuki Village, this framework closely resembled canon history. Tobirama's preparations were meticulous, and Makoto raised no objections.
"Now then," Makoto said,
"how much economic support does Konoha require?"
With politics settled, they moved to finances.
Building a ninja village from nothing was ruinously expensive—Makoto knew this well. Without the Daimyō's funding, Konoha would struggle badly.
"For economic matters," Makoto added casually,
"I have full authority from the Daimyō."
Tobirama's eye twitched.
That damned, inherently dangerous Uchiha brat…
Did he put the Daimyō under genjutsu? How can he decide everything?
After this meeting, I'm checking the Daimyō personally.
And then Makoto spoke again—using that authority without hesitation.
"Senju Tobirama," he said slowly, eyes fixed on him,
"if you were willing to work for me…"
"I could be far more generous regarding Konoha's requested funding."
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