"What do you need the funding for, Sister-in-law?"
Senju Tobirama took a deep breath, forcibly calming himself before speaking.
In a certain sense, when it came to tormenting him, his elder brother and sister-in-law were perfectly in sync.
This was truly karmic retribution.
"Of course it's to purchase New Ninja in bulk and distribute it to the kunoichi of the village," Uzumaki Mito said confidently.
"It'll help them break free from outdated notions about personal achievement, rediscover their own ninja way, and once again become shinobi—continuing to shine for Konoha!"
Her words were impeccably phrased.
"Rediscover their ninja way."
"Become shinobi once more."
"Continue to shine for Konoha."
Even Tobirama couldn't find a direct way to refute her.
And that was precisely the problem.
If there was nothing wrong with it, then something was definitely wrong.
Instinctively, Tobirama sensed danger.
That naturally wicked Uchiha brat—Uchiha Makoto—was absolutely up to no good.
Mito's current state was almost identical to how his elder brother had been back then.
If he really let her do as she pleased…
something was bound to go wrong.
"Sister-in-law, I need to think carefully about this," Tobirama replied tactfully.
"The village's budget isn't exactly abundant, and there are many areas that require funding. Using such precious resources here… would be rather wasteful."
How could he possibly allow her to run wild like this?
No.
Absolutely not.
"This isn't a bad thing for Konoha at all," Mito countered.
"Kunoichi are no worse than male ninja. Why must they abandon their ninja way and be confined to family life after marriage? That's not fair."
"If they become shinobi again, Konoha's overall strength will increase. Or are you one of those male ninja who discriminate against kunoichi?"
She had clearly heard the rejection and immediately began arguing her case—naturally and skillfully slapping the label of discriminating against kunoichi straight onto Tobirama's head.
"Sister-in-law, that's not what I mean."
"This matter is extremely important. I really can't agree to it immediately," Tobirama insisted, continuing to stall.
The issue could be big—or small.
If it were just his sister-in-law acting on her own, that would be one thing.
But unfortunately…
it involved Uchiha Makoto, that innately evil Uchiha brat.
That meant he had to tread carefully.
"Tobirama," Mito said softly, "all these years since I married into the Senju clan, even if I have no great achievements, I've certainly endured hardships."
"I bore children for the Senju family. I personally handled your daily meals and living arrangements. You know your brother's situation."
"I've finally figured things out. From now on, I want to live for myself. This is my first step toward rebirth. Can you really bear to see me idle at home every day, depressed and miserable?"
"..."
One tactic failed.
So Uzumaki Mito immediately switched strategies—playing the pity card.
Ever since marrying into the Senju clan, she had worked tirelessly, borne children for Senju Hashirama, and in the end was inexplicably neglected because of a man.
Was that something a human being should endure?
"Sister-in-law… please don't do this."
"Ah…"
Tobirama looked troubled.
He could clearly see everything Mito had contributed to the Senju clan over the years.
At this point…
if he still refused, it would seem like everything was his fault.
Damn it!
What does this have to do with me?!
Shouldn't these words be directed at my brother?!
"One sentence," Mito said firmly.
"Tobirama—do you agree or not?"
She gave him no chance to continue stalling.
Tobirama: "..."
A moment later.
Uzumaki Mito left the Hokage's office with a radiant smile.
Only Tobirama remained behind, wearing a deeply troubled expression.
"Big brother… my entire life has been ruined by you!"
"All I ever do is clean up your mess!"
"You damn bastard of a brother!!!"
"And you too, Uchiha Madara—I'll kill you someday!!!!"
Two months later.
Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara finally returned to Konoha after a long absence.
They had actually completed their mission a month earlier, but the two of them spent their time sightseeing and enjoying themselves along the way, delaying their return by an entire month.
Konoha had grown even more prosperous compared to two months ago.
From afar, it looked much the same.
But there were subtle differences.
Uzumaki Mito had found a new purpose in life. She frequently went door to door, delivering rice and flour, encouraging former kunoichi who had abandoned the ninja profession to take up their ninja way once more.
Thanks to her prestige in Konoha, she gained considerable support and even established an organization within the village: the Kunoichi Mutual Aid Association.
The association actively recruited kunoichi from Konoha and harbored grand ambitions of absorbing every single kunoichi in the village.
Senju Tobirama continued processing paperwork in his office every day and conducted research experiments in his spare time after work.
The only difference was that a group of people had started calling him a plagiarist behind his back.
Because New Ninja magazine had received special funding, its circulation in Konoha soared once again.
Konoha's upper echelon now subscribed to it daily and discovered that some of Tobirama's recently issued policies were suspiciously similar to those of Akatsuki Village—and were inferior versions at that.
Even so, Tobirama stubbornly refused to admit it.
"I didn't copy anything!"
"Madara, I'm heading home first," Hashirama said.
"I've been gone too long. Mito will nag me endlessly when she sees me."
"Got it."
Hashirama waved at Madara and walked straight toward his home.
Akatsuki Village
Inside the conference room.
All of Akatsuki Village's high-ranking officials were gathered.
Uchiha Makoto's face was livid.
He truly hadn't expected that at this point in time, Kumogakure would dare to attack ninja from both Akatsuki Village and Konoha.
Did they not know how to spell the word death?
"Damn it, Cloud Ninja!"
"You dare kill my horse?!"
According to the ANBU report just received, the two sides had engaged in a fierce battle.
Both Konoha and Akatsuki Village suffered casualties.
Konoha lost one chūnin.
Akatsuki Village lost two chūnin.
Although Uchiha Makoto and Senju Tobirama disliked each other and were always looking for chances to sabotage one another, cooperation between Konoha and Akatsuki Village had continued—especially during missions.
This time, it was a large-scale A-rank mission.
Konoha dispatched a ninja squad.
Akatsuki Village dispatched another.
The two squads traveled together to the Land of Rice Fields to carry out the mission.
Midway, they encountered ninja from Kumogakure, and a violent clash erupted—ending with casualties on both sides.
"Lord Hokage," one of the leaders of the minor clans spoke up,
"Could this be a misunderstanding? In the past, when ninja clans carried out missions, clashes and even deaths were unavoidable."
"There's no need to make such a big deal out of it—calling all of us here."
"Yes, yes," others echoed.
"These things happen. As long as compensation is handled properly afterward, it should be fine."
The heads of the minor clans began discussing among themselves.
To them—having lived through the Warring States Era—such incidents were commonplace.
As long as the compensation was sufficient, everything could be settled.
Uchiha Makoto frowned.
He hated hearing this kind of talk from the minor clans.
"Clan Head Kaguya," he asked coldly, "what do you think?"
Kaguya Masao answered without hesitation, carrying the air of a great clan leader.
"Lord Hokage, I say we send troops and slaughter the Cloud Ninja."
People had died in his clan.
This wasn't something a mere compensation payment could resolve.
What?
Kumogakure lost people too?
What the hell does that have to do with me?
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