Naruto: Yes, Uchiha-sama.

Chapter 144 My Takigakure Village is so eager to improve, we want to be Lord Light and Shadow's dogs! (Seeking monthly votes)
"Huh? Takigakure Village is ruined?"

“What a hell”

"Could it be that Makoto Uchiha, that naturally evil Uchiha brat, is behind this again?"

Tobirama Senju frowned as he looked at the latest intelligence in his hand.

His plans were disrupted again.

It all happened overnight.

Standing at the forefront of the storm, Takigakure, cornered by Konoha and about to be soundly defeated, seems to have taken an unexpected turn for the better.

Konoha is not sending troops!

The reason for this is certainly not because Konoha is kind-hearted.

Rather, it was because many of the high-ranking members of Takigakure were killed or wounded by Kakuzu, who had escaped from prison, in just one night.

Only one or two high-ranking officials remain, doing their utmost to maintain the village.

under these circumstances.

It would be pointless for Konoha to continue sending troops to conquer Takigakure.

Tobirama Senju strongly suspected that this was another attempt by Makoto Uchiha, that inherently evil Uchiha brat, to sabotage him, but he had no evidence.

Disgusting as it may be.
The village of Takigakure has been burdened with the enormous blame for assassinating the Hokage and massacring nobles. Even though the culprit has escaped from prison, some things still have to be done. At the very least, according to principle, Takigakure must sign unequal terms and pay reparations.

Let's skip the beating. My older brother heard about it and came to plead for me.

quickly
The talks, originally scheduled for a week later, were brought forward.

The two remaining high-ranking members of Takigakure Village urgently participated in the talks.

They're truly at their wits' end. Natural disasters and man-made calamities are piling up on Takigakure, and now they have to face accusations from Konoha. It's very possible that Takigakure is doomed this time!

At the negotiation meeting.

Makoto Uchiha also arrived. As the guardian ninja village of the Land of Fire, and as its Kage, he couldn't afford to be absent from such an important meeting. (Even though he was one of the masterminds' backup plans.)

Of course, he's not the main character today.

However, now that he was here, Uchiha Makoto did not intend to leave empty-handed.

With the combined efforts of Tobirama Senju and the Uzumaki clan, the technical problems were solved, and the cannery naturally began operations.

This is an excellent opportunity to take over the market in Takigakure Village, and even the entire market in Takigakure Country.

The high-ranking officials of Takigakure Village sat nervously on the sofa.

"Lord Tobirama, we've been wronged!"

"This was all done by that rogue ninja Kakuzu, it has nothing to do with us. He even broke out of prison and massacred people."

The leaders of Takigakure Village were sobbing, and they were really on the verge of tears.

"You've been wronged?"

"So that means it's Konoha's fault?"

Tobirama Senju slammed his hand on the table, his rude attitude sending shivers down the spines of the Takigakure leadership. Now, facing the powerful Konoha, Takigakure had no bargaining power whatsoever; even if they were sold to Konoha, they wouldn't get a good price.

"Sign it."

On the table lay the terms drafted by Tobirama Senju, which were copied almost verbatim from Makoto Uchiha's terms regarding the Hidden Cloud Village.

They simply changed all the names involved to Konoha—not a single one of the Akatsuki villages!
"We can agree to all of Lord Tobirama's terms. It's just the indemnity: one billion taels."

"As you know, Takigakure Village was devastated by that traitor, suffering heavy casualties. If it wants to recover..."

"if you can."

The leaders of Takigakure Village read through the terms and had no objections to the humiliating clauses that compromised the village's rights. In order to protect Takigakure Village, this was the only option.

But compensation is not an option.
Without this sum of money, Takigakure Village would have no chance of surviving.

If possible, the higher-ups of Takigakure would even like to sell the village more thoroughly in exchange for economic aid from Konoha.

You could even have the Konoha ninja stationed directly in Takigakure.

Senju Tobirama's eyes widened.

Unexpectedly, the higher-ups of Takigakure actually wanted to reach into Konoha's pocket. What benefits would it bring for Konoha's ninja to garrison a small village like Takigakure?

Konoha doesn't need to cultivate paparazzi throughout the ninja world to maintain its status.

Uchiha Makoto, watching the top-tier speeches from the Hidden Dragon and Phoenix of Takigakure, couldn't help but laugh.

This is pure comprador stuff.

However, he could actually understand the feelings of the higher-ups in Takigakure.

Takigakure is currently severely lacking in high-level combat power. The ninja world is a pure jungle law; if you are weak, someone will naturally want to take you down. If they can take this opportunity to attach themselves to Konoha, it could be considered a brilliant move that would allow Takigakure to successfully overcome this crisis.

So what if we're Konoha's dogs?
You think you haven't had that opportunity yet!

The situation suddenly became delicate.

Tobirama Senju wanted to directly plunder Takigakure's pockets and earn some compensation.

With its current strong and well-equipped forces, including Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha, Konoha really looks down on the small Takigakure village.

Without this sum of money, Takigakure would face a funding shortage even with installment payments. Coupled with the village's significantly weakened strength, it seemed to have little future. Mid- to low-ranking ninjas would likely still need to make money for their future, so they absolutely could not afford to pay this sum. In fact, they even wanted to get some money from Konoha.

"How about this, Tobirama? We can sign a contract with Takigakure, where they can order our canned goods every month, and we'll also be responsible for promoting that the cannery has opened. The market in Takigakure, and the entire market in Takigakure, is worth far more than this compensation."

Makoto Uchiha stepped forward, but he didn't see the issue from a ninja's perspective.

He was more concerned with the population and market of Takigakure and the entire country of Takigakure.

Since Takigakure wants to act as a middleman and a lackey, Konoha doesn't want it, but Akatsuki is quite interested.

"Lord Light and Shadow!!"

The eyes of the Takigakure leaders lit up instantly. They were so busy flattering Konoha that they forgot about the Kage who was currently a hot commodity in the ninja world.

If we can't be Konoha's dogs, we can be Akatsuki's dogs!
it's the same!
Tobirama Senju glared fiercely at Makoto Uchiha. Why did this naturally evil Uchiha brat always like to interfere at crucial moments?

However, compared to the impulse to kill Uchiha Makoto with a Flying Thunder God Slash, he cared more about money.

One billion taels is no small sum.

However, before seeing any profit, Tobirama Senju wasn't very confident about Makoto Uchiha's promises.

The 20% stake in Muye Canned Food Factory was a technology-based investment, requiring no upfront payment.

If Uchiha Makoto invited Senju Tobirama to invest real money, he would probably refuse decisively. Everyone has their own comfort zone and habits, and it would be very difficult for a traditional ninja who has spent half his life on the battlefield to learn business management and investment.

Investing and starting a business are fraught with pitfalls; one wrong move and you could go bankrupt.

Moreover, he was terrified of being tricked by Makoto Uchiha.

Moreover, there are precedents to learn from.

His two good apprentices rashly took charge of the tulip business and almost lost all of their families' wealth and Konoha's funds.

This is a bloody lesson!
"Are you sure you can help me earn back ten billion taels?"

"The decision is yours. I'm just offering my opinion. Besides, you don't want the cannery to go bankrupt because it doesn't make money, do you? Konoha is also one of the shareholders."

The words spoken by Makoto Uchiha made Tobirama Senju grit his teeth.

One billion taels. This is one billion taels that is within easy reach!
Considering that Takigakure Village definitely can't afford to pay this amount all at once and will have to pay it off in installments over many years, and that they can't just watch the cannery they've worked so hard to acquire a stake in go bankrupt!

Made
Uchiha Makoto still gets the lion's share of the profits from the canned goods!

That bastard, is he doing this on purpose again?!
After careful consideration
Tobirama Senju still chose to take a gamble.

"Then let's do as Uchiha Makoto says."

With Tobirama Senju relenting, the Takigakure leadership breathed a sigh of relief and immediately bowed ninety degrees to Makoto Uchiha.

Akatsuki Village is truly righteous!

Tobirama Senju coughed lightly, his meaning clear—you two bastards, blatantly fawning over Makoto Uchiha right in front of me, you don't respect me at all!

"Thank you, Tobirama-sama."

The Takigakure executives immediately bowed to Tobirama Senju at a 90-degree angle.

However, Tobirama Senju's expression was still not very good.

Uchiha Makoto didn't stop there; he pulled out a contract that he had prepared beforehand from his pocket.

Tobirama Senju's face darkened even more.

"Damn it, did you plot against me before you even came here?!"

"No, this was unexpected and it happened willingly, so how can it be called scheming?"

Ignoring Tobirama Senju's eyes that seemed to be spitting fire, Makoto Uchiha slowly unfolded the contract.

Unlike a startup, Uchiha Makoto intended to sell canned food throughout the entire ninja world, becoming the leading company in the entire ninja world and completely monopolizing the canned food industry. It was a completely modern company structure, so he stipulated various detailed rules and regulations with clear rewards and punishments. The higher-ups of Takigakure Village glanced at the contract.

After signing this agreement, Takigakure Village became the cannery's distributor, and was required to order a large quantity of canned goods from the cannery every month.

Whether you eat it yourself or sell it is up to you!
Of course, if the order exceeds a certain quantity, Makoto Uchiha will also give a rebate.

There are many specific details, but this is the general idea.

"Tobirama, don't stare at me so fiercely. I'll revise the contract with Takigakure. Half of the profits from this part will go to Konoha until we reach one billion."

"Tch, this money originally belonged to Konoha, and you're making it seem like I'm the one who got a good deal."

"That's not the same! If we sell more, we'll split the profits, and Konoha will get a bigger share!"

"Damn it, your Akatsuki village owns half the shares, you make even more money!"

"What, are you not satisfied? ...Fine, you can withdraw your investment, and I can buy your shares!"

"You're dreaming!!"

The two were naturally incompatible, and they started arguing as soon as they said one thing to each other.

It was almost like a fight.

The higher-ups at Takigakure felt a little more at ease.

Compared to directly paying Konoha 1 billion ryo,

The current situation is much better than the previous conditions.

The money was spent, but at least I got canned food in return.

Moreover, the ninjas' cheap fishing costs make canned fish very inexpensive, much cheaper than buying fish directly from the market.

If canned goods were sold or given away at half price in the village, it could make up for a lot of the losses and boost the morale of the village.

I don't know how it tastes, but I imagine it should be pretty good, definitely better than soldier's rations.

Moreover, this contract is very strict. The stricter the regulations, the more it proves that Akatsuki Village attaches great importance to this matter and it is unlikely that they would just do one job and run away.

If they can sell canned goods in large quantities, Akatsuki will also value them.

Thought of here
The two high-ranking officials of Takigakure looked at each other in bewilderment—they decided to go back and eat canned food for all three meals a day, and to vigorously promote canned food in Takigakure and try to sell it throughout the entire Land of Waterfalls.

soon.

The higher-ups of Takigakure signed the contract and treaty, looking at Uchiha Makoto with expectant and eager eyes. Uchiha Makoto naturally understood what the two of them meant, and nodded slightly. He also wanted to take in these two agents.

Tobirama Senju was very unhappy.

He felt that his carefully prepared plan to establish his authority had failed, and he felt that in the end, the Akatsuki Village seemed to have benefited the most.

"If there's nothing else, hurry up and leave."

Tobirama Senju couldn't help but say, and the higher-ups of Takigakure, under Tobirama's intimidating power, left the room.

I can only discuss the matter of being a dog with the supreme Lord of Light and Shadow afterward.

Only Tobirama Senju and Makoto Uchiha remained in the room.

This moment
Uchiha Makoto stopped arguing with Senju Tobirama and started talking about something serious.

"Tobirama, there's definitely been some activity in the Land of Fire lately. We need to be careful, and we still need to be vigilant about intelligence. We're all ninjas."

"Enough! Don't even think about trying to sow discord between Konoha and the Land of Fire. We are loyal to the Daimyo."

"Cough cough cough, I know that I won't make any rash moves before your elder brother dies."

Are you cursing my older brother to die young?

Uchiha Makoto has no intention of doing anything to the daimyo and nobles right now; he simply hopes that capital can circulate freely in the Land of Fire.

At least until Hashirama Senju dies, he will definitely not go on a killing spree.

However, his expression was too direct, which infuriated Tobirama Senju.

Makoto Uchiha, that naturally evil Uchiha brat, is cursing my older brother to die young!

“I am very young, younger than you and your older brother, and much younger.”

"Then my older brother and I will live longer than you!"

Tobirama Senju's expression darkened slightly.

Indeed, Uchiha Makoto is younger than them all. If he outlives them, who in the ninja world will be his match in the future?
Konoha does indeed have many excellent young people.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo Shimura, and Koharu Utatane are all quite good. Some of them made serious mistakes when they were young, but after a few years of observation and training, they are still capable of taking on important responsibilities. However, compared to Makoto Uchiha, who is about the same age, they are still much inferior.

However, Tobirama Senju was still unwilling to admit defeat.

"Urgent again!"

"We're just doing this to protect ourselves; we're simply exchanging information."

"Oh, I see."

Tobirama Senju's tone was indifferent; he knew that the daimyo he had previously sided with would teach him a lesson.

But what can be done? A great name is still a great name.

"Let's talk about something that will cheer everyone up, Madara-sama, in Konoha."

“I’m not happy at all when I talk about him.”

"Tell me, even if you don't tell me, I'll find out eventually, it'll just take a little extra work."

"What can he do? Besides hanging out with my older brother every day, he just stays deep in the clan's territory and never comes out. Oh, I almost forgot, he's always engrossed in that novel called Romance of the Warring States. It was on hiatus for a while, but it's back to updates now, and he talks about it to my older brother all the time."

"Oh~~"

(End of this chapter)