Naruto: Yes, Uchiha-sama.

Chapter 178 Tobirama, you and I are half-brothers, I'll lend you money to start your business!

Uchiha Makoto stopped the extremely sharp topic he had just been discussing.

Today's probing has been enough.

If we continue to rub against Tobirama Senju's underwear, it will backfire.

We'll do it slowly later.
So Makoto Uchiha left the Ninja Academy with Tobirama Senju. As they walked, they arrived at a building nearing completion in the center of Akatsuki Village and steered the conversation to another topic—the Six Kage Summit.

"This is the Six Kage Building that I prepared for the ninja world, a place specifically for peacefully resolving disputes within the ninja world!"

"Six Shadows Building?"

Tobirama Senju looked at the building in front of him.

The building has a hexagonal structure, symbolizing the six major ninja villages, and is six stories high.

The windows were bright and clean, making it a refreshing sight.

It stands out from the crowd in the architecture of Xiaoren Village.

All signs indicate that this building, known as the Six Shadows Building, must have an extraordinary function.

“That’s right. I plan to take advantage of this negotiation opportunity to form an organization that encompasses the entire ninja world. The six great ninja villages of the five great nations of the ninja world will be the leaders and will have the right to vote to handle disputes in the ninja world. The other ninja villages will be the constituent members. Once irreconcilable conflicts arise between ninja villages, they can negotiate and resolve the issues here.”

"Even if the ninja villages really have to fight each other, we have the opportunity to mediate and minimize the impact of the war as much as possible."

"Ideally, this kind of organization could be regularized, with meetings held on a scheduled basis."

Makoto Uchiha plagiarized Hashirama Senju's idea and incorporated it into his previous life's ideas from the United Nations on Earth.

With his financial resources and the help of a group of construction workers from Akatsuki Village, the Six Kage Building is nearing completion and is ready to be used for the upcoming negotiations between Iwagakure and Kirigakure.

So, taking advantage of this opportunity, Makoto Uchiha described an excellent blueprint to Tobirama Senju.

He wanted to join forces with Konoha to expedite the Six Kage Summit at this crucial juncture.

With the power of Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha as a ballast, this plan should be implemented well and its effect will be far better than in the original story.

The Five Kage Summit in the original work really felt like a mere formality.

When Hashirama Senju died midway through his life, the established order immediately crumbled.

This future is not good.

The ninja world, which glorifies the survival of the fittest, is too cruel. As the saying goes, having rules is always better than having no rules.

Makoto Uchiha wasn't a born killer; he could sit down and resolve the issue through negotiation, and he didn't want to resort to violence.

Of course, the most crucial factor is that Akatsuki Village is backed by the Land of Fire, a large country with naturally fertile land.

Because it is the largest country in the Land of Fire with the best geographical environment, it can support the ever-expanding Akatsuki Village. The expansion of Akatsuki Village's strength attracts the most powerful funds and industrial system, which in turn further enhances the national power of the Land of Fire. This cycle continues endlessly, with one foot stepping on the other and ascending to heaven!
Akatsuki Village will always be at the forefront of the times.

Makoto Uchiha was so confident that he could lead Akatsuki to bypass the option of war and instead quietly bleed the entire ninja world dry using economic tactics.

Until they can't take it anymore and resist. Sorry, but you started it!
"It is indeed very good."

"You only informed me of this after you had already prepared the Six Kage Building. I think you have absolutely no respect for Konoha!"

Uchiha Seirin said a lot of things.

But the more Tobirama Senju listened, the more uncomfortable he felt.

True.

Uchiha Makoto's idea is excellent. Even Senju Tobirama wouldn't be able to find a way to attack it. Overall, if this plan is implemented, it will be of great benefit to the peace of the ninja world.

However, Tobirama Senju hoped that Konoha, not Akatsuki, would lead this plan.

The Six Kage Tower should have been built in Konoha!

"Hmm, I think the Six Kage Building should reflect the prosperity of our two great ninja villages in the Land of Fire. Konoha could also build a Six Kage Building. It's just that when the two are compared..."

"What do you mean by that? Do you think Konoha is less prosperous than Akatsuki?"

"Ah!"

Uchiha Makoto did not answer, but only gave a contemptuous smile.

This arrogant attitude instantly enraged Tobirama Senju.

If there weren't so many people here, he really would have taken out a kunai and let Uchiha Makoto experience what it meant to single-handedly kill Uchiha Izuna with the Flying Thunder God Slash!
As the de facto leader of Konoha, the Shadow Hokage is Kyuusen-sai.

Tobirama Senju poured so much effort into Konoha.

And Uchiha Makoto actually dared to subtly belittle Konoha for not being prosperous enough in front of him!

He admitted that Konoha was not as large in economic scale, land area, population, or transportation as Akatsuki. But apart from that, what did Akatsuki have that Konoha had that was better?

However, no matter how stubborn Tobirama Senju was, it was all in vain.

Because objective facts do not change according to human will.

The current Konoha is like a crippled giant. Its fighting power is still terrifyingly strong, but in terms of economic strength, apart from the two super-powerful monsters, Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama, Konoha has gone from being the leader to a lagging village that needs to catch up with Akatsuki.

The information that Konoha's Anbu ninjas gave to Tobirama Senju in the past certainly reflects this point.

However, this information ultimately remains on paper, just like the death toll on the battlefield. Whether it's ten, a hundred, or ten thousand people, it won't cause much emotional fluctuation if you don't see it with your own eyes. But if you experience the scene firsthand and see the cruel contrast, your sanity will plummet.

The changes in Tobirama Senju's state of mind were roughly the same.

The difference is just too great!
for a long time.

In Tobirama Senju's understanding.

Madara Uchiha is a brainless brute, but his older brother will take care of that. The rest of the Uchiha are no match for him. I even single-handedly killed Izuna Uchiha!

Now, out of nowhere, he has encountered a rising star who has caused him a series of setbacks, to the point that his current situation is almost equivalent to being mocked to his face by Uchiha Makoto – Tobirama Senju, you're just a loser!

This blatant feeling of falling behind Uchiha Makoto made Tobirama Senju feel even worse than if he had been killed!

Of course, this does not mean that Tobirama Senju was incompetent.

His long-standing mindset led him to view the entire ninja world from the perspective of a ninja.

By the time Uchiha Makoto had drained several large sums of money from the daimyo and nobles, giving Akatsuki's economy a boost, the gap between the two sides had already widened!
"Tobirama, I don't object to Konoha building a Six Kage Tower; that's your right!"

"But I must remind you that it would be beneficial for both Akatsuki and Konoha to maintain the uniqueness of the Six Kage Building by sticking to the same story!"

"After all, our two families are allies, as close as family. No matter where the Six Shadows Building is located, the benefits are all within our own borders!"

After several days of continuous construction, the Akatsuki Village building is nearing completion, and it should be useful in the negotiations between Kirigakure and Iwagakure.

Therefore, Makoto Uchiha continuously put pressure on Tobirama Senju, while pretending to be indifferent.

Since he couldn't stop Tobirama Senju from building the Six Kage Tower in Konoha, he might as well explain the pros and cons clearly and let Tobirama Senju make his own choice.

After pondering for a moment, Tobirama Senju finally decided to take a step back.

Placing the Six Kage Building in Akatsuki Village only indirectly increases Akatsuki Village's influence in the ninja world, but it does not diminish Konoha's power within it.

The so-called Six Kage Summit is all about letting strength speak for itself!
Moreover, what Makoto Uchiha just said is just a concept diagram on a PowerPoint presentation. It's unclear when this ambitious plan will actually come to fruition.

Let's use this to make a deal with Uchiha Makoto. "Since you've already built the Six Kage Tower... Hmph, let's settle this matter!"

"But in exchange, I need some funds."

Tobirama Senju was somewhat embarrassed to say this.

He did indeed intend to cross the river by feeling his way through Akatsuki.

However, the Akatsuki Village crossed the river too quickly, catching Tobirama Senju off guard.

The trip to Akatsuki Village broadened Tobirama Senju's horizons and made him realize that continuing to observe would only push Konoha further away from Akatsuki Village!

So after he returned, he planned to launch a revolution in Konoha.

Konoha absolutely must catch up with Akatsuki!

But even imitating Akatsuki requires initial funding!

Konoha doesn't have those huge blood packs like the tulip mania!
Furthermore, Konoha's fiscal budget for this year has already been finalized.

Tobirama Senju simply can't afford to fill this gap in funding right now.

Although the Arasaka Group does want to cooperate with Tobirama Senju, and the division of equity can be discussed, this does not mean that Tobirama Senju can get something for nothing without contributing a single penny. Giving 30% to Konoha is their bottom line.

Tobirama Senju was unwilling to cooperate, and so was the Uchiha clan!
But how could Tobirama Senju only be willing to take 30% and let a wealthy businessman with a sensitive background dominate the cooperation? He was afraid that all his hard work would end up benefiting Makoto Uchiha.

"Those idiots from the Uchiha clan!"

"Do you really think Uchiha Makoto would be so kind?"

"Sooner or later, they'll regret it!"

While borrowing money, Tobirama Senju didn't forget to mentally curse the Uchiha clan.

The Uchiha clan would need a considerable amount of funds to start anew and challenge Tobirama Senju. However, this money would mysteriously appear in the Naka River!

Tobirama Senju certainly knew who was funding the Uchiha clan behind the scenes.

Who else could it be but Uchiha Makoto right in front of us!

This guy has already left the Uchiha clan, but the Uchiha clan is still a part of Konoha. How is it possible that no problems will arise in the future?

"This is considered a loan, and it will incur interest."

"I know!! But the maximum interest I can give you is..."

"Wow, that's way too low!"

Uchiha Makoto deliberately amplified his voice.

Tobirama Senju was in a real bind. Damn it, he didn't want to borrow money from Makoto Uchiha either!
However, the pool of people who can lend you money is limited.

Given what happened to the Daimyo last year, it's already a stroke of luck that Konoha's budget wasn't cut this year.

From private lending
But the life of a ninja has always been one of living with their heads on the line!

These days, what bank would be willing to lend money to ninjas?!

For ordinary ninjas, there's only one way to make money: by completing missions. If they borrow money and want to pay it off, they have to complete more missions. The more missions they have, the higher the risks they face.

What if you get crippled or die during the mission?
So what if you're a shadow?

Being a shadow doesn't mean you can't die!

One Kage has already died in the ninja world!
The person is already in such a miserable state, and you take the IOU to collect the debt. Ninjas aren't without friends and relatives. Doing this would really make it easy for them to get hit by a few shuriken and commit suicide from behind.

Since borrowing money is so troublesome, and you might end up losing even the principal if you try to get the small interest from a ninja, it's better not to borrow at all!
Borrowing money in Konoha's name would be similar, so there's no need to worry about Konoha not repaying the loan.

Konoha would never allow a loophole like not repaying money.

Therefore, private banks will lend money, but they will always require a lot of collateral and high interest rates to hedge against the risks.

Those exorbitant interest rates terrified even Tobirama Senju. Was he really working for the bank for free?

And all that's left to afford are the things right in front of us.
Normally, Tobirama Senju would never borrow money from Makoto Uchiha, because Makoto would definitely kill him!

Now there's a good opportunity.

"I'm just asking you, are you going to lend it to me or not!"

"Although the interest rate is indeed too low, it's fine, no problem, but I have one request."

"The money I lent you was all in currency issued by Akatsuki Village not long after it was issued."

At this time.

Tobirama Senju then remembered that Makoto Uchiha had indeed mentioned this matter to him in Konoha.

But of course, he still thought so.

I didn't expect Makoto Uchiha to start pushing this forward so quickly.

But what is he planning to do? The actions of the previous Fire Country Daimyo have already...
With Tobirama Senju's limited economic knowledge, it's really hard to figure out Makoto Uchiha's hidden purpose—it just doesn't make sense!

If I can't figure it out, I'll just stop thinking about it!
Tobirama Senju cares more about money!

He didn't want a pile of worthless paper; he didn't want to know if the currency of the Akatsuki Village was even usable.

Can Akatsuki Village's currency be spent?

"Of course, I can guarantee that after you and the wealthy merchants complete the transaction, they can exchange the money for an equivalent amount of precious metals once they arrive at Akatsuki Village."

"Then why didn't you just give it to me directly instead of going through all this trouble!"

Uchiha Makoto smiled but said nothing.

He did not answer Tobirama Senju's question.

Incorporating Konoha into Akatsuki's monetary system was one of Makoto Uchiha's original goals.
But this is very difficult.

Even with the Uchiha clan's support and assistance from Konoha, it was a struggle.

However, if Tobirama Senju also used it, the effect would be quite different.

The influence exerted by the Uchiha and Senju clans in Konoha was far more than simply the sum of its parts.

As long as Tobirama Senju agrees.

This money can be lent out, even without interest.

Although on the surface it seems that Akatsuki Village lost some interest money.

But if you look at it over a longer timeline—no matter how fast the Konoha ninjas make money, can they ever make money as fast as the Akatsuki's money-printing machine?
"What are you afraid of?"

"Tobirama, I've always considered you my half-brother. Would I ever betray you?"

"It's hard to tell!"

(End of this chapter)