Naruto: Yes, Uchiha-sama.

Chapter 185 Tobirama Senju: I feel like someone's going to take the blame! But I can't be the one to take it again this time, can I?

Time will prove me right!

“You remnant of the old era, if you don’t seize the opportunity, there will be no place for you on the ship of the new era.”

Makoto Uchiha muttered something to Tobirama Senju, then walked away without looking back.

Only Tobirama Senju was left standing there, frantic.

Makoto Uchiha is now preparing for the future.

He wanted to be the ruler of the world, to truly make ninjas the masters of the ninja world.

However, this is not something that can be achieved simply by spouting slogans like "it is beneficial to the ninja world." The ninjas are used to living in the old social system, and changing this ninja world requires a large number of like-minded ninjas to work together with Uchiha Makoto to achieve this goal.

One Akatsuki village alone is not enough, not even Konoha.

This is not something that can be achieved simply by force.

Even someone as powerful as Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha could indeed sweep through the ninja world with sheer force; their Susanoo set and Great Buddha form would be enough to directly destroy the headquarters of several major ninja villages.

But this is merely a simple act of military conquest; mere force cannot dispel hatred and ideologies.

No matter how strong they are, they are still just two people.

The ninja world is too vast, and such a large territory needs people to govern it. If we take too big a step and still can't solve the ideological problems, things will become very troublesome.

Hashirama Senju was also foolish. Since he was invincible, he didn't care about anything else when he was happy. He also believed in the wisdom of future generations and advocated a policy of non-interference.

Madara Uchiha was similar; he believed himself to be invincible and then abandoned all responsibility after the battles, advocating a policy of non-interference. However, he did not believe in the wisdom of future generations and did not question whether the ninja world had made a mistake.

How can these two insects possibly govern this ninja world?!
If it is merely a matter of conquest by force, what follows will be the forbearance and counterattacks of countless forces, as well as an extremely long war of attrition.

Even the soldiers of the Eagle Family can be frightened by a moving tree.

Considering the ninjas' mobility and destructive power, this situation would only worsen.

Even when you win, there are big wins, medium wins, and small wins.

Therefore, Makoto Uchiha preferred to take things a little harder, to proceed slowly, and to take things one step at a time.

He gradually freed the ninjas from the shackles of the past, then bound them to interests, cultivating a group of ninjas throughout the ninja world who could support him.

Another half hour passed.

While everyone was complaining enthusiastically...

At this moment, Uchiha Makoto spoke up: "Everyone, we've almost finished lunch. We'll resume our negotiations in a bit."

The heated atmosphere in the venue was suddenly dampened as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over it.

It was only after a long time that everyone opened up and, taking advantage of this great atmosphere, poured out all the bitterness that had been building up in their hearts over the years.

Now, I'm only enjoying this moment of carefree bliss.

It's over so quickly?

Why are you such a spoilsport!

Negotiation, negotiation—what outcome can you possibly achieve?
However, Uchiha Makoto is ultimately just a figure of light and shadow.

His words carried considerable weight.

The ninjas, having gathered together, could only disperse dejectedly and return to their respective small groups according to their factions.

Uchiha Makoto glanced around, observing the expressions of the ninjas, and found that everyone had a look of unsatisfaction on their faces—that's right!

As the saying goes, everything is difficult at the beginning.

Today is a great start—Uchiha Makoto is very satisfied with it.

Now that everyone's emotions have been stirred up, this is the best time to end things; there's no need to delve any further.

After all, those ninjas were just joking around.

Although they all looked resentful and filled with hatred for the nobles, they couldn't wait to bring a few nobles with kunai to entertain everyone.

But when Uchiha Makoto actually asks them to "carry knives but not umbrellas in the rain," they back down, distancing themselves from him and accusing him of being too extreme.

Since that's the case, it's better to just abruptly interrupt them when they're getting into it, leaving them with an unforgettable memory.

Negotiations soon resumed.

The various ninja factions in the ninja world returned to their original positions.

Meanwhile, Kirigakure and Iwagakure returned to the negotiating table. At first, both sides were a little uncomfortable and not very open.

After all, the atmosphere was quite good when everyone was cursing the daimyo and the nobles.

However, their respective identities and positions quickly brought them back to their original thoughts.

The situation quickly returned to the same state as in the morning.

They bicker, argue, take a break, then continue bickering and arguing.

If it weren't for Uchiha Makoto being there to keep things under control, they would definitely have started fighting.

However, Iwagakure gained the upper hand in the second half of the negotiations.

Because Uchiha Makoto always stands up to support the First Tsuchikage at the right time, and then pulls Senju Tobirama together to put pressure on Kirigakure. He skillfully uses the peace of the ninja world as an excuse, claiming that Konoha and Akatsuki will not give up their right to use force to support the side of justice!

Of course, that's what I'm saying.

Makoto Uchiha was just talking the talk.

He will provide all support to Iwagakure, except for personally helping out.

If he could, he would prefer to sell weapons and ammunition to both sides. The Akatsuki Village still has a good stockpile of explosive tags for medical equipment. Unfortunately, it's impossible for Iwagakure and Kirigakure to engage in a major battle.

However, such intimidation still proved quite effective.

The last ninja village that didn't believe Uchiha Makoto would go to such lengths to start a war for a few Chunin was Kumogakure. Then Kumogakure was dealt a heavy blow by Akatsuki and hasn't recovered from it yet.

This is the effect of a persona.

The First Mizukage really didn't dare to gamble, nor did he have the ability to directly challenge Uchiha Makoto—"If you've got the guts, come at me all at once!"

Therefore, facing pressure from three major forces in the ninja world, the First Mizukage was under immense pressure, but he still persevered and did not compromise.

Uchiha Seiya stopped there, maintaining only a suitable level of pressure.

After several rounds of attack and defense.

The negotiations, which lasted all afternoon, continued to progress slowly.

Seeing that it was almost time, Uchiha Makoto announced that today's negotiations would end here and continue tomorrow until both sides reached a satisfactory result.

The ninjas in the venue gradually dispersed.

Shortly after leaving the venue, Uchiha Makoto went to a small tavern and spent some time alone there.

And he finally met the person he had always wanted to see.

Hmm. Not Tobirama Senju!

Although this inherently evil, thousand-armed old ghost followed us all the way.

After being discovered by Uchiha Makoto, he shamelessly ordered a plate of peanuts and sat down in front of Uchiha Makoto.

"Lord Light and Shadow, what a coincidence."

Hearing the sound, Uchiha Makoto turned his head to look.

The First Mizukage, dressed in casual clothes and carrying a jug of sake, had already arrived beside Uchiha Makoto.

"Ah~ What a coincidence!"

Uchiha Makoto raised his hands, brushed his hair back, and winked at Senju Tobirama. Just moments before, the two had been discussing when the First Mizukage would come looking for them.

Today, Makoto Uchiha's attitude leans towards the First Tsuchikage, purely because the two of them had already made a deal in private, which is why Makoto Uchiha is supporting him at this crucial moment.

He has fulfilled the conditions he agreed to for the First Tsuchikage; now only Kirigakure remains.

Although Makoto Uchiha has always wanted to gain the upper hand on the issues of the fishing grounds and Bird Shit Island, the party that proposes the deal first will inevitably be at a disadvantage in terms of bargaining power. However, by taking advantage of the opportunity to put pressure on Kirigakure together with Iwagakure during the day, it will be easier to gain the upper hand.

"Gentlemen, would you mind having a word with me in private?"

"Of course it's convenient. We've been looking forward to having an in-depth conversation with the Mizukage!"

The three of them quickly moved from the open seating area of ​​the tavern into a private room.

The first Mizukage sat upright in the chair.

The First Mizukage had already discerned this from his observations during the day.

Both Akatsuki's leader and Konoha's envoy Tobirama Senju sided with Iwagakure, so Makoto Uchiha would always speak up for the First Tsuchikage at crucial moments.

This is very unusual.

After all, according to the intelligence gathered by the First Mizukage from all corners of the ninja world, the relationship between Akatsuki and Iwagakure was not good.

During the Hidden Cloud Wars, it was precisely because the First Tsuchikage led the elite ninjas of Iwagakure to block the main force of the Uzumaki clan from Akatsuki that Makoto Uchiha's strategic goal of conquering the third line of defense of Hidden Cloud Village failed. Given this grudge between the two sides, how could Makoto Uchiha possibly side with Iwagakure in negotiations?

There must be a demon in the abnormal situation.

Based on the First Mizukage's extensive experience in handling affairs, he believed that Iwagakure must have secretly negotiated some unknown deals with Akatsuki and Konoha.

Otherwise, Akatsuki and Konoha would not have sided with Iwagakure.

It's just talking.
We can talk to Kirigakure, and we can make a deal with Kirigakure!

Just saying that.

The First Mizukage was still under a lot of pressure.

What if Makoto Uchiha makes exorbitant demands on Kirigakure?
God knows how much Iwagakure paid to instigate Uchiha Makoto!
However, if the situation continues to deteriorate like this, Kirigakure will eventually succumb to the pressure from the three great ninja villages and choose to withdraw. We should still try our best!
So the First Mizukage did come.

"Light and Shadow, Tobirama Senju, I hope that Akatsuki and Konoha can stand on the side of Kirigakure. Iwagakure's conditions are simply too much."

The First Mizukage took a deep breath and, without beating around the bush, directly stated his purpose.

"Ah, I see. This is a difficult matter in principle. After all, Tobirama Senju and I have always made decisions based on fairness, impartiality, and the peace of the ninja world. This involves many factors. You've really put me in a difficult position!"

Uchiha Makoto maintained his usual composed demeanor.

Tobirama Senju took a sip of sake, then picked up a few peanuts with his chopsticks and swallowed them. He didn't say anything, just watched Makoto Uchiha perform. He suddenly felt that if he wasn't the victim, just watching Makoto Uchiha perform would be a kind of enjoyment.

"A hypocrite, a sanctimonious charlatan, a hypocrite in human clothing, a beast in human clothing."

Tobirama Senju internally commented on Makoto Uchiha's performance, saying, "He needs to learn. He hopes that these performance techniques can all be applied to Makoto Uchiha in the future."

"So, Light and Shadow, what do you want to gain from Kirigakure?"

"I'm willing to pay a price."

Upon hearing Uchiha Makoto's signal to "add more money," the First Mizukage did not hesitate and directly offered to make a deal with him.

"Okay, I appreciate Shuiying's frankness."

"Actually, I don't want much. I just hope that Kirigakure can persuade the Daimyo of the Land of Water to divide up the fishing grounds."

Uchiha Makoto smiled and took out a scroll from his pocket, from which he retrieved a map of the Naruto world.

The map clearly shows the sea area division drawn by Uchiha Makoto.

no doubt.

Konoha and Akatsuki, representing the Land of Fire, gained the greatest benefits.

The designated sea area includes several prime fishing grounds, which were originally shared by several neighboring countries. From now on, they will all belong to the Land of Fire.

The Land of Fire can be equated with Akatsuki and Konoha.

These prime fishing grounds are enough to support the cannery's development for the next ten years, until it becomes what Uchiha Makoto envisions—a super behemoth covering tens of thousands of square meters, becoming a trust in the entire Naruto world's seafood canning industry.

The First Mizukage looked at the sea area division map drawn by Uchiha Makoto.

The Land of Fire has always been a land-based nation and has never been particularly concerned with the division of its maritime territory.

Why the sudden need to demarcate sea areas?
—Is it for the fishing grounds?
The First Mizukage quickly recalled a type of mission the village had previously received.

The mission was issued by a group of wealthy seafood merchants from the Land of Water, and the mission objective was to strike at fishermen from the Land of Fire.

The seafood merchant representative who barged into his office that day was extremely irritable.

"These fishermen from the Land of Fire have blatantly broken the rules that have been in place for years, and have trespassed on our territory to fish extensively, greatly reducing our catch."

"Kill them!"

They were called fishermen, but they were all ninjas.

Ninjas are far stronger than ordinary people.

The Akatsuki village and the Uzumaki clan's ninjas also contracted a large number of large aquatic ninja beasts as support, so the two sides' competitiveness was simply not on the same level.

Ultimately, however, the matter was dropped.

Because of Akatsuki Village, Konoha Village and Kirigakure Village cannot afford to offend them.

But dragging it out like this isn't a solution, and the First Mizukage had always wanted to find an opportunity to resolve this matter once and for all.

Therefore, the First Mizukage began to carefully study the sea areas divided by Uchiha Makoto.

"Huh~~ It seems like the Land of Water isn't at a disadvantage."

"If we divide it this way, those smaller countries will probably have a lot of objections. This will be very troublesome."

After studying the map of the divided sea areas, the first Mizukage frowned.

The sea areas divided by Uchiha Makoto are essentially a case of large countries bullying small countries.

The Land of Fire took the lion's share, and the Land of Water also got a good amount, but the surrounding smaller countries fared much worse.

This could easily provoke hostility from smaller countries.

Even daimyo bear considerable pressure, especially political disgrace, which can cost Kirigakure a great deal of potential reputation.

Uchiha Makoto was certainly aware of the obstacles involved, as well as the various negative consequences of pushing this matter forward.

That's why we need to bring your Hidden Mist Village and the Land of Water in!
Well known
The Land of Fire is a land-based country.

Therefore, people subconsciously do not believe that the Land of Fire is interested in the ocean.

The Land of Water will have to take the blame this time.

The first Mizukage was still undecided.

Uchiha Makoto wore an innocent smile, waiting patiently.

Meanwhile, Tobirama Senju, who was standing to the side, suddenly felt a sense of unease—why did he feel like he was going to be the scapegoat again?

It can't be me this time!

"Tobirama, what's wrong? Why do you suddenly look so guilty and scared?"

"Uchiha Makoto, I haven't offended you recently, have I?"

"No, it's fine. I think we've been getting along quite well lately."

"Oh, that's good, that's good!"

(End of this chapter)