Uchiha's personal opinion

Of course, it's not that there's no such thing as "mediation" in the ninja world, but its nature is completely different from what Uchiha Tokumitsu meant literally.

For example, when two small countries have a conflict of interest, the larger country will often step in to mediate in order to prevent the conflict between the smaller countries from harming its own interests.

Of course, this mediation is backed by the powerful military might of major countries.

Moreover, the result of "mediation" is not only that the interests fought over by small countries are directly taken away by large countries, under the guise of "eliminating the root cause of the conflict," but some unscrupulous large countries will also take a few more pieces from the small countries.

The most typical example is the rise of Amegakure under the leadership of Hanzo the Salamander. Amegakure then launched a series of campaigns that routed many small countries. Not only were small countries with ninja villages, such as the Land of Grass, the Land of Waterfall, and the Land of Frost, attacked by Hanzo, but even the Land of Iron, which was far away from the Land of Rain, was attacked by Amegakure.

Of course, Hanzo's Amegakure was soon besieged by the four major land powers for disrupting the peace.

The cunning Hidden Cloud Village only sent troops to expel the Rain Ninja's forces from smaller countries like the Land of Frost, while the Hidden Leaf Village, Hidden Stone Village, and Hidden Sand Village chose to directly invade the Land of Rain, thus igniting the protracted Second Shinobi World War.

Of the four great nations on the continent, the only one that has never fought against the Rain Village led by Hanzo the Salamander is the Cloud Village, which is also one of the targets of this mediation.

"Mediation..."

Sakumo Hatake's head throbbed with worry. "Tokumitsu-kun, this matter might not be as simple as you think..."

The usual practice in the ninja world for "mediation" is to bring small countries to an end, but it's clear that Amegakure, being so stubborn, can't pull off such underhanded tactics.

Furthermore, the Cloud Village is notoriously arrogant and unreasonable, the kind of people who consider it a loss if they don't gain any advantage. Will this mediation by both sides, who are both stubborn, ease the situation or further escalate the war? Hatake Sakumo has reservations about this.

Furthermore, there is a lack of regular communication mechanisms between the major ninja villages in the ninja world.

Apart from the Five Kage Summit in the past and the Chunin Exams that have emerged in recent years, the major ninja villages rarely interact, which makes mediation even more difficult.

Even if Sakumo Hatake were willing to step in, it would be difficult to find a suitable and high-level channel for dialogue.

"It will definitely be a bit challenging, but it's still an attempt, isn't it?"

Uchiha Tokumitsu said leisurely, "The dawn of peace has already appeared on the horizon. How will we know if it will work if we don't try?"

"...Isn't the so-called horizon just a line that you can see but can never reach?"

Sakumo Hatake was already immune to Uchiha Tokumitsu's inexplicable yet somewhat interesting metaphors, and even had developed a certain degree of ability to interpret them.

"None of that matters. What matters is the international reputation that led to this!"

Uchiha Tokumitsu shrugged and said, "After all, starting a war is just a matter of a word, but preventing a war from happening before it even begins is much more significant."

"...but it's a bit illegitimate for you and me to be in charge of this matter."

Sakumo Hatake thought this made some sense, so he lowered his voice and said to Tokumitsu Uchiha, "After all, the village leader is still the Hokage..."

Of course, Sakumo Hatake would never admit that he was tempted by the reputation and fame that would come from facilitating this matter.

"Just report to our Hokage, who reigns supreme without lifting a finger~"

Uchiha Tokumitsu said nonchalantly, "Anyway, we just need to inform him. We'll handle the specifics for our respected Hokage."

"After all, as the village leader, he's been so busy all day, let him get some rest."

Although Uchiha Tokumitsu did not refer to the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi as an "old monkey" as usual, the malice in his sarcastic remarks was no less.

Sakumo Hatake, on the contrary, breathed a sigh of relief.

This is the Uchiha Tokumitsu he remembered!

Those righteous and awe-inspiring words just now really made him feel uncomfortable!

"But I'm afraid the Hokage wouldn't be willing to relinquish power so easily..."

Sakumo Hatake pointed out the problem: "It's inevitable that he'll interfere."

"What other notable figures could the Hokage possibly have in his bag?"

Uchiha Tokumitsu scoffed, "At worst, we can just send the peace-loving advisor Mitokado as an envoy to Kumogakure!"

"That's really mean..."

If Mitomon Homura were to be sent as an envoy to Kumogakure, where the martial arts faction holds power, he wouldn't necessarily be in any danger, but he would certainly be met with ridicule and cold shoulders.

"In that case... let's do it! It'll also be a good opportunity to make the Reform Association famous in the ninja world!"

Hatake Sakumo also made a decision: "I will communicate with the Hokage, but Tokumitsu-kun, do you have a specific mediation plan?"

"That's definitely possible."

Seeing that he had successfully persuaded Hatake Sakumo, Uchiha Tokumitsu was very satisfied: "First, in the name of the Military Command, notify the Sarutobi Shogunate to lead the northern border defense forces into the Land of Rice Fields to cut off the land route of the Hidden Cloud Village; then let the Fire Gate Shogunate advance eastward through the Land of Waterfalls to block the border of the Land of Frost, completely locking down the Hidden Cloud Village's advance route; my ninja army will also be transferred north as a reserve force."

"This...this is mediation?"

Sakumo Hatake stared in disbelief. "Are you sure this isn't preparation for war?"

"Armed mediation is perfectly normal. Besides, peace can only be achieved through war, while peace will perish through compromise."

Uchiha Tokumitsu stood up and said, "If we don't do this, how can we get those Cloud Village barbarians to accept our mediation?"

"But this carries some risk of war..."

Sakumo Hatake hesitated again.

"It's alright~ At worst, I'll sell more military supplies to Kirigakure and provide some war loans, then Kumogakure will be powerless to help."

Sakumo Hatake was speechless.

"Then I'll leave it to you~"

Uchiha Tokumitsu was also preparing to leave. "By the way, if the village is unwilling to uphold justice for Amegakure, then I will lead my troops north on my own."

Ultimately, Hanzo of the Salamander's Amegakure was simply unfairly blamed for Uchiha Tokumitsu's theft of the Tailed Beasts.

Out of consideration for their past camaraderie, and also in order to bring Hanzo of the Salamander back to the battlefield for the next Kirigakure campaign, Uchiha Tokumitsu did his best to facilitate the "mediation".

"Okay, okay~"

Sakumo Hatake said somewhat irritably.

"It's up to you, Sakumo-kun."

After saying that, Uchiha Tokumitsu opened the door and left.

……

"You call this mediation?"

When Hatake Sakumo drafted a proposal based on Uchiha Tokumitsu's suggestion and submitted it to the Hokage Building, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, felt a chill run down his spine.

The three major shogunates of the Land of Fire and the three major border defense forces of Konoha have all set out to invade the territory of Kumogakure and block their marching routes... Isn't this a blatant threat of war?

When did the threat of war become so politely referred to as "mediation"?

"Sakumo-kun, this proposal should have been put forward by Tokumitsu-kun, right?"

Looking at the inverted words on the page, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, felt somewhat helpless.

The reason he paired up Hatake Sakumo and Uchiha Tokumitsu to form the Mobile Force was to have Konoha's most steadfast successor of the Will of Fire infect the unruly Uchiha Tokumitsu.

But unexpectedly, it was Hatake Sakumo who was completely bewitched and brainwashed by Uchiha Tokumitsu...

Although the Hokage faction, especially Danzo, was wrong in their stance towards Uchiha Tokumitsu and the Uchiha clan, does that mean the Uchiha clan was completely without fault?

Why did Danzo ambush Uchiha Tokumitsu instead of killing the Hyuga clan leader? Doesn't that explain the problem perfectly?

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, grew increasingly angry as his thoughts wandered.

"Lord Hokage..."

Sakumo Hatake looked at the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, with an inquiring gaze.

"...Peace is ultimately a good thing."

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, immediately realized what was happening. He gently put down the proposal in his hand and said in a deep voice, "However, this move carries the risk of war, and the village still needs to carefully consider all aspects before proceeding."

"I understand……"

Sakumo Hatake paused for a moment, then said, "Then Hokage, please take your time to consider it. I can try to mediate in the name of the Reform Association."

"Sakumo-kun!"

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, nearly fainted from anger upon hearing this.

What do you mean by "let him take his time to think about it"?

Is it possible to so blatantly usurp the power of the village's highest leader these days?!

"The village cannot tolerate those who walk alone!"

"Lord Third Hokage, have you forgotten Lord Tobirama?"

Sakumo Hatake replied in a gentle voice.

Upon hearing this, even the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was taken aback.

Tobirama-sensei...

This reminded him of that unforgettable night many years ago when he and the Second Hokage were on a diplomatic mission to Kumogakure, and they were caught off guard and unable to escape after being attacked by Kinkaku and Ginkaku...

He wanted to say that the matter was over, and Yun Yin had already apologized, so there was no need to pursue it further.

But no matter how many times I opened and closed my mouth, I couldn't say anything.

No matter how shrewd and calculating he was, he still harbored resentment about what happened back then.

"Go ahead and do as you please..."

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, took out his pipe, his hand trembling slightly as he filled it with tobacco.

"But I have two requests, and you must grant them..."

Taking a deep drag on his pipe, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, spoke solemnly.

"Lord Hokage, please speak..."

Sakumo Hatake nodded.

"First, the village's ninja army cannot launch an attack on Kumogakure first..."

"no problem!"

Sakumo Hatake agreed without hesitation.

If Uchiha Tokumitsu really wanted to escalate things, there were plenty of ways to circumvent this condition.

Furthermore, the Kirigakure and Guiyi clans' ninja armies under the Tokugawa Shogunate are not Konoha ninja; even the Hidden Gate Shogunate can remotely control a group of Grass Ninja who are fearless in the face of hefty rewards.

"Secondly, I will send Advisor Mitomon to Kumogakure to discuss this matter. Do not act rashly before there is a result..."