Uchiha's personal opinion

The stone tablet is like an IQ filter; only those who believe in such nonsensical content will be chosen by Black Zetsu to carry out the "Infinite Tsukuyomi" plan.

Uchiha Tokumitsu felt that his brain wasn't as damaged as age spots, so he naturally wouldn't believe the so-called conclusions.

……

The secret room where the Sunagakure envoy met was the site of the Uchiha clan's past clan meetings. The interior is decorated simply and solemnly, with the Uchiha clan's fan emblem engraved everywhere.

Led by his attendant ninja, the Sand Village envoy nervously entered the secret chamber.

"General Tokuko, Sakumo, I am Rasa, a Jonin of Sunagakure. I have come to pay my respects on the orders of the Kazekage of our village."

Upon entering, Luo Sha bowed respectfully without saying a word.

"You're too kind, Jonin Rasa. Please have a seat."

Uchiha Tokumitsu said upon hearing this.

The titles used by the Sunagakure messengers are also quite interesting, especially the fact that they refer to Sakumo Hatake as the Chairman, a relatively uncommon and awkward title.

However, this also suggests that Sunagakure is definitely seeking to reach a certain consensus or understanding with Konoha this time.

"The envoy has come from afar and must be tired. However, due to limited conditions, we can only receive you here. Please forgive us if we are negligent."

Sakumo Hatake also said with a smile.

"Speaker Sakumo, you are too kind. I have come uninvited, and it is already an honor to be received by you two gentlemen. How could I be dissatisfied!"

Luo Sha quickly replied.

Uchiha Tokumitsu saw this and gave Rasa an even higher evaluation.

He can bend and stretch; he is indeed a great man.

"The friendship between Konoha and Sunagakure has a long history, and they have always been loyal to each other; however, I wonder what brings your regent and regent to visit us?"

Uchiha Tokumitsu also changed his title to that of the Third Kazekage.

Upon hearing this, Luo Sha's face immediately lit up with joy.

Although Hatake Sakumo had some reservations about Uchiha Tokumitsu's straightforward stance, he didn't say much.

His main purpose in coming today was just to take a look; he wasn't really interested in getting involved in Sunagakure's affairs.

"His Excellency the Regent is preparing to invite the United Company to establish a presence in the Land of Wind, and intends to order a batch of weapons from the Uchiha clan."

Luo Sha also eagerly offered his own terms.

"After all, the United Corporation is a commercial organization, and it's not appropriate for me, as the Governor-General of Konoha, to get too involved in this matter..."

Uchiha Tokumitsu was very satisfied, but he still said something pretentious: "How about this, I will arrange for business personnel to return to the Land of Wind with you to discuss the company's entry into the village with the person in charge of Sunagakure."

"As for arms procurement..."

Uchiha Tokumitsu stroked his chin. "I wonder if Your Excellency intends to make the purchase in the name of the Land of Wind or the Sand Village?"

"His Excellency the Regent intends to transform the village into a nation, so naturally he will conduct arms procurement in the name of the Kingdom of Wind!"

Luo Sha also revealed his trump card without hesitation.

"Turning a village into a nation...that's a monumental feat, overturning the 'one village, one nation' system!"

Uchiha Tokumitsu exclaimed, "What do you think, Sakumo-kun?"

Although Uchiha Tokumitsu's tone was a bit strange, Rasa no longer felt nervous as before.

You made the right bet!

Rasa felt that Uchiha Tokumitsu's attitude was tacit approval or even approval of Sunagakure's actions!

"...We are Konoha ninjas, and it is not appropriate for us to interfere in the internal affairs of the Land of Wind and the Village of Sand."

Sakumo Hatake hesitated for a moment, but still expressed his limited support.

He had been allied with Uchiha Tokumitsu for a long time, so he naturally knew Uchiha Tokumitsu's personality and ambitions, and even more so his ambition to overthrow the traditions of the ninja world.

Moreover, Sakumo Hatake did not intend to send his precious Konoha ninjas to the desert to fight against Sunagakure, nor was he willing to use the lives of his fellow village ninjas to protect the interests of the daimyo and nobles.

"Thank you for your support, General Deguang and Speaker Shuomo!"

The supple-bodied Luo Sha bowed again in thanks.

"However, it is not convenient for us to intervene and protect what the Sand Village has done, nor is it convenient for us to form an alliance directly..."

Uchiha Tokumitsu said, "However, in order to maintain the friendship between our two sides, I can agree to your request for arms procurement on behalf of the Uchiha clan."

"That's enough!"

Luo Sha said, "If possible, we also hope to sign a non-aggression pact with the general..."

Treaty, huh?

Uchiha Tokumitsu found it very interesting.

His specialty is forcing other ninja villages to sign unequal treaties, but this is the first time he has signed a non-aggression pact.

"The attitude of Konoha is not to form an alliance. In particular, the alliance involving the two major ninja villages still needs to be discussed and voted on by the two houses of Konoha. Such a lot of trouble may have some negative impact on the Sunagakure Society."

Uchiha Tokumitsu politely declined.

"A secret agreement is also acceptable..."

Luo Sha bowed again and said, "Moreover, the contracting parties are His Excellency the Regent and the Governor-General's Office directly under the command of General De Guang, and do not involve the two countries and two villages..."

"A secret pact between powerful factions?"

Uchiha Tokumitsu's eyes were opened once again.

He had assumed that most people in the ninja world were unruly and inflexible, but he never expected that the Sand Village in the desert would be so agile.

"What do you think, Sakumo-kun?"

Uchiha Tokumitsu's gaze fell upon Hatake Sakumo.

"The Governor-General's Office is under the control of Lord Deguang, so he can do as he pleases."

Sakumo Hatake said, "However, the Governor's Office is still part of Konoha. If Konoha makes any further decisions regarding Sunagakure in the future, the validity of the secret agreement will also be subject to the decisions of both houses of parliament."

"That's only natural!"

Rasa was afraid that Hatake Sakumo might change his mind after saying a few more words, so he quickly promised: "The non-aggression pact is just our way of showing our sincerity to General Tokuko in order to achieve lasting peace with Konoha. It will absolutely not interfere with Konoha's future interests!"

"That will suffice..."

Uchiha Tokumitsu slowly said, "However, I have one more condition..."

"General Deguang, please speak!"

Luo Sha quickly replied.

"I hope that the Regent will grant preferential treatment to all Konoha-related personnel and organizations."

Uchiha Tokumitsu said with a smile.

What does this mean?

Luo Sha looked somewhat bewildered.

"No rush~ Let me explain it to you in detail~"

Uchiha Tokumitsu's smile widened.

Chapter 264 Arbitrary Rule of the Emperor

After Uchiha Tokumitsu's explanation, Rasa finally understood the meaning of "one-sided most-favored treatment".

Although it seems that the Land of Wind is at a disadvantage under these conditions, it doesn't mean that the Sand Village is at a disadvantage. As the saying goes, "a son sells his father's land without feeling the pain." The Sand Village has only just launched a coup to control the central government of the Land of Wind and has not yet completed effective control over the country. Therefore, it doesn't matter if they sell some interests.

Moreover, Rasa believed that as long as the Land of Wind did not sign any other treaties with favorable terms with other ninja villages or countries, the so-called "unilateral most-favored-nation treatment" would not have much impact on the Land of Wind.

It was with this mindset that Rasa agreed to Uchiha Tokumitsu's conditions and successfully obtained the non-aggression pact that Sunagakure wanted.

As for the weapons needed by Sunagakure, Uchiha Tokumitsu promised to provide them with an extra batch of Uchiha-made explosive tags sold at cost price. As for other military supplies, he would provide anything as long as they were paid.

After all, Sunagakure's poverty was more due to resource shortages caused by environmental limitations, but they were not short of gold, especially the Magnet Release bloodline passed down through generations of the Kazekage lineage, which was a master at mining gold in the desert.

……

After seeing Rasa off, Uchiha Tokumitsu and Hatake Sakumo exchanged pleasantries for a while before sneaking back into the village.

The non-aggression pact with Sunagakure was just a secret agreement; to realize it, Uchiha Tokumitsu and other parties would need to make some deals.

In particular, Uchiha Tokumitsu needs to make sure that Tsunade of the Senju clan will not become the driving force behind the Sunagakure conquest.

"Lord Tokumitsu..."

The attendant ninja asked, somewhat puzzled, "Given the Senju clan's current strength, which is clearly in a state of decline, why do we still need to discuss this matter with them?"

"If the Senju clan didn't openly appear to be restraining our clans, would other ninja clans view us this way?"

Uchiha Tokumitsu asked, "Do you remember how the Senju clan fell into decline?"

"...Due to excessive losses during the First Shinobi World War, most of the able-bodied men were lost."

The attendant ninja hesitated for a moment, then answered in a low voice.

"Then why did the Senju clan suffer so many losses in the Fourth Shinobi World War?"

As Uchiha Tokumitsu walked toward the clan's territory, he continued to ask questions.

"At that time, the Senju clan was the most powerful Hokage clan..."

The attendant ninja replied.

At that moment, he seemed to understand something.

"He who bears the nation's shame is called the master of the state..."

Uchiha Tokumitsu said slowly, "With great power comes great responsibility."

"Otherwise, they would be like the Sarutobi clan, enjoying the power of the Hokage family but rarely appearing in wars. In that case, they would be completely ruined after just one defeat."

"Your subordinate understands... Thank you for your guidance, Lord Deguang."

The attendant ninja said with heartfelt admiration.

As the saying goes, "To preserve the extinct and continue the broken lineage, the world will turn to you," Uchiha Tokumitsu treated the Senju clan kindly not for the power of the Senju, but for the fame that this act would bring.