Undercurrents Stir, Wolves Circle — and There's Even a Fool among the wolves
"Right, Tobirama! You're absolutely right!"
"This is exactly what Konoha should do!"
Senju Hashirama spoke with clear satisfaction, a bright smile spreading across his face. He was genuinely pleased with the plan his younger brother had proposed—it felt as though every sentence had struck directly at his heart.
As expected of his dependable little brother.
At critical moments, Tobirama always came through.
Akatsuki and Kumogakure were already at war.
At a time like this, Konoha absolutely could not pour fuel on the fire. Someone had to stand in the middle, restrain both sides, and prevent the conflict from escalating any further. If the flames of war spread to other villages, the situation would spiral completely out of control.
That was the last thing Hashirama wanted to see.
"Since you agree with the mediation plan, Brother," Tobirama continued smoothly,
"then I volunteer to act as Supreme Commander of this operation. I'll personally lead Konoha's shinobi forces to the front and handle the mediation."
"As for you—you're the Hokage. You can't move lightly. Konoha needs you here, guarding the village. Just stay behind and leave everything else to me."
"And while you're at it," Tobirama added casually,
"keep an eye on Uchiha Madara."
"You know his temperament. If he joins this operation and lets emotions get the better of him, he'll only make things worse. I wouldn't be able to restrain him in the field—so that responsibility falls to you."
"For the sake of peace, Brother… you can handle that, right?"
This was the moment Tobirama had been waiting for.
The blade was finally unsheathed.
He intended to seize full control of this "mediation force."
Hashirama going would only ruin everything.
Madara going would be even worse.
Any other Uchiha might simply be exploited by that innately dangerous boy—Uchiha Makoto.
After weighing every option, Tobirama concluded there was only one possible choice.
Himself.
Only he could firmly control the position of commander and execute a plan that truly protected Konoha.
Letting Akatsuki and Kumogakure grind each other down was merely Step One.
Step Two was far more important:
Harvesting the fruits of victory.
Tobirama could already envision it—
After a brutal war, no matter who held the advantage, both sides would be exhausted, their forces depleted, barely holding together.
And then—
Konoha's shinobi army would arrive, fresh and unscathed.
If Kumogakure gained the upper hand, Tobirama would strike decisively, crushing them from above and stealing victory itself. Afterwards, Konoha would "mediate" and force Kumogakure into an unequal peace treaty, while Uchiha Makoto could only watch helplessly as Konoha reaped the rewards.
If Akatsuki gained the upper hand—no problem.
They too would be at their limit.
Konoha could enter strongly, split the spoils evenly, and then mediate, ensuring Akatsuki never grew too powerful.
No matter the outcome—
Konoha won.
Minimum cost.
Maximum benefit.
Both substance and reputation preserved.
Objectively speaking, this was the optimal solution.
Yes, the methods were dirty.
But—
Who would dare criticize it?
The shinobi world?
Don't make him laugh.
This world had always been ruled by strength.
Akatsuki?
Tobirama never truly considered them allies.
Disposable, plastic alliances were better off disappearing sooner rather than later.
Internal opposition in Konoha?
Even less of a concern.
Every shinobi clan—including the Uchiha—would benefit enormously from this operation. Who would care about the methods once the rewards were secured?
Akatsuki had no real ties to Konoha's clans anyway.
At most, the Uchiha might complain.
As for the rest?
They talked about morality when it was convenient—but when it mattered, only利益 mattered.
Only Hashirama was naïve enough to give endlessly without asking for anything in return.
Brother…
Don't blame me for treating you like a fool this time.
If I don't play a few tricks while working with idealistic insects like you—
How could Konoha ever be governed properly?
Hashirama, gazing at his seemingly harmless younger brother, sensed nothing amiss.
Entrusting Tobirama with full authority felt perfectly reasonable.
Madara's emotions had been unstable lately, and given the relationship between Madara and Tobirama, it was better to keep Madara behind anyway—where Hashirama could personally "talk things through" with him.
"Alright, Tobirama. Let's do it that way."
"I'm counting on you."
"Don't worry, Brother," Tobirama replied with a smile.
"When have I ever let you down?"
With Hashirama's approval secured, Tobirama immediately moved to prepare the shinobi forces and dispatched ANBU to gather real-time intelligence from the Akatsuki–Kumogakure battlefield.
Elsewhere…Uchiha District — Konoha
"Well done… truly worthy of the Uchiha name."
"Makoto led a force that marched a thousand miles overnight and annihilated over a thousand Kumogakure shinobi. Unbelievable."
Uchiha Setsuna finally exhaled in relief after reading Makoto's encrypted message.
The letter detailed Akatsuki's overwhelming victory.
Then came the second half.
Akatsuki hopes Konoha will extend assistance as soon as possible.
If the First Hokage refuses, then spread news of Akatsuki's victory.
Akatsuki fights for both itself and Konoha's fallen shinobi.
The people of Konoha have the right to know.
Makoto deliberately mentioned Konoha's lack of action.
He knew Hashirama's temperament well—endless compromise, endless mediation, no real intervention.
Which suited Makoto perfectly.
Makoto had full confidence in defeating Kumogakure on the battlefield with or without Konoha.
But why should Konoha remain so comfortable?
Public opinion had to be stirred.
Villagers didn't care about "shinobi diplomacy" or "international balance." Once emotions were inflamed, all they wanted was an outlet.
Akatsuki fights a war for two fallen chūnin.
And what is Konoha doing?
Dragging its feet.
Are we really allies—or does the leadership simply not care?
If public outrage escalated into protests?
Even better.
And once this narrative took hold, Akatsuki's image as a superior shinobi village would be cemented—making later ideological infiltration through works like New Shinobi far easier.
"…That makes sense."
Uchiha Setsuna nodded after finishing the letter.
Akatsuki and Konoha were allies. The war was fought for justice. Spreading news of victory throughout Konoha was only natural.
Without hesitation—
He stepped outside.
Land of Wind — Sunagakure
The news soon reached Sunagakure as well.
The First Kazekage could only sigh.
The Land of Fire was already the strongest of the Five Great Nations.
Konoha's power was unquestionable.
But Akatsuki—once obscure—had now shocked the entire shinobi world.
Sunagakure… might not even be their match.
Land of Water — Kirigakure
"Akatsuki… Konoha…"
"The Land of Fire has produced two monster villages."
The First Mizukage soon shifted his attention elsewhere.
Kirigakure was separated from the mainland by the sea—isolated like a shinobi version of a distant continent.
That isolation limited influence—but also insulated them from chaos.
Whatever happened on the mainland would not reach Kirigakure easily.
Land of Earth — Iwagakure
"This is unbelievable…"
"Their strength far exceeds our expectations."
The First Tsuchikage ordered preparations immediately.
But not for war.
"For mediation."
Because if Kumogakure fell—
Who would be next?
Land of Waterfall — Takigakure
The Takigakure leadership gathered urgently.
"If Kumogakure falls today, who falls tomorrow?"
"We border the Land of Fire."
"One day, Konoha and Akatsuki may turn their eyes on us."
A voice rose from the crowd.
"I have an idea."
"Oh?"
"If Konoha and Akatsuki are allies… then attack Konoha."
"They'd never abandon their ally."
"You mean—"
"Assassinate the First Hokage."
"…Brilliant."
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