"Please… don't call it Great General Road," Uchiha Su said firmly, waving his hand in repeated refusals. He had no taste for naming roads after himself.
If it were after his death, it would not matter, but he was still alive. The very idea of such a name made him cringe so much that he could practically carve out a three-bedroom apartment with his toes.
"Why not call it People's Road instead?" he suggested, his tone gentle but firm, leaving no room for argument.
The villagers, though slightly disappointed, still cheered, clapping their hands and celebrating the road as a gift for the people rather than a monument to a single man.
With that decision made, Uchiha Su departed from Himawari Village, the Standing Army forming a protective cordon around him. The masses, still abuzz with excitement, tried to insist on introducing him to a girl with an eight-foot waist—a suggestion Uchiha Su could not possibly entertain. With a wry smile, he left before any awkward introductions could occur.
Meanwhile, in the Land of Lightning, Hidden Cloud Village—a land of jagged peaks that pierced the clouds, perpetually shrouded in mist and echoing with the roar of thunder—events of great political significance were unfolding.
It was April, Year 29 of Konoha. Senju Tobirama, the Hokage of Konoha, arrived in the Hidden Cloud Village accompanied by his Anbu guard squad. The purpose of the visit was formal: to solidify an alliance with Kumogakure and officially bring an end to the long-standing Ninja World War.
"This Alliance between Konoha and the Hidden Cloud Village is a blessing for the entire Ninja World," Tobirama said, extending his hand with a broad smile to the Second Raikage, A. "It marks the definitive end of this nine-year-long conflict."
A, the Second Raikage, a dark-skinned, bearded powerhouse wearing the traditional blue samurai armor of the Warring States Period, shook Tobirama's hand firmly. "Indeed. Continuing the war would only bring further suffering to everyone involved."
Tobirama's expression turned serious. "Although all nations have suffered heavy losses during this war, there is one country and one village that has been quietly exploiting other nations' resources and developing in secret."
A's eyes twinkled with curiosity, though he maintained a gruff exterior. "Who are you referring to, Hokage?"
Tobirama's tone darkened. "The Uchiha Clan. Through force, they occupied Hidden Mist Village in the Land of Water, assassinated the Daimyō's heir, and proclaimed themselves seii taishōgun. They operate without regard for other nations. I even suspect they killed the previous Daimyō and framed Konoha to cover their tracks."
A smirked. "A pity. The Uchiha were once nobles of the Land of Lightning. They migrated to the Land of Fire long ago. Honestly, the Uchiha and the Land of Lightning share a deep bond."
Tobirama's smile vanished. "That was a very long time ago. Perhaps even the Uchiha themselves have forgotten it. Raikage, you are imagining too much."
Had the naturally cunning Uchiha Clan, long considered a dangerous element, actually become a sought-after commodity in the eyes of other nations? Heaven truly has no eyes.
A's gaze remained steady. "How is that fanciful? We did not immediately know the Uchiha were leaving Konoha. Had we known, we could have contacted them long ago. Had they come to the Hidden Cloud, I might even have yielded the position of the next Raikage to them."
Tobirama frowned. "Not long ago, the Daimyō of the Land of Lightning inquired why the Uchiha had not returned. Even restoring their noble status would have been simple at that time."
The Hidden Cloud Village was notorious for its pragmatism and hunger for strength. Powerful Bloodline Limit families were highly valued, and the village often destroyed smaller villages to seize their techniques. As a result, Hidden Cloud's reputation was poor, and few sought friendly relations with them.
"The Uchiha are a naturally evil clan," Tobirama said, his voice laden with certainty.
A chuckled heartily. "It doesn't matter. We in the Hidden Cloud aren't saints either. Two negatives make a positive! I've heard there's a branch of the Uchiha still in Konoha. Why not drive them out? I'll make sure to contact them in advance and even provide a generous gift."
Tobirama's expression darkened further. "The Uchiha in Konoha are the main lineage. How could I drive them away?"
He called out, "Kagami, come here."
Uchiha Kagami approached, puzzled. "Hokage-sama?"
"This is Kagami, a devoted member of the Uchiha Clan. He loves Konoha more than anyone. How could I ever drive the Uchiha away?" Tobirama said, smiling slightly. Displaying an Uchiha in front of outsiders always gave him a subtle sense of satisfaction.
Kagami, though somewhat confused, spoke earnestly. "The Uchiha love Konoha deeply. Some clansmen may be stubborn, but I will advise them to cherish the Village."
A studied Kagami closely, then laughed, teasingly pointing out, "It seems the Uchiha aren't as evil as you claim, Hokage. This lad looks gentle enough."
"No one is born evil," Tobirama replied, his voice steady. "Perhaps it is education or environment that shapes them."
A's tone softened slightly as he reached out and clasped Kagami's hands. "If ever you're unhappy in Konoha, come to the Hidden Cloud. Our gates will always be open to the Uchiha Clan."
Meanwhile, far from the political corridors of power, the battlefield bore witness to a different sentiment.
"Too cowardly," Kinkaku muttered, crimson eyes burning with fury as he stared at the Second Raikage, A, laughing so easily with outsiders.
Ginkaku's teeth were gritted. "The Hidden Cloud doesn't need a Raikage who seeks peace with Konoha. We bled on the front lines, leading our subordinates to fight to the death. Many of them fell by blade and trench alike…"
"…And now, this Raikage announces he wants a ceasefire with Konoha and even an alliance? Isn't this betrayal of all who fought and died before?" Kinkaku's voice was sharp, each word laced with righteous indignation.
Both brothers were veterans of the Warring States Period, seasoned Ninjas who had served the First Raikage directly. They had helped establish the Hidden Cloud Village and were his trusted aides.
Originally, they had hoped to succeed as Raikage themselves, yet the position was given to the Yotsuki Clan by hereditary right. Though the First Raikage's decision was indisputable, the brothers had tolerated it—yet the Second Raikage's cowardly diplomacy was a betrayal too far.
"A weakling is fundamentally unfit to be Raikage," Kinkaku shouted, his voice reverberating with raw energy.
Behind them, the front-line subordinates responded in unison, the intensity of their Killing Intent palpable. "Acts of cowardice shall never be tolerated!"
The echoes of their defiance and righteous anger carried across the bloodied battlefield, a stark contrast to the political theater of the Hidden Cloud's leadership.
In that moment, the ideals of loyalty, courage, and honor clashed violently with the pragmatic diplomacy of the Raikage. Kinkaku and Ginkaku knew that peace forged without strength and principle was merely the illusion of safety—and illusions could shatter like glass when confronted with true danger.
As the brothers stood, battered but unbroken, a silent vow formed in their hearts: no act of cowardice, whether by the Raikage or any other, would ever be allowed to define the Hidden Cloud's legacy.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)