How to Survive as an Uchiha

Led by the Kiri ninjas into the conference hall, Masashi and Shisui took their seats and waited for the arrival of the Fourth Mizukage.

As they sat there, alone and bored, the two began chatting.

"The humidity here is unbearable," Shisui complained, wiping his forehead. "When can we go back?"

"Be patient. This is a meeting between two major ninja villages," Masashi replied.

Over the past two days, he had spent half his time with Shisui and the other half in his own room.

Hikari was a gem; whether this mission would go smoothly depended on her.

To create the impression that she was already his woman, he had to return to her room at night.

Thankfully, the bed was big enough.

Though it was true that she had been wearing less and less. She seemed to have genuinely relaxed.

On the first morning, she was curled up like a little cat in a corner of the bed.

And this morning, she nearly rolled over onto him. Her sleeping posture was... bold.

This wouldn't do.

When it came to delicate negotiations, Masashi was a professional. Not a single detail could be overlooked.

Putting himself in another's shoes: If one's family had been wiped out, leaving just an older sister, and a benefactor appeared to rescue them, but oh wait—this benefactor slept with the sister...

Suddenly, that benefactor's image would take on a very different meaning. From a kind-hearted samaritan, they would become someone who lusted after the sister's beauty.

The debt of gratitude would still exist, but the flavor of it would change significantly.

Fortunately, this was about a younger brother and not a younger sister. Otherwise, wouldn't there be the concern of the benefactor one day becoming the husband?

A thousand-mile embankment can be ruined by an ant's nest. So, details couldn't be ignored.

Seeing Shisui looking a bit impatient, Masashi decided to act more annoying.

Mainly because he worried this kid would act recklessly.

"Shisui."

"What is it, Masashi-nii?"

"You know what we're here to do today, right?"

"Of course," Shisui said, puzzled. "We're here to propose a contract renewal." He's treating me like a child again.

"Right, right, exactly. And you won't do anything extra, right?"

"Masashi-nii, I won't do anything unnecessary…" Shisui looked at his cousin, speechless. "I know your intentions. Fugaku-sama asked me to learn from you."

"Oh, oh, good. I was just making conversation because I was bored," Masashi said awkwardly.

He shouldn't have doubted Shisui; the kid had made a lot of progress. He needed more encouragement.

Shisui caught the way Masashi was looking at him.

"Masashi-nii, do you think I'm an idiot?" he was clearly displeased. He was an elite ninja and had his pride.

He thought his behavior had been flawless lately. He even perfectly countered Kiri's honey trap. Not only did he protect himself, but he also protected the girl—absolutely perfect.

"Don't talk about yourself like that," Masashi said, putting on a serious face and encouraging him. "Be more confident. You're much smarter than Tetsuka."

Shisui felt as if a lump of air was stuck in his throat, unable to come out. Tetsuka? Is this praise or another subtle insult?

Tetsuka—the clan's universally acknowledged simpleton!

At least Shisui had a reputation. He was definitely not an idiot!

Suddenly, footsteps echoed from outside the room.

Hearing the sound, both men adjusted their posture and looked toward the door.

Masashi activated his chakra-sensing ability.

That's a lot of chakra! It is definitely Yagura.

Soon, a boy with purple eyes appeared at the door. A scar resembling stitches ran under his left eye, confirming his identity. Yagura had a baby face and wasn't tall. His thin build made him look like a teenager.

But in reality, he was far from young—an experienced veteran with children of his own.

Perhaps due to the formal setting, he wore the Mizukage's hat.

The hats of the Five Kage were uniform in design, only differing in color.

The Mizukage's hat was blue and white.

However, his attire was more practical, designed for combat, with Kiri forehead protector sewn directly into his clothes at the abdomen.

A ninja's forehead protector was an essential piece of armor, capable of blocking shuriken and kunai at close range. Most people wore it properly on their foreheads. Yagura's unconventional placement reflected his confidence.

"Shisui the Teleporter, long time no see," Yagura said. "The last time we met, we were enemies."

"And now, you are the Fourth Mizukage," Shisui replied, matching the formal tone while keeping his own chakra perfectly steady.

Yagura turned his gaze to Masashi.

"The White Ghost of Konoha. I've heard much about you."

"You flatter me. I am nothing compared to you, Mizukage-sama, the hero of Kiri," Masashi responded politely, smiling.

No wonder, in the original timeline, Kiri got played for so many years. Obito's genjutsu was top-notch. But what was truly absurd was that after slaughtering entire ninja clans, Kiri blamed Obito.

As if, while cheerfully butchering clan after clan, they had all been acting under Obito's control. The clans annihilated by ordinary ninjas carrying out their revenge thus became evidence of his crimes.

In that instant, Kiri—and the entire Land of Water—managed to erase this history cleanly.

Masashi privately disdained such behavior.

In his view, it was the Mizukage's incompetence that led to such a ridiculous situation.

If you wanted to talk about complex clan dynamics, Konoha's situation back then was far more complicated.

And yet, the clans never degenerated into this inhuman chaos.

The key was cutting losses promptly. Like eliminating the greedy, unrepentant ones who would jump out first, and the rest would naturally behave.

Ambition was cultivated, and so was self-awareness.

Masashi considered himself an expert in such matters.

Kiri's downfall lay in its failure to act decisively.

What could have been fixed with a bandage became an excuse to cut flesh and bones. They had no one to blame but themselves.

Yagura sat in the main seat, and behind him, a group of ANBU filed in, lining up behind him. 

Masashi scanned them all but didn't see Obito. Shy guy, huh? Hiding away.

"Mizukage-sama, we're here today to renew our agreement. This matter has been delayed for quite some time," Shisui spoke first, acting in his official capacity. "Could we get a definitive answer today?"

"Of course. Kiri and Konoha are close neighbors. A renewal is necessary," Yagura said seriously, and everyone listened as if he meant it.

"But," he added, shifting his tone, "I hope you understand that due to many pressing matters in our village, this has been delayed."

"That's understandable," Shisui nodded. "However, we hope to finalize this as soon as possible to put both sides at ease."

Yagura nodded, and an ANBU member stepped forward, placing four identical agreements on the table.

"Please review them," he said, pushing the agreements toward the two. "Each village keeps a copy, and the other two will be sent to the respective daimyōs. Is that acceptable?"

"The process itself isn't an issue," Shisui said after carefully reviewing the documents. "But traditionally, we've only signed agreements between villages. These include matters beyond a ninja village's authority, and we haven't received authorization for that."

Masashi also reviewed one of the agreements.

Clearly. the documents covered topics exceeding a ninja village's jurisdiction.

"Such an agreement would need the daimyōs' signatures to be valid," Masashi said, putting the document down. "Otherwise, how can we enforce matters involving the citizens of both nations?"

"That's possible, as these matters rely on the Uchiha clan's strength," Yagura said with a smile. "The 'Trade Merchants' Association,' which has risen in the Land of Fire in recent years, is excellent. From what I know, the Uchiha clan holds actual control. These matters don't need approval; the feudal lords just need to be informed."

Masashi chuckled lightly. "The Uchiha clan merely cooperates with the association. We don't negotiate on their behalf. Besides…"

He placed the document back on the table.

"With all due respect, Konoha is not a defeated party. To ask Konoha to secure resources for Kiri in exchange for a ceasefire is unrealistic. May I ask who drafted this agreement?"

"It seems you're the real negotiator here, Masashi," Yagura replied nonchalantly. Though Kiri had lost the war and he was the Mizukage, Masashi was considered "Kage-level" himself.

There was no need to show him excessive respect.

Besides, the agreement was indeed unreasonable. Having opinions on it was normal.

Negotiations were a process, after all.

"My apologies. I'm simply familiar with this association, so I had to overstep my role to explain," Masashi said.

"This is my personal view: Agreements are just agreements. Ninja villages have never truly achieved peace because of them," Yagura replied, taking the words as serious.

Empty chatter—it was basic protocol, and both sides understood that.

What mattered was not to mislead each other on the key points.

"Still, compared to the Hōzuki clan, shouldn't I be a better partner, Masashi?"

The one extending the olive branch, Yagura, gazed at the two people in front of him. He noticed that both of them had an expression of surprise.

As if to say, "Did you stay up all night?"

"Mizukage-sama, I'm afraid there's been a misunderstanding," Masashi said. "The guest follows the host's lead. We are guests, and when the host invites, we must attend."

"The Hōzuki clan is not the master of Kiri," Yagura replied. "No one is the master of Kiri. This village belongs to everyone who lives here."

"Is that so?" Masashi glanced at the ANBU members behind Yagura. "People who say such things usually mean, 'I am the real master.' Is that what you mean too?"

"If you want to interpret it that way, so be it. As the Mizukage, I represent Kiri," Yagura said with a faint smile. "While the Hōzuki clan comes from the Second Mizukage, that is all."

"That's why we're here to renew our agreement with you," Masashi said. "Business is business. Since this is an issue between Konoha and Kiri, let's use the old version of the agreement."

"No need to rush to reject me, Masashi. Why not listen to Kiri's terms first?"

"Mizukage-sama, since you're so insistent, let me be honest based on what I know about the Association," Masashi said, deciding to speak candidly. "Given Kiri's current situation, the Association won't accept this business. The village simply doesn't have the financial capacity."

"Kiri is a great ninja village. Given enough time, we can repay it," Yagura persisted. "Merchants don't have the right to negotiate. It's all up to the Uchiha clan. Kiri would owe the Uchiha a favor."

"Mizukage-sama, that's no way to talk." Masashi said coldly, "Do you take the Uchiha for fools?"

"No, I see you as reliable partners," Yagura said with a smile.

He waved his hand.

The ANBU members behind him turned and left.

Once they were gone, Yagura stood up.

"Shall we take a walk, the three of us?"

Masashi and Shisui exchanged a glance of confusion, but as he was the Mizukage, they couldn't deny him this courtesy.

"As you wish."

The two stood up as well.

Yagura led the way out of the conference hall.

The Mizukage's building was much larger than the Hokage's and far more labyrinthine. He walked silently in front, leading them up a staircase.

When they reached the top, he opened a door.

What lay before them was an expansive wide rooftop that offered a panoramic view of Kiri. The area was vast, and the view was magnificent.

This was the rooftop of the Mizukage's building.

Yagura walked to the edge of the platform and silently admired the scenery.

"Good relations between two villages is a major matter. There's no need to rush," he said suddenly. "Given Kiri's current difficulties, we can wait until we've dealt with the more troublesome matters before resuming negotiations."

Masashi and Shisui exchanged glances, confusion flickering in their eyes.

Is this really someone under genjutsu control?

Both were very familiar with genjutsu. No matter how intricately applied, it always affected a person's consciousness.

At the very least, it would reduce their mental agility—an unavoidable side effect. Yet from start to finish, Yagura showed no such signs.

Masashi gave Shisui a look, and Shisui immediately understood.

With the flow of chakra, his pupils transformed into Sharingan. The next moment, the unique pattern of the Mangekyō Sharingan took form.

Under those eyes, Yagura's chakra was laid bare.

A flicker of surprise crossed Shisui's face.

"Did you see it clearly?"

The voice rang out—not from Masashi, but from Yagura.

He turned around.

"So this is the legendary Mangekyō Sharingan? Last time we fought, you didn't have those eyes."

To Shisui's surprise, Yagura's chakra was surging at an astonishing speed.

"It seems the rumors were false," Masashi activated his Sharingan as well. "You have not been placed under genjutsu. I thought your unrealistic proposal meant someone was pulling strings behind the scenes."

"Masashi, your reflexes are quick. No wonder you were able to rebuild the Uchiha clan," Yagura said as his chakra calmed. "Stirring chaos in Kiri alone can't be your goal. You're not that shallow."

"Mizukage-sama, speaking like this here will cause misunderstandings."

"Don't worry. Unless your clansmen appear here personally, the barrier prevents anyone from hearing our conversation," Yagura said confidently.

"I don't know what you're talking about, but you seem very confident in your barrier."

"Playing the role of 'the controlled one' is tiring," Yagura sighed. "After so much effort, I can't walk away empty-handed, can I? But Masashi, you still haven't answered my question. Are you not sincere about renewing our alliance?"

"I'm very sincere," Masashi said, finding this situation utterly absurd.

Obito, what a ridiculous genius! Even someone who read the manga finds this hilarious!

Danzō's scapegoating skills didn't even compare to this!

"If you're sincere, why bother with these little tricks?" Yagura asked. "Kiri has no intention of antagonizing Konoha."

"Mizukage-sama, you're saying too much."

"Let me rephrase: as long as I'm Mizukage, there will be no war between Kiri and Konoha," Yagura said seriously. "There's no reason for the new Kiri to conflict with Konoha."

Masashi and Shisui stared blankly at the Mizukage before them, unsure how to process this.

What's with this tone?

Now they started to think maybe the Mizukage was under genjutsu.

"Many people have already died in Kiri. There's no need for more meaningless war. Of course, if the Land of Water's daimyō has ambitions for the Land of Fire, that's a different matter," Yagura said, returning to his earlier point. "But strengthening cooperation between our villages will reduce that possibility."

"Mizukage-sama, do you think that's achievable?" Masashi scratched his head. Yagura seemed serious now, quite different from their earlier conversation in the hall. "To stop the Land of Water from eyeing mainland territories is a bit much. Given your relationship with the daimyō, it seems impossible."

"There are many nations in this world," Yagura said with a faint smile. "We don't have to focus solely on the Land of Fire. If Kiri allies with Konoha, Kumo becomes less of a problem, doesn't it?"

"Alright then, Mizukage-sama. What exactly do you want?"

"I can help you lure out your clansman and assist you in capturing him. In return, when I go to war with the Hōzuki clan, I hope you'll join my forces."

"Mizukage-sama, I want to take someone with me. Her younger brother is in the hands of the Hōzuki clan."

"No, Masashi, you've been deceived. Hikari's younger brother is not in Ketsuki's hands. The person she thought was him was actually someone I arranged," Yagura said with a calm smile. "Her younger brother has been here with me all along."

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129/150 reached for bonus chapter.