Chapter 266: The Kage's Gambit
"And they won't dare to act rashly from now on."
Uchiha Akira, seated on the elegant sofa in his private residence, stated the strategic conclusion with utter finality.
Tsunade, leaning against him, her head resting near his shoulder, paused slightly in her movements.
"Are you so certain?" she asked, a hint of worry in her voice.
She was a seasoned strategist herself, and though she trusted Akira's power, she couldn't dismiss the threat.
"Kumogakure and Iwagakure—neither of them are easy to deal with. If they unite, even temporarily, their combined conventional military strength might exceed ours."
Uchiha Akira scoffed at her worry, a dry, dismissive sound.
"Unite?"
He placed his arm around her waist, his touch reassuring. "That's just the wailing of the weak huddling together for warmth. A temporary maneuver, nothing more."
"The destruction of Hidden Sand Village has already made them lose their nerve. They saw the cost of defiance."
"First, I, Uchiha Akira, am not the Third Hokage; there will be no compromise from me! They know they cannot bargain or negotiate for a stalemate."
"So now, what are Ōnoki and Ay most afraid of?"
Uchiha Akira didn't wait for Tsunade to answer. He continued speaking, his voice cold and analytical, as if discussing pawns on a shogi board.
"What they fear, above all else, is being made my next primary target."
"If Kumogakure makes the first hostile move, even a small incursion, I will immediately mobilize my main force and destroy Kumogakure first."
"Conversely, if Iwagakure makes the first move, the outcome will be the same. Annihilation."
"There is no genuine trust between them whatsoever. Only mutual, paralyzing fear of me."
Uchiha Akira's words succinctly explained the current, fragile balance of terror.
"Therefore, as long as we don't initiate another attack, they absolutely won't dare to act rashly. They cannot afford to be the one who moves first."
"On the border, we only need to maintain a portion of our troops—enough to form a credible deterrent—and that will be enough to keep their entire armies locked in place."
Tsunade nodded slowly. She understood.
This was an open strategy—a staring contest where Konoha held the biggest weapon. Uchiha Akira didn't care whether they united or not. The initiative, the crucial first move, had always been firmly in Konoha's hands. He was forcing them into defensive paralysis.
"Then… what about us next?" Tsunade asked softly, looking up at him.
Uchiha Akira pulled Tsunade's hand, drawing her fully into his embrace and seating her firmly on his lap.
Tsunade struggled symbolically for only a moment, a habitual flicker of pride, then obediently leaned against his broad chest, her cheeks slightly flushed from the intimacy.
Uchiha Akira's chin gently rested on her forehead, and he inhaled the faint, clean fragrance of her hair.
"While they are still suspicious of each other, bickering and stalling for a war that won't start…"
He tightened his grip on her waist.
"I need to go to Kirigakure." (霧隠れの里, Village Hidden by Mist)
"What?!"
Tsunade suddenly looked up, her golden eyes wide with surprise. She slipped from his lap, standing up quickly.
"You're going to the Land of Water? Personally?"
With Uchiha Akira's current strength and the world-spanning ambition he harbored, there was arguably no place in the Ninja World that could truly be called a den of danger. But Kirigakure was chaotic.
"Yes, personally." Uchiha Akira smiled, standing up.
He reached out a finger and gently flicked Tsunade's upturned nose, the gesture conveying immense affection.
"The current Kirigakure, due to the Fourth Mizukage's bloody, manipulative rule, has long been in chaos. Xenophobia is severe, internal factions are numerous, and the village is a complete, self-consuming mess."
Tsunade pondered for a moment, her medical and strategic mind kicking into gear. Her eyes sharpened with understanding.
"Precisely because it's chaotic, it's the best opportunity."
"Exactly." Uchiha Akira nodded approvingly.
"A unified, powerful Kirigakure is a serious enemy. But a fragmented, self-consuming Kirigakure is our best chessboard for easy annexation."
"I will go there to end the so-called Bloody Mist era, support an obedient puppet government, and bring the entire Land of Water completely under Konoha's economic and political control! That will complete our perimeter."
Tsunade took a deep breath, her gaze firm, completely accepting the scale of his ambition.
"I'll go with you."
Uchiha Akira was startled for a moment, then chuckled softly, pleased by her protectiveness.
He shook his head. "No."
Tsunade immediately looked displeased, her beautiful brows furrowed slightly.
"Why? Do you think I'll be a hindrance? My power is more than enough to handle their remnants!"
"Of course not."
Uchiha Akira held her soft hand and gently kissed it. "Precisely because you are strong enough, and precisely because I trust you enough, you must remain in Konoha."
Uchiha Akira looked into Tsunade's eyes, his expression becoming incredibly serious, conveying the immense burden of the task.
"Konoha is about to undergo an unprecedented, massive expansion. Thousands of Hidden Sand war prisoners need to be settled, managed, and put to work. Our new borders require constant supervision. I need someone I can absolutely, completely trust to hold down the fort for me in the rear and handle all of this. Someone who commands absolute respect."
"That person, Tsunade, is only you."
Tsunade was stunned into silence. She looked at his serious, unwavering face.
[So… that's how it is? He trusts me with the entire nation?]
"I understand."
Tsunade said softly, the last trace of annoyance gone. She actively pressed her cheek against Uchiha Akira's chest, accepting the immense responsibility.
"Whatever you do, Akira, I will support you."
"Mm."
Uchiha Akira gently stroked her smooth golden hair, pulling her close for a final, silent moment of peace.
The next day. Morning.
Hokage Building, the highest-level meeting room.
Uchiha Akira sat at the head of the long, polished wooden table.
Below him, Nara Shikaku, Hyūga Hiashi, and some other high-ranking officials still in Konoha (Shikaku's immediate subordinates, clan leaders not on defense) attended the crucial meeting.
The atmosphere was solemn. Everyone's gaze was fixed on the Fifth Hokage.
Uchiha Akira didn't waste words. He went straight to the point, addressing the immediate necessity of expansion.
"First matter."
"Regarding Konoha's expansion."
"Konoha is still far too small. It cannot house the entire population of the Land of Fire and the newly annexed Land of Wind."
"The thousands of Hidden Sand Village war prisoners have all been put to work immediately on the construction of a new district near the training grounds. But this is just the beginning. I need to think bigger."
"I need a truly grand city."
"A super fortress capable of accommodating hundreds of thousands of people, integrating military, commercial, and residential functions seamlessly!"
"This new city will become the center of the entire Ninja World!"
Hiss—!
A collective, audible gasp echoed in the meeting room.
Everyone was shocked by Uchiha Akira's grand, insane vision. A single new city, accommodating hundreds of thousands of people? This was to build an unprecedented Ninja capital!
Nara Shikaku rubbed his temples, feeling his head start to ache severely again.
"So troublesome…" he muttered under his breath, recognizing the impossible complexity of the task.
"Lord Hokage is making such a big move again. The logistics…"
Uchiha Akira's gaze fell directly on Nara Shikaku.
"Shikaku."
"Present, Lord Hokage." Nara Shikaku responded, though weakly.
"You will be fully in charge of this matter. The entirety of the city's design, logistics, and planning fall to you."
"I give you the highest authority; all available manpower—prisoners, construction crews, and village resources—are at your disposal. You command them."
"I want to see the detailed blueprint of the new city in the shortest possible time."
Nara Shikaku opened his mouth, and the familiar, reflexive "too troublesome" was on the very tip of his tongue. He knew the immense, years-long labor this would require.
But he swallowed the protest. He looked at the empty seat of the Hokage.
He stood up and bowed, accepting the burden.
"Yes, Lord Hokage. I will begin work immediately."
"Very good."
Uchiha Akira nodded, then announced the second, equally important matter.
His gaze turned to the Uchiha Clan's representatives seated among the Jōnin.
"Uchiha Tekka."
Uchiha Tekka, an elite Jōnin and close subordinate, immediately stood up, his expression solemn.
"Present, Lord Hokage."
"Issue an order to Fugaku, who currently commands the northern defense line."
"Effective immediately, troops will be significantly increased on the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Lightning—the border facing Kumogakure."
"I will transfer elites from various major clans and Anbu to his command, along with new recruits."
Uchiha Akira paused, delivering the final, specific number.
"His total troop strength is to reach six thousand personnel. No less."
"Yes! Lord Hokage! I will relay the order immediately!" Uchiha Tekka instantly accepted the command, recognizing the necessity of meeting Kumogakure's aggression with overwhelming force.
"Meeting adjourned."
With that, Uchiha Akira's figure, his presence no longer needed, vanished directly from the main seat in a subtle flash of space-time ninjutsu.
Nara Shikaku, however, did not leave.
Dragging his weary steps, he walked to the giant map on the wall. He looked at the huge areas of land around Konoha that were circled in red—the future outlines of Akira's super city—and began muttering incessantly.
"Troublesome… so troublesome…"
He picked up a piece of charcoal and began sketching furiously on the parchment map.
"The east district needs to be planned as a commercial area… the west district for industry and correctional facilities for the prisoners… the south district for new residential areas, barracks, and hospitals… and the north district for a new Ninja Academy and massive training grounds…"
He groaned, listing the requirements. "And the sewage system! The defensive constructions! The material transport routes! The water supply!"
The more he spoke, the more utterly helpless his expression became.
Finally, he painfully covered his face with both hands, rubbing his temples hard.
"Ahhh! Why do I have to be in charge of this kind of thing?!"
"I just want to quietly play shogi… and watch the clouds in the sky with my son!"
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