"Marriage?"
Uchiha Makoto repeated the word in a firm, slightly raised voice, as though to confirm what he had just heard. His tone carried both curiosity and a trace of amusement.
In the world of shinobi, marriage was far from unusual. In fact, it was a common political tool. Powerful clans, daimyos, and nobles had long used marriage as a way to strengthen alliances, settle conflicts, and build networks of mutual interest. The shinobi world was no different. The Senju clan's lasting ties with the Uzumaki clan were themselves the product of such a union.
One only had to look at Uzumaki Mito, the wife of Hashirama Senju. Though she lived a life that many might call restrictive, she still carried the title of Hokage's wife and the matriarch of the Senju household. Marriage, whether one found it pleasant or bitter, carried political weight that could alter the fate of entire clans.
Judging from the current situation, Makoto could see the logic. If the Uzumaki clan wanted to build a bond with the newly rising Akatsuki Village that rivaled its long-standing ties to Konoha, the most direct and effective method was indeed through marriage.
It was, after all, a win–win situation for both sides.
"If Lord Guangying would agree to a marriage alliance with my Uzumaki clan," Uzumaki Shinji declared solemnly, "then our Uzumaki clan is willing to form a blood alliance with Akatsuki Village. We shall share both prosperity and calamity together, bound in life and death."
His words carried undeniable weight. Even though the Uzumaki clan was far weaker now than in its glorious past, the saying remained true: a rotting ship still has three thousand nails. The heritage, sealing arts, and life force of the Uzumaki clan were not something to be underestimated. Uchiha Makoto understood that if they were truly bound to Akatsuki Village, they could provide real support at critical moments. In fact, the original history of the shinobi world proved that the Uzumaki could tip the scales when needed.
Makoto's lips curved into a faint smile. "In that case, I have no reason to refuse. I thank the Uzumaki clan for its goodwill. I will personally invite the Fire Daimyo to officiate the wedding. As for the betrothal gifts, I shall have them prepared immediately. Rest assured, this will not be a simple affair. I will see to it that the wedding is grand enough to honor both clans."
He accepted without hesitation. As the leader of a village, he could not shy away from such a responsibility. Personal feelings aside, it was his duty to secure the future of his people.
Shinji's face brightened, his relief evident. He turned toward the young woman beside him, Uzumaki Tsubaki Shizuku, his expression softening with fatherly affection. Finally, with a gentle but firm push, he guided her forward to stand before Uchiha Makoto.
"Tsubaki Shizuku," Shinji said, his voice steady, "from this day onward, you are the wife of Lord Guangying. Remember who you are. Never bring shame to the Uzumaki clan."
The girl, who only moments ago had shown some defiance and bared her youthful temper toward Makoto, now lowered her head in silence. She seemed to have known about this arrangement long before today. Her compliance revealed no surprise.
Makoto studied her carefully. Fair skin, striking red hair tied into a high ponytail, and delicate yet youthful features—she was undeniably beautiful. When she noticed his gaze, her nervousness showed, her eyes darting around like a startled deer. Still, even though this was clearly a political marriage with no foundation of affection, she was not walking into a union of disadvantage.
Makoto let his eyes linger for a moment longer before shifting back to Shinji, pulling the discussion back to practical matters. The betrothal gifts—the so-called "bride price"—were nothing more than financial assistance wrapped in ceremonial language. Yet in politics, words mattered.
Makoto understood the principle: sincerity was measured by sacrifice. The simplest test of sincerity was whether one was willing to part with wealth. If a man could not even give up money, how could he be trusted to give up anything else?
It might sound like a shallow truth, but in practice, it held weight.
He also knew the Uzumaki must be made to believe that Konoha was nothing more than a false ally. After all, history showed that Konoha had treated them as such. In the original timeline, when the Uzumaki faced destruction, Konoha offered little more than empty silence. Their so-called "ally" plundered their knowledge but abandoned their people.
Nagato, left helpless in Amegakure, received no aid. Jiraiya feared that if Konoha knew of the boy's Rinnegan, their greed would bring only misfortune. Karin, too, with her vivid red hair and unmistakable heritage, walked into Konoha during the Chunin Exams. Konoha recognized her lineage yet chose not to act.
And what of the others, scattered and unaccounted for? Konoha searched for none of them. The only Uzumaki they allowed to remain—Kushina—was taken not for her sake, but for the Nine-Tails sealed inside her. In Konoha's eyes, she was less a woman and more a weapon. Only by chance did she meet Minato Namikaze, who gave her the rare fortune of love.
To Makoto, Konoha's hypocrisy was clear.
It was better to have no ally at all than to have such a shallow one.
"Three billion… six hundred and eighty million taels," Makoto declared at last, after a long pause of contemplation. "Yes. I think that number has a ring to it. Let that be the bride price for Uzumaki Tsubaki Shizuku."
The chamber fell silent.
Shinji's voice trembled as he repeated the figure. "Three… point six… eight billion?" His knees nearly gave way beneath him, and he only remained seated because the chair held his weight. His mind reeled. At most, he had expected a gesture of perhaps half a billion, maybe even a billion if Makoto were unusually generous. But three point six eight? It was unimaginable.
His eyes glistened with gratitude. For a man who had long nursed bitterness at the Senju's betrayal during Konoha's founding, this sudden generosity was overwhelming. Compared to the Senju, this was not just generosity—it was magnificence. It was kindness that melted resentment.
Beside them, Tsubaki gasped. Covering her mouth with both hands, she began to count clumsily on her fingers—ones, tens, hundreds, thousands, millions—until she had no fingers left but still hadn't reached the full number. Her emerald eyes sparkled, her nervousness fading into something softer.
Her heart, once filled with fear of marrying a stranger, now felt lighter. Yes, this was a political marriage, but when the bride price was declared in her name, it was hard not to wonder: Could it be that Uchiha Makoto truly values me? Girls, after all, were prone to sentiment. The thought of "love at first sight" blossomed, naïve though it might be.
For the first time, she looked at him not as a political partner, but as a man.
Favorability +3. +3. +3. +3. +3.
Makoto smiled faintly. "Of course it's true. My words as Guangying cannot be taken back. This gift is not just a token of alliance between Akatsuki Village and the Uzumaki. It is also my determination to marry Uzumaki Tsubaki Shizuku."
His eyes flicked toward her, just for a moment, but the gesture was enough. Subtle, silent, almost playful. She lowered her gaze, cheeks flushed.
The effect was immediate.
Shinji's joy overflowed. "Ah! A pity there is no wine here, Lord Guangying, or we would toast properly! No matter. Let us use tea instead! Today, Uzumaki clan and Akatsuki Village swear to share life and death together!"
He raised his bowl and drank deeply, then quickly poured another cup, placing one before Makoto and one before his daughter. "Come, drink from each other's cups! Tsubaki, don't be shy. This is your husband now!"
Tsubaki's face turned crimson. Still, she lifted her cup, her hands trembling slightly. Makoto raised his own, silently thinking that Shinji was far too eager to give away his daughter. For money, he was willing to trample even dignity.
Yet he drank all the same.
When the tea was gone, Makoto leaned back slightly, his eyes narrowing in thought. A sudden idea sparked, bold and mischievous.
"The figure of 3.68 billion," he began casually, "must be handled carefully. Within Akatsuki and among the Uzumaki clan, I ask that you keep this matter discreet for now. But to Konoha…" His lips curled into a sly grin. "Publicize it. Loudly."
Shinji blinked in confusion. "Low profile for us, but high profile for Konoha?"
"Yes." Makoto's tone sharpened, his words flowing with conviction. "First, wealth must never be flaunted. Allies such as Konoha will not strike us, so to them, it matters not. But others? They would only covet us. Secondly, I do not wish the world to believe that this bond between us is shallow, built only on money. No. This is a blood alliance, meant for fire and water alike. That is what we must show to the world."
Shinji nodded slowly, though confusion lingered. Still, Makoto's voice carried such righteousness that he could only agree. Yet behind Makoto's calm eyes, mischief stirred. Already, he imagined the chaos that would unfold once Konoha's women heard whispers of Akatsuki's generosity.
The stinking Konoha… what makes you worthy of comparison with me?
Makoto's heart pulsed with anticipation. The game had only just begun.
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