"It's that simple? Don't we need to do anything else?"
Even those like Master Yuan, who were veterans in the game of ninja politics, were momentarily stunned. Terumi Mei, with her sharp political instincts, still found the entire situation surreal.
Supporting the Uchiha clan was not the same as forming an alliance. If it were an official alliance, Mist Shinobi would be entangled in Konoha's affairs, potentially leading to full-scale war. But this? This was more like standing off to the side in a dispute between two people and occasionally tossing in support—no real consequences, but with the benefit of watching the chaos unfold.
Terumi Mei's brows furrowed slightly. "You're telling me, Andrew—you crossed the sea, came to Mist Village, battled the one controlling the Fourth Mizukage... for just this?"
"Otherwise? What did you think I came for?"
Andrew turned to her with a smirk, giving her a playful wink that made her expression twitch.
Master Yuan, watching this exchange closely, made a decision on the spot.
"Mr. Andrew, rest assured. When the time comes, just give the word. Mist Shinobi will fully cooperate!"
Watermelon Mountain Puffer Ghost and the other elders exchanged glances. It was only now that the full implications began to dawn on them.
Terumi Mei tried to remain composed, keeping her expressions neutral so as not to give anything away to her own people. But when Uchiha Kamasu and Uchiha Kaminarimon offered warm, teasing smiles in her direction, the façade began to crack.
That damned brat!
She shot Andrew a murderous glare. He shrugged, his face the very image of innocence, as if saying, "What did I do?"
There was no longer a need for speculation—everyone present had silently come to the same conclusion. Something had happened between them. Something personal.
Still, no one dared speak openly. Even if they dragged Terumi Mei away in a sack, Mist Shinobi in its current state had no leverage to keep anyone against their will.
Andrew cleared his throat and continued.
"Then, let's move on to the second matter. On behalf of the Uchiha clan, I want to initiate a shipping partnership with the Land of Water."
He paused, scanning the room to gauge reactions.
"This won't involve military transport—strictly cargo. A peaceful, commercial route. This will allow the ninja world's resources to flow into the Land of Water, and for your goods to be exported to the other four nations. It will strengthen your economy."
The room fell silent.
This guy... he's here to give benefits?
He wasn't asking for territory. He wasn't imposing control. He was solving Mist Shinobi's internal strife and now offering trade benefits?
Master Yuan rubbed his temples. He had never encountered such a negotiation in his long life.
Others came to take—but Andrew came bearing gifts.
"Still," Terumi Mei interjected, her voice regaining its edge, "opening the sea lanes will compromise our natural protection. Konoha might not be thrilled to see such a route opened, especially with Uchiha involved."
Andrew replied smoothly, "That's actually not a real concern."
"The Land of Lightning has seafaring power comparable to yours, yet their security remains intact. As long as Mist Shinobi remains strong, the sea is not your shield—your strength is."
He shifted his tone slightly.
"As for Konoha and the Land of Fire: the daimyo there has no issue with this. In fact, stronger economic ties between our lands benefit both daimyo, both nations."
"You think Konoha will sabotage a project endorsed by its daimyo? I assure you—they won't."
"And more importantly," Andrew added with a meaningful glance, "Uchiha is trusted by the daimyo now. If I propose that we handle the docks on the Fire Nation's side, the daimyo will accept without hesitation."
"If anyone—be it Konoha or even Mist Shinobi—wants to disrupt the sea lanes, they'll have to go through Uchiha first. Feel free to test our strength if you doubt it."
The room buzzed with murmurs. Master Yuan fell into thought, his old eyes narrowing.
He was right.
The Land of Water, separated by the sea, had always struggled economically. Mist Shinobi's former repressive policies under manipulated leadership only worsened things. Although the daimyo still provided minimal funding, sustained economic growth was nowhere in sight.
This proposal could breathe new life into their floundering economy.
Of course, there were risks. But as long as the daimyos were in agreement, Ninja Villages would seldom act against each other—it would be political suicide. No one wanted to become the next Sand Village, whose strained relations with its daimyo led to repeated funding cuts.
What Andrew proposed was brilliant.
Taking over the Fire Nation's docks looked small on the surface, but in truth, it planted a political buffer between Mist Shinobi and Konoha.
If Konoha wanted to sabotage the agreement, they would find themselves blocked by Uchiha first. And as Andrew implied, if he truly meant harm, Mist Shinobi would already be ash and smoke.
In the end, Master Yuan nodded.
"Mr. Andrew, please give us some time. We'll need to consult the daimyo."
That was effectively an agreement in principle.
Andrew smiled, "Of course. If the daimyo consents, please have the signed letter ready. I'll return to the Fire Nation and get our daimyo to countersign. We'll exchange letters and finalize it then."
There was no rush. Diplomacy, after all, required patience.
The return voyage was far more relaxed than the arrival.
Instead of a bustling cargo ship, Andrew and his small crew traveled on a smaller, quieter vessel. Only three Uchiha, aside from the sailors, were on board.
"Alright, Andrew," Kaminarimon said with a sly grin. "Tell me the truth. Did you get with Terumi Mei? She looked ready to tear your clothes off or set you on fire."
Beside him, Uchiha Kamasu nodded seriously. "That look was not professional."
Andrew sighed. "You two need to get your heads out of the gutter. It's not like I went there just to flirt. And she wasn't exactly unwilling, okay?"
He performed a summoning seal—and with a puff of smoke, the shrunken form of the Three Tails appeared on the deck.
"From today on, we decide whether the ninja world is at peace or in chaos," Andrew said, eyes gleaming. "And if chaos comes, we throw the first Tailed Beast Bomb."
His comrades stared, stunned.
He had taken the Three Tails from Mist Village—and no one had even raised an objection.
Andrew could already envision the chaos he could create.
There were only nine Tailed Beasts. Each associated with a hidden village. If a village were suddenly hit by a Tailed Beast Bomb, who would they suspect? Not some neutral party, but their rival villages—a perfect smokescreen.
Back in Mist Shinobi, the elders were finally able to exhale after hearing that the Uchiha delegation had left.
But something wasn't right.
"Wait… where's the Three Tails?"
"Ah, um… pretty sure Andrew took it with him?"
"WHAT? That's our tailed beast! Why didn't you stop him?!"
"Then... then why don't you go ask him to give it back?"
"I… I'd rather not."
Silence fell over the room.
They hadn't even brought up the Three Tails during negotiations—Andrew had just… taken it. And now he was halfway back across the sea.
The elders were speechless.
He didn't even steal it... they practically gave it to him with a smile.
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