Land Reclamation Plan

High in the sky.

Upon hearing Shamu's words, Ōnoki's first reaction was not delight, but a frown.

"Our Land of Earth and your Land of Fire have never had a good relationship."

"Or are you Uchiha planning something?"

Shamu spread his hands. "You know the situation between the Uchiha Clan and Konoha. We've long been at each other's throats."

"The Uchiha are preparing to become independent soon. We hope to form an alliance with Iwagakure."

"The Uchiha want to become independent?"

Ōnoki had not expected there to be an Uchiha who did not want to become Hokage.

"You don't want to become Hokage?"

Ōnoki was genuinely surprised. The Land of Fire was rich in resources, and the Hokage wielded tremendous authority.

Shamu shook his head. "I don't."

Ōnoki studied him carefully. Shamu's answer had been decisive, as though he truly had no such intention.

"Just an alliance? That's acceptable."

Ōnoki agreed casually.

After all, such an alliance was merely verbal. Only a true community of shared interests could create the strongest allies.

Shamu understood that perfectly well.

So he said, "If the Uchiha and Konoha go to war, Iwagakure would be the happiest, wouldn't it?"

Ōnoki snorted without denying it.

But this Uchiha before him was simply a freak.

Not only did he have no desire to become Hokage, he also had no intention of fighting Konoha to the death.

He even intended to resolve the conflict with Konoha by leaving and becoming independent.

"If we Uchiha leave Konoha, that would be a good thing for you as well, wouldn't it?"

Shamu spoke bluntly.

The Uchiha Clan was exceptionally strong now. They had money, resources, and powerful fighters, and were in a period of rapid growth.

If the Uchiha truly merged into Konoha, Konoha might even regain the prosperity it