Before long.
The group arrived at Shadow Building.
By rights, all accompanying personnel from both sides should have waited in the reception hall, since what followed would be a relatively private discussion. Yet Shinji Uzumaki had kept a girl by his side the entire time. She looked quite cute, with large, bright eyes and red hair tied in a high ponytail that made her seem even more youthful and lovely. From time to time, she would blink at him and sneak glances his way.
But considering the highly confidential nature of the upcoming talks, this behavior was somewhat inappropriate.
However, Shinji Uzumaki seemed entirely unmoved, so Uchiha Makoto chose to tacitly allow it. After all, the visitor was a guest.
After a few simple pleasantries, the atmosphere between them was fairly pleasant. Shinji Uzumaki then directly stated his purpose: he represented the Uzu Ninja Village of the Uzumaki Clan and had come to form an alliance with Akatsuki Ninja Village.
Upon hearing this—
Uchiha Makoto felt slightly disappointed. He had still harbored hopes that the Uzumaki Clan might join Akatsuki Ninja Village, though that hope had admittedly been little more than wishful thinking.
Even so—
The Uzumaki Clan could still be considered a high-quality potential ally for Akatsuki Ninja Village.
When an allied force was in trouble, Konoha remained as steady as a mountain. The Uzumaki Clan, on the other hand, truly showed up when there was trouble. They had continuously helped Konoha fight through the First and Second Great Wars, only to ultimately bring about the destruction of their own country and clan. Uchiha Makoto found such allies reassuring.
But Uchiha Makoto did not agree immediately. Things obtained too easily were never cherished.
And besides—
Even if the Uzumaki Clan Chief had come in person, he could not expect