The domineering Uchiha drove the Third Hokage mad!

Chapter 236 If they dare to block my way, I dare to start a war!

On the long table in the council chamber of the Land of Water's palace lay a sample copy of the novel "The Legend of Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama".

The cloud patterns embossed on the edges of the pages flow in the light, and the cover features Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju in the center, the two wearing red armor and gazing at each other, seemingly separated by a thousand-year-old feud, yet also concealing their ideals.

Uchiha Mitsuhide held a page of the final draft between his fingers, his gaze sweeping over the group of people sitting around him, including Namikaze Minato, Hyuga Hiashi, Nara Shikaku, and Kazami Tomohiko.

"Today we need to finalize three things: the publicity and distribution schedule, crisis response, and pricing system."

These three works are not ordinary cultural and entertainment products; they are the keys to pushing forward the "unification and ending the war," and every step must be taken carefully.

Kazami Tomohiko was the first to stand up and distribute neatly bound volumes of novels to everyone.

Beneath the gold-embossed title on the cover, the illustrations of Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju are exceptionally clear in the morning light.

His tone was relaxed and cheerful: "The novel has been proofread three times, and the illustrations have been added. The original plan was to release it simultaneously throughout the entire ninja world, but considering the dissemination effect, we have to adjust the pace."

Nara Shikaku opened the novel, his fingertip hovering over the chapter on "Negotiations between the Two Tribes to Build a Village".

He suddenly looked up: "I think we can break it down into three volumes. The first volume will tell the story of Madara and Hashirama's childhood friendship and the root of the thousand-year-old feud between the two clans. The second volume will be released in 10 days, focusing on the ideals and differences in building the village, and raising the core contradiction of 'temporary peace vs. permanent unity'. In another 10 days, the third volume will conclude the story, detailing the battle at the Valley of the End and the regrets. In this way, each volume can spark a round of discussion, and the buzz will never stop."

"On the day the novel ended, the manga immediately followed. Two chapters were released every week for 30 consecutive days... The focus was on depicting the battles! The Sage Art: True Several Thousand Hands had to be drawn larger than a mountain peak, and the effect of Susanoo's sword slicing down to cut through several mountain peaks had to be shown. The Nine-Tails' Tailed Beast Ball had to convey a sense of oppression that could be seen through the paper."

This way, readers will visualize the scenes while reading the novel.

"Once the comic is released, we'll then keep them waiting for the movie."

Finally, Nara Shikaku unrolled the scroll, revealing a hand-drawn timeline: "In the third month, the movie will be released. This will create a closed loop of 'the novel telling the story, the manga showcasing the visuals, and the movie creating a sensation.' By then, we won't need to promote it; readers will naturally bring their own people to see it..."

Minato Namikaze's eyes lit up, and he casually sketched on a piece of paper: "This plan is great! When I was in Konoha, I found that the students at the Ninja Academy loved to follow serializations. After finishing the first volume, they looked forward to the second volume. After finishing the manga, they looked forward to the movie. When the movie is released, they will definitely bring their family and friends to see it, doubling the reach."

"There's a tough nut to crack on the road to spreading this message."

Kazami Tomohiko suddenly frowned and took out a piece of paper marked with the symbols of various countries: "The Land of Fire and many small countries are fine; but the three great countries of wind, earth, and lightning are different. You, the Daimyo of the Three Peaks, previously intimidated the three great countries in order to mediate the war in the Land of Fire. They are already wary of the Land of Water's actions and may impose restrictions for various reasons."

Hiashi Hyuga's tone was more serious than usual: "Not only the three great nations, but I think the nobles of other countries will also obstruct us. Once the ninja world is unified, their fiefdoms and privileges will be gone. They might even unite and prevent caravans from entering the city at all."

The atmosphere in the council chamber instantly turned somber, and even the birdsong outside the window seemed to weaken.

Uchiha Mitsunori tapped his fingertips lightly on the table, his gaze sharp: "There are two types of bans, and the ways to deal with them must be different. If we encounter unofficial obstacles, such as local thugs or ninjas making things difficult, we should send Konoha ninjas to step in. The reason given should be 'protecting the dissemination of historical works of the ninja world,' which will give us a legitimate reason and allow us to use Konoha's influence to suppress those petty actions."

He then changed the subject, his tone becoming even more resolute: "If we encounter direct obstruction from the authorities, such as an order from the daimyo to confiscate or prohibit the sale, I will, in the name of the daimyo of the Land of Water, send official letters to every nation, large and small, in the ninja world. The letters will state that these three works were created 'to record the deeds of our ancestors and reflect on the pain of war.' If they dare to obstruct us, I dare to wage war!"

Hiashi Hyuga nodded in agreement: "Some things spread even more when they are banned. So if they don't stop it, the work can spread smoothly; if they do stop it, it will only make people curious about 'what is being hidden,' and the private circulation will only become more rampant."

Tomohiko Kazami steered the conversation to a more practical level: "Pricing must also take into account different groups of people. Ordinary people have limited incomes, and if it's too expensive, they can't afford it; but if the price is too low, nobles and wealthy businessmen will feel that it's 'not classy enough'."

Uchiha Mitsumine had already planned ahead, and drew three lines on the table: "Novels will be divided into three tiers. Low tier: 90 taels, with only text and a few scene illustrations, aimed at the general public; Mid tier: 180 taels, with more character close-ups, such as Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama; High tier: 360 taels, with a large number of battle illustrations and more exquisite illustrations of beautiful female characters, sold to nobles and wealthy merchants."

He looked at the comic book manuscript and continued, "Comics are visually appealing, so the price is a bit higher. The low-end is 180 taels, with black and white printing and 3 color pages; the mid-end is 360 taels, with key lines in full color and a 'Ninjutsu Analysis Card' included; the high-end is 600 taels, with a large poster of 'The Valley of the End Showdown' and a movie discount coupon, so that people who buy the high-end comic book can also lock in their movie tickets in advance."

Kazami Tomohiko quickly jotted it down, doing some mental calculations: "This covers all groups from commoners to nobles, ensuring sales while allowing the work to circulate among high-level circles through the 'collectible attribute' of the high-end version... Their attitudes will have a greater impact on ordinary people."

"Then proceed with this plan."

Uchiha Mitsunori stood up, the morning light falling on him: "Nara Shikaku is in charge of drafting official documents and coordinating trade routes with various countries; Namikaze Minato is coordinating the Konoha ninja to deal with obstacles; Hyuga Hiashi is sending spies to keep an eye on the three countries; and Kazami Tomohiko is in charge of printing and pricing."

"Three months from now, I want the entire ninja world to be discussing the story of Madara and Hashirama, and to be wondering if there would have been no war if they had chosen unification back then."

"clear!"

Everyone agreed in unison, picked up their proposals and sample books, and quickly left the council hall. Their footsteps gradually faded into the distance, but it seemed to be the prelude to the "unification storm" sweeping across the ninja world.

Inside the council chamber, the morning light was still gentle. The sample copies of the novel lay quietly on the long table, the spots on the cover and the silhouettes between the pillars seemingly coming to life in the light.

Uchiha Mitsunori walked to the window, looked at the cherry blossom tree in the courtyard, and a smile appeared on his lips... Three months later, in every corner of the ninja world, people would talk about these two names, about that regret, and about the possibility of "unification".

This cultural maneuver has only just begun.

At that time, I should also go to Amegakure to see Nagato and Konan.