The Birth of Konoha's Great Tiger

The Chunin Exams were drawing closer.

As a result, the village began to prepare, and the atmosphere grew considerably more tense.

To ensure the successful hosting of this Chunin Exam, Hiruzen Sarutobi specifically convened a small meeting shortly before it.

At this moment.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's team gathered in a small conference room.

Of course, for various reasons... their close friend, Danzō Shimura, was not present at this meeting.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed with emotion, looking at the new bounty poster for 400 million on the table beside him. A touch of melancholy filled his heart as he removed his pipe from his lips. "Danzō, that guy... isn't he showing a lack of trust in me?"

He didn't even attend the meetings he called, which truly saddened him!

"..."

Don't even mention it!

If I saw you keeping my bounty poster on your desk all day, I wouldn't trust you either~

Of course, as Hiruzen Sarutobi's close friend, Mitokado Homura couldn't possibly say that.

He also sighed with emotion, "After all, this increase is a bit exaggerated."

How long has it been? It's already 400 million!

And it's still rising, which is bound to attract the attention of rogue shinobi or assassination shinobi.

Although the village was quite safe, in general, accidents... who could ever know?

Perhaps someone who didn't fear death might secretly infiltrate, setting their sights on Danzō's head.

Mitokado Homura pondered for a moment. "I heard the bounties aren't from a single location. What did Danzō do to have so many people issue bounties on him simultaneously?"

"Alright," Utatane Koharu beside him shook her head helplessly. "Regardless, this bounty is already affecting our work. Let's investigate which ninja village or individual is willing to pay such a high price to put a bounty on Danzō!"

Back then, even the First Hokage selling tailed beasts wasn't this outrageous. Who knows how high it will go.

Speaking of which, looking at Hiruzen Sarutobi, "But right now, we should be focusing on the upcoming Chunin Exams."

"Hahaha, that's true!" Hiruzen Sarutobi carefully put the bounty poster away, his brow slightly furrowed as he looked at his old friend. "As you can see, the various ninja villages have been making some strange moves in secret recently. Therefore, security within the village must be tightened for this Chunin Exam!"

"Have the Guard Squad cooperate with the Anbu's operations," Utatane Koharu said calmly, as if she had already thought of it. "The Sharingan is quite useful in this regard."

"If that's the case, we'll do as Utatane suggested. I'll summon the heads of the other clans for a meeting shortly," Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded with a smile. "Also, the village's reception..."

Before he could finish.

"I've already made arrangements for that," the refined Mitokado Homura adjusted his glasses, his expression serious. "Uchiha Fuyou is an Uchiha clan member with a strong Will of Fire. No, he has already been expelled from the Uchiha clan. Although he is no longer a shinobi, there's no doubt that being able to expand his Milk Tea shop throughout the entire Land of Fire in such a short time speaks volumes about his business acumen, which surpasses that of many others." He paused. "Moreover, judging by the past few years, he loves Konoha, is generous, and willing to contribute; he is an excellent Konoha resident. He approached me a while ago, hoping to help the village by assisting with the reception of ninjas from other villages and supporting the hosting of the Chunin Exams. I have high hopes for him."

"A mere merchant getting involved in shinobi affairs..." Utatane Koharu frowned slightly, pondering. "It's truly inappropriate!"

"Indeed, it's inappropriate," Hiruzen Sarutobi took a puff from his pipe, nodding in agreement. "He hasn't been a shinobi for many years! And this is an important Chunin..."

Before he could finish.

"He has agreed to provide free meals, drinking water, and sunshades for the ninjas from various villages during the Chunin Exams. He will also handle the entry guidance for the village. Furthermore, he hopes that the Chunin Exams can be held successfully and is prepared to privately donate... fifty million ryo. If agreed, the money will be transferred tonight!"

As Mitokado Homura finished speaking, Hiruzen Sarutobi fell silent, and even Utatane Koharu beside him sank into thought.

No shinobi would complain about having too much money, after all, with every additional ten million ryo, the village could accomplish more.

Besides, he wasn't trying to interfere with the Chunin Exams, just doing his part.

"Truly an excellent Konoha resident!" Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed with relief and emotion. "From Fuyou, I feel that strong Will of Fire spirit of loving Konoha, loving the Hokage, and loving the villagers."

"So, what is your intention, Hiruzen?"

"Since he has gone this far, how can I possibly dampen his sincere heart? Of course, we still need to send shinobi to keep an eye on him," Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded with a smile, the relief in his eyes still present, as if he was very happy about Fuyou's contribution to the village. "Then, we'll conclude our discussion here. Next... let's summon the clan heads and the Jonin who are staying in Konoha!" He paused. "Also, send someone to notify Danzō." He glanced at the 400 million bounty on the table, still wearing a [kind and benevolent] smile. "He is our important comrade~"

"Understood," Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu nodded, standing up immediately. "Then we'll go make the arrangements."

After the two departed and closed the door.

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the intelligence on the table and fell silent. Finally, he used his pipe to burn the note, sighing with emotion, "A painting left by the First Hokage? Five million ryo?"

He finished speaking.

Raising his head with a sigh, he gazed at the white light of the ceiling. "Homura~, you must not make any principled mistakes!"

Don't forget your original intentions, remember our dreams from back then!

As the messenger shinobi relayed the orders, the clan heads received the Third Hokage's command and did not dare to delay. They hurried towards the Hokage Building for the meeting.

Of course, it was mostly the Hokage's advisors who assigned tasks, and the clan heads would nod, only raising their hands to ask questions if something was unclear.

Uchiha Fugaku, as the head of the Uchiha clan and the commander of the Konoha Guard Squad, naturally attended as well. Therefore, by the time it got dark and the meeting concluded, he returned home.

"I'm back!" His tone was calm.

"Fugaku is back?" Mikoto Uchiha's face lit up with a smile upon seeing Fugaku return. "Dinner is ready. I'll just warm it up, please wait a moment."

"Mm," Fugaku nodded, handing his removed shinobi vest to Mikoto. He let out a sigh of relief and sat down.

It was always more comfortable to be home~

Watching Itachi quietly drinking milk tea beside him, Fugaku's mouth twitched again.

That Fuyou really… he didn't even know what to say. He really did what he said he would do~

A while ago, he said he'd send milk tea and snacks, and sure enough, starting the next day, he kept sending them, and a lot of them too. It wouldn't be good to waste them, but they were just junk snacks, and eating too many wasn't good either.

Fugaku sighed inwardly, but he still looked at Itachi with a stern face and said calmly, "Don't eat too much of these."

"Understood, Father!" Itachi nodded and said obediently, "Because I was worried about wasting them, I asked Mother before eating them. Tomorrow, I'll give them to someone else…"

Before he could finish.

Fugaku's eyes seemed to sense something, and he immediately frowned, looking at Itachi, and said with a somewhat grave tone, "Come here!"

"Father…" Itachi walked over, confused.

Then.

Fugaku picked up his child, his expression still very serious. He weighed him in his hands for a moment, and after a short while, he said gravely again, "Itachi, have you… gained a little weight?"

"???"

The two-year-old child immediately looked at his father with a bewildered expression.

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