Blackmail

Konoha Base

"This is outrageous! They actually dare to threaten Konoha!"

"How dare they! Unbelievable! Unbelievable!"

Inside the Konoha camp, the Konoha Jonin all showed expressions of disbelief and anger, because what they saw was a Blackmail Letter.

Kakashi, holding the letter, had a gloomy expression, but he was completely bewildered inside.

After his initial shock, he reacted quickly, immediately devising a solution. Kakashi, with a cold expression, said in a deep voice, "Because this letter concerns Shinnosuke- sama's safety, I have only notified your Sarutobi Clan for now. At the same time, I have also written to report to the Third Hokage."

"This matter is top secret, and I hope you will keep it confidential."

As soon as Kakashi finished speaking, all the Jonin in the Jōnin and showed kind smiles.

There weren't many Jōnin the tent, only ten people, most of whom were Special Jonin, but they all shared the same surname: Sarutobi.

Konoha.

Hokage Office, the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi on his pipe, his face displaying a complex expression—a mixture of shock, anger, and, above all, frustration at his son's incompetence.

Blackmail Letter! This was the first time in all his years as Konoha 'Hiruzen Sarutobi that he'd felt so humiliated. Who the hell in the Shinobi World dared to blackmail him, Hiruzen Sarutobi?

[Shin'nosuke Sarutobi in my hands. If you want him to live, give me 1 billion yen worth of gold plus 300 kilograms of Chakra Metal. If there's even the slightest shortage, Ume Sarutobi will suffer the consequences. Hint: Ume Sarutobi very moist.]

This is the true content of the letter, but at the end, there is a sinister smiley face, seemingly mocking his incompetence and threatening them, saying, "If you dare to play tricks, we'll kill you."

"Clan leader, Shinnosuke cannot be harmed."

Upon learning this news, two elderly elders from the Sarutobi Clan came to the Hokage Office with such solemnity for the first time. For many years, in order to avoid suspicion, Hiruzen Sarutobi had almost never inquired about clan matters in the Hokage Office, but this time was different.

The two elders of the Sarutobi Clan completely forgot Hiruzen Sarutobi's warning, while this time Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent.

Shin'nosuke Sarutobi is not only his son, but also the one he is most satisfied with who has inherited the Will of Fire. This is no longer just a matter for the Sarutobi Clan.

"Do you know the importance of one billion gold and 300 kg Chakra Metal?!"

Although he was his own son, Hiruzen Sarutobi was now the Third Hokage of Konoha, so his expression was extremely grim.

"The village cannot afford to spend such a huge amount of money on just one Shin'nosuke Sarutobi."

His eyes gleamed with determination, but the pain he felt was still undeniable; beyond the title of Third Hokage, he was also a father.

Seeing his son trapped in a terrible situation, and then having to callously cut off his last chance for survival, would be painful for anyone.

"What if it's done in the name of the Sarutobi Clan!"

The two elders of the Sarutobi Clan spoke in deep voices. They had already guessed the outcome before they came, but upon hearing it, they still couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment.

Konoha! The Sarutobi Clan has sacrificed so much for the village, and yet you can't even bear to part with this little bit?

They didn't seem to have much affection for Shin'nosuke Sarutobi; rather, they clearly knew that Hiruzen Sarutobi was starting to decline, and that Shin'nosuke Sarutobi in Konoha.

If Shin'nosuke Sarutobi can take that final step, he can extend the clan's glory for several more decades, and Konoha will still belong to the Sarutobi Clan.

It was precisely for this reason that the two elders of the Sarutobi Clan gritted their teeth and made a firm decision.

"Third Hokage, the Sarutobi Clan is willing to pay the ransom."

This is a clash between the Sarutobi Clan and the Hokage. The two elders represent the Sarutobi Clan, while Hiruzen Sarutobi represents the Third Hokage.

Seeing that his family was willing to go to such lengths to save his son, the Third felt a surge of warmth in his heart, but he was even more aware of what he was doing.

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath from his pipe, then lowered his Hokage Hat, concealing his expression in the shadows.

A thick cloud of smoke slowly billowed out as the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, said hoarsely, "The Sarutobi Clan is one of the main forces of the village. Losing so much money not only weakens the Sarutobi Clan but also weakens the village's fighting strength. Therefore, I veto this."

"No!" Just then, the door to the Hokage Office was pushed open, and Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu walked in with solemn expressions. It was Hiruzen Sarutobi who spoke first and directly refuted Utatane Koharu.

Utatane Koharu, who had just entered, frowned slightly. He glanced at the two elders of the Sarutobi Clan, then looked at his old friend Hiruzen Sarutobi, who remained silent, and couldn't help but shake his head.

"Hiruzen, you're so foolish!"

"Do I need to reiterate the importance of Shin'nosuke Sarutobi? Konoha is currently beset by internal and external troubles, and there is a severe shortage of capable young talents. While it is true that both Konoha and the Sarutobi Clan will suffer losses for the village, have you considered the consequences of losing Shinnosuke Sarutobi?"

Utatane Koharu shook her head and sighed, "Without Shin'nosuke Sarutobi, the village will truly face a generational gap. So, Sarutobi, do you have a candidate in mind? Shin'nosuke Sarutobi's existence isn't just about our personal desires, but about maintaining the village's balance."

"Once Shin'nosuke Sarutobi dies, it will take the village at least ten years to train another one, and none of them will have Shinnosuke's greatest advantage!"

At this point, Mitokado Homura sighed softly, "Stability... Shinnosuke is the only one who can keep the village's power stable."

After seeing Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura offer their words of comfort, the two elders of the Sarutobi Clan quickly nodded and said, "That's right. This time, all of Shin'nosuke Sarutobi's ransom will be borne by the Sarutobi Clan. It will absolutely not affect the village."

"Sarutobi!"

Faced with the words of comfort from his two old friends, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, slowly raised his head, revealing his cloudy eyes, and then looked into the expectant eyes of the two elders in his clan.

Finally, he slowly removed the pipe from his lips, and the Third Hokage said hoarsely, "The Sarutobi Clan will bear all the responsibility for this matter."

Finally! Upon hearing this, the two elders of the Sarutobi Clan nodded repeatedly with tears of excitement in their eyes. They were both veterans and knew how glorious it was to have a Hokage in the clan.

Even without saying a word, all departments would give them the green light. The Sarutobi Clan had risen from the bottom of the family to its current status, so they understood even more clearly what they were paying for now. As long as Shinnosuke returned, he would bring the Sarutobi Clan decades more of glory.

"Third Hokage, and your two advisors, rest assured, the Sarutobi Clan will take full responsibility for this matter."

The two elders of the Sarutobi Clan patted their chests and hurriedly assured him, fearing that Hiruzen Sarutobi excited thanks, the two hurriedly left the Hokage Office.

In the oppressive office, after the tobacco in his pipe had burned out, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally looked up at his two old friends and said quietly, "They're the ones who informed you, aren't they?"

Upon hearing Sarutobi's words, Utatane Koharu's face immediately darkened. "Sarutobi, Shinnosuke is no longer just a private matter of your Sarutobi Clan, nor is he simply your son. If we hadn't come and something had really happened, do you know how serious the consequences would have been?"

"That's right. The frontline commander has been captured. This is no small matter from any perspective. Sarutobi, you can't just do this because he's your son."

Mitokado Homura rarely showed a serious expression. "Sarutobi, this matter is not just a family affair of the Sarutobi Clan, but also a matter of the village. My suggestion is that the Anbu join forces with the Sarutobi Clan to prepare for the Shinnosuke."

"Block all information; Shinnosuke is now the only successor in the village capable of stabilizing the situation."

Looking at his two old friends, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, wore a complex expression before saying hoarsely, "Thank you."

"We are all doing this for Konoha."

Although he knew it was for political gain, Hiruzen Sarutobi Shin'nosuke Sarutobi still his son, so he looked at the two of them with gratitude.

"The news of the frontline commander's disappearance has been completely suppressed. The official explanation is that he was on a classified mission. At the same time, I intend to appoint Hatake Kakashi as the Front Line Commander to oversee everything."

The experienced Hiruzen Sarutobi made a calm adjustment in a short time, and Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura smiled with satisfaction upon seeing this.

This is the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, in their minds.

Root.

In the dimly Shimura Danzō looked at the intelligence report in his hand, his face turning green. Finally, he slammed his fist on the table in frustration.

"Damn Sarutobi, and all of you! You only informed me after you had already made your decision, how infuriating!"

What Shimura Danzō was that Hiruzen Sarutobi had made the decision behind his back, and it was a decision he made together with Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura. In fact, Danzo was the last person to know after the order was issued.

It was obvious that the last person to know the news was someone who had already made the decision and informed him, which angered Danzo, the dark Shimura Danzō of the Shinobi World.

"Shin'nosuke Sarutobi is such an idiot! As the commander of Konoha, he was captured alive! Why don't you just die!"

Shimura Danzō, oh my god! You're utterly useless, more trouble than you're worth! I haven't even made a move yet, and this is all you've got? You've brought this upon yourself.

"Grown ups."

Just then, a trusted confidant of the Root appeared, respectfully holding a piece of intelligence with both hands.

Looking at the Shimura Danzō report in his hand, a sinister glint appeared in the one eye that was visible, and a satisfied smile spread across his face.

"It seems this might be my chance; someone has conveniently stirred up this mess."

The intelligence report in his hand contained information about something extremely important to him at the front lines, which even Shimura Danzō inquired about again.

"Is the intelligence confirmed?"

"My lord, according to intelligence from the front lines, the Uchiha's dispatch of elite troops to the front lines this time is secretly led by Uchiha Fugaku. This information was obtained from Uchiha Itachi."

Upon hearing this answer, Shimura Danzō narrowed his eyes, then said in a deep voice, "Keep a close eye on him. I need to know for sure whether Uchiha Fugaku has really gone out. If he has, then prepare for his return journey."

"Yes!"

"It is highly likely that Uchiha Fugaku awakened the Mangekyo; here is some information regarding the Mangekyo."

Danzo Shimura harbored a strong desire for the Mangekyo Shimura Danzō. He hoped that Uchiha Fugaku had not disappointed him, yet he also somewhat hoped that the latter had not awakened it, given how formidable the existence of the Mangekyo was.

The Land of Whirlpools.

In a valley, ninjas appeared one after another.

Covered in bandages, Uchiha Yoru squinted at the appearing figure and asked in a hoarse voice, "Did you bring the things?"

The person leading the group opposite them was Killer B, the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki from the Kumogakure. At this moment, he wore sunglasses and showed a rare solemn expression.

"Five hundred kilograms of Chakra Metal, and this is gold worth one billion."

The Cloud Ninja behind them pulled out scrolls and simultaneously broke the seals, revealing gleaming gold and jet-black Chakra Metal.

"Where are they now!" Killer B asked, staring intently at the other side. Uchiha Yoru was also wearing sunglasses and had his face covered, smiled upon seeing this.

He gently moved half a step aside, revealing Shin'nosuke Sarutobi, who was pale and unconscious behind him.

"Have your men bring the gold and Chakra Metal over, inspect them thoroughly, and then proceed with the transaction."

Killer B looked at the mysterious man and nodded secretly. At the same time, he gave a signal to the people behind him, and a Cloud Ninja forward and collected all the scrolls.

"Check carefully and confirm everything is correct before sending the person over."

"Yes."

Uchiha Yoru didn't care what tricks the people of Kumogakure were up to. What he saw was how to make use of waste, not only getting rid of a troublesome matter but also making a lot of money—a win-win situation.

Shin'nosuke Sarutobi Shinnosuke is a hot potato in his hands. Although he did this for Kakashi and Shisui, there are too many strange Ninjutsu in the Shinobi World. If he really tries to extort the people of Konoha, he will suffer a huge loss if he reveals even the slightest flaw.

"I am coming."

After a person from Kumogakure arrived, Uchiha Yoru, whose face was covered, calmly nodded slightly. "You're in charge of checking if the person is correct; I'll check the payment."

"Good."

Both sides began to inspect at the same time, but the subtle movements of the Kumogakure on the other side did not escape his eyes. The Mangekyo hidden behind his sunglasses saw everything clearly, and Uchiha Yoru couldn't help but slowly curl the corners of his mouth.

As expected of the Kumogakure, they are adept at using these underhanded tactics. But I'll let it slide this time.

Two Smoke Bomb suddenly exploded, emitting thick white smoke. The Kumogakure ninjas in the distance gasped in surprise upon seeing this.

"Not good!"

However, as the smoke dissipated, the figures had long since disappeared, but when they saw Shin'nosuke Sarutobi's figure, they all immediately showed joy.

My brain is still not fully recovered after I got back; I need to rest for a bit.