Money Distribution Meeting

As the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, gradually departed with more than five thousand Iwagakure prisoners, the tense atmosphere at Konoha's frontline stronghold finally began to ease.

The only department still operating efficiently was the frontline intelligence network, with fresh reports arriving at regular intervals.

Uchiha Fugaku stood outside the command tent, listening to the intelligence ninja's report.

Twelve minutes later... "Report! Ōnoki and the Iwagakure forces have been spotted 10,000 meters from the stronghold. They are accelerating away."

Twenty-five minutes later... "Report! Ōnoki and the Iwagakure forces are 20,000 meters from the stronghold. They are accelerating away."

Sixty minutes later... "Report! After returning to the Iwagakure stronghold, Ōnoki and the Iwagakure forces took part of their troops and headed toward the Land of Earth."

Once he had confirmed that Ōnoki and his men had truly left, Uchiha Fugaku let out a soft breath.

He turned to Uchiha Yashiro and said, "Gather everyone. It is time to share the fruits of our victory."

In the open ground at the center of the camp, more than four thousand ninja stood in orderly ranks. Even the severely wounded had been carefully carried out and placed at the very front. On the temporary platform, mountains of cash boxes gleamed with a metallic sheen beneath the setting sun.

Uchiha Fugaku stood at the center of the platform, the fan crest on his black battle robe especially conspicuous.

He glanced at the speech Uchiha Sanpo had handed him. After committing its contents to memory, he used chakra to project his voice clearly into everyone's ears.

"Everyone, after more than a year of effort, we have finally defeated Iwagakure. As the frontline commander, I have not betrayed your trust, and I have delivered a satisfactory answer. As for these thirty billion ryo in war reparations, I shamelessly wrested them from the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, through force and coercion. I need to explain how this money will be used."

Scattered cheers rose from the crowd, easing the tense atmosphere. But when the use of the reparations was mentioned, silence returned. Everyone's eyes focused on the pile of cash boxes, and the air brimmed with tension and anticipation.

A gust of wind swept past. The empty sleeve of a ninja in the front row who had lost his left arm fluttered in the breeze.

Uchiha Fugaku's voice was as firm as iron. "In the Third Shinobi World War, Konoha was besieged by the other four great ninja villages. The projected death toll will exceed ten thousand. The village will need to pay more than forty billion ryo in compensation for casualties. It can be said that, for the next ten years, the village may be unable to afford such an enormous sum in casualty compensation."

A young female ninja suddenly covered her mouth, her shoulders trembling slightly. Her companion gently wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Her older brother had died in last night's battle. Several ninja in the back exchanged worried looks; all of them had family members who had perished.

After a brief pause, Uchiha Fugaku suddenly raised his voice. "Therefore, I have decided to take fifteen billion ryo from the thirty billion and use it exclusively to compensate the families of the casualties at our stronghold. We Uchiha will never let Konoha's heroes bleed and shed tears!"

Those words were like a boulder cast into a still lake, stirring up enormous waves.

The crowd instantly erupted. Cheers, sobs, and applause intertwined.

The one-armed ninja stood frozen in place as tears silently ran down his dust-covered cheeks.

Uchiha Sanpo's lips curled slightly. The scene was even more perfect than he had expected.

Even several members of the Hyuga Clan, who had always been dissatisfied with the Uchiha Clan, revealed looks of admiration.

Uchiha Fugaku's expression turned solemn. He raised a hand to signal for silence. "As for the remaining fifteen billion ryo, I will distribute it among everyone present according to each person's contribution during the war."

"First place in contributions goes to Uchiha Sanpo. He infiltrated Iwagakure and obtained vital intelligence, correctly analyzing that Iwagakure would launch a night raid last night. He also provided valuable advice for last night's defensive deployment. In addition, he fought Iwagakure's commander-in-chief, Kitsuchi, testing Kitsuchi's strength and gathering intelligence. He also killed three Iwagakure jonin and several chunin by himself. He is hereby awarded thirty-six million ryo and promoted to brigade commander."

As Uchiha Sanpo walked onto the platform, a wave of startled cries immediately broke out.

As fellow frontline comrades, many people knew how strong he had been before. "How did Sanfeng suddenly become so powerful? It is really hard to believe!"

Itoya Mei, a jonin, said quietly, "I was near him last night, and I saw all of his fighting. He has the Three-Tomoe Sharingan and can use a two-headed, four-armed ninjutsu. With that technique, he can perform the Wind-Fire Combination Jutsu by himself. Its power is astonishing!"

"So that is how it is... Impressive... Truly impressive!"

The onlookers let out waves of amazed exclamations.

"Second place goes to Kurama Unkai, the head of the Kurama Clan. One thousand members of the Kurama Clan were stationed at this stronghold. Four hundred seventy-two have died, and fifty-eight have been disabled. More than half have become casualties, yet he still led the Kurama Clan in holding the frontline. He made a major contribution to this war and is hereby awarded thirty-five million ryo."

In truth, Kurama Unkai was only twenty-one this year, and his strength was merely at the jonin level. Yet no one objected to his ranking. This was an honor bought with the lives of hundreds of clansmen.

"Third place goes to Kazami Tomohiko, the head of the Kazami Clan. One hundred fifty-eight members of the Kazami Clan have died, and twenty-seven have been disabled. He served in the frontline staff headquarters. Our stronghold was able to hold out for more than a year because many of his suggestions played vital roles. He is hereby awarded thirty-two million ryo."

"Fourth place goes to Uchiha Fugaku. I have placed myself fourth because I led 3,500 clansmen to the frontline. One thousand two hundred twenty-seven died, and one hundred twelve were disabled. I did right by Konoha, but I failed my clansmen. Therefore, I am only worthy of the fourth-place reward. I am hereby awarded thirty million ryo."

This self-deprecating speech had an extraordinary effect.

The Uchiha clansmen shouted one after another, "Clan Head... You have already done so well... We are proud of you!"

Ninja from the other clans also looked upon this humble commander with admiration.

"Fifth place goes to Uchiha Ryuka. He is a frontline brigade commander. Last night, he personally led twenty-seven jonin from his unit deep behind enemy lines. Together, they cast the Uchiha Flame Formation, cutting off the Iwagakure forces' retreat and making a major contribution to the capture of more than five thousand Iwagakure ninja. He is hereby awarded twenty-eight million ryo."

"Sixth place, Uchiha Yashiro..."

"Seventh place... Eighth place... Nineteenth place, Hatano Yui... Twentieth place, Aoi Jun..."

Uchiha Fugaku gave a light cough, then raised his voice. "All right, I know everyone is tired of listening. I will not forget anyone's contributions and sacrifices. I will have Sanfeng compile all of your contributions and sacrifices into a book for future generations to honor."