Early in the morning, thick smoke once again filled the Hokage Building.
Ever since the Uchiha had withdrawn from their duties in the Police Force, one thing after another had come up. In just the past few days, Sarutobi Hiruzen had gone through at least a month's worth of tobacco.
Kushina's situation was even more difficult to deal with than the Raikage.
Konoha had never used a Tailed Beast during the war, but that didn't mean they didn't need one.
If Uzumaki Kushina really got involved with Uchiha Yuji, it would be more than twice the trouble.
But according to the Anbu's reports, Uchiha Yuji had probably already won Kushina over, and he also seemed to have fallen for Uzumaki Kushina. With both of them rushing toward each other, the situation became even harder to handle.
The last-resort plan of using the Uchiha had now become the absolute last resort!
Getting the headstrong child Uzumaki Kushina to leave would be no easier than taking a Strength of a Hundred Seal Punch from Tsunade without defending himself and coming away unscathed.
Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't think he was capable of that.
He shook his head, pushing the most troublesome problem out of his mind, then picked up another scroll to read. Fortunately, it brought good news.
With the Raikage's thugs no longer causing trouble, Orochimaru, who had been tied up fighting the Sunagakure Ninja, was finally able to cut loose. After he and Jiraiya had gone on a rampage, the Iwa Ninja, whose position had already been close to collapse, withdrew.
Their decision to hunker down in their position had also been meant to prevent the Raikage from gathering a large force and launching a surprise attack.
The Sunagakure Ninja had nearly surrendered after being slaughtered by a certain White Fang. When it came to cutting down puppets, if Konoha's White Fang was second best, no one in the Shinobi World could claim to be the best.
As the Iwa Ninja withdrew, the Sunagakure Ninja also pulled their forces out of the minor countries. It probably wouldn't be long before the war came to a complete end.
Somewhat relieved, Sarutobi Hiruzen took a puff from his pipe and slowly walked to the window, intending to calm down before continuing to think about how to split Uzumaki Kushina and Uchiha Yuji up.
But a casual glance outside made him freeze in place.
"What's going on?"
The pipe fell from Sarutobi Hiruzen's mouth and hit the floor hard. Sparks scattered onto his trousers, burning holes in the fabric, but he seemed not to notice.
The area around the Uchiha Clan, not far from the Hokage Building, was packed with people. The streets were full, and even the rooftops were crowded.
If the Uchiha Clan members hadn't been keeping order, Sarutobi Hiruzen had no doubt that there would have been a stampede—more than once.
"Zero, what happened?" Sarutobi Hiruzen asked.
Zero, wearing a fox mask, appeared with the Body Flicker Technique and crouched to report. "The Uchiha Clan began offering loans at dawn. The interest is very low—nowhere near as high as the usual rate charged by nobles, where you borrow nine and repay thirteen."
"Thanks to the Uchiha's longstanding reputation, the place was already packed with villagers after only half an hour."
That one question had brought out the details. Since when had the Anbu been so quick with its reports?
Sarutobi Hiruzen gave Zero a long look but said nothing. He simply asked, "Even so, there shouldn't be this many people. There are almost as many ninja as civilians."
"The wartime financial aid should have been enough for them to buy everything they need. After all, prices have already fallen slightly."
Zero fell silent for a moment before continuing. "The Uchiha Clan has brought out a large number of basic ninjutsu techniques and is teaching them to civilian ninja under the pretense of advanced training."
"There are a great many techniques, including quite a few improved versions, and the training fees aren't particularly expensive. The Uchiha are also offering loans."
"For civilian ninja who only know one or two techniques, it's an irresistible offer. One more technique could very well save their lives."
Zero's explanation was exceptionally detailed.
Sarutobi Hiruzen wondered if something was wrong with his ears.
What did he mean, the Uchiha Clan had brought out a large number of basic ninjutsu techniques? What were they trying to do? Openly share their techniques just to gain influence among the civilians? Had they gone mad?
Having followed Sarutobi Hiruzen for some time, Zero knew him fairly well. He quietly explained, "The situation will be much clearer if you go and see it for yourself."
Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't refuse. He nodded firmly.
The Uchiha Clan's entrance was nearly being trampled to pieces. The surging crowd packed the passage so tightly that at times, people couldn't even control which way they were going.
"Ninja registration number: 003001. Konoha Genin. Name: Might Duy?" The Uchiha ninja examined Might Duy, who wore a green skintight suit and looked completely unremarkable.
"That's right!" Might Duy's voice was unusually loud.
His sturdy legs, strong enough to kick through a wooden post, were trembling nervously now. He looked even more foolish than a frozen deer.
But Uchiha Toshihiko didn't dare look down on him in the slightest.
This man—this name—had been singled out by the clan head himself as a powerful fighter capable of kicking three elite Jonin to death with a single kick.
But apart from the one who could casually toss them around, Uchiha Yuji, the Uchiha Clan didn't take anyone else seriously.
"I've heard of you. Our clan head called you the most persistent man in Konoha. If you're free, how about we have a spar?"
"If you're scared, I can fight you with one hand behind my back." Uchiha Toshihiko stared at the motionless Might Duy and boasted shamelessly.
"At last... at last, someone recognizes me! Youth! This is youth!"
Might Duy raised both hands high and shouted. Beneath his thick eyebrows, tears poured down like a waterfall.
This was the first time Uchiha Toshihiko had seen someone even more unhinged than the Uchiha Clan. The man had only listened to half of what he said before going completely berserk.
But instead of disliking him, Uchiha Toshihiko broke into a smile full of fighting spirit. In his eyes, only people this "free" could be true powerhouses—just like their clan head.
Uchiha Toshihiko sized Might Duy up and concluded, "You're a Taijutsu specialist, aren't you?"
"Then you must need extra food and medicinal herbs to heal old injuries."
"The clan head told us beforehand that if we met you, we could give you more financial assistance."
"Not only that, I can decide on my own to lend you some additional funds."
"Would ten million ryo be enough?"
"Thank you so much!" Might Duy bowed deeply, tears streaming down his face. "If there's anything you need me to do, I'll help you see it through, even if it costs me my life!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen immediately sensed that something was wrong!
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