Sarutobi's Compensation

Amidst Utatane Koharu's roar, the wind blade slashed rapidly toward Uchiha Yashiro.

Uchiha Yashiro's expression froze; he had not expected Danzo to act with such decisiveness.

Facing the sudden wind blade, he could only clench his hands tightly at this moment. He knew that if he were to retaliate, his clansmen, whose emotions had already reached a breaking point, would instantly erupt into a riot.

Yet, he also trusted his Clan Head.

Hiruzen and Fugaku, who were observing from the shadows, both changed color. Neither side continued to hide, and both moved quickly to intervene.

At the same time, Yu arrived in front of Yashiro with a flicker of movement.

Yashiro was startled, wanting to stop Yu's dangerous action immediately. It wouldn't matter if he died, but if the Clan Head's son were to die, it would truly mean a complete break with the village.

Danzo's expression darkened. Is this brat trying to get himself killed?! He admitted he wanted to kill the boy, but he didn't want to do it so blatantly! If Yu truly died by his hand, his tenure as an elder would likely come to an end.

Given the Third Hokage's personality, he would definitely be the scapegoat used to appease the Uchiha clan!

Just as everyone's nerves were stretched to the limit, the wind blade, which could have sliced through solid rock and refined iron, acted as if it had become physical, caught gently between Yu's fingers.

Yu looked silently at Danzo and the others. "Have you had enough? If the village truly wants to see the Uchiha clan spill blood, then we will accompany you to the very end!"

The entire scene fell into a deathly silence, everyone staring in disbelief at the incomprehensible sight.

Yu applied a slight pressure, and the wind blade shattered like a brittle cracker, dissolving into the purest elements and dissipating into the air.

Hiruzen was the first to recover, coughing a few times. "Yu, don't think of the upper echelons as so cold-hearted; this is all just a misunderstanding!" After casually pacifying Yu, Hiruzen turned his head to look at the sullen-faced Danzo.

"Danzo, who gave you the nerve to attack a villager of Konoha?"

"Hmph!" Danzo let out a cold, grim snort but did not refute the Third Hokage.

After scolding Danzo, Hiruzen turned back to look at Yu with a benevolent expression.

"Yu, this is all my fault for not explaining things clearly to those below, which led to them writing the notice board incorrectly."

A hint of mockery flashed in Yu's eyes as he smiled slightly. "Since the Third Hokage has said so, it must be a misunderstanding. It's just that someone attacked a ninja of the village without rhyme or reason; such a person is simply unworthy of being an elder. I ask the Third Hokage to judge clearly!"

Hiruzen felt a moment of awkwardness. "Yu, with the war at the borders intensifying, Elder Danzo was just eager to end the matter quickly so he could support the front lines, hence his impulsiveness. I hope you can understand."

Hiruzen then stopped talking to Yu and turned to look at the suddenly appeared Fugaku. "Fugaku, you've arrived."

"Third Hokage, this is all my fault for not restraining my clansmen, which allowed things to escalate to this point."

Fugaku looked ashamed. If Yu didn't know the little schemes in Fugaku's heart, he would have truly been fooled by this honest appearance—they were all actors!

"Fugaku, this is not your fault. The village is under financial strain due to the war, and for the sake of the village's Revitalization Plan, we had to delay the Uchiha's relocation payments. As the Hokage, I am already ashamed enough, and I hope you can understand."

The Third Hokage wore an expression of "I am at fault," displaying his benevolent facade to the fullest. Even Yu saw some Uchiha clansmen showing signs of pity, leaving him speechless.

Fugaku immediately acted terrified. "So that's how it is! Third Hokage, it was my misunderstanding. The war is intense and won't end anytime soon. Even after the war, the village must prepare for post-war recovery; the finances will surely remain tight. Perhaps..."

At this point, Uchiha Fugaku looked at the Third Hokage with a troubled expression. "Perhaps the Uchiha should just not move for now!"

"No!"

"How can that be!"

"Absolutely not!"

Three urgent voices of opposition rang out.

Fugaku looked with shifting eyes at the three who had spoken up: Danzo, Utatane Koharu, and Hiruzen Sarutobi. At that moment, his heart turned cold, and he suddenly remembered the words Yu had spoken that night: The Konoha Elder Council will never give up on the desire to destroy the Uchiha.

"The Revitalization Plan is a crucial part of the village's future development and cannot be abandoned," Hiruzen immediately realized he had been too abrupt and quickly changed his tone, speaking with righteous indignation.

"Of course, the demands of the Uchiha clansmen are also reasonable; the village will not treat any villager unfairly."

After saying this, Hiruzen pondered for a few seconds. "How about this! Several large shops newly developed in the center of Konoha will be used as financial compensation from the village to the Uchiha to make up for the village's debt to you."

It could be said that Hiruzen was bleeding heavily this time; one had to know those were shops in the center of Konoha!

Once the war ended, just auctioning off one of those shops, given Konoha's current status in the Shinobi World, would surely fetch tens of millions of ryo, not to mention there were several, and these were fixed assets.

If the Uchiha clan managed them well, raising the living standards of their clansmen by a level would be no problem at all.

However, Fugaku did not feel particularly happy. The village was willing to pay a high price to make the Uchiha move away from their ancestral land, and their refusal to let the Uchiha stay meant their goal was clearly not so simple.

Fugaku felt a slight panic in his heart. "Then we shall follow the Hokage's words!"

"Good. Since that is the case, Fugaku, please take your clansmen back," Hiruzen said calmly. "Furthermore, Fugaku, please arrange for the clansmen to move as soon as possible!"

With that, Hiruzen left quickly, taking Danzo and Utatane Koharu with him.

Only the Uchiha clansmen remained at the scene, their gazes quickly converging on Fugaku, waiting for his orders.

Fugaku sighed slightly. "Everyone, disperse! I will send people to take over those shops. As for how to distribute them, I will consult with the clan elders, draft a plan, and then notify everyone."

The clansmen dispersed one after another. Under the Third Hokage's performance, the resentment of most clansmen had dissipated significantly.

Yu watched the departing clansmen and tugged on Uchiha Lieyang's sleeve, signaling him to lean in.

Uchiha Lieyang felt Yu's movement and quickly bent down, waiting for Yu's instructions.

"Tonight, meet me at our agreed-upon location!"

Uchiha Lieyang nodded quickly.

Fugaku noticed Yu's subtle movements, and the panic in his heart suddenly calmed significantly. With an outstanding son like him, the Uchiha clan should still have a way out.

Only after Uchiha Lieyang and the others had completely departed did Fugaku slowly walk toward Yu.

"Yu, let's go home!"

"Mm! Alright, Father!"

When the two arrived home, they saw Itachi sitting silently at the table, with little Sasuke sleeping peacefully in his arms.

Seeing this, Fugaku spoke to Itachi, "Itachi, take your younger brother and go rest first! I still have some matters to discuss with your older brother!"

Itachi lifted his head indifferently. "Father, I want to stay." This was the first time Itachi had defied his father, and Fugaku felt a slight flicker of annoyance.

Just as he was preparing to say something, Yu spoke up gently.

"Since Itachi wants to stay, let him stay! There are some things he should know, so he doesn't let his imagination run wild."

Seeing this, Fugaku found it difficult to contradict his eldest son, so he could only nod in agreement.

Itachi obediently carried Sasuke back to his room, and after coming back out, he sat quietly by Yu's side.

Yu once again received Gratitude Points from Itachi.

Gratitude Points +1000

Yu nodded with satisfaction.