Hokage Office.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was sitting on a chair, with his hands crossed on the table, and an indescribable expression on his face.
There was helplessness, humiliation, and a hint of deep exhaustion in that expression.
The sun shines in from the window and shines on his old face, making those deep wrinkles appear particularly clear in the light.
Opposite him, stood a man.
Kakuzu.
Kumogakure's financial advisor was now crossing his arms and looking at him expressionlessly.
Behind him, three Kumogakure Jonin stood, with equally expressionless faces, and their eyes vigilantly scanning every corner of the office.
On the desk, there is a list spread out.
That is the war compensation that Konoha needs to pay this year - 600 million taels in cash, plus grain, minerals, timber, ninja tools, and medical supplies. When converted, the total is 800 million taels.
Eight hundred million taels.
Sarutobi Hiruzen Looking at that number, my heart throbbed.
It felt like someone was cutting his flesh with a dull knife. Although it was not fatal, the pain was so painful that it made people want to curse.
Although Konoha is rich and is the richest among Five Great Shinobi Villages, 800 million taels is not a small amount.
Once this money is taken out, the village's finances will be strained for at least half a year.
Many plans will be postponed, many projects will be shelved, many ninja allowances will be cut, and many infrastructure constructions will be suspended.
He remembered the financial report Mitokado Homura showed him a few days ago.
That report listed all kinds of expenses densely, and it was already stretched thin.
Now with another 800 million taels, Konoha will have to tighten their belts for the next six months.
But he had to give.
Because if you don't give it, Uchiha Shaoyu will come again.
That young man has proven with his strength that he has the ability to make Konoha pay a heavier price.
Ten thousand Iwagakure troops, seven thousand people buried in foreign lands, Five-Tails Jinchuriki Han died in battle, Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki fled in panic, and finally had to surrender to Kumogakure.
How can Konoha stop such a monster?
By Danzo? He has already been captured once.
Damn Jiraiya? He is still recovering from his injuries.
Rely on Orochimaru? He is also seriously injured and has not recovered.
Rely on Minato? He is still young and still needs time to grow.
On his own? He is already too old to protect his son.
"Third." Kakuzu's voice was hoarse and calm, interrupting Sarutobi Hiruzen's thoughts, "Are you ready for everything on the list?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen took a deep breath and nodded.
"Ready."
He raised his hand and waved lightly.
Several Anbu walked out from the side, holding seal scrolls in their hands. The scrolls were large and small, some contained cash, some contained grain, some contained minerals, and some contained ninja tools.
They placed the scrolls on the table, arranged them in a neat row, and then retired.
Kakuzu walked forward and picked up the first scroll.
He opened the seal and examined its contents.
They were neat bundles of banknotes, each bundle weighing one million taels, a total of six hundred bundles.
His fingers turned quickly to confirm that the number was correct.
He moved very slowly and carefully, confirming every scroll twice.
Those shrewd eyes sparkled with calculation, as if they wanted to count every penny clearly.
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at him with mixed feelings in his heart.
He has heard of this person.
Kakuzu, the original Takigakure rebel, the legendary "immortal ninja".
It is said that he once assassinated First Hokage. Although he failed, his ability to come back alive is a proof of his strength.
Later, he joined Kumogakure, became Uchiha Shaoyu's confidant, and took charge of Kumogakure's financial power.
It is said that under his management, Kumogakure's fiscal revenue increased by 50%, expenditures decreased by 30%, and the balance doubled.
"Kumogakure has so many talents."
"Third." Kakuzu finished checking the last scroll and raised his head, "The number is correct."
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded.
"That's good."
Kakuzu put away the scrolls and stuffed them into his arms one by one.
Those scrolls bulged out of his clothes, making him look like a hamster.
But he didn't realize it. He just patted his chest carefully and made sure that every scroll was in place.
Then he turned around and left.
"Wait." Sarutobi Hiruzen called him.
Kakuzu stopped and turned around.
"Anything else?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at him and was silent for a moment.
A trace of complicated emotions flashed through those turbid old eyes.
There was helplessness, unwillingness, anger, and humiliation, but in the end they all turned into one sentence.
"Tell Uchiha Shaoyu..." His voice was hoarse, "I hope he will abide by the agreement."
The corners of Kakuzu's mouth raised slightly.
"Got it, Lord Hokage."
"Don't worry." Kakuzu said, "Master Shaoyu keeps his word. As long as you pay him on time, he won't cause trouble."
After saying that, he turned and left.
Three Kumogakure Jonin followed closely.
The office door was closed with a dull sound.
Sarutobi Hiruzen sat on the chair, looking at the closed door, speechless for a long time.
Eight hundred million taels.
It's just gone.
He sighed and closed his eyes.
Kakuzu Not long after he left, the office door was pushed open again.
Bang!
The door was pushed too hard and hit the wall with a loud noise.
Danzo strode in. The bandage on his right eye was particularly dazzling in the sun.
His face was livid, his eyes were full of anger, and his whole person exuded an aura of irrepressible violence.
"Hiruzen Sarutobi!" His voice was hoarse and sharp, almost shouting, "You just let him go like that?!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen opened his eyes and looked at him.
There was no surprise in those cloudy old eyes.
He knew Danzo would come.
He knows Danzo very well.
"What else?" he asked, his voice calm.
Danzo walked up to him, put his hands on the table, and looked at him condescendingly.
The muscles on that old face were distorted, and his eyes were full of disbelief.
"Eight hundred million taels! That's eight hundred million taels! Just give it to that inherently evil brat Uchiha Shaoyu for nothing?!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's brows furrowed.
"Danzo, calm down."
"Calm down?"
Danzo sneered, that laughter was full of ridicule.
"How do you want me to calm down? That's Konoha's money! It's the blood and sweat of Konoha Ninja! It's earned by countless people's lives! Just give it to Kumogakure, give it to that traitor, give it to that damn brat!"
His voice became louder and louder, until it was almost a roar.
Sarutobi Hiruzen stood up and looked at him.
Two old men stood in the center of the office, looking at each other. One was as angry as a volcano, and the other was as calm as a deep pool.
"Then what do you want me to do?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen asked, his voice still calm.
"No? Then let Uchiha Shaoyu come again with an army? Let Konoha kill thousands more people? Let more villages be destroyed? Let more children lose their parents?"
Danzo was choked.