Demanding an Exorbitant Price

What Yun Yan truly wanted was exactly this.

As for Danzō, the chief culprit, Yun Yan wanted to wipe him out too. Even if he could not eliminate him for the time being, he at least wanted to force him out of the picture.

But could that be done? With Hiruzen Sarutobi around, it would be difficult. Hiruzen Sarutobi was bound to protect Danzō.

If he did not want to punish Danzō yet still had to give Yun Yan an explanation, Hiruzen Sarutobi would inevitably have to pay some price.

Sure enough, the word "compensation" Hiruzen Sarutobi mentioned scratched Yun Yan right where he itched. This was what Yun Yan wanted—benefits!

Why was he willing to remain in Konoha? Was it not because Konoha had abundant resources and countless good things? And now, those good things were practically being delivered to him.

Of course, although it had hit exactly where he itched, Yun Yan could not show it. He deliberately furrowed his brow slightly, looking reluctant yet somewhat tempted.

Maintaining that slightly conflicted expression, Yun Yan directly asked Hiruzen Sarutobi,

"Compensation? What kind of compensation? Lord Hokage, why don't you tell me?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed to have made an enormous decision. Looking at Yun Yan, he spoke with great solemnity,

"Once you enter the ANBU, I will directly promote you to ANBU squad leader. What do you think?"

Yun Yan's eyes shifted slightly upon hearing that.

What kind of position was an ANBU squad leader?

Simply put, it was a leader with a certain status and authority within the ANBU. It was not a position to be overlooked, but neither was it particularly high-ranking.

To be honest, Yun Yan was quite dissatisfied after hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's proposed compensation.

ANBU squad leader? It sounded impressive, but that was it? Was he trying to fob off a beggar?

Thus, Yun Yan made no effort to hide the dissatisfaction on his face. He stared coldly and contemptuously at Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Just that?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's old face seemed particularly thick-skinned at that moment.

"Is that not enough? Yun Yan, you should know that since the ANBU was established, there has never been a precedent of someone becoming a squad leader immediately upon joining. You would be the first."

"Heh. Lord Hokage, don't try to fool me. What use is this so-called first-ever honor to me? I prefer something tangible.

Something tangible, Lord Hokage. You understand, don't you?"

Seeing Yun Yan's expression that plainly said, You know what I mean, Hiruzen Sarutobi's old face darkened. He very much wanted to say that he did not understand.

"An ANBU squad leader is already a very tangible and important position. And you would become a squad leader the moment you join the ANBU. Does that not show how highly I regard you?"

Yun Yan's expression became even less courteous.

"Lord Hokage, you might be able to fool others, but you cannot fool me.

Putting everything else aside, let's talk about my own ability and strength.

If I entered the ANBU with my current strength, I would be more than qualified to serve as an ANBU squad leader.

Could it be... Lord Hokage intends to use someone of my strength as an ordinary ANBU ninja? Wouldn't that be going too far?"

Hearing that, Hiruzen Sarutobi choked on the smoke from his pipe and dry-coughed several times.

While Hiruzen Sarutobi used his dry coughs to cover his embarrassment, Yun Yan continued pressing him.

"As the saying goes, the capable rise to the top. I believe the ANBU follows the same principle.

With strength like mine, I cannot possibly enter the ANBU only to be commanded by people weaker than me, can I? Therefore, it is only natural for me to become a squad leader upon joining the ANBU.

Lord Hokage, you cannot hand me a position that should have been mine in the first place and call it compensation just because you gave it to me early. That is a little too shameless."

At the blunt accusation of shamelessness, Hiruzen Sarutobi coughed even harder, as though he really had been choked by his pipe.

After coughing several more times, Hiruzen Sarutobi gradually recovered.

Having been called out so directly by Yun Yan, even with his thick skin, the old man could not avoid losing face. He could only conceal it and continue asking,

"Ahem, if that is the case... Yun Yan, is there any other compensation you want?"

Finally, he had finally asked that question. Yun Yan felt secretly delighted.

Since this old man Hiruzen Sarutobi had taken the initiative to ask, Yun Yan naturally had to demand an exorbitant price.

Thus, Yun Yan spoke without hesitation.

"I want the Book of Seals."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression changed instantly, becoming incredulous and stern.

"Are you joking? You open your mouth and ask for the Book of Seals? Why not just ask for the position of Hokage?"

Yun Yan immediately looked disgusted.

"I do not want that position. You would be busy to death every day, exhausting yourself in body and mind. You would have to worry about this and that, and even if you worked yourself to death, you might not get much in return. At critical moments, you would still have to die for Konoha. Wasn't that how the Second and Fourth died?

I would never become Hokage, even if you beat me to death."

Those words completely bewildered Hiruzen Sarutobi.

What was this? Why did the title of Hokage sound so cheap coming from his mouth? As if it were some kind of thankless burden?

Damn it, he had used that position to paint so many sweet, enticing promises in the past. Why was this brat completely unmoved?

With that strange sense of defeat and frustration lingering in his heart, Hiruzen Sarutobi wore an ugly expression as he returned to the original topic.

"No matter what, the Book of Seals is Konoha's most important possession. It is impossible to give it to you directly. That should have been obvious.

Yun Yan, stop making trouble. Name a more reasonable form of compensation. As long as it is reasonable enough, I will definitely compensate you."

Yun Yan clicked his tongue disdainfully.

"Tsk. Reasonable? Lord Hokage, what exactly do you consider reasonable?

Fine. Since the Book of Seals is not possible, I will take a step back. The ninjutsu recorded in the Book of Seals should be possible, right?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi hesitated for a moment before finally nodding with a slightly dark expression.

"Fine, that can be considered. Which ninjutsu do you want as compensation?"

"Edo Tensei."

"Don't even think about it!"

"Tsk, then the Reaper Death Seal."

"That is not possible either!"

"If this is not possible and that is not possible, then the Uzumaki Clan's complete sealing arts should be fine, right?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi was silent for a moment, but still shook his head.

"I am afraid that is not possible either."

After being rejected repeatedly, Yun Yan's expression began to turn hostile. He glared at Hiruzen Sarutobi with some irritation.

"Lord Hokage, this will not do and that will not do. Are you not still trying to fool me?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi was practically ready to curse.

The Book of Seals contained many secrets and many powerful ninjutsu. Even these important ninjutsu were divided into different levels.

If they were relatively important but not excessively important ninjutsu, Hiruzen Sarutobi could consider giving them to Yun Yan.

But what had Yun Yan asked for the moment he opened his mouth? Edo Tensei, the Reaper Death Seal, and the Uzumaki Clan's complete sealing arts.

Were those things that could simply be handed over? Which one of them was not a decisive trump card? Even the seemingly least significant Uzumaki Clan sealing arts, if fully revealed, would be enough to create an entire hidden village!

How could such critically important ninjutsu simply be given to Yun Yan? Yun Yan was an Uchiha, after all. If these things fell into the hands of the Uchiha Clan after being given to Yun Yan... Konoha would be in serious trouble!

It was precisely because he had considered these potentially disastrous consequences that Hiruzen Sarutobi's attitude was so firm. These things could not be given away.

Yun Yan seemed to have been angered by Hiruzen Sarutobi's repeated refusals. His expression grew increasingly unfriendly.

"Lord Hokage, this will not do and that will not do. What exactly will do? What exactly can be given?

You are the dignified Hokage. You cannot keep brushing me off like this. You cannot expect to get something for nothing, can you?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression was no better, but his attitude remained firm.

"No matter what, I cannot give you these extremely dangerous ninjutsu. Choose another ninjutsu."

Yun Yan immediately caught the word "dangerous" in Hiruzen Sarutobi's words.

"Dangerous? Are these ninjutsu very dangerous?"

"Of course. These are all forbidden techniques recorded in the Book of Seals. Forbidden techniques are powerful and dangerous ninjutsu that are normally prohibited from being used. If such techniques spread, a single mishap could easily cause tremendous harm."

"Fine, let us say Lord Hokage has convinced me. Then it should be fine if I choose a ninjutsu that is not dangerous, right?"

"It is."

Seeing that Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed to have fallen into his trap, Yun Yan finally revealed his true goal.

"Then I want the Flying Thunder God Technique."

Hiruzen Sarutobi froze slightly, then fell silent again.

Yes, the Flying Thunder God Technique. This was Yun Yan's true ultimate goal, the ninjutsu he had to obtain this time no matter what.

Yun Yan certainly coveted things like Edo Tensei and the Reaper Death Seal as well, but he knew his limits. He knew he would not be able to obtain them anytime soon, and Hiruzen Sarutobi would absolutely never give them to him.

Therefore, Yun Yan lowered his demands and chose a ninjutsu that Hiruzen Sarutobi would be less resistant to giving away, yet would also be extremely useful to himself.