"What? Uchiha Naruto Chronicle has already begun screening in countries across the Shinobi World? The box office has already soared to one billion ryō, and the projected total is as high as five billion ryō?"
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, dropped his pipe onto the conference table with a clatter, scattering ash everywhere. His wrinkled face was filled with disbelief, and his usually steady eyes were now wide open.
Shimura Danzō slammed his cane heavily against the floor, producing a dull thud. "Impossible!" he gritted out. "How could one movie make that much money? This must be fake news spread by the Uchiha Clan!"
Utatane Koharu accepted the latest box office report handed over by an ANBU operative with trembling hands. When she saw the densely packed figures on it, her face instantly went pale. "It isn't fake... The theaters in every country are packed for every showing. People have even started scalping movie tickets for profit..."
Mitokado Homura removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes hard, as though that could make those horrifying numbers disappear. "Just yesterday, we were celebrating because the village's budget had doubled..." His voice was dry as sandpaper. "And now the Uchiha Clan can earn more from one movie than we could raise in years..."
The air in the conference room seemed to freeze. The four members of the Konoha Leadership stood rigidly in place as though they had been struck by a paralysis technique. Bright sunlight streamed through the windows, falling across their shifting expressions and creating an eerie contrast.
"Five billion ryō..." The Third Hokage finally found his voice, but it was so hoarse it barely sounded like his own. "According to the revenue-sharing agreement, Uchiha will take at least three billion..."
Danzo's expression was dark enough to drip water, and a dangerous