Sarutobi's Compensation

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

Uchiha Yashiro's expression froze. He had not expected Danzo to act so decisively.

Faced with the sudden wind blade, he could only clench his fists tightly. He knew that the moment he made a move, the clan members whose emotions had reached their peak would instantly riot.

Yet he also believed in his clan head.

Sarutobi and Fugaku, who had been observing from the shadows, both changed expressions. Neither side hid any longer, and they moved swiftly.

At the same time, Hane teleported in front of Yashiro.

Yashiro was startled and wanted to stop Hane's dangerous action at once. His own death was nothing, but if the clan head's son died, the Uchiha Clan would truly be at odds with the village.

Danzo's expression darkened. "Is this brat trying to get himself killed?" He admitted that he wanted to kill the brat, but he did not want to do it openly! If Hane truly died by his hand, then his position as an elder would likely be finished.

Given that monkey's personality, he would definitely become the scapegoat used to placate the Uchiha Clan!

Just as everyone tensed up, the wind blade, which could originally cleave through stubborn rock and refined iron, seemed to gain physical form and was gently pinched between Hane's fingers.

Hane silently looked at Danzo and the others. "Have you caused enough trouble? If the village truly wants to shed blood with the Uchiha Clan, then the Uchiha Clan will accompany you to the end!"

The entire scene fell silent. Everyone stared blankly at this incomprehensible sight.

With a slight squeeze from Hane, the wind blade cracked and shattered like a brittle cookie, turning into the purest elements and dissipating into the air.

Sarutobi was the first to recover. He coughed a few times. "Hane, don't think of the higher-ups as being so cold-hearted. This was all just a misunderstanding!" After casually soothing Hane, Sarutobi turned toward Danzo, whose face was grim.

"Danzo, who gave you the nerve to attack Konoha's villagers?"

"Hmph!" Danzo snorted coldly, but did not refute the Third Hokage.

After berating Danzo, Sarutobi turned to Hane with a kindly expression.

"Hane, this is all my fault. I did not explain things clearly to those below, which led them to write the notice board incorrectly."

A trace of amusement flashed through Hane's eyes, and he smiled faintly. "Since Lord Third has said so, then it must have been a misunderstanding. However, someone attacked the village's ninja without distinguishing right from wrong. He is simply unworthy of being an elder. I ask that Lord Third judge this fairly!"

Sarutobi looked awkward. "Hane, the war at the borders is urgent. Elder Danzo merely wanted to settle this quickly so he could support the front lines, which is why he acted somewhat impulsively. I hope you can understand."

Sarutobi did not speak further with Hane. Instead, he turned toward Fugaku, who had suddenly appeared. "Fugaku, you're here!"

"Lord Third, it was all because I failed to restrain my clan members that things escalated to this point."

Fugaku looked full of shame. If Hane had not known what Fugaku was really thinking, he might truly have been fooled by that honest appearance. They were all actors!

"Fugaku, this is not your fault. The village's finances are tight due to the war. For the village's Revival Plan, we had no choice but to delay the Uchiha Clan's relocation payment. As Hokage, I already feel deeply ashamed. I hope you can understand."

The Third Hokage wore an expression of guilt, bringing his kind and benevolent appearance to perfection. Hane even saw some Uchiha clan members reveal looks of sympathy, leaving him speechless.

Fugaku immediately looked frightened and flustered. "So that's how it is! Lord Third, I had misunderstood. The war is urgent and cannot end anytime soon. Even after the war, the village will need to prepare for postwar recovery, so finances will surely remain tight. How about..."

At this point, Uchiha Fugaku looked at the Third Hokage with some difficulty. "How about the Uchiha Clan not relocate for now?"

"No!"

"How can that be!"

"Absolutely not!"

Three urgent voices of opposition rang out.

Fugaku's gaze flickered as he looked at Danzo, Utatane Koharu, and Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had stepped forward. At that moment, his heart turned cold. He suddenly recalled Hane's words from that night: the Konoha Elder Council would never abandon its desire to destroy the Uchiha Clan.

"The Revival Plan is an important part of the village's future development and cannot be abandoned," Sarutobi immediately realized that he had been too abrupt and hastily changed his phrasing, speaking righteously.

"Of course, the Uchiha clan members' demands are reasonable as well. The village will not mistreat any villager."

After speaking, Sarutobi pondered for several seconds. "How about this? Several large newly developed shops in central Konoha will be given to the Uchiha Clan as financial compensation from the village, to make up for what the village owes the Uchiha Clan."

It could be said that Sarutobi was bleeding heavily this time. Those were shops in central Konoha!

Once the war ended, auctioning off just one of those shops would fetch tens of millions of ryo, given Konoha's current standing in the Ninja World. And there was more than one of them. They were fixed assets, too.

If the Uchiha Clan used them well, raising the clan members' standard of living by a whole level would not be a problem at all.

Yet Fugaku did not feel particularly happy. The village would rather pay such a high price to make the Uchiha Clan leave their clan grounds than let them remain. Their purpose was clearly not so simple.

A faint panic rose in Fugaku's heart. "Then we shall follow the Hokage's decision!"

"Good. Since that is settled, Fugaku, please take the clan members home," Sarutobi said calmly. "Also, arrange for the clan members to relocate as soon as possible!"

After saying that, Sarutobi quickly left with Danzo, Utatane Koharu, and the others.

Only the Uchiha clan members remained at the scene. Their gazes quickly gathered on Fugaku as they waited for his orders.

Fugaku sighed softly. "Everyone, disperse! I will send people to take over those shops. As for how they will be distributed afterward, I will consult the clan elders, draft a set of rules, and inform everyone later."

The clan members gradually dispersed. After the Third Hokage's performance, most of their resentment had eased considerably.

As Hane watched the departing clan members, he tugged on Uchiha Retsuyō's sleeve, signaling for him to lean closer.

Feeling Hane's movement, Uchiha Retsuyō promptly bent down and waited for Hane's instructions.

"Tonight, wait for me at our agreed location!"

Uchiha Retsuyō immediately nodded.

When Fugaku saw Hane's little gesture, the panic in his heart suddenly calmed considerably. With such an outstanding son, the Uchiha Clan should still have a way forward.

Only after Uchiha Retsuyō and the others had completely left did Fugaku slowly walk toward Hane.

"Hane, let's go home!"

"Mm! All right, Father!"

When they arrived home, they saw Itachi sitting silently at the table, while little Sasuke slept peacefully in his arms.

Seeing this, Fugaku spoke to Itachi. "Itachi, take your brother and rest first. Your brother and I still have matters to discuss!"

Itachi raised his head impassively. "Father. I want to stay." This was the first time Itachi had defied his father, and Fugaku grew somewhat angry.

Just as he was about to say something.

Hane spoke gently. "Since Itachi wants to stay, let him stay. There are some things he should know, so he does not overthink things."

Fugaku could not refute his eldest son, so he could only nod in agreement.

Itachi obediently carried Sasuke back to the room. After coming out, he quietly sat beside Hane.

And Hane once again received Gratitude Points from Itachi.

Gratitude Points +1000

Hane nodded in satisfaction.