Tobi appeared again

Shikaku's gaze flickered. "You mean... the 'Uchiha dictatorship'?"

"Yes."

"Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu's people spread it," Shikaku said without hiding anything. "The remnants of the Three Clans have been making the rounds of the taverns these past two days. Everything they say hints at it."

Uchiha En gave a quiet acknowledgment, his expression unchanged.

"Lord Hokage, should I..." Shikaku chose his words carefully. "Put a lid on it?"

"No need." Uchiha En raised his teacup, took a sip, and set it down. "Let them talk."

"The more widely it spreads, the more people will see them as clowns."

"If those old fools want to jump into the fire themselves, why should we stop them?"

Shikaku froze for a moment, then smiled.

"Lord Hokage, your composure puts mine to shame."

"All right." Uchiha En set down his teacup. "We'll implement the points regulations as you drafted them."

"Yes, sir."

Shikaku rose and walked to the door, then stopped and glanced back.

The young man had already picked up his documents again and lowered his head to read.

It was as though the enormous financial shortfall they had just discussed was no problem at all.

Shikaku asked nothing more.

When the Hokage chose not to speak of something, a subordinate had no business asking.

Late that night, in the Hokage Office.

Uchiha En sat behind his desk, leaning back in his chair with his eyes closed as he ran through his plan in his mind.

Tonight's plan was simple: go out and steal money. The reasons were just as simple.

First, Konoha's reforms needed money.

Although Konoha had some money in its treasury, it was not enough. He needed to acquire a large amount of funding quickly.

Second, he needed to divert the other nations' attention.

With a member of