Extorting a Fortune from Hiruzen Sarutobi

Everyone present drew a sharp breath.

Hyuga Hiashi's Byakugan narrowed abruptly.

Shikaku Nara frowned.

The clan heads stared tensely at Uchiha En's hand.

He... he wouldn't really attack the Third Hokage, would he? That would be madness.

Hiruzen Sarutobi stared at the blade pointed at him, his heart lurching.

Cold sweat beaded on his forehead. Is this Uchiha madman really going to attack me today?

"Uchiha Clan Head... you've misunderstood."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice sounded strained.

"These people... must be remnants of Root whom Danzo kept hidden."

He tried to keep his tone steady.

"They have... nothing to do with me."

Uchiha En gave a soft "Oh."

His gaze swept over everyone present before he slowly dismissed Susanoo. The black giant receded like a tide, its Chakra glow fading into the air.

He landed, brushed the dust from his sleeves, and said with a smile, "So that's what happened."

"If the Third Hokage didn't send them... then Shimura Danzō must have."

His gaze settled on Hiruzen Sarutobi again.

"Third Hokage, why not bring Shimura Danzō here and confront him on the spot?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi had just breathed a sigh of relief when Uchiha En dismissed Susanoo. At those words, his heart sank again.

He was certain Danzo had arranged this.

But he couldn't admit it, much less bring Danzo here for a confrontation.

If that old bastard Danzo actually came, with Uchiha En in this state...

If En got carried away and used Susanoo to cut Danzo down on the spot...

It would be too late for regrets.

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath and tried to keep his voice steady.

"Shimura Danzō... is currently confined to his quarters."

"Anbu are watching him at all times."

"He couldn't have contacted these people."

He paused, then added,

"So these people... certainly weren't acting on Danzo's orders."

"They must have seen you move to impeach Danzo and taken offense. They organized this attack in secret to kill you."

At that, the clan heads' mouths twitched.

Everyone knew Hiruzen Sarutobi was protecting Danzo.

But no one spoke up. No one wanted to offend the Third Hokage now. After all, even a weakened Hokage still held power, and he would remain Hokage until he stepped down.

Of course, no one wanted to offend Uchiha En either.

Uchiha En looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi and sneered inwardly.

Of course. Unless these old bastards are caught red-handed, they'll never admit a thing.

Danzo has already lost his authority. There's no use keeping him around. Now that I've crushed his spirit, it's time to finish him off.

Having reached that conclusion, Uchiha En dropped the matter and changed the subject.

"Third Hokage."

"These remnants were able to lie low in Konoha..."

"That shows how weak Konoha's defenses have become."

He paused and glanced around at the clan heads.

"Right now, our Uchiha Clan's Konoha Military Police Force..."

"Some are dead, and others are wounded."

"To rebuild the Konoha Military Police Force as soon as possible, I hope the village will allocate... one hundred million ryo."

"That money will go toward its reconstruction."

"Only then can the village's defenses be assured."

"Otherwise, another batch of Root remnants might appear and try to assassinate the heads of other clans."

The clan heads all turned toward Hiruzen Sarutobi.

One hundred million ryo?

What nerve!

But just then, a voice rang out.

"That's right, Third Hokage."

Hyuga Hiashi stepped forward, folded his arms, and looked Hiruzen Sarutobi straight in the eye.

"The Konoha Military Police Force must be rebuilt as soon as possible."

"For Konoha's safety, and to keep the heads of the other clans from being ambushed, I believe that one hundred million ryo is necessary. You should allocate the funds to him at once."

The other clan heads began speaking up as well. They had realized that if Root ninja dared to attack the Uchiha Clan Head just outside Konoha, they might attack them too. None of them had Uchiha En's Mangekyo Sharingan strength.

"That's right, Third Hokage. The village's defenses really are too weak."

"If this happens again, none of our clans will be able to sleep soundly."

"Please allocate the funds so the Uchiha Clan Head can rebuild the Konoha Military Police Force as soon as possible."

One after another, they voiced their support.

The Ino-Shika-Cho Clans did not speak up, but they did not object either.

Standing at the back, Shikaku Nara watched and sighed inwardly. He knew Hiruzen Sarutobi had lost yet again.

The moment Uchiha En summoned Susanoo, he had already won.

The clan heads were supporting him now not because they truly cared about the Konoha Military Police Force.

They had seen Susanoo's power. They had seen Uchiha En's strength.

They knew they could no longer afford to offend this young man.

As for Hiruzen Sarutobi...

Could he refuse?

No.

If he refused, Uchiha En would keep pressing the matter of Danzo, and the other clans would demand an explanation too.

But if he agreed...

An expenditure of one hundred million ryo was no small sum for Konoha right now.

Hiruzen Sarutobi fell silent.

His hands, clasped behind his back, tightened into fists.

A long time passed.

At last, he looked up at Uchiha En. Weariness tinged his voice.

"In that case... for Konoha's safety,"

"I will approve one hundred million ryo for the Konoha Military Police Force."

He paused.

"I hope the Uchiha Clan Head will rebuild it as soon as possible and protect the villagers."

Uchiha En smiled.

He nodded.

"Rest assured, Third Hokage."

"Once our clan finishes relocating, I'll begin rebuilding the Konoha Military Police Force."

"I swear we'll keep every villager safe."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded.

But the corner of his mouth twitched. Keep every villager safe? The best thing you could do for their safety is stop causing trouble.

He kept that to himself, turned, and left with the Anbu without looking back.

The clan heads watched him go, their feelings mixed.

Some looked at Uchiha En with awe.

Others murmured among themselves.

Shikaku Nara gave Uchiha En one last look, then turned and left as well.

He had made up his mind.

It seemed... he really did need to prepare early.

Uchiha En and several Uchiha Jonin stood where they were, watching everyone leave.

A satisfied smile played on his lips.

Today, he had practiced Wood Release, killed the Root remnants, and gained one hundred million ryo on top of it.

This trip to the Forest of Death was well worth it. If only my eyesight weren't getting worse.