The bright red Hokage seal landed at the bottom of the bill with a dull thump.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's brush hand trembled nonstop.
There was not a trace of color in his aged face.
In all the decades since Konoha's founding, the Hokage's Office had never issued a written pledge like this.
Chikage picked up the bill and gently blew the ink dry.
"Lord Third, you certainly know how to see reason."
"Now that's a good leader who takes responsibility for his village."
Chikage handed the bill to Uchida Masatsugu, the Ministry of Internal Affairs official accompanying him.
"Mr. Uchida, please notarize this on-site."
"Send a copy of this compensation agreement directly to Minister Asano in the Land of Fire Capital."
Uchida Masatsugu accepted the document with both hands, smiling until his eyes narrowed to slits.
"Deputy Captain Chikage, you really do handle things thoroughly."
"I'll have someone send an express ninja hawk right away."
"The Daimyo's Internal Affairs Ministry will credit this sum to the Special Economic Zone's dedicated municipal account."
At those words, the corners of Hiruzen's mouth twitched twice.
His chest tightened in waves.
Konoha's finances were already stretched thin, with 3.5 billion ryo in military funding being withheld.
Now it had another 500 million ryo in compensation hanging over its head.
This would squeeze every last drop of fat out of the Hokage Building.
Hiruzen leaned on the Golden Cudgel, his voice terribly hoarse.
"Chikage, Konoha's administration can't come up with the full 500 million ryo in silver on such short notice."
"Pay in installments."
Chikage waved magnanimously and slipped his hands into his pockets.
"We all make our living in the same village. I'm not an unreasonable man."
"Since you're short on cash, Lord Third, the Konoha Military Police Force will naturally support an installment plan."