With one thing after another happening over the past few days, Fugaku felt Chikage was going to give him a heart attack.
He sat fuming in his chair, rolled up the allocation draft, and shoved it into a drawer.
"Enough. Stop buttering me up."
"I'll distribute the money according to the draft. I'll arrange compensation for the South Street shops first thing tomorrow morning."
"Make sure you remind the people in the Konoha Military Police Force, too."
"Just because the money has arrived doesn't mean we can ease up on patrols, especially the nighttime shift changes."
There was a note of warning in Fugaku's voice.
Chikage stopped smiling and tapped the desk lightly twice.
"Uncle, how we divide the money is a minor matter."
"I actually came to see you today about something more important."
Chikage turned toward the study's half-open door and called out.
"Itachi, stop standing outside. Come in."
The study door opened, and Itachi walked in.
He still held a paper bag, clearly having come straight over after sharing the dango with Sasuke.
Fugaku looked at his eldest son, then at Chikage, his face full of confusion.
"What are you two being so secretive about?"
"Usually, all you can think about is getting off work on time. Now you've actually volunteered to work overtime and come discuss serious business with me?"
"You must have gotten into trouble!"
Fugaku pointed at Chikage, convinced the two had caused some trouble and come to him, their clan head, to clean up their mess.
Chikage spread both hands in a show of innocence.
"I really didn't cause any trouble this time."
"Someone came looking for us, and he's no small fry."
Chikage tipped his chin toward Itachi.
"Itachi, tell Uncle yourself."
"Tell him exactly what happened at the Third Training Ground