After the many jonin and chunin left, only Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo, and the two advisers remained in the spacious Hokage office.
"We still need to consider this matter carefully."
"What is there left to consider? If you don't arrest Naruto Uzumaki, let's see how you explain this to the Land of Fire's Daimyo!" Danzo pressed him relentlessly.
At that moment, Utatane Koharu narrowed her eyes at Hiruzen Sarutobi. "The jinchūriki has been quiet all this time. Why would he suddenly pull a prank at a time like this? Hiruzen, have you been withholding his allowance again?"
At those words, both Danzo and Mitokado Homura gave Hiruzen Sarutobi suspicious looks.
Hearing that and seeing the way they looked at him, Hiruzen Sarutobi nearly cursed out loud.
"What nonsense are you talking about? A thousand ryo every month. When have I ever shortchanged him?"
Even Hiruzen Sarutobi's old face reddened as he said it. Ever since discovering a few years ago that Naruto had moved into the Uchiha Clan Compound, he had intermittently stopped paying Naruto's allowance, while continuing to give Sasuke his usual ten thousand ryo in monthly living expenses.
He had figured that since the two lived together anyway, ten thousand ryo would definitely be enough.
Seeing all three staring at him suspiciously, Hiruzen Sarutobi gave a dry cough and adopted a grave expression. "Do you think someone might have put him up to this, or impersonated Naruto to do it? All to drive a wedge into the deep bond between Naruto and the village?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi continued his monologue, his face solemn. "I'm certain that's what happened. The village treats Naruto so well. What reason would he have to do something so outrageous?"
Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi put on another act, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura both shook their heads.