While Zou Hyuga was having a friendly discussion with the former Akatsuki Leader, an intelligence scroll also arrived at the Hokage Building.
Seated behind his desk, the Third Hokage seemed to have aged several more years. Even his hands trembled slightly as he leafed through official documents. Lately, it was no longer a question of whether he clung to power. He simply could not find any shinobi to share the burden.
The hunt for Akatsuki, the village's reconstruction, and the scandals that had come to light could crush him at any moment.
Glancing at the sealing wax on the scroll, the Third opened it and began carefully reading the report from Zou Hyuga.
He acknowledged Zou Hyuga's abilities. Apart from not belonging to the Hyuga Main Family, Zou was practically the strongest of the Hyuga Clan's younger generation. Still, members of the main family were also barred from obtaining important positions in the Hokage Building.
After reading it, the Third's expression shifted uneasily. He felt as uncomfortable as though he had swallowed a fly.
Zou Hyuga's report mentioned the investors behind the Tailed Beast Merchant Association. Every one of them was a prominent noble or official in Daimyō Castle, and the evidence vaguely pointed toward the Land of Fire Daimyō himself.
The Land of Fire Daimyō was the country's ruler, and Konohagakure nominally owed him its allegiance.
Although Konoha was economically self-sufficient to a degree, funding from the Daimyō Mansion remained an important part of its finances. At the very least, ANBU's funding came from that source.
Without those funds, the Hokage could not maintain so many armed forces under his independent command.
Thus, despite his overwhelming military power, the Hokage had always treated the Daimyō with respect, and neither interfered in the other's affairs.
Continuing the investigation into the