Uchiha Minamoto took out a fourth commission form and lightly set it on the desk.
"The reward is two hundred thousand ryō."
Two hundred thousand!
That was two hundred thousand ryō!
Hiruzen Sarutobi's throat bobbed twice as he watched Uchiha Minamoto raise the mission's rank higher and higher, and increase the reward more and more.
It was already an A-rank mission now.
Did that mean there was also...
An S-rank?
S-rank missions paid at least a million ryō each!
Hiruzen Sarutobi gritted his teeth and steeled himself.
"Well..."
"If you really don't have the time, Lord Hokage, then never mind."
Uchiha Minamoto put away the A-rank mission commission and spoke calmly.
"I imagine someone else among the village's higher-ups would accept this mission.
"After all, it only involves taking a short walk, attending an opening ceremony, and making a public speech.
"Elder Mitokado Homura or Elder Utatane Koharu probably wouldn't turn down such a simple mission."
Uchiha Minamoto tactfully refrained from mentioning Shimura Danzō.
"Ahem!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi coughed twice and composed himself.
"Although I can't spare the time, I can send a Shadow Clone to attend the opening ceremony."
"I see..."
Uchiha Minamoto spoke with "deep regret."
"Then I suppose I'll ask Elder Utatane Koharu or Elder Mitokado Homura instead."
"Wait! A Shadow Clone can handle my work for me, too!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi hastily changed his tune.
"I can personally attend the, ah, Love Newspaper Office's opening ceremony!"
A little mission like this offered low risk and high pay.
He wouldn't have to split it with anyone. The entire reward would go straight into his pocket.
Most importantly, he could also make a grand appearance before Konoha's villagers and spread the Will of Fire!
Hiruzen Sarutobi really didn't want to miss an opportunity like this.
Two hundred thousand ryō it was, then!
"My apologies, Lord Third. I just withdrew that A-rank mission."
Uchiha Minamoto still wore a look of feigned regret.
"Now there's only a B-rank commission."
A-rank had become B-rank?
Two hundred thousand had become one hundred thousand?
The corner of Hiruzen Sarutobi's mouth twitched.
Why did he suddenly feel a little regretful?
"However, I do have another A-rank mission here."
Uchiha Minamoto took a fifth mission commission out of his pocket.
"A special invitation to Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Clan head Shimura Danzō to attend the Love Newspaper Office's opening ceremony.
"The mission reward is five hundred thousand ryō!"
Five hundred thousand!?
Hiruzen Sarutobi was tempted again, but he still put on a troubled expression.
"I have no objections myself, but Danzo..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi paused, then slowly continued.
"Danzo isn't merely the head of the Shimura Clan. He's also a senior elder.
"And more than that, he is my dearest friend, a companion through life and death!"
Uchiha Minamoto raised his eyebrows.
"What are you saying, Lord Hokage?"
"You'll have to pay more!"
In the end...
Uchiha Minamoto handwrote an S-rank mission request in the Hokage's office and raised the reward to a million ryō. Only then did he manage to secure both Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō's attendance.
It wasn't Uchiha Minamoto's money anyway.
When the Konoha Military Police Force had shut down Shueisha and the Shueiying Group the previous night, they had confiscated quite a lot of illegal funds.
That dirty money was supposed to go into public coffers in the first place.
Now that Uchiha Minamoto was handing a million ryō to Hiruzen Sarutobi as a "mission reward," all it meant was one more entry in the Konoha Military Police Force's ledger.
Anyone with hands could do it.
Uchiha Minamoto walked out of the Hokage Building and turned to look back.
"Lord Third, you absolutely must bring Shimura Danzō!"
"The front-page headline of the Love and Care Newspaper Office's inaugural news edition..."
"Is waiting especially for you two!"
Chapter 37: Exclusive exposé! Deserter Danzō! Step forward! (Please keep reading! Please send monthly votes!)
At nine in the morning, the Love Newspaper Office's opening ceremony began right on time.
A crowd had gathered in front of the newspaper office, all Konoha villagers who had come to join in the fun.
Suddenly, a commotion broke out in the crowd.
"He's here! He's here!"
"Lord Third is here!"
"Lord Third is still going strong!"
The rosy-faced Hiruzen Sarutobi approached the Love Newspaper Office with steady steps, dressed in a spotless white Hokage robe.
He wore a perfectly practiced public-facing smile and occasionally waved to the villagers beside him, presenting the very picture of an approachable leader enjoying himself among the people.
Following behind him was Shimura Danzō, his face as black as the bottom of a pot, his entire person radiating an aura that warned strangers to stay away.
"That million ryō was certainly well spent! Lord Third Hokage really did bring Shimura Danzō!"
Looking down at the "red-and-black-faced duo," Uchiha Minamoto nodded in satisfaction, then instructed Uchiha Hinotori beside him.
"Uncle Hinotori, since Elder Danzo is here, proceed according to our original plan!"
A trace of an odd emotion crossed Uchiha Hinotori's face before he left to carry out the order.
Below.
Guided by Uchiha Rai, Hiruzen Sarutobi walked onto the crude, makeshift stage and stood before the microphone.
Behind him, Shimura Danzō looked as though his father had died and tried to hide in the shadows.
"Villagers, shinobi, good morning, everyone!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi cleared his throat and began his favorite speech about the Will of Fire.
"What is the Will of Fire?
"Where leaves dance, fire burns on.
"As you know, Uchiha Minamoto is an exceptionally outstanding shinobi. By establishing the Great Love Group and founding the Love Newspaper Office, he has put the Will of Fire into practice through his actions. Yes, at his age, he is simply unbelievably strong...
"The future belongs to him..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke tirelessly for nearly half an hour.
Unfortunately, his lengthy speech received a lukewarm response from the audience.
The Konoha villagers grew drowsy listening to him.
Until, finally...
When Hiruzen Sarutobi finished his speech and walked off the stage, he still felt somewhat reluctant to leave.
"Ahem!"
Uchiha Hinotori, serving as the guest host, returned to the stage.
"Next, please welcome the Love and Care Newspaper Office President, Mr. Uchiha Minamoto, to the stage for a few words!"
With the Great Love Group Members leading the applause...
Uchiha Minamoto stepped onto the stage.
He was still dressed in that suit, looking strikingly dashing.
"Hello, everyone. I'm only here to say three things."
Uchiha Minamoto smiled, his voice carrying across the venue through the microphone.
"First, everyone here can collect a free carton of fresh eggs.
"Second, today's newspapers are free. Take as many as you like.
"Third, all books and magazines in the shop are at least fifty percent off. Spend a hundred ryō in a single purchase, and you can enter the prize draw.
"The participation prize is another carton of eggs.
"Third prize: ten thousand ryō in cash!
"Second prize: fifty thousand ryō in cash!
"First prize: one hundred thousand ryō in cash!
"Prizes are limited. First come, first served."
As his words fell, the entire venue went silent for a moment before erupting in celebration.
"Yes!!!"
"The prize draw! I want to enter!"
"Long live Lord Uchiha Minamoto!"
The cheers that erupted below were deafening, almost enough to overturn the stage.
The villagers waved their arms, their faces filled with fervor.
"Eggs! Eggs!"
"Newspapers! Newspapers!"
"Prize draw! Prize draw!"
No one knew who had started the chanting, but it soon swelled into a torrent.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood beside the stage, the smile on his face so stiff it looked pasted on.
Before you continue