Hokage building, the highest conference room.
At the huge circular conference table, the core of Konoha's power gathered together. Hiruzen Sarutobi was sitting at the head of the table, and the tobacco in his pipe had been replaced with a third pot, but the lingering smoke could not cover up the lingering sadness between his brows.
"Regarding the issue of post-war compensation for Iwagakure, what I mean is that according to the previous proposal of Strategic Command and Deputy Minister Senju Chen, Five-Tails Jinchuriki should be returned to Iwagakure, but in addition to regular war reparations, we must ask them to cede at least three mines and provide strategic materials to Konoha at low prices in the next ten years." Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice echoed in the silent conference room, seeming a bit hollow.
However, what responded to him was an eerie silence.
Uchiha Fugaku had an expressionless face, tapping his fingers on the table, as if he was thinking about something, but as if he was not listening to anything. Hyuga Hiashi sat upright, with his eyes slightly closed, as if he was in trance, as if everything in the outside world had nothing to do with him.
Chōza Akimichi and Inoichi Yamanaka were chatting in low voices. Only Shikaku Nara yawned lazily, propped up his chin with one hand, and scanned everyone present without leaving a trace with his sleepy-looking eyes.
"Ahem," Shikaku spoke slowly, breaking the suffocating deadlock, "Lord Hokage, the compensation is a big matter, so we shouldn't rush it. But the atmosphere in the village... has been a little strange lately."
Shikaku Nara is actually kind-hearted and wants to remind Third Hiruzen Sarutobi that the rumors in the village are very detrimental to you now. He wants to remind Hiruzen Sarutobi that you should do something quickly, because this fire is getting stronger and stronger.
He also wanted to bring this matter up in the open, and also wanted to see the reaction of the senior officials present, and wanted to know who did this.
Shikaku Nara After saying these words, the temperature in the conference room seemed to have dropped a few points.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's knuckles were slightly white as he held the pipe. Of course he knew what Shikaku was referring to. Those rumors about him being "jealous of talents and talents", "suppressing heroes", "forcing Tsunade away", "forcing Senju Chen away", were like wildfire in the past few days, burning through the entire Konoha.
"Shikaku, watch your words." Utatane Koharu frowned and scolded.
"Ah, yes, yes, I am too talkative." Shikaku immediately raised his hands in surrender, with an innocent look of "I don't know anything", but everyone present knew it.
None of the patriarchs of these big families stood up to defend Hiruzen Sarutobi. They were happy to see Hokage's prestige damaged. Third Hokage has been in power for too long, and Hokage Faction's power is intertwined. Now this trend has given them an excellent opportunity to weaken Hokage's influence.
The war is over, and now it's time to divide the fruits of victory. The lower the prestige of Hokage, the more cake they will get in the future, and the more benefits they can win for the family.
Hiruzen Sarutobi Looking at these "colleagues" with their own thoughts in front of him, a sense of powerlessness came to his heart. He knew that there must be someone behind this, but he didn't know who it was or which group of people it was.
But he has no evidence. More importantly, he cannot attack the senior executives of Konoha because of some "rumors" at this time. That will only make those rumors more turbulent.
In the end, the meeting came to nothing in a strange and tacit atmosphere.
Gloomy Root Base.
Shimura Danzō stood in front of the huge Konoha map, listening to the report from his subordinates.
"... Sir, Shikaku Nara used his son's mouth to put the rumors on the table at the meeting. Third did not break out on the spot, but ended the meeting hastily. At present, all major families are watching in secret, and no one speaks for Third."
"And we found that Konoha and other people are also secretly fueling this matter."
"Haha..." Danzo's single eye flashed with a cold smile, "Hiruzen, your weakness is your biggest enemy. You always want to balance everything, but in the end you will only be abandoned by everything."
"Continue to increase our efforts. We will also uncover the past events of Nawaki's death on the battlefield due to insufficient medical supplies. We should make the villagers feel that Senju Clan's tragedy was inseparable from him, Hiruzen Sarutobi, from beginning to end."
"Yes!"
Watching his men disappear into the darkness, the corners of Danzo's mouth curved into a cruel arc.
Hiruzen, you have been sitting in this Hokage position for too long. It's time for Konoha to usher in a truly strong leader.
The whole Konoha has an undercurrent, but all of this has nothing to do with Senju Chen thousands of miles away.
Half a month later, in an ordinary town near "Cedar Village", this was the place Shizune told him in his last letter.
This town is the most famous gold-selling cave here. There are no strict guards or cumbersome rules. There are only casinos that never end, taverns flowing with fine wine, and people of all colors from all over the world and from all religions.
There is a mixed smell in the air, including the sour and rotten smell of low-quality sake, the burnt aroma of barbecue, the smell of cheap powder on women, and... the unique smell of fermented money and desire.
Senju Chen was wearing ordinary traveler clothes, carrying Thunder God Sword across his body, walking leisurely Earth Flow on the noisy street.
His handsome face and calm temperament seemed a bit out of place with the rude or dissolute environment around him, and attracted many prying eyes.
He didn't care about it, and looked around with interest with his clear eyes.
"It's really a good place. From now on, my Food Is Heaven will definitely open the largest restaurant here."
Senju Chen knew his sister's character, so he first found the largest casino near his home, and then walked in without hesitation.
The casino was bustling with people and filled with smoke. The crisp sound of dice hitting the wall of the cup, the muffled sound of Pai Gow hitting the table, and the roars of gamblers in excitement or annoyance were intertwined into a crazy symphony.
Senju Chen went directly to a gambling table, found a clerk who looked like a bartender, and handed him a deposit check with a face value of five thousand.
"I want to ask you about someone."
The clerk looked at the deposit receipt in front of him and responded flattered.
"Uncle, if you have anything to ask directly, I will tell you everything I know."
"Has there been a blond woman in your store recently? The kind who spends a lot of money." Senju Chen asked directly.
Before the clerk could answer, a gambler next to him jumped in and said, "What you're asking about is "The Legendary The Legendary Sucker"."
"The Legendary The Legendary Sucker???" Senju Chen had a question mark on his face when he heard this title.
Another thin gambler also chimed in. "I know this too! I saw with my own eyes two days ago that she lost five hundred thousand taels in one go! Without blinking an eye! But... that bitch is not easy to mess with. There was a blind person who wanted to take advantage of her before, but she pierced the gambling table with just one finger!"
"Hahaha, I heard about it too! So now everyone only dares to win her money, and no one dares to touch her people. They say she is 'The Legendary The Legendary Sucker', a stupid person with a lot of money, and terrifying strength!" At this time, someone also talked to her.
The Legendary The Legendary Sucker... return a stupid person with a lot of money and terrifying strength
Senju Chen's hand holding the wine glass paused in the air for a moment, and the corners of his mouth raised uncontrollably.
"Sister, sister..." He laughed in a low voice, a long-lost warmth and helplessness welling up in his heart, "Wherever you go, your reputation is so loud."
He stood up, walked over to the thin gambler, with a gentle and harmless smile on his face, took out a ten thousand tael silver note from his arms, and placed it gently on the table.
"Brother, can you tell me where the 'The Legendary Sucker' you are talking about is playing now?"
When the thin gambler saw the banknote, his eyes suddenly widened. He grabbed the banknote into his arms and the smile on his face was as flattering as a flower.
"Oh, brother, you are so polite!" He nodded and pointed in a direction on the right, "She lost all her money here two days ago and was invited over by the guy from 'Golden Toad' next door! Where can you look for her?"
"Thank you." Senju Chen nodded with a smile, turned around and walked out of the door, walking in the direction of "Golden Toad".