Next,
On stage, Sarutobi addressed various issues within the Police Force and implemented a series of regulations.
On Haruma with nothing to do, I hold a cup of hot tea in my hand, sipping it slowly, looking completely content.
Even without turning around, Haruma could clearly sense the hidden gaze from the shadows.
Judging from the seating arrangement, it should be Sarutobi's AI, Shikaku Nara.
Haruma's expression remained unchanged, though she seemed to be pondering the reason.
After the meeting concluded, the clan leaders rose to take their leave.
After enjoying the Haruma for an hour or so, I was about to leave when Sarutobi called me back.
"Chief Fugaku, please wait a moment; I'll need to take up a little more of your time."
Haruma paused for a moment, then nodded and sat down to continue sipping her tea.
After everyone had left, the gate was closed again by the Anbu.
At this moment, only Sarutobi, representing the Konoha High Command, two Hokage Advisor, and Shikaku Nara.
Haruma lowered her head and remained silent, her teacup in her hand almost playing with it in a frenzy.
After a long silence, no one in the room spoke.
Utatane Koharu, unable to contain herself any longer, frowned and spoke directly, "Clan Chief Fugaku, there's something this old woman doesn't understand?"
Haruma paused, looked up, and chuckled softly, "Please speak, sir."
"It seems Chief Fugaku has earned quite a bit of cash lately?" Koharu squinted, puzzled. "Could you tell this old woman what Chief Fugaku plans to do with so much money?"
I see,
If they can't figure it out or control it, should they just have the higher-ups intervene and coerce them?
Haruma remained expressionless, her tone indifferent. "We have indeed made quite a bit of money recently, but all of that money is being set aside for renovating the base."
Everyone curled their lip. "Renovating the base? You really believed your lies?"
Mitokado Homura adjusted his glasses, his tone serious. " Fugaku, your explanation is far too perfunctory."
"Your Uchiha Clan has such a vast territory, yet you don't have that many members. Is it really necessary to renovate the entire territory?"
"Broad?"
Haruma stared at Mitokado Homura with a forced smile. "I remember the Mito Clan's settlement in the village is indeed quite small."
"How about the advisor discuss it with the Lord Hokage? I'd be happy to exchange your spacious residence for a small courtyard in the center of the village."
"How?"
Moving from the edge of the village to the central area—what a beautiful idea!
And since you're from the Uchiha Clan, that's even more impossible.
Mito frowned but didn't reply. She understood the logic, but couldn't say it outright.
"Cough cough..."
Sarutobi coughed and looked at Fugaku gently, saying, "Since you're interested in renovating the base, Fugaku, we can send ninjas from the village, as well as merchants in charge of construction, to help."
"What a clever tactic of feigning retreat to advance! "Haruma thought to herself with a cold laugh.
Knowing I was just giving a perfunctory answer, this old fox wanted to make his excuse a fact.
Merchants who helped build the site can directly ask me for money, and ninjas who helped can legitimately enter the base to monitor it!
That's quite a clever scheme!
Haruma chuckled and waved her hand, "This is such a small matter, no need to trouble the Lord Hokage. Although the clan doesn't have many people, it's not a problem for them to handle construction."
"I'll keep the funds for now and see if we can find any good building materials."
A moment of silence fell over the room.
Sarutobi's gaze sharpened, Gate of Opening: " Fugaku, forget about those excuses."
"As the village's representative, I just want to know what your purpose is in preparing so much money."
Why?
Haruma's tone turned serious as she looked directly at Sarutobi: "I've thought about this for a long time. Is the existence of the Uchiha Clan in Konoha really necessary?"
"It wasn't until I withdrew all the clan members from the Police Force and found that nothing had changed in Konoha that I realized the Uchiha Clan's existence seemed to have become dispensable long ago, after they moved away from the center."
"If that's the case, I'll save up more money. If the village really doesn't need the Uchiha Clan anymore someday, our clan can buy a better place to settle down outside."
"Are you satisfied with this explanation, Lord Hokage?"
These words startled the people in the room.
"Bang!"
Mitokado Homura slammed his hand on the table, his face stern. " Fugaku! Watch your attitude!"
"Manner?"
Haruma laughed out loud, "Relocate them away from the center! Be wary of your comrades! Monitor the base!"
"Plus, our clan's Sharingan was openly stored in the Root's secret chamber! Uchiha Itachi slaughtered nearly half of his clan! He was severely injured and taken away by the Hokage, yet he left the village unharmed!"
"All of this! It seems the officials haven't given me a single explanation!"
Haruma's voice grew increasingly cold, "So! How should I speak?"
Faced with this sudden confrontation, Shikaku Nara clenched his fists, ready to unleash his Shadow Secret Technique at any moment.
A moment of silence fell over the room.
Sarutobi deeply. If Fugaku's previous words were just an excuse...
So when he says he's moving away from Konoha, it might not just be an angry outburst.
However, if the Uchiha Clan were to truly leave Konoha, the loss of a powerful clan's military might make them vulnerable to being harassed and probed by enemy nations.
Whether it's true or not, the Uchiha Clan can't leave now!
The peace that Konoha has finally achieved must not be broken at this time!
Having figured things out, Sarutobi softened his tone, "All that happened before was Danzo's doing in secret."
"Now that Danzo defected, Fugaku, you shouldn't be too upset."
"I know you're upset about being moved away from the edge of the village, Fugaku."
"But you should understand that the Nine-Tails' rampage was indeed caused by the Sharingan. Although we know it wasn't your doing, the Uchiha Clan can't ignore it."
Sarutobi sighed deeply. " Fugaku, please try to understand my predicament as Hokage."
Good heavens!
There was no mention of Itachi being released; instead, the blame was entirely placed on Danzo.
Seeing that threats were ineffective, they immediately resorted to emotional appeals.
Haruma, who also didn't want to turn against things now, took the opportunity to back down.
" Lord Hokage, you flatter me. I simply lost control of my emotions just now."
"If anyone's to blame, it's definitely that old bastard Danzo!"
Out of the corner of his eye, Haruma Tian caught sight of the two advisors behind Sarutobi, who seemed somewhat resentful when he was berating Danzo.
Haruma continued, "That bastard Danzo! Kekkei Genkai Danzo village! He coveted the secret techniques of various families! He even participated in human rituals, and so on!"
"That wicked beast! He..."
" Fugaku!!"
Utatane Koharu, couldn't bear to see her companion of several decades being insulted like this, so she interrupted and shouted out.
A smile played on Haruma's lips as she looked defiantly at Utatane Koharu and asked, "What are your instructions, Lady Koharu?"
" Fugaku! You..."
" Koharu!"
Sarutobi Koharu Utatane Koharu by speaking up, gave Fugaku a deep look, and remained silent.
It was clear that Fugaku was deliberately provoking Sarutobi, but Koharu couldn't Danzo against Danzo.
" Lord Hokage, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave now."
After saying that, Haruma turned and left without waiting for a reply.
Feeling the burning gaze behind her, Haruma's smile became even more exaggerated!