In the afternoon, the guards were dispatched in full force. Unless the security management fee was paid, shop owners would either be arrested for various charges or suffer "accidental" damages to their property when someone was taken into custody.
At the same time, the current heads of the three Ino–Shika–Chō families gathered together: Yamanaka Kaiichi, Nara Shikahisa, and Akamichi Chozo—the Ino–Shika–Chō combination of this generation, and also the patriarchs of their respective clans.
"Shikahisa, what do you think the Uchiha family is trying to do?" Yamanaka Kaiichi asked angrily.
The Nara family's pharmacy had been shut down, and even their medicinal materials were confiscated. They were accused of selling counterfeit medicine, which directly affected their family's reputation. The Akimichi family, which operated a yakiniku restaurant, had been framed for food safety violations and had been forcibly shut down as well. Their business couldn't reopen unless it met standards approved by the Uchiha-run Konoha Police.
As for the Yamanaka family, their flower shop had been damaged when the guards "accidentally" destroyed all the flowers in the store during an arrest. It was obvious that it wasn't an accident, but rather intentional.
"They want the security management fee," Shikahisa replied. He knew exactly what the Uchiha were after, as the guards had come to collect money before making their arrests.
"This security management fee is definitely something the Konoha police made up themselves. They're just trying to line their pockets," Shikahisa added. The purpose behind it was clear, but what puzzled him was how this could benefit the Uchiha in the long run.
The Uchiha family already had a bad reputation, and now their actions were making it even worse.
"I can't understand Uchiha Kisaragi," Shikahisa admitted. As Konoha's military strategist, Shikahisa was known for his sharp mind, but he couldn't fathom Kisaragi's motives. Even if he gained money, the damage to the Uchiha clan's reputation seemed too costly.
"Shikahisa, do you have any countermeasures? We can't just take this loss quietly," Akimichi Chozo said, his large frame shaking with frustration.
"We should just pay to get rid of the trouble. I'll go to the Konoha police to meet with Uchiha Kisaragi and get our captured clansmen released," Shikahisa said calmly.
"What? We're just going to put up with this?" Yamanaka Kaiichi protested. Being bullied and doing nothing about it wasn't something he could easily accept. Of the three clans, the Nara family had suffered the most—countless valuable medicinal materials had been seized. Yet here was Shikahisa suggesting they endure it.
"Let's wait and see what happens. The Uchiha have changed a lot recently. I wouldn't be surprised if Kisaragi ends up becoming the head of the Uchiha family soon," Shikahisa explained.
He was too smart to make the first move. It wasn't just the three families that had suffered in this crackdown—even the Third Hokage's family property had been affected. Uchiha Kisaragi wouldn't have dared to act so brazenly unless he either was a fool or had extreme confidence. And as the most powerful figure in the Uchiha clan, Kisaragi was no fool.
There was no need to provoke Uchiha Kisaragi at the moment. Someone else would make a move eventually, and besides, the three families couldn't take on the Uchiha clan alone. After the Senju clan had faded into obscurity, the Uchiha clan had become the strongest in Konoha. Though the Hyuga clan often competed with Uchiha, they were not on the same level. Even if the three Ino-Shika-Cho clans combined forces, they were no match for the Uchiha.
"If you're going to meet with Uchiha Kisaragi, we'll go with you," Yamanaka Kaiichi and Akimichi Chozo said as they stood up.
"Fine, I have no problem with that. But remember, when the time comes, don't say anything," Shikahisa warned.
"We'll listen to you," Yamanaka Kaiichi and Akimichi Chozo agreed. Nara Shikahisa was the brains of their trio, and they always followed his lead.
When they arrived at the Konoha Guard headquarters, they found it mostly empty. Kisaragi had sent nearly everyone out to continue their "operations."
"Well, this is a rare visit. What brings the three of you here?" Kisaragi greeted them with a smile.
Yamanaka Kaiichi gritted his teeth. Uchiha Kisaragi, don't you know exactly why we're here? But he held back his anger, remembering his promise to follow Shikahisa's lead.
"Captain Kisaragi, we're here to pay the security management fee," Shikahisa said.
"Ah, so you've come to pay the fee! You, Shikahisa, really know how to handle things. You're the first to come in and pay," Kisaragi said, glancing at Shikahisa with approval. As expected of a smart man, Shikahisa knew how to resolve problems with minimal loss.
Reluctantly, the three of them paid the security management fee. A fee of one million ryo per month was a heavy burden, and Yamanaka Kaiichi and Akimichi Chozo would never have agreed to it without Shikahisa's persuasion.
"In the future, Nara's family should refrain from selling counterfeit medicinal materials, and the Akimichi family should pay attention to the quality of their food," Kisaragi lectured them after receiving the money.
Shikahisa just listened quietly, but Akimichi Chozo was visibly gritting his teeth. He knew the quality of his barbecue restaurant was impeccable.
"This time, I'll release your people, but the confiscated fake medicines won't be returned. Those harmful medicines can't be allowed to endanger people again," Kisaragi added.
"Understood. Thank you, Captain Kisaragi," Shikahisa replied, though he was clenching his fists in frustration. The Nara family had never sold fake medicine, and yet Kisaragi continued to accuse them.
"Who's next, I wonder? I doubt the others will be as wise as the three of you," Kisaragi mused aloud, tapping the table.
He estimated that other families would be less cooperative than the Ino-Shika-Cho trio. The Hyuga clan, for instance, were unlikely to bend easily. As one of the two major dojutsu clans in Konoha, the Hyuga always saw themselves as equals to the Uchiha. It was unlikely they would compromise with Kisaragi.
The same went for the Sarutobi and Shimura clans. They probably wouldn't back down either. The Konoha Guard was going to have a lot of work in the coming days.
"Once I'm off work, don't bother looking for me," Kisaragi said with a smirk. He always left work on time, though the people under him would still be working overtime, causing trouble for Konoha.