"I'm fine... How did this news come?"
The Third Hokage took a few deep breaths, waved his hand at the Anbu, and asked how he received the news.
After all, he was the Hokage of a village, so he maintained his composure, but he couldn't rule out the possibility that it was the work of a hostile village.
"Lord Hokage, this was brought back by the ninja hawk stationed at the Daimyo Mansion. The seal on it is correct, confirming it was sent by the Daimyo himself."
Hearing this, the Third Hokage closed his eyes, and his clenched fists betrayed that his mood was not as calm as it appeared on the surface.
"Notify and assign someone to monitor Danzo. Don't say anything about this matter; keep it discreet. Also, send people to the Daimyo Mansion to investigate the situation and find out what happened."
"Yes! I will give the order..."
After the Anbu left, the Third Hokage reopened the letter in his hand for a closer look.
"Danzo, Danzo! What exactly are you thinking?"
A dark look flashed in the Third Hokage's eyes. Based on his understanding of Danzo, although Danzo wouldn't take the Daimyo too seriously, he certainly wouldn't harm him.
In his opinion, Danzo's real target was likely the Uchiha close to the Daimyo, but now that the Daimyo had sent letters to question him, it didn't matter whether Danzo was targeting the Daimyo or the Uchiha.
Besides, even if the Daimyo wasn't angered this time and the Uchiha started causing trouble, the village would still be strained, and he himself would suffer the consequences.
"Lord Hokage, Uchiha Kiyotoru requests to see you."
The guard's report at the gate interrupted the Third Hokage's thoughts, and only then did he remember the 500 million taels of compensation owed to the Uchiha clan.
Considering the Daimyo's attitude now, the Third Hokage's already tense heart grew even heavier.
He had thought of placating the Uchiha and approaching the Daimyo for a compromise, but now, he could only hope the village wouldn't suffer for his position.
"Lord Hokage, the Clan Head, sent me to collect the clan's overdue allowances."
The Fifth Elder said with a smile. After all, anyone who receives a huge sum of money for their family would be pleased, and nobody thinks they have too much money.
"Elder Kiyotoru! Long time no see. The allowance is ready for you!"
The Third Hokage forced a smile, reluctantly pulling a list from his drawer. Five hundred million taels was no small amount, and even a receipt couldn't fully accommodate it in the Hokage's office.
This list was Konoha's certificate of appropriation, which could be used at the exchange in the village to receive the corresponding amount of silver taels.
"Lord Hokage, you've worked hard. I'll take my leave now!"
The Fifth Elder's grin stretched almost to his ears as he took the voucher happily, eager to head to the exchange for the silver.
What Yagami said was right—money is only truly yours when it's in your own pocket; if it's held by others, it's still someone else's.
"Wait! Elder Kiyotoru, has the Uchiha clan been making any big moves lately? Don't misunderstand; I'm not monitoring your activities..."
Danzo's attempted assassination of the Daimyo was suspicious. Though it seemed unrelated to the Uchiha, the Hokage couldn't entirely dismiss his concerns.
"Yes! Our only big moves now are making money and having children!"
The Fifth Elder thought about it and felt there was no harm in the Hokage knowing this since it was something every family pursued.
"Uh... I see. If you encounter any difficulties, you can come to me, and the village will assist you."
The corner of the Third Hokage's mouth twitched.
The Uchiha clan can no longer be blatantly monitored; otherwise, Yagami would not tolerate Anbu around him.
He may not die, but he will certainly endure some suffering.
The Anbu captured by Yagami last time still has lingering mental issues.
Now, the Uchiha and Hyūga clans have established a close relationship, with the shinobi of both families patrolling their respective areas. This arrangement leaves little room for spies.
Currently, the Hokage's office is almost blind regarding the Uchiha's internal affairs. They only know when a Uchiha leaves the village, but not what they are doing at home.
"If that's the case, we have encountered an issue recently. Why don't you see if you can help us?"
Under Yagami's influence, the Fifth Elder, though unchanged in nature, had grown more tactful, taking the opportunity to lean on the Third Hokage.
Damn! You really dare to agree! This old man was just being polite...
"Tell me, if I can help, I won't refuse. If..."
The Third Hokage thought it over. Regardless of what this elder said, he would deflect it, as he had enough trouble handling it without adding Uchiha's issues.
"Coincidentally! This problem can only be resolved by Lord Hokage. I don't know if the daimyo has encountered something recently."
"Last night, Itachi sent word to the clan that the daimyo wishes to hire hundreds of Uchiha shinobi as his guards. We know the village's rules: the number of shinobi a clan register cannot exceed 40% of the total number leaving the village. Forty per cent. Lord Hokage, please send a letter to the daimyo explaining this."
The Fifth Elder clasped his hands, explaining that while the daimyo's friendship was valuable, it was not worth risking the clan's legacy.
Sending hundreds of shinobi would create a noticeable gap in the clan's strength. If the Uchiha were weakened, Konoha might exploit the opportunity.
Apart from Yagami and Fugaku, who knew the full picture, the clan was distressed by the daimyo's request.
Since the Third Hokage had offered to help the Uchiha, the Fifth Elder hoped this issue could be resolved.
"Ahem... I see. I will explain the situation to the daimyo. You may go now."
Hearing the daimyo's desire for more Uchiha around him, the Third Hokage nearly sighed in relief, but this only confirmed one thing: the daimyo genuinely felt a life-threatening danger; otherwise, he wouldn't have made such a request.
Perhaps the daimyo's assassination attempt was not merely a misunderstanding.
The daimyo directly accused Danzo, suggesting he had evidence. Originally, the Third Hokage assumed Danzo wanted to obtain the Uchiha's Sharingan and had simply been discovered. The letter to Konoha was seen as a formality.
But with the daimyo asking for additional Uchiha protection, any remaining hope faded in the Third Hokage's heart.
If he didn't feel a mortal threat, the daimyo wouldn't be so fearful.
Even with thirty Uchiha Jōnin and a pair of Mangekyō at his side, he felt unsafe.
The Third Hokage wondered if Danzo's men had held a kunai to the daimyo's throat…
**Daimyo's Residence**
After waiting three days with no reply from Konoha, the daimyo, though usually composed, grew increasingly fearful.
He began to suspect that Sarutobi Hiruzen, known for his strong ties to Danzo, might be conspiring with him. Without a reply for days, perhaps they were already in collusion. What should he do?
"Damn it! Damn it! That ungrateful Konoha! I've spent so much on them, and this is my reward? No, I can't sit here and wait to die! Itachi, what has your family said?"
The more the daimyo thought about it, the more convinced he became of his suspicions. As the daimyo of the Land of Fire, he wouldn't let his position be taken so easily.
"My lord, the clan has replied. We can only send ten shinobi; any more, and the village would object. You understand the tense relationship between the Uchiha and the village. While supervision isn't strict, the village still monitors us."
Itachi lowered his head as he replied, which only agitated the daimyo further.
"Sarutobi Hiruzen! You've really done it this time... Ignoring my letter and stopping me from defending myself! I bet Danzo's actions were under his orders!"
At this, the daimyo cursed not only Danzo but Sarutobi Hiruzen as well.
"My lord, please calm down! I don't think Lord Hokage has such intentions. Perhaps he's still verifying things. Please, be patient!"
Itachi's expression shifted slightly as he attempted to reason with the daimyo.
"Enough, Itachi! Sarutobi treated your clan poorly, yet you defend him? Doesn't that bother you? My life is at stake here—how can I remain calm? I can't wait on Konoha anymore. They're not the only powerful shinobi village. Summon my scribes! I will send letters to the daimyo of the Land of Lightning, the Land of Earth, the Land of Wind, and the Land of Water. I won't let Konoha isolate me!"
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