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"The information was leaked."
Hiruzen's expression turned cold, even setting aside his pipe, before he asked Sakumo with a heavy voice, "Sakumo, can you confirm this?"
"I can, Hokage-sama."
Sakumo replied decisively, "The head of Sunagakure's Sasori cannot lie. Moreover, Sunagakure's forces arrived in the Land of Rivers almost at the same time as we did. They could only have done so with prior information!"
Hiruzen's expression grew grim as he said, "This was one of Konoha's most classified missions recently. Sakumo, I'll have the Anbu conduct a thorough investigation. Once your squad has received medical treatment, come back to the Hokage Tower for another report. Hand over Sasori's head to the interrogation unit."
It seemed a major investigation was underway, yet Danzo, the instigator, appeared untroubled, confident that the investigation would not trace back to him.
It was regrettable to Danzo that Sakumo had completed the mission.
Although the assassination of the Land of Rivers' lord was not perfectly executed, the fact that the blame was shifted to Sunagakure by Yoichi's cunning move somewhat remedied the situation for Sakumo.
How infuriating!
Danzo seethed internally, yet he saw an opportunity to exploit this situation further, considering that Sakumo had also exposed his identity, and the lord's mansion might not accept this outcome easily.
"Sakumo, go rest for now. I'll have the Anbu look into the information leak. In a few days, accompany me to the lord's mansion."
Hiruzen paused before continuing, "Your squad has completed this S-rank mission."
This statement effectively closed the chapter on the mission to assassinate the Land of Rivers' lord, causing Danzo to feel a rush of urgency; yet, he could not voice his objections without a valid reason, lest he raise Hiruzen's suspicions.
"I understand, Hokage-sama."
After Sakumo responded, he nodded and left the Hokage's office.
Once Sakumo had left, Danzo suddenly spoke up, "Hiruzen, are you sure about crediting this mission as completed by Sakumo?"
Hiruzen frowned, "What do you mean by that, Danzo?"
"You know the prestige of Konoha's White Fang in the village. The lord was immediately satisfied upon learning that the mission was led by Konoha's White Fang.
If you credit this mission as completed by Sakumo, the lord's trust in him will deepen to an unshakeable level."
Danzo's words silenced the room. He knew what Hiruzen cared about and targeted his weak point from the start.
Selecting the Hokage requires the trust of the village's ninjas. After a vote, the Hokage is chosen by Konoha's higher-ups in conjunction with the Land of Fire.
Sakumo's reputation in the village, even surpassing the Sannin, backed by the trust of the ninjas and the lord, positioned him as a prime candidate for the next Hokage.
Who else in Konoha could rival the White Fang?
Hiruzen fell silent, relighting his pipe and taking a deep drag before slowly exhaling the smoke. After a while, he said, "This mission relates to Konoha's future funding, so its completion was necessary."
The completion of the mission meant an increase in funding from the lord's mansion by several hundred million ryō, a significant sum needed for the village amidst increasing border tensions.
However, Danzo's point was also valid, Hiruzen thought.
Sakumo was not his preferred candidate for Hokage. Since Sakumo's school days, Hiruzen knew he had his principles and was very steadfast in his beliefs.
A new Hokage often lacks experience and needs the support of the older generation. If it were Sakumo, he might not heed their advice, choosing instead to follow his own convictions in leading Konoha.
This was not ideal.
"The decision is yours, after all, you are the Hokage."
Danzo snorted and left the Hokage's office. Usually, when Hiruzen used this phrase, it irked Danzo, but today, using it against Hiruzen felt particularly satisfying.
After leaving the office, Danzo thought, "If anyone cares most about the position of Hokage, it's you, Hiruzen, even more than me!"
---
"Let's head back, Kakashi. This haul is enough to cover you in chakra metal, even enough for a full suit of armor!"
"That's too extravagant, Captain. Remember, the three prohibitions of a ninja. But I'd like a ninja suit like yours for weighted training and sword practice."
Kakashi's smile was evident even behind his mask.
Money has its magic; the more there is, the greater its allure. This was Kakashi's second significant financial gain, and he couldn't help thinking about treating himself to some fine purchases.
The wealth in the Land of Rivers' lord's mansion was staggering. Even though they only took the cash, their haul amounted to several hundred million ryō.
Many assets were left behind due to their sheer volume, including shop deeds and various property contracts, essentially making the entire Land of Rivers the private property of the lord's mansion.
Cash was not plentiful, as even the lord's mansion kept most wealth in banks. Yoichi, unable to access these funds, decided to leave them be.
"After this, we won't have to worry about Gate's food expenses. A portion will go to Gates for meals, another into the medicine factory and the ninja games, and the rest will hire bounty hunters to steal star stones from the Star Village."
Yoichi had already planned how to use the money. The funds allocated to the medicine factory would be used to pre-purchase medicinal herbs, securing a thirty-year supply contract exclusively for the Uchiha Medicine Factory.
Breaking the contract would mean either financial compensation or death.
However, the incident in the Land of Rivers had caused quite a stir. As a bounty hunter who turned on his employer, if Yoichi didn't manage this situation well, his operations in the underground exchange could be jeopardized.
The exchange might even spend its own money to find him. Fortunately, Yoichi was cautious, always concealing his identity during his visits.
For a long while, Yoichi planned to stay away from the underground exchange, especially since he wasn't short on money now.
After discussing with Kakashi, they headed back to Konoha, knowing the outside world was not safe and it was best to return sooner.
Upon returning to Konoha, Yoichi was immediately summoned by the Second Elder.
After being seated, the Second Elder's daughter-in-law served them tea before leaving.
Kenji took a slow sip of his tea and then began, "Yoichi, you've caused quite the stir this time, even the lords know your name now."
(End of Chapter)
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"I haven't left the clan grounds for a long time, but yesterday I had to leave to deal with your matter at the Hokage Tower with the clan leader."
Kenji's words seemed like a complaint, but the smile on his face revealed his good mood.
"Although I don't know what secret mission Sakumo was on, after he and the higher-ups returned from the lord's mansion, the Uchiha clan received rewards from the lord. While it wasn't direct, ultimately, the village benefits."
Yoichi was surprised by this news and asked, "The village didn't give me any trouble for leaving without permission?"
"What trouble could that be? If they dared to make an issue out of it, then the Police Force would start strictly investigating unauthorized departures tomorrow. No one would be able to leave the village then. It was under the Hokage's orders, after all."
Kenji laughed confidently; after all, did the members of the Shimura clan ask for permission before they left the village? Applying such rules to civilian ninjas was one thing, but to think they would enforce it on ninja clans?
"Besides, you involved that Kakashi kid, Sakumo's son. How would they punish him? Praise the father with one hand and punish the son with the other?"
Kenji was in a good mood today, quickly finishing his cup of tea. "I heard this mission was very important. You might even get a mission reward, possibly getting to choose a ninjutsu."
"Really? Elder Kenji, I don't mean to doubt you, but last time I almost threw Danzo's face into the toilet. And now you're telling me the village's higher-ups want to reward me with a ninjutsu? Is it from the Scroll of Seals?"
This barrage of news was overwhelming for Yoichi, sounding as fantastical as fiction.
"I'm not sure. The Scroll of Seals, said to be recorded by the Second Hokage, contains many dangerous ninjutsu that most people can't even practice. If they really offer you a technique from the Scroll of Seals, I'd advise against accepting it!"
Kenji shook his head, explaining the dangers of Forbidden Jutsu. B-rank techniques were already challenging for Jonin, and A-rank ones, which are Forbidden Jutsu, required vast amounts of chakra that even Jonin couldn't sustain multiple uses.
"For the Uchiha clan, our Fire Release, shurikenjutsu, and Sharingan are more than enough to make our mark in the ninja world. Forbidden Jutsu would just be icing on the cake."
Yoichi responded, "I'll see when the time comes. If they offer, I won't be polite."
"By the way, that Uzumaki girl you're associated with has also come to the attention of the village's higher-ups."
Kenji poured himself another cup of tea, casually mentioning, "That Uzumaki girl seems to be quite skilled in medical ninjutsu, though I don't know the specifics. You should ask her when you get back; they only inquired about her. Now, she's known outside as Uchiha, not Uzumaki Mina, that's her name, right?"
"Yes, what are they planning now?"
Yoichi clicked his tongue, "Why do I feel like they're targeting me? Any small move and I'm under scrutiny."
"Geniuses will always attract attention, Yoichi. You'll have to get used to it. When you become the clan leader, all our clan members will be watching you."
Kenji spoke softly.
"And they can only inquire. It's impossible for them to take her away. As for keeping an eye on you, isn't that normal? After all, Danzo lost face badly last time."
Yoichi laughed, then shared that his Sharingan had evolved to three tomoe. Upon hearing this, Kenji was momentarily stunned, then burst into laughter.
A fourteen-year-old with three-tomoe Sharingan is undoubtedly a genius. Now, Yoichi is just a step away from becoming clan leader, lacking only reputation and opportunity.
After leaving the elder's house, Yoichi headed home; he planned to ask Mina if anyone had been looking for her lately.
He also mentioned the medicine business. Yoichi planned to expand the medicine factory, knowing wars were likely in the coming years. With the funds available, it was time to strategize.
He aimed to earn not just from civilians but also from ninjas.
The Uchiha also had their business, collaborating with the Nekomata clan on weapons, who also helped gather information from the ninja world. Though not a huge business, it covered the clan's regular expenses.
Now, Yoichi had three businesses in hand: the medicine business was about to go public, the gaming business was acquiring factories, and as for the magic goats, they'd wait till next year to see the results.
After returning home, Yoichi checked on Gates, who spent his days eating and sleeping, then nagging Yoichi for energy-rich meats, only to be kicked away by Yoichi.
Gates, always demanding without doing much, would soon be asked to sign a summoning contract with Mina.
Mina had plenty of chakra but lacked self-defense techniques. Before awakening the Adamantine Sealing Chains, her strength was akin to a Chunin's, and that too without much combat experience.
With Gates' help, Mina wouldn't have to fear even Jonin, despite Gates not being able to use Beast King Roar Bullet, Gravity Control Technique, and Earth Pillar Technique, or utilize his massive bear paws continuously. Facing a dozen ninjas wouldn't be a problem.
Yoichi, having used his ability to "borrow" without permission today, feared he wouldn't have many chances back in Konoha, so he stole some chakra from a wandering ninja on the way back. Through days of stealing, Yoichi learned that only by taking physical or mental energy could he permanently increase his strength.
Dōjutsu, a manifestation of mental energy, could also be considered Yin Release.
That evening, when Mina returned, she typically announced her arrival at the door, "I'm back."
Then, she kicked off her shoes and flopped onto the sofa, not noticing Yoichi's return, and began to mutter to herself.
"I'm so tired, and I still have to study sealing techniques later."
Hearing this from the kitchen, Yoichi was about to suggest Mina rest more when he heard her continue, "When is Yoichi-sama coming back? I bought several pairs of white stockings."
"Does Yoichi-sama prefer thigh-highs or full tights? Maybe in a few days, I should..."
Her speculation became increasingly absurd, pondering why one couldn't like both!
Yoichi coughed, then called out loudly, "Mina, it's time to eat!"
"Yoichi-sama?"
A thud sounded, followed by Mina's hurried reply, "I'm coming, right away."
(End of Chapter)
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