"We need to discuss this matter further. Please stay in Konoha Village for a few more days."
"In that case, please have the Third Generation Hokage give us a reply as soon as possible."
The Hidden Cloud Ninja envoy, adopting a somewhat stern attitude, said, "Returning the Two-tailed Jinchuriki is Lord Raikage's only requirement for surrender. Although he admitted defeat on the battlefield, if the battle had continued, it was still uncertain who would emerge victorious. If the Third Generation Hokage does not agree, then the Hidden Cloud is willing to show weakness to the Hidden Rock..."
Showing weakness to the Hidden Rock was nothing more than forming an alliance with them.
Though Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't quite believe that these two deeply antagonistic ninja villages could unite, there's always a chance that the Third Generation Raikage might be willing to pay the price. If the Hidden Rock and Hidden Cloud combine forces...
Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't bear to imagine that scenario. The Hidden Rock and Hidden Cloud have the most ninjas among the Five Great Ninja Villages and have been engaging in an arms race; Konoha's victory over the Cloud was already somewhat fortunate, but if they were to face an attack from the Hidden Rock and Hidden Cloud together...
"Threats have no effect on Konoha. Even if war breaks out again, the only path that awaits you is defeat."
Danzo said coldly, "Konoha fears no war, nor any provocation!"
"Hmph, then I..."
"Danzo, enough."
Sarutobi Hiruzen interrupted the exchange between the Cloud envoy and Danzo, then said, "Please return for now, we need more time for deliberation."
"Very well, then I await news from the Third Generation Hokage."
With that, the Hidden Cloud envoy quickly left the Hokage Office.
Afterward, only Sarutobi Hiruzen and the three others remained. Seeing no one else was speaking, Sarutobi Hiruzen took the initiative to ask, "Any thoughts?"
"Not much to think about. It's simply a matter of agreeing or not agreeing. If we agree, then Uchiha Yoichi has to hand over the Two-tails."
Mitokado Homura replied, clearly assessing the situation; getting Uchiha Yoichi to relinquish the Two-tails would be extremely difficult.
Currently, Uchiha Yoichi gives off a feeling similar to Uchiha Madara. The personalities are similar, yet his actions differ from Madara's—knowing how to rally all clan members.
Dealing frequently with Konoha's finances, Mitokado Homura is well aware of the Uchiha's wealth. Distributing over two billion to clan members each month was a news so enviable he nearly turned green.
He wished he could don the navy blue Round Fan ninja suit and become an Uchiha himself.
Currently, the Uchiha clan truly exemplifies wealth with nowhere to spend it; and with so much given to the clan members, how much must Uchiha Yoichi himself be earning?
With the thought in mind, given that the Uchiha can create such medicine, then surely Konoha could as well... he planned to discuss this with Hiruzen later.
"He's already considered the Two-tails his possession and won't give it up, and don't forget about Uchiha Minami, a descendent of the Uzumaki Race who also awakened the Vajra Seal."
Utatane Koharu reminded, "With the awakened Vajra Seal of the Uzumaki Race and the Two-tails, the Uchiha now has a controllable Tailed Beast Jinchuriki, and also his Mangekyo Sharingan...."
Danzo remained silent because he knew his proposals would undoubtedly be overruled by the three, but he felt that Hiruzen and the others had forgotten Tobirama-sensei's warnings, allowing the Uchiha's unwavering development.
Shouldn't I be the one to become Hokage!
"I'll find time to talk to Uchiha Fugaku, and have him take me to meet Uchiha Yoichi...."
"Hiruzen, Uchiha Fugaku came to the Hokage Building today."
"Today? To see me?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen was taken aback after hearing those words, as he had been in the Hokage Office all day and hadn't seen Fugaku approach him.
Mitokado Homura shook his head and said, "He wasn't looking for you; he was there to process a divorce with Uchiha Mikota."
"A divorce?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked puzzled. What happened there?
"Why.... Why would Uchiha Fugaku suddenly decide to do such a thing?"
After all, he was the clan leader. Divorce wasn't a decision to be taken lightly, although the thought alone made it possible, Uchiha Fugaku's status was different from others.
"Not clear, but I've blocked this information, and Uchiha Fugaku also asked those handling it to keep it confidential...."
"In that case, let's avoid contacting Fugaku for now; I'll think of another way."
Sarutobi Hiruzen lit up his pipe, speaking with some distress.
He definitely did not wish to return the Two-tails to the Hidden Cloud, but neither did he want to leave the Two-tails in Uchiha's hands. Weighing the two scenarios, Sarutobi Hiruzen would surely prefer to return the Two-tails to the Hidden Cloud, enhancing the village's benefits in exchange for commissions from smaller nations.
Yet, upon hearing about Uchiha Fugaku's divorce, he suddenly had a bad feeling, sensing a looming change within the Uchiha Race, especially since the news of Uchiha Yoichi awakening the Mangekyo had spread.
The Security Team was already impacted, where the Martial Arts Faction had a stronger voice in the team, and were more decisive in enforcing village laws.
——————————————
"What's going on?"
Uchiha Yoichi asked as he reached the center of the quarrelling crowd, having been dining nearby when the commotion erupted.
The argument's volume had grown, and upon investigating, one of the parties seemed to involve members of the Security Team.
So, he came over to inquire.
"Lord Yoichi."
The faces of two Security Team clan members lit up with excitement upon seeing Uchiha Yoichi; not only was he the Konoha Hero who had repelled the Cloud Ninja, but also one who had awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan.
Even though these two Uchiha clan members were older than Uchiha Yoichi, they couldn't help but address him as 'Lord Yoichi.'
One of them spoke up, "It was time for our shift change—after changing shifts, we planned to have a couple of drinks and return to rest in the afternoon; but these guys have been sarcastically jeering at us for drinking during the day, claiming we're wasting Konoha's money...."
Upon hearing their explanation, Uchiha Yoichi nodded. Ninjas ought to abide by the Three Taboos, but having a couple of drinks post-mission is nobody's business. If strictly checked, none from the Hokage to the Genin would be able to escape.
Subsequently, Uchiha Yoichi turned to the civilians taunting the Uchiha clan members and asked, "You heard their explanation, right? Without a mission, it's like you having a couple of drinks after returning home in the evening, which should be allowed."
Nonetheless, one of them, possibly due to perceiving Yoichi's youth as an easy target, shouted with a mouth reeking of alcohol, "Who knows if you have a mission or not, I just see some useless individuals squandering Konoha's money drinking during the day....ahhh!"
"I've given you face, and you don't appreciate it? When Uchiha was fighting on the front lines, you were sleeping in the village; the enemies I've slain are more than the meals you've eaten in a month; aren't you ashamed? Fine, I'll give you a chance to become an Uchiha."
Uchiha Yoichi flung two individuals backward and then said, "Detain them for seven days to sober up, then send them to the front lines, granting them a chance to protect our homes and nation; let them realize what the Uchiha clan does when not drinking."
"Yes, Lord Yoichi."
The two Security Team members said excitedly, seizing the opportunity to take them back; in the past, they were always told to endure slander by their captains and seniors, but now, having someone to back them up felt great.
After witnessing Uchiha Yoichi's domineering decision, the onlookers felt a surge of fear, dispersing immediately upon him surveying the surroundings.
Those two individuals had sided against the Uchiha from the outset; encountering them outside, Uchiha Yoichi effortlessly dealt with them.
"Let's head back."
Uchiha Yoichi told Yugito, as he had almost finished eating; leaving a few remaining pieces of meat was unnecessary.
While settling the bill, Yugito peeked at Uchiha Yoichi and, seizing the moment when no one was watching her, hastily grabbed the few freshly grilled pieces from the roasting pan with chopsticks and stuffed them into her mouth.
"Let's go."
"Coming, coming!"
Yugito struggled to conceal the meat in her mouth, attempting to feign having eaten nothing; yet, by the time they reached the door, her cheeks puffed like a squirrel's stuffed with chestnuts, adorably bulging.
She tried to portray having eaten nothing, only sneaking a few chews when Uchiha Yoichi's back was turned.