Uchiha Nan went on for a full twenty minutes without even realizing it himself.
"So, for the sake of Konoha's development," he concluded at last, "we'll have to tighten our own belts."
The moment those words landed, the mood in the hall visibly shifted. Everyone perked up. Everything before this had just been foreplay—necessary but meaningless. Now came the real point.
"Every clan here has lost people for Konoha," Nan continued calmly. "The compensation for fallen shinobi and support for their families must be paid immediately. That money cannot be delayed."
No one objected to that.
"But," Nan added, changing gears, "for Konoha's future, I believe the other debts Konoha owes can be… postponed for a while."
The expressions of the clan leaders instantly changed.
Postponed?
That was equivalent to declaring continued debt—an open provocation against the collective interests of every ninja clan present.
"Don't worry," Nan said evenly. "Every ryō Konoha owes will be repaid in full."
"Just not all at once."
"I propose installment payments. Thirty percent paid immediately, with the remaining seventy percent repaid over five to ten years, depending on circumstances. Interest will be paid according to standard banking rates."
"What do you think?"
Inside, the clan heads were cursing up a storm.
What do we think? Of course we don't like it!
They had endured poverty for years. Now that the money was finally here, they were being told to keep waiting. Did he think they were decorations?
"As head of the Uchiha clan," Nan said, raising his hand, "I formally approve this proposal."
It was a symbolic gesture—but a decisive one.
He swept his gaze across the room. Plenty of unhappy looks, but that didn't matter. Strength spoke for itself, and Nan had no doubt he could hold the line. No one here was foolish enough to openly challenge him.
"Hyūga clan head," Nan said with a smile, eyes landing on Hyūga Takuma, "care to state your position?"
Takuma felt like crying.
He wanted to say no—desperately—but Nan's meaning was crystal clear.
We're allies.
And allies stepped up when it mattered.
If the Hyūga stabbed him in the back now, Takuma could already imagine how miserable their future in Konoha would be.
Every gaze in the room locked onto him, waiting for the word "oppose."
But Nan understood the Hyūga all too well. They had never been the kind to charge headfirst into danger. If they were, they wouldn't have sacrificed the clan head's own brother to appease Kumogakure years ago.
That incident alone was enough to disgust Nan.
"I… agree," Takuma said at last, forcing the words out. He felt like all the strength had drained from his body.
"Excellent!"
"So noble! So selfless!"
"Let's give the Hyūga clan head a round of applause!"
Nan clapped first. The rest followed, faces stiff and bitter.
When the leader claps, you clap. That's how it works.
One down.
Nan's gaze shifted to Senju Momoka.
"Clan Head Senju," Nan said smoothly, "the Senju and Uchiha founded Konoha together. No one understands Konoha's hardships better than you."
"Now is exactly the time to embody the Will of Fire."
"I trust that you, as the pillar of the Senju clan, will—"
Nan piled on the praise relentlessly, stacking one political hat after another on Momoka's head.
"So," Nan finished, "what is your decision?"
Momoka felt numb.
Nan had sealed every exit. With that many lofty titles pressed onto him, how could he possibly say no?
The Senju prided themselves on being Konoha's orthodox lineage, the inheritors of the Will of Fire. If they backed out now, their political standing would collapse instantly.
"…I agree."
Momoka struggled internally. He was desperate for money—restarting the Hashirama Cell experiments would cost a fortune, hundreds of millions at least.
But in the end, he still chose politics over money.
Another one down.
Nan was delighted.
With the three great bloodline clans having taken a stance, the rest were already irrelevant.
"Nara clan head," Nan continued, turning to Nara Shikato, "the Ino–Shika–Chō alliance has always acted as one. What's your position?"
Nan intended to use this as a test. He had plans for Shikato in the future.
Shikato had already seen the writing on the wall.
The tide was with Uchiha Nan. Going against it meant suicide.
So he answered instantly, without the slightest hesitation.
"For Konoha's sake, the three clans are in full agreement."
"Very good."
Nan nodded in satisfaction. He liked decisive people.
"And the rest of you?"
"Who supports this proposal? Who opposes it?"
Nan didn't bother asking one by one anymore.
"If anyone disagrees, you're free to speak up. Every clan has its difficulties—I understand how hard it is to keep a family afloat."
He even added that last line to make his actions seem gentler.
The clan heads were furious.
This is infuriating.
A blade was practically pressed to their throats, and he still had the nerve to smile and ask if they were satisfied.
Was this something a human being could do?
Unfortunately, none of them would ever get the chance to do anything about it.
"I agree."
"I agree."
"I agree."
"…."
One agreeable voice after another rang out.
Nan felt genuinely pleased.
"Excellent. The proposal passes ujinimously!"
"As expected of you all—true pillars of Konoha, each and every one of you, fully embodying the Will of Fire!"
Nan's official rhetoric was becoming smoother by the minute. His slogans grew louder, more polished. The disease of leadership had clearly infected him.
"This meeting is officially adjourned. Let's give ourselves a round of applause!"
Nan stood and clapped.
Everyone else immediately rose and clapped as well, eyes glistening as if moved by the spirit of the meeting.
Of course, those weren't tears of inspiration.
They were tears of pain.
Back to hard times again…
Nan, however, was in an excellent mood.
After the meeting, everyone dispersed. Nan returned to his little home.
Feng and Ling had already prepared lunch and were waiting for him. Nan devoured three full bowls of rice without hesitation.
Satisfied, he leaned back.
Today was a good day. A day worth celebrating.
And he still had ten draws waiting for him.
Why not use them now?
Nan shut himself in his room, clasped his hands, and began his familiar ritual.
"Buddha. Guanyin. Jade Emperor. Jesus…"
"Please—let me pull gold this time."
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