There was a world of difference between custody and authority.
If the Uchiha were merely safeguarding the funds, at worst they could delay projects. Stall approvals. Create friction.
Annoying.
But manageable.
However—
If they held distribution rights?
That meant initiative.
Control.
Power.
It meant the Uchiha could decide who received money, who didn't, which projects lived, and which quietly died.
It wouldn't be about whether others could accomplish anything.
It would be about whether the Uchiha allowed it.
Mito Menma immediately pushed back.
"Uchiha Jin, when the Daimyō entrusted the subsidy to your clan, he did not say the Uchiha would be responsible for allocating it."
Jin tilted his head slightly, voice calm and faintly amused.
"Oh? Elder Mito, are you certain the Daimyō never said that?"
"Shall we ask him together?"
The smile in his eyes didn't fade.
In truth, Jin had no idea whether the Daimyō had explicitly mentioned "distribution" to Sarutobi Hiruzen.
But that didn't matter.
The Daimyō was standing behind the Uchiha now.
That was enough.
Menma faltered.
He hadn't been the one to visit the Daimyō. He couldn't guarantee what had or hadn't been said.
And if they truly went to confirm it—
What if the Daimyō publicly affirmed Jin's claim?
That would be disastrous.
Menma quickly shifted his angle.
"Regardless of what the Daimyō said, this violates protocol. Your Uchiha clan leads the Police Force—not the Finance Department. Under what authority do you allocate village funds?"
"I will not agree to this. The village will not agree to this."
Jin nodded thoughtfully.
"Actually, I agree with you."
"Cats catch mice. Dogs guard doors. Everyone has their role. Our Police Force has no interest in overstepping."
Menma blinked.
That wasn't the response he expected.
He had prepared counterarguments.
Pressure.
Escalation.
Instead, it felt like punching cotton.
Seizing the opening, Menma pressed forward.
"Good. Then the Police Force should focus on securing the funds. That is your proper duty—"
He stopped mid-sentence.
Beside him, Shimura Danzō turned slowly, giving him a sharp look.
Jin, however, smoothly continued.
"Rest assured. The Police Force will ensure the security of the thirty billion ryō without negligence."
Menma's face darkened.
He had walked straight into it.
He had just acknowledged—
Publicly.
Explicitly.
That the Uchiha would be safeguarding the funds.
Originally, today's visit was meant to probe Jin's stance before reclaiming custodial authority.
Instead—
One careless sentence had cemented the Uchiha's position.
Jin's smile widened faintly.
It was a classic maneuver.
When you want to open a window but expect resistance—
Propose tearing off the roof first.
Those who oppose you will compromise on the window themselves.
Menma had been prepared to defend against "custody."
Jin introduced "distribution."
In comparison, custody suddenly seemed reasonable.
Menma had lost his footing.
At that moment, Danzō spoke, cutting through the silence.
"Very well. That matter is settled."
His tone was calm.
In one sentence, he affirmed the outcome—
And shifted the topic.
Menma glanced at him in confusion.
Danzō gave him a subtle look.
Stay the course.
Jin watched Danzō thoughtfully, but said nothing.
Menma inhaled slowly and pulled out the prepared documents, placing them on Jin's desk.
"Minister Jin, the Daimyō surely informed you this thirty billion is intended for war pensions and village recovery."
"Konoha has suffered heavy losses in the Battle of Kikyōzan. Compensation must be finalized quickly to stabilize the situation."
"Additionally, the destruction caused by the Kumogakure envoy must be repaired."
"These are the Finance Department's projected budgets."
"Please review them."
Jin flipped casually through the papers.
"I'm a soldier, not an accountant. If the village approves the figures and the process is proper, I'll sign. Why complicate things?"
Menma felt a bit of tension ease.
At least Jin seemed cooperative here.
"Then if you have no objections, please sign and release the funds."
"Not so fast."
Jin closed the folder lightly.
"I have no issue with the numbers."
"But the procedure appears… flawed."
Menma stiffened.
"Flawed? What flaw?"
The budgets had been meticulously prepared.
The process should have been airtight.
Jin flipped to the final page of each document.
Then he tapped the signature line.
"Elder Mito."
"Why is the Hokage's signature Sarutobi Hiruzen?"
Menma froze.
Jin's tone remained mild.
"If I recall correctly, Sarutobi Hiruzen formally stepped down several days ago when he went to the Daimyō's court."
"He is no longer Hokage."
"And until a Fourth Hokage is officially appointed, he isn't even serving as an elder or advisor."
"So tell me…"
"What authority does he have to sign this?"
Silence filled the room.
Technically—
Jin was correct.
Hiruzen had stepped down.
The Fourth Hokage had not yet been elected.
In practice, everyone still treated Hiruzen as Hokage.
But legally?
Officially?
He currently held no formal position.
Danzō's single visible eye gleamed.
For the first time since entering the room—
He looked genuinely interested.
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