After Mito Menma left, Uchiha Jin turned his gaze toward Shimura Danzō, who showed no intention of rising.
"Elder Danzō," Jin said mildly, "is there something else?"
Danzō narrowed his lone eye.
"Uchiha Jin. Regarding the Daimyō's subsidy funds… you owe me an explanation."
Jin blinked as if confused.
"An explanation? Is there a problem with the subsidy?"
Danzō snorted.
"There are only the two of us here. Drop the act."
"According to our previous agreement—after Sarutobi Hiruzen was eliminated—the Daimyō's subsidy would be divided between us. Your Uchiha clan would take thirty-five percent. I would take sixty-five."
"Now your clan has swallowed the entire sum."
"What exactly are you planning?"
"Does our agreement still stand?"
There was no more room for ambiguity. Danzō needed clarity.
Jin smiled faintly.
"Our agreement was indeed as you described."
"But… Hiruzen didn't die, did he?"
"If the Uchiha hadn't secured the Daimyō's subsidy in advance, do you really think you could have wrested it from Hiruzen's hands?"
"This," Jin said calmly, "was simply a contingency plan."
Danzō frowned slightly.
It was a fair point.
Their assassination attempt had failed. Hiruzen hadn't even obtained the funds. And even if he had, forcibly seizing them would have been nearly impossible.
Jin continued.
"Besides, even though the Uchiha secured the thirty billion ryō through official channels, under so many watchful eyes it's impossible for us to swallow it whole."
"We still intend to remain in Konoha, after all."
"How much we ultimately retain will depend on the Fourth Hokage."
"So, Elder Danzō, there is no need for suspicion. Our agreement remains valid. The Uchiha will take thirty-five percent. The rest will be distributed by the Fourth Hokage."
"As for future subsidies… we can discuss those later."
Danzō's expression eased.
That logic made sense.
If the funds had been seized through underhanded means, the Uchiha keeping it all would be one thing.
But this was an official transfer from the Daimyō.
No clan could monopolize such a sum without consequence.
Which meant—
The Uchiha had every reason to ensure the Fourth Hokage was someone aligned with them.
Someone like him.
Still, Danzō did not relax completely.
"We are bound together now," he said slowly. "But your clan's recent actions make it difficult for me to feel at ease."
Jin's eyes flickered.
"What does Elder Danzō propose?"
"I require a token of loyalty," Danzō replied.
"Tomorrow's jōnin assembly will nominate candidates for the Fourth Hokage."
"I want the Uchiha clan to formally recommend me."
Even without Uchiha support, Danzō could stand as a candidate.
But a public endorsement would be something else entirely.
It would signal alignment.
Once done, there would be no turning back for the Uchiha.
Jin frowned slightly.
"Are you certain?"
"Hiruzen and Namikaze Minato are also in contact with us. If we openly endorse you, that is a full reveal."
"It will extinguish the last of Hiruzen's hopes."
"And it will give him time to prepare countermeasures."
Danzō cast him a sidelong glance.
"You stripped Hiruzen of his Acting Hokage title today. How is that not already a reveal?"
"There's a difference," Jin said, shaking his head.
"My actions today can be interpreted as protecting the thirty billion subsidy."
"I did not side with Hiruzen—but neither did I side with you."
"Hiruzen is a seasoned politician. As long as the Uchiha haven't publicly declared a position, negotiations remain possible."
"Unnecessary," Danzō said coldly.
"In the past, your clan's subtle support benefited me."
"But your performance today was… impressive."
"Without the Hokage title, Sarutobi Hiruzen has lost his greatest shield."
"At tomorrow's assembly, I will solidify that fact as a Konoha elder."
"If not for his other positions—Academy principal, head of education, supervisor of missions—he wouldn't even qualify to attend."
His voice grew lighter as he spoke.
He was looking forward to tomorrow.
The thought of publicly crushing Hiruzen thrilled him.
Jin watched him quietly.
After a moment, he nodded.
"Very well."
"If Elder Danzō insists, the Uchiha will recommend you for Fourth Hokage tomorrow."
If you wish to destroy something, first let it go mad.
Danzō was not mad enough yet.
He needed one final push.
Danzō finally relaxed.
For now, the Uchiha appeared trustworthy.
"In that case," he said, offering what passed for reassurance, "once I become Fourth Hokage, the matter of subsidies will naturally be handled."
"And the position of village elder… will be arranged for your clan without delay."
Jin smiled.
"Then I thank you in advance."
Danzō waved dismissively and stood.
"Mutual benefit."
"That will be all for today. I have other matters to attend to."
Jin rose as well and personally escorted him to the entrance of the Military Police headquarters—his demeanor entirely different from how he had treated Menma.
It was deliberate.
If Danzō intended to tear his mask off and clash openly with Hiruzen—
Jin would gladly add fuel to the fire.
Let the two old wolves tear at each other.
And when the dust settled—
Only one would remain standing.
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