Everyone present was hopeful this mission would succeed. The reason was simple—if it worked out, the three clans' power and social standing would rise with the tide. Plus, they could count on even greater support and assistance from the Uchiha Clan.
Everyone knew, after all, that Shiyu Uchiha controlled staggering resources, and that was no secret. Especially after witnessing the knowledge he generously shared regarding Yin Release and Yang Release, it felt like hitting the jackpot. Each of them had gained invaluable insights and benefited greatly.
If they could get access to even more advanced techniques, refining their clan's secret jutsu wouldn't just be a dream anymore.
Because of this, the clan heads of the Aburame and Inuzuka Clans quickly gathered with Shinku Yuhi to engage in a heated discussion.
Although Shiyu Uchiha did not participate throughout the entire process, he occasionally offered highly constructive opinions and suggestions. So, after just a few days of intense communication and negotiation, a more comprehensive and detailed action plan was finally in place.
Immediately afterward, as soon as Shinku Yuhi returned to Konoha Village, without wasting a second, he started training his disciples according to this newly formulated plan. Meanwhile, Shiyu Uchiha turned and headed toward the Hokage building—he was going to visit The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Standing in the Hokage's office, facing the solemn and stern questioning of The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Shiyu Uchiha showed no fear as he spoke: "Respected Hokage-sama, please allow me to explain where the funds from the asset sale went.
We did indeed receive a large sum of money from selling the assets, but the majority was used to purchase training supplies for the Paramilitary Police Force. The remainder was lent to the ninken clan.
To be honest, I originally had no idea that they intended to use the money to stockpile war supplies. Also, based on your judgment and attitude toward the situation at the time, I once believed that The Great Ninja World War wouldn't break out. However, the reality proved otherwise."
Seeing the increasingly grim expression on Sarutobi's face, Shiyu Uchiha felt a slight smile forming inside. He paused briefly, then took a deep breath and continued, "When The Great Ninja World War truly began, the frontlines saw extremely fierce battles, and supplies were extremely scarce.
Yet the village failed to provide adequate support to the frontlines, so in order to secure ultimate victory, I had no choice but to borrow vast quantities of supplies from external sources in the name of the Uchiha Clan and our frontline operations.
In particular, those despicable ninken clan members took advantage of the situation to offer high-interest loans, and I had no choice but to use our family's ancestral property—handed down for thousands of years—as collateral. Fortunately, after relentless and arduous battle, we finally emerged victorious.
After the war, I also obtained many resources from the enemy through various means to repay part of the debt."
"Even so, the Uchiha Clan is still striving tirelessly to pay off the huge debt we owe to the Ninken Clan."
Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression grow increasingly grim, Shiyu Uchiha became even more impassioned. He suddenly stepped forward, tightly clenched his fists, and shouted, "Lord Hokage! The Uchiha Clan now faces an unprecedented crisis. Without your support and assistance, our entire family may face ruin!
This is the legacy we've built over thousands of years. If it were destroyed like this, how could our Uchiha ancestors, who bled and sacrificed for this village, ever rest in peace? Do we really want heroes to suffer both bloodshed and tears?
I beg you, please help us, considering all our contributions to Konoha over the years!" As Shiyu Uchiha finished speaking, he deeply bowed while giving a pitiful look, as if he hadn't eaten a meal in days. Hiruzen couldn't help but twitch his mouth a few times before attempting to placate Shiyu.
However, Hiruzen Sarutobi fully understood Shiyu Uchiha's situation. How could he easily grant the benefits Shiyu so desperately wanted?
Thus, a brilliant "tai chi" performance began. The two sides exchanged words, feigning cooperation while concealing hidden intentions.
After a long period of negotiation and bargaining, perhaps worn down by Shiyu Uchiha's relentless pleading, Hiruzen finally gave in slightly, offering a few minor concessions.
Shiyu Uchiha, finally satisfied with the small benefits he had received, stopped his weeping. He then turned and left the office. Although these concessions were beneath his notice, as long as he hadn't suffered a loss, it was still a major victory.
With Shiyu Uchiha's departure, the office, which had been buzzing with tension, instantly fell into silence. After a while, two more individuals appeared inside the Hokage's office. Clearly, they had been hiding there without revealing themselves. However, none of the three immediately spoke, instead exchanging uneasy glances in the heavy silence.
After quite some time, under an atmosphere of helplessness, Hiruzen finally spoke slowly, "In the future, let's try our best to avoid having this man come over!" Everyone silently nodded in agreement. Indeed, Shiyu Uchiha was practically impervious to persuasion, his strength formidable enough to overturn the table entirely. He wasn't someone you'd want to make an enemy of.
It was like possessing nuclear weapons in the 21st century—you might choose not to use them, but you absolutely couldn't afford to be without them. When others suspect you, you must hold real power in your hands to make your enemies rein in their intentions.
On the other hand, to gain a favorable reputation, Shiyu Uchiha devised a brilliant strategy after much thought—to send people out to widely spread the word about the Uchiha Clan's enormous debts and worsening living conditions. At the same time, they publicized the reason for this dire situation, attributing it to the Third Great Ninja War, claiming that the Uchiha's sacrifices during the war for the village had led to their current plight, thereby accumulating substantial public sympathy for the Uchiha Clan.
After all, in this age of public opinion, if you don't seize the moral high ground, someone else surely will.
He had also been quietly growing the team tasked with spreading these narratives.
While Shiyu Uchiha was actively planning all of this, Orochimaru was not idle either. He boldly initiated the battle at Kikkousan, clashing fiercely with the Sand-nin.
Unexpectedly, despite both battles being decided around the same time, the Sand-nin had made the first move in signing a ceasefire agreement. Thanks to the skillful maneuvering of Hiruzen Sarutobi and others, the credit for this campaign naturally fell to Orochimaru. In the end, Shiyu Uchiha was left holding the short end of the stick.
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