There was a huge difference between custody and allocation.
If the Uchiha clan were merely safeguarding the funds, then at most they could delay certain projects—stalling approvals and making it difficult for others to get things done.
But allocation was entirely different.
That meant all initiative and control would lie in the hands of the Uchiha clan.
At that point, it would no longer be a matter of whether others could complete their tasks—it would become whatever the Uchiha clan wished to do.
Homura Mitokado immediately retorted:
"Uchiha Ren, when the Daimyō said the subsidy funds would be entrusted to the Uchiha clan, he never said the clan would also be responsible for distributing the money!"
Ren responded with a playful tone.
"Oh? Elder Homura is certain the Daimyō never said that?"
"Why don't we go and ask the Fire Daimyō ourselves?"
In truth, Ren himself didn't know whether the Daimyō had explicitly mentioned the word allocation when speaking with Hiruzen Sarutobi.
But the Daimyō was currently clearly siding with the Uchiha clan, so Ren had nothing to fear.
Homura froze.
He hadn't personally gone to the Daimyō's court, so he couldn't guarantee what had or hadn't been said.
Even if the Daimyō had never mentioned "allocation" to Hiruzen, the political situation was obvious—if they really went to confirm it, and the Daimyō sided with the Uchiha clan, the matter would become extremely troublesome.
Homura immediately shifted the argument.
"Regardless of whether the Daimyō said that or not, this matter violates procedure!"
"Your Uchiha clan leads the Konoha Military Police Force, not the village treasury. On what authority and under what title would you distribute these funds?"
"Not only would I refuse to agree to such a thing—the village itself would never approve it!"
Ren nodded thoughtfully.
"Actually, I agree with that as well."
"Everyone has their own responsibilities . Each has their own role."
"Our Military Police Force doesn't intend to meddle in matters that aren't ours."
This sudden concession stunned Homura.
He had been fully prepared for a heated argument, yet it felt as though his punch had landed on cotton.
He stared at Ren in disbelief.
Even Danzō, who had remained silent until now, glanced at Homura with slight surprise—apparently wondering how Homura had managed to say those words.
But the result was obvious.
With that single statement, Homura had effectively confirmed that the Uchiha clan would continue to hold custody of the subsidy funds.
This was essentially the "Broken Window Effect."
When people oppose opening a window, propose tearing off the roof instead. To stop you from destroying the roof, they may end up agreeing to open the window themselves.
Homura's face darkened instantly.
He realized he had been led straight into Ren's trap.
Meanwhile, the smile in Ren's eyes grew increasingly amused.
Trying to steady himself, Homura took a deep breath and temporarily suppressed his doubts. Then he took out several documents he had prepared earlier and placed them in front of Ren.
"Captain Ren, when the Daimyō entrusted the three billion ryō subsidy to the Uchiha clan, he must have told you its purpose."
"This money is meant to provide compensation for the fallen and to allow Konoha to recover and rebuild."
"These are the budget plans prepared by the Finance Department for those purposes."
"Please review them."
Ren casually picked up the documents Homura handed over and flipped through them.
"Elder Homura overestimates me," he said calmly.
"I'm just a warrior—I don't understand financial accounts."
"As long as the village makes the decision and the process is followed, I can simply sign my name."
"There's no need to make things so complicated."
Homura felt somewhat relieved upon hearing that.
At least this Uchiha Ren seemed to understand the situation.
"Since Captain Ren has no objections," Homura said immediately, "then please sign and release the funds."
But Ren shook his head.
"No rush."
"Although I have no objections to these two budgets, there seems to be a problem with the procedure."
"Problem with the procedure?" Homura asked, confused.
"What problem?"
Ren turned both documents to the final page and pointed at the signature line for the Hokage.
"Elder Homura…"
"Why is the Hokage's signature here Hiruzen Sarutobi?"
Homura froze.
"Uh…"
Ren continued calmly:
"If I remember correctly, a few days ago Hiruzen Sarutobi already went to the Daimyō's court to report on his duties and formally stepped down as Hokage."
"Right now, he's merely an idle civilian, isn't he?"
The room suddenly fell silent.
Danzō's expression became rather complicated, and a strange glint flashed in his single eye—no one knew what he was thinking.
Homura suddenly felt a vague sense of foreboding.
After all, if one were to strictly follow the rules—
Hiruzen had already resigned from the position of Hokage.
And before a Fourth Hokage had been officially appointed, Hiruzen currently held no formal authority at all.
Strictly speaking, he wasn't even acting as a Konoha Elder or Hokage Advisor at the moment.
Of course, because of Hiruzen's prestige, the entire village still continued to treat him as if he were Hokage.
But if someone truly decided to follow the rules to the letter…
Then the signature on these documents had no legal authority whatsoever.
At that moment, Danzō suddenly spoke, breaking the silence.
"Enough."
"Let's not dwell on that matter."
"Right now, the village has suffered heavy losses in the Battle of Kikyō Mountain Fortress."
"We must confirm the compensation payments for the fallen as soon as possible to stabilize the situation."
"Additionally, the damage caused by the Kumogakure envoy incident must also be repaired quickly."
With those words, Danzō not only acknowledged the issue, but also smoothly shifted the conversation back to practical matters.
Ren glanced at him meaningfully but said nothing further.
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