The owner of the weapons shop looked up nervously as several figures in police flak jackets approached.
"Esteemed members of the Uchiha Police Force, is there anything I can help you with?" he asked carefully.
"We're inspecting businesses in the area," said Uchiha En in a calm, cold voice. "This is part of new regulations issued by the Konoha Security Department."
"We at the Shimura Weapon Shop have the finest arms in the entire village," the owner said hastily, trying to sound composed. "These kunai are forged with chakra-conductive metal. Our blades are sharper than ever..."
En ignored the sales pitch. "Are you the owner?" he asked.
"Yes, my name is Shimura Dango. I run this shop on behalf of the Shimura clan."
Shimura Dango, a cousin of Danzo Shimura, had no talent as a shinobi and had opened the weapon shop to support the clan's more covert activities. Unbeknownst to many, a portion of the proceeds helped fund Danzo's secret Root operations.
"I'm collecting a security compliance fee on behalf of the Police Force," said Uchiha En, stepping forward. "It's a new mandate. All businesses in Konoha must contribute. We ensure the safety of the merchant districts."
"Security fee?!" Dango blinked. "Since when does the Uchiha Police Force collect such payments? There's been no official announcement from the Hokage's office!"
Uchiha En's expression darkened. "This is an internal directive from the Security Division. Given the rising black-market activity, these measures are necessary."
"I don't need your protection," Dango said defiantly. "The Hokage's office has never required such payments. Our Shimura clan is a pillar of this village—and my cousin is Danzo Shimura, a village elder!"
En narrowed his eyes. "So you refuse to comply?"
Dango straightened his back. "That's right. I obey orders from the Hokage, not from an overreaching police force."
Uchiha En's tone turned harsh. "Then we'll proceed according to protocol. We've received reports that this shop is engaged in unauthorized weapon circulation. We'll need to detain you for interrogation."
"What nonsense! Our stock is approved by Konoha's logistics division—ask anyone!"
"Take him," En ordered, and two Uchiha officers moved in.
"You dare lay a hand on me!? Do you even know who I am!?" Dango shouted, struggling. "Danzo will—!"
Before he could finish, Uchiha En struck him hard across the face, knocking him unconscious. "I don't care who you know," he muttered.
"Seal the store," he told the officers. "Next."
"Understood, Vice-Captain."
The inspection campaign moved swiftly. Next was a Nara-owned apothecary, closed under suspicion of distributing expired medicine. Then came the Akimichi clan's famous barbecue shop, sealed due to a sudden "health violation."
Within three days, a dozen prominent businesses—each backed by a ninja clan—were shut down. Their owners were detained for "further questioning."
The crackdown triggered silent outrage among Konoha's clans. But among ordinary citizens, fear reigned. Without clan backing, they paid the demanded fees without protest, afraid of similar treatment.
And while the village stirred with tension, Byakuya lounged under the sun in the Uchiha compound, listening to the constant pings in his mind:
[Ding! Shimura Dango detained — +500 negative energy.]
[Ding! Nara Shikaku sealed — +700 negative energy.]
[Ding! Fear spreading through Konoha — +1000 negative energy.]
Byakuya smiled lazily.
"Let them hate. That only makes me stronger."
[Ding! Shimura Dango's anger detected, +100 negative energy, Ninjutsu +2...]
[Ding! Nara Shikaku's anger detected, +100 negative energy, Genjutsu +1...]
[Ding! Akimichi Chōza's anger detected, +100 negative energy, Taijutsu +2...]
[...]
"So easy… just lying here and reaping negative energy."
Byakuya looked at the steadily growing total on his system panel and smirked with satisfaction.
The reason he had been demanding protection fees in such a high-profile manner wasn't just for profit—it was to provoke outrage and harvest the resulting negative energy.
"Lord Byakuya, this is the shop we sealed earlier…"
Uchiha En approached, holding several documents.
"According to the records, fifty percent of the ownership belongs to the Sarutobi clan. The rest is split among the Shimura, Mitokado, and Utatane clans, with some minor shares owned by members of the Ino–Shika–Chō alliance."
"Sarutobi? Shimura? Mitokado? Utatane?"
Byakuya raised an eyebrow as he flipped through the reports.
"Aren't these the clans of the current Konoha leadership? Hmph, I always knew they were corrupt—but this much?"
He recognized the names immediately:
Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, head of the Sarutobi clan.
Shimura Danzo, leader of Root and head of the Shimura clan.
Mitokado Homura, member of the Konoha Council.
Utatane Koharu, another council member.
All four had once been teammates under the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama. During the Second Great Ninja War, Tobirama had sacrificed himself in battle while these four survived—only to rise into power and become the village's central authority figures.
Byakuya had always known Konoha's upper echelon played dirty politics, but seeing just how many shops and assets they secretly controlled was still shocking.
"So they've been lining their pockets while preaching about sacrifice and the Will of Fire..."
Byakuya sneered as he crushed the paper in his hand.