Katsuyu crawled onto the Third Hokage's office desk and delivered some crucial intelligence to the Kage. The source of the information went without saying.
After reading this report, Hiruzen's expression immediately turned strange.
"What's wrong, Sarutobi? Did Haseo's mission run into problems?"
Also present in the Hokage's office was Danzo Shimura. He had been waiting for news from Haseo too.
Whether in public or private, Danzo rarely addressed Hiruzen Sarutobi as "Hokage." Perhaps it was because back in the day they were teammates of equal standing, or perhaps it was an unconscious resentment he himself hadn't noticed—resentment toward Sarutobi being chosen as the Third Hokage.
Hmm, thinking along darker lines, Shimura Danzo really was someone who couldn't help but resist authority.
"The mission itself isn't the issue," Hiruzen explained. "Everything's already been resolved. However, Haseo just extorted 80 million ryō from the Daimyo's heir, and he decided to hand over 20 million of that to the village on condition that I personally go to the Daimyo's castle to preside over the inauguration ceremony of the Daimyo."
Hiruzen continued explaining how Haseo planned to set up a defensive barrier within the Daimyo's Castle.
Even if Konoha set up a powerful protective barrier around the Daimyo's domain, it would still be nothing more than a joke to them. The Uzumaki ninja who constructed the barrier wouldn't possibly leave no backdoors accessible to Konoha. Therefore, having that barrier in place would actually tighten Konoha's grip on the Daimyo's Castle even more.
However, as long as the Daimyo harbored no ill intentions toward Konoha, there was absolutely nothing wrong with such a barrier—it was meant to defend against external enemies, not Konoha.
Shimura Danzo fell silent. Sure enough, Haseo had started pulling his usual tricks again. Still, making money was ultimately something that benefited everyone involved. Danzo didn't oppose it, although what slightly bothered him was the profit-sharing ratio.
"Only one-fourth goes to the village? 'Kagenami' is keeping far too large a portion for himself."
The Third Hokage shook his head and said, "Haseo mentioned that his organization is still relatively new, requiring funds in multiple areas, plus he faces challenges like improving living conditions for its members... Overall, it seems reasonable enough. After all, Kagenami does all the work, and the village gets 20 million ryo for free—not to mention it even covers the cost of building those stone statues in the Valley of the End."
Actually, the Third believed most of that money Haseo kept would probably end up going toward the Uzumaki clan, so he didn't mind much. Still… why demand exactly 80 million ryō? Was Haseo trying to imply something? Was he suggesting that Sarutobi Hiruzen was only worth 80 million?
Well, the Third Hokage's initial hunch was correct. Haseo indeed planned to spend the money on relocating the Uzumaki clan. He didn't even consider using it to replenish his own pocket... Actually, among the reports Haseo submitted, there was also a bill created by Tsunade. Yet not a single word about this matter came from the Third Hokage, clearly indicating he had no intention of acknowledging it.
Should the village be responsible for covering the money Tsunade used to coax herself? Where's the justice in that? Let Haseo go deal with it himself.
Since the Hokage has already spoken like that, even if Danzo had objections, he could only keep quiet. One should know when to be satisfied—getting 20 million ryo for free isn't bad at all, is it?
Do you really think all those different barrier setups Haseo described were actually unique? Getting 80 million from the new Daimyo was good enough.
"If that's the case, Sarutobi, are you going to visit the Daimyo's Castle?"
"Of course I am. It's good to stabilize the situation at the Daimyo's Castle, and take a look at the new candidate for Daimyo. Hopefully, nothing like before will happen again.
Plus, I plan to take Biwako with me; that way morale in the village can remain steady."
Although Haseo had arranged for Biwako's participation without even informing him first—something that slightly irritated the Third Hokage—he had to admit, upon reflection, that visiting the Daimyo's Castle was necessary regardless of the 80 million ryo. It truly was a two-birds-with-one-stone sort of affair.
What needed stabilizing in Konoha wasn't actually the entire village, but rather the Senju faction... Hence why the Third decided to bring Biwako along.
"Regarding the Senju side, are we really not pursuing an investigation anymore?"
"How would you investigate? Do you have any way to do it?" The Third Hokage retorted.
"..."
Danzo Shimura remained speechless. Although reluctant, even someone as ruthless and brutal as him was powerless in this situation.
"Yeah, precisely because it's the Senju, there really is no way to investigate."
The wail of a scapegoat rang especially hollow.
"Go inform Haseo then. I'll head to the Daimyo's Castle soon," the Third Hokage finally said to Katsuyu.
After reaching a decision—and partly to curry favor with the new Daimyo—the Third Hokage resolved to depart for the Daimyo's Castle as soon as possible. He would be accompanied by the Daimyo's Twelve Guardian Ninja, whose abilities were unquestionable, though the personnel had changed from the original members—some reshuffling had its benefits.
Next came the Third Hokage's personal guard. Since he had just suffered an attack, traveling at such a time wasn't ideal. But under circumstances where departure was unavoidable, Anbu could only arrange numerous bodyguards for him. Such measures, along with the highly visible preparations, left the Hokage with no choice but to accept them with a bitter smile.
Thus, the entourage of the Third Hokage and his wife, the guards, and the Twelve Ninja—about forty or fifty people in total—set off toward the Daimyo's Castle in full procession. Someone who didn't understand might have thought they were going to conquer a nation.
Starting from his honeymoon, the Third Hokage first suffered an attack, then lost his father-in-law, followed by constant—truly a life destined for hardship.
Then the Third Hokage arrived at the Daimyo's Castle. Haseo gave a brief update of the situation to him before deciding to withdraw... Well, he felt he just wasn't suited for politics, so it was better to leave such matters to the Third Hokage.
Truthfully, Haseo had always struggled a bit with self-awareness. He himself had just replaced a daimyo, manipulated public opinion through calculated intimidation, and swindled money—so if even this wasn't considered skilled at politics, what exactly would be?
However, Haseo had sufficient reason to leave. He needed to hurry back to Konoha to organize Uzumaki's team and set up barriers around the Daimyo's castle. It was supposed to be an official construction project, not some kind of covert operation, so naturally, the barrier required high-quality completion.
But as soon as he returned to Konoha, before he could even start handling the chaotic affairs awaiting him, Tsunade sought him out again the very next day.
Haseo acted like he'd already forgotten what happened on the night of the Third's wedding, but Tsunade sure as hell hadn't.
"Haseo," she said, "you seem to have a special preference for speed-type jutsu, but that [Lightning Release Kinjutsu] of yours—I already told you clearly before, absolutely no more using it. So… this is for you. Consider it my gift in thanks for saving me earlier."
As she spoke, Tsunade handed him a scroll.
Haseo reached out and accepted it silently, unfolding it slowly, and then…
His face went completely blank, utterly baffled.
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