Toyoma sat inside the Grand Elder's residence, a quiet room filled with the soft clack of chess pieces against polished wood.
Across from him, Grand Elder Setsuna studied the board with narrowed eyes.
"Grandpa Elder," Toyoma asked casually as he moved a piece forward, "How much have we collected from the security money taken from the village?"
Setsuna's lips curved into a faint smile.
"In just one week," he said, "we've gathered nearly one-tenth of the guard force's monthly budget—from shops alone. And by next week, the gold you requested will arrive from Koji."
The smile faded.
"Toyoma," Setsuna continued, his voice lower, troubled," our reputation in the village is worse than it has ever been. Are we not moving too fast? Perhaps we should take this one step at a time."
Toyoma met his gaze calmly, unshaken.
"Grandpa," he replied evenly, "I'm not rushing because I want quick results."
He placed another piece on the board.
"This is the perfect opportunity. The village is at war. The higher-ups are buried in crises, and the clan head is on the battlefield. When will we ever get a chance like this again?"
His eyes hardened slightly.
"If we build a solid foundation now, we won't need to worry about interference later."
After a brief pause, Toyoma continued with a faint smile.
"And now, we can sell the Energy Fasting Pills inside the village without worry."
He tapped a chess piece lightly.
"Rumours won't matter anymore. The villagers will hesitate before believing anything new… because the image of the greedy Uchiha is already firmly established."
Grand Elder Setsuna listened in silence.
"So tell me," Toyoma asked calmly, "Can we still be threatened on moral grounds now? Or pressured through policy?"
Understanding slowly dawned on Setsuna's face.
Once the Energy Fasting Pills entered Konoha, their faction would inevitably face pressure—moral outrage, political resistance, and endless rumours.
But now?
Those weapons had already been dulled.
If they were already condemned, what was left to fear?
Setsuna laughed.
"Hahaha… I never thought of it that way," he said, eyes bright with realisation."You truly are a genius, my child."
Toyoma, momentarily caught off guard by the praise, showed a rare hint of embarrassment.
"Grandpa," he asked, clearing his throat, "when do we start selling?"
Grand Elder Setsuna leaned back slightly.
"I've already spoken with several clan heads," he replied calmly."They want the pills as soon as possible."
His expression turned serious.
"But they understand the risks. If the village pressures the Uchiha—or if word spreads before we build sufficient stock—it could disrupt supply or even cause delays. So for now, they've chosen to remain silent."
Toyoma nodded in approval.
"Nice, Grandpa."
Setsuna laughed softly.
"Hahaha… after living this long, I at least know how to handle such matters, boy."
A sudden knock echoed through the room.
Before either of them could speak, a voice came from outside.
"Grand Elder, Uchiha Shisui has come to speak with you."
Toyoma glanced at Setsuna, the corner of his mouth twitching.
"Here comes the sacrificial Uchiha," he muttered dryly."Konoha's great philanthropist… sigh."
Setsuna looked at Toyoma's mocking expression and chuckled.
"Let him in."
The door opened abruptly.
Uchiha Shisui walked in with a troubled, almost angry expression.
His eyes were fixed on the Grand Elder, and he didn't even notice Toyoma sitting nearby.
"Grand Elder," Shisui said sharply, barely restraining himself, "why are you enforcing such rules and demanding money from villagers? Do you have any idea what they're saying about us now?"
His words spilt out one after another.
"Our reputation has hit rock bottom. They're all cursing the Uchiha behind our backs—calling us greedy, shameless—"
Setsuna listened in silence, already preparing to reprimand him for his tone.
Before he could speak, another voice interrupted.
"What?"
Toyoma stood up slowly.
"Which bastard is cursing us, Shisui?" he asked loudly."Tell me. Let me see."
He turned and called out theatrically.
"Sister Suki!"
Almost instantly, Suki appeared at the doorway.
"You called?"
Toyoma crossed his arms, his face filled with exaggerated anger.
"Someone is spreading rumours about us," he said dramatically."Shisui here knows who it is. Please catch him."
Suki didn't miss a beat.
"What?" she snapped, eyes flashing."Who dares curse the Uchiha?"
She grabbed Shisui by the wrist.
"Come with me, little Shisui. I'll throw him in prison so he never even thinks about cursing us again."
"No—! Sister Suki, wait!" Shisui protested as he was dragged toward the door.
Grand Elder Setsuna stared at the scene, utterly delighted.
Moments later, Shisui was hauled outside, held firmly by two of Suki's subordinates.
Setsuna burst into laughter.
"Hahahahaha!"He slapped his knee and looked at Toyoma."You brat… teach me these tricks of yours. This is far better than reprimanding people."
Outside the Grand Elder's residence, Shisui was held tightly, unable to break free.
He could escape—but he refused to use force.
After struggling for a moment and realising it was useless, he spoke quickly.
"Wait," he said. "I have something important to discuss with the Grand Elder."
Before anyone could react, his figure blurred.
Body Flicker.
Shisui reappeared at the door in an instant.
Suki's eyes widened slightly.
In the next heartbeat, she vanished.
A swirl of mist flashed past Shisui's vision—and suddenly she was there again, standing in front of him.
He barely had time to register her speed before she forced him down, pinning him effortlessly.
"Wait," Suki said playfully, leaning closer,"first tell me who was cursing the Uchiha. So I can punish him properly."
Shisui froze.
He couldn't overpower her.
"Sister Suki," he said quickly, "no one is cursing us. Please let me go. I need to speak with the Grand Elder about something important."
Suki's expression darkened.
"Is this a joke to you, Shisui?" she said coldly."We thought villagers were still spreading rumours. We thought we hadn't done our job properly."
Her grip tightened slightly.
"And now you tell me… no one said anything?"
Shisui swallowed.
"I'm sorry, Sister Suki," he said urgently."Please let me go. Grand Elder—I need to talk to you!"
Inside the residence, Setsuna heard the shout.
Watching the scene unfold through the open doorway, he sighed.
He already knew one thing—Shisui would not leave without answers.
"Let him in," Setsuna said at last.
Suki finally released Shisui.
In the next instant, he reappeared inside the room.
Grand Elder Setsuna looked at him calmly.
"Speak," he said. "What is it that you want to discuss?"
Toyoma said nothing.
He sat quietly to the side, eating fruit, listening as though the conversation did not concern him at all.
Shisui took a breath.
"Grand Elder," he asked seriously,"Why did you create a rule that allows the use of force on villagers?"
Setsuna's gaze hardened.
"Shisui," he replied coldly,"I don't believe I'm obligated to answer you. You are neither part of the guard force nor an elder."
Shisui stiffened, but he didn't back down.
"But I am a Uchiha," he said."And this rule affects the image of our clan. It increases fear among the villagers."
Setsuna was silent for a moment.
Then he spoke.
"Very well," he said."I will answer you—once."
He leaned forward slightly.
"This rule exists because a rumour in the village led to the death of a strong man."
Shisui's eyes widened.
"People died because others chose to believe whispers without questioning them," Setsuna continued."They followed words instead of truth."
His voice remained steady.
"The villagers need to learn how to question rumours—how not to blindly believe everything they hear. And more importantly, how not to spread words that can endanger morale, stability… and lives."
Shisui clenched his fists.
"But Elder," he asked quietly,"Why use force?"
Setsuna's answer was immediate.
"Because without force," he said,"They will not listen."
Shisui fell silent.
For the first time since entering the room, he didn't know how to argue back.
After a brief pause, he tried again.
"Grand Elder," he asked carefully,"Why did you allow the Uchiha to collect security money for their duty?"
Setsuna answered without hesitation.
"Because we protect their businesses," he said flatly."Their daily lives. Their safety."
His gaze was steady.
"In return, we ask for payment. It is a service—nothing more."
"But the village already pays the Uchiha guard fo—"
Shisui stopped mid-sentence.
The words caught in his throat.
He remembered.
The village had not paid the Uchiha guard force properly in over twenty years.
Setsuna noticed his hesitation and smiled faintly.
"When the village clears all our dues," the Grand Elder said calmly,"With interest, we will stop."
His smile vanished.
"Until then, you may leave—and you're welcome to repeat this answer to your Hokage, if he sent you here to question me."
Shisui opened his mouth.
"But—"
"Enough," Toyoma said coldly.
He finally looked up.
"If you have questions," Toyoma continued,"ask Sarutobi Hiruzen. Not us."
He waved a hand dismissively.
"Sister Suki, take him out."
Shisui didn't resist as he was dragged from the room.
His head hung low.
The answers he had found were far heavier than the questions he had brought with him.