Konoha: Uchiha Extremists? Offering Loyalty!

Chapter 73 Hiruzen Sarutobi agrees to invest, Mito Uzumaki proposes restructuring.

That's it!

Upon hearing the familiar voice, Hiruzen Sarutobi jumped to his feet, his heart sinking to the bottom.

The sky over Konoha is about to collapse!

Lord Mito, your words were distant, yet you came to my door in person?

Is this an expression of dissatisfaction with Konoha's inaction in allowing the Land of Whirlpools to be destroyed, or is it a way of distancing themselves from the Hokage's office and sticking to official business?

This is a difficult situation!

The highly respected widow of the First Hokage, a relative of the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, and an elder of the Uzumaki clan, Mito Uzumaki, addressed him respectfully as "Lord Hokage"!

Even if she didn't speak, just standing at the entrance of the Hokage Building sent a very strong political signal—

Senju was dissatisfied with the Third Hokage and with Hiruzen Sarutobi!

Some ill-intentioned people in the village would immediately become agitated!

No, we can't give Lord Mito a chance to cause trouble!

The office door opened, and Mito Uzumaki walked in with her dry hair and indifferent expression, staring at Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Mito-sama!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi greeted her respectfully and tried to help Mito Uzumaki to sit in the main seat.

Mito Uzumaki waved her sleeve and said, "Hokage-sama, please excuse me. I am an old woman who is about to die, and I dare not sit in that position."

This attitude will likely result in significant financial losses.

Hiruzen Sarutobi stood awkwardly in place, a look of seriousness creeping into his eyes.

How long has it been!

Since becoming Hokage, how long has it been since he's been this humiliated!

At the same time, seeing Mito-sama appear in the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi's mind flashed back to scenes from more than a decade ago.

The young and aloof Lord Mito, with earnest words of advice, solemnly handed over the straw hat that symbolized his identity as Hokage.

Ultimately, he drifted further and further away from the Thousand Hands.

He overestimated his own abilities.

Sarutobi could not tolerate the powerful Senju, who had produced two Hokage!

Mito Uzumaki clearly sensed the change in Hiruzen Sarutobi's emotions, but she didn't have time to play with the little monkey and put on a show of 'motherly love and filial piety'.

There was no politeness, no warmth.

They might try to sow discord between you and others outside, but once you're inside, they won't hold back!

The decisive Mito Uzumaki immediately questioned, "Today, I stand in the Hokage's office as an elder of the Uzumaki clan of the Land of Whirlpools."

"Lord Hokage, does Konoha Village keep its word?"

"Does the Third Hokage acknowledge the alliance that was continued by the First and Second Hokage?"

"Are the agreements between Uzushiogakure and Konoha for missions involving minerals, medicinal herbs, and patrols, as well as the mutual assistance treaty signed between the two villages, just worthless pieces of paper?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi choked, unable to utter any more excuses for delaying the inevitable.

These questions are so insightful!

His credibility, legacy, and covenants have been questioned!

He could only answer directly: he had to uphold the village's credibility and ensure the legitimacy of three generations.

In the ninja mission system, credit is the most important component.

Even the 'strongest' Third Hokage could not wantonly destroy the foundation upon which Konoha depended for its survival.

Otherwise, the other families would definitely unite to drive him out.

what?

To change the current situation where ninjas rely on missions for survival and to forge a new path for ninjas unique to Konoha?

joke!

In this system, ninjas are the beneficiaries and will not betray the system that benefits them.

Promotion criteria are transparent, and everything is based on merit.

Complete relatively simple tasks and easily earn a large reward.

The Land of Fire allocates funds annually to support some of the Konoha ninja in terms of clothing, food, housing, and transportation.

Where in the ninja world can you find such a good job?

Hiruzen Sarutobi forced a respectful smile and answered earnestly:

"Konoha Village's reputation is outstanding, recognized by all the Five Great Nations and even the entire ninja world."

"The alliance between the two countries was established when the village was founded, and the village has always recognized it."

"I believe the ordeal that befell the Land of Whirlpools was an accident, caused by multiple factors. The Mist Ninja must..."

Hearing the conversation veer off into a formulaic, predictable line, Mito Uzumaki waved her hand to interrupt, saying without any mercy, "The Hidden Whirlpool Village has been destroyed; I have no interest in right or wrong!"

As she spoke, she handed over the scroll she had prepared beforehand.

"Since the Hokage has acknowledged the alliance, and the Land of Whirlpools has suffered a great calamity, it is perfectly reasonable for the village to provide support and approve several loans, right?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted to refuse, but he didn't want to anger the old man in front of him.

"That's reasonable, very reasonable."

He accepted the scroll with a broad smile; it contained numbers that made his heart bleed.

So much money!

When will the Land of Whirlpools be able to repay its debts?

Isn't this practically a free gift?

Hiruzen Sarutobi's molars were almost crushed.

Mito Uzumaki casually added, "The Senju ninja suffered heavy losses while supporting their allies. The surviving members of their clan plan to stay in the capital of the Land of Whirlpools to recuperate for a while."

Living apart is not a solution. Inquire with their families and arrange for them to be transferred to the Land of Whirlpools as well.

"Of course." Hiruzen Sarutobi readily agreed, without much hesitation.

He couldn't really control where the clan's ninjas went anyway.

I just don't know whether to be happy or sad.

Good news! The goal of weakening Senju has been achieved, exceeding expectations.

The Senju clan members who went to support the Land of Whirlpools are estimated to make up one-third of the Senju's remaining ninja!

The bad news is that the now-dispersed Thousand Hands seem even more difficult to deal with.

After Hiruzen Sarutobi agreed to these requests, the atmosphere in the office relaxed.

Mito Uzumaki's demeanor was no longer confrontational; instead, she resembled a kind old woman reminiscing about the past.

“You are Tobirama’s disciple. Over the years, you have followed Tobirama’s example and improved many measures that are suitable for the village. That’s very good.”

Xiaochun, who was switching dorms, felt like her throat was blocked. She stood in the corner, pretending that she didn't exist.

"Lord Mito, you flatter me. It was just a trivial attempt. Everyone knows that the Ninja Academy, the hospital, the Anbu... were all promoted by our teacher. His long-term vision is something I can hardly follow."

Oh no, they're coming for the Hokage's office!

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled and agreed, but a sense of foreboding crept into his heart. The generational disparity was truly deadly.

He was actually prepared for Mito-sama's interference in village management.

The 'compensation' mentioned earlier is only to make up for the losses of the Land of Whirlpools. The real main event, which concerns the adjustment of the village's structure, has not yet begun.

If we can't reach an agreement later, the matter of 'mistreating' our allies will remain unresolved.

“Since you think so too, I’m relieved.” Mito Uzumaki said with a look of satisfaction, “I also think that there are some problems with the structure of the elders’ council.”

Hiruzen Sarutobi breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.

The cost was much lower than expected, and it did not mention key departments such as the Ninja Academy, logistics, Jonin class, and Anbu, only offering suggestions to the Elders.

It seems that Lord Mito intends to appoint Torifu as an advisor elder.

Thinking about it, that fat guy is lazy all day long and doesn't necessarily pose any threat.

Next, all you need to do is cooperate and complete the process.

Hiruzen Sarutobi asked, "For so long, the duties of the elders have indeed lacked planning. I wonder what Mito-sama's thoughts are?"

Mito Uzumaki's expression turned serious again: "If I remember correctly, Danzo Shimura is the Hokage's assistant? He was recently in charge of monitoring the movements of Kumogakure, but when Uzushiogakure was attacked, he didn't provide a single useful piece of information. Dereliction of duty!"

“Mitomon Homura has been stationed on the battlefield in the Land of Rain. The war is of unknown duration, so he cannot offer advice to the Hokage.”

"As for Koharu, who will be sleeping in the next room..."

She glanced at the corner and then offered no further comment.

Hiruzen Sarutobi grew increasingly disheartened as he listened. This... something wasn't right!

"Based on the performance of the existing council of elders," Mito Uzumaki revealed his true intentions, displaying the demeanor of a seasoned veteran of the Warring States period: "I propose the reappointment of advisor elders."

Remove Shimura Danzo, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura from their positions as elders!

Akimichi Torifu, Senju Naema, and Uchiha Hatahi are hereby appointed as new elders!