Disclaimer: Naruto and all of its character belong to Masashi Kishimoto. I own nothing but the original characters I make.
Chapter 54: Meeting Lady Mito
After the meeting, Hiruzen, Homura, Koharu, and Nara Shikajin made their way to Lady Mito residence. For reasons of his own, Danzo chose not to accompany them because he afraid he cannot control his anger infront of Lady Mito and she manage to sense his malicious chakra intent.
"Tell me, why have you all come here together at this hour?" asked Lady Mito.
Hiruzen exchanged a brief glance with Homura, Koharu, and Shikajin before speaking. His tone carried a mixture of weariness and restraint.
"Yes, we received a letter from the Daimyo," answered Hiruzen.
Mito frowned. In her experience, if the Hokage and his advisors came to her directly, it meant something serious about to happen, something that they could not resolve on their own.
"What does the Daimyo want?" she asked.
"He has demanded that we intervene in the matter of the Uzumaki Clan scrolls, specifically, the Fire Stove Scroll. According to him, its spread has disrupted not only the trade of noble houses but has also diminished the Daimyo revenue. He warns that if nothing is done, the impact will be devastating. He even implied that the usual budget may be cut due to low revenue."
Mito expression shifted and everyone in the room noticed it.
Shikajin sighed. "Lady Mito, if we do not act, Konoha may face more than political complaints. Should the Daimyo reduce his support, the village will not be able to function properly."
"Lady Mito, we don't have much choice," added Koharu. "We are considering placing a tax on the scrolls."
"How much tax do you intend to demand from the Uzumaki Clan?" asked Lady Mito.
"Fifty percent of the sales," answered Hiruzen.
That was the figure they intended to impose, partly because they had seen the soaring demand for Uzumaki scrolls.
"Fifty percent?" Lady Mito voice rose sharply. "Tell me then, have you ever imposed a tax on firewood before?"
They fell silent, clearly not expecting her to raise her voice.
"No… never. There was never a tax on firewood," Mito answered for them.
"Lady Mito, this is for the future of Konoha, otherwise.... " began Koharu, but she was swiftly cut off.
"The future of Konoha?" Mito arched a brow.
"Without the Daimyo support, Konoha won't have the funds to pay its shinobi," replied Shikajin.
At last, Mito drew in a slow breath. "So," she said softly, though her tone carried no hint of concession, "the Daimyo who once begged for our protection now dares to threaten us over a scroll."
Her eyes sharpened. "Was it not he who came to the Uzumaki Clan and to my husband, Senju Hashirama, pleading for strength when the clans had only just begun to unite? Was it not his voice that agreed to the Pact of Guardianship, acknowledging that our tools and our jutsu would not be taxed?"
The room fell into silence. Even the advisors could not find a response to her rebuke.
Mito lips curved into the faintest trace of a frown. "And now, when one of my people brings forth an innovation that spares countless lives from coal poisoning caused by poor ventilation, the Daimyo wishes to tax it? He would rather see his nobles grow fat on charcoal than allow his people to thrive with safer means?"
No one present dared to interrupt her, because she is the most respected lady in Konoha and her reasoning is sound plausible.
"If this is truly his concern, then let him come to me himself. I will hear him. But remember this, Hiruzen, when his father signed the treaty of One Country, One Village, I was there. I stood beside my husband and watched him put his name to it."
---Madara POV---
"Madara-sama, the Uzumaki Clan only placed sealing jutsu around the Uchiha Police Force headquarters, the Uchiha residences, and their own Uzumaki residences. They also put 50 meter sealing detection from their place. Beyond those areas, they have not putting any sealing detection or introduce the seal to the higher-ups of Konoha," reported White Zetsu.
"Hahahahahaha," Madara let out a deep, amused laugh. He was genuinely surprised when he learned that Raiken, the clan leader of the Uzumaki had not only allowed his clan to intermarry with the Uchiha, but had even secured an engagement with Uchiha Mikoto herself.
Now, the man also didn't tell anyone except his clan about the sealing detection. The more he learned about that man, the more intrigued he became.
"If Tobirama knew what the Uzumaki have become, I wonder how he would react," Madara remarked, he still remember the most racist man in Konoha.
White Zetsu tilted his head. "He would probably spit blood from anger. After all, he always feared the Uchiha gain so much power. Now, that fear has practically taken form."
Madara's eyes glowed faintly as he narrowed them. "Yes… Tobirama built a system of control, Anbu, the elders, the constant surveillance of the Uchiha but in the end, his design will collapse from something he never anticipated, unity born out of necessity."
White Zetsu continue to report. "The nobles are panicking too, they have started to complain to Daimyo. The Fire Stove Scroll has turned their business and economy upside down. Coal merchants cry, nobles complain, even the Daimyo sends letters demanding restrictions. Yet, the Uzumaki leader seems unfazed."
Madara tapped his finger against the stone table. "What do you think he want Black Zetsu? To move against both the nobles and the village… That requires not just power, but cunning. He is no fool blinded by confident. He knows where to strike."
"So, Madara-sama," Black Zetsu asked, his voice sly, "do you see him as a threat? Or perhaps, as someone who could be… useful?"
Madara lips curved into a faint smile. "Useful? Perhaps. Threat? Certainly. But more than that, he is entertaining. If this Raiken continues on this path, he may unwittingly hasten Konoha's downfall and when that time comes, I shall be waiting to pick up the prizes."
White Zetsu grin widened. "Shall I keep watching them?"
"Yes," Madara ordered, his voice firm but calm. "Watch the Uzumaki closely. The stronger they grow, the sooner Konoha will rot from within. And when it collapses… I will see whether this Raiken is a pawn, or someone worth crushing."
Author Notes: To read advanced you can go to my patreon.
Chapter 82: Victim
Chapter 83: Corruption
Chapter 84: Nobles Meeting
-patreon.com/zorojurown