Disclaimer: Naruto and all of its character belong to Masashi Kishimoto. I own nothing but the original characters I make.
Chapter 55: Uchiha Reaction
"Discuss this with Raiken first. If he agrees, then you will have my permission. And if the Daimyo dares to threaten Konoha, bring him here. I have something to say to him myself," Lady Mito declared firmly before dismissing them from her house.
Her words left a heavy silence hanging in the air as Hiruzen, Koharu, and Homura exchanged uneasy glances. None of them had expected Lady Mito to be so direct, nor so unyielding. They had hoped to sway her, perhaps even secure her support to bypass Raiken, but in the end, they had failed. The agreement between the Daimyo and Konoha remained unchanged, and without Mito backing, it seems impossible to change the law.
There was nothing more they could do for now except bring the matter before Raiken and attempt to persuade him. Whether the Uzumaki would agree to have their scroll business taxed was another matter entirely, one none of them felt confident about.
Shikajin, standing slightly apart from the others, could not help but feel a quiet amusement at the situation. "Will the Uzumaki really allow their own people to be taxed by Konoha?" he wondered inwardly. The thought was almost absurd. Yet, as a strategist, he kept his musings to himself and simply reminded the Hokage of the next step.
"Hokage-sama, we still need to meet with the Uchiha Clan," Shikajin said aloud.
Hiruzen gave a slow nod. He knew Shikajin was right. The Pact of Guardianship was binding, any amendment to it required the approval of four parties, the Daimyo, the Hokage, the Senju, and the Uchiha.
Thanks to Madara mentioning this to Hashirama, it was the first agreement between Konoha and Daimyo castle. Even Tobirama, with all his authority as Second Hokage, had not been able to alter the pact when he desired to curb clan influence. It was something that had been set in stone since Madara era, born of blood, mistrust, and fragile alliances.
Now, if they wished to impose new restrictions on the Uzumaki scroll trade, they needed Uchiha support. Without it, the Daimyo demands would be meaningless on paper.
"Let's go," Hiruzen said at last, his voice clipped with restrained irritation.
---Meeting With Uchiha Clan---
The Uchiha were surprised when word spread that the Hokage himself was coming to their residence. It was not often that Sarutobi Hiruzen appeared at their gates in person. Whispers passed quickly from shinobi to shinobi as they guided their guests into the clan hall.
Inside the grand Uchiha Hall, Clan Leader Uchiha Hikaku sat waiting, flanked by three of the clan senior elders.
"Welcome, Hokage-sama. Please, drink the finest tea our clan has prepared," Hikaku said with politeness, gesturing to the steaming cups placed before them.
Hiruzen picked up his cup, inhaled the rich aroma, and took a careful sip before setting it down. Koharu, Homura, and Shikajin followed suit, though their thoughts were already elsewhere.
"We came here because of the Daimyo," Hiruzen began, his tone formal as he placed the cup gently onto the low table.
The mention of the Daimyo immediately changed the atmosphere. The Uchiha elders straightened, their eyes narrowing slightly.
"Daimyo?" Hikaku repeated.
"Yes," Hiruzen continued, "the Daimyo has sent a letter regarding the Uzumaki Clan."
Hikaku gave a short laugh and gestured broadly. "Hokage-sama, this is the Uchiha Clan. The Uzumaki Clan resides just beyond our place, just a two corner there." He pointed in the direction of their neighbors where Uzumaki Clan had lived.
"Yes, we are aware," Hiruzen said, forcing patience into his tone. "But we came here today to secure your clan vote regarding the Uzumaki matter."
"Vote?" one of the elders interjected. "And what role does the Uchiha play in this?"
Hiruzen clasped his hands together. "Because of the Fire Stove Scroll, charcoal and coal sales have collapsed. The civilian economy has been shaken, and the Daimyo finds it increasingly difficult to allocate next year budget to Konoha. The scrolls are exempt from taxation under the military classification outlined in the agreement. Unless we change that agreement, we cannot impose taxes on them."
The elders listened silently, but Hikaku expression remained unreadable. When Hiruzen finished, Hikaku exhaled slowly.
"I am sorry to hear of this burden," Hikaku said at last. "But please understand this, only if Raiken himself agrees will you have our vote. Without his consent, there is nothing to discuss."
Hiruzen jaw tightened ever so slightly. Koharu and Homura shifted uncomfortably, disappointment written across their faces. Shikajin, however, merely sighed, as though he had expected nothing less.
Hikaku leaned forward, his tone unflinching. "My advice is simple, speak with Raiken first. If he grants his permission, then return. Until then, our answer is unchanged."
It was a deliberate slight, to use the word "permission" when addressing the Hokage. But Hikaku had chosen his words carefully, making it clear where the Uchiha stood.
Though anger burned beneath the surface, Hiruzen mastered his expression, betraying nothing. As a politician, he knew well the cost of losing face.
"Very well," he said evenly. "We will take our leave."
With that, the Hokage and his advisors rose to go, their mission are not finished yet.
When they left the compound, Hikaku and the other clan elders discussed with each other.
"So that means, they never pay taxes before," said first elder.
"I didn't know the impact of fire stove scroll could effect even nobles outside of land of fire," added second elder.
"Hikaku, you did a great Job, Raiken and Uzumaki Clan is our allies and we cannot stab them behind their back," said the third elder.
"In the past nobles used their money to hire clan and kill another clan," said Jack. "We never touch their economy, I wonder how it will effect Daimyo and the other nobles."
"Why do they need our permission?" asked the second elder, he was younger than most of them so he didn't know about the first agreement between Konoha and the Daimyo.
"When first Hokage drafted the agreement, it clearly stated that this agreement could only be changed when Uchiha and Senju Clan patriarch agree, so they need our vote otherwise it won't take effect," explained Hikaku.
Author Notes: To read advanced chapter you can go my patreon.
Chapter 83: Corruption
Chapter 84: Nobles Meeting
Chapter 85: War Need To Happen
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