Give Me Money
Uchiha Shisui looked at Chi Yu in disbelief after hearing that Chi Yu had imprisoned Uchiha clan members inside Root's underground prison.
Shisui's voice trembled as he spoke, "Why? Why would you lock them in Root's cells for something that isn't even considered a crime?!"
Chi Yu leaned back lazily, his expression mocking.
"Why? Your question makes me think you're ignorant, Shisui. You know exactly where the village's main prison is built, don't you? Right next to your clan's compound. If they were imprisoned there, would the Uchiha give them special treatment?"
He waved his hand dismissively.
"Relax. As you said, it's only a minor offense. They'll be out in three days. Where they're held doesn't matter, does it?"
Shisui clenched his fists, but before he could answer, Chi Yu cut him off.
"My personal advice? Don't waste your breath arguing with me. Go find their families… or Fugaku himself. Either pay the bail, or let them rot for three days. Complaining to me changes nothing."
Shisui glared hatefully at him, then turned and left the Defense Force headquarters, heading straight for the Uchiha compound.
As soon as he was gone, Chi Yu smirked to himself, muttering under his breath.
"What an idiot. I practically spelled it out, and he still needed reminding. Well… at least I can finally collect some money."
---
Shisui rushed into the Uchiha compound and found Fugaku. Lowering his head in guilt, he reported:
"Clan Head, the villagers are openly mocking us, and those who argue back are being arrested by Root. They've been locked in the Root Prison. Chi Yu is demanding bail… please, let's pay it to get them released."
Fugaku let out a heavy sigh.
"As expected, Root's prison."
Shisui blinked in surprise. From Fugaku's tone, it was as if he had already foreseen this.
Fugaku met his gaze and said sternly,
"I warned you before, Shisui—you cannot suppress Chi Yu. You don't see the larger picture. Behind Chi Yu is Root, and behind Root is Danzō. Right now, Danzō is the most influential man in Konoha besides the Hokage. Do you really think those villagers insulting us appeared on their own? Most of them were either provoked… or Root shinobi in disguise."
He paused, then continued in a low voice:
"The village prison is right beside our clan compound and under our surveillance. Danzō would never put our people there. Which leaves only one option—the Root prison. And as for this 'bail regulation'? It exists solely to extort money from us. That much should be obvious."
Shisui's pupils narrowed. The realization stung. Chi Yu hadn't been mocking him for nothing—he had been baiting him to seek Fugaku's approval for the payment.
"Then… should we pay it?" Shisui asked reluctantly.
Fugaku nodded without hesitation.
"Of course. And we must. When I learned of Chi Yu's regulation, I already prepared the funds. We have no alternative. Chi Yu is acting within the letter of the law. No evidence you bring forward will change that. He wants money, so we give it."
Shisui frowned.
"But Clan Head… Chi Yu is clearly targeting us! If we prove those villagers were Root shinobi in disguise, and tell the Fourth Hokage—wouldn't this end?"
Fugaku's eyes hardened, and his voice carried reproach.
"Shisui. The Fourth Hokage cannot help us here. What do you expect him to do? Punish Chi Yu? At most, a reprimand. And then what? Chi Yu will continue, perhaps more discreetly, but with Danzo's backing all the same. No, this overt harassment is preferable—it can be solved with money. If we provoke them into the shadows, we'll face covert plots that money cannot undo."
He leaned closer, his tone lowering with weight.
"I have already placed the clan's future on the Fourth Hokage. But Minato is still young. He has no true power yet—Hiruzen still commands loyalty, the Advisors hold influence, and Danzō watches like a hawk. Minato barely secured a Hokage Guard Platoon; most other units still obey Hiruzen first. Do you understand? If we drag him into this, we only weaken him further. Until he consolidates power, we must resolve what we can ourselves."
Shisui fell silent, his mind racing. Fugaku's words rang true. As Minato's personal guard, he knew exactly how limited the Hokage's authority was in those early days. Hiruzen, the Advisors, and Danzo all undercut Minato's decisions. Fugaku's reasoning was bitter, but undeniable.
At last, Shisui bowed his head.
"I understand, Clan Head."
"Good." Fugaku handed him a prepared pouch of ryo.
"You will deliver this to Chi Yu. Remember—if he wants to extort us, let him. The more openly he does it, the safer we are. That is the reality you must accept, Shisui."
Shisui accepted the money reluctantly.
"…I'll see to it. I'll have our people released as soon as possible."
He left quickly. Fugaku watched him go, then shook his head with quiet disappointment.
"Shisui… such a prodigy, yet still too naïve. Against men like Chi Yu, ideals mean nothing. If extortion is the extent of his hostility, then I can live with that. In truth… I'd rather hand him our clan members myself than let him starve for prey."
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