Sasaki's expression turned to one of utter shock the moment he heard the name Uchiha. He had never expected the Uchiha Clan to not only become consultant elders of the Leaf Village but to actually participate in these high-level negotiations.
This clan's reputation was thunderous, both within the Land of Fire and across the entire shinobi world. They had accomplished incredible feats recently, including the total defeat of the Cloud Village's allied forces. The Cloud Village was a superpower in the ninja world, a hidden village no weaker than the Leaf itself. Moreover, this man had toppled the long-respected Third Hokage alongside the Darkness of the Ninja World, Danzo.
The methods used had been incredibly blunt and forceful.
Originally, the Daimyo had calculated that since the Senju Clan had declined and were generally known for being reasonable, he could use the guise of "righteousness" to pressure the village into a budget cut. He had thought the plan was likely to succeed. But now, with the aggressive Uchiha Clan sitting at the center of the village's power, he suddenly didn't dare to say another word.
This clan was known for being forceful and utterly unreasonable. With the Uchiha Clan's intervention, this matter was no longer his to decide.
He forced a smile and said, "We can certainly discuss this further. After all, this was merely the Daimyo's suggestion."
Shikaku and Tsunade were both slightly surprised. Just a moment ago, Envoy Sasaki had looked completely impatient, yet now his attitude had done a complete 180.
'The Uchiha Clan's pressure is truly formidable,' Tsunade admitted to herself. Even back when her grandfather and granduncle were around, the village hadn't possessed such a stifling sense of intimidation. It seemed the envoy had realized just how dangerous it was to provoke the Uchiha.
Uchiha Fugaku, however, issued a direct refusal. "There is nothing to discuss. To protect the Land of Fire and the Leaf Village from foreign invasion, many shinobi have been left disabled, and many more have lost their lives. You say the commoners of the Land of Fire are having a hard time, but are they suffering more than the families of those who sacrificed everything?"
Fugaku continued coldly, "Mere money is the simplest way to provide some small comfort to them; after all, the dead cannot be brought back to life. I hope you will inform the Daimyo that the Leaf Village will not agree to this. The funding should be provided exactly as previously agreed."
Fugaku was no longer the reckless man he once was. He knew how to play the game of "righteousness" just as well as anyone else.
Tsunade was stunned. 'Is this really something an Uchiha would say?' she wondered. Weren't they supposed to be radicals? To think they would actually consider the well-being of the other ninjas in the village.
Though taken aback, she quickly followed up. "Consultant Elder Fugaku is right. Compared to the struggling commoners, the ninjas disabled by war and the families of the fallen deserve our help even more. Otherwise, who will be willing to risk their lives for the Land of Fire in the future?"
Hearing this, Sasaki began to panic. Tsunade's words carried a heavy implication. If the shinobi stopped risking their lives for the Land of Fire, it could lead to the termination of the partnership between the country and the village—a scenario the Daimyo definitely did not want to see. The consequences were not something he could shoulder alone. Without the protection of the Leaf Village, the Land of Fire would undoubtedly be thrown into chaos by the various powers in the ninja world. While the Daimyo's palace had its own military strength, it paled in comparison to the major hidden villages.
Sasaki could only say helplessly, "Since this is the Leaf Village's stance, please allow me to return and report this to the Daimyo so he may make the final decision."
Tsunade knew the man before her couldn't make the call, but she suspected the Daimyo wouldn't dare to act recklessly. If he did, he shouldn't blame her for doing the same.
She smiled and added, "Then please inform the Daimyo that the Leaf Village also requires a large amount of capital after such a major war."
Sasaki naturally agreed.
Watching from the side, Nara Shikaku felt a sense of relief. It was a good thing they had brought the Uchiha Clan into the high command. Otherwise, today's trouble would likely not have been settled so easily. This clan's deterrent power was immense, reaching even the Daimyo's palace. As a man of the Leaf, his primary concern was naturally the village's interests. As for the commoners of the Land of Fire, the Daimyo's palace would have to solve that themselves.
Sasaki then spoke up again. "Since I am here at the Leaf Village, I would like to meet the village's strongest warrior, Uchiha Ryōsuke. I wonder if that would be possible?"
This was purely a matter of personal interest. Meeting the man touted as the next powerhouse after Senju Hashirama was an opportunity he didn't want to miss.
Tsunade, however, felt a wave of uncertainty. 'What does this guy want with him?'
Uchiha Ryōsuke was a master of stirring up trouble. If he found out the Daimyo was trying to pull these kinds of stunts, would he start something again? She assumed he would stand by the village's interests, but seeing how forcefully Fugaku had rejected the envoy, she worried Ryōsuke might be even more impulsive.
She frowned, wondering if she should agree.
After a moment of silence, Sasaki's expression soured. He felt the village was putting on too many airs. He was, after all, the top-ranked member of the Daimyo's Guardian Shinobi. Surely his status was sufficient? To not even be granted a meeting felt like a deliberate slight.
"Is there some inconvenience?" he asked.
Tsunade noticed his dissatisfaction. In the past, she wouldn't have cared, but now that she held the position of Hokage, she had to restrain her temper. Having been officially recognized by the Daimyo as the Fifth Hokage, she had to maintain appearances.
She turned to Fugaku. "Consultant Elder Fugaku, is Uchiha Ryōsuke free?"
Fugaku replied honestly, "Ryōsuke should be with the clan right now. As for whether he is free, Lady Tsunade need only send someone to notify him to find out."
Tsunade looked at Shizune. "Shizune, go and ask Ryōsuke to come here."
Shizune set off immediately. Tsunade then turned back to the envoy. "Please wait a moment, Envoy. Uchiha Ryōsuke will be here shortly."
"It is no problem, I can wait," Sasaki replied.
Meanwhile, after leaving the Hokage Building, Shizune blurred across the rooftops toward the Uchiha Clan compound to save time. Ten minutes later, she arrived at the Uchiha district. After stating her identity and purpose to the clan guards, she was granted entry immediately. With Uchiha Fugaku now part of the high command, they naturally wouldn't make things difficult for Shizune.
At that moment, back at his home, Ryōsuke was lying with his head in Yugito Nii's lap, preparing to rest. He was completely relaxed, knowing he had thoroughly won over Yugito Nii. The love reflecting in her eyes was something that couldn't be faked.
When Shizune pushed open the door, this was the scene she encountered. Ryōsuke was lounging on a woman with a figure far more curvaceous than her own. She felt a brief pang of discomfort, but she quickly composed herself. After all, Ryōsuke had mentioned long ago that he had more than one woman. It turned out to be true.
She decided to focus on the business at hand.