How to Survive as an Uchiha

31 – One-Way Tourism

According to the tradition established since Hiruzen took office, the highest-level decisions in Konoha were made by the Hokage, the Hokage's assistants, and the advisory elders.

Each member of the leadership team consolidated the work of the departments they oversee, then collectively discussed them in a team meeting. Under normal circumstances, these meetings were held once every three days.

On this particular day, the sun shone brightly over Konoha, and the weather was splendid.

In the Hokage's office, the first meeting of the ninth month of the year was underway.

There were no new faces among the participants, just the same familiar ones:

The Hokage, Minato, 24 years old, representing the jonin unit, the main regular army of the Konoha ninja forces.

The former Hokage and now Hokage's assistant, Hiruzen, 57 years old, overseeing departments other than Root, including the ANBU, Education, Medical, and Interrogation divisions.

The former Hokage's assistant and now advisory elder, Danzō, 57 years old, representing Root.

And lastly, the current advisory elders, Homura and Koharu, 57 years old, representing the Administrative Department.

The meeting lacked the leisurely vibe of tea-sipping and newspaper-reading; on the contrary, the old-timers were brimming with energy, fiercely fighting for the interests of their respective departments.

After all, the 2 billion ryō in war reparations from the Land of Water was split 50-50 as per tradition—1 billion ryō had already been deposited into the Administrative Department's accounts.

"Let's address the allocation efficiently," Minato began. "Time is valuable, and there are pressing matters requiring our attention."

How to allocate this 1 billion ryō was up to the people in the room to decide.

If not for this matter, the meeting would've ended long ago.

Although Homura and Koharu managed the Administrative Department, they didn't have the final say on how the funds would be spent.

That authority lay with Minato, Hiruzen, and Danzō.

"The compensation for fallen shinobi families must be our priority," Minato stated. "I propose thirty percent of the funds be allocated immediately for this purpose."

"A noble gesture. However, we must consider that dead shinobi cannot protect our village's future."

"Careful, Danzo," Hiruzen interjected. "Some might interpret such statements as questioning the value of sacrifice."

"You always were skilled at twisting words," Danzō said, but didn't press further.

"The families of our fallen deserve more than delayed promises," Minato said firmly. "Thirty percent. Non-negotiable."

No one objected.

Satisfied, he entered spectator mode.

That left Hiruzen and Danzō to continue their struggle. Their main disagreement revolved around the allocation of the ANBU's budget.

"Hiruzen, this 100 million ryō must be given to me," Danzō demanded. "The ANBU just loiter around the village all day—why do they need so much funding?"

"The ANBU also undertake missions within the Land of Fire," Hiruzen retorted. "The war has just ended, and taking drastic actions abroad right now could easily lead to trouble. Don't forget, Root is also part of the ANBU."

"Nonsense. Trouble arises only when there isn't enough funding; if the budget is sufficient, there'll be no issues," Danzō argued.

Homura and Koharu instinctively shuffled their chairs further away, well-versed in these old battles.

"You're being too aggressive. Right now, internal stability is the priority. There are countless areas within the village that require funds."

"I'm not aggressive at all. The Hannya Black Ops may seem insignificant, but their emergence is concerning. It shows that the village's deterrence power abroad is waning," Danzō said coldly.

"So many people risk their lives for the village abroad, yet the village can't spare any funds for them? That's not something a Hokage should do!"

Minato was dumbfounded. "Danzō, are you criticizing me?" His blue eyes narrowed slightly.

"I apologize. It was just a slip of the tongue. I wasn't referring to you."

"…"

"You're being unreasonable." Hiruzen slammed the table angrily.

"And you're losing your mind!" Danzō stomped his foot, waving his cane in fury.

Homura and Koharu silently moved even further away, their chairs scraping against the floor.

Minato glanced out the window.

He figured there was no hope for lunch today.

"An additional 10 million ryō for Root, no more," Hiruzen declared, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.

"You must be joking!" Danzō's grip tightened on his cane. "Just dealing with the Hannya Black Ops cost me 2 million ryō. Ten million wouldn't even cover a month's expenses for Root. Let me tell you, Hiruzen, the Iwa and Kumo ninjas are still eyeing the village closely!"

"The Administrative Department has prepared several allocation scenarios—"

"Which I'm sure favor maintaining the status quo," Danzo interrupted, his single visible eye fixed on Hiruzen. "Just as your policies always have."

"Strange, how your definition of 'status quo' always excludes the shadows you operate in. Tell me, how does a mere two million ryō disappear into an operation against a minor group? Don't tell me you embezzled again?" Hiruzen's eyes narrowed.

"What do you mean by 'again'? Where's your proof of embezzlement?"

"Do I need proof? Two million? The Hannya Black Ops? Seriously?"

"Perhaps," Danzo countered, leaning forward slightly, "you should ask your successor about the value of that intelligence. After all, he approved the expenditure."

Minato thought.

"Minato, is this true?" Hiruzen asked, puzzled.

The Hannya Black Ops' significance didn't seem to warrant 2 million ryō.

"It's true. We considered multiple factors," Minato explained with a wry smile. "On one hand, they killed our village's shinobi, which left a terrible impression. On the other, the intelligence they had regarding a secret realm has been verified."

"Even so, 2 million ryō is excessive," Hiruzen muttered, though he accepted Minato's judgment.

A secret realm's intelligence aside, the murder of Konoha's ninjas deserved a strong response.

Hiruzen was cautious about military operations, but only when the enemy was one of the other four major ninja villages.

For the Hannya Black Ops? Not worth his concern.

"Who was the shinobi executing this mission?" Hiruzen asked.

"Masashi," Minato said. "You know about him. In fact, this mission was also an opportunity to closely observe him."

"Oh…" Hiruzen's expression shifted. "The young man who has the Kiri ninjas so wary?"

"Indeed. Recent investigations by Root show that his reputation in Kiri surpasses even that of Shisui," Danzō interjected coldly, still irritated. "The bloodline clans in Kiri have instructed their ninjas to avoid him."

"So his Ice Release is indeed a bloodline limit," Hiruzen mused, picking up his pipe. "The Uchiha clan produces so many geniuses…"

"This goes beyond genius," Danzō said sharply. "He's rewritten the iron rule that Sharingan cannot copy bloodline limits. Two million ryō to uncover his secrets—does it sound like enough now?"

Hiruzen ignored him. He knew this old rival too well. Engaging would only encourage Danzō further.

"Minato, what exactly are you trying to observe about him?" Hiruzen redirected the topic.

"I might be overthinking it, but the descriptions of his Body Flicker in the reports seem… off."

"Hmm? You mean to say…" Hiruzen initially didn't understand, but then his eyes widened as realization struck.

Danzō and the others reacted similarly. They were all veterans of the ninja world, well-versed in its intricacies. To them, no possibility was too outlandish.

Their teacher had once loved combining a certain technique with the Body Flicker. Enemies who didn't know about it often thought they'd died from the latter alone.

Even now, with Minato as the Fourth Hokage, many in the ninja world still believed his Body Flicker was absurdly powerful.

"Could it really be possible..." Hiruzen furrowed his brows and glanced at his old friend.

"The Flying Thunder God Technique was created by our Tobirama-sensei during the Warring States period. The Uchiha clan must have known about it. That man might have copied it with his Sharingan. While he may not have grasped the true essence of the technique, we cannot rule out the possibility."

"Indeed… That's definitely within the realm of possibility…" Hiruzen felt a headache coming on.

The Hokage's office fell into a heavy silence, each occupant lost in their own thoughts.

---

Meanwhile, in the distant land, Masashi was staring at the scene before him in silence.

"This is the entrance you mentioned?" he asked, glaring at the jonin. "I told you, this intel isn't my primary objective."

Mount Myōboku, Ryūchi Cave, and the Shikkotsu Forest were the three most famous places to learn Sage Mode in the Naruto world.

Make no mistake—they didn't gain fame because of the Legendary Sannin. These secret realms were renowned long before.

What lay before his eyes was a deep ravine with yellow soil, its walls dotted with countless cave openings.

he thought, scanning the cliff face.

If not for his habit of first verifying things with his Sharingan, he might have actually thought someone was messing with him.

Unfortunately, while the Sharingan could detect lies, it couldn't perform detailed soul-