Hokage Office, Konohagakure
After the brief incident at the Nara Forests, Kuroto, a concerned Shizune, and Tsunade-hi, her face drained of color, convened at the Hokage Office. They summoned other key figures, including Elder Hiruzen, Elder Koharu, Sannin Jiraiya, and Hokage’s aide Hatake Kakashi.
With the essential mbers of the Hokage Faction gathered, Kuroto elucidated the details of the Nara Forest incident that transpired in the early morning. As Kuroto narrated the events, a range of emotions surfaced among those present.
Elder Hiruzen muttered, “As expected, they have refused to surrender Uchiha Fugaku’s Mangekyō Sharingan, huh?” Kuroto affird, “Yes, and in response, they have reduced the reward by fifty million Ryō.”
Elder Koharu voiced her discontent, saying, “Firstly, they are reneging on their promises, and now they are demanding fifty million Ryō for the rescue of the Jinchūriki of Nine Tails. This is absurd!”
Elder Hiruzen sighed, “But we don’t really have any other choice. The events a few nights ago have once again proven that we are incapable of defending ourselves against the Akatsuki Organization. So, even if they are reneging on their words, we don’t really have any other choice but to accept the deal.”
Jiraiya chid in, “Well, look on the bright side; at least they are not being unreasonable.” Jiraiya’s words held truth. Ti and ti again, they have shielded Konoha from the threat of Akatsuki, never asking for anything excessive. It has always been a matter of currency, and the amount has never been too burdenso for Konoha, avoiding any adverse effects on the village’s economy.
Regarding why Amatsukami consistently demands money for their assistance, the top managent of Konoha has pondered various possibilities. One theory suggests that Amatsukami is a rcenary organization; however, this assumption has co under scrutiny in recent years. mbers of Amatsukami have refrained from taking on any missions from the Black Market for several years.
They only manifest when Akatsuki initiates its maneuvers and then vanish afterward, akin to vigilantes. In fact, it wouldn’t be entirely inaccurate to assert that Amatsukami's mbers are more like vigilantes than rcenaries. The only distinction lies in their request for paynt, a trait typically associated with rcenaries.
The notion that perhaps they do not want their benevolence taken for granted has been suggested, gaining traction among many. So have co to believe that this might indeed be the case.
Regardless of the reasons behind Amatsukami's actions, the undeniable fact is that they safeguard the Shinobi World and bring stability to the Akatsuki Organization. Due to this, Konoha found it imperative to form an alliance with them. Thus, even if their recent actions seed sowhat reasonable and even if they reneged on their agreent, a unanimous decision was reached to pay the three hundred and fifty million Ryō as the agreed-upon compensation.
However, a new concern erged. “The paynt is acceptable, but they insist on the entire sum being paid in a single installnt, and that too within a week. This is a bit…” Elder Hiruzen muttered with a frown.
Elder Hiruzen had initially intended to make the paynt in installnts of fifty million Ryō, allowing for a prolonged engagent with Amatsukami. However, it appears that Amatsukami has discerned his strategy and has different intentions.
Jiraiya inquired, “Can you verify the identity of the other party?” The recollection of Kuroto disguising himself and his Shadow Clones as Amatsukami mbers to deceive 'Madara' and Zetsu is still vivid in Jiraiya’s mind. Hence, he couldn’t resist posing this question.
In response to Jiraiya’s inquiry, Kuroto and Shizune turned their attention to Tsunade-hi. Observing their reactions, the others also directed their gaze towards Tsunade-hi, realizing that sothing was amiss with her.
Certainly, they had discerned that sothing was amiss with Tsunade-hi the mont she entered the Hokage Office. The fact that she remained silent throughout the conversation only deepened their suspicions. However, given the urgency of the matter regarding Amatsukami, they opted to set aside Tsunade-hi’s unusual deanor temporarily, planning to address it after concluding discussions about Amatsukami. Yet, when Kuroto and Shizune directed their attention towards her while discussing the ‘authenticity of Homusubi’s identity,’ everyone present realized that Tsunade-hi’s peculiar state was intricately connected to this ongoing conversation.
Unaware of the scrutiny she was under, Tsunade-hi gazed out of the window with a distant expression. It was evident to everyone that although her physical presence was in the Hokage Office, her mind was elsewhere.
Observing her condition, Jiraiya turned to Shizune with a concerned expression and inquired, “Shizune-chan, what has happened to Tsunade?”
Shizune shook her head, “I don’t know, Jiraiya-sama. One mont she was fine, and then suddenly she attacked Homusubi to confirm his identity. However, her attack failed as Homusubi stopped her with the help of his Susano’o. He didn’t release her imdiately, claiming he would punish her for her actions. Strangely, he didn’t carry out any punishnt and released her shortly after making the statent. Since then, she has been in this state.”
“Could it be a Genjutsu?” Elder Hiruzen pondered with a thoughtful expression.
Kuroto affird, “I believe it is a Genjutsu…” He then turned to Kakashi and remarked, “You've experienced sothing similar, haven't you?”
Kakashi nodded, his face pale, “Yes… it is undoubtedly Genjutsu, a formidable one that's nearly impossible to resist once ensnared. This Genjutsu grants Homusubi control over all phenona, including ti, space, and the very 'reality' within it. While days may pass in the Genjutsu world, only a mont elapses in the real world. I vividly recall the twenty-four hours of tornt I endured when subjected to this Genjutsu.”
It occurred during the War of the Best in the Land of Water a few years ago. At that ti, Kakashi fell victim to Tsukuyomi wielded by Homusubi, enduring twenty-four hours of tornt. Although this duration was shorter than the seventy-two hours of agony Kakashi faced in the canonical storyline, it was still a profoundly painful experience for him.
After elucidating the workings of Homusubi’s Genjutsu, Kakashi advised Tsunade-hi, “Tsunade-sama, you should probably rest.”
Upon hearing Kakashi’s words, Tsunade-hi erged from her dazed state and sighed, “Unlike you, he didn’t torture by tying up on a cross.” She continued, her voice tinged with pain and emotion, “I had to witness the deaths of Nawaki, Dan, my father, mother, grandma Mito, grandfather, as well as the second grandfather and other people I knew and was close to from the Senju Clan. I witnessed their deaths repeatedly for several hours. It was such a torture that by the end of it, I beca numb to their deaths.”
As Tsunade-hi recounted the horrors she witnessed under Homusubi's Genjutsu, a chilling silence enveloped the room. Shizune, in shock, covered her mouth, and a palpable sense of discomfort settled over everyone. Tsunade-hi's ordeal surpassed Kakashi's, leaving everyone at a loss for words.
Tsunade-hi continued, “Homusubi stated that this punishnt wasn’t just for attacking him. It was also ant for to reflect on our contemplated actions a few nights ago. Making witness those nightmarish scenes was his way of expressing dissatisfaction with our initial approach and issuing a warning for the future.”
The shock that gripped the occupants of the Hokage Office deepened into horror. Homusubi's discontent with their initial approach hinted at a concern for the Uchiha Clan. This revelation ant that had they proceeded as planned, they could have made enemies out of Homusubi and, by extension, the entire Amatsukami.
It dawned on everyone that they could no longer handle the Uchiha Clan in the sa manner as before, realizing the need for a reconsideration of their approach.
A solemn hush enveloped the Hokage Office as uncertainty lingered in the air.
Kuroto chose not to comnt on the matter. The entire course of events was not orchestrated by him; it was a decision made by Itachi. However, upon reflection, Kuroto found no fault with the outco. While their actions succeeded in reining in the Uchiha Clan and making them acknowledge their past mistakes, it also highlighted a glaring oversight—the lack of consequences for the Hokage Faction.
There remained the possibility that the Hokage Faction might revert to their previous behavior and unnecessarily suppress the Uchiha in the future because of their inherent fear and prejudice. They needed a lesson and a warning, underscoring that repeating such mistakes would incur the displeasure of Homusubi from Amatsukami.
The persistent issue between the Hokage Faction and the Uchiha Clan stemd from poor communication on one side and a refusal to communicate fueled by inherent prejudice on the other. This pattern is perpetuated across generations. To address this deeply rooted problem, both sides needed to take steps forward. The Uchiha, led by Itachi and Shisui, seed willing to do so. However, the willingness of the Hokage Faction except Kuroto and Kakashi remained uncertain.
Thus, despite the cruelty of subjecting Tsunade-hi to such an experience, it paled in comparison to the original intentions of the Hokage Faction toward the Uchiha Clan. In a way, it effectively conveyed a crucial ssage.
Elder Hiruzen in particular deeply understood. Eventually, he broke the silence, saying, “Tsunade, go and take a rest. Shizune, stay with her and take care of her.” Tsunade-hi accepted Elder Hiruzen’s directive without objection, rising from her seat and leaving the Hokage Office, with Shizune following closely behind.
Once Tsunade-hi departed, Elder Hiruzen turned to Kuroto and instructed, “Kuroto-kun, we will provide you with the three hundred fifty million Ryō. Please deliver the paynt to Homusubi or any mber of Amatsukami who appears.”
Kuroto nodded, affirming, “I understand.”
“Setting that aside,” Elder Hiruzen continued, addressing a pressing matter, “How did your conversation with Uchiha Fugaku go?” Homusubi’s warning had underscored the urgency of resolving the issues surrounding the Uchiha Clan. While Amatsukami demonstrated a readiness to eliminate Uchiha mbers, they also exhibited a protective stance toward the clan in their own way. Consequently, Elder Hiruzen recognized the imperative to promptly and delicately handle Uchiha affairs to avoid offending Homusubi and Amatsukami.
The thoughts of the others in the Hokage Office aligned with Elder Hiruzen's concerns. Acknowledging the shared sentints, Kuroto addressed them, saying, “I would say my conversation with Uchiha Fugaku was quite fruitful. Having lost his Sharingan, he seems to have recognized the errors in his past actions. Taking full responsibility for his deeds, he expressed a willingness to accept any punishnt from the village, as long as the innocent mbers of the Uchiha Clan were spared.
Regarding punishnt, I refrained from imposing any formal penalty. The loss of his eyes and the prospect of living the remainder of his life without the Sharingan would, in itself, serve as a significant punishnt for him. Additionally, he had to resign from both the position of Uchiha Clan Patriarch and the Captaincy of the Konoha Military Police Force.”
“I see,” nodded Elder Hiruzen.
Kuroto continued, “Concerning the role of the Uchiha Clan Patriarch, it will be assud by his eldest son, Uchiha Itachi. anwhile, the position of the Captain of the Konoha Military Police Force will be taken over by Uchiha Shisui.”
Elder Koharu expressed approval, stating, “This approach is comndable. Distributing power and influence evenly between Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Itachi makes it challenging for them to form a united front.”
Elder Hiruzen concurred, saying, “It is indeed a well-thought-out arrangent, but…” His concern didn't center around the Uchiha Clan but rather pertained to the Homusubi of Amatsukami.
Kuroto addressed this concern, “I also plan on having Uchiha Itachi inherit the position of the Principal of Konoha Ninja Academy.” Given Kuroto's commitnt to Fugaku regarding Itachi's future as the Rokudai Hokage, grooming him appropriately was crucial. Becoming the Principal of Konoha Ninja Academy offered the best platform for this purpose. It wouldn't interfere with anyone's interests, and Itachi's reputation would flourish as the trainees excel in the future.
After careful consideration, Elder Hiruzen nodded, conceding, “Very well.” This way, the Uchiha Clan would retain its influence, and it seed plausible to persuade Homusubi as well.
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