The private dining room in one of the Heaven's Feel restaurant was bathed in warm light, the rich aroma of grilled meat and fresh bread mixing with the faint scent of sake. Outside, the main hall buzzed with the usual dinner crowd, but up here, it was just us. Ken, Yuji, Satoshi, and me, scattered around a low table with half-eaten plates of food between us.
Ken leaned back in his seat, picking his teeth with a toothpick. "So anyone knows what this is about?"
"Don't care," Yuji said flatly, his head resting on his hand.
"Burger. Cheese fries. Nuggets. New food?" Satoshi asked hopefully, his eyes lighting up at the thought.
"Nah," I replied, sipping my tea.
Ken made a dissatisfied face. "Come on, dudes, talk about something. I'm getting bored here."
"Meetings are boring," Yuji said with a tired expression. "The old men will talk about some news, bicker for no reason, and then go back home."
"Really?" Ken asked, looking disappointed.
"Yeah," Yuji replied.
"Have you already been there?" I asked Yuji.
Sigh. "My father always brings me along so I get used to how politics work. Soon I'll become the clan head and the official strategist of Konoha ( maybe ), so I'm being prepared for the job. But I don't plan to work for the Hokage, instead, I will replace my dad in taking care of our business here." Yuji replied while rubbing his forehead tiredly.
"That's better. I want you here. By now, you must have realised that the village isn't exactly your friend. Why contribute to something that will not reward you and your clan?" I said with a shrug.
*Pat pat.*
"I got you, bro. Don't worry. Just yell my name anywhere in this world, and I'll immediately bring the softest pillows and sing the best lullabies beside your ear. Kiss you and hug you gently with love and care until you fall asleep!" Ken said with a motherly tone, which made me chuckle as I looked at Yuji's disgusted face.
"Shut it Ken," Yuji replied tiredly. If not for conserving energy, Ken would already be beaten.
"Hehe, don't forget the milk though, he needs it." I said with a chuckle, which made Yuji twitch his eye for a second because Ken was already touching his non-existent boobs with a sad expression.
"Hey Ken, I wanted to ask, have you decided on the name of your soon to be born child?" I asked with curiosity.
Ken brightened at the question.
"Ohhh! My wife said if it's a girl, she'll name her, and if it's a boy, I'll name him. I already have a name in mind... Inoichi!" he replied enthusiastically, which made us smile.
"Means well-headed and strong. Nice name," Yuji simply said and patted the guy. Satoshi shared a chicken nugget with Ken, who grabbed and ate it happily.
"Thanks!" Ken replied.
'Sometime ago it was Shikaku, now it's Inoichi.' I thought as I subtly looked at Satoshi that will also have a child soon and the name of that child will be Choza for sure.
Seems canon is approaching fast, but with these many changes in the timeline and butterflies, I wonder what will happen.
Whatever, don't care.
"I won't be able to attend to the party and naming ceremony of the boy by the way," I suddenly said, which made them turn to look at me in confusion.
"Why?!" Ken somewhat yelled in surprise.
"No food?" Satoshi said sadly.
"And how do you know it's a boy?" Yuji asked with his eyes narrowed at me.
"I'll tell you the reason later Ken. No food for a while, Satoshi. As for how I know it's a boy... it's just a feeling," I replied with a smile, which made them more dissatisfied with my answer.
The meeting was still a couple hours away, and I had no intention of rushing. So I took my time finishing my tea, letting the conversation drift to lighter topics before finally standing.
"Alright, you lot head over. I'll be there when I'm ready," I said, stretching my arms over my head.
"You're not coming with us?" Ken asked.
"I'll arrive later." I gave them a knowing smirk, and Yuji caught on immediately and he nodded slowly.
"Fine. Let's go." Yuji stood, and the others followed.
I watched them leave, then made my way to wear and change myself.
My choice was a Kimono. It was black, luxurious, with golden threads woven into the shape of a coiled dragon across the chest and sleeves. The fabric screamed "I am expensive, don't look my way peasant."
I slipped it on and let my front upper muscles visible to all. I looked like I belonged in a palace and not a ninja meeting for a moment but that shit is my intention all along.
I want them to know they are poor.
After chilling for some more time, I slowly headed towards the Hokage tower.
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_____________
The meeting hall was already full. The clan heads were seated in their places, the elders were at the front with Hiruzen, and Tsunade was in her seat, looking around a little nervously. The boys were in the back, Yuji standing behind his father, Ken and Satoshi behind theirs.
*Bam!*
"Where is he?!!" Danzo exploded as he slammed the desk in front of him.
All the people and clan leaders around the table chose to ignore and just watch.
"Sighhh, the young lad is a busy man as you know. We will wait a little more." Hiruzen tried really hard to stay calm, but everyone could see the veins visible on his temple.
"Wait a little more?? We have been waiting for close to half an hour now and there is no sign of that disrespectful kid anywhere!" Danzo retorted with his face red as a tomato.
The sight made some clan heads like Ino-shika-cho smile involuntary.
"Probably something happened I am sure. I will send an Anbu right away–"
*Creakkk*
Before Hiruzen ordered a ninja to go looking for Garou, the door to the meeting hall opened slowly, which made every head turn.
.
I opened the door slowly, letting the creak echo through the room.
Every head turned towards me immediately.
Tsunade's face lit up, then fell when she saw the look on my face. The elders were already red-faced from waiting. Most of the clan heads looked coldly at me while some few gave a respectful smile.
I walked in slowly, my footsteps echoed in the silent hall, my height and muscular physique making everyone present small in comparison.
As I reached my seat, I slowly sat in the empty seat beside Tsunade gracefully. My clothes sending silent insults to these genocidal peasants.
I gave Tsunade a quick kiss on the cheek much to her embarrassment, but she didn't shy away from hugging my arm much to the annoyance of the people around. She looked up at me with a mixture of relief.
"Took you long enough," Tsunade muttered, but I just smirked.
I looked around the room.
The Hyuga clan head, Hiroto, was glaring at me from across the table. The Uchiha, Inazumi, had his arms crossed, watching me without any reaction. The beautiful Inuzuka woman was growling under her breath, her eyes locked on me like I was prey. And many others had similar reactions to my arrival.
I ignored all of them and focused on the front.
Danzo was already fuming, his one eye burning with barely contained anger. Hiruzen looked tired, rubbing his temples. Koharu and Homura were whispering to each other while sending glares, probably planning how to punish me for my insolence.
"I was a little late and your patience is quite commendable. As they say, 'The man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.' So I hope you continue being like this." I said with a mocking smirk as I looked around.
The comment made the face of everyone around turn ugly.
"Sighhhhhh, thank you for attending this meeting young Garou." Hiruzen said tiredly and quickly before Danzo exploded, he himself barely contained himself and didn't use Reaper Death Seal on my ass.
In response, I just raised my legs and put them on the table much to the dismay of Hiruzen, then leaned back on my chair lazily. "Just tell us what this bullshit is all about, I have work to do and not free to play these boring games."
Hiruzen and Danzo looked at my leg that rested on the table with a blank expression, my feet a little distance away from their faces.
Danzo felt his heart come out of his mouth from rage but before he said anything, Hiruzen immediately gestured for the Nara clan head to start this meeting.
Danzo glared at Hiruzen but Hiruzen just lazily motioned for him to calm down and ignore it.
Yeah, stay quite poor ass fellows.
The Nara clan head, stood up and began his report.
He talked about the economy, social stability, and the needs of the citizens. Then he moved to the external threats: bandits, rogue samurai, and the looming conflict with the Kagero Village.
"And I think in about two to three years, a fight with the Kagero Village of the Land of Mountains is inevitable according to some reports. It will require a lot of preparation and money, and if our vague information from the underworld is true, then soon a world war will happen," The Nara head said with a frown, which made all the others listen carefully.
Meanwhile, I was just looking and listening with one eye opened and the other closed. I created this technique back in the day by shutting down the left part of my brain through rigorous training like not sleeping for weeks and forcing myself to sleep with one eye open and go on with my day using half of my consciousness.
I felt Yuji looking at me with an enormous amount of greed and envy as he saw what I am doing.
"Then that's a serious matter that needs to be solved as soon as possible!" the Uchiha guy said.
"I agree!" the Kurama clan head chimed in.
"Do we have the necessary funds?" the Hyuga clan head asked calmly.
"Fortunately, yes. But if the world war starts as expected, it will not be enough if it lasts for a long period of time than necessary, and we will run out of it quickly," Nara head said.
I took a glance at the elders with my one eye and looked back at the Nara head.
This is all obviously a cap.
'You're telling me a huge 'village' with a prosperous economy, where merchants, nobles, and people from around the world visit and pay huge amounts for citizenship, trade inside, properties, and taxes... and all that money accumulated for many years now will be spent in just five years of war?' I thought in ridicule.
I was sure that if not for Hiruzen himself or the elders, who must be doing shady things in the shadows and spending that money in the underworld just for shit and giggles, Konoha could go to war for more than five years without a single problem.
Even with all that sanction and restrictions the Damiyo is putting on Konoha, Konoha is still rich courtesy to that huge territory under them.
400 villages and 4 cities are no joke when it comes to generating money.
"Sighhh, as you can see, this is a huge problem that must be solved. If not, Konoha will be in huge trouble!" Hiruzen said in a sad tone, like an old man tired of life. I scoffed internally.
"As the Hokage said, this is a problem that cannot be ignored. So can I ask if the clans are ready to help Konoha?" Danzo said coldly. All the clan heads looked at each other for a few moments before the Hyuga guy raised his hand.
"The Hyuga clan is ready to help!" he said proudly and arrogantly.
Then, one by one, the other clan heads except few raised their hands too, eager to not be left behind. But I held Tsunade's hand before she raised hers. She looked at me in confusion, but I only shook my head and told her to wait.
Clearly, these people weren't stupid. They knew something was wrong with what Danzo and Hiruzen were demanding. But this was peacetime, and they were filthy rich, not anywhere close to my level of rich, but still rich nonetheless, so they simply didn't care.
The gesture made the Hokage and the elders smile but it all vanished when they all looked at me, Tsunade, and the Ino-shika-cho clan heads.
"What about you, boy? Why are you holding the Senju clan heads hand?" Danzo asked coldly, narrowing his only eye at me as he knew the others were following in my footsteps and the blame was on me.
I looked at Danzo.
What a disgusting man. His aura makes me want to vomit.
"Tch, Disgusting!" I said as I woke up from my half sleeping state and looked down at this fucker.
*Silence.*
No one dared to utter a word as all whom were present widened their eyes at my remark even the ninjas hidden around us.
"What did you say?!" Danzo asked, his voice rising.
"Want me to spell it for you? You are D.i.s.g.u.s.t.i.n.g... one of the worst kind of presences I have ever felt in my life." I went on with a deep tone that made the room become heavy with tension. The boys held their breath as I talked back and insulted one of the elders.
*Bam!*
With a red face, Danzo hit the table and shouted, "How dare you talk like this in front of an elder?!"
"Show some respect, boy!" Koharu said after him, with Homura nodding.
I gave her a light glare with my red, bloodshot eye, which made her flinch and shut up. She and Homura were low jonin, so I didn't even put them anywhere near my sight.
The moment someone becomes weaker than me even by a tiny bit margin, then their winning possibilities against me in a fight becomes absolute zero.
Cough. "Can I know the reason for not helping out Konoha, young Garou?" Hiruzen asked, more formal than the others.
I turned and looked at Hiruzen slowly, not answering him immediately.
I wore the same disgusted expression as I looked at him too. As a matter of fact, every single person in this room made me feel disgusted on a scale of one to ten, and most of them have 10, with Danzo being immeasurable.
Only persons I don't particularly hold opinions on are my allies, friends, and Tsunade.
"Do I have to" I replied with another question, resting my head on my hand.
He went silent because it wasn't mandatory. Everyone was free to choose to help or not.
"Hmph! You're the richest individual here, and you won't help? Is this what the Great Garou, the richest and one of the best philosophers of this era all amounts to? Just a stingy man that sucks the life of Konoha without giving anything back in return?" Homura said in dissatisfaction.
I didn't even turn to look at Homura as I continued staring at Hiruzen.
"I don't give two fucks about any of that nonsense. And I won't waste MY money on you even if Madara Uchiha himself started a war... Bitch" I said nonchalantly, which pissed off the trio even more.
"Quiet down!" Hiruzen said calmly. "Hatake-san, I still don't quite get it. Why don't you want to help Konoha?" he asked with a frown.
From young Garou to Hatake-san? Heh.
"As I asked before, do I have to?" I asked with my eyebrow raised.
"No, you probably don't, but as a very wealthy man, I thought you might lend us a helping hand and make things easier for everyone here," he said while pointing at everyone here.
I locked eyes with him, slowly getting annoyed. "Hmmmm, wait."
I put a hand inside my Kimono and took out a purse.
All who were present became curious as I went through the purse filled to the brim with cash and took out a penny.
*Tic.*
I put the penny on the table and pushed it towards Hiruzen and the elder whom expressions became entirely ugly.
"Here. Don't spend it all on candies, okay?" I said with a mocking smirk.
*Silence.*
The boys held themselves back from laughing, while the Nara head gave a lazy smile.
Tsunade was pinching me from the side.
Even the Uchiha head who was emotionally crippled couldn't help but raise his lips a little.
*Bam!*
Homura slammed the table and Koharu sneered. Danzo's face was a cute ball of pure rage.
"YOU–"
"Okay Enough of this!" Hiruzen interrupted Danzo calmly, but everyone here knew that he tried his best to swallow his anger.
"What about you esteemed clan heads? Care to explain why you are reluctant to participate?" Hiruzen looked the Ino-shika-cho clan heads with eyes slightly narrowed.
Lately, Hiruzen's trust in these clans has plummeted since they are all shareholders of Heaven's Feel and have created good relations with the Damiyo and the GMA.
He could clearly see that there wasn't a single drop of will of fire inside these individuals. Everything has become a business to them and their absolute loyalty was to their clans.
If not for appearing unprofessional and politically a mistake, he wouldn't let these clans be so close to him and even have the Nara clan head be an advisor to him.
Hiruzen still needed the intelligence of the Naras to help him in his work running the village. He needed the Yamanaka and their useful mind jutsus used for interrogation and sealing memories and similar matters. And he also needed the Akimichi as bodies for war and sometimes construction because of their strong physiques.
"If I may speak in the place of the Yamanaka and the Akimichi clan head with all due respect..." The Nara head said as he looked at the other two men who simply nodded at him, "But, we would like to follow in Garou-sama's example in this matter."
The "Sama" beside his name made Garou smile and nod in appreciation. It spoke volumes and subtly told that, this is how you call the man in front of you. Not by "Boy, or a young man."
There was a brief silence when everyone heard that. The other clan heads in the hall looked at the Ino-shika-cho with curiosity and... envy.
Everyone understood why the Ino-shika-cho, usually peaceful, compromising and dogs of the Hokage now suddenly grew spines and dare not compete in the village's politics and Hiruzen's favours.
Because it all comes back to Garou and their shares in his business. These three clans don't need to suck up to Hiruzen and anyone else present in this room anymore when they are already part of something much bigger than the village itself... unlike the other clan heads who were raging with clear jealousy right now.
While everyone else were busy living everyday trying to look good in feont of Hiruzen, the Ino-shika-cho were living the King's life and free of politics.
Danzo broke the silence. "The boy refuses to contribute. That is unacceptable! And now you want to follow in his footsteps–"
Shuraku shrugged lazily as he interrupted much to Danzo's displeasure. "With all due respect elder Danoz but our clan's finances are tied to Heaven's Feel. If we divert funds to the village, we risk destabilizing our own operations. It's a matter of practicality. "
"That's just selfish!" Koharu retorted.
"No, it's business," Shuraku replied calmly. "Garou-sama's success is our success. If his business suffers, we suffer also. We cannot afford to weaken our position for something and notions of a war that's not certain."
Danzo narrowed his eye. "You're just making plain excuses now Shuraku!"
"I am just being honest elder Danzo," The Nara head said. "The Nara clan supports Konoha, sure, but we cannot support ourselves into ruin. If the village needs money, perhaps it should look elsewhere."
He glanced at the Hyuga and Uchiha clan heads. "Some clans are wealthier than others as you know."
The Hyuga clan head bristled. "Are you implying–"
"I'm implying nothing Hyuga-san," Shuraku interrupted. "I'm simply stating facts. The Nara clan has limited resources, and we must allocate them wisely. We cannot contribute to the war fund without jeopardizing our own stability."
And everyone knew that's pure bullshit! The Ino-shika-cho are surpassing even the Senjus and Uchihas in terms of wealth.
As a matter of fact, the Akimichis are the wealthiest clan that exists in the land of fire except being surpassed by the Hatakes.
"The Yamanaka clan shares this concern." The yamanaka clan head nodded slowly.
"As does the Akimichi." The Akimichi clan head shrugged with a smirk as he participated in this fun endeavour.
"Sighhh So you're all refusing?" Hiruzen sighed heavily.
"We are prioritizing our clans' survival. I am sure you understand, Hokage-sama." Shuraku said.
Hiruzen stared at Shuraku for a long moment, then nodded slowly. "Very well. If that is your final decision, we will not press the matter further."
"Thank you, Hokage-sama. We appreciate your understanding." Shuraku nodded.
The meeting continued.
Hiruzen cleared his throat and began. "Okay then, let's get into our next matter of concern that requires our immediate attention."
He paused, letting the silence hang. I didn't react as I waited for what other game these fuckers will pull.
"As you all know," Hiruzen continued, "the village's financial situation is becoming increasingly precarious as we have discussed moments ago. However, there is one potential source of revenue that has yet to be fully explored."
He glanced at me but I didn't glance back, too gay.
"I will let elder Koharu and Homura take over this matter, so please listen carefully." Hiruzen said.
Koharu took over. "We are proposing a new tax on non-ninja businesses operating within Konoha's jurisdiction. This tax would be structured as a stability contribution, which is a small percentage of annual profits that would go directly toward the village's defense fund."
"It's not a large amount," Homura added with a small smilee. "Only ten percent. But it would make a significant difference in our ability to prepare for the coming conflict."
*Silence.*
So they couldn't extort me and now they legally want to pressure me with taxes. Heh.
And ten percent? Then why not just give you my whole bank account? Would that be alright? Bitch?
The other clan heads shifted in their seats and some looked uncomfortable.
The Nara clan head, Shuraku, was looking at me with lazy eyes because he already told me that something like this will happen.
I just sat there, still as a statue, my eyes fixed on the wall.
And another thing, everyone's business and money making machines are under their clan names, even the leaders of those clans don't have much say when it comes to their own clan businesses. While mine is under my name, and I am not a ninja even though the Hatakes have a history of being a ninja clan.
That's why this rule will apply to 'non-ninja' businesses as the bitch said.
"This tax would apply to all non-ninja businesses, regardless of their ownership. This will not apply to established clan owned businesses." Koharu said as she leaned forward and subtly looked at me.
The Hyuga clan head cleared his throat. "I think this is a reasonable proposal. Konoha must be prepared for war." He sucked up and the elders nodded with approval.
"I agree," A nameless dude added, his voice dripping with smugness. "It is time for those who benefit from the village's protection to contribute to its defense."
The Kurama clan head snorted. "Especially those who have grown fat off the village's prosperity while refusing to help when asked."
The Kurama head was looking directly at me, but I didn't look back.
A few of the other clan heads murmured their agreement.
Tsunade's hand tightened on Garou's arm, her jaw clenched with barely contained anger as she looked how everyone antagonised her man.
She was about to speak but I didn't let her.
Hiruzen raised a hand to quiet the room. "We are not here to assign blame. We are here to find solutions. The tax is a practical measure, one that would benefit the entire village as everyone agrees here."
"And it is not permanent. Once the war is over and our financial situation stabilizes, the tax can be reviewed." Koharu added as her smile widened.
She glanced at me again, clearly expecting a response bu my expression didn't change.
They're trying to pressure me and think they can provoke me into making a mistake.
Danzo narrowed his eye. "Is there anyone who opposes this proposal?!"
The room went quiet.
Then all eyes turned to me.
All these farce was aimed at me as it was obvious.
I sat in perfect stillness, my breathing calm as I contemplated, my eyes fixed on the wall.
The seconds stretched into a minute. The tension in the room grew thicker and thicker.
Finally, I unfolded my arms, retracted my legs from the table and sat down properly, then adjusted my kimono, the golden dragon catching the light, and looked around the room.
"The council has decided that this tax is necessary, then it will pass. I'm sure you'll find a way to justify it, regardless of what anyone says."
"But we all know how this ends. You'll pass your tax then pat yourselves on the backs, and in a few months, you'll come back asking for more. So let's end this bullshit before any more kind of fantasies gets created inside your dumbass skulls..."
"If that's the case, and if the council is sure of this decision, then from this moment forward, Heaven's Feel will not operate inside Konoha and it's territories."
*Silence again.*
The End.