It was already late at night, yet the Hokage Building remained brightly lit.
Inside, the four individuals who truly held power in Konoha had gathered for a small but important meeting.
Utatane Koharu stepped forward and placed a stack of documents in front of Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Since the war ended, the number of missions Konoha has accepted has increased to roughly four times what it was during wartime."
She adjusted her glasses and continued in a steady tone.
"As shown in these reports, under the current circumstances, the village's mission volume is entering a phase of rapid expansion. While the Chunin Exams have contributed to this growth, the overall trend shows that Konoha's economy has shifted from steady growth to a much faster pace."
She went through a series of figures and summaries, clearly outlining the village's current prosperity.
Hiruzen listened quietly before speaking.
"That may be true, but that is your area of expertise. What concerns me is something else."
He tapped his pipe lightly against the table.
"Aren't prices in the village rising too quickly lately?"
Koharu nodded. "There has been a noticeable increase."
"Noticeable?" Hiruzen frowned. "That is putting it lightly. Pork alone costs several times more than it did last year, and fruit prices have followed the same trend. What exactly is going on?"
His gaze swept across the three people seated before him.
The issue was not simply the rise itself, but the extent of it.
If things continued like this, even something as simple as enjoying braised pork ribs would become a luxury.
Homura Mitokado cleared his throat and spoke carefully.
"In the long term, price fluctuations remain within expected limits. The increase is still controllable, and overall conditions remain stable. The villagers have not shown significant dissatisfaction."
Hiruzen did not respond immediately.
Instead, he turned his attention to the last person at the table.
"What do you think, Danzo?"
Danzo's expression did not change. "What does this have to do with me? I am not responsible for pricing. Do not push everything onto me."
Hiruzen's eyes hardened slightly.
"Nothing to do with you?"
His voice grew colder.
"You have only been in charge of the Military Police Force for a little over a year. Tell me, what exactly have you been doing during that time?"
Danzo remained silent.
"You used their authority to carry out frequent inspections on shops along the commercial street. In the past, inspections happened three times a year. Now they happen three times a month. How are businesses supposed to operate under that pressure?"
Hiruzen leaned forward slightly.
"And what about the ninja clans who control raw materials? When you impose restrictions on them, how can prices not rise?"
Danzo let out a quiet snort.
This was not new to him. During the Second Great Ninja War, when he briefly managed the same department, he had used similar methods.
The Military Police Force held more influence than most realized. In theory, all civilian merchants in the village, including clan operated businesses, fell under its jurisdiction.
It was a position that naturally drew resentment.
That had been the Second Hokage's intention from the beginning.
Danzo, however, had no intention of letting such an opportunity go to waste.
By targeting businesses controlled by major clans, he pressured them into sending their talented members to Root.
If they refused, inspections would increase endlessly.
Most clans relied on more than just ninja work. Many of their members depended on commerce to survive.
Under constant harassment, they had little choice but to comply.
Hiruzen understood all of this clearly.
He continued, "Then explain the situation with the Nara clan's Sixth Elder."
Danzo answered without hesitation. "He was reported for suspected fraud."
The Nara clan had refused his demands.
Not long after, a report surfaced accusing the Sixth Elder of fraudulent activity at the Uchiha district.
Danzo had immediately ordered his arrest.
It served two purposes, applying pressure on the Nara clan and testing Hayashi's reaction.
At the time, Hayashi had just returned from the battlefield and completed the Uchiha reforms in an incredibly short period.
Now that the reforms were in place and the commercial district was thriving, Danzo could no longer act openly against the Uchiha. Instead, he applied indirect pressure.
"Fraud?" Hiruzen's voice rose. "He is an old man who spends his time playing shogi. Release him immediately."
"But he did take quite a bit of money," Danzo replied. "Several ninja from other villages reported him."
"That only means they are not skilled enough," Hiruzen snapped. "I have played against him myself many times, and I lost plenty. Release him at once."
He struck the table with his hand.
"I entrusted you with the Military Police Force to maintain order, not to create chaos."
Danzo's expression darkened slightly. "Then take it back and return it to the Uchiha clan. Do not forget, this department was originally assigned by the Second Hokage."
"Enough."
Hiruzen cut him off sharply.
"Since it has already been reassigned, there will be no talk of returning it."
His voice carried firm authority.
"The Uchiha clan is now deeply integrated into the village. Separating them is no longer possible, and that aligns with what the Second Hokage intended. Stop using underhanded tactics."
Danzo said nothing, but his expression made his dissatisfaction clear.
Hiruzen continued, "Once the Chunin Exams are over, the Military Police Force will be reorganized. New members will be recruited from across the village."
"Do as you wish," Danzo replied indifferently.
He had already anticipated this outcome.
The position allowed for short term leverage, but in the long run, it was a burden.
Otherwise, the Second Hokage would not have handed it over so easily in the first place.
Danzo had no intention of holding onto it permanently.
Seeing that there were no objections, Hiruzen shifted the discussion.
"The Chunin Exams will begin soon. What are the current security arrangements?"
Homura answered, "Four squads are assigned to the first stage, and sixteen squads are stationed in the Forest of Death. That should be sufficient to ensure..."
"That is not enough," Hiruzen interrupted immediately.
His tone left no room for argument.
"Anything can happen. Do not rely on 'should be sufficient.'"
Homura hesitated briefly. "But those numbers are based on previous exams."
"This time is different," Hiruzen said firmly. "One of the participants is a Seven Tails Jinchuriki. Increase security by at least four additional squads."
He added, "This is not a suggestion."
"I understand," Homura replied with a nod.
Hiruzen's mood was clearly unstable, and pressing further would only make things worse.
A stern tone from Danzo was expected, but when someone like Hiruzen lost patience, it carried far more weight.
The meeting continued, moving through each agenda item.
Eventually, the conversation reached its final topic.
The position of the Fourth Hokage.
Rumors had spread that Hiruzen did not wish to step down, but those present knew the truth.
He had already made his decision.
What remained uncertain was his choice of successor.
Danzo, who had been indifferent moments ago, suddenly grew serious.
"Hiruzen, you are still in your prime. There is no need to step down so soon. Continue for another five or even ten years."
He had already considered the possibilities.
If he could not secure the position himself, then Hiruzen remaining in power was the most favorable outcome.
"I believe that..."
"I do not need your opinion."
Hiruzen cut him off without hesitation.
His voice was firm and absolute.
"What matters here is my decision. Listen carefully, this matter is not open for discussion."
Danzo tried to speak again, but Hiruzen gave him no opportunity.
"I will decide this alone."
With that, Hiruzen stood up.
Without another word, he left the room, leaving the others behind in silence.
Only his retreating figure remained, carrying an authority none of them could challenge.