Chapter 29: Ten ThousandPeople Surround the Hokage Building
In front of a dilapidated wooden house on the verge of collapse, an old, worn door was gently knocked.
The door creaked open, revealing a haggard woman's face with red, swollen eyes.
"Hello, I'm Uchiha Kusuri. Your husband fought alongside me on the Iwagakure front. Unfortunately, he fell in battle. The Uchiha clan is providing a one-time compensation of 2.16 million ryō. Please sign to receive it."
Uchiha Kusuri held out a bulging envelope with both hands, his voice steady and firm: "The Uchiha clan thanks him for his sacrifice for Konoha. If you encounter any difficulties, you can come to the Konoha Police Force to find me."
The woman's trembling hands took the envelope. When her fingers touched the thick stack of bills, her tears finally burst forth.
"Th-thank you…"
She choked, clutching the envelope tightly to her chest: "With this money… at least the children won't go hungry…"
Two thin little figures hid behind the door, peeking out.
Uchiha Kusuri took two packs of candy from his pouch: "Don't be afraid—this is for you from uncle."
He had encountered this scene many times today, so he had specially bought candy.
In truth, similar scenes were unfolding all across Konoha Village.
Ninjas from the Kurama clan had set up a high platform in the central market, their voices booming like thunder: "Uchiha Fugaku's forces captured over five thousand Iwagakure ninjas! Ōnoki surrendered! They paid three hundred billion ryō in reparations!"
"The Uchiha did not let Konoha's heroes bleed and weep in vain. For those fallen on the Iwagakure front, the Uchiha will pay compensation ahead of time. Genin receive 2.16 million ryō one-time, chūnin 8.64 million ryō, jōnin 30 million ryō!"
His voice, amplified by chakra, echoed through the entire commercial district.
At a ramen stall, a middle-aged man lowered his voice: "I heard we defeated Kumogakure—then why hasn't a single coin come for those who died on the Kumo front?"
His companion slammed the table angrily: "Exactly! My neighbor's kid died on the Kumo front. His wife and children are nearly starving now!"
Young ninjas from the Kazami clan moved from tavern to tavern, shouting in each one: "Great victory on the Iwagakure front! Uchiha Fugaku's forces captured over five thousand Iwagakure ninjas! Ōnoki surrendered! They paid three hundred billion ryō!"
By now, the plaza in front of the Hokage Building was packed with a sea of people.
Mourning families dressed in white crowded the front, their cries rising and falling.
Ninjas freshly returned from the Iwagakure front stood in the second row, faces full of rage.
Ordinary villagers formed the outer ring, whispering and discussing.
"My son died on the Kumo front! Why is there no compensation?" An elderly woman with white hair leaned on her cane, her voice surprisingly loud.
"Those from the Iwagakure front get so much—what about us?!" A one-armed ninja waved his empty sleeve and roared.
The Anbu guards forming a human wall were sweating profusely, being pushed back by the surging crowd.
Suddenly, a heart-wrenching roar tore through the sky: "Hiruzen Sarutobi! Get out here!"
The crowd parted. A bearded jōnin strode forward.
His forehead protector was crooked, his eyes bloodshot, and his combat uniform still bore unwashed bloodstains.
His voice was hoarse and terrifying as he pulled a photo from his chest and held it high: "My daughter was only ten! Just ten years old! Why did you graduate her early and send her to the battlefield?"
The photo showed a little girl with twin pigtails smiling sweetly at the camera.
The sight made every parent present's eyes redden.
"My son was only eight—he hadn't even mastered the three basic techniques! You graduated him early and sent him to the Kirigakure front—are you still human?!"
"Give us back our children!"
"Give us back our children…"
The furious roar rose wave after wave.
The glass in the Hokage Building trembled slightly.
Inside the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi stood at the floor-to-ceiling window, his pipe long extinguished. He silently watched the black mass of people below, brows tightly furrowed.
Danzō Shimura emerged from the shadows, leaning on his cane, cold light glinting in his single eye: "Hiruzen, we can't let this go on. The crowd will only grow."
Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed deeply, turned, and walked to his desk—silently approving Danzō's suggestion.
At this moment, his back looked especially hunched.
"Swish! Swish! Swish!"
Dozens of Root ninjas suddenly darted from every corner, instantly pinning down several of the ringleaders!
The lead Root ninja announced coldly: "You are under arrest for espionage. Cooperate!"
The crowd exploded!
"Bullshit! I just came back from the Iwagakure front—how am I a spy?!" roared a scar-faced ninja, his left arm still wrapped in bandages.
A female ninja screamed: "Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, you dare act but not admit it? My husband died on the Kumo front, and now you sent my son to the Kirigakure front—kill me too, I don't want to live!"
These ninjas fresh from the battlefield were already full of pent-up rage.
Hearing the woman's cries now, their fury ignited instantly.
They used Body Flicker to close in and rained punches and kicks on the Root ninjas—dozens of Root members were beaten down in moments.
A 40-something ninja suddenly leaped onto the fountain statue in the plaza and shouted hoarsely: "Latest news! Over a thousand have already died on the Kirigakure front! The overall commander Hyūga Hiyori had his right eye dug out!"
This news was like a bucket of ice water poured into boiling oil.
The crowd went completely mad, roars deafening: "Hiruzen Sarutobi, give us an explanation!"
"Hiruzen Sarutobi, you dog—give us back our children!"
The Hokage Building's guards were steadily forced back; the situation was spiraling out of control.
Watching the commotion from the direction of the Hokage Building, Uchiha Sanpō said softly: "Clan Head, it's your turn."
Uchiha Fugaku gave a slight nod. He straightened his collar and walked toward the Hokage Building.
"Everyone! I am Clan Head Uchiha Fugaku. Over three hundred children from my clan were also sent to the Kirigakure front. The youngest is only eight years old, the oldest barely eleven."
Uchiha Fugaku's voice wasn't loud, yet the roaring crowd instantly fell silent.
Many ninjas' eyes reddened; some already began to weep quietly.
Uchiha Fugaku's voice suddenly rose: "In the name of Uchiha Clan Head, I propose we immediately reinforce the Kirigakure front! Save our children! And we must take revenge on Kirigakure!"
Thunderous cheers erupted!
"Support the Uchiha!"
"Charge to Kirigakure!"
"Support the Uchiha!"
The roar rose wave after wave, shaking the entire village of Konoha.
Inside the Hokage's office, the documents in Hiruzen Sarutobi's hand had been crumpled beyond recognition.
The monitoring crystal showed the furious crowd—his face turned iron-blue.
He noticed many Ino-Shika-Cho and Hyūga ninjas also shouting in support. This discovery sank his heart to the bottom.
Homura Mitokado spoke urgently, fine sweat beading on his forehead: "Hiruzen! We absolutely cannot let the Uchiha gain more merit!"
Koharu Utatane pushed up her glasses, lenses reflecting cold light: "The over three thousand Konoha ninjas withdrawn from the Kumo front have already been on the Kirigakure front for some time. Good news should arrive soon…"
Danzō stood in the shadows, a cold smile curling his lips: "Wouldn't it be better to let the Uchiha go die?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent for a long time before finally standing and straightening his Hokage hat: "I will go apologize. The people will understand…"
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