"In that case, you'll be staying here for a while. The trouble you caused this time was far too great; if I don't keep you under lock and key, it won't be enough to appease the public. Stay put. I'm leaving."
After saying her piece, Lady Mito turned and left the cell.
"I understand. Take care, Lady Mito." Seeing as there was no way out for the time being, Isamu didn't press the matter.
Shortly after Lady Mito's departure, Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others walked in.
"Isamu, are you alright?"
"Young Clan Head, are you unhurt?"
"I'm fine, Tsunade. Grand Elder, why did you come as well? At your age, you shouldn't be running around like this," Isamu said, his expression softening but remaining serious. The Grand Elder had looked after him well over the years, but the man was elderly and likely didn't have much time left.
"Young Clan Head, something happened to you—how could I possibly stay home and rest? I cannot let Lord Madara down." No matter what Isamu said, the old man's loyalty to the Uchiha legacy remained unshakable.
"Alright, I'm fine. Grand Elder, please head back. Don't exert yourself for no reason; just enjoy your retirement in peace. Also... don't mention that man in front of me again." Once he finished speaking, Isamu turned his attention to Sarutobi.
"You brat," Sarutobi sighed. "The Grand Elder is only acting in your best interest. We heard there was a commotion in the prison and thought you were doing something reckless, so we rushed over. I didn't expect to find you beating up Danzo. Can't you behave yourself, even behind bars?"
Isamu waved a hand dismissively. "I didn't want to hit him at first. He was the one asking for it. He wouldn't stop mocking me, and eventually, he even tried to throw a punch. I couldn't just let him hit me, so I was forced to defend myself."
"What! That old fossil Danzo actually tried to lay a hand on you? Who does he think he is?" Tsunade's temper flared instantly. "Lord Sarutobi, you have to get justice for Isamu!"
"Alright, alright. Isamu is fine, isn't he? I'll look into the matter regarding Danzo."
Sarutobi looked back at Isamu with a weary expression. "Just endure it for a little longer. Don't cause any more trouble. Once the compensation for the Hidden Stone Village is settled, I'll let you out." He spoke slowly, clearly worried that Isamu might lose patience and level the prison next.
"We're still giving them compensation? If they aren't satisfied, they can come find me anytime. I'll show them exactly what I think of their demands. They want money? In their dreams!" Isamu said, brandishing a fist. He wasn't afraid; at worst, it would mean war, and he was more than ready.
"Give it a rest. You stormed into their village and caused a massive scene; providing some compensation is only right. Peace is a hard-won prize. However, if they push too far, we won't just sit back and take it." At this stage of his life, Hiruzen Sarutobi was still in his prime—full of drive and conviction, a far cry from the indecisive man he would become in his later years.
"Fine, you guys decide. But if it does come to war, I'm confident I can make the Land of Earth's territory part of the Land of Fire," Isamu said with absolute certainty. He truly possessed the strength to back up such a claim.
"Right, right... just stay here and behave. I have a mountain of paperwork waiting for me, so I'm heading out."
"Young Clan Head, I shall take my leave as well."
Isamu waved them off, and the two men exited, leaving only Tsunade behind in the cell.
"Tsunade, you should get going too. I'll be out soon enough. In the meantime, you should start practicing that Ninjutsu I gave you." He reached out and gently ruffled her hair.
"Mmh-hmm..." Tsunade nodded, her face flushing a light pink as she turned and hurried out of the room.
"Senju and Uchiha... the union of the two leads to all things in creation, huh? Things are getting more and more interesting." Watching her leave, Isamu settled back onto his bed and lay down.
The Tsuchikage's Fury
A few days later, following Lady Mito's personal intervention, the village higher-ups dropped their objections regarding the compensation. Even the Daimyo, out of respect for Mito, indicated his willingness to provide the necessary funds.
With the consensus reached, Sarutobi drafted an official letter and dispatched a squad to deliver the money to the Land of Earth.
When Ohnoki received the letter and the payment, he was instantly consumed by rage.
Slap!
"Damn the Hidden Leaf! Damn Hiruzen Sarutobi! This amount of money won't even cover the cost of the structural repairs, and he has the nerve to threaten me in this letter!" Ohnoki slammed his palm down, shattering his desk into splinters.
The Hidden Stone advisors nearby picked up the letter from the floor and read it.
> Respected Tsuchikage,
> Regarding the incident where a shinobi from our village attacked the Hidden Stone, the Hidden Leaf expresses its deepest apologies. However, what is done cannot be undone. Our village has decided to provide 30 million Ryo as compensation for repairs. We hope your village will accept this gesture.
> Of course, while we never seek out conflict, we do not fear it either should it arrive at our doorstep. We hope your village considers this matter clearly.
>
After reading the contents, the advisors finally understood why Ohnoki was so livid.
"Lord Tsuchikage, our current strength is not enough to guarantee a victory. Regarding the Leaf's provocation... we must endure it for now. We will bide our time, and when we are strong enough, we will settle this debt," an advisor urged.
"I know that!" Ohnoki snapped. "I'm just disgusted by it. Curse the Hidden Leaf... I've noted this debt. You'll get what's coming to you eventually."
A Strategic Blow
While Ohnoki was fuming, Isamu was enjoying a meal Tsunade had brought him.
"Mmm, this is so much better than the slop they serve in here. If I had to eat prison food for one more day, I'd probably lose my mind." Isamu shoveled the food into his mouth.
"Just be patient. Lord Sarutobi has already sent the compensation, so you'll be out before you know it." Tsunade watched him eat with a satisfied smile. She had prepared the meal herself, and seeing him enjoy it so much made her efforts worthwhile.
"Sent it already? How much did Brother Sarutobi actually send?" Isamu asked, his mouth still half-full.
"Slow down! I'm not entirely sure, but I think I heard Grandma Mito mention it was 30 million Ryo." She didn't pay much attention to the political dealings of the council.
"30 million Ryo? Hahaha!" Isamu burst out laughing. "If they only sent 30 million, Ohnoki's face must be turning purple with rage right about now."
"Why do you say that?"
"Haha, you have no idea. Given the level of destruction I caused that day, plus the medical expenses for the wounded, the real cost would be at least several hundred million. Sarutobi giving them 30 million isn't even enough to fix the roof tiles."
Isamu leaned back, looking pleased with himself. "The Hidden Stone won't be in any position to cause trouble for at least another decade."
"I see... but if that's the case, can the Tsuchikage really just let it go? If it were me, I'd never accept such a small amount," Tsunade mused.
"He has no choice. The current Hidden Stone simply can't compete with the Hidden Leaf. They were already the weaker side, and after my visit, they're in even worse shape. If Ohnoki tries to start a war now, it's a suicide mission. He has to swallow his pride and take the loss," Isamu explained.
"I see. So it really was for the sake of the village. You really are something... but did you have to end up in prison for it?"
"You don't understand, Tsunade. The Land of Fire is blessed with the best environment and resources. The other nations have been eyeing us for a long time. Instead of waiting for them to grow strong enough to invade, I chose to cripple their strength in advance. Everything I did was for the Hidden Leaf and the Land of Fire," Isamu said with an air of righteous conviction.
"Yes, yes, you always have an answer for everything. I can't outargue you," she teased. "Hurry up and finish. I need to take the dishes back, and I have a mission to prepare for in a few days."
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