The Uchiha Clan's Sun

Everyone in the conference room looked at each other in bewilderment, never expecting that the conflict would suddenly spread to them while they were just watching the show.

Mitomon Homura coughed lightly and said, "Elder Shimura, please don't get agitated. Hiruzen's mistake was unintentional. There's no need for us to make a big deal out of such a small matter!"

"Am I agitated?" Shimura Danzo looked at Mitokado Homura expressionlessly and said in a deep voice, "Personal matters, no matter how big, are small matters, but village matters, no matter how small, are big matters! The principal of the Ninja Academy is an extremely important position in the village, how can you say it's a small matter?"

"From this small detail, we can conclude that Hiruzen Sarutobi is morally flawed and unsuitable to remain the principal of the Ninja Academy!"

Mitomon Homura frowned upon hearing this, but then continued, "Elder Shimura, just as you said, the matter of the Ninja Academy is indeed no small matter, so we must handle it with utmost care!"

"It would be far too frivolous to dismiss Principal Sarutobi from his position simply because of some of his rudeness!"

A hint of a smile flashed deep in Shimura Danzo's eyes as he said, "Alright, let's investigate whether Hiruzen Sarutobi fulfilled his responsibilities as a principal during his time at the Ninja Academy!"

"Look at how much he has sacrificed for the Ninja Academy, and look at how much he has influenced the Ninja Academy!"

Upon hearing this, Mitokado Homura frowned even more deeply. How could he not know whether Hiruzen Sarutobi, the principal of the ninja academy, was competent or not?

As the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi usually didn't have time to deal with the trivial matters of the Ninja Academy. He would only occasionally go to the Ninja Academy to give a speech, show his face in front of the students, and brainwash them!

If this is investigated thoroughly, Hiruzen Sarutobi will definitely lose his position as principal of the Ninja Academy!

"No need to investigate! I believe I am no longer capable of serving as the principal of the Ninja Academy, and I hereby voluntarily resign from this position!"

At that moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke up and gave up his position as principal of the Ninja Academy!

Most of the people present, including Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, were stunned upon hearing this, and looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen with some confusion.

Only a very few people, such as Uchiha Jin, Nara Shikaku, and Orochimaru, saw through Hiruzen Sarutobi's intentions!

Hiruzen Sarutobi gave Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane a reassuring look, putting their minds at ease.

At the same time, Hiruzen Sarutobi has gained a clearer understanding of the abilities of Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, and is about to classify them as teammates who are considered "useless"!

Danzo Shimura's insistence on the issue of the Ninja Academy was clearly an attempt to divert attention, muddy the waters, and then fish in troubled waters to get away with it.

However, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu failed to see through Shimura Danzo's intentions and began to argue with him about the Ninja Academy!

If this continues, I'm afraid few will remember that they were just questioning Shimura Danzo!

One should strike while the iron is hot, but the momentum will wane after the second attempt and exhaust the third. After they finish discussing the issues with the Ninja Academy, who knows if Shimura Danzo will bring up new problems!

It will be difficult to hold Shimura Danzo accountable then!

Hiruzen Sarutobi's position as principal of the Ninja Academy was essentially a nominal one, primarily used to enhance his reputation and prestige in order to solidify his position as Hokage; it didn't offer him much personal gain.

Now that Hiruzen Sarutobi is no longer even the Hokage, the position of principal of the Ninja Academy is no longer very useful, and may even become a sharp knife that will stab him in the future!

After all, Hiruzen Sarutobi has already stepped down. What is he trying to achieve by still holding onto this position to build his reputation? What will the next Hokage think of this?

Therefore, after careful consideration, Hiruzen Sarutobi did not hesitate and resigned from his position as principal of the Ninja Academy, thus eliminating the potential trouble and cutting off Danzo Shimura's excuse to cause trouble!

Danzo Shimura narrowed his one eye, thinking to himself, "As expected, Hiruzen Sarutobi is the greatest rival of my life!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Danzo Shimura and said, "Danzo Shimura, I have already resigned from my position as principal of the Ninja Academy. Can my rudeness be considered settled now?"

“Of course,” Danzo Shimura said calmly, “Since Principal Sarutobi has already realized his mistake, there’s no need to pursue this matter any further!”

"But I'd like to know, former Principal Sarutobi, what is your current capacity for speaking to me? Minister of Education? Head of the mission team?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's face darkened upon hearing this, realizing that Danzo Shimura was threatening him!

If he continues to pester him, Shimura Danzo will also use both of his identities against him!

The position of Minister of Education is relatively easy to deal with, as it doesn't carry too much power. However, the position of class monitor in the task force is a different story. Even if you offered the position of Minister of Medical Affairs, Minister of Finance, or Minister of Logistics, you wouldn't be able to trade it!

However, it was impossible for Hiruzen Sarutobi to give up so easily. This was his last chance. At worst, he would have to fight Danzo Shimura to the death!

Chapter 245 Use job titles when you're at work!

"Shimura Danzo, don't forget that besides being the head of Konoha's Education Department and the leader of Konoha's mission team, I am also a registered Jonin of Konoha!"

"This is a Jonin meeting. Even if you remove me from all my positions, I still have the right to speak!"

Having made up his mind, Hiruzen Sarutobi stopped beating around the bush with Danzo Shimura and directly stated his position.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's meaning was clear: even if Danzo Shimura stripped him of all his positions today, he would still make trouble for Danzo Shimura!

Danzo Shimura couldn't stop him from speaking!

Danzo Shimura narrowed his one eye, knowing that Hiruzen Sarutobi had already said so much, and if he didn't back down, it would probably provoke public outrage!

After all, most of the people in the conference room were ordinary Jonin without any official position or authority. Apart from the heads of various departments, the Konoha ninja clans basically only sent a few influential representatives to the meeting.

Now that Hiruzen Sarutobi has positioned himself as a regular Jonin of Konoha, he has inadvertently become associated with most of the ordinary Jonin present!

If Danzo Shimura doesn't let Hiruzen Sarutobi speak today, will he continue to prevent them from speaking in the future?

If Shimura Danzo really did that, even if those ordinary Jonin didn't stand up for Sarutobi Hiruzen today, they would definitely feel dissatisfied with Shimura Danzo in their hearts!

If morale is low, it will be difficult to lead the team!

Therefore, Danzo Shimura had no choice but to make Hiruzen Sarutobi speak.

However, even so, Shimura Danzo would not let Sarutobi Hiruzen get away with it!

Danzo Shimura said coldly, "Sarutobi... Jonin, I've never stopped you from speaking. I just hope you'll watch your words when you open your mouth!"

"Today's Jonin meeting is such an important occasion, with all the important figures in the village present. You keep calling me by my full name, and you won't even call me Elder Shimura. Have you ever shown me the slightest respect as an elder of Konoha and the Hokage's assistant?"

"Do you think you're still the Hokage? Even if you are, you should still show basic respect to your fellow villagers!"

Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi clenched his fists so tightly that his jaw ached from biting his teeth!

He was the former Third Hokage, after all. He never expected to suffer such humiliation in front of so many people!

If Hiruzen Sarutobi were also a time traveler, he'd probably already be shouting, "Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river, don't underestimate the poor when they're old!"

"I think Elder Shimura is right! Our Konoha Village isn't some bandit den. No matter how good our relationship is, we should still try to address each other properly in formal settings!"

"Especially when at work, you should use your job title!"

Just then, Uchiha Jin added fuel to the fire, saying with a smile, "I'm not targeting anyone, but I'm thinking about the development of the village!"

"It's like Elder Mitomon is now the Minister of Finance of Konoha, and his son also works in the Finance Department. The two of them see each other all the time. If they address each other as 'father' and 'son' as soon as they meet, people who don't know the situation might think that the Finance Department of Konoha is run by the Mitomon clan!"

Upon hearing this, everyone in the conference room couldn't help but look at Mitokado Yan with strange expressions.

Although this is a fact that everyone knows, it's hard not to think about it when Uchiha Jin says it so directly!

Who knows, after this meeting ends, all sorts of rumors will start circulating in the village!

Mitokado Homura's old face flushed red, and he slammed his fist on the table, saying, "Uchiha Jin, what do you mean by that! How dare you talk to me like that? The Konoha Police Department is full of people from your Uchiha clan, why don't you just say that the Konoha Police Department is run by your Uchiha clan!"

"Eh, the Konoha Police Department really is run by my Uchiha clan," Uchiha Jin said, shrugging. "Has Elder Mitokado forgotten? It's a clan-owned property, granted by the Hokage. This is a privilege bestowed upon my Uchiha clan by the village!"

Mitomon Homura was so taken aback by Uchiha Jin's words that he almost couldn't catch his breath!

Everyone knows the situation of the Konoha Police Department; it wouldn't be wrong to say it's the private property of the Uchiha clan!

The key point is that this is a deeply ingrained consensus! Even if it gets out, no one will say anything.

However, the situation is different for the Mitokado clan. Neither the village nor the Hokage has any intention of handing over the finance department to them. If this gets out, the Mitokado clan might have to vacate a few positions!

"Alright, Minister Uchiha, all positions in the finance department are filled through merit-based selection, and there's nothing shady about it!"

"Elder Mitomon has worked diligently for the village for decades. What are your intentions in saying such things?"

Seeing that Mitokado Homura was at a disadvantage, Koharu, who was standing nearby, quickly spoke up to help her out.

After all, if we really delve into this matter, her Utatane clan isn't much better than the Mitomon clan!

Uchiha Jin said calmly, "I'm just stating the facts. Is Elder Utatane implying that my Uchiha clan intends to harm the village?"

Koharu Utatane snorted coldly and said, "How could I possibly know what the Uchiha clan is thinking? But the Uchiha clan has indeed gone too far lately!"

"Putting aside your ulterior motives towards Elder Mitomon, you need to give us an explanation for the fact that your Uchiha clan stole the subsidy funds allocated to the village by the Daimyo's government!"

As soon as Koharu Tsurugi finished speaking, the entire conference room was thrown into an uproar!

"The Uchiha clan stole the subsidy funds allocated to the village by the Daimyo Prefecture? When did this happen?"

"Why hasn't a single word about such a big thing been leaked? What exactly is the Uchiha clan trying to do?"

"What exactly is going on?"

......

The subsidy funds allocated by the Daimyo Prefecture to Konoha are a matter of vital interest to everyone, and suddenly everyone's gaze towards Uchiha Jin became somewhat strange!

Koharu, on the other hand, kept her eyes downcast and focused on her inner thoughts. After detonating this bomb, she withdrew and showed no intention of speaking again.

Originally, after discussing the matter last night, Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado, and Hiruzen Sarutobi did not intend to bring it up at this meeting. They planned to wait until they had secured the position of Fourth Hokage for Minato Namikaze and thus gained the moral high ground before discussing the matter with King Uchiha.

Only in that way could they use their Hokage authority to suppress Uchiha Jin!

But Uchiha Jin had just attacked Mitokado Homura, and Koharu Utatane couldn't find a suitable reason to cover it up, so she could only use this incident to divert everyone's attention!

It seems to be working quite well so far, but it remains to be seen how Uchiha Jin will deal with it!

Chapter 246 The sweat of the Uchiha is redder than your blood!

Uchiha Jin remained completely calm, as he had already prepared for this situation and was just waiting for Mitokado Homura and the others to speak.

"Ahem!" Uchiha Jin coughed twice, drawing everyone's attention in the meeting room. After everyone quieted down, he spoke, "Regarding this matter, I would appreciate it if Elder Tsukai could be mindful of his wording!"

"This subsidy was clearly entrusted to my Uchiha clan by the Daimyo himself. How can you say we 'robbed' it?"

"If this subsidy had truly been stolen by our Uchiha clan, I doubt any of you would be sitting here talking to me like this!"

Uchiha Jin's words were direct but also very effective, making everyone in the conference room realize immediately that there must be another hidden story behind this matter!

At the very least, the subsidies allocated to Konoha by the Daimyo's government could not possibly have been stolen by the Uchiha clan!

The emotions of everyone in the meeting room gradually stabilized, and they waited for Uchiha Jin's explanation.

Uchiha Jin didn't keep everyone in suspense and said, "First of all, I want to clarify to everyone that the subsidy funds totaling 3 billion ryo recently allocated to the village by the Daimyo Prefecture are indeed in the hands of my Uchiha clan!"

"But the Uchiha clan is only temporarily holding onto this money; we will not keep it for ourselves!"

"Moreover, it's not just this one subsidy; the Daimyo's Mansion has decided that all future subsidies allocated to Konoha will be handed over to the Uchiha clan for safekeeping!"

Upon hearing this, everyone in the meeting room exchanged bewildered glances; this was no small matter!

Koharu Utatane snorted and said, "What right does your Uchiha clan have to safeguard these funds? The Konoha Police Department, which your Uchiha clan controls, is only responsible for maintaining internal village security!"

Uchiha Jin glanced at Utatane Koharu and said calmly, "Elder Utatane, you ask me what qualifications the Uchiha clan has to safeguard this subsidy fund? Well then, I'll have to have a good talk with you about that."

"I would like to ask Elder Zhuanqin first, do you know who this land you are standing on belonged to in the past?"

Koharu Utatane frowned, wondering why Uchiha Jin would ask such a question, but still replied matter-of-factly, "We are in the Hokage Building, so the ground beneath our feet naturally belongs to the village!"

Uchiha Jin pressed further, "I'm asking about before Konoha was founded!"

Xiaochun, who was turning around, was stunned. Suddenly realizing something, she opened her mouth wide and was speechless.

Uchiha Jin snorted coldly and said, "Since Elder Utatane doesn't want to say it, then I'll say it for you. The ground beneath your feet used to belong to my Uchiha clan!"

"Not only this piece of land beneath your feet, but the entire Hidden Leaf Village and even the dozens of mountains surrounding it belong to my Uchiha clan!"

"The village of Konoha was originally established jointly by my Uchiha clan and the Senju clan! The land of the village was all contributed by my Uchiha clan without compensation! Even the name 'Konoha' was given by my Uchiha clan, and the title 'Hokage' was chosen by the First Hokage to show the importance of my Uchiha clan to the village!"

"For this village, my Uchiha clan has not only spent countless amounts of money, but also countless clansmen have given their lives!"

"You ask me what qualifications the Uchiha clan has to safeguard these funds? Heh, to put it bluntly, even the sweat of my Uchiha clan is redder than your blood. What right do you have to question my Uchiha clan!"

Uchiha Jin's words made Koharu Utatane blush, and also caused everyone in the conference room to show complicated expressions.

Especially among the commoner ninjas, most of them really didn't know that Konoha was jointly founded by the Uchiha and Senju clans, nor did they know how much the Uchiha clan had sacrificed for Konoha!

After all, Konoha's history textbooks, apart from praising the achievements of the "strongest Hokage," only describe the Senju clan in terms of the abilities of the God of Shinobi, Hashirama Senju, while downplaying the Senju clan's contributions, not to mention the Uchiha clan!

Uchiha Jin snorted and continued, "Now let's talk about the authority of the Konoha Police Department!"

"The basic function of the Konoha Guard is to maintain the prosperity and stability of the village and protect the lives and property of the villagers!"

"The subsidies allocated by the Daimyo Prefecture to Konoha are for the benefit of the village and belong to all the villagers of Konoha as common property. Is there any problem with entrusting them to the Konoha Guard Department for safekeeping?"

"Not only has the Daimyo acknowledged this, but two of the three current elders of Konoha Village have also admitted it!"

Upon hearing this, everyone present was taken aback and felt somewhat surprised.

The three Konoha elders mentioned by Uchiha Jin should refer to Shimura Danzo, Mitokado Homura, and Utatane Koharu.

It's clear that Shimura Danzo has now reached an agreement with the Uchiha clan, and it's understandable that he agrees with this. However, Uchiha Jin said that two Konoha elders have already acknowledged this, so who is the third Konoha elder...?