Chapter 180: The Pot King Defends the Uchiha! The Uchiha Aren't Short of Money!
In the conference room, as Hiruzen Sarutobi handed the floor to the assembly, the atmosphere suddenly turned tense. No one spoke first.
After all, this meeting was quite absurd.
Putting aside the losses, the key issue was—where the hell did the Uchiha clan get this Tailed Beast?
A twelve-year-old jōnin, Half-Tailed Beast transformation, and this commotion...
Was this really not the Uchiha clan deliberately showing off their power?
And this Uchiha brat's identity—a disciple of the Sannin, an important member of Root?
Which side was he on?
What the hell was going on?!
Third Hokage, give us a hint! How are we supposed to choose sides?
At the conference table, the clan heads were completely bewildered.
They glanced at the Third Hokage, then at the silent Danzō, and then at Yashiro—who represented the Uchiha clan this time since Fugaku and Setsuna were absent—his expression inscrutable with a sinister smile playing on his lips.
What was wrong with this world?!
Shouldn't Danzō be the first to stand up and vehemently denounce and smear the Uchiha clan in this situation?
Why wasn't he moving?
Finally, everyone was at their wits' end and could only turn their gaze to Orochimaru, who sat to the side with his hands clasped in thought.
The implication was: This is your student—why don't you say something?
Orochimaru, meanwhile, looked utterly detached.
Stand up and demand one hundred million ryō in compensation on the spot? Did they really think he was stupid?
Or did they think updating his experimental equipment was free?
Not to mention that recently, because of that troublesome brat Uchiha Tsukasa, Orochimaru had opened another cell research facility, updating numerous pieces of equipment—centrifuges, vacuum pumps, new PCR instruments, real-time cell analyzers, polymer carriers and transfection reagents, cell disruptors and extraction solutions, protein assay reagents and photometers, and cell proliferation reagents.
In short—he was broke!
Today, even if Orochimaru turned into Hashirama's Wood Golem, he absolutely wouldn't stand up, and no one could change his mind!
Just then—
BANG!
A loud crash echoed as the conference table was slammed!
Everyone's spirits lifted upon hearing the sound.
Such force, such a sound—could it be Princess Tsunade, one of the Legendary Sannin, stepping forward?
After all, she was the main victim of this incident!
But when everyone looked up, they were dumbfounded—
Because the one who stood up was none other than Koharu Utatane, the only female member of Konoha's Advisory Council!
Despite her advanced age, the old woman's voice was still strong and resonant.
With a grim expression, she looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi and coldly declared:
"Regardless of the circumstances, using such a dangerous technique as Half-Tailed Beast Mode in the village, causing such significant damage—it's outrageous!"
"Third Hokage, this must be severely punished! Even if he's Konoha's new jinchūriki, it's the same!"
"I propose that Uchiha Tsukasa be immediately imprisoned in the Hōzuki Castle Prison, under strict 24-hour surveillance, to punish the damage he caused to Konoha and prevent further incidents!"
Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions varied, but after a moment's thought, they suddenly understood.
Of Konoha's three advisors, Koharu Utatane was always in charge of finances, while Homura Mitokado was responsible for daily administrative affairs—this was common knowledge. In addition, Koharu was also the nominal head of the Barrier Team.
She and the Third Hokage's wife, Biwako Sarutobi, were both skilled in medical ninjutsu. However, since Biwako was already working at Konoha Hospital, Koharu had settled for the nominal position with the Barrier Team.
This time, Tsukasa's destruction of the Konoha Barrier had caused the Barrier Team a huge problem and created a massive financial hole—it would be strange if Koharu didn't cause him trouble.
At this moment, Kushina, sitting in her Barrier Team seat, immediately stood up.
With a forced smile, her red hair moved without wind, like flames.
She then added with a grin:
"Third Hokage—"
"I think it's more appropriate to leave this brat under my supervision!"
"I'll teach him how to become a proper jinchūriki!"
Although the woman spoke with a smile, everyone inexplicably felt a chill and shrank back slightly.
Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered for a moment, stroked his chin, and his eyes lit up—he also thought it was a good idea.
Although it was unknown where the Uchiha clan obtained the Tailed Beast, entrusting Tsukasa to Kushina, who was skilled in sealing techniques, along with ANBU and Barrier Team members watching over her, was undoubtedly the safest approach.
Kushina's statement was precisely part of Koharu's plan!
Everyone knew that Uchiha Tsukasa was highly valuable. Setting aside the issue of compensation, the mere allegiance of a jinchūriki provided immense political capital.
On the way here, Koharu had used persuasive tactics to reach an agreement with Kushina, so that one could play bad cop and the other good cop at this crucial moment, thus securing Tsukasa's custody.
As for compensation—since she was being magnanimous and the victim was forgiving past grievances, why should she pay?
This money would, of course, be a legitimate expenditure from Konoha's coffers.
Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered for a moment. Seeing that no one else spoke, he frowned. Not wanting to be taken advantage of, he looked at Koharu and brought up the matter again.
"Koharu's suggestion makes some sense. Such actions, even for a hero of Konoha, should be punished with imprisonment as a warning!"
"How about this—combining Koharu and Kushina's suggestions, sentence Uchiha Tsukasa to three years in prison, then transfer him to the Barrier Team and ANBU, where Kushina will mentor him!"
Hiruzen suddenly paused, turning to Koharu.
"And... what about the losses?"
Koharu frowned deeply, gritting her teeth, just about to take responsibility.
As a high-ranking official in Konoha's finances, this money, though difficult to obtain, was a worthwhile political investment for securing a jinchūriki.
Just then—
As things seemed about to be settled—
Someone no one expected suddenly stood up.
"Absurd!"
Shimura Danzō slammed his cane on the ground, stood up, and stared coldly at Koharu Utatane.
"I object!"
"Huh?"
Seeing this, everyone's eyes widened.
Danzō actually spoke up for an Uchiha?!
And what Danzō said next made everyone's jaws drop!
He coughed, leaning on his cane, then said with a dark expression:
"Uchiha Tsukasa's use of Half-Tailed Beast transformation in the village was certainly wrong, but he didn't harm any Konoha villagers!"
"Moreover, he's only a twelve-year-old child!"
"To control a Tailed Beast to this extent at such a young age—he's already a prodigy!"
He suddenly narrowed his eyes, coldly surveying the crowd, looking at Koharu, then at Kushina, before letting out a harsh snort and continuing:
"Is this how you intend to treat a child? Imprison him, torture him, or give him to this hot-headed woman to vent your anger?"
"Have you forgotten the First Hokage's ideals?!"
"And not to mention—Uchiha Tsukasa made great contributions on the battlefield!"
"To treat a Konoha hero like this, to treat a twelve-year-old child like this!"
Danzō looked at the Third Hokage with a pained expression, slamming his cane down and rebuking him in a deep voice:
"Hiruzen, doesn't your conscience hurt?!"
He swung his cane again, pointing it directly at Koharu Utatane.
"And you, Koharu Utatane—your actions are simply shameful!"
"Shortsighted and petty!"
"I am ashamed to be associated with you!"
"We should not punish a genius who can master the power of a Tailed Beast at age twelve!"
"On the contrary—we should praise him greatly!"
Danzō's shouts, accompanied by the angry thud of his cane hitting the ground, echoed throughout the conference room!
The expressions on everyone's faces became quite interesting at this moment.
These words were indeed reasonable—
But when these words defending Uchiha Tsukasa came from the mouth of an old man who deeply despised the Uchiha clan and wished he could destroy them—
Everyone was shocked!
They wondered: What has happened to this world?! How did it become like this?
And just then—
An even angrier voice rang out!
"A commendation?!"
"A commendation for a mad Uchiha who blew up my property?!"
"Are you kidding me?!"
"Don't think I don't know—that Uchiha Tsukasa is from your Root organization!"
"No villagers were harmed?"
"Wrong!"
"Has anyone asked how I feel?!"
"Today, for the losses to the former Senju territory, you Shimura Danzō must compensate me tenfold!"
BANG!
Accompanied by the loud sound of the conference table being slammed and shattered—even the floorboards cracked beneath!
A blonde woman wearing a green haori emblazoned with the kanji for "gamble," bearing the weight of her legendary assets, suddenly stood up like a raging lioness, glaring furiously at everyone present!
And below, seeing Tsunade stand up in fury, Yashiro in the Uchiha seats immediately revealed a gleeful smile on his face, as if absolutely thrilled!
And this was exactly the moment they had been waiting for!
Yashiro immediately stood up, with an expression that seemed torn between laughter and solemnity, his face slightly flushed as he rose.
With a wave of his hand, he closed his eyes sorrowfully.
Then, with utmost sympathy, Yashiro said:
"Lady Tsunade—"
"The entire loss to the former Senju territory will be paid for by the Uchiha clan! The Uchiha aren't short of money!"
"Furthermore, Uchiha Tsukasa has been taken to Konoha Hospital—he's critically injured and on the verge of death from his Half-Tailed Beast transformation."
"Our Uchiha clan would like to request the best doctor in Konoha, Tsunade-hime, to please go and save him!"
"After all, this concerns Konoha's second jinchūriki—surely Lady Tsunade wouldn't stand idly by."
"Here's a blank check—fill in the medical expenses as you see fit!"
With that, Yashiro tossed a checkbook in front of Tsunade—
Then decisively led the Uchiha delegation to their feet and stormed out the door!
The next moment, outside the door—
"Hahahaha..."
End of Chapter 180
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