Uchiha Ren had finally managed to secure control of the subsidy funds from the Fire Daimyō's Court, so naturally he had no intention of handing them over to the village so easily.
Homura Mitokado and the others clearly understood this as well. Yet they still came—meaning their goal was obviously not as simple as taking the money.
Uchiha Ren spoke calmly.
"Controlling the Daimyō's subsidy funds is indeed a tremendous authority. But if you wish to wear the crown, you must bear its weight."
"Where there is power, there is always an equal amount of risk."
"So large a sum will inevitably attract countless watchful eyes. It could also easily become an excuse for others to attack the Uchiha Clan."
"Therefore, for the next period of time, our clan must act with even greater caution."
Uchiha Ya nodded.
"The Clan Head is right. We must be careful about this. Perhaps at tomorrow's Jōnin Council meeting, someone with ulterior motives will bring this up."
"Although the Daimyō has already approved it, the fact that our clan controls this money is still somewhat lacking in legitimacy. If Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others want to take the funds back, tomorrow's meeting will be their best opportunity."
"They wouldn't dare!" Uchiha Setsuna snapped angrily.
"That money wasn't given by them in the first place. What right do they have to take it back just because they say so? If they've got the guts, they can come and try to take it!"
"Great Elder, please calm down," Uchiha Ren said reassuringly.
"After all, the money is a subsidy granted by the Daimyō to the village. Our Uchiha Clan is only acting as its custodian. That is an undeniable fact."
"But it won't be so easy for them to take it from us. I've already taken precautions earlier. I got Homura Mitokado and Shimura Danzō to acknowledge that the money should be kept under the custody of the Uchiha Clan."
"That effectively makes the matter official."
Fugaku Uchiha then added,
"If it's only for a few days, there shouldn't be any problem. The clan members will understand."
"In many families, however, the main pillar of the household has fallen in battle, and they urgently need money. Normally the clan would advance the compensation first."
Hearing this, Fugaku also realized the seriousness of the issue and frowned deeply.
Uchiha Setsuna and Uchiha Ya both nodded.
"Clan Head, rest assured. They are all our people. Their parents will be supported by the clan, and their children will be raised and trained by the clan as well."
Setsuna said excitedly,
"Clan Head, that move you made was brilliant—cutting the firewood from beneath the cauldron! Even I must admit I can't compare."
"Now that Hiruzen Sarutobi no longer holds the title of Hokage, his authority has already been significantly weakened."
Uchiha Ren continued,
"In the Battle of Kikyō Mountain, our Uchiha Clan lost more than one hundred and seventy comrades. Nearly everyone else returned wounded."
"But right now, our clan controls the Daimyō's subsidy funds. If the village has not yet issued compensation to the other families, but only the Uchiha Clan has already paid ours out…"
"What do you think the rest of the village will say about us?"
The room fell silent.
"That is why I need you to calm the clan members," Ren said seriously.
"Times are different now. In the past, the village was unreliable, and our clan could afford to advance the money ourselves. No one would say anything."
"But now that we control this financial power, we must at least maintain the appearance of fairness."
"Please, Great Elder and Second Elder, handle the post-war consolation work properly. Make sure the families of the fallen and their orphaned children are well cared for."
Seeing their worried expressions, Ren added,
"You don't need to worry too much. The Daimyō's subsidy funds are in our hands now. When the village distributes the compensation… isn't that ultimately up to us?"
The three elders were momentarily stunned.
"The village simply doesn't have a Hokage to preside over matters right now. That's why things will be delayed for a while."
Ren's eyes flickered slightly as he continued,
"This is necessary. But there's one more thing you must explain clearly to the clan members."
"The compensation payments will not be issued so quickly this time. At the earliest, it will be after the Fourth Hokage is selected."
"They must not develop resentment over this."
"This is the price we must pay for gaining this authority."
"Based on the current situation in the village, tomorrow the candidates for Hokage will be nominated. After that, the election should be settled within three to ten days."
"So the compensation payments will only be delayed by about that long."
Ren then briefly explained the negotiation process he had just had with Homura Mitokado and Shimura Danzō, causing Uchiha Setsuna and the others to burst into hearty laughter.
Even Fugaku, who said nothing, could not hide the smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
Uchiha Ya chuckled.
"Homura Mitokado usually handles matters flawlessly. To see him suffer such a loss at the Clan Head's hands today is truly satisfying."
Ren shook his head slightly.
"This matter will probably have further developments at tomorrow's Jōnin Council meeting."
"Shimura Danzō is probably even more eager than we are to cement this arrangement."
"So all we need to do is sit back and watch the show—let Danzō charge ahead on the front lines."
Uchiha Ya nodded.
"Clan Head, rest assured. We will soothe the clan members' emotions. Our people are united. There won't be any resentment."
Ren nodded.
"Good. I'll leave this matter to you."
Then he spoke solemnly.
"After all…"
"People do not fear scarcity—"
"They fear inequality."
With the matter of the Daimyō's subsidy funds explained, Uchiha Ren also put away his smile.
It was time to discuss serious matters.
"In this war, the losses suffered by our Uchiha Clan were not small."
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