Today was clearly an important day for all of Konoha, and the reason was simple: the Konoha Publishing Factory, which had been under construction for roughly six days, was holding its ribbon-cutting ceremony.
As a factory that needed workers, its establishment immediately created a wave of employment—something precious anywhere, and unambiguously good news for the villagers. For Konoha's shinobi, though, it carried an additional, subtler signal.
"Allowing active-duty shinobi to invest freely? Hiruzen, don't you think that's somewhat imprudent?"
Standing beside the Third Hokage was Koharu Utatane, one of Konoha's elder advisors. As a direct pupil of the Second Hokage, she was advanced in years but still sharp of mind. As someone eligible to participate in a Hokage vote, her words carried considerable weight.
"We understand your intention is to improve the welfare and living conditions of Konoha's shinobi. However, too comfortable a life is also the grave in which fighting spirit is buried."
The other elder advisor, Homura Mitokado, added from beside her. The two of them hadn't come to share tea today.
Shinobi work was, by any measure, a high-risk profession. Those who fell in the line of duty or retired were naturally entitled to subsidies from the village—but this was an undeniable burden on Konoha's finances. Even knowing it was necessary, the Third had long been searching for ways to ease the strain.
The reason Asuma had been able to invest in Konoha Publishing wasn't merely because he was the Third's son. It was because the Third hoped to use this as a bold experiment: allowing Konoha's shinobi to invest in village-controlled enterprises and earn dividends to supplement their income.
This way, shinobi who lived every day in mortal danger could have an additional safety net, and their families could receive some extra financial support in the event of the worst.
"I understand your concerns, but I've already made my decision. While Konoha does have compensation programs for orphans and the families of fallen heroes, my years of observation have shown me it isn't enough. We still owe a debt to the descendants of those who gave their lives for this village. I want, at the very least, to ease their worries should they fall in the line of duty."
The Third gazed at the framed portraits of every Hokage on the wall, his voice heavy with nostalgia. When his eyes passed over the figure with golden hair, a flicker of guilt joined it: "We've already been forced by certain policies to shortchange some people. So at the very least, I want those who've been shortchanged to receive some other form of compensation."
His words drew skeptical looks from both advisors. Seeing their expressions, the Third sighed, then turned and handed over a sheet from his desk. "Policy aside—even if only for the sake of the village's economic development, I think you two should look at these numbers. This is the actual revenue from the launch event held outside Konoha a few days ago."
Meanwhile, in a dim underground chamber, Danzō held an identical data sheet in his fingers. By the look of it, it was the same document the Third had.
"So that's how it is. She's actually established contact with Akatsuki?"
Danzō's eyes flickered in the candlelight. As the leader of Root, he was well aware of Akatsuki's existence and the threat it posed, and he knew exactly who its members were.
"Yes, sir. Akatsuki's leader, Pain, hopes to use her methods to extract substantial funds. He has tentatively agreed to cooperate with her, with the aim of selling large quantities of figures at the launch event in two months to generate profit."
Sai, kneeling before Danzō in his maid outfit, reported these matters dutifully. As Danzō's chess piece tasked with monitoring Hinata, it was his responsibility to relay this intelligence.
"Interesting. It seems I underestimated her after all. This eldest daughter of the Hyuga Clan is indeed an important asset. That kind of wealth-generating ability could make Konoha significantly stronger... The problem is... it's not yet a Konoha under my control."
Setting down the data sheet, Danzō's expression flickered with uncertainty. On one hand, as a citizen of Konoha, he sincerely wished for it to become the strongest hidden village among the Five Great Nations. On the other hand, the current Hokage was not him—and the idea of strengthening "someone else's Konoha" left him in an uncomfortable bind.
"Shall I eliminate her, then?"
Head bowed, Sai asked quietly. This earned him a cold glare from Danzō. "I don't recall ever granting you the authority to think for yourself. You don't need to think—only to obey."
"Yes, sir. My deepest apologies, Lord Danzō."
Rising with the aid of his cane, Danzō paced a few steps, then spoke again. "Forget it. Since she's clearly a valuable piece, the proper move is to recruit her. You also mentioned she's been using the Soul Body Switch to conduct her external activities, correct?"
"Yes, sir. She's currently using the body of a kunoichi from the Fūma Clan."
This time, Sai didn't receive an immediate follow-up. After about a minute of silence, Danzō's voice emerged again, low and cold. "Good. If that's the case... tell her I happen to have some things here that she'd find interesting. If she'd like to see them, she can come by tonight."
The words made Sai's pupils contract slightly. As one of Danzō's personal guards, he knew exactly what those "things" were.
"Hanabi. Sign here."
Meanwhile, in the Hyuga compound, Hinata smiled at her younger sister, her voice perfectly clear. "You're not of age yet, but the shares in Konoha Publishing remain valid indefinitely. Sign here, and you'll hold five percent. You'll naturally receive your cut of every dividend."
Hinata knew exactly what she was doing. The Hyuga Clan's current income came primarily from real estate and mission pay from clan shinobi—hardly what anyone would call wealthy.
So even if Hiashi Hyuga didn't ask, Hinata would have allocated a share to the clan regardless. Otherwise, she'd face obstruction on every front.
And since Hiashi hadn't asked for shares himself, Hinata saw no reason to deliver them to that stone-faced bargain-bin father on a silver platter. That left only one suitable recipient: the so-called "little sister" sitting before her.
"B-but, Sis... I haven't done anything..."
Kneeling across from Hinata, Hanabi's expression was deeply unsettled. She clearly wasn't happy about Hinata's gesture—not grateful, but struck by an inexpressible sense of distance, as though these so-called "shares" were being used to sever the connection between them.
"As the Hyuga Clan's current designated heir receiving its full investment, you're naturally entitled to hold the clan's largest stake. There's no reason for guilt—after all, bloodline and luck are forms of strength too."
Hinata rose without ceremony, plainly uninterested in spending more time coaxing a child. "Once you've signed, the share certificate takes effect. You're too young to manage it yourself, so whether you hand it to Father or have a retainer look after it is up to you. From now on, you can buy your own cotton candy."
And then, please disappear from my sight.
Saying that last part only in her mind, Hinata felt an undeniable sense of relief. This miserable experience of being forced into the role of someone else's sister was one she never wanted to repeat. With the Hyuga Clan receiving tangible benefits, they'd hopefully bother her less going forward.
Having to face a father who wasn't her father, and a sister who wasn't her sister—as far as Hinata was concerned, the sooner she could cut that nauseating tie, the better.
"Wait! Sis!"
Seeing Hinata reach for the door, Hanabi finally clenched her jaw and stood up. The sudden movement made something lurch in Hinata's chest. Forcing down the unnamed feeling, she spoke flatly: "I personally hold ten percent of the shares. I've already split half with you. Is there something else you're dissatisfied with?"
"No... I don't want any of this!"
At last, Hanabi exploded. The pale-eyed girl standing rooted to the spot clenched her fists and whipped around to face Hinata's back, the words tearing out of her: "What happened to you, Sis?! You suddenly became a stranger! You stopped coming home on time, you've been skipping class and leaving school early, you don't practice the Gentle Fist anymore, you don't even talk to me! What's wrong?! You're not my sister anymore!"
By the end, her voice had begun to crack with a suppressed sob. No matter how strong she tried to be, Hanabi was still a girl not yet ten years old. For the older sister who had always been gentle with her to suddenly treat her like a stranger—she simply couldn't accept it.
"Ah, all of that." Not the slightest tremor from Hanabi's outburst. Hinata's voice remained flat. "Because I gave up. Just as Father and the elders always believed—I've given up. Simple as that. So the future of the Hyuga Clan is in your hands now, Hanabi."
That's right. I gave up on the Hyuga Clan from the very beginning. This fossilized, hidebound family-style clan has no potential or aptitude whatsoever.
Adding that thought silently, Hinata slid open the door and prepared to leave the Hyuga compound. She probably wouldn't come back. Whether it was the publishing house or the Uchiha Compound, either one felt far more comfortable than this place.