Faced with Byakuya's blatant blackmail, Sarutobi Hiruzen's heart was filled with anger, but he could only suppress it. He was painfully aware that Byakuya was taking advantage of the situation—his son, Sarutobi Shinnosuke, was still in the Uchiha's custody.
With no other choice, Hiruzen reluctantly agreed to the Uchiha's demand.
"…One hundred million ryō, is it? Fine. I'll pay it," Hiruzen said coldly, his voice betraying the storm within. "Bring Shinnosuke here."
"Hokage-sama, no need to be so impatient," Byakuya replied with a mocking smile. "En, go with the Hokage's men and collect the funds."
"Yes, Lord Byakuya."
Uchiha En sheathed his blade and walked over to Hiruzen. "Hokage-sama, please lead the way."
"…Take him to the Sarutobi estate," Hiruzen said gruffly, gesturing for an ANBU member to accompany Uchiha En.
As Hiruzen and Byakuya stared each other down, neither said a word. But Byakuya could feel the simmering rage from the Third Hokage—it was almost palpable. His system confirmed it:
[Ding! Detected high-level hostility from Sarutobi Hiruzen… +600 Negative Energy]
Moments later, Uchiha En returned, holding a storage scroll. He walked briskly up to Byakuya and presented it with both hands.
"Lord Byakuya, the payment has been secured. One hundred million ryō."
Byakuya nodded with satisfaction and took the scroll. "Excellent. Go and fetch Sarutobi Shinnosuke."
Without hesitation, Uchiha En left for the holding cells.
Soon, Shinnosuke was dragged out. He was battered, bruised, and barely recognizable—his pride and body equally shattered. The moment he saw his father, however, he regained a trace of defiance.
"Father! Save me! Kill this bastard Byakuya—he dared to lay hands on me! I'm your son, the Hokage's son!"
Before he could finish, Byakuya backhanded him across the face. Shinnosuke collapsed, blood trickling from his mouth.
"You arrogant disgrace," Byakuya said coldly. "Still barking after everything?"
Without warning, Byakuya unsheathed his ninja sword and pressed it against Shinnosuke's throat. The sharp edge shimmered inches from his skin.
"Hokage-sama," Byakuya said calmly, "this so-called heir of yours dared to threaten the Uchiha and frame me. Should I execute him here and now?"
"Wait—don't…" Hiruzen stepped forward hastily. "Hand him over to the ANBU. They will deal with him."
His voice trembled despite himself. For all his composure, the sight of Byakuya holding a blade to his son's neck sent a chill through him.
"Hokage-sama, are you sure?" Byakuya smirked. "My blade is very sharp. I could sever the head without damaging the brain—still usable for Yamanaka interrogation techniques."
"…There's no need," Hiruzen said, swallowing his pride. "Spare him."
"What a pity," Byakuya muttered, withdrawing his blade with exaggerated reluctance. With a sudden kick, he sent Shinnosuke flying backward. "Take your trash and get out."
An ANBU quickly stepped forward, catching Shinnosuke mid-air.
"Let's go," Hiruzen ordered, not bothering to look back. He didn't want to spend another second in front of the mocking Uchiha.
"Take better care of your son, Hokage-sama," Byakuya said with a mocking grin. "Next time he steps foot in the Guard HQ, I might not be so generous."
Hiruzen paused, fists clenched, then left without another word.
[Ding! Detected intense humiliation from Sarutobi Hiruzen… +700 Negative Energy, Ninjutsu +20]
As the Hokage and ANBU retreated in silence, the Uchiha compound erupted in cheer.
"Did you see that!? Amazing!"
"Lord Byakuya made the Hokage retreat in disgrace!"
"I've never seen anything like it—so proud to be Uchiha!"
"Only Lord Byakuya can restore our clan's dignity!"
The mood was electric. For years, under Uchiha Gen's leadership, the clan had endured suppression and insult. But now, with Byakuya standing tall, they saw a future where the Uchiha were feared and respected once again.
Think about the era when Uchiha Gen held authority as the clan leader, then compare it to the current situation—Byakuya openly suppressing even the Hokage.
What kind of Uchiha clan leader was Gen, really?
"Is this really the Third Hokage? Wasn't he once hailed as the 'Professor of Ninjutsu' and a hero of the village? Yet now he's conceding so easily…"
Uchiha En said with disbelief and excitement.
"A 'ninja hero'? Tch. More like a 'ninja coward' now," Byakuya said with disdain, his Mangekyō Sharingan still spinning faintly.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was indeed once worthy of the title of Hokage. His mastery over all elemental chakra natures and his deep knowledge of jutsu were unmatched. But ever since stepping into the political arena, he'd grown more passive—more reliant on diplomacy than strength.
The former hero of the Second Great Ninja War… now reduced to compromising with his enemies.
"Cowardice masked as tolerance… Hah, not a bad title," Uchiha En sneered, laughing darkly.
"Enough. Distribute the money among the clansmen."
Byakuya unsealed a storage scroll, and bundles of ryo spilled out onto the ground.
"As Konoha's strongest clan, the Uchiha must carry themselves like a true noble family—both in power and presence."
"Yes, Lord Byakuya… Thank you!"
"Lord Byakuya is generous and wise…"
The Uchiha shinobi around him responded with gratitude and reverence, their eyes lighting up at the sight of wealth.
For too long, the Uchiha had been neglected by Konoha's upper ranks. Despite being the village's military police force, their budget had been slashed, and their influence curtailed.
It was absurd that the so-called strongest clan had been reduced to poverty.
Meanwhile, at the Konoha General Hospital…
Sarutobi Hiruzen stood beside a hospital bed, his expression tense.
"Doctor, how is Shinnosuke?"
He asked, concern heavy in his voice.
"Don't worry, Hokage-sama. His injuries are mostly superficial. No broken bones or damaged organs. His ability to serve as a shinobi won't be affected."
Sarutobi Hiruzen finally exhaled in relief.
"…Good. That's good."
"However," the doctor added carefully, "he's clearly been beaten over an extended period. While his body will recover, his psychological state is… fragile. I recommend a period of rest and mental recovery."
Hiruzen's gaze hardened.
"Damn that Uchiha Byakuya…"
He clenched his fists at his sides, his teeth grinding in restrained fury. If it hadn't been for Byakuya, his son wouldn't be in this condition.
"Someone, come!"
A masked ANBU agent appeared instantly before him, kneeling.
"Place the Uchiha clan under full surveillance. I want all of Byakuya's movements reported to me every hour—especially any contact he makes beyond the clan."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
The agent vanished as quickly as he appeared.
To Hiruzen now, Uchiha Byakuya was no longer just a rogue element within the Uchiha. He had become a dangerous threat to the stability of the entire village—one that could not be ignored much longer.