Hyuga Hiashi knelt quietly on the tatami mat, carefully pouring hot tea into a delicate porcelain cup before placing it in front of him. His eyes were steady and respectful as he glanced up toward the visitor.
"I'm honored to have you here, Hokage-sama," Hiashi said politely, though his heart beat with curiosity. What could the Third Hokage want from me, here, in the Hyuga clan's land? The old saying echoed in his mind: No one visits a temple without a request.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, accepted the cup and took a gentle sip. His face was calm, but a thoughtful kindness lingered in his eyes as he regarded Hiashi.
"Hiashi," Hiruzen began with a soft smile, "I have come because I need your help with something important. Would you be willing to assist me?"
Hiashi's eyebrows lifted slightly, his curiosity growing. It was unusual for the Hokage to visit personally — especially to seek aid directly from the Hyuga clan leader. What could be so urgent?
"You honor me, Hokage-sama. I will do whatever is within my power to assist you," Hiashi replied with a courteous smile.
Over recent years, the Hyuga clan had quietly but generously sent gifts and funds to the Hokage's office, maintaining a delicate balance of influence and respect within Konoha. Hiashi understood that the request, though not yet stated, would be significant but probably not unreasonable.
Encouraged by Hiashi's willingness, Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed quietly before speaking plainly: "Hiashi, I must ask you to pay the village's expenses for the next several years in advance."
Hiashi froze. He blinked, unable to believe what he had just heard. The Third Hokage was openly requesting money — large sums of it — without any pretense or secrecy?
For years, Hyuga Hiashi had contributed discreetly to the village's coffers, but always behind closed doors. Now, this was a direct, public demand.
Still, understanding the political weight of such a request, Hiashi forced a smile. "The village was nearly destroyed in the Nine Tails Rebellion. As head of the Hyuga clan, I pledge ten million ryo toward Konoha's rebuilding."
The smile on his face was genuine but fragile. The truth was that this amount was a heavy burden.
For years, the Hyuga had paid five million ryo annually as a sign of loyalty to the Hokage. With great effort, Hiashi had managed to sustain this tribute, slowly regaining the clan's economic stability.
Yet recent events had strained their resources. The Hyuga clan's treasury was still recovering from a massive theft, where most of their assets had been stolen. Coming up with ten million ryo at once now was painfully difficult.
If this had been in the past, it wouldn't have been a problem. The Hyuga family was wealthy, their lands vast, their influence far-reaching.
But now, Hiashi's heart ached with the weight of this demand.
Nevertheless, he knew that to maintain their foothold in Konoha, the clan had to stay in the Hokage's good graces. Without these offerings, they risked the fate of the Uchiha clan.
The Uchiha, once one of Konoha's founding families, had been marginalized — pushed to the village's edge, shunned and discriminated against.
This estrangement stemmed partly from the Uchiha's arrogant dealings with others but was also a consequence of their refusal to show proper respect to the Third Hokage.
In the Third Great Ninja War, the Uchiha, renowned for their mastery of Fire Style jutsu, had been sent to the deadly Water Country battlefield — a dangerous assignment that was, in essence, a punitive measure.
Hiashi thought that his pledge of ten million ryo should satisfy the Hokage's needs. But to his shock, Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head firmly.
"Hiashi," he said with quiet gravity, "I need funds for the next ten years. You have only committed two."
Hiashi's eyes widened in disbelief. His mind was flooded with silent protests — how could Hiruzen demand such a thing? Was he losing his senses? Ten years' worth of funds, all at once, was an astronomical sum.
"Ten years?" Hiashi asked carefully, "Is that not too much to ask?"
Hiruzen narrowed his eyes. "Do you think I, an old man, will not live to see those days?"
His voice carried a hint of threat.
Hiashi's resolve faltered. "It's not that I refuse, Hokage-sama. It's simply that the Hyuga clan does not have such a large sum right now," he said awkwardly, hoping Hiruzen would understand.
The truth was undeniable. Since the robbery, the clan's coffers were far from full.
Hiruzen stared at him silently, a complex look flashing in his eyes.
Hiashi's unease grew. Did the Hokage doubt his sincerity?
"I assure you, Hokage-sama," Hiashi continued earnestly, "when we can, we will send what is owed as soon as possible."
Hiruzen gave a slight nod, his expression softening.
Relieved, Hiashi thought the matter was settled — until Hiruzen's next words froze the smile on his lips.
"If you cannot pay in cash, then give me the Hyuga clan's stores on the commercial street. It is decided."
Without waiting for a reply, Hiruzen stood and turned, leaving the stunned Hyuga patriarch behind.
Only after the Hokage's footsteps faded did Hiashi regain his composure.
He glared at the closed door, disbelief burning in his eyes.
With a sudden, furious roar, he slammed his palm onto the table, splintering the wood. "How dare that old man! Does he think the Hyuga clan is so easy to bully?"
---
After leaving the Hyuga estate, Sarutobi Hiruzen made his way without hesitation to the Ino-Shika-Chō clan.
Half an hour later, he departed their compound and continued onward, visiting family after family — big clans and minor houses alike.
Throughout the day, the Hokage moved tirelessly across Konoha, collecting the contributions he demanded.
As night fell, he finally exited a modest, unremarkable household, a rare smile lighting his face.
"Mmm… Although this process is difficult, I have finally gathered the funds I need," he muttered softly to himself.
Hidden in the shadows, Black Zetsu observed with a measured sigh.
"I didn't expect that Sarutobi Hiruzen could collect eight hundred million ryo in just one day," Black Zetsu murmured, "but even so, this amount is likely still too little."
His mind lingered on the consequences.
Earlier, he had witnessed the clan leaders' reactions after Hiruzen's departure — their angry faces, their whispered discussions plotting countermeasures.
It was clear the powerful families were deeply displeased.
If their discontent grew, Sarutobi Hiruzen's position as Hokage might soon become precarious.
But for now, the old man basked in his brief triumph, unaware of the storm quietly brewing beneath Konoha's surface.