Chapter 144: Kurenai Yūhi's shock: This must be an illusion!
Homura Mitokado donned a brand-new, formal outfit befitting a clan head. "Lord Homura," outside, a clan member softly called out. "Are you really… going to see the Fifth Hokage?"
Homura Mitokado adjusted his collar without turning around. "Yes." His voice was calm, without a ripple.
"Why?" The young clan member couldn't understand. "We didn't do anything, so why should we go…?"
"Precisely because we did nothing," Homura Mitokado interrupted him. "That's why we can go. And must go."
Homura Mitokado turned around, his cloudy eyes holding a clarity that saw through the world's affairs. "Hiruzen and the others died due to foolishness and greed. But we survived. To live, one must know how to continue living. Prepare the carriage, and keep it quiet."
"Understood."
Hokage Office. Uchiha Akira was reviewing a document. It was the detailed plan for the Ninja School reform. Kurenai Yūhi stood beside him. Today, she wore a simple, elegant casual outfit, which softened the usual heroic aura of a Jōnin and added a touch of gentleness.
"Akira." Outside the door, Uchiha Kenji's voice sounded. "Homura Mitokado requests an audience."
The pen in Uchiha Akira's hand did not pause. "Let him in."
Homura Mitokado stood at the office door, taking a deep breath. That door had been opened countless times before. Each time, it was to discuss the Village's future with Hiruzen, Koharu, and the others. Today, however, he would walk in alone. He would offer his loyalty to Uchiha Akira, to this Fifth Hokage who had virtually killed all his old comrades.
Was it ironic? Not at all. This was reality. The reality of the Ninja world. It was just this cruel. Hiruzen and the others lost, so they died, and their clans were erased from Konoha's map. Homura Mitokado was still alive. His clan was also intact. That was enough.
"Thump, thump, thump." Homura Mitokado raised his hand and gently knocked on the door.
"Enter." Uchiha Akira's voice came from inside.
Homura Mitokado pushed the door open and walked in. Kurenai Yūhi's heart tightened, and she immediately composed herself, stepping to the side. Homura Mitokado. The former Konoha High-level Advisor, from the same era as the Third Hokage and Utatane Koharu. What was he here for?
The door opened. Homura Mitokado walked in. This was the first time Homura Mitokado had seen Uchiha Akira since he became the Fifth Hokage. A faint pressure emanated from Uchiha Akira, and Homura Mitokado immediately lowered his body slightly, showing respect. He walked to the center of the office, still 7 or 8 steps away from Uchiha Akira.
Then, Homura Mitokado performed an action that no one who knew him could have imagined. His knees buckled. Thud. Homura Mitokado knelt down. His forehead pressed tightly against the cold, smooth wooden floor. This was the most standard, most humble kowtow.
"Homura Mitokado… greets Lord Fifth Hokage." Homura Mitokado knew that at this moment, only by abandoning all dignity and completely submitting could he gain a chance to survive.
Kurenai Yūhi's pupils sharply contracted. She covered her mouth, barely preventing a gasp from escaping. This… this was Homura Mitokado! He actually… performed such a grand kowtow to Akira.
Uchiha Akira put down his pen. Leaning back in his chair, fingers interlocked, he quietly watched the old man kneeling on the floor. He did not tell him to get up. Nor did he speak. The office was silent.
Cold sweat trickled down Homura Mitokado's temples, dripping onto the floor. He didn't know what Uchiha Akira was thinking. Was he testing his patience? Or… had he never intended to spare him from the start? Just as Homura Mitokado's heart was sinking little by little to the bottom, Uchiha Akira's voice finally sounded.
"Look up."
"Yes." Homura Mitokado felt as if he had received a great pardon, slowly raising his head but still maintaining his kneeling posture, not daring to overstep in the slightest.
"You are a smart person," Uchiha Akira began. "Smart people always live longer."
Homura Mitokado's heart trembled violently. He knew he had made the right gamble. "Thank… Thank you for the Fifth Hokage's praise." Homura Mitokado's voice carried an uncontrollable tremor.
"You should know about what happened last night," Uchiha Akira said indifferently.
"Yes." Homura Mitokado lowered his head. "I… have heard a little. The Sarutobi, Shimura, and Utatane clans colluded with Kumogakure, intending to betray the Village."
Uchiha Akira nodded with satisfaction. "The evidence has already been posted on the bulletin board. The entire Village knows their crimes. They are traitors to Konoha, and their deaths are well-deserved."
Homura Mitokado let out a heavy breath. "The Fifth Hokage is wise! He has purged Konoha of 3 major scourges! They… they brought it upon themselves, and their deaths are not to be regretted!"
"Very good." A faint smile appeared on Uchiha Akira's face. "Since you are a smart person, your visit today should not just be to express your loyalty to me."
Here it comes. The main point was coming. Homura Mitokado took a deep breath, lowering his head again. "The Fifth Hokage is discerning. I am here today to confess for my Mitokado clan! In the past, we assisted the Third Hokage, our thinking rigid and self-contained, committing many errors that hindered the Village's development. I know my sins are profound and dare not hope for the Fifth Hokage's forgiveness."
He paused, his voice becoming even more earnest. "This old minister humbly requests the Fifth Hokage's permission. My Mitokado clan is willing to move from the center of the Village to the eastern border area immediately, to guard Konoha's border gate! At the same time! My Mitokado clan is willing to donate half of our clan's assets, including all shops, farmlands, and liquid funds, entirely to the Village, to enrich the Village treasury and assist the Fifth Hokage in implementing reforms and building a new Konoha!"
After saying all this, Homura Mitokado's entire back was soaked with cold sweat. This was the only way he had thought of all night to keep his clan alive. Self-deprivation of power. Self-severance of financial resources. To express surrender to the new Hokage in the most thorough manner. He had gambled his own fate, and the fate of his entire clan, on Uchiha Akira's single thought.
Uchiha Akira quietly watched Homura Mitokado. For a long time.
"Granted." Uchiha Akira's voice sounded like heavenly music. "For the specific handover matters, go find Uchiha Kenji. He will handle everything."
Homura Mitokado's body suddenly relaxed. He felt as if he were completely drained, almost collapsing to the ground. He knew. He had survived. The Mitokado clan had also survived.
"Thank… Thank you, Fifth Hokage!" "Thank you, Fifth Hokage, for your divine grace!!!" Homura Mitokado heavily kowtowed 3 times. His forehead collided with the floor, making dull thudding sounds.
Kurenai Yūhi, standing nearby, watched this scene dumbfounded. Kurenai Yūhi's fingertips trembled slightly. A familiar Chakra fluctuation instinctively circulated within her body. Release! This thought flashed almost instinctively through her mind. This must be a genjutsu.
However, the Chakra circulated once, but there was no change. The scene before her showed no distortion or collapse whatsoever. It was real.
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