In front of a dilapidated wooden house, the old wooden door was gently knocked.
The door creaked open, revealing a haggard woman's face, her eyes somewhat red and swollen.
"Hello, I am Uchiha Yakumi. Your husband once fought alongside me on the Iwagakure battlefield. Since your husband unfortunately died in battle, we, the Uchiha, are issuing a one-time condolence payment of 2.16 million ryo. Please sign to receive it."
Yakumi held a bulging envelope in his hands, his voice steady and strong: "The Uchiha clan thanks him for his sacrifice for Konoha. If you encounter any difficulties, you can find me at the Konoha Guard Department."
The woman tremblingly took the envelope, and as her fingers touched the thick stack of banknotes, tears finally streamed down.
"Tha-thank you..."
She choked, pressing the envelope tightly to her chest. "With this money... at least the children won't go hungry..."
Inside the house, two small, thin figures were peeking from behind the door.
Yakumi pulled two bags of candy from his satchel and said, "Don't be scared, these are from uncle for you."
He had encountered such situations many times today, so he had specifically bought some candy.
In fact, such scenes were playing out all over Konoha.
A ninja of the Kurama clan erected a high platform in the center of the marketplace, his voice like a booming bell. "The troops led by Fugaku have captured over five thousand Iwagakure ninjas. Ōnoki has surrendered and paid thirty billion ryo."
"The Uchiha did not let Konoha's heroes shed blood and tears in vain. For the ninjas who died on the Iwagakure battlefield, the Uchiha will pre-pay the casualty compensation. Genin will receive a one-time compensation of 2.16 million ryo, Chunin 8.64 million ryo, and Jonin 30 million ryo!"
His voice, amplified by Chakra, spread throughout the entire commercial district.
In front of a ramen stall, a middle-aged man asked in a low voice, "I heard before that we defeated Kumogakure, but why didn't those who died on the Kumogakure battlefield receive a single penny?"
His companion angrily slammed the table and said, "Exactly! My neighbor's son died on the Kumogakure battlefield. His wife and children are practically starving now."
A young ninja of the Kazami clan, meanwhile, moved between taverns, shouting upon entering each one, "Great victory on the Iwagakure battlefield! The troops led by Fugaku have captured over five thousand Iwagakure ninjas! Ōnoki has surrendered and paid thirty billion ryo!"
At this moment, the square in front of the Hokage building was already packed with people.
Families in mourning clothes crowded the front, their cries rising and falling.
Ninjas who had just returned from the Iwagakure battlefield stood in the second row, their faces filled with anger.
Ordinary villagers gathered in the outer circle, discussing animatedly.
"My son died on the Kumogakure battlefield! Why is there no condolence payment?" A white-haired old woman leaned on her cane, her voice surprisingly loud.
"Those on the Iwagakure battlefield got so much, what about us?!" A one-armed ninja roared, waving his empty sleeve.
The Anbu guards, sweating profusely, formed a human wall. But they were constantly pushed back by the surging crowd, teetering on the verge of collapse.
Suddenly, a heart-wrenching roar pierced the sky. "Hiruzen ! Get out here!"
The crowd automatically parted, revealing a Jonin with a full beard striding forward. His forehead protector was worn askew, his eyes were bloodshot, and his combat uniform still had unwashed bloodstains.
His voice was terribly hoarse. He pulled out a photograph from his chest and held it high.
"My daughter is only ten years old! She's only ten! Why did you let her graduate early and send her to the battlefield?"
The photo showed a little girl with pigtails, smiling sweetly at the camera. This scene made all the parents present tear up.
"My son is only eight years old, he hadn't even fully learned the Three Basic Jutsu, and he was graduated early and sent to the Kirigakure battlefield. Are you even human?"
"Give us back our children!"
"Give us back our children..."
The angry shouts grew louder and louder, shaking the glass of the Hokage building.
Inside the Hokage Office, Hiruzen stood by the window, his pipe long extinguished. He silently gazed at the dense crowd below, his brows deeply furrowed.
Danzo emerged from the shadows, leaning on his cane, a cold glint in his single eye. "Hiruzen, we can't let this continue. More and more people will gather."
Hiruzen sighed deeply, then turned and walked towards his desk, tacitly agreeing to Danzo's suggestion.
At this moment, his back looked particularly stooped.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Dozens of Root ninjas suddenly darted out from various corners, instantly subduing several ninjas who were leading the unrest.
The leading Root ninja coldly announced, "We are arresting you on charges of espionage. We hope you will cooperate."
The crowd instantly erupted.
"Bullshit! I just returned from the Iwagakure battlefield, how am I a spy?" A ninja with a scar on his face roared, his left arm still wrapped in bandages.
A female ninja shrieked, "Third Hokage Hiruzen, are you going to do something and not admit it? My husband died on the Kumogakure battlefield, and my son was sent to the Kirigakure front line. Just kill me, I don't want to live anymore."
These ninjas who had just returned from the battlefield were already seething with anger. Now, hearing the woman's tearful account, their fury instantly ignited. They used the Body Flicker Technique to get close, and then launched a flurry of punches and kicks at the Root ninjas, instantly knocking dozens of them to the ground.
A ninja in his 40s suddenly leaped from the crowd onto a fountain statue, shouting with all his might, "Latest news! Over a thousand people have already died on the Kirigakure battlefield! Hyuga Hiyori, the general commander of the Kirigakure front line, even had his right eye gouged out!"
This news was like a bucket of ice water poured into a boiling oil pot.
The crowd completely went wild, their roars deafening. "Hiruzen, give us an explanation!"
"Hiruzen, you dog, give us back our children!"
The guards of the Hokage building retreated step by step, and the situation was on the verge of spiraling out of control.
Looking at the commotion in the direction of the Hokage building, Shun softly said, "Fugaku-sama, it's your turn."
Fugaku nodded slightly. He adjusted his collar and turned to walk towards the Hokage building.
"Everyone! I am the Uchiha clan head. Our clan also has over three hundred children who have been sent to the Kirigakure battlefield. The youngest among them is only eight years old, and the oldest is no more than eleven."
Fugaku's voice was not loud, yet the noisy crowd instantly fell silent.
Many ninjas had red eyes, and some had already begun to sob softly.
Fugaku's voice suddenly rose. "In the name of the Uchiha clan head, I propose to everyone that we immediately support the Kirigakure battlefield. Let's rescue our children! Furthermore, we must retaliate against Kirigakure."
A thunderous cheer erupted.
"Support the Uchiha!"
"Charge towards Kirigakure!"
"Support the Uchiha!"
The shouts grew louder and louder, shaking the entire Konoha.
Inside the Hokage Office, the documents in Hiruzen's hand were already crumpled.
The enraged scene on the crystal made his face turn ashen.
He noticed that many Ino–Shika–Chō, as well as Hyuga ninjas, were also shouting their support, a discovery that made his heart sink to rock bottom.
Koharu said urgently, fine beads of sweat appearing on her forehead, "Hiruzen! We absolutely cannot let the Uchiha achieve more military merits."
Homura pushed up his glasses, the lenses reflecting a cold light. "Over 3,000 Konoha ninjas who retreated from the Kumogakure battlefield have been on the Kirigakure battlefield for some time now. Good news will be coming back soon."
Danzo stood in the shadows, a cold sneer playing on his lips. "Wouldn't it be even better to let the Uchiha go to their deaths?"
Hiruzen remained silent for a long time, then finally stood up and adjusted his Hokage hat. "I will go apologize. The people will understand."