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"Will the Advisor blame us?"
The Anbu ninjas exchanged uneasy glances, their hearts filled with guilt.
After all, it was their overthinking that led them to seek out Shizune, only to discover...
Damn it, it was just a massage and bone relaxation!
Just a massage—was there any need to moan so exaggeratedly?
Anyone who didn't know better would think something indecent was happening inside.
What a sin...
Putting aside the affairs of the Hokage's office, back at the Sarutobi ancestral residence, the Third Hokage had returned home and gathered the clan's core members for a family meeting.
With the loss of over a hundred elite shinobi in the Land of Rain and many others still stationed at the borders, the Sarutobi clan's meeting appeared noticeably shabbier than before—at least far less impressive than in the past.
"Lord Third has finally returned!"
The clansmen looked at the Third Hokage sitting at the head of the table with excitement, thinking that at last, someone would stand up for the family.
What they didn't expect was for the Third Hokage to suddenly slam the table, stand up in fury, and roar:
"What are you all doing? What exactly are you trying to do—start a rebellion?!"
A barrage of accusations left the Sarutobi clan members completely stunned.
What was going on?
Shouldn't Lord Third have first comforted the clan and then worked on resolving the family's issues?
Why was he lashing out the moment he returned, using such terrifying words—even mentioning "rebellion"?
Had the Sarutobi clan ever done such a thing?
Seeing the blank looks on his clansmen's faces, as if they had no idea what he was talking about, the Third Hokage let out an infuriated laugh:
"It was my suggestion for the village to send the clan's elites to the battlefield—not Tsunade's decision. I was the one who led them into battle. Though I never wished for their deaths, the situation at the time left me no choice but to watch them fall. And yet, you all stormed into the Hokage's office to confront Tsunade—was that an attempted coup?! Or do you think the Sarutobi clan has had it too easy, so you decided to stir up trouble? What the hell were you thinking?! Do you even realize how much trouble your actions could bring upon the clan?"
"..."
Was simply going to the Hokage's office to ask questions considered a coup or rebellion?
While some were still struggling to grasp the situation, those who understood the severity of the matter had already turned pale with anger, glaring at the ones who had suggested the confrontation in the first place.
If not for you, none of this would have happened!
If the clan ends up targeted, you'll be the ones to blame!
After his furious tirade, leaving the clansmen thoroughly chastised, the Third Hokage finally felt some of his rage subside:
"Since Tsunade became the Fifth Hokage, the clan's situation has been clear. You've all grown accustomed to high benefits and privileges—now that they're gone, you can't handle it? Let me make this clear: the worst is yet to come. The fact that Tsunade hasn't pursued this matter further is already out of respect for past relations. Otherwise, the Sarutobi clan would have become the second Uchiha!"
Hearing this, even the most indifferent Sarutobi clansmen finally realized the gravity of the situation.
"Lord Third, surely it's not that serious? The Hokage didn't seem to blame us..."
"Because she left it to me to handle out of respect, rather than taking action herself—or worse, letting Uchiha Kazuki deal with it. If he were in charge, what do you think he would do?"
Even if the Sarutobi clan didn't respect the Third Hokage or care about Tsunade's authority, the moment Kazuki got involved...
Gulp.
Recalling the Uchiha clan's past suffering—the systematic oppression, the slow, deliberate cuts—many Sarutobi clansmen broke out in cold sweat.
The Uchiha's resentment wasn't something that would just fade away.
Just look at the Shimura clan now—utterly miserable, trembling at the mere mention of Uchiha Kazuki's name.
They lived in constant fear that Hiroshi would find another way to target them.
If he turned his focus to the Sarutobi clan, they'd become the next Shimura.
What did it matter if the clan had many shinobi or strong overall power? Could they stand against the entire Leaf Village?
Once the targeting began—with traps, exploitation, and slow suffocation—they'd have no choice but to endure.
Each time, a little more would be taken from them, leaving them frustrated but powerless to resist.
And rebellion? Impossible. They'd be forced to yield again and again.
If the same methods used against the Uchiha were applied to the Sarutobi, their lives would only grow harder with each passing day.
Taking a deep breath and lighting a cigarette to calm himself, the Third Hokage continued his scolding:
"Let me make this clear—the Uchiha still hold deep hostility and resentment toward us. Uchiha Kazuki has been opposing me at every turn, looking for any chance to suppress and target us.All he's lacked is the right opportunity—and you idiots handed it to him on a silver platter! Look at all the recent village projects. How many involve the Sarutobi clan? Have you still not realized what's happening?"
"Lord Third... surely that Uchiha brat wouldn't dare go that far?"
"I think the Hokage wouldn't just stand by and let it happen."
"Fools!"
Hearing these naïve words, the Third Hokage's barely contained fury flared up again.
"Have you ever stopped to think why he dares to act so boldly? As the Hokage's Advisor, he handles over half of the village's affairs. Do you really think Tsunade can shield us forever if he decides to target us? By the time the Sarutobi clan realizes it's being suppressed, Tsunade might not even know. Do you expect to run to the Hokage's office and complain every single time? Have you forgotten what happened to the Shimura clan?"
Complain once, and it might be addressed. Complain twice, and patience wears thin—suddenly, you're the problem.
By the third or fourth time, it's clear: the issue lies with you.
Otherwise, why would you keep getting targeted?
At this point, the Sarutobi clansmen finally fell into a heavy silence.
They had come to understand the severity of their mistake—a mistake that could plunge the entire clan into crisis.
Fortunately, Tsunade hadn't handed the matter to Kazuki. Otherwise, the Sarutobi clan wouldn't have even needed to wait for the Third Hokage's return before suffering the consequences.
"Because of your reckless actions, the clan's compensation and subsidies have been reduced to the bare minimum! Reflect on what you've done!"
First, he crushed them with moral authority, leaving them no room to argue. Only then did he reveal the cuts to their benefits.
Now, even if they were unhappy, the Sarutobi clan had no choice but to grit their teeth and accept it.
Had the Third Hokage led with the reduced compensation, the clan would have erupted in protest.
But by setting the stage, building up the tension, and then delivering the final blow, he ensured their compliance.
Now, the Sarutobi clan could only swallow their grievances in silence.