Hyuga Soushu never liked doing things in secret.
In fact, his innovative territorial contracting and tax-farming reforms—unprecedented in the ninja world—shook the Hidden Leaf Village to its core and spread like wildfire across Konoha overnight. Yes! Even though he was still stationed in the Land of Lightning, news of this had already swept through the upper echelons of the Hidden Leaf Village.
Soushu did this on purpose. After all, if those jonin wanted to offer a high price, they couldn't rely solely on personal enthusiasm to make decisions. So he deliberately looked the other way, allowing wave after wave of ninja hawks to fly nonstop from the camp toward Konoha.
For Konoha, this would definitely become a sleepless night.
The tax-farming proposal made by Hyuga Soushu was an extremely novel attempt—it also largely resolved the issue of cash flow in the postwar occupied zones. Now they wouldn't have to wait for approval from the Hokage Tower when dividing war spoils—not that they looked down on war reparations from the defeated nation, but with such guaranteed income, even declining clans could now provide pensions to families of fallen clan ninja without having to wait for funds to be disbursed from the Hokage Tower.
This greatly alleviated the financial strain and logistical burdens faced by each ninja clan in the aftermath of war.
However, for Konoha's F3 currently within the village, it was nothing short of a bolt out of the blue!
Declining clans receiving large revenues outside the village system would inevitably strengthen their voice and desire for independence. The attractiveness and influence of the village structure, particularly that of the Hokage faction, would likewise be weakened—something utterly unacceptable to the Hokage faction, which had always followed a centralization policy while weakening regional powers.
After all, compared to commoner ninja—who had extremely low success rates and relied solely on overwhelming numbers—even the most ordinary ninja from fallen clans—who lacked Kekkei Genkai and possessed only common chakra natures—were still far superior in talent and temperament. These ninja from declining clans were precisely one of the major sources of fresh blood supporting the status of the Hokage faction.
Given this, the Hokage faction naturally would not sit back and let Hyuga Soushu go unchecked.
Yet the problem was that, within just one night, even Hiruzen Sarutobi—the Third Hokage who had governed Konoha for decades—was left without any effective countermeasures against Soushu, unless he personally traveled north to forcefully seize control of the Ninja Force headquarters.
Especially since Soushu's authority came as a special privilege granted only after negotiation with the Ninja Clan Summit, any attempt by the Third Hokage to strip him of power would face backlash from other clans, possibly pushing the current favorable situation dangerously close to civil war.
More importantly, when Konoha's F3 learned that Sakumo Hatake had independently negotiated peace with the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning and received an enormous reward of eight billion ryō, they immediately went into absolute uproar!
Particularly concerning was the fact that the Third Hokage's three apprentices were within Sakumo's ranks—and under him were many direct subordinates of the Hokage faction. Yet now even these core personnel passively accepted or even welcomed Sakumo's actions. Such ambiguous stances appeared practically indistinguishable from outright betrayal in the eyes of Konoha's F3—if loyalty wasn't absolute, then it was outright disloyalty!
This was an even more serious matter than Hyuga Soushu's land grab!
If Hyuga Soushu's actions were like fencing off a small plot in Hokage's vegetable garden, then Sakumo Hatake was like taking a hoe to dig straight into Hokage's very foundation! Although both acts were equally intolerable in the eyes of Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, dealing with Sakumo Hatake's unauthorized actions had become the most urgent priority.
Therefore, after secret discussions, Konoha's F3 decided on a tactical sequence—first deal with Sakumo, then Soushu. They temporarily set aside Soushu's independent actions in enemy territory and focused all their energy on confronting Sakumo Hatake and his forces. In addition, they issued twelve imperial decrees ordering Sakumo Hatake to return to the village immediately for an official report.
As for whether Sakumo Hatake would follow the Hokage's will, Soushu didn't care in the least.
The same night after confirming the tax-farming arrangement, he also couldn't sleep well.
Although he'd resolved to tune out the outside world and focus on his conjugal duties with Mahiru, messenger hawks from both the Hyuga and Uchiha clans kept arriving nonstop, even forming a literal hawk nest just a hundred meters outside Soushu's tent.
His subordinates, though strictly ordered not to disturb him, eventually had no choice but to interrupt — despite being well-trained, the ninja hawks were still fierce creatures that fought and shrieked fiercely when gathered in groups.
So at dawn, Soushu hastily ended that night's "battle" and got up to deal with these secret letters.
"How come everyone in the clan can't understand what peace means?!"
While helping to collect and open the sealed messages, Mahiru Uchiha skimmed through the contents, muttering her dissatisfaction all the while: "Besides, how could we possibly forget their shares? Are they doubting me or doubting you, Soushu-kun?!"
"A clan is a collective entity—of course there will always be too many voices and opinions," Soushu replied, clearly annoyed yet still trying to comfort her.
"And besides, this only proves that the Uchiha believe you're completely devoted to me. Proof of our rock-solid love!"
"You always have the right words ready!"
Mahiru laughed inwardly but retorted stubbornly: "But I still insist everything must follow proper procedures—especially regarding those tax-farming quotas, absolutely no compromise!"
"Don't worry, it's all yours anyway!"
Soushu chuckled, pulling Mahiru Uchiha into his arms before giving her lips a quick kiss.
"Our money!"
Mahiru straddled his lap and wrapped her legs tightly around his waist before kissing him back with equal fire.
As for all those letters and demands from their respective clans—who cared?
When the devastating news of defeat reached Hidden Cloud Village Headquarters, even the Third Raikage — renowned for his unbreakable steel-like will — couldn't help but feel sorrow creep into his heart.
Unexpectedly though, instead of lashing out destructively like usual, after weakly dismissing the reporting Anbu officer, he secluded himself inside Lord Raikage's Office, staying alone in darkness for a full day and night.
No one knew what the Third Raikage was thinking, nor did anyone know exactly what he was doing.
Even
After a full day and night of non-stop events, with more reports coming in and only a handful of Kumo ninja barely escaping back to the village, the entire Hidden Cloud Village was first overcome with fury, condemning both the defeat and Commander Dodai's incompetence. Soon confusion spread like wildfire—no one could understand how the mighty Kumo Ninja Force, long regarded as invincible, could suffer such a devastating defeat. It wasn't that they couldn't accept loss itself, but rather that this defeat had come far too quickly! So fast, in fact, that it didn't even feel like a real ninja war anymore!
Later, after the frenzy of panic and hysteria had somewhat subsided into the night, the Kumo ninja finally regained their senses and were struck with deep anxiety. They were now staring down an unavoidable truth—aside from the Third Raikage himself who hadn't yet joined battle, Kumo no longer possessed sufficient strength to stand against the Leaf ninja who had become legendary across the ninja world!
Indeed, even if they recalled the Kumo detachment currently facing off against Mist forces in the northwest sea area, it still wouldn't be enough to counter Konoha's occupying forces throughout the Land of Lightning. After all, ninja aren't something you just grow out of the ground. Following several waves of gradual reinforcements in battle, Kumo's mobilizable ninja force had dwindled to less than seven thousand personnel.
Moreover, nearly one-third of these remaining seven thousand Kumo ninja were either partially retired veterans nursing old wounds or inexperienced Genin still attending the Ninja Academy. These individuals represented Kumo's past glory and future hopes respectively, and would normally never be called upon except in times of existential crisis threatening the village's very survival.
Therefore, when the senior Kumo Elders—temporarily governing affairs and desperately trying to calm public unrest—reviewed these figures, their hearts sank dramatically.
Under such circumstances, forget about whether Konoha might advance further north, even dealing with the Mist forces currently eyeing them from the northwest coast seemed increasingly difficult!
As for Kumo's previously formulated strategy of eliminating Mist before confronting Leaf, that plan had now become a laughingstock for eternity!
Thus, after enduring what felt like the longest night in Kumo history, at dawn the next morning, the Third Raikage finally emerged from having secluded himself to contemplate the bitter lessons learned, stepping out of the Lord Raikage's Office along with the first rays of sunlight.
"Raikage-sama!"
The Kumo Anbu guards waiting outside immediately body-flickered forward, dropping to one knee before the Third Raikage.
"Send out the summons,"
The Raikage showed no visible change in expression or demeanor, though compared to his usual temperament which seemed perpetually on the verge of igniting, his current tone carried deeper gravity and solemnity: "All Elders and Jonin currently in the village must attend!"
"As ordered!"
The Kumo Anbu vanished instantly using Body Flicker technique.
Meanwhile, those Elders and Jonin who hadn't slept anyway had already gathered around Raikage Headquarters, and rushed inside immediately upon receiving news of the Raikage's summons.
Even amidst actual defeat, Kumo still needed its pillar of strength.
"This temporary concession will ensure future chances for advancement..."
During the emergency meeting of Kumo's top leadership, the grim-faced Third Raikage declared a decision that defied tradition: "The village has already lost its capacity for continued warfare, therefore..."
He paused briefly, unwilling to continue further.
The Kumo Jonin and Elders, on the other hand, remained silent. Regardless of their political views or factional affiliations, they all bowed their heads and kept quiet at this moment.
They lacked the courage to face such a brutal reality, let alone shoulder such a tremendous responsibility.
"I've made my decision," the Third Raikage said at last, his eyes scanning the room. "We shall surrender to Konoha!"
"Woah!"
A wave of shock immediately swept through the meeting hall.
They'd half-expected it, sure — but not that the Third Raikage would come right out and say it. It would have been better if he'd used euphemisms like "ending the war" or "seeking peace."
"We obey!"
However, after a brief silence, the Elders and Jonin present responded in unison.
There was no way around it.
"From now on, Kumo will enter a time of hardship," the Third Raikage solemnly declared, "but I urge you all to remember today's humiliation — justice will have its day!"
Hyuga Soushu's bidding concluded extremely smoothly as well.
True to their initial plan, the four major factions gathered under his command each received their due share. As for the five lucky individuals — or rather, representatives of their respective factions behind them — they happily departed with their subordinates toward the tax regions, eager to experience the aristocratic pleasure of ruling over the masses and hoarding everything.
Meanwhile, at noon on the same day, Sakumo Hatake arrived at Hyuga Soushu's camp, disregarding his subordinates' advice and accepting the village's decree to return.
As if completely unaware of Sakumo Hatake's recent meeting at the Land of Lightning's gates, Soushu warmly hosted him anyway with a banquet.
"The feat accomplished by Lord Soushu could indeed be considered the greatest achievement of this Great Ninja World War!"
After several rounds of drinks, the easily tipsy Sakumo Hatake finally slurred out: "Four thousand Kumo ninja fell in a single day — truly shattering their backbone beyond recovery!"
"Hmm? Is Kumo preparing to surrender then?"
Soushu casually asked a question.
"That seems to be the case. Shortly after Danzo entered the city to meet with the Daimyo, Kumo's envoys seeking peace negotiations also arrived at the Daimyo's court."
Sakumo Hatake took another sip of sake. "Precisely because of this, I was able to put down my burden and return to the village."
"I see."
Soushu smiled slightly, but said nothing more, merely lowering his head to eat some smoked meat.
"I've already instructed Koryo. Out of the eighty billion compensation, twenty billion will be reserved for you — how you distribute it will be entirely your decision."
Sakumo Hatake poured himself another cup of wine: "Though honestly speaking, your imagination truly exceeds anything I could ever envision."
"You're referring to the tax-farming system?"
*[Tax farming:] A practice where powerful groups are allowed to collect taxes on behalf of the government — often with little oversight.*
Hyuga Soushu smiled: "It's nothing more than barefaced looting — hardly something noblemen would admit to."
"Enough of that."
After a moment of silence, Sakumo Hatake slowly spoke again: "Whatever the case may be, I suggest you avoid such matters in the future."
"After Kumo surrenders, there likely won't be opportunities like this anymore anyway."
Soushu chose to sidestep the question.
"That's true too."
Sakumo Hatake didn't seem inclined to press further. He nodded and poured himself another cup of sake.
From Hyuga Soushu's perspective, although Sakumo Hatake seemed outwardly unchanged despite clearly being drunk, there was something off about him—a subtle sense of decline.
How had he changed so much in such a short time?
"Hic."
Sakumo Hatake let out a hiccup before asking, "Soushu-san, may I ask you a question?"
"Go ahead."
Hyuga Soushu raised his cup in response.
"Never mind."
But after raising his cup and hesitating for a long moment, Sakumo Hatake finally shook his head and kept his question to himself.
He had originally wanted to ask Hyuga Soushu whether he had personal motives, but upon thinking it through, he realized it was probably a foolish question after all.
Was it really fair to expect every ninja to be a saint?
After all, even he himself—the Jonin Unit Leader who claimed to inherit the Will of Fire and stood among Konoha's Top Leaders—had acted unilaterally for factional interests, ignoring the Hidden Leaf Village's decision-making body. So, how could he possibly still have the face to ask such a question?
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