"The intelligence was leaked....."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression was cold, even putting down his pipe, then he asked Hatake Sakumo in a solemn voice: "Sakumo, can you confirm this?"
"I can confirm it, Lord Hokage."
Hatake Sakumo said decisively: "The head of Hidden Sand Village's Sashin doesn't lie, moreover, the first group from Hidden Sand Village almost arrived at the Land of Rivers at the same time as us, it only makes sense if they received the information in advance!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen said with a somewhat displeased expression: "This is Konoha's top secret mission recently, Sakumo, I will have Anbu investigate thoroughly. After your squad receives treatment, come to the Hokage Building to report once more, and hand over this Sand Ninja's head to the Interrogation Team...."
It looked like a thorough investigation was about to take place, but Danzo, the instigator, didn't worry at all; no matter how thoroughly they investigated, it would not lead back to him.
Danzo just felt it was a pity that Hatake Sakumo completed the mission.
Although the assassination of the Daimyo of the Land of Rivers wasn't perfectly executed, in the end that wicked Uchiha brat pinned the blame on Hidden Sand Village, which, in a way, helped Hatake Sakumo make amends.
How infuriating!
Danzo secretly resented it, but he thought he could still make use of the situation in this mission, since Hatake Sakumo also exposed his identity, and the Daimyo's Mansion might not be willing to accept this situation.
"Sakumo, you should go back and rest first, I will have Anbu investigate the intelligence leak. In a couple of days, accompany me to the Daimyo's Mansion."
Sarutobi Hiruzen paused for a moment, then continued: "This S-Class Task, your squad completed it."
This statement brought the mission to assassinate the Daimyo of the Land of Rivers to a conclusion; Danzo, standing beside, immediately felt a surge of anxiety, but he couldn't say anything now. Without a suitable excuse, he might arouse Sarutobi Hiruzen's suspicion.
"I understand, Lord Hokage."
Having said that, Hatake Sakumo nodded his head and left the Hokage Office.
After Hatake Sakumo left, Danzo suddenly spoke: "Hiruzen, are you sure you want to count this mission as completed by Hatake Sakumo?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned: "Danzo, what do you mean by this?"
"The prestige of Konoha White Fang in the village doesn't need my elaboration, last time when Homura went to the Daimyo's Mansion to discuss a mission, he mentioned that upon hearing that the mission was led by Konoha White Fang, the Daimyo was immediately satisfied.
This time, if you count this mission as completed by Hatake Sakumo, the Daimyo's trust in him will become even stronger, reaching a point where no one can shake it....."
Danzo's words silenced the room, he knew what his old friend Sarutobi Hiruzen cared about, so he pinpointed his vulnerability to explain.
To select a Hokage, first, the village's ninja must trust and vote for the selection, then the high-ranking members of Konoha and the Land of Fire jointly choose.
Now, Hatake Sakumo's reputation in the village surpasses even the Sannin, he is trusted by the village's ninja, and the Daimyo also has significant trust in him, making him a clear candidate for the next Hokage.
Review all the ninja in Konoha Village, is there anyone who can compare to Konoha White Fang?
Sarutobi Hiruzen was also silent for a moment, he reignited his pipe, took a puff, slowly exhaled the smoke, and, after a while, said: "This matter affects Konoha Village's budget, so the mission must be completed....."
Upon the mission's completion, the allocation from the Daimyo's Mansion next year to Konoha will increase by several billion ryō, which is not a small amount; border frictions are becoming more intense, and the village needs this money to prepare for battle.
However, Danzo's points are also valid, Sarutobi Hiruzen thought to himself.
For Sarutobi Hiruzen, Hatake Sakumo was not the ideal candidate for Hokage. From when Hatake Sakumo was still a student, Sarutobi Hiruzen knew he had his own principles and firm personal thoughts.
And a new Hokage often lacks experience, at that time, they need the help of the older generation. If it were Hatake Sakumo, he might not heed their advice, instead, he would resolutely follow his own ideas to reform Konoha.
Such a situation.... is not good!
"You can decide for yourself, after all, you are the Hokage."
Danzo snorted coldly, and after saying this, he left the Hokage Office; in the past, when he heard Hiruzen use this phrase to rebuke him, he always felt angry, today he used it to squelch Hiruzen, yet he felt especially pleased.
After leaving the Hokage Office, Danzo thought to himself: "When it comes to who cares most about the position of Hokage, Hiruzen, it's only you, even I cannot compare to you!"
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"Let's go back, Kakashi, the gains this time are enough to outfit you completely in Chakra Metal, even making a set of armor is more than enough!"
"That would be too extravagant, Captain. A ninja must remember the Three Prohibitions; however, I want to make a ninja suit like yours, for weighted training in swordsmanship...."
Although Kakashi was wearing a mask, it couldn't hide the smile on his face.
Money has magic power, the more of it, the greater the magic power; this is the second time Kakashi has gained so much money, he couldn't help thinking of buying something nice for himself now.
The wealth in the Daimyo's Mansion of the Land of Rivers was too vast, even though the two of them only took money, they gained three to four billion ryō.
There was still much they couldn't take, the Daimyo's income was substantial, besides nationwide taxes, shop land deeds, various fixed assets, etc., filled an entire box, almost making the entire Land of Rivers the Daimyo's personal property.
Cash indeed wasn't much; even in the Daimyo's Mansion, most money was stored in banks, which Uchiha Yoichi couldn't withdraw, so he gave up.
"After returning this time, you won't have to worry about Gates' meals, part of it will go to Gates as food expenses, some will go into the pharmaceutical factory and ninja games, and the rest will be used to hire bounty hunters to steal the Star Stone from Star Village."
Uchiha Yoichi had already planned for the money obtained, this time the money for the pharmaceutical factory would all be used to pre-purchase medicinal materials and sign a 30-year contract, after which they could only supply medicinal materials to the Uchiha Pharmaceutical Factory.
If the contract is violated, either pay back money or pay with one's life.
It's just that the commotion in the Land of Rivers was a bit too big, his Underground Gold Exchange bounty hunters had killed the employer, if this matter wasn't handled well, the Underground Gold Exchange essentially couldn't continue operations.
The Underground Gold Exchange might even spend money themselves to hire someone to find him; fortunately, Uchiha Yoichi always took precautions and avoided identity leaks every time he went to the Underground Gold Exchange.
For a long time to come, Uchiha Yoichi didn't plan to go to the Underground Gold Exchange, moreover, he didn't lack money recently.
After discussing with Kakashi, the two of them immediately started their journey back to Konoha Village, as it wasn't very safe outside and the sooner they returned, the better.
After returning to Konoha, even before settling in, Uchiha Yoichi was summoned by the Second Elder.
After taking a seat, Elder Kenji's daughter-in-law served two cups of tea and then went out.
Uchiha Kenji picked up the teacup, took a slow sip, then said: "Yoichi, this time you caused quite a stir, even the Daimyo knows your name now."