The Uchiha Clan's Sun

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked rather displeased upon hearing this, but the daimyo didn't give him a chance to speak at all, directly changing the subject and pulling Hiruzen Sarutobi aside to talk about which geisha was the most beautiful, and where the food was the best, and other unimportant things.

During this time, Hiruzen Sarutobi tried several times to steer the conversation back to the issue of funding, but to no avail, and had to give up on the idea.

After all, the money belongs to the daimyo. It's good enough that they're even giving money; who gets it is ultimately up to the daimyo!

The conversation continued into the evening. After having dinner with the daimyo, Hiruzen Sarutobi and his son took their leave of the daimyo's court and stayed at an inn in the daimyo's residence.

“Father, the Uchiha’s actions this time have gone too far! Not only did they bypass the village to contact the daimyo, but they also stole the funds the daimyo was giving to Konoha. This is simply outrageous!”

As soon as he returned to his room, Sarutobi Shinnosuke spoke with some anger.

Although Sarutobi Shinnosuke is old-fashioned and values ​​rules, he's not stupid! He also realized the seriousness of the situation!

Hiruzen Sarutobi, his face dark, took out his pipe, lit it, and began to take deep drags.

He couldn't possibly be impolite in front of a great name, and he had been holding back from smoking for most of the day.

Seeing this, Sarutobi Shinnosuke said, "Father, what time is it? How can you still be smoking?"

"Why are you in such a hurry? Will being in a hurry solve anything?" Hiruzen Sarutobi said in a deep voice, "Although the Uchiha clan is in the wrong in this matter, they have the support of the Daimyo. What can we do to them?"

"Not to mention they also secured 3 billion ryo from the daimyo this time! With such a huge pie, even if the other clans in the village have objections, they'll be won over by the profits and treat the Uchiha clan like gods of wealth!"

"This matter is a done deal; it can only be said that the Uchiha clan did a truly brilliant job!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi had actually been thinking about this for a long time; he had been pondering this matter since he was still in the Daimyo's territory.

But this matter involves the daimyo, and unless the daimyo's mind can be changed, there is no room for maneuver!

Upon hearing this, Sarutobi Shinnosuke frowned and asked, "Is there really no other way?"

"No, that's not it. There are still ways, but the chances are very slim!" Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly exhaled a puff of smoke and said, "The Uchiha clan is just a substitute for the Senju clan, but although the Senju clan has declined, it has not been wiped out!"

Sarutobi Shinnosuke was taken aback and asked in surprise, "You mean Tsunade?"

“That’s right,” Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded and said, “If Tsunade is willing, it would be very easy for her to take back control of the Uchiha clan’s wealth!”

Upon hearing this, Sarutobi Shinnosuke showed no joy whatsoever. Instead, he asked, "Is it really a good idea to let Tsunade control so much money? What if she gambles it away?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi: "..."

Chapter 174 The Five Elements and Their Mutual Restraint!

Although their mission to Daimyo Prefecture encountered some unexpected problems, Hiruzen Sarutobi and his group did not stay in Daimyo Prefecture for long.

The day after tomorrow is the day for the Jonin Conference to submit candidates for the Fourth Hokage, and Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others need to get back to the village before then.

So the next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Hiruzen Sarutobi and his group left the Daimyo's residence and headed towards Konoha Village.

They traveled in silence until they reached a valley with a stream. After traveling for most of the day, Hiruzen Sarutobi stopped and raised his arm.

"Halt! Rest here for an hour, replenish water supplies, eat some dry rations, and take turns on guard duty!"

Although time is tight, as a ninja, one must always conserve sufficient physical strength to deal with potential crises, so no matter how urgent the situation, necessary rest is indispensable!

"Lord Hokage, please have something to eat."

After sending her subordinate ANBU members out on lookout duty, a female ANBU ninja with long brown hair took out a water bottle and some dry rations from her backpack and walked over to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Thank you for your hard work, Sachiko."

Hiruzen Sarutobi accepted the items, smiled and thanked him, his eyes filled with satisfaction as he looked at the female ANBU ninja named Sachiko.

The female ninja of the Anbu is named Sarutobi Sachiko. She is not only a squad leader of the Anbu and Sarutobi Shinnosuke's second-in-command, but also Sarutobi Shinnosuke's wife and Sarutobi Hiruzen's daughter-in-law.

"Don't be shy, please enjoy your meal!"

Sarutobi Sachiko shook her head slightly, then took the water and food and walked towards Sarutobi Shinnosuke who was standing to the side.

"Minister, please have some too!"

"No need! According to ninja regulations, when going out on a mission, the ninja in charge needs to eat in shifts, just in case! You eat first, I'll eat later!"

Sarutobi Shinnosuke righteously refused the food his wife offered him.

Sarutobi Sachiko was quite helpless with her rigid husband, but fortunately, she had gotten used to Sarutobi Shinnosuke's personality over the years. After sighing, she didn't say anything more and picked up her food to eat.

She knew that no amount of persuasion would work; Sarutobi Shinnosuke wouldn't eat until they finished their food.

Hiruzen Sarutobi watched this scene unfold, and a thought began to stir within him.

After the Fourth Hokage takes office, it might be time to transfer one of Sarutobi Shinnosuke or Sarutobi Sachiko out of the Anbu. Otherwise, given the way the two of them get along, he won't be able to hold his grandson even after ten years!

However, both Sarutobi Shinnosuke and Sarutobi Sachiko are very capable and are his right-hand men. It would be a loss for him to leave either of them idle!

Forget it, let's wait a few more years before having a grandson, until the situation in the village is more stable!

Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head, thinking of the turbulent situation in the village, and temporarily suppressed his desire to have a grandson.

"Enemy attack! Ah!!!"

Just then, a cry of alarm rang out, followed by a scream.

Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly stood up, his expression becoming extremely solemn.

The surrounding ANBU ninjas quickly formed a formation and went into alert mode.

Sarutobi Sachiko half-squatted down, extended two fingers and placed them on the ground, then closed her eyes.

"We're surrounded. The enemy has ten standard Jonin squads, and the two leading ninjas have very distinctive auras!"

A moment later, Sarutobi Sachiko opened her eyes and looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"Prepare for battle, let's test their mettle first!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi ripped off his divine robe, revealing his battle armor underneath.

Despite being outnumbered several times over, Hiruzen Sarutobi had no intention of fleeing.

If the Third Raikage of Kumogakure could fight against tens of thousands of ninjas from Iwagakure for three days and three nights, how could Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was the Kage of a village and a hero of the ninja world, possibly be scared away by a mere few dozen enemies!

"Fire Escape·Tou Ke Ku!"

A vast expanse of scorching flames, as hot as the sea, quickly spread out, engulfing Hiruzen Sarutobi and his group!

"What an amazing fire-style chakra nature transformation! Water Release: Water Barrier!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi marveled at his opponent's prowess, marveling at how he could make such an effective use of an ordinary Fire Release ninjutsu. At the same time, his hands moved without pause, rapidly forming hand seals!

A curtain of water rose from the stream behind Hiruzen Sarutobi, instantly transforming into a colossal wave that collided with the incoming sea of ​​fire, stirring up a cloud of water vapor!

The power of the ninjutsu on both sides was not much different, but in the end, water overcomes fire. After a brief stalemate with the water waves, the sea of ​​fire could not hold on and showed signs of being extinguished!

"Earth Release·Earth Spear!"

Just then, another loud shout came from the opposite side, and dozens of huge earth spikes suddenly rose from the ground beneath the surging waves, cutting off the water flow and stabbing towards Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others!

Earth overcomes Water!

"Disperse! Lightning Release: Thunderclap!"

At Hiruzen Sarutobi's command, the several Anbu ninjas around him scattered, simultaneously forming hand seals and spitting out a sharp lightning spear that shattered the incoming earth spikes and shot towards the figure releasing the ninjutsu in the distance!

Rektu!

"Wind Escape·Press!"

The person opposite was not afraid at all. He opened his mouth and spat out a hurricane, which dispersed the thunder spear and formed a huge whirlwind that rushed towards Hiruzen Sarutobi!

Wind Kree!

"Fire Release·Big Flame Bullet!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi quickly formed hand seals, opened his mouth and spat out a fireball. The fire, aided by the wind, grew rapidly, transforming into a sea of ​​fire that attacked the attacker!

"Water Escape·Water Curtain!"

The person opposite reacted extremely quickly. Before Hiruzen Sarutobi's fire jutsu could fully spread, he opened his mouth and spat out a huge water cannon, which directly extinguished the sea of ​​fire and attacked Hiruzen Sarutobi!

"Tu Dun·Tu Liubi!"

As Hiruzen Sarutobi formed hand seals, he opened his mouth and spat out a pool of mud onto the ground. A huge rock wall rose up from the ground, blocking the incoming earthen cannon!

"Thunder Escape·Pseudo Darkness!"

But before Hiruzen Sarutobi could even catch his breath, the opponent's next attack was upon him!

A bolt of lightning as thick as a bucket pierced through the rock wall in an instant and shot towards Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was hiding behind the rock wall!

"Wind Release·Cyclone!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi realized something was wrong. The frequency of the opponent's ninjutsu releases was too fast, and he didn't have time to gather more chakra to release wind-style ninjutsu!

A whirlwind rose around Hiruzen Sarutobi, which dispersed most of the pseudo-dark lightning, but some of the lightning still broke through the whirlwind and struck Hiruzen Sarutobi!

Hiruzen Sarutobi groaned, and wisps of black smoke rose from his body!

"Wow, that's amazing!" Sarutobi Shinnosuke, who witnessed the whole scene from a short distance away, couldn't help but exclaim, "That person on the other side is not only proficient in the Five Elements Ninjutsu just like my father, but his power is also on par with his father's. His hand seal speed is even faster than my father's, and he even suppressed my father's power!"

"Who is this person?"

Chapter 175 Five Elements: Great Continuous Bullet Technique!

"Idiot! The Hokage is injured, and you still have time to lament about this!"

Upon hearing her husband's words, Sarutobi Sachiko couldn't help but push Sarutobi Shinnosuke.

Shinnosuke Sarutobi snapped out of his daze and quickly stepped in front of Hiruzen Sarutobi to block him.

He was so shocked that he had never seen anyone surpass his father in the Five Elements Ninjutsu that he was momentarily stunned.

"Alright, you guys be careful with the other ninjas. This person is not someone you can handle!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi patted Shinnosuke Sarutobi on the shoulder and pulled him behind him.

Although he had accidentally lost half a move due to his excitement at seeing the prey, it was undeniable that his opponent was extremely strong and beyond the capabilities of his son!

"Heh, is this the strength of the so-called hero of the ninja world, the strongest Hokage in Konoha's history? Seeing it today, he's truly a man of empty reputation!"

A hoarse voice came, and a strange person wearing a headband of a rogue ninja from Takigakure and covering most of his face with a mask appeared in front of everyone!

This man is none other than Kakuzu, the number one bounty hunter in the black market!

"Who are you to dare attack the Hokage of Konoha? You will face relentless pursuit and death by Konoha!"

Sarutobi Shinnosuke stepped forward and demanded an answer from Kakuzu.

"Attack the Hokage of Konoha? Heh," Kakuzu sneered, disdainfully saying, "Don't even mention that you, Hiruzen Sarutobi, are a thing of the past as Hokage. Even if you were still Hokage, so what?"

"It's not like I haven't tried to assassinate the Hokage before. I failed to assassinate the First Hokage back then, but I'm still alive and well!"

Sarutobi Shinnosuke's pupils contracted upon hearing this, somewhat disbelieving Kakuzu's words!

What kind of old monster would someone be to survive the First Hokage and still be alive today?

"Assassinate the First Hokage..." Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed to remember something, frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then exclaimed in surprise, "You're Kakuzu from Takigakure?!"

Although Kakuzu is often ridiculed for his assassination attempt on the First Hokage, saying he only threw a shuriken at Hashirama Senju from 800 miles away, Kakuzu actually did face off against the First Hokage and was defeated by the First Hokage's Wood Release technique!

Although the First Hokage held Kakuzu in high regard and showed him mercy, it was enough to prove Kakuzu's prowess!

Hiruzen Sarutobi also knew about this, but he didn't expect that Kakuzu had lived for decades and was still so powerful!

Thinking of this, Hiruzen Sarutobi also spoke with a solemn expression: "Lord Kakuzu, Lord Hashirama kindly spared your life back then, and you not only did not repay the kindness, but you even came to attack me. I wonder what conflict exists between us?"

"Hehehe, there's no conflict between us, it's just that someone paid to take your life!" Kakuzu sneered. "Since all the ninjas of Konoha are so noble, how about you grant my wish one more time?"

"So you're just doing things for money..." Hiruzen Sarutobi ignored Kakuzu's sarcasm and turned to look at the figures surrounding them, saying, "So you're all doing things for money too?"

"That's right, we do get paid to do things, and at a price you can't even imagine!"

A masked ninja without any ninja village insignia stepped forward and spoke.

"Enough with the nonsense, this is the Land of Fire, let's finish this quickly!"

Another ninja wearing a mask stepped forward and spoke. Judging from his voice, this ninja didn't seem to be very old.

After saying that, the young ninja took the initiative and quickly formed hand seals!

"Earth Escape·Earthquake Core!"

The young ninja slammed his hands on the ground, and the ground beneath Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others immediately sank into the ground!

"A coalition of forces... Everyone, listen to my command, disperse and break out!"