[Sponsored] Chapter 235: Confrontation in the Meeting

[This Chapter Is Sponsored by Gorama27! Everyone, please thank him in the comment!]

In the meeting room of the Hokage office building in Konoha.

During the Jonin meeting, as the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen addressed two issues, Shimura Danzo from the Konoha F4 directly let out a cold laugh.

"First of all, the matter concerning the Police Force. Recently, there have been instances of excessive enforcement by the Police Force, posing a significant threat to the village's stability. Is this the same Police Force established by the Second Hokage?"

Looking at everyone, Shimura Danzo's sinister gaze finally rested on Uchiha Yoru, speaking coldly, "The Police Force established by the Second Hokage for the village's stability, what has it become now!"

"Let's not mention the abuse of power by the Police Force for now. Just consider these incidents that pose a great security risk to the village."

"First, the Police Force is using its authority to secretly purchase various military supplies. What are they planning? Second, the Police Force is secretly in contact with Orochimaru, conducting private transactions. Third, the Police Force is secretly receiving supplies from the Cloud and Stone Villages."

Shimura Danzo hit the nail on the head with these three issues, drawing everyone's attention to Uchiha Yoru.

Facing everyone's gaze, Uchiha Yoru remained calm, instead staring directly at the Third Hokage.

"Uchiha Yoru! Do you have any objections to these three matters?"

Confronted with Shimura Danzo's stern questioning, Uchiha Yoru just scoffed disdainfully, "Who do you think you are?"

Looking around at the F4 seated in their positions, Uchiha Yoru directly mocked the Third Hokage, "Three old fools relying on their age. They were just advisors established by the Third Hokage during his time, when his reputation and ability were insufficient. Since when did advisors become indispensable to the Hokage?"

With one statement, he highlighted the issue of status, belittling the Third Hokage's ascension to power due to his lack of reputation and ability, hence the establishment of advisors to stabilize his authority.

At the same time, it also implied that these advisors were merely a product of the Third Hokage's regime, suggesting that future Hokages might not need them.

Uchiha Yoru's blunt words immediately caused Shimura Danzo, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane to change their expressions drastically, all trying to suppress their anger.

Although what he said was not wrong, over the years, they had become accustomed to their status and were indispensable to the Third Hokage.

Especially Shimura Danzo, who was now squinting his eyes, feeling a surge of killing intent. Uchiha Yoru, indeed ambitious, was trying to undermine them.

Facing Uchiha Yoru's piercing gaze, the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke solemnly, "As the head of the Police Force and the leader of the Uchiha clan, when I first took office, I indeed lacked ability, which is why I needed everyone's united support for today's Konoha."

Sarutobi Hiruzen, candid as ever, acknowledged what Uchiha Yoru had said, making the three of them look even more uncomfortable.

Although this was a simple acknowledgment, it also implied that they were products of the Third Hokage's regime, meaning that the future Fifth Hokage had the right not to use them.

'Old fox,' Uchiha Yoru cursed internally but remained calm, "So, the Third Hokage who resigned after three wars, are you questioning me now with your temporary authority as Hokage? Or is today's Jonin meeting nothing but a trial?"

Uchiha Yoru's arrogant gaze swept over everyone, and those who met his eyes couldn't look him straight in the eye, showing his significant influence over the past three years.

"Uchiha Yoru, this is a Jonin meeting, and it's also the answer all the shinobi of Konoha want to know!"

Just then, the distinguished Tsunade turned her head, looking at Uchiha Yoru calmly, finally speaking in a firm voice, "This is also a question you need to answer before you can become the Fifth Hokage."

After the Sannin spoke out, a sense of stability emerged among the people in the Jonin Council room, as countless eyes turned to watch.

Uchiha Yoru's mouth slowly curled into a smile, displaying a confident demeanor. "Konoha was founded by our ancestors, naturally! Here, apart from you, Lady Tsunade, no one is qualified to discuss 'trial' with the Uchiha, not even the acting Hokage!"

The proud and unrestrained Uchiha Yoru looked down on everyone, but regarded Tsunade as an equal, blatantly indicating to all that Konoha was founded by the Senju and Uchiha, and they were not to be underestimated.

"Firstly, why is the Police Force secretly purchasing various military supplies using their authority? What are they planning?" Uchiha Yoru surveyed the room and scoffed, "This question is ridiculous. I can tell you now that whether it's the Uchiha or the Police Force, purchasing military supplies has always been done openly and legitimately."

"The reason is simple! It's because of the village's corrupt regime at the top, relentlessly using the Anbu and Root to conduct surveillance. The Uchiha and the Police Force are merely protecting themselves!"

"Secondly, the Police Force is secretly in contact with Orochimaru, conducting private transactions?" Uchiha Yoru's gaze fixed on Jiraiya.

"Lord Jiraiya, I want to ask, since when does Konoha prohibit ninjas from contacting those who have been expelled? Or is it that the village is preparing to declare Orochimaru, one of the legendary Sannin, a rogue ninja?"

His loud questioning caused a stir among everyone, especially Jiraiya, who snorted coldly, his expression turning sour.

Would the higher-ups of Konoha dare to label Orochimaru a rogue ninja at this time? Even if they dared, it wouldn't be considered a mistake in the past!

Watching everyone, Uchiha Yoru's face showed mockery, "As for the last point, it's even more laughable. The Police Force secretly receiving supplies from the Cloud and Stone Villages?"

"Are those villages fools? Would they just give us supplies for free? Elder Danzo, you should have called it a 'trade.'"

"However, I remember in these so-called trades, the Ino-Shika-Cho clans, among others, have always been involved. Only in these past three years, due to the Uchiha and the Police Force's superior resources, have they gradually become the primary goods in these trade agreements."

Uchiha Yoru quickly refuted the three accusations raised by Danzo, while Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, calmly exhaled a puff of smoke.

"Uchiha Yoru, over these three years, you've incited the ninja to defame and rebel against the village regime, while also contacting other countries. No matter how noble your reasons, as merely the head of the Police Force – even as the Uchiha clan head – it's not enough!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen, experienced and astute, pointed out the issue of status, counterattacking as if to say, since you always talk about status, I will too.

"All your actions point to you being a traitor, causing chaos in the village!"

The calm voice of the Third Hokage echoed in the room, but Uchiha Yoru took a deep breath and showed a confident smile.

"Before the regime of the Third Hokage! Konoha's dominance in the ninja world was unshakable, and its ninjas enjoyed the richest and most superior environment!"

"But now?" Uchiha Yoru slowly stood up, staring directly at the Third Hokage, calmly saying, "If a thief takes your money, and you take it back, is that stealing?"

With a calm voice echoing, the moment it was heard in the conference room, numerous ninjas were stunned. Then, as if they had a sudden realization, many of them showed excitement.

Uchiha Yoru directly bypassed everyone, his gaze fixed on Tsunade, "I want to ask Lady Tsunade, do you remember the former Konoha!"

"Ever since our Konoha started frequently acting for the so-called 'Will of Fire,' and for the village with an inadequate leadership layer, these people claim it's all for Konoha! For the 'Will of Fire!'"

"They ended the war! But what about Konoha now? High real estate prices in the central area, even a Jōnin today, to buy his own house in the center of the village, he needs to pay off the mortgage all his life, during which he can't sacrifice, get seriously injured, or even rest!"

"During the era of the First and Second Hokage, both led Konoha to become the dominant force in the ninja world, they were the deserving Hokages. The initial intention of creating Konoha by Senju and Uchiha was so that children don't have to go to the battlefield!"

"But what about the Third War! Children under ten went to the battlefield one after another, while a group of old men comfortably sat in the village, reaping the benefits, gloriously claiming it's all for Konoha!"

Uchiha Yoru didn't give the Third Hokage any face, blatantly pulling off the veil of shame in front of everyone, and looked at the so-called Konoha higher-ups with a sneer, stating the facts.

For a time, many Jōnin in the conference room secretly sweated, so arrogant! Such unbridled face-tearing, had Uchiha prepared for everything!

Facing Uchiha Yoru's extremely sarcastic words, even Jiraiya's face looked unpleasant. After all, the bitter victory of the Third War was an undeniable fact, thus the Third Hokage's resignation was enough to explain everything.

"I just want to take back everything that was stolen! The once so-called Sarutobi clan was just a trivial small family, what about now? The second most powerful family in Konoha, but I dare say, give it another ten years, and the Sarutobi clan will replace it as the first!"

Just then, Danzō angrily slammed the table, but the Third Hokage next to him calmly raised his hand to stop his old friend's impulse.

Facing everyone's doubtful looks, Sarutobi Hiruzen took a deep breath, his grip on his pipe involuntarily tightened, but he still suppressed his anger.

This was almost blatantly exposing the scars, even revealing the government he ruled for decades.

"Uchiha Yoru! Stop making trouble without reason, the mistakes of the Third War, Hiruzen has already resigned for them, this was known to all ninjas of Konoha back then!"

At this moment, Homura Mitokado, suppressing his anger, solemnly brought up the past, and everyone suddenly remembered, yes, the Third Hokage had already resigned because of this.

"Then on the night of the Nine-Tails, after the Fourth Hokage sacrificed himself, Hiruzen reluctantly came out of retirement."

Facing Homura Mitokado's explanation, Uchiha Yoru showed a smile and nodded, "Exactly, since the Third Hokage took over again, under the pretext of temporarily restoring power, you old men, unwilling to lose power, have been reluctant to let go of it these years."

"Fifth Hokage!" Speaking of this, Uchiha Yoru sneered even more, looking at everyone and shouted loudly: "If not for Uchiha Yoru! Who knows how long it would have been before the Fifth Hokage was selected!"

"Cough, cough!"

Just then, the cough of the Third Hokage sounded, attracting everyone's attention, and Sarutobi Hiruzen calmly looked at everyone, gently removing his pipe.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I have never shirked responsibility for the losses of the Third War during my years in office. As for not selecting the Fifth Hokage after the Nine-Tails, indeed, I had personal motives!"

Instantly, there was a commotion, and countless people looked at the Third Hokage, many of them secretly surprised. It seemed that today, both parties were going to have a falling out.

On the contrary, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked calmly at Uchiha Yoru, speaking hoarsely: "Regarding the various injustices suffered by the Uchiha, I do not want to find any excuses. My selfishness is simply not wanting to leave a mess for future generations."

"One is the culprit of the Nine-Tails' disturbance, which the Anbu have been investigating. I don't want to leave such a mess for the younger generation. The second reason is the influence of the Police Force on the village in the past three years."

With a meaningful look, Sarutobi Hiruzen seemed to be giving a final warning, as if to say, the suspicion of the Nine-Tails' disturbance alone is enough to explain everything about Uchiha's archery.

"The influence of the Police Force on the village?"

Faced with this question, Uchiha Yoru sneered and proudly said: "The Police Force doesn't dare to arrogantly claim to have protected the village. All this is just their duty. But to talk about influence, there are some."

"Facing the families of ninjas who died or were maimed on the front lines, the Uchiha clan and others established new accommodations outside their territory. They don't have to bear high rents and even jobs suitable for these families have been arranged around the Police Force."

"Perhaps not dignified, stalls, carving, construction, etc., these jobs can't make them live a wealthy life, but the Police Force can only do its best to ensure these people don't have problems with food and clothing."

"For orphaned families, the Police Force heavily subsidizes orphanages and also provides a series of support measures for helping the descendants of meritorious ninjas find employment."

Looking at everyone, Uchiha Yoru said with a mocking laugh: "Who among you dares to say there won't be accidents? Accidents and tomorrow are unknown to anyone, and what the Police Force has done, I really don't know how bad it could be for the village?"

"Is it because the actions of the Police Force have affected the interests of some people?" He said, his eyes pointedly looking at the Third Hokage and his people.