"Will the Advisor blame us for this?"
The Anbu ninjas exchanged uneasy glances, feeling a bit guilty.
They had overthought the situation, then went to find Shizune, only to discover...
It was just a muscle relaxation session.
"Just a muscle relaxation session, is it really necessary to make such a big deal out of it?"
People who didn't know might think they were doing something inappropriate inside.
What a mess...
Switching topics, back at the Sarutobi family estate, after the Third Hokage returned home, he gathered the key members of the clan for a family meeting.
The loss of over a hundred elite ninjas in the Land of Rain, combined with the ongoing situation at the border, made this family meeting of the Sarutobi clan seem rather underwhelming.
At least it looks much less shabby than before.
The Third Hokage has finally returned.
The clan members looked at the Third Hokage sitting above with excitement, thinking that finally, someone would speak up for the family.
What they didn't expect was that the Third Hokage suddenly slammed the table and stood up angrily, roaring:
"What are you doing? What do you want to do? Are you planning to rebel?"
A series of questions left the Sarutobi clan members stunned.
What's going on?
Wasn't the Third Hokage supposed to comfort the clan and then figure out how to resolve the family issues after his return?
Why is he yelling at the clan right after coming back, and his words are a bit scary, even mentioning rebellion?
Has the Sarutobi clan ever done something like this?
Seeing that the clan members were confused and seemed to not understand what he was saying, the Third Hokage directly laughed in anger:
"Sending the family's elites to the battlefield was my proposal, not Tsunade's initiative.
It was also me who led the family's elites to the battlefield. Though I didn't want it, there was nothing I could do to save their lives given the situation at the time."
"You guys went directly to the Hokage office to question Tsunade. Is this a palace coup?"
"Or do you think the Sarutobi clan's life is too good, and you want to stir up some trouble for the family?"
"What exactly do you want to do!!!"
"Do you realize what kind of trouble your actions will bring to the family?"
...
Going to the Hokage office to ask about things is considered a palace coup and rebellion?
Many people still haven't figured it out, but those who already understood the seriousness of the situation glared at those who had suggested going to inquire.
If it weren't for you, how would this mess have started?
Once the family is targeted, you'll be the traitors.
After angrily ranting at the clan members, the Third Hokage's fury slowly subsided:
"Since Tsunade became the Fifth Hokage, you all know the family's situation. In the past, you were used to high welfare and benefits. Now that those are gone, you can't handle it?"
"I'll tell you, worse things are coming. Tsunade hasn't pursued this matter too much, and that's out of respect for the past."
"Otherwise, the Sarutobi clan would definitely become the second Uchiha!"
Upon hearing this, those Sarutobi clan members who hadn't taken the situation seriously finally realized how serious it was.
"Third Hokage, it's not that bad, right? Hokage-sama doesn't seem to be blaming us."
"Because she's letting me handle it, out of respect for the past. Otherwise, do you think Uchiha Yan would take care of it?"
The Sarutobi clan members may not respect the Third Hokage or take Tsunade seriously, but if Yan were to step in…
Hiss~~~~
Thinking back to how the Uchiha were targeted, and the slow, painful targeting they went through, many Sarutobi clan members sucked in a cold breath.
The Uchiha's resentment isn't easily dismissed.
Just look at the Shimura clan now—they're in bad shape, trembling at the mention of Uchiha Yan's name.
They're afraid Yan might pull some trick to target them.
Once Uchiha Yan sets his sights on the Sarutobi clan, they'll become the next Shimura clan.
The clan may have a lot of ninjas, and their overall strength may be strong, but can you be stronger than the entire Konohagakure?
Once they start targeting you, with all the traps and exploitation, you'll have plenty to deal with.
Each time they take a little from you, making you uncomfortable, but you can't fight back.
Let alone rebellion, they could only keep enduring and making one concession after another.
If the methods used on the Uchiha family were applied to the Sarutobi family, life for the Sarutobi family would only get harder with each passing day.
Taking a few deep breaths, the Third Hokage lit a cigarette and smoked a few puffs, feeling a little more relaxed. He then angrily scolded:
"I'm telling you, the Uchiha family still holds a lot of hostility and resentment toward us. Uchiha Yan is constantly going against me, constantly causing trouble.
He's just waiting for an opportunity to suppress us, but hasn't found the right chance yet.
And you guys, you're handing the opportunity to others?"
"Look at all the recent projects the village has started. Which one has anything to do with the Sarutobi family? Are you still not waking up, Satoru?"
"Third Hokage-sama, this Uchiha Yan kid can't possibly be that bold, right?"
"I believe Hokage-sama won't sit idly by."
"How ignorant!"
After hearing these words, the Third Hokage's anger, which he had just barely controlled, flared up again.
"Have you ever thought about why he has so much courage?
Now Uchiha Yan is an assistant to the Hokage, and he handles more than half of the village's affairs. Do you really think that if he wants to target us, Tsunade will keep protecting us?"
"Chances are, if the Sarutobi family faces suppression, Tsunade might not even know about it.
Do you really think every little issue will end up in the Hokage's office for complaints?"
"Do you forget about the Shimura family?"
One complaint can be dealt with, two complaints and anyone would be impatient. You're just being troublesome.
Three or four complaints? Then it's probably your own problem.
Otherwise, why are you always being targeted?"
At this point, the Sarutobi family members fell silent one by one.
Because they had started to realize the seriousness of the situation.
It seemed they had really done something stupid—something that could put the Sarutobi family in a tough spot.
Fortunately, Tsunade didn't leave this matter to Yan; otherwise, the Sarutobi family wouldn't have waited for the Third Hokage to return—they would have already started complaining.
"Because of your nonsense, the village's compensation and benefits for the family are now at the minimum standard! You'd better reflect on yourselves."
By using righteousness, the family members were left unable to lift their heads, and only then did the issue of compensation and benefits come up.
At this point, mentioning the minimum standard, even though the Sarutobi family members were unhappy, they could only grit their teeth and accept it.
If there hadn't been previous groundwork, if the Third Hokage had directly said that the village's compensation and benefits for the family were at the minimum standard, most of the Sarutobi family would have raised a fuss.
Create the atmosphere, build the groundwork, then give the fatal blow, and only after that reveal the most important matter.
This way, the Sarutobi family had no choice but to accept it quietly.
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