After Danzo finished speaking, a heavy silence filled the room. The clan leaders frowned, clearly uncomfortable. Even though the punishment didn't directly affect them, they still found it excessive.
Earlier, they had loudly supported punishing the rebellious ninjas, but that was mainly to reinforce the Third Hokage's authority. Now that it was time to take real action, they were hesitant.
Noticing their expressions, Hiruzen cleared his throat and said, "Ahem. Danzo, there is no need for such severity. The village, too, must acknowledge its share of responsibility—no system is without flaws."
"Rather than imposing harsh punishments, a more measured approach would be to expel the key conspirators from the ninja ranks, ensuring they are never reinstated."
"As for those who were unaware of their involvement, they should be stripped of their status but granted the opportunity to relearn the ninja code, retake the assessment, and begin anew as Genin. This would allow them a path to redemption."
"Naturally, any misappropriated village property must be returned in full."
Danzo, still firm, responded, "If we go easy on them now, what stops others from doing the same in the future?"
Homura stepped in, his voice calm but firm. "Danzo, while their actions were wrong, the village should also allow room for redemption." He subtly signaled Danzo that it was enough.
Hiruzen nodded, making his final decision. "That settles the matter. This issue is now closed. However, let me be clear—there will be no second chances. Should this happen again, both offenses will be met with the harshest consequences."
Seeing the signal, Danzo dropped the argument.
"Let's proceed with the vote," Hiruzen instructed. Many Jonin remained silent, but the process had to continue.
As the vote took place, nearly two hundred Jonin cast their ballots. Those who had been involved had no choice but to vote in favor—rejecting the decision would only make them seem defiant, which could bring even worse consequences. Whether they liked it or not, they had to accept it.
Once the vote was finalized, the matter was officially settled. Some would have to retake the Genin exam, while others would lose their status as shinobi altogether. At least they were still a part of the village—being a civilian in Konoha was far better than being an outcast.
Leaving the village? That was unthinkable. Any ninja foolish enough to betray Konoha would be hunted down by their former comrades.
As the meeting came to a close, a clan leader from a smaller family hesitated before speaking up. "Lord Hokage, esteemed clan leaders, I honor the village's decision, yet I must ask—when the First Hokage, Lord Hashirama, established this village, he not only brought peace to the ninja world but also granted smaller clans like ours the opportunity to rebuild and thrive."
The room fell silent after the leader of the small clan spoke, his words lingering in the air. The clan leaders were hesitant, not wanting to speak out of turn and risk creating more problems. The tension was palpable, as no one wanted to stir up conflict between the ninjas and the village.
All eyes slowly turned to Hiruzen, awaiting his response. Hiruzen smiled calmly, seemingly unfazed by the sudden attention. He took a moment to examine the man who had spoken, his eyes flicking to the panel in front of him.
Uehara Kamezaburo — Status
Body: 9/9
Spirit: 9/9
Element: 8/8
Skills:
Advanced physical mastery
Intermediate combat mastery
Mastery:
Primary fire mastery
Advanced earth mastery
He was an ordinary Jonin, nothing exceptional, just one among many.
Hiruzen chuckled lightly before speaking. "Uehara Jonin, if I am not mistaken, you are the leader of the Uehara clan. You claim that your clan is without funds—might this be because the village's pension and casualty allowances have yet to reach you?"
Uehara Kamezaburo, caught off guard by the Hokage's direct approach, replied without hesitation. "Lord Hokage, the village's pension and casualty allowance have all been sent to the clan." This was well-documented, and there was no way to refute it.
Hiruzen raised an eyebrow and pressed further. "Then is it because the ninja academy refuses to accept your Uehara clan's children?"
Uehara Kamezaburo quickly shook his head. "No, Lord Hokage. The children of my clan are all enrolled in the Ninja Academy."
Hiruzen's smile remained steady as he continued. "So, if the village hasn't mistreated your clan, and the academy is open to your children, where exactly did your clan's money go? Did the Uehara clan resort to steal from the village's property because they couldn't afford to raise their children?"
He paused for a moment, letting the words sink in before continuing. "The Konoha Ninja Academy is free for all of the children in the village. As long as they are the students of the school, they receive subsidies from the Ministry of Finance for ninja tools, medical supplies, and other necessities. So where exactly is the issue?"
The room was silent again, with everyone now waiting for Uehara Kamezaburo's response.
Hiruzen's voice carried with authority, and the way he navigated the conversation shifted the tone completely. He continued, pacing through the garden as he addressed the issue with clarity. "Other families seem to be doing well, yet only your Uehara clan finds itself struggling to afford basic sustenance? The cost of living in Konoha is not excessive. The village has provided what was necessary; the remains rests upon your shoulders."
He paused, letting the weight of his words settle, and then resumed. "Does your Uehara clan have squandered whatever support they've been given? Why is that?"
Uehara Kamezaburo's face reddened in frustration. He could no longer hold back, tossing his can into the air in agitation. "The Uehara clan is a ninja family! How can we train our children with the same methods as the commoners? The children of my clan deserve better training, better resources!"
His outburst only earned strange looks from the other clan leaders, as if they were seeing him in a new light.
Hiruzen smiled but with a hint of mockery in his voice. "Ah, so you possess ambition, Uehara. That is commendable. It is truly admirable for a ninja family to prioritize the training of their children. I, too, would welcome a future where every child in the village receives comprehensive and balanced training, ensuring they are prepared for whatever challenges lie ahead."
He then paused, his expression becoming serious. "However, let me be clear: you must act within your means. If you wish to set an example, earn the resources you require through honorable means. Take on missions within the village or secure a position in the security department. If you do so, you will prove yourself a true leader, and I would commend you for it."
"What you've done, however—taking from the village's resources—goes beyond simply claiming what you believe you deserve. In fact, draining the village for the sole benefit of your own clan's future, that is a line that cannot be crossed."
Hiruzen's tone grew sharper, his gaze unwavering.
"Why should the children of your Uehara clan be treated any differently? You claim your clan helped establish this village, but what true effort have they contributed since then? Look around you. The Uchiha clan, one of Konoha's founding families, does not receive special treatment. Nor does the Hyuga clan, another powerful family within the village. Do they receive preferential treatment?"
The room grew tense, as Hiruzen's words rang true. His gaze swept across the room, settling on each clan leader as if challenging them to reflect on their own motives.