Konoha: The thirty-year-old Uchiha lacks motivation.

"Hiruzen, isn't Danzo going a bit too far?"

Inside the Hokage's office, Uchiha Kagami, who was dealing with recent complaints from villagers, looked up with a troubled expression and asked Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was smoking a pipe nearby.

"This Danzo is not just somewhat excessive, he's utterly outrageous!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was also handling a similar complaint, replied with a pained expression, slamming the Tailed Beast Rider recruitment application requirements copied by the Anbu onto the table as he spoke. His dissatisfaction was palpable.

"Don't be angry. We were classmates, Danzo must be in trouble."

Seeing this, Jingzai prepared to offer a few words of comfort, lest this small matter damage the friendship between classmates.

Before he could finish speaking, Hiruzen Sarutobi gritted his teeth and pointed to the bolded words "two million ryo" written after the registration fee, his eyes gleaming with undisguised greed.

"Damn it! Charging such a high registration fee and then not paying taxes to my village is utterly heinous!"

"Forehead"

So the reason you were angry was because you didn't have your taxes deducted?

"Go and fetch Elder Danzo here!"

Increasingly enraged, Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately ordered his ANBU to invite Danzo for tea.

A moment later, Danzo entered, surrounded by several ANBU members. Only after the ANBU who had completed their mission left did he speak, his expression displeased.

"Monkey, what's up? I'm busy right now, I don't have time to chat with you."

"Busy? Busy abusing your power for personal gain, is that it?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi glared fiercely at his childhood friend. To do something like this and remain so calm and collected—it was as if he, the Hokage, had no respect whatsoever.

"And who snitched on you this time?"

Sensing his friend's unfriendly tone, Danzo frowned. Sure enough, holding a high position breeds jealousy; countless accusations were being leveled against him every day.

"Does this even need to be hit? Don't you know what despicable things you've done?"

Seeing Danzo's complete lack of remorse, Hiruzen Sarutobi nearly flew into a rage, immediately grabbing the complaint letter from the table and throwing it at him.

"I thought it was something else, but it turns out it's this."

Danzo took the complaint letter with a puzzled look, skimmed through it, and after a few breaths, a look of realization dawned on his face.

Fortunately, it wasn't the fact that my family was selling watered-down pork that got exposed.

"That's enough, do you have anything else to say?"

"Is there a better deal in the world than spending two million taels for a chance to see a Tailed Beast Rider up close?"

Danzo tossed the complaint letter aside and shook his head dismissively.

The two people in the office were taken aback. If this recruitment selection were changed into a fan meeting, the two million handshake tickets would indeed attract many die-hard fans of the Nine-Tailed Knight.

"If my great-uncle hadn't stopped me, I was planning to add some more."

"That's enough! In short, you handled this matter somewhat poorly."

"Should I go back and subtract a zero?"

Since Hiruzen Sarutobi had spoken, Danzo had no choice but to reluctantly accept a smaller cut; even a small gain is still a gain.

"Wait a minute, how many people have registered and paid yet?"

"Let me think, there are already about a thousand people, and the number is still rising."

1000 * 2000000 = .

This is only the first recruitment attempt. If it fails this time, there will be a second and a third.

"Ahem. Changing orders so frequently might affect the authority of this recruitment. Let's leave it at that for now, and don't let it happen again."

After a moment's internal deliberation, Hiruzen Sarutobi coughed a few times to mask his excitement, then looked up at the bewildered Danzo and spoke earnestly, subtly rubbing his fingers together as he spoke.

"Then I'll be going now."

Seeing that Hiruzen Sarutobi's actions were once again all bark and no bite, Danzo, oblivious to the subtle maneuver, curled his lip and turned to leave.

"etc!"

"Monkey, just say what else you need to say all at once, I'm busy collecting payments over there!"

Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi raise his hand as if to speak but hesitated, Danzo frowned slightly, his tone becoming somewhat impatient.

"Jing, I'm leaving get off work a few minutes early today. Could you please turn off the power and lock the door?"

Seeing that the other party was so oblivious to the situation, Hiruzen Sarutobi, having changed out of his work clothes, decided to privately give Danzo a proper lesson on what the Will of Fire was.

"Remember to file your taxes."

The astute Uchiha Kagami was well aware of the illicit affair that was about to unfold between the two, but as their classmate and friend, he could only turn a blind eye. However, out of a sense of responsibility to the village, he still gave them a warning as they left.

"I am the Hokage!"

Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi paused, his expression shifting rapidly before finally turning his head and speaking with an air of righteous indignation.

"Even the Hokage has to pay taxes."

Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was already feeling guilty, stumbled and awkwardly grabbed Danzo beside him as they fled.

The next morning, a notice bearing the Hokage's seal was posted next to the Knight recruitment notice. Upon seeing the contents of the notice, the group of complainants awaiting the Hokage's fair judgment felt as if the sky had fallen.

This recruitment drive is genuine and valid. We encourage all interested individuals to participate. Regarding the high registration fee, which has raised concerns, our investigation has confirmed that the funds were used transparently and that the Shimura family did not abuse their power for personal gain.

[P.S.: Limited-time offer! Present your payment receipt at Shimura Pork Shop to redeem half a carcass of premium wild boar meat.]

"Damn it! The government actually stepped in to support him; in the end, he still lost to capital."

Many villagers from impoverished backgrounds harbored deep resentment. They had the opportunity to become the revered Nine-Tails Knights, but the Third Hokage and the Shimura clan conspired against them, causing their path as knights to crumble halfway and their lives to fade into obscurity.

"Two million, please?"

While two million ryo may seem like an unattainable sum, it was actually within the acceptable range for ninjas.

The reward for a D-rank mission ranges from 10,000 to 100,000 taels. After deducting the commission, an average D-rank mission can earn 50,000 taels. Even the lowest-ranking genin can accumulate a considerable fortune over several years after deducting daily expenses.

"Let's give it our all!"

Take a gamble, and you might just turn a bicycle into a motorcycle. Rather than living a mediocre life, why not give it a shot? Maybe you're the chosen one selected by the Tailed Beast Cards.

Therefore, after the Third Hokage personally issued a clarification notice, the number of applicants began to increase exponentially. Danzo, burdened with infamy, raked in money hand over fist, while Hiruzen Sarutobi, standing behind him, also made a fortune.

"Monkey, just like we agreed, we'll split it 50/50."

In the secret room, Danzo, his face filled with reluctance, handed a heavy box to Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was all smiles.

"The Hokage is great; he can take half of it just by talking."

Watching his friend diligently counting the money, Danzo said with a sour tone,

"Danzo, you can't say that. I also took risks in this matter, didn't I?"

With a smile, Hiruzen Sarutobi stuffed the box into his storage scroll, stood up, and shook his head.

"By the way, you should also take out another ten percent and report it to the village, otherwise Jing will definitely be furious with me."

As he was leaving, Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed to recall something, and turned around to give him some instructions.

"ha?"

In one sentence, he had to take out another ten percent of his money.

Is this recruitment drive free?

Did the Shimura family provide manpower and resources for free?

Please ask the Sealing Team to help reinforce the seals around the Tailed Beast Cards. No need to pay for tea or drinks.

Did the half-pig given away as a free gift with registration just fall from the sky?

Are you trying to frame me, Danzo, as a Japanese?

"Danzo, how come it's only 10%?"

Inside the Hokage's office, Mirror picked up the tax return form Danzo had brought, his brow furrowing slightly involuntarily.

Your Shimura clan arbitrarily increased the commission for tasks to 30%, so why do you turn a deaf ear when it comes to paying your own taxes?

"Hasn't it always been 10%?"

Facing his adoptive father, Danzo rubbed his hands together with a forced smile and replied,

"This won't do. The village has provided you with a platform to make money, and this is how you repay it?"

Jingzai shook his head with a displeased expression, and Danzo, seeing this, gave a bitter smile.

"Then... 20%?"

"Mitsunari, I'm just following the rules. Danzo, as an advisor and elder, you should set an example."

Upon hearing the name Mitsunari, Danzo's heart bled. So all his hard work was for nothing, was it?

In the end, he not only didn't make any money, but he also lost half a pig.

"Successfully complete the three-point call; let's start by abiding by the rules and regulations."

Danzo took a deep breath, forced a smile that looked more like a grimace, and nodded in agreement.

"That's more like it. As expected of a good elder of Konoha, I give you a thumbs up."

Jingzai smiled and gave Danzo a big thumbs up.

"I would definitely vote for you as the most touching person in Konoha this year."

"Young clan leader, take the count."

"When you're out in public, call me your advisor!"

Outside the makeshift tent for the Tailed Beast Riders' management and command, an excited Shimura clansman rushed in carrying a stack of registration forms. His greeting, "Young Clan Chief," caused Danzo, who had been feigning sleep with his eyes closed, to frown.

"Yes, Advisor. The list of applicants so far has been compiled, totaling 3,144 people, including 369 rank ninja, 721 rank ninja, 1,426 rank ninja, and 628 civilians."

The clansmen, carrying the list, reported a series of incredibly accurate figures to Danzo.

The total registration fee will be charged.

"That goes without saying."

The thought that this small amount of money was out of his reach made Danzo not even bother listening. He simply took the registration list from the other party and began to browse through it.

"what?"

At first, he didn't pay much attention to some familiar names on the list, but as he browsed further, a look of doubt gradually appeared on his face.

"Is the entire list here?"

He looked up and asked the waiting members of his tribe,

"Yes, sir."

"Something's not right, why aren't there any Uchiha?"

Danzo read the entire list several times, and even found the name of his teacher's daughter on it, but strangely, he didn't find a single Uchiha.

"Reporting to the advisor, indeed no Uchiha clan members were found among those who signed up this time."

The clansman in charge of the statistics carefully recalled...

"How can those guys remain so calm? This is their chieftain's 'legacy'."

Unable to understand the reason, Danzo scratched his head and handed the list back with considerable regret.

The thought that he hadn't managed to take advantage of the Uchiha clan made him feel extremely uncomfortable.

"Lord Izuna! Why are we not allowed to participate in the Tailed Beast Rider recruitment? Those are the clan leader's possessions; how can we let those ants lay a finger on them?"

At the Uchiha clan's weekly assembly, the radical faction, led by Uchiha Setsuna, stepped forward without prior notice and knelt before Uchiha Izuna, suppressing their anger as they questioned him.

The Uchiha clan was the first to erupt in excitement the moment Danzo issued the announcement.

Originally, the clansmen selected by Uchiha Gin to remain in Konoha were the emotional and radical type, with eccentric and tyrannical personalities. They considered themselves superior to others. When they saw that the village was publicly displaying the Tailed Beast Cards belonging to Uchiha Madara, they felt as if they had been severely humiliated and wished they could form a group to steal them.

"The Tailed Beast Rider System has never been the private property of the Uchiha clan; it belongs to the village. This is something our eldest brother often says, and you should all be well aware of it."

Sitting cross-legged on the high seat, Uchiha Izuna lowered his head, his tone carrying a faint chill. It was clear that the overstepping of his bounds by Uchiha Setsuna and the others displeased him.

"What if the clan leader returns and sees that we haven't even protected his drive? How disappointed he would be!"

Intimidated by the aura unintentionally emanating from Uchiha Izuna, Uchiha Setsuna swallowed hard and chose a more tactful excuse.

"That's not something you need to worry about. If my brother comes back, I will give him everything he's owed."

Upon hearing this, Uchiha Izuna slowly opened his eyes, which had been feigning sleep. A chilling crimson light emanated from them, and Uchiha Setsuna and the others kneeling below instantly broke out in a cold sweat, as if a butcher's knife was hanging over their heads.

Good. Very strong.

Uchiha Setsuna's pupils contracted slightly, and he unconsciously lowered his proud head, his black eyes filled with terror.

Under the intimidation of the Mangekyou Sharingan, he didn't even have the courage to activate it.

"Step down."

As the crimson light dissipated with his eyes closed, Uchiha Izuna waved his hand. Uchiha Setsuna and the others, feeling as if they had been granted a pardon, scrambled back to their clansmen's ranks, using both hands and feet.

"Setsuna, you are still too young. Lord Izuna must have had his reasons for doing that."

Seeing Uchiha Setsuna panting beside him, Uchiha Kanoku, as his elder and superior, spoke up to offer some advice.

"I'm not reconciled! The Uchiha are clearly the pillars of the village, yet Lord Izuna allows those clowns to bully us."

The thought that those ninja alliance members, who usually treated him like a mouse before a cat, dared to walk ahead of him with their heads held high, fueled a nameless fire within him.

"You're overthinking it."

Uchiha Fire Core rolled his eyes, somewhat speechless. Those guys were busy dividing up the spoils; they didn't have time to target you. They must be delusional about being set up.

The reason why the members of the Ninja Clan Alliance used to avoid Uchiha Setsuna was because of his status as a city management officer. In order to avoid some unnecessary trouble, the members of the Ninja Clan Alliance would go around the city management officer.

However, due to the recent night raid incident, Uchiha Setsuna not only lost his official position but also spent some time in prison. After his release, he was forced to issue a public apology, which prevented the conflict between the Uchiha and Senju from escalating.

"Alright, since everyone has nothing to report, it's my turn to speak."

After Uchiha Setsuna and the others withdrew, Uchiha Izuna, seeing that none of his clansmen intended to speak, slowly stood up. The crowd below, though puzzled, listened intently.

"I have accepted the Uchiha Merchant Guild's mission to guard the Land of Waves and will be away from Konoha for a long time."

These words caused an uproar in the room. Uchiha Izuna paused, his gaze sweeping across the crowd before finally settling on a drowsy, white-haired old man.

"During this period, clan affairs will be managed by the elders. That's right, wake up, I'm talking to you, Elder Lü Cha." (End of Chapter)