Chapter 26

"Unfortunately, that's not all," sighed Danzo, "while investigating all the recent events, I stumbled upon another unpleasant piece of news. The council meeting is not coming up soon, so I'll inform you in advance — the Uzumaki not only left Konoha but also withdrew all their funds, except for Mito Uzumaki's savings. So, ahead of us is an unbalanced village budget for the next year. Our merchants will surely chew our ears off about this."

"The further we go, the worse it gets," groaned the Hokage, receiving sympathetic looks from those present.

"And judging by the recent reports from my spies, the Uzumaki are withdrawing their money from other banks in all countries as well."

"It's strange that we haven't heard anything about this — there are surely missing-nin who would want to profit from the gold of their clan," Koharu remarked.

"Against twenty Uzumaki jonin? That's the number of shinobi in the two teams sent to collect money! And trust me, you'd have to be a suicidal to attack them, or shall I remind you of the strength of the average jonin from our allies?" Danzo shuddered.

"No one needs reminding — the scenes of carnage where even a quartet of red-haired jonin fought made even the most seasoned veterans, who had fought in the world shinobi war, wake up in nightmares. While there were barely more than a hundred shinobi and kunoichi of this level at Waterfall, the majority of them were at the level of lower A-class, and some even higher. And one shouldn't forget about the true monsters, like the current Uzukage, who has crossed the second hundred years and is only growing in power — they could be counted on the fingers of one hand, but Konoha, throughout its history, had only two leaders like that, the Senju leaders, Uchiha Madara, Uzumaki Mito, and Sarutobi Hiruzen. Only the last two are alive at the moment, but it's unclear which village the jinchuriki of the Nine-Tailed Fox belongs to now. Senju Toka could also be counted, despite her considerable age of seventy, she retained all her strength, and Hatake Sakumo, who was approaching full A-rank status, but that's it. The students of the third Hokage are still too young and inexperienced, and hardly will grow to the level of their teacher in their prime. The great villages always took quantity, while Uzushiogakure took exclusively quality and power of individual shinobi."

"I've also heard rumors that Waterfall is planning to stop chakra-conducting metal shipments soon, and their blacksmiths are hurriedly completing existing orders for weapons and refusing to take new ones," Shimura interrupted the prolonged silence. "Judging by all the signs, they're preparing for war and probably don't consider us as allies."

"Damn their biju! Why now?!" the aging Kage slammed his fist on the table.

"Just a couple more years, and we could have forgotten about everything except the impending war with Suna and Iwa! And now we'll have to fear a stab in the back! And the Uzumaki never had a strong intelligence network, they traditionally relied on us, but they still found out, damn them to hell!"

"Now is not the time for regrets," Homura frowned. "First and foremost, we need to decide how to replenish the shortage of seals for our shinobi."

"Unfortunately, Jiraiya-kun has only just begun to grasp the basics of fuinjutsu and is at the beginner level, despite some talent in this area. It's moments like these that I regret Tsunade going into medicine," Sarutobi replied, refilling his extinguished pipe and lighting it up again using basic fire techniques. "The same can be said for our other shinobi who decided to pursue the path of the redheads."

"What about Mito-sama?" the kunoichi asked. "She has knowledge and experience, as well as an extensive library. Let her train capable youngsters and further educate the rest. In a couple of years, we'll have at least some trained specialists. In the worst case, we can ask her to work on creating seals."

"I've already tried, both asking her to teach and to get some scrolls from the library," Danzo grimaced. "If the heads of my four subordinates can be taken as an answer, then you understand the result of all further attempts."

"But if the Hokage asks, Mito-sama won't be able to refuse without a good reason," the elder suggested uncertainly.

"You forget who she is — the jinchuriki of the most powerful biju, the wife of the first Hokage, a princess from the ruling family of the ancient Uzumaki clan, a senior member of the Senju clan, and the strongest kunoichi of our village, despite her venerable age. If anyone can refuse me, it's her. Even pressure won't work," sighed Sarutobi.

"And she has a reason — she's damn old and almost in the grave, another five or six years and we'll need a new vessel."

"The only consolation is that then I'll finally be able to get to her library," muttered the head of the ANBU.

"Do you think the Senju will let you lay a finger on it? Dream on!" Mitokado skeptically raised an eyebrow.

"If I justify it as being for the good of the village, they'll hand it over themselves — no need to ask! Besides, among them, there isn't a single good fuinjutsu master, and for those who don't understand seals, such knowledge will be almost useless baggage," Shimura snapped.

"Perhaps, but we still need to survive until then, and the problem needs to be addressed now," sighed and lit his pipe again the Hokage.

"I suggest gathering all shinobi who are somewhat familiar with fuinjutsu from non-clan backgrounds and, based on the knowledge we have, bring them up to the level where they can produce basic seals of at least average quality," Koharu proposed.

"And in the meantime, look for specialists on the side. Maybe we'll be lucky enough to poach at least one Uzumaki with generous promises..."

"I doubt it, they're too loyal to their clan and Uzukage," Sarutobi shook his head, "but the overall plan of action is suitable. Danzo — personally take care of this, and make sure everything is peaceful and without your usual methods. You can take money from the reserve fund without limitations, but you'll have to report on every ryō afterward."

"Understood."

"Report to me in three weeks. That's all. I won't keep you any longer."