The Price of Power

By the end of the week, Tetsuma Senju made his next decisive move.

His personal Anbu unit—handpicked warriors loyal only to him—was dispatched to escort a massive sum of money from his private treasury in the Land of Fire back to Konoha. This sum included the 500 million ryo loan he promised to the village, plus the 3 billion ryo annual budget allocated by the Daimyō.

It took only two days for the convoy to return, escorted by elite operatives.

Their arrival at the Hokage's Office caused an immediate stir.

The Hokage's Office—A Meeting of Power

Inside the office, the Second Hokage Tobirama Senju sat at his desk, still recovering but already immersed in the village's affairs. Hiruzen Sarutobi, his appointed Acting Hokage, stood beside him, while Homura, Koharu, and the civilian financial councilor waited tensely.

The air was thick with unspoken tension as the Anbu deposited the funds before them.

Tetsuma stepped forward, arms crossed. His voice was calm but firm.

"The funds are here. Konoha's economy will stabilize, but remember—this is a loan. Five years. Ten percent annual interest. The village must treat this as a financial matter, not charity."

Hiruzen's brows furrowed. "Tetsuma… I understand your intentions, but are you truly comfortable profiting from Konoha in this way?"

Tetsuma's eyes hardened.

"This is not about profit, Hiruzen. It's about discipline. The village must learn financial independence, just as we shinobi learn to survive in the field. If I simply give the money away, Konoha becomes weak—dependent. A loan forces accountability. It ensures no ryo is wasted."

Tobirama, silent until now, finally spoke.

"You have always thought ahead, Tetsuma." His crimson eyes locked onto his nephew. "You understand power. You understand wealth. But most importantly, you understand responsibility. I accept your terms."

The financial councilor cleared his throat hesitantly. "Hokage-sama… this means a significant portion of Konoha's budget will now be owed to the Senju family."

Tobirama's gaze flicked toward him. "Then we will ensure that debt strengthens Konoha rather than weakens it."

Hiruzen sighed, rubbing his temples. "Very well. We move forward."

Danzo's Growing Resentment

While most of the advisors begrudgingly accepted the arrangement, there was one man who saw it as a direct threat—Shimura Danzo.

Seated in his private quarters later that evening, Danzo gritted his teeth as he reread the announcement regarding the orphanages.

"Tetsuma is consolidating too much influence," he muttered, his fingers tightening over the parchment.

With the orphanages under Senju control and now Konoha financially indebted to the Senju, Danzo knew that his own ambitions were being slowly choked out.

His eyes darkened. He needed to act.