Chapter 108: Koharu and Homura – “Hiruzen and Danzo Are to Blame for Everything!”

"In addition, the advisors are requesting an audience with Lady Mito," reported Uchiha Aoto. "On our side, only a few dozen sustained non-fatal injuries. No casualties. Those are the results of suppressing the four clans."

"That doesn't include members of those clans who are on missions outside the village or stationed at the forward base," someone noted.

Mito nodded coldly. "The ninjas in the advance camp tied to Danzo's faction? Most of them died alongside him, trying to harm Gin and the others. The few who remained behind tried to destroy the evidence after Gin exposed their crimes—they were either killed or captured."

Her crimson gaze swept over to Hikari, who stood calmly beside Uchiha Aoto.

"Dispatch the three clans under tracking contracts to hunt down the remaining operatives," Hikari ordered. "If they resist, eliminate them."

Potential threats could not be allowed to fester.

While the Yamanaka, Nara, and Akimichi clan representatives looked puzzled by the mention of "contract-bound ninjas," Uchiha Aoto, Senju Tetsuma, and Uzumaki Romei understood immediately. Everyone present grasped the brilliance behind Hikari's command.

Over the past few years, the tri-clan tracking contract—linking the Inuzuka, Aburame, and Hyūga—had evolved into a sophisticated surveillance network. Armed with region-wide tracking capabilities, these three clans could easily hunt down rogue elements. For the scattered Sarutobi and Shimura loyalists still on assignment, there was simply nowhere to run.

"Yes, ma'am," Uchiha Aoto replied, swiftly taking his leave. He and Tetsuma would oversee the purging operations—cleansing, recruitment, and placing loyal members from the Uchiha, Senju, and Uzumaki into power.

With the downfall of the old guard, numerous village posts and departments were left vacant. Naturally, they were now divided among the Uchiha, Senju, Uzumaki, Yamanaka, Nara, Akimichi, Aburame, Inuzuka, and Hyūga.

"Should we inform the Daimyō that we've arrested the Third and assumed interim control of the village?" someone asked.

Mito replied without hesitation, "Just notify him. Nothing more. If the Daimyō has questions, let him come speak to me personally."

Her voice grew firmer. "Tell him the appointment of the Fourth Hokage will be decided after the war ends. When the time comes, he'll be informed. No sooner."

She sighed, frustration flaring in her golden aura.

"We've discovered a massive deficit in the treasury. Even if we seize the Sarutobi and Shimura clan assets, it won't cover a fraction of what they embezzled over the years. Who could've imagined they plundered so much in just a decade?"

She snorted. "Tell the Daimyō to send funds—or at least a voucher for travel expenses. That's from me."

Romei chuckled, bowing slightly. "Understood. I'll write the letter. Romei will deliver it."

The current Daimyō was still young—a descendant of the Senju via a historical alliance with the Sandjō clan at the village's founding. In truth, he owed his position to Mito's bloodline. There was no need for Mito to show him the reverence she once gave Hiruzen. If anything, he ought to be bowing to her.

Nara Shikayama and Romei exchanged glances and nodded. Only Uzumaki Mito could handle the Daimyō so directly.

Uchiha Hikari agreed with the sentiment. With knowledge of both the past and what lay ahead, she no longer saw feudal lords as anything more than fading symbols. In the world Gin envisioned—a unified shinobi empire—Daimyō would become obsolete.

Mito, sensing her thoughts, sealed the message, dismissed the others, and activated a private soundproof barrier.

She turned to Hikari. "Sister, I know Gin will one day unite the entire ninja world—and become its supreme ruler. And when that day comes, the feudal lords of Fire and the other nations will be swept into the ash heap of history."

"I have no objection," Hikari replied evenly.

"But the current Daimyō's bloodline links back to the Senju. When that day comes… I hope we can give them a dignified exit. If they wish to return to the Senju clan, so be it. If not, let them live out their days as a wealthy family—away from politics."

It was best to discuss these things early—to avoid conflict later. The Senju and Uzumaki were now bonded by contract to Gin. Their interests aligned. But they should also act with reason.

Hikari nodded. "Agreed. When Gin rises, he'll need talented administrators. We can reserve them a few minor positions in the imperial administration. So long as we hold absolute power, they won't pose a threat. And over time, their descendants can be re-educated through the same contracts."

"Then it's settled," Mito said, smiling warmly. "This couldn't be better."

She dropped the sound barrier and summoned the contracted operatives to bring Koharu and Homura.

Not long after, the two advisors arrived.

"Lady Mito, Lady Hikari," they greeted, bowing respectfully in the Hokage's office. Their expressions betrayed anxiety as they glanced around the familiar yet foreign space.

So much had changed. The room they once ruled from now felt alien.

Still, their fear wasn't for the village—but for the fate of their clans.

Mito's gaze was sharp. "I appreciate that you recognized your situation and cooperated—accepting temporary detainment of your clans and surrendering control over the medical corps, finance, and other administrative units."

She paused, her voice turning cold.

"But that's far from enough."

She slammed her hand on the table.

"For more than ten years, you siphoned wealth, manipulated resources, and robbed this village blind! The scale of it is staggering. If you'd continued for just a few more years, Konoha would've collapsed entirely!"

A terrifying pressure filled the room. Koharu and Homura trembled, sweat pouring down their brows.

"Please, we never meant—!"

"Spare me," Mito snapped. "You did it all. Now you beg for mercy?"

The advisors dropped to their knees, voices quivering. "We admit our guilt! Please, Lady Mito, show us mercy. We cooperated voluntarily!"

Power? That was already gone. Now they hoped only to preserve their lives—and perhaps, their clans.

Seeing their pitiful state, Mito slowly retracted her aura.

"Continue cooperating. Oversee the transfer of every department you controlled. Assist the teams auditing village property. And no, I don't expect full repayment all at once."

She gave them a final warning. "From now on, your clans will be required to complete a set number of missions each month. Thirty percent of your earnings will go toward repaying the debt. That is final."

"Y-Yes, Lady Mito," they stammered.

They left the office like ghosts, shrunken and defeated.

Relieved to be alive, yet crushed by despair, they knew the truth—their political era was over. There would be no return to power.

And the debts… oh, the debts.

Even with decades of hard work, their clans would never repay what had been stolen. Generations would toil under the burden.

All they could do now was curse their own greed—and curse the Third and Danzo, whose ambition dragged them all into ruin.

Flashback – The Day Before: The Battlefield

After Gin's crushing victory over Hanzo and the enemy clans, Tsunade led the cleanup efforts.

Most of the fallen ninja—especially those from the enemy clans—were cremated on the spot. A few high-ranking bodies were sealed for future examination.

The ninjas of Amegakure? Reduced to ash by fire-style jutsu.

Once the allied forces withdrew, a strange silence fell over the valley.

From the shadows, Black Zetsu and White Zetsu crept out to survey the wreckage.

"Tsk, tsk," White Zetsu whispered. "They did a thorough job. Burned almost everything. Even the battlefield's aura is half-erased."

He crouched to the ground, sniffing the scorched soil.

"I wonder… just who were they trying so hard to hide this from?"