The Sarutobi clan.
The morning mist still clung to the ancient trees of the Sarutobi clan's territory as Sarutobi Hiruzen hurried across the courtyard of the clan's compound. His footsteps were brisk, almost urgent, betraying the troubled thoughts racing through his mind. The elders and clansmen who saw him raised their eyebrows in surprise—after all, the Hokage of Konoha rarely returned to the clan grounds during the day, let alone in such a rush.
"Chief, why have you returned so suddenly?" a younger clan member called out, curiosity mixed with concern in his voice.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's face was pale, his usual calm demeanor replaced by tension. He was not only the revered Third Hokage of Konoha but also the proud head of the Sarutobi clan. Balancing those two heavy responsibilities had always been a challenge, but now something far more pressing occupied his thoughts.
"Hurry up and notify all the elders to come to my residence immediately," Hiruzen commanded in a tone that brooked no delay.
"Yes, clan leader!" The young man nodded and quickly disappeared, aware that this was no ordinary summons.
Though curiosity gnawed at him, the clansman understood that whatever problem weighed on Hiruzen's mind was something he was not meant to know about—at least, not yet.
---
The Sarutobi Residence
Inside the modest but dignified home of Sarutobi Hiruzen, the atmosphere was heavy with tension. The usually lively home now felt suffocating. Hiruzen sat motionless in his wooden chair, a cigarette loosely held between his fingers, smoke curling upward lazily but doing nothing to clear the cloud of worry hanging over him. His brows were furrowed deeply, and his eyes, though half-closed, glimmered with the weight of sleepless nights and anxiety.
His mind raced endlessly—how could he come up with 800 million yen within three days? The figure echoed relentlessly in his mind, a brutal demand from a shadow that threatened to destroy everything he had worked so hard to build. This sum was not just money—it was the price of silence, the ransom demanded by an unseen enemy known only as Black Zetsu.
Just then, a soft creak of the door interrupted the heavy silence. The great elder of the Sarutobi clan stepped inside, his hair now more salt than pepper, his face marked by the years of wisdom and hardship.
"Hiruzen," the elder said gently but with clear concern, "what is it that troubles you so? To bring us here so urgently—something must have happened."
Hiruzen lifted his weary eyes to meet the elder's. There was a moment's hesitation as if the burden he carried was too heavy even to voice. Then, in a hoarse whisper, he replied, "Grand Elder, we must wait until all the elders arrive. Only then will I explain the full matter."
The elder nodded knowingly. He had lived long enough to recognize when a man was at his breaking point. "Very well. We shall wait," he said gravely.
---
Minutes dragged by like hours. One by one, the remaining elders filed into the room. These four men, pillars of the Sarutobi clan, each possessed decades of experience and unwavering loyalty. Their faces, stern and lined with age, all fell into a shared silence as their eyes landed on Hiruzen.
The Great Elder broke the tension. "Hiruzen, what is this that could bring you to summon us all so hastily? Speak."
Taking a long drag on his cigarette, Hiruzen finally let the truth spill out, his voice heavy and conflicted.
"Someone caught me… and now threatens me. They demand 800 million yen. If I don't pay, they say they will expose a matter that could ruin me."
The elders' eyes widened in shock. One of them slammed his fist on the wooden table, the sound echoing through the room like a thunderclap.
"Eight hundred million? What proof could this man have to make such a ludicrous demand? The audacity to think the Sarutobi clan is weak enough to be bullied!" the Great Elder bellowed, his face flushed with anger.
The second elder's eyes burned red with indignation as he slammed his palm onto the table as well. "He must think we are fools! We will not bend to such a threat!"
The third elder clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles white as he gritted his teeth. "We must not pay! Giving in will only invite more trouble!"
Hiruzen looked down, ashamed. "There is more… The evidence he has is damning. It is true that I was caught peeping into the women's bathhouse, and it was recorded."
Silence fell like a shroud over the room. The elders stared at him, stunned into disbelief. The anger they had felt a moment ago now morphed into a complex mixture of shock, disappointment, and sorrow.
The Great Elder's expression darkened into bitter disappointment. He sighed heavily, the weight of his words pressing down like a stone. "Hiruzen, how could you? You, a man of your age and stature, to stoop to such behavior?"
The second elder shook his head slowly, his voice tinged with sorrow. "As Hokage, you bear the responsibility not only for yourself but for the reputation of the entire clan. How will the people of Konoha see us if this shameful act is made public?"
The third elder had risen to his feet, pointing an accusing finger at Hiruzen. "Do you understand what this means? Not only is your personal honor at stake, but the dignity of the Sarutobi clan is on the line. This could undo all we have worked for!"
A cold truth hung in the air, echoed in the words of the elders: a man remains a boy until his death. Hiruzen's youthful indiscretion, or more accurately, his lifelong habit, had finally caught up with him. Despite his sixty-plus years, the desires and follies of youth still clung stubbornly to him.
Hiruzen bowed his head, unable to meet their eyes, drowned in shame.
---
Suddenly, the fourth elder, who had remained silent until now, raised his hand to call for quiet. "Enough of this," he said in a firm voice that brooked no argument. "Now is not the time for reproach but for action. We must focus on finding a solution."
The Great Elder nodded in agreement. "Indeed, let us consider our options. Hiruzen, what do you suggest?"
For the first time in the meeting, Hiruzen allowed a faint smile to cross his lips. "I have thought about it. At first, I considered getting rid of this man—killing him to end this nightmare."
The elders' eyes lit up, hope shining briefly. "That would be ideal! Eliminate the threat before it spreads!" the Great Elder exclaimed.
But Hiruzen shook his head. "It is not that simple. The man possesses mysterious abilities—powers beyond our understanding. Even if I tried, it would be near impossible to kill him quickly. And if I delay, Black Zetsu will surely reveal everything to the public."
The room fell silent again as the elders absorbed this grim reality.
Finally, the elder who had spoken last sighed deeply. "Then it seems we are left with no choice but to pay the ransom. But where will we find such a vast sum? The clan's coffers are far from sufficient."
Hiruzen clenched his fists, determination flickering in his eyes. "We will gather what the clan can spare. I will find a way to make up the rest."
The fourth elder tapped the table thoughtfully. "We can reduce the clan's expenses for the coming years. That might free up around 200 million yen."
The Great Elder nodded. "I can offer my coffin book, which is valued at around 10 million."
The second elder shook his head with a pained smile. "My personal assets barely reach five million."
The third elder added, "If you mortgage all the properties under my name, you could get approximately 30 million."
The fourth elder tapped the table decisively. "I have 20 million saved, and I am willing to give it all to you. Hiruzen, you must find a way to cover the rest."
Hiruzen bowed deeply, gratitude mingling with the heavy burden he bore. "Thank you, brothers. Together, we can raise about 300 million. I will find a way to come up with the remaining 500 million."
The elders exchanged determined glances. The Great Elder placed a firm hand on Hiruzen's shoulder. "No matter what it takes, Hiruzen, you must solve this. The future of the Sarutobi clan depends on you."
The Hokage nodded solemnly. The Sarutobi clan's rise in Konoha had been slow but steady. When the clan first joined the village, they were a minor house, often overlooked. But under Hiruzen's leadership, both as Hokage and clan head, the Sarutobi clan had grown in strength and influence.
Now, they stood on the precipice of becoming one of the major clans within Konoha—a position that must not be jeopardized.
As the meeting drew to a close, a sudden spark ignited in Hiruzen's eyes. He had an idea. The path to finding the remaining 500 million yen had just become clear...