Morning.
Uchiha Ren supported his aching back as he climbed out of bed. Walking to the window, he pulled open the curtains, letting sunlight pour in and spill across the bed. The golden light illuminated the scene behind him—soft skin against warm glow, strikingly beautiful.
He froze for a second.
Then—
The mirror facing him snapped him back to reality.
Messy hair.
Sunken eyes.
Heavy dark circles.
And somehow… his stubble had grown noticeably overnight.
"I've been ruined by indulgence…"
Ren stared at his reflection.
"…I look like this already?"
From today onward—
No more excess.
He made the decision firmly.
That addictive feeling—
Dangerous.
If this continued, he'd ruin himself.
"Master… you're awake?"
Feng stirred, rubbing her eyes. She had been woken by the noise. Seeing Ren standing there unclothed, she instinctively covered her eyes—then immediately realized her own state and hurriedly grabbed the blanket, pulling it over herself. Her cheeks flushed red.
Ren couldn't help but smile.
Adorable.
"Master, I'll go prepare breakfast."
Feng nudged Ling, trying to wake her so they could help Ren dress and wash.
Ren waved his hand.
"No need."
"I'll eat outside. You two keep sleeping."
Before she could argue, he grabbed fresh clothes and left the room.
After washing up and shaving, he found a nearby shop and had a simple breakfast.
Then—
He headed straight to the meeting room.
There was still an hour before the meeting.
He expected it to be mostly empty.
Instead—
It was packed.
All the major clan representatives had already arrived.
Then again—
It made sense.
When money was being distributed, no one showed up late.
Ren walked through the crowd and took his seat at the center.
The moment he entered—
The room quieted.
Everyone returned to their seats.
Ren scanned the room.
One person was missing.
"Where is Lady Mito today?"
He glanced toward Senju Toma.
Toma's fists clenched instantly.
It was hard not to think Ren was provoking him on purpose.
His mother's face had been battered badly.
If not for the Uzumaki clan's vitality, recovery would've taken far longer.
For any woman—
Her face mattered.
Mito had endured it for the bigger picture.
Otherwise—
This would've escalated already.
"…She's unwell."
Toma replied coldly.
"Oh?"
Ren nodded.
"Still recovering from her injuries, I see."
"You—!"
Toma nearly snapped.
Now he was certain—
Ren was doing it intentionally.
Not worth it.
Not now.
This was about funding.
He turned his head away.
Said nothing.
"Since the Hokage has arrived, and everyone is here…"
Hyuga Takuma stepped in smoothly.
"Let's begin."
Ren nodded.
"Then let's start."
—
"The Land of Fire has allocated funding to Konoha."
He paused deliberately.
Every clan leader leaned forward slightly.
Waiting.
"Three hundred billion."
The room erupted.
Three hundred billion—
Was it a lot?
For one clan?
Yes.
For all of Konoha?
Not really.
After repaying debts—
Barely two hundred billion remained.
And that wasn't even counting civilian shinobi.
Genin alone were numerous.
Then—
Operational costs.
Endless.
Daily village maintenance.
Ninja Academy expansion.
Weapons.
Rations.
Explosive tags.
Hospital expansion.
Medical ninja training.
Defense lines against Kirigakure and Iwagakure.
Standing forces alone cost five hundred million per month.
If conflict escalated—
Triple.
Quadruple.
Even Kumogakure, despite the treaty, required vigilance.
Numbers piled up.
Calculations continued.
Ren waited until discussions settled.
"Report the projected expenses."
A clerk stood.
"If no large-scale war occurs…"
"…approximately five hundred billion."
Ren pressed his forehead.
As expected.
Budgets were never enough.
Every village had weaknesses.
Training.
Medical systems.
Defense.
Something was always lacking.
And Konoha—
Needed everything.
"What if war breaks out?"
Takuma asked.
The clerk gave a bitter smile.
"If war begins… there is no such thing as sufficient funding."
Money would burn endlessly.
"Not a good situation."
Ren's expression turned serious.
"Everyone."
The room quieted again.
"Konoha is our shared home."
"We must stand together."
"We must embody the Will of Fire…"
He spoke at length.
Setting the tone.
Establishing direction.
But the conclusion was simple.
Someone had to bear the cost.
And it wouldn't be civilians.
They had nothing to give.
But the clans—
Were different.
Even in decline—
They had reserves.
Konoha's debts—
Were owed to the clans.
Internal.
That meant—
Negotiable.
Ren's gaze hardened slightly.
"Internal debt…"
"…is not debt."
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