Naruto’s Strongest Force [translation]

Konoha Village, Eighth Street

Eighth Street was originally Uchiha territory. Other than Uchiha-owned shops, there weren't many businesses in the area.

After Natsuki offered rewards to encourage families to settle down, some people left their shops to return home, leaving many stores vacant.

Once the Uchiha shops started booming, the entire street became lively. The empty shops were quickly rented out to other ninja clans at very high prices.

As expected, with the popularity of Uchiha-run dining establishments, other businesses also flourished, making significant profits.

Unfortunately, the prosperity didn't last. Due to the jealousy of Danzo and the Third Hokage, the Uchiha initiated their plan to leave Konoha.

Now, Eighth Street was no longer the bustling area it once was.

Many stores stood empty, their signs coated in dust, remnants of the Uchiha's departure.

The few shopkeepers who remained were from other ninja clans, who had once paid high prices to rent the spaces.

Whenever they saw visitors from outside villages, their eyes lit up with hope, but most travelers simply passed through.

Many walked straight to Konoha's northern gate to board the Uchiha sightseeing cart, heading to the Uchiha snack street.

Others, seeing the desolate state of Eighth Street, lost interest and turned to other commercial streets to shop instead.

Unlike ordinary civilians, the major ninja clans knew exactly why the Uchiha left Eighth Street.

Their family leaders, present at Konoha's council meetings, had seen the shadow of Danzo.

Adding to that, the Hyuga Clan—unwilling to take the blame—had quietly spread some rumors, further deepening the grudge against Danzo.

Danzo had taken about 30% of the Uchiha's secret recipes and handed them to the Fire Daimyo. Although the Daimyo was furious, he dared not confront Danzo directly.

If the Daimyo could secure funding, Danzo was willing to cooperate for mutual benefit. But since they couldn't agree, Danzo offered only minimal concessions.

The Fire Daimyo had no choice but to use the recipe Danzo provided, combining it with his team's imitations to promote new dining establishments.

Hokage Office – Meeting Room

In the meeting room of the Hokage's office, all the honorary elders and advisory elders were present.

Even Akimichi Torifu, who rarely left his home in recent years, made a rare appearance.

This was the monthly meeting, held to discuss major issues affecting Konoha.

Honorary elders had the right to propose ideas, but decisions were made by the Hokage and the advisory elders.

While the Hokage held the most authority, a unanimous vote from the advisory elders could override him.

Fortunately, such a situation had never occurred.

In recent years, the Third Hokage had aged rapidly. The sharpness that once marked him as a legendary ninja had dulled, replaced by a heavy air of weariness.

"Next is the free proposal period," the Third Hokage said, tapping the table gently.

Creaaak!

The sound of a chair groaning broke the silence.

It came from Akimichi Torifu, who stood up. The chair he had just been sitting in was severely bent out of shape.

He hadn't attended meetings in so long that there was no special chair for him anymore.

"I propose that we buy back the Uchiha-owned shops on Eighth Street and reopen them to attract new businesses. This would enrich Eighth Street's commercial atmosphere."

Torifu didn't want to be there, but his clan had bought the most shops on Eighth Street when they were being sold.

The Akimichi Clan, known for their barbecue restaurants, had strategically placed their shops next to Uchiha establishments to draw in more customers.

Who could have guessed that Danzo would attempt to steal the Uchiha's secrets, forcing them to relocate entirely?

Now, with the Uchiha gone, their shops stood empty, reducing foot traffic and killing business for the remaining shops.

The ownership of these properties still legally belonged to the Uchiha. To manage everything efficiently, the Uchiha had once been concentrated in this area.

Even though they had left, the properties remained theirs.

Unless the Uchiha sold them, Eighth Street would remain lifeless.

"Seconded."

"Seconded."

"Seconded…"

Many honorary elders voiced their agreement.

After all, most of the elders present were leaders of major ninja clans, known for their sharp instincts.

Their clans had suffered the most significant losses.

The Third Hokage glanced around the room. Two-thirds of the honorary elders had expressed their approval of the proposal, and Akimichi Torifu, technically still an advisory elder, was among them.

The Third Hokage tapped the table lightly. "The proposal is approved. Now, who will negotiate with the Uchiha?"

Most of the people in the room turned their eyes toward the Hyuga Clan. Two individuals from the clan were present: Hyuga Hiashi and Hyuga Hizashi.

Originally, only Hiashi held the position of honorary elder. However, for this matter, the clan's fourth elder, Haido, had obtained a mandate and submitted it to the family.

The Hyuga clan feared that if Uchiha Natsuki returned, he would retaliate.

The branch family, having maintained a good relationship with the Uchiha in the past, had already caused significant dissatisfaction within the main family.

To address this, Hiashi decided to grant the position of honorary elder to Hizashi, who had a close relationship with Natsuki.

In all the years the branch family had existed in Konoha, no one from their ranks had ever entered Konoha's decision-making circle.

This move greatly boosted morale within the branch family, winning their trust and support.

After the Uchiha left Konoha, the Hyuga Clan spread rumors that Danzo was the mastermind behind the events.

This not only appeased the branch family's grievances but also informed other ninja clans of Danzo's role.

When Hizashi noticed that most of the room was looking at him, he stood up.

"I will handle this matter."

Seeing Hizashi volunteer, the Third Hokage nodded in approval.

"Very well, it's decided. Hizashi, you will take care of this."

The Third Hokage then gestured for Hizashi to sit down.

"Next proposal," he announced loudly.

Danzo stood up. "Konoha's monthly mission completion rate is too low. I propose restoring the Root division. Root can guarantee the completion of at least one-fifth of Konoha's total missions."

Akimichi Torifu shot to his feet. "I oppose this!"

Crack!

The chair beneath him completely collapsed.

"Konoha's economy is already in decline. Restoring Root would create an unnecessary expense each month," he argued.

For years, Danzo had caused nothing but trouble. If it weren't for him forcing the Uchiha to leave, Torifu thought, he would still be at home happily counting his profits.

"There's no way Root will be restored," Torifu continued.

"I oppose it too. Root serves no purpose anymore," said another.

"Opposed."

"Opposed."

One by one, the others voiced their disapproval.

Root Base

"Hmph!"

"Those fools! They dare oppose my proposal!" Danzo muttered with a dark expression as he returned to the Root base.

His proposal had been completely rejected, with only the elders from the Shimura Clan supporting him. All other honorary elders dismissed it, claiming that Root was useless. Their dismissive words had infuriated him.

Danzo knew that these people were blaming him for the Uchiha leaving Konoha.

But there was nothing he could do about it. Previously, he had struck a deal with Zetsu, who had pointed him toward Haido. But now, Zetsu had mysteriously disappeared.

Danzo had spent resources to secure the honorary elder position for Hizashi, only to see the funds cut off afterward.

He had taken a significant loss.

Root's primary strength lay in combat, but in this time of peace, all the nations had lowered their flags and ended conflicts. People had forgotten Root's importance.

Pacing back and forth, Danzo felt increasingly uneasy about Zetsu's disappearance. Zetsu had brought him new technology that allowed his arm to move freely.

He no longer needed to use the Sharingan embedded in his arm to suppress the cells of Hashirama. Danzo had even removed the Sharingan from his arm and reinstalled one into his right eye, with extras to spare.

But Danzo trusted no one but himself.

And now Zetsu had vanished without a trace.

"Summon the medical team," Danzo ordered.

Shortly after, the medical team arrived.

"I'm concerned that the arm might have some hidden trap left behind by that man. Place a sealing jutsu on it immediately!"

"Yes, Lord Danzo!"