Although with Byakuya's strength—especially if he were to activate the Mangekyō Sharingan—he could annihilate them all without hesitation, he understood there was little strategic benefit in doing so.
What would killing them accomplish?
Instead, it was far more profitable to let them live—like cultivating leeks—to continuously harvest negative emotions and gather ninjutsu resources through their resentment and fear.
After hearing Byakuya's words, Sarutobi Hiruzen quickly grasped his intention.
It was about money again.
"I suppose you want compensation for the Uchiha clan's 'suffering,'" Hiruzen said with a weary expression.
"Let's start with... one billion ryō," Byakuya said coldly, his eyes fixed on the Third Hokage.
"What!? One billion!?"
"You're blackmailing me!" Hiruzen's face twisted in disbelief. The amount was outrageous.
"Blackmail? You're not wrong," Byakuya replied without the slightest attempt to hide his disdain. He slowly raised his blade, pointing it directly at the wounded Danzo. "Unless you'd prefer I take his head instead?"
Danzo, barely able to stand, glared at Byakuya while clutching the bloodied side of his face, half-blinded and humiliated.
"…Fine. One billion. I'll have it delivered immediately," Sarutobi Hiruzen finally ground out through clenched teeth. It was a humiliating concession, but letting Danzo die here would send the wrong message to the rest of the village—and potentially spark open conflict.
Moments later, an ANBU operative arrived, carrying ten storage scrolls.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama," Byakuya said mockingly as he handed the scrolls to Uchiha Yan. "You may take your traitor and leave."
"Hmph… Let's go," Hiruzen growled, waving his hand. The ANBU helped the half-crippled Danzo to his feet, and the group quickly departed.
Just as they were leaving, Byakuya's voice rang out again:
"Oh, by the way, Lord Hokage… how was Sarutobi Shinnosuke handled? That traitor. I trust his head has already rolled?"
Hiruzen paused in his steps, but didn't look back.
"Captain Byakuya… you need not concern yourself with such matters," he said coldly before vanishing with the rest of his entourage.
Byakuya's words had clearly infuriated him, but he dared not retaliate—not yet.
As the Hokage and his people left in disgrace, a system notification echoed in Byakuya's mind:
[Ding! Detected Sarutobi Hiruzen's resentment! +200 negative energy. Ninjutsu +12.]
[Ding! Detected Sarutobi Hiruzen's anger! +300 negative energy. Genjutsu +14.]
[Ding! Detected Sarutobi Hiruzen's humiliation! +400 negative energy. Chakra +20.]
All around, the Uchiha clan burst into cheers.
"Lord Byakuya, that was incredible!"
"As expected, only Lord Byakuya can lead our clan back to greatness!"
"Did you see that? Even the Hokage was pressured into submission!"
"What kind of Hokage is that, compared to our captain!?"
"Our security force handles what the Hokage is too afraid to deal with!"
"Long live Lord Byakuya!"
Byakuya's prestige surged once again. Even among the more moderate members of the Uchiha clan, doubt about their previous loyalties began to stir.
If the great Sarutobi Hiruzen could be humiliated so easily… then perhaps Byakuya really was the one to lead them forward.
But Byakuya's expression darkened.
"You're still laughing?" he snapped, glaring at several bloodied clan members. "Look at your wounds. You were injured by mere Konoha ninja. Disgraceful!"
"You are Uchiha! From today onward, you will train relentlessly. No more complacency. We will rise again through strength!"
"Yes, Lord Byakuya!" they shouted in unison, shame and pride mixing on their faces.
During the Warring States Era, the Uchiha were unrivaled—feared across the continent. Only the Senju could match them.
But now, with the Senju reduced to legend and scattered remnants—many destroyed under the rule of Hiruzen and the other elders—no clan remained that could stand in the Uchiha's way.
Yet peace had softened them.
Byakuya would change that.
He would forge the Uchiha into a force mighty enough to challenge the entire Hidden Leaf.
And when that day came, they would no longer need to bow before the Hokage.
In the Hokage's Office
Inside the dimly lit room of the Hokage Building, Sarutobi Hiruzen sat in silence, flanked by Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado, and the heavily bandaged Danzo Shimura.
Each wore a grim expression.
What had occurred today was nothing short of a political catastrophe.
And worse—it had exposed just how fragile their grip on the Uchiha truly was.
The four individuals were among the highest-ranking officials in Konoha, wielding considerable authority in the village. Under normal circumstances, even the most influential clan leaders would show them respect.
But now, they had been thoroughly humiliated by the Uchiha clan.
Shimura Danzo, in particular, had suffered the most—slapped across the face, his right eye destroyed, and one arm severed.
"Danzo, how are your injuries?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen asked, his gaze lingering on the bandages covering Danzo's head and arm.
"The arm has been reattached, but the eye... it's beyond saving," Danzo replied grimly.
Since becoming an elder of Konoha and the shadow leader of Root, Danzo had never endured such a crushing defeat—especially not at the hands of the Uchiha. Rage simmered beneath his composed facade.
"Hiruzen, we cannot let this go!"
"The Uchiha clan must be eliminated immediately!" Danzo barked, eyes burning with fury.
"He's right," Mitokado Homura added sharply.
"They've grown too bold—attacking Konoha's leadership without consequence."
"The Second Hokage was right. The Uchiha are a dangerous clan by nature," Utatane Koharu echoed coldly.
To them, this wasn't just insubordination—it was an unforgivable act of defiance. The Uchiha clan had to be punished.
"You're all correct," Hiruzen said solemnly.
"But now is not the time for an open conflict."
Despite sharing their concerns, Hiruzen was fully aware of the risks. Waging war against the Uchiha would plunge the entire village into chaos. Their current strength was formidable—not only did they have multiple elite jōnin, but they also had Byakuya, a mysterious figure strong enough to overwhelm Danzo with ease.
"Unless you're prepared to face another civil war or spark a fourth great ninja war, we must bide our time."
Danzo's hands clenched in frustration. "Sarutobi, I—"
"That's enough, Danzo," Hiruzen cut him off.
"Your priority now is to recover your strength... and rebuild Root."
He paused, voice sharpening with authority.
"And don't forget—I am the Hokage."
Though the name "Hokage" may have carried little weight with someone like Byakuya, it still meant everything to those around him.
"...Understood," Danzo muttered reluctantly.