Naruto: The Hyuga Mastermind

Chapter 143: Tobirama Senju: Embezzlement? Me?

"Lord Shikaku, the investigation results and documents from the Technology Development Bureau are here."

"Leave them on the desk."

"Understood!"

In his office, Shikaku Nara gestured for the visitor to set the files down. After the individual left, he sighed wearily.

It had been several days since Hyuga Fuji and his followers defected from Konoha.

Tsunade was occupied with managing the Fire Nation's political affairs and addressing the rebels, leaving Konoha's internal workload entirely on Shikaku's shoulders.

The burden on him grew heavier by the day, leaving him no time to rest.

But now was not the time to take a break.

Setting the investigation results aside, Shikaku picked up the documents from the Technology Development Bureau and began reviewing them.

At the same time Hyuga Fuji led his forces out of the Daimyo's palace, some personnel within Konoha had also started to leave.

Due to Konoha's internal vulnerabilities at the time, there had been no effective means to stop them. All they could do was watch them leave.

Now, the list of those who had departed with Hyuga Fuji was complete: around four thousand individuals, not including their families.

Of those, about two thousand were registered Konoha ninjas, while the rest were individuals who had only been active in Konoha for the past six months—hailing from the Technology Development Bureau, trade associations, medical corps, and other departments.

And all of them were elites.

If not for the technical documents left behind by Hyuga Fuji and his followers, Shikaku figured it would take Konoha a decade just to rebuild its various departments.

After flipping through the technical materials for a while, Shikaku sighed at Konoha's inability to retain such individuals.

But there was no time for regrets. He quickly turned his attention to the investigation results.

Whether Hyuga Fuji had taken everyone loyal to him was unclear.

However, in an effort to stabilize the situation, Tsunade chose to trust most of those who remained, conducting investigations only into certain mid- and high-ranking individuals.

The results of those investigations were now before him.

As Shikaku read, he spotted something peculiar, his expression turning odd.

Even if the original intent was questionable, diverting funds on this scale—if true—required at least a minor disciplinary action.

Lady Tsunade would need to be informed as well.

After summoning a ninja to deliver the evidence to the Technology Development Bureau, Shikaku finished reviewing the investigation results and addressed some personnel matters. Finally, he turned his attention to the most troublesome issue at hand: the missing-nin status of Hyuga Fuji and Tobirama Senju.

Tsunade had classified Hyuga Fuji and Tobirama as S-rank missing-nin, signaling her stance and fulfilling Tobirama's own wishes.

But Hyuga Fuji aside, there was no way Tobirama's situation could be handled like an ordinary missing-nin.

The Second Hokage, who had co-founded Konoha with the First Hokage, defecting?

That would only invite ridicule from other villages… Though, truthfully, the defection of the Hokage's assistant and the Root leader Orochimaru was already a joke in itself.

Sighing bitterly, Shikaku fell into deep thought.

Unlike Hyuga Fuji, Tobirama's situation had largely been suppressed. After all, his resurrection was so far beyond comprehension that most people doubted it had even happened. With information tightly controlled, and time passing, the matter faded from public concern.

The few who did know—primarily jonin—were all under Tsunade's watchful eye and forbidden from speaking of it. Some had even been subjected to techniques akin to the Root's Tongue-Curse Seal.

This was essentially a "cold case."

Any official explanation would only fuel speculation, so the matter had to be buried.

After all, with Tsunade having just executed the Daimyo and dismantled the one nation, one village system, Tobirama's resurrection and defection would spark endless theories. It might even look like an ancestor returning to life out of frustration with his descendants, undermining Tsunade's rule.

Thus, Tobirama's case had to remain hidden—provided he didn't show himself publicly.

"Rest assured, unless necessary, he won't appear in the open. Tobirama supports the dismantling of the one nation, one village system and wouldn't allow rumors to jeopardize my rule. Just like in the Daimyo's palace, where he left behind the corpses of the Daimyo's heirs and nobles—rest easy and handle it accordingly."

Recalling Tsunade's calm words during the transition of power in the Fire Nation, Shikaku sighed softly.

The Fire Nation would transfer power to Tsunade smoothly—this was the unspoken agreement among Tsunade, Tobirama, and Hyuga Fuji.

But Tobirama's existence couldn't be hidden from all Konoha ninjas forever. As the village leadership changed and the younger generation rose, some would inevitably learn of his involvement. How to explain it then was a problem.

They couldn't very well say Tobirama had abandoned Konoha.

Sighing again, Shikaku admitted to himself that he still didn't understand why Tobirama had chosen to leave with Hyuga Fuji.

…

While Shikaku wrestled with his thoughts, the young ninja he had sent to investigate potential embezzlement arrived at the Technology Development Bureau. After locating a researcher and presenting his credentials, he asked in a low voice, "Where is Consultant Tobirama?"

"He's in the innermost lab, I think," the researcher replied.

"Thank you."

The young ninja quickly made his way to the back of the Bureau and knocked gently on the door. Upon hearing Tobirama's response, he stepped inside.

"What is it?"

Tobirama, hearing the door open, put away the scroll on his desk and asked flatly, "I'm quite busy right now. If it's not urgent, can it wait? I'm on the verge of completing another project."

With that, Tobirama moved toward the door, clearly intending to head to another lab.

The young ninja, however, frowned, worried that Tobirama might be planning to flee under the guise of research. He quickly blocked the path, his expression serious.

Under Tobirama's slightly impatient gaze, the young ninja said firmly, "Consultant Tobirama, you are suspected of embezzling Konoha funds. Please come with me to cooperate with the investigation."

Tobirama frowned. "Embezzlement? I spend most of my time in the lab, I earn a decent salary, and I don't indulge in luxury. How could I possibly be embezzling funds?"

"That's precisely one of the oddities, which is why we need your cooperation for the investigation."

The young ninja handed over a document. "Your daily activities are very routine. We found no direct evidence of embezzlement. However, a member of the finance department claimed that under your instructions, funds intended for other purposes were transferred to your account."

As he spoke, the young ninja scrutinized Tobirama's expression, looking for any changes.

The finance department ninja who had exposed Tobirama had been unusually stubborn. Only under genjutsu had they revealed their suspicions.

In the young ninja's mind, this all but confirmed Tobirama's guilt. He assumed Tobirama was simply maintaining his composure.

"If the investigation clears your name, you will be compensated. If not… we ask that you come with me to the Security Force. Considering your significant contributions, your stay there will be brief."

The young ninja added sincerely, "And if you truly lack funds, Lord Shikaku has offered to assist you. Please don't resort to such actions."

"…"

Seeing the ninja's earnest expression, Tobirama fell into thought.

He recalled Hyuga Fuji's warning that he wouldn't be able to stay in Konoha for long. His brow furrowed.

Could this have something to do with Fuji?

(End of Chapter)