They bumped into her aunt and uncle on the way over.
Apparently an ANBU member dropped in on their business and told them to get packing too. They had skipped the meeting as a delicate order was coming in and needed to make sure it arrived safely. All in vain. Miko wondered aloud if this effected other ninja clan like the Akimichi. Her aunt had grabbed her uncles hand, telling them to go on while she found out.
Suzu was worked up, and Miko said a quick prayer to whoever crossed her.
They burst in, and all conversation stopped. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.
"Suzu?" Akira called in shock.
"The village council has passed new regulations pertaining to the food industry with no prior warning. They have taken my shop from me and shut it down. I am not the only one either, as Maro's and Taro's restaurant has also been shut down."
A roar of rage and shock echoed throughout the meeting room.
Akira jumped up and ran to his wife, concerned.
"And an ANBU-"
Just then Taro ran into the room.
"Fugaku-Sama, The Akimichi were completely unaware such measures had been taken against us. They themselves had gotten a two-week notice to get their supplies up to-date. My wife is there now sorting out a deal to get are restaurants back. They are outraged a friend it being treated like this!"
This fiasco went on for another day, her mother forcing her to bed.
The village had recoiled in shock at the unjust closing at Uchiha affiliated establishments, especially at Suzu's, since she really only became an Uchiha a few weeks ago. When it was found out her place was closed right at dinner time too, some of the most influential members in the village were pissed. The same council members who frequented the restaurant and the ones who attended the restaurant-were the ones who passed the bill. They were mad. It was reported in the Konoha gazette.
The fact that others got a head up while they were left to flounder left angry tears in her eyes and closed up her throat.
And suddenly, she could understand why the Uchiha would go through with a coup. She had never felt more weak, more pathetic in years. Not since the nine-tails attack. They were still being discriminated against. Well, what was years of work compared to decades of systematic discrimination? It had been now two weeks ago when a man saw her dark hair and eyes and scoffed.
In fact, right now, the reason people were so outraged was because Suzu looked like one of them instead of an Uchiha. Make no mistake, the shock waves were rippling through the clan.
The woman herself had stormed up into the council room, and had poured her heart out.
"My restaurant didn't start out as a restaurant-it started as a dream. As a child, I saw people just wanting a place to go, to eat and be happy. To relax and to be able to afford it. I worked for years through injuries that prevented my original dream to be a ninja. So I took that knife for training and cut food instead. When I started this establishment, I realized both my dreams were similar in a significant way-they involved helping people. I have literally and figuratively served Konoha for years, and this is what I get? Cast me out, but please, keep Suzu's open for Konoha. For the people."
With that speech, she received a standing ovation. They had quickly pardoned her and her Aunt and Uncle, who then upgraded their restaurants to the standard. The Akimichi had been a huge help too. They had immediately agreed to a trade deal with the Uchiha once the restaurants opened again, to help them get back on their feet.
In fact, that was where Miko was now. At Suzu's cleaning the place and preparing it to open in T minus half an hour.
She could see people queuing up outside. They had opened a window purposefully letting the smell of cooking food waft outside. Miko wiped the seats, Suzu got into positions and they opened the doors. A burst of excited chatter reached their ears as people streamed in. They found their seats and picked up the menu's.
"Hey Suzu!"
"Looking good, Suzu."
"Food it excellent as always, Suzu."
Things were going pretty good. Miko was in the back doing her academy homework when she heard it.
"Me and the rest are so sorry this happened here. We love this establishment and were shocked when we realized the bill we had passed caused this. Please, if you need anything, know were here."
The group of over a dozen councilpeople strong bowed, before departing to their tables.
Maybe something good would come out of this after all.
Elsewhere.
He exhaled deeply through his nose. Stress weighed heavily on his shoulders as he sat waiting for a meeting with the Hokage. Before Suzu had been interrupted he had thought he had heard wrong. He pulled her to the side later on, had was deeply troubled by what he had heard. He sat opposite from Akira's painting.
An ANBU had personally come to shut it down.
That meant the Hokage had to authorize it. He had thought they were on the same page, but apparently not. The frown lines on the side of his face became that much deeper.
"The Hokage will see you now." The assistant said.
He got up and walked into his office. The Hokage was clearly drowning in paperwork, pipe almost like a chimney.
"Ah, Fugaku. To what do I owe the pleasure." He leaned back, folding his hands. Fugaku kept frowning and was silent for a moment longer.
"When Suzu's and Toro's and Maro's places were shut down, an ANBU member appeared personally to do so. It's standard for desk Chunin to handle these things. Why were they sent, and why wasn't our establishments given a two week notice like the Akimichi?"
The Hokage was stunned-before professionally covering it up. But that said more than words could. He was unaware of this.
"I am not in control of the council. I will look into it."
Recognizing a dismissal, he turned to leave. But not before throwing one last sentence over his shoulder.
"The Uchiha were discriminated against on your watch. Do something about it before we do."
He walked out, leaving the Hokage to his thoughts.
Hurizen weaved his fingers together and closed his eyes. A sharp glare was pointed to his desk.
It was time to have a talk with Danzo.