"Any further questions?"
"We'll discuss everything and proceed by consensus. It's all for the sake of the village," Hiruzen said.
Naturally, no one felt it was unacceptable; they were simply somewhat unsettled.
Was this still the kind of treatment a ninja was supposed to have?
"Next item: subsidies for ninjas who have long been stationed in harsh posts."
"Danzō, you're up."
He was now the head of the entire Anbu, so this naturally fell under his purview.
Danzō nodded, picked up the document, and gave it a glance.
"The Anbu, the Konohagakure Police Department, the patrol units, as well as the external intelligence organizations…"
"The specific list includes three hundred forty-nine personnel. Calculated at a subsidy of one million ryō per person…"
"In addition, Anbu equipment and intelligence expenditures also require upgrading. A total of five hundred million ryō."
Unlike the others, Danzō did not bother with redundant explanations.
He felt a twinge of pain at the sight of so much money being spent…
In the past, in Root, it was enough to brand a curse mark on the tongue, give them a bit of brainwashing, and simply provide food and clothing!
But Danzō knew that if he dared to say that, Hiruzen would certainly send him flying…
This man had become far too stubborn in this regard.
Danzō believed Hiruzen would regret it, but for now he had not found an opportunity; it was inconvenient to say anything.
This item, naturally, also drew no objections.
As long as Hiruzen did not speak first, no one was willing to square off against Danzō…
At least, not for now.
"Next item: expenditures for public facilities."
"Additional training grounds and therapeutic hot springs. According to Committee Member Maruboshi Kosuke's proposal, targeted improvements will be made to certain ninjutsu commonly used by chūnin—two hundred million ryō."
"And, regarding pilot programs to absorb non-Konohagakure ninja clans from the Land of Fire—another two hundred million ryō." Hiruzen exchanged a glance with Orochimaru.
"They will not immediately enter the formal Konohagakure ninja ranks. They will need to undergo evaluation. The village hopes to supplement its combat manpower."
"Orochimaru, you will be in charge."
This portion of the funds was mainly directed at the Iburi Clan and the Tsuchigumo Clan.
The Iburi Clan was also Yamato's maternal clan, so this could be considered cleaning up a mess for his beloved disciple.
To put it plainly, Konohagakure intended to resolve certain historical leftovers and to replenish its combat manpower.
And this was also necessary.
Missions were limited. If they were all rashly absorbed at once, on the one hand it would affect the existing Konohagakure ninjas; on the other hand, in the short term, it would not form an effective combat system.
A "selecting the best of the best" strategy would also help preserve the pride of native Konohagakure ninjas.
On this point, Hiruzen had another layer of arrangements.
This was also a pilot program for the future absorption of Kirigakure—and even ninjas from various other factions—initially establishing a preliminary screening mechanism for a "Konoha Green Card."
By this point, of the 3.2 billion already allocated, two-thirds had been arranged.
"Yes, sensei!" Orochimaru rose crisply and answered.
He of course understood Hiruzen's thinking. The Iburi Clan was one of the stains on his record…
Washing it away personally was naturally the best option.
Otherwise, Danzō—once his partner in crime—would sooner or later seize on this matter to make an issue of it!
Even if Danzō and he had once been in cahoots, Orochimaru never overestimated the logic of this "Darkness of the Shinobi."
"Lastly, there is the expanded reinvestment of Konohagakure's industries, and the input into scientific research projects."
"For this, it's six hundred million ryō…"
Orochimaru was a little surprised. He had thought the research investment would be higher.
But six hundred million ryō was still a sufficiently large pool of resources.
"Shinnosuke—your wife's dowry, I'm requisitioning ninety percent of it first."
Hiruzen suddenly spoke. "Add it into the village's research investment. With my personal contribution, plus reallocating some from the Sarutobi Clan, we'll make up a full one billion ryō in research funds."
Shinnosuke—Hiruzen's eldest son—was currently standing guard off to the side as part of Anbu.
He had not been selected for the Konoha Committee.
"Father, requisitioning is fine, but I don't have a wife…" Shinnosuke said with a puzzled look.
"Then do you want one?"
"I do. Honestly, I'm pretty old already—I don't want to keep living at home."
With humor, Shinnosuke added, "Asuma's pretty annoying. He goes on every day about that gang of his…"
"Alright. Then find a time and go to the Land of Fire to bring back the daimyō's daughter…"
"Remember to mind your manners. If you're short on money, ask your mother—she still has quite a bit."
Shinnosuke took off his mask; his mouth looked big enough to fit an egg. "Huh?"
"No, Father… aren't you basically selling me off?"
"The village will remember your contribution, Shinnosuke."
Hiruzen replied with the same wit. "But I should remind you, kid—you're not that expensive."
For a moment, this homely exchange made the atmosphere on site feel incomparably warm.
It was as if everyone had become one family, discussing the wedding of a younger generation…
"Shinnosuke, don't worry—we'll give you a wedding gift!" Hizashi said with a booming laugh.
"Yeah—tell Deputy Director Sakumo how much you want!" Jiraiya shouted as he egged him on.
Sakumo made a bold wave of his hand. "Twice Jiraiya's!"
In an instant, the Konoha Committee members seemed to turn into the uncles and aunties from the east end of the village, chiming in one after another.
Suddenly, Danzō spoke. "Alright…"
The room fell quiet; everyone thought the Hokage's Advisor believed order was getting out of hand.
Danzō gave a light cough. "Don't fight over it. I'll cover the wedding expenses."
At once, the momentarily quiet scene grew even more lively.
In a low voice, Danzō said to Hiruzen, "Why didn't you tell me? I still have some over there—there's no need to use a dowry, is there?"
Hiruzen beckoned, signaling Danzō to lean closer, and lowered his voice. "If I don't put it that way, how will it look like I, as Hokage, am giving everything I have?"
After speaking, he even bumped Danzō with his shoulder and raised his eyebrows.
Danzō chuckled.
Hiruzen, you're embarrassed about dedicating yourself to the village…
You deliberately phrased it as currying favor, didn't you?
What a hypocritical fellow!
At this point, the first batch of the 3.2 billion ryō from the Sage Region Pills had been fully allocated.
In the end, the remaining two hundred million ryō in liquid funds were consolidated into the village's existing capital pool.
Hiruzen also emphasized that in the next round of allocation, priority would be given to Orochimaru's ninjutsu research.
After all, scientific research yields results over the long term. Even if everything were invested at once, there would most likely be no immediate outcome.
Therefore, the first batch of funds would address visible problems, and the remainder would be invested into research as much as possible.
Orochimaru looked at Hiruzen and smiled from the bottom of his heart.
Sensei truly supported him without reservation!
In fact, he had long secretly calculated an account…
The three to four hundred million ryō allocated for labor dispatch and ninjutsu improvements were actually under his management.
Even without counting the subsidies Hiruzen had paid out of his own pocket.
Adding in the original research budget, the funds passing through his hands were already enough to rival the village's total compensation expenditures…
"Alright, meeting adjourned." Hiruzen waved his hand. "Everyone is tired as well."
As the Konoha Committee members walked out of the room, Shinnosuke stood there smiling, holding out one set of uniforms after another, handing one to each person as they left.
They were similar to the standard Konohagakure ninja uniforms, except that the sleeves bore patterns resembling a ceremonial robe.
They were exclusive attire for the "Konoha Committee."
Clothing that represented status was conducive to strengthening the "Konoha Committee" members' sense of identity and belonging…
Hiruko immediately changed into the outfit, happily stroking the short sleeve.
He had been thinking about how to subtly and elegantly let others know that he was a "Konoha Committee" member.
Being just a ninja was not enough—he had to let even the vegetable vendor auntie on Tanzaku Street know…
The Hokage truly had considered everyone's innermost thoughts…
Everyone turned back together, intending to thank Hiruzen once more for the thoughtful arrangement.
But what they saw was a scene that would be hard to forget.
The setting sun poured down, its fiery light entwining with strands of smoke, swirling around him like falling leaves.
As though wherever Konoha's leaves danced, the fire too burned unceasingly in tangible form…
Hiruzen leaned back in his chair in relaxation, tilting his head upward as if observing the spiraling smoke.
And at this moment, a squad from the Konohagakure patrol unit was engaged in a battle of wits with Namikaze Minato, who was conducting a surprise inspection.
Uchiha En vigilantly scanned the surroundings and muttered, "That's not right. I sensed that brat's chakra… so why did he suddenly disappear?"
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