Seating Arrangements, Handing Out the Fruit... How Should Three Billion Ryo Be Spent?
A few days later.
Hokage Office Building, conference room.
Hiruzen Sarutobi occupied the main position, with Shimura Danzō right next to him.
Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura were also on the main stage, but on either side.
This also symbolizes the current power structure in Konoha.
The 20-person Daimyo is composed as follows.
First, there are the various Ninja Clan.
Uchiha Isshin, Fugaku, Hyuga Tenzo, and Hizashi.
The three heads of the family: Aburame, Inuzuka Clan, Kurama Clan, and the Ino-Shika-Cho.
There are ten people in total.
It's worth mentioning that Torifu Akimichi has officially returned to the scene and has been listed as Konoha Committee Member.
Next are Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya, and as Hiruzen Sarutobi's apprentice, he is naturally included as well.
Following them were Hiruko, Hatake Sakumo, Maruboshi Kosuke Yuhi Shinku, Shirakumo Kosan, and others, totaling seven people.
Although some of these seven individuals are theoretically considered Ninja Clan members, they are also regarded as representatives of Commoner Ninja due to their small numbers, stances, and inclinations.
This arrangement may have some unreasonable aspects.
But this is already a relatively good result after compromises were reached with all parties involved.
Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced over.
Every single one of the Konoha Committee Member in the audience wore a genuine smile.
Even the Fox Uchiha Isshin slightly puffed out his chest.
Interestingly, because it was specifically emphasized that Committee Member Miyo was "not ranked in any particular order, but rather differed according to their assigned roles"—
Hiruzen Sarutobi did not assign any seats, allowing them to sit wherever they pleased.
Although it's a bit messy, the so-called factions are clearly visible.
Orochimaru and his two Hiruko, clearly belonging to the same circle, and were having a pleasant conversation.
Several major Ninja Clan also joined forces, such as the Ino-Shika-Cho, Kurama Clan, and Aburame- Inuzuka Clan.
Hyuga Tenzo and Uchiha Isshin sat side by side, while Fugaku looked at the other Ninja Clan with some envy, seemingly unwilling to sit with these two old men.
Interestingly, Hizashi was sitting with Sakumo and other Committee Member representing Commoner Ninja, including Miya.
When Tenzo saw Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze sweep over him, he blinked quickly and subtly.
The message I'm trying to convey is. "I was just playing along with him!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled; he didn't seem to care about any of that.
Ninja Clan Dōjutsu naturally share some common topics. Ninjas also have different backgrounds, interests, and stances, so it's normal for them to have different preferences when making friends.
The apparent orderliness and harmony are actually contrary to human nature, and something that should serve as a warning to him, the Hokage.
But that's all talk; if someone were to collude with Hiruzen Sarutobi behind his back, they'd be in for a world of hurt.
"First of all, congratulations to everyone who has been selected as Konoha Committee Member," Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a smile as he looked at the crowd.
The Konoha Committee Member cast heartfelt smiles at the Hokage, but they all seemed a little awkward.
How should I respond to the Lord Hokage?
Your chatter, with everyone speaking in a jumbled mess, is rather unprofessional.
Orochimaru's eyes flashed, and he said in a deep voice, "Thank you for your trust, Lord Hokage -sama!"
His choice of words was appropriate.
The others immediately and naturally repeated it aloud.
Although the ranking is not in any particular order, this arrangement makes Orochimaru seem like the one in the lead.
In reality, even without official rankings, how could there not be distinctions?
In the tavern of Konoha, before the village had established a system of Jonin.
Many ninjas have created their own stratifications and rankings based on various factors.
There are various titles, including rookie Jonin, veteran Jonin, and Elite Jonin.
Orochimaru is now widely regarded as the top member of the Konoha Committee Member.
A top disciple of Hiruzen Sarutobi, he oversaw the research and development of Ninjutsu, participated in various operations, and had a large following within Konoha.
Orochimaru smiled slightly.
Shimura Danzō, however, felt a tightness in his chest and sensed a hint of threat. "As expected of Hiruzen's disciple, he really has some skills—"
But Danzo felt relieved when he thought about the great achievement he would accomplish in subduing the Uchiha Danzo in the future.
Who can compare to him!
Even if Hiruzen himself came, he could still exert some pressure on him.
Everyone else is beneath his notice!
"Koharu and Yan have already informed you about your specific responsibilities."
"From now on, everyone should actively participate in village affairs, identify and rectify the village's shortcomings."
Hiruzen Sarutobi began, "Today's topic is the allocation of funds for village construction."
"Based on the Three Great Sage Regions heritage of Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya, and using the technologies of Tsunade and Orochimaru as the core, supplemented by products developed by the Nara Clan and Akimichi Clan clans, these products are widely popular within the Land of Fire."
"With the assistance of advisors and counselors, I reached a deep cooperation agreement with the Daimyo, obtaining approximately 3.2 billion taels of silver."
"This payment will come every year, and the amount will gradually increase."
"It's unrealistic to expect this amount of money to solve Konoha's problems all at once, but it's necessary to build a framework."
Those whose names were mentioned by Hiruzen Sarutobi all smiled slightly.
This is subtly giving them credit.
Many Konoha Committee Member who weren't involved were "quite shocked" --
They had assumed that after the village provided them with a location, their next step would be to ask them for something in return.
This isn't out of dislike, but rather a matter of course.
Unexpectedly, before I even asked for it, such a huge piece of cake was thrown at me.
And judging from what the Hokage said, this is only the beginning?
How much more money will need to be poured into Konoha in the future?!
Moreover, judging from the Lord Hokage's tone, he's not entirely satisfied? Is it just a preliminary assessment?
"Koharu, you speak." Hiruzen Sarutobi took out his Tobacco Pipe, slowly stuffing it with Tobacco, observing the Konoha Committee Member's "expression".
Utatane Koharu nodded, holding a document, and said, "As instructed by the Third, En and I led the Administrative Department to count the number of families without active ninjas—"
"This group mainly consists of orphans and ninja families without able-bodied young men. Due to war or missions, they have lost the breadwinner of their families and are struggling financially. Many of them also have loans."
"The number of people is 943, but for now, we'll set it at 1000 for redundancy."
"The subsidy per person is set at 500,000 taels per year. The subsidy for orphan families will continue until Genin is found. There is no time limit for ninjas without children who are unable to perform missions due to the war."
"This payment requires 500 million yuan in funding."
The figure of 500,000 taels was calculated and is close to the amount a Genin could support in a family.
For Chunin and Jonin, this amount of money is not enough to cover the costs of training and the Ninja Tool, but for the elderly and children, it is enough to allow them to live a much more dignified life.
"Those Konoha Ninja died on the battlefield, they gave their lives to protect their homeland—"
"Now that the village has some money, we should ensure that their parents and children can live a more respectable life, and that they have more resources for their spiritual practice."
Hiruzen Sarutobi scanned the crowd. "Does anyone have any objections to this?"
At this moment, even Shimura Danzō kept his mouth tightly shut, afraid that others might misunderstand him in the slightest.
A moment later, a wave of applause erupted in the conference room.
Hatake Sakumo with extra force.
He certainly doesn't lack the money, but he particularly appreciates such humane gestures.
It makes ninjas feel like they are human beings, not tools.
Hatake Sakumo felt extremely fulfilled to be able to participate in such a construction project.
He remembered Kakashi telling him that he had a close friend named Obito Uchiha, who, although born into the Uchiha, came from a poor family.
Most of their parents' assets were used to buy Ninja Tool, which were then spent on the battlefield.
But there's still a grandmother in the family--
Although he usually seems carefree and nonchalant, Kakashi could see the deep unease Obito.
Hatake Sakumo was still wondering whether he should sponsor this Uchiha.
But I was also worried about hurting the child's self-esteem, especially since the Uchiha Clan is a very sensitive group.
Now everything's alright, the Lord Hokage has made a move! This child should be very happy.
Hiruzen Sarutobi his hand, but the applause just wouldn't stop.
Similar measures may have been taken before, such as the Ninja Clan providing some assistance to the elderly and widowed.
But no other Hidden Village has ever had such a clear system and such strength!
"Alright--" The applause only subsided after Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"This is what the Konoha Ninja who sacrificed themselves for the village deserve! It's also what I, as the Hokage, should do—"
When Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke, he specifically emphasized Konoha.
Where Konoha dance in the air, fire continues to burn.
"The flames of life that the warriors burned for Konoha have now brought some prosperity to the village. This light and warmth should surely comfort their parents and children."
"Then this item is approved without any questions."
Looking at the burning gazes of the Konoha Committee Member, Shimura Danzō Uchiha Isshin, seemed to genuinely clapped a few times.
A sense of melancholy settled in my heart.
Although Hiruzen was indeed quite well done--
But from then on, in his mind, the Hokage and Hokage assistants were barely considered to be on the same level.
His prestige in the village would never be comparable again.
"Inflammation, next topic."
Mitokado Homura nodded, a smile playing on his lips.
He keenly noticed a detail.
Utatane Koharu.
She used to rarely mention Hiruzen before, but now she never does.
"Following the instructions of the Third— " Mitokado Homura said, mimicking the example.