39: Changing Boats

The old director's attitude was exactly what the boy had expected.

After all, conflicts of interest could be resolved through negotiation, but differences in principle allowed no room for compromise.

Especially with a stubborn old hand like Chosokabe Masayuki, who had years of work experience behind him, Soji honestly couldn't think of any way to turn their opposing positions around in such a short time.

Not to mention that Director Inoue Hisahide, who stood behind the boy, wouldn't allow Soji to act on his own and build any kind of friendly relationship with the old director...

So even from a neutral perspective, Chosokabe Masayuki was undoubtedly a more mature and reliable leader than Director Usami. But from the standpoint of his own career, Soji, the Coordination Commissioner, could only stand with Hanbei, the young generation's representative!

And so, as soon as he entered the Temporary Command Post, Soji barely hesitated before turning right and taking the seat beside Director Usami.

With that, the seating was settled, and the balance of power within the four-person leadership group shifted once more...

Faced with this complicated situation, with four people forming five different factions, Hanbei was first pleased, then puzzled. In the end, he nodded subtly to the boy...

At the same time, Nara Motonari, seated in the middle, promptly spoke up, interrupting the exchange of glances among those present.

"I called everyone here today to discuss two matters. The first is the appointment of the Coordination Commissioner."

Teacher Motonari gestured toward Soji, then looked from the old director to Director Usami. "As arranged by Lord Hiruzen, starting today, Soji will also take part in discussions about the Frontline Support Battalion's day-to-day affairs. I hope you'll all work together wholeheartedly from now on and live up to the Hokage's high expectations."

"I'm young and inexperienced, so I hope you and the other seniors will guide me, Teacher Motonari."

Soji rose to offer his respects. Nara Motonari gestured for him to sit back down, then continued with the agenda.

"That settles the personnel matter for now. Let's move on to the second item.

"Since setting out from Ota Castle, the Frontline Support Battalion has marched for five days and finally reached the Amber River. According to plan, we'll transfer to larger boats and travel downstream to Jingu Forest. I've already made arrangements for the combat units. I wonder whether the logistics and Medical Team can finish their preparations tonight?"

Soji had joined midway as Coordination Commissioner. Whether his temporary alliance with Director Usami was solid or not, his arrival had objectively shifted the balance of power in the room.

So when Nara Motonari spoke up this time, he deliberately addressed Director Chosokabe's side, subtly restoring balance within the decision-making team.

Neither Hanbei nor Soji was surprised by this. The old director himself showed no sign of being unsettled.

He adjusted his posture slightly, then replied calmly, "The personnel assignments have been finalized.

"The internal medicine and administration groups will take Boat A, while the surgery and pharmacy groups will board Boat B. Overall, Boat A will have slightly fewer people than Boat B."

"Why not divide them evenly?" Teacher Motonari asked, glancing aside to avoid the old director's gaze.

Rather than seeking clarification, his question was meant to point his student in the right direction. It would help Soji, who had "skipped class" earlier, catch up with the leadership group.

Chosokabe Masayuki, who was nobody's fool, understood Nara Motonari's intentions. So when he answered, he shifted some of his attention to the small group formed by Director Usami and the boy.

"First, to make room for important instruments and equipment. With fewer people aboard Boat A, there will be space for large medical devices that can't easily be dismantled.

"Second, it's part of our overall deployment strategy. In the event of an incident, the battalion can concentrate its forces on key defenses, preserve as many of our people as possible, and ensure the field hospital is completed on schedule."

There was, after all, a difference between medical ninjas and ordinary doctors.

Unlike modern medicine, which was hamstrung without its medical equipment, the Shinobi World's healthcare system relied heavily on Medical Ninjutsu and was undeniably more focused on "putting people first."

So according to Chosokabe Masayuki's plan, if the boats encountered an extreme situation, the small group traveling with the equipment would be the ones sacrificed.

This plan, which placed him in danger, was undoubtedly an act of noble self-sacrifice. It also fit the old man's usual way of doing things.

But from another perspective, this arrangement was clearly unfavorable to Director Usami and the other hospital administrators...

No one wanted to board a boat that might be abandoned at any moment, even if one of the department's top leaders was aboard with them.

And if the entire administrative layer, including both leaders, perished, whether the remaining medical staff could appoint a capable new leader in time was anyone's guess.

So, for both public and personal reasons, Hanbei couldn't agree with Director Chosokabe's arrangement!

But in a formal meeting to set strategy, the order in which people spoke could completely change how their words were received...

If Director Usami had proposed it first, his suggestion would have seemed far-sighted and insightful.

But Director Chosokabe had already proposed the boat assignments. If Hanbei spoke up now to object, he would immediately look like a coward, afraid of death and reluctant to fight.

As a leader among the younger generation, Hanbei couldn't bear to carry that reputation. After hesitating for a moment, he glanced at the boy beside him and immediately came up with a plan.

"This mission is of great importance. Earlier, Nara Commander showed impressive skill in directing our forces and wiping out the attacking Waterfall Ninja. He has certainly proven himself a pillar of the community.

"My opinion is that since the plan to transfer to boats for this journey was originally proposed by the Combat Unit responsible for our protection, we should also consider your thoughts, as well as those of the Coordination Commissioner."

Director Usami began by speaking confidently to Nara Motonari, but before he was halfway through, he turned to Yamada Soji.

...It was obvious that he wanted to use the boy, who was attending a meeting of the decision-makers for the first time, to influence the course of events!

After all, however sincere Soji's show of allegiance might have been, he had sat beside Hanbei as soon as he entered. The two were naturally assumed to be on the same side.

Now that Director Usami, the leader of their little group, had put the question to the boy, if Soji didn't take it up, the fragile trust between them would collapse at once.

But if the boy did take the bait, the blame for starting the argument would naturally fall on the Coordination Commissioner, who had only taken office a few minutes ago.

Then Hanbei could step in with a more active role as a "mediator" and achieve his goal with words that seemed like a compromise!

...It was a thoroughly calculating scheme.

Even an ordinary adult would have struggled to respond correctly in time and extricate himself from the situation, let alone an eleven- or twelve-year-old child.

What Usami hadn't anticipated was that Yamada Soji, the person he'd chosen to exploit, wasn't a hundred-percent "local" to begin with...

The boy had been accustomed to all kinds of office politics in his previous life. He had no intention of playing along, and his first words sent Hanbei's mood on a roller coaster.

"With all due respect, I believe Director Chosokabe's arrangement is inappropriate."

Soji rested one hand on the armrest. Before Director Usami could seize on his words, he carried the discussion forward himself.

"In my opinion, how many people board the boats and who goes on which one aren't the main issues for discussion today.

"Before deciding on the details of how these plans will be carried out, we should get back to the heart of the matter—why is the Frontline Support Battalion transferring to boats at all?"

The boy suddenly rose, his voice rising with him. "We're heading west from Ota Castle, taking the Amber River route to Jingu Forest. I think it's time for Nara Commander to explain to everyone why he chose this winding route for our march."