Your Authority as Hokage Is Unlimited

"Go ahead!"

A second ago, Hashirama had still reeked of alcohol, his face flushed with drunkenness.

The next second, he became utterly serious. A faint mist of alcohol visibly evaporated from his body and quickly dispersed into the air.

"..."

Toji watched the scene, rendered speechless.

Hashirama cared about the village as much as that dark-skinned guy next door whose lover was his country.

Mito Uzumaki had basically been cuckolded.

"Ahem!" Toji coughed lightly. "I plan to establish a true ninja hospital in Konoha."

Toji laid out the central idea. "We'll draw medical ninjas from the various ninja clans and have them work together in a dedicated clinic. The hospital will primarily serve ninjas, though if we have the capacity, we can also treat ordinary villagers."

"This..." Hashirama said awkwardly, "I'd actually considered this before, but everyone rejected it."

"It seems they don't want the doctors from their own clans serving outsiders."

Just as expected.

Ninja hospitals, Ninja Academies, Anbu, the Konoha Military Police Force... these institutions that seemed perfectly normal in later generations were all unfamiliar and resisted by the ninjas of this era.

After all, the Warring States Period had only just ended.

Konoha had been founded for merely five years, barely gathering together the ninja clans that had been hostile toward one another just five years ago.

Resources had not been integrated, strength had not been shared, and even the most basic systems for civilian life remained isolated remnants of the Warring States Period.

Hashirama Senju's personality was too soft, so none of these systems had been implemented during Konoha's early years.

Not until that ruthless white-haired demon took office...

"Hashirama, your authority as Hokage is unlimited."

There was a dangerous edge to Toji's voice as he tempted him. "This is a wonderful thing that benefits both the village and its people. How could we refuse to carry it out just because everyone resists it?"

"We can settle the broad direction first and refine the details later. If they're unwilling to share resources, we'll find out why and solve the problems one by one."

"The sooner Konoha Hospital is built, the sooner it will benefit the village."

Hashirama listened in a daze. His expression shifted from hesitation to determination as he said with fierce resolve, "Toji, you're right. As Hokage, I should be firmer about certain matters."

"Tomorrow, I'll gather everyone at the Hokage Building and explain this matter."

The following day.

The conference room of the Hokage Building.

Hashirama gathered the representatives of the major ninja clans and explained his plan to establish Konoha Hospital.

"I object!"

"I second that!"

"There's no precedent for this!"

"Our clan only has one medical ninja. How can we send them away?"

"..."

Sure enough, the proposal to build a hospital faced tremendous resistance.

Tobirama crossed his arms, just about to stand up and say a few words in support of his older brother, when he saw Hashirama brace both hands on the table and lean forward. His attitude was uncharacteristically forceful. "Everyone!"

"This is no longer the Warring States Period."

The elders seated around the table changed expressions slightly. Their whispered discussions fell silent.

"I do not want barriers between clans. Everyone should work together for the village. Every person in every clan should not limit their sacrifices to the interests of their own clan, but should prioritize the greater good and contribute to the village. Protect our fellow villagers. Everyone in this village is family..."

"The Senju Clan will assign every medical ninja in our clan to Konoha Hospital."

"I also hope that all of you can understand and support me."

Hashirama swept his gaze around the room, and everyone trembled.

In the end.

An Uchiha elder was the first to break the silence. "I agree with the Hokage's proposal."

Everyone glared at him.

The Uchiha didn't even have any medical ninjas. What were they butting in for?

"However, this newly established Konoha Hospital will need someone to step forward and oversee the whole operation. Lord Hokage, who do you think would be suitable?"

Discussion broke out in the conference room once more.

Seeing the Hokage's unusually forceful attitude, everyone knew that this matter could no longer be stopped.

Konoha Hospital was destined to become an extremely important department within the village.

If each clan's medical ninjas were all assigned out for centralized management, that meant whenever clan members were injured, missions required treatment, or medicinal supplies were allocated... the amount of medical resources they received would be entirely up to the hospital.

As such, the person in charge of Konoha Hospital absolutely could not be a puppet dominated by a single clan. They had to be someone capable of balancing all sides and considering the interests of every clan.

Some people looked toward the Senju Clan, while others glanced at the Uchiha. More simply watched one another warily, afraid that this great authority would fall into the hands of a force hostile to their own clan.

Hashirama let out a sigh of relief and blurted out, "What do you all think of Toji from Gospel Medical Clinic?"

"Toji?"

An unexpected yet reasonable name.

They had all attended a banquet at his home yesterday, and everyone approved of Toji's character and conduct.

Once again, the Uchiha were the first to relent. "I support Toji becoming the director."

"Toji's abilities are obvious to all. The Hyuga Clan supports him as well."

"I second that."

"Agreed."

"..."

With the two major ninja clans taking the lead, voices of "I second that" and "Agreed" rang out one after another.

Excitement appeared on Hashirama's face. He suddenly slapped the table and rose to his feet. "Good! Since Toji has everyone's support, then it's settled!"

He raised a hand for silence and solemnly announced, "Konoha Gospel Hospital is established today. Toji will serve as its director and assume full responsibility for hospital affairs. Every clan must assign medical ninjas, and the lists must be submitted to Toji within three days."

That afternoon.

Toji had only been back at work for half a day when he was summoned to the Hokage Building.

Hashirama eagerly placed two documents of appointment into his hands—

[Appointment: Toji Zenin is appointed the first director of Konoha Gospel Hospital.]

Toji looked at the appointment document in his hands, one brow lifting slightly.

Hashirama handled things quite efficiently.

Hashirama patted Toji on the shoulder. "Toji, starting today, Gospel Medical Clinic has been upgraded into a hospital, and you are its first director."

"With my abilities, I'm afraid I may not be suited for this position..."

Toji instinctively wanted to decline a little.

Declining three times before accepting—it was an old tradition.

"Enough. You have everyone's support, and everyone acknowledges your ability, so stop refusing."

Hashirama waved a hand. "Come with me."

As he spoke, his figure flashed and vanished from the Hokage Building.

Toji used his physical skills and barely managed to keep up with Hashirama. Confused, he asked, "Lord Hokage, where are we going in such a hurry?"

"To build the hospital, of course." Hashirama did not look back.

"Build the hospital?"

Toji froze. By the time he reacted, Hashirama had already brought him before an open plot of land in a prime area at the heart of Konoha.

Then.

Hashirama clapped his hands together, pressed them against the ground, and shouted, "Wood Release... Hospital Construction Technique!"

He wasn't even pretending anymore.

So whatever he shouted would appear, and whatever name he gave it would be its effect?

Rumble!

The ground trembled as dust instantly filled the air.

Before long, Toji truly witnessed the terror of Hashirama, the God of Shinobi—

Across the nearly hundred-acre plot of land.

Thick wooden pillars burst from the earth, while rows of wooden buildings rose in response. Within moments, they had already begun to take shape.