Hokage Building, Room 3.
The opened documents had already been piled into several stacks across the long conference table.
This was Konoha's final fiscal budget meeting of the year.
Baishi sat at the head of the table, his fingers tapping against its surface unconsciously, producing a dull, rhythmic sound.
More than half the agenda had been covered, but the atmosphere had grown tense.
"What is the Defense Department's opinion on the proposal to hold a joint epidemic-prevention exercise with Amegakure?"
Baishi's gaze fell on Takahashi, the Defense Minister.
Takahashi was a man around fifty, with his hair combed immaculately and the collar of his Jonin Flak Jacket fastened tightly. He cleared his throat and leaned forward slightly.
"Lord Hokage, esteemed colleagues. In principle, the Defense Department supports all actions conducive to maintaining stability along the border."
He first made his politically correct position clear.
"However," he said, shifting his tone, "the timing is indeed somewhat difficult. First, with the end of the year approaching, all the brigades are conducting their annual equipment inventories and storage procedures, making personnel transfers inconvenient. Second, and most importantly, there is the budget."
Takahashi picked up a document in front of him and tapped it lightly.
"This year's military budget has already been supplemented several times during the standoff along the Southern Border, and the books are currently extremely tight. Launching an international exercise, even if it only involves an observer delegation, would require considerable expenditures for material allocation, intelligence support, and emergency contingency plans. Personally, I suggest that we temporarily suspend this matter and establish a special task force for detailed discussion after the new year, when the budget is more comfortable."
His words were impeccable. They presented both objective difficulties and procedural recommendations, displaying precisely the prudence and caution expected of the head