Personnel maneuvering at the high-level regular meeting and the overt gambit of cadre exchanges
First Meeting Room attached to Hokage's Office has a somewhat dull atmosphere.
On the long conference table, the heads of departments had their teacups refilled, but few people actually touched them.
Everyone's eyes, bright or dark, are focused on the main seat.
Baishi's fingers tapped lightly on the open notepad, making a very regular soft sound. Next to him, Shikaku Nara lowered his head and sorted out the minutes of several documents that had just been discussed and passed.
"That's it for the last issue." Baishi's voice broke the silence, "Now, let's discuss the last item."
He stopped tapping his fingers and raised his eyes to look at everyone.
"About the establishment of the 'Joint Traceability Investigation Team to Capital Transnational Infectious Diseases'."
As soon as these words came out, the expressions of several powerful figures present underwent subtle changes.
Defense Department The elder Takahashi straightened his back subconsciously, while Logistics Minister Morita's successor moved his butt uneasily.
This is a hot potato, but everyone knows that it is also a piece of fat that can be used to gain political capital.
"Lord Hokage," Konoha Military Police Force Minister Fugaku Uchiha spoke first with a steady and powerful voice, "Capital The situation is complicated. Safety must be the top priority for the investigation team during this trip."
He paused for a moment, his eyes swept over everyone present, and finally landed on Baishi's face.
"I suggest that Konoha Military Police Force send an experienced deputy to serve as the leader of the investigation team and be fully responsible for security coordination. Konoha Military Police Force has the responsibility and ability to ensure the safety of the investigation team in Capital."
Fugaku Uchiha's words are high-sounding and reasonable.
Konoha Military Police Force is in charge of public security and security, which is justifiable.
Once someone from Konoha Military Police Force becomes the team leader, the investigation team is equivalent to being branded as Uchiha. Konoha Military Police Force will have first-hand control over what is investigated, how to report it, and when to report it.
In Meeting Room, the air seemed to have solidified.
Shikaku stopped writing, raised his head, and glanced at Baishi, with a hint of questioning in his eyes.
There is no change in Baishi's expression.
He didn't even look at Fugaku Uchiha, but turned his attention to the draft document on the table that he had just drafted about sending a letter to Daimyo Residence.
"Fugaku Uchiha Minister's concerns are very reasonable."
Baishi spoke, but his voice was still calm.
"Safety issues are indeed the top priority."
He picked up the official document and seemed to be talking to himself.
"The name of our trip this time is 'medical traceability'. We are going to assist Capital in epidemic prevention, not to fight. If we send a cadre with a purely military or security background to lead the team, I am afraid it will cause unnecessary misunderstandings and resistance on Capital's part."
Fugaku Uchiha's brows wrinkled slightly.
"So, the candidate for the team leader must not only be of sufficient rank and be able to hold his own, but also have a suitable identity and not appear to be overbearing." Baishi put down the official document and finally raised his eyes to look at the crowd.
"I am reminded of a document."
He looked at Shikaku.
"Shikaku, do you still remember the "Interim Measures for the Exchange and Appointment of Village Government Cadres" signed by Daimyo Residence in order to strengthen the relationship between the village and Capital during the time of Mr. Second Hokage?"
Shikaku understood immediately.
"Remember, Lord Hokage. The purpose of this measure is to promote rotational exchanges between cadres at the village and government levels, enhance understanding, and work collaboratively. It clearly stipulates that for any special working group that involves cross-region or cross-system, priority is encouraged to appoint civilian cadres who have work experience in the other system or have a good reputation in the other system to take charge."
Baishi nodded.
"The head of the Hyuga clan, Lord Hyuga Hizatsu, served as a special consultant to the concierge department in the Daming Palace for a year in his early years. He has good connections and reputation among the old-school aristocratic circles in the capital."
His eyes slowly turned to Representative Hyuga Clan, who was sitting at the bottom of the table and remained silent.
"Sir Hiashi is now serving as the elder advisor of the village, and is also a highly respected executive in the civil service system. In terms of qualifications, identity, and familiarity with Capital, he is very suitable."
Baishi's tone leaves no room for criticism, yet leaves no room for fault.
He did not refute Fugaku Uchiha at all, but directly bypassed the issue of "who is responsible for security" and redefined the problem from the higher dimension of "who is more suitable to be the team leader".
Use the regulations recognized by Capital and Konoha to recommend a candidate that no one can object to.
This is a conspiracy.
Fugaku Uchiha's expression finally changed a little.
He wanted to refute, but found that he couldn't.
Is it to be said that Hyuga Hiashi is not qualified enough? Or is it that he does not understand the rules of Capital? Or, it is inappropriate to publicly question the regulations left by Second Hokage?
Any rebuttal would make him fall into political incorrectness.
"As for the safety issue that Minister Fugaku Uchiha is worried about," Baishi seemed to think of him just now, "It's easy to handle."
"The investigation team has added a deputy leader, who will be my direct deputy leader ANBU. He will accompany me for protection and security work and will be directly responsible for me."
This move completely blocked all Fugaku Uchiha's escape routes.
The team leader is a highly respected civilian elder who represents the justice and rationality of the procedure.
Deputy Team Leader L is Hokage's immediate confidant, representing absolute force and control.
One is responsible for dealing with Capital openly, and the other is responsible for escorting them secretly.
Perfect closed loop.
Konoha Military Police Force Want to intervene? Yes, but it can only be used as a peripheral cooperating force and core command authority. Don't even think about touching it at all.
"I agree with Lord Hokage's proposal."
The first one to express his stance was Chief of General Staff Shikaku Nara.
"Sir Hiashi is in command, which is justifiable, and it also reflects our Konoha's sincerity in assisting Capital."
"Second."
"Second."
Representatives of the three Ino-Shika-Cho families, as well as heads of several other small and medium-sized families, immediately followed.
The pressure all returned to Fugaku Uchiha in an instant.
He sat there, his face as sinking as water, and he was silent for ten seconds. Throughout Meeting Room, all he could hear was his suppressed breathing.
Finally, he slowly raised his head, looked at Baishi, and squeezed out a few words through his teeth.
"I have no objection."
"Very good." Baishi nodded, as if everything should be like this.
"Then it's settled. Shikaku, after the meeting, immediately draft the appointment document and notify elder Hiashi."
"Yes."
The meeting ended and everyone left one after another.
Fugaku Uchiha walked last. When he passed by Baishi, he paused for a moment, but in the end he said nothing and left Meeting Room with a chill.
In the office, only Baishi and Shikaku are left.
"Fugaku Uchiha I'm afraid my teeth will be broken this time." Shikaku packed the documents and said softly.
"He wanted to turn Konoha Military Police Force into a second 'root', but he stretched his hand too far." Baishi said lightly, "It's good to beat it."
Shikaku nodded and said no more. He knew that Lord Hokage was using this incident to redraw a clear red line for all the forces in the village who were ready to move.
A few days later.
Land of Fire Capital, Post Office.
Hyuga Hiashi, who had just arrived and was tired from traveling, changed into his formal clothes and was about to meditate and regulate his breath.
His deputy, the deputy team leader ANBU codenamed "Wu", appeared quietly behind him.
"Hiashi-sama."
Hyuga Hiashi opened his eyes, and his Byakugan could see farther and clearer than ordinary people.
"What's the matter?"
"There is someone outside asking to see you." ANBU, the deputy team leader handed over a card.
The card is in the unique style of Konoha Hospital, with only a simple emblem on it.
Hyuga Hiashi took the card and said nothing.
At night.
A Scroll wrapped with medical Oiled Cloth and sealed tightly was delivered to Hyuga Hiashi's room through the secret channel of the post house.
On Scroll, there is still a trace of the unique smell of the mixture of Strong Liquor and Medicinal Herbs belonging to Lady Tsunade that has not yet dissipated.