Chapter 54: Meeting Disputes (Part 1)

Fugaku's expression remained unchanged as he said nothing, only glancing at Tie Huo, who immediately understood and likewise spoke up to urge him to stay. Shisui sat to the side, feeling rather strange about it.

Was this a retreat in order to advance? Seeing that everyone still supported the Third, Danzo's face darkened, and though unwilling, he had no choice but to shut his mouth.

Sarutobi Yuki put down the documents upon seeing this, a smile spreading across her face as she picked up the hat, walked down to the platform, and returned it to the Third.

The Third stood up to accept it, his expression heavy as he turned to look at everyone.

"A withered leaf like me should naturally burn for Konoha until the situation stabilizes. Once the Fifth Hokage is chosen from among you, I will entrust the heavy burden in my hands."

His voice was low, and his eyes carried a hint of weariness and expectation.

Everyone was moved—who hadn't dreamed of becoming Hokage as a child? Now, perhaps they too had a chance?

Applause rang out. Danzo snorted coldly and simply closed his eyes.

Shisui, however, found it quite dull. He had thought the Third would at least decline twice, but he accepted it outright.

The meeting continued, and next came the financial and mission share allocations, which the various ninja clans and high-ranking officials cared about most.

The Daimyo's funding had already arrived. Although it had been reduced compared to last year, it was still a huge sum.

"Next is the ninth agenda item: the projected financial allocation for Konoha Year 50, with compensation for ninja who sacrificed in this war taking top priority."

The financial agenda also included tax adjustments. With the war over, taxes on ordinary goods began to decrease, while those on ninja-related items began to rise.

Among the various ninja clans, some were pleased and some were worried—of course, most were worried.

Then came the allocations. Compensation was first, and no one objected. Next were war mission allocations and retained mission allocations, both necessary to keep the mission system running over the coming year.

This involved every aspect, all directly controlled by the Hokage.

Then came the Anbu, Medical Department, Education Department, Police Department, Barrier Department, and Interrogation Department. Of course, the order only reflected the degree of importance, not the amount of funding.

Among the various allocations, mission allocations were the largest, accounting for over thirty percent.

Next was the Anbu with 250 million ryo, the Medical Department with 220 million, the Education Department with 200 million, compensation with 150 million, the Barrier Department with 130 million, the Police Department with 80 million, and the Interrogation Department with the least at only 50 million. In total, the Daimyo's 1.6 billion ryo was divided among the departments, while Konoha's own village tax revenue was temporarily kept in the Hokage's hands for emergencies.

Next came mission shares. The Anbu retained most of the high-level missions, and no one had much objection to that, given the high rewards and high risks.

Low-level missions continued to be delegated. Apart from the Police Department, the other departments basically had to wait for the Anbu to filter through and choose, or else compete for them in the mission hall.

After hearing this, some of the various ninja clan members frowned, some nodded in satisfaction, and others remained expressionless.

Their tentacles extended into every department except the Police Department, and the financial tilt would affect their interests for the coming year.

Fugaku breathed a slight sigh of relief. This sum wasn't large, because the Police Department basically had no mission shares—that was the real prize—but this allocation was already a significant improvement over last year. It was a matter of attitude.

"That concludes the content of the financial agenda. If anyone has any objections, you may now speak."

Sarutobi Yuki's expression was cold, a stark contrast to when she had presented the hat to the Third, but no one paid her any attention at the moment.

The hall gradually stirred. Finances affected their immediate interests, and no one would let this item pass without a word.

"Isn't 150 million ryo too little for compensation? Can this amount cover the previous shortfall?"

The one who stood up was merely a civilian jonin. He didn't care about these departments; he just wanted to secure full compensation for the people behind him.

At current prices, a genin's compensation, if taken as a lump sum, would be about 700,000 ryo. If taken in installments, it would be 3,500 ryo per month for twenty years.

Shisui thought of Ying Shu's situation. His father and brother had both died in battle—one chunin and one genin. In theory, he should have received 2 million ryo, but he only got 400,000. Shisui turned his head and memorized that person's face.

Sarutobi Yuki, unfazed, calmly opened the document for the third agenda item and replied, "Currently, Konoha's finances are strained. The compensation system must be temporarily adjusted. For the next few years, lump-sum compensation payments will no longer be an option.

Only by doing this can we ensure monthly compensation is paid on time and temporarily save some funds to continue rebuilding the areas that were previously destroyed. So 150 million ryo is sufficient for now."

As her words fell, Fugaku couldn't help but frown slightly, sensing something amiss.

Konoha had not been invaded within the village. The "previously destroyed areas" naturally referred to the losses caused by the Nine-Tails. Because the war had dragged on until now, the higher-ups had been unable to carry out reconstruction.

Though Shisui's expression remained calm, his gaze shifted from the civilian jonin to Sarutobi Yuki.

Even without turning around, the three Uchiha could clearly feel that after Sarutobi Yuki's reply, a large number of gazes swept toward them.

"If that's the case, then I have no further questions."

The man was silent for a moment, then, prompted by someone beside him, replied and sat down.

The atmosphere in the room gradually grew oppressive. The Third kept frowning as he smoked.

"Recently, many accidents have occurred at the Ninja Hospital. Quite a few ninja have returned from the brutal front lines only to lose their lives due to the incompetence and lack of care of some medical ninja.

Although these medical ninja are not under the Medical Department, their incompetence has still caused immense losses to the Medical Department and our comrades in Konoha.

In just a few days, we have seen too many tears from family members. Will this kind of thing continue indefinitely?"

A person stood up from behind Koharu Utatane—it was Koharu Kae. Her voice was impassioned, seemingly carrying anger.

Everyone was puzzled. The Medical Department's allocation was second only to the Anbu among the six departments. What more could she be dissatisfied with? "We need to train more medical ninja, not let those incompetent people who have no Will of Fire in their hearts fill the gaps."

Sarutobi Yuki was speechless. There wasn't much about village affairs she didn't know; she understood the situation well. Seeing this, she immediately glanced at the Third.

Seeing that he gave no indication, she replied, "Konoha's finances are tight this year, and there is much to be done. The Medical Department's allocation is already at its limit."

Unexpectedly, Koharu Kae's face flushed with anger as she shouted, "No! Precisely because finances are tight this year, we should spend money on what's important, not let things like this continue.

Don't you agree, Lord Fugaku?"

"How dare you!"

Tie Huo was furious upon hearing this. He stood up on the spot, his three tomoe Sharingan locked onto her. Shisui also stood up, but his aura remained unchanged.

Fugaku was, after all, the head of the Police Department. Her behavior was a complete case of a subordinate offending a superior, which was absolutely unacceptable for a ninja.

Everyone's expressions changed as they sensed trouble. Just as they were about to stand, Koharu Utatane spoke sharply, "Silence! Who allowed you to question Director Fugaku like that!"

Koharu Kae's face changed drastically upon hearing this. Her fists clenched, her body trembling slightly, as if extremely unwilling, she bowed her head and said, "I apologize, Lord Fugaku. I was out of line."

Fugaku turned his head to look at Koharu Utatane. His expression had already returned to normal, and his voice was calm as he nodded, "Mm."

Then he looked at Tie Huo and said, "Sit down."

Shisui sighed. While dissatisfied with the Utatane, he couldn't help but admire Fugaku's composure.

"However, although Jonin Kae was a bit impulsive, her words are not without reason."

I was going to update later because something came up, but then someone in the comments said I'd dropped the novel, which scared me into updating immediately. There will be another chapter soon, as well as a chapter explaining what happened.

(Chapter end)