Chapter 55: Meeting Disputes (Part 2)

Fugaku's expression shifted slightly, but he heard Koharu Utatane continue, "So many ninja have lost their lives because of these people's incompetence and carelessness. Do these medical ninja truly regard them as comrades of Konoha? Do these people still have the Will of Fire in their hearts!"

Koharu Utatane's voice grew louder, carrying a hint of accusation.

Tie Huo felt indignant and immediately said, "Elder Koharu, that's a bit far-fetched. Those people were already critically ill. How can their deaths be blamed on the medical ninja? And since you knew they were severe cases, why weren't they handed over to the medical department's own ninja instead of being entrusted to those who kindly came to help? Is this deliberate targeting?"

Facing Tie Huo's rebuttal, Koharu Utatane remained calm and continued, "The medical ninja from the Uchiha clan act recklessly and have repeatedly clashed with critically injured patients.

These people fought on the front lines for Konoha, and after finally returning, they didn't even receive proper care. Is this the Uchiha clan's attitude toward these heroes?

Is this what you call targeting?"

"How can you blame us for those conflicts?"

Tie Huo's face changed, gradually turning red with anger.

Koharu Utatane didn't argue further with Tie Huo, but another person she brought along sneered, "Not blame you? Should we blame the comrades who were injured for Konoha? With such narrow-mindedness, is this the Uchiha clan?"

Tie Huo, enraged, immediately retorted, "Who do you think you are? How dare you question the Uchiha clan's magnanimity? When we were fighting on the front lines, you were nowhere to be seen!"

"I am a medical ninja. How could I disregard the bigger picture and go to the front lines personally? Doesn't the Uchiha clan know Lady Tsunade's warning? No wonder you mistreat severely injured comrades!"

"You!"

Tie Huo was at a loss for words and was about to argue further when Fugaku interrupted him.

Fugaku glanced at the Third Hokage before speaking, "Then may I ask what Elder Koharu means? If you are dissatisfied with our medical ninja, why not inform us in advance? I can order them transferred from the Ninja Hospital today."

"I have no intention of targeting anyone, Director Fugaku. Why get so angry? Besides, the hospital is still short-staffed. If you transfer them now, wouldn't that be abandoning the Village's comrades?

I only say this to suggest allocating the Village's limited funds to more important areas."

Homura Mitokado, sitting nearby, chimed in at the right moment, "Elder Koharu has a point. The medical department is crucial, but the Village no longer has the resources to continue supporting it. To increase support, we would have to divert funds from other departments."

The others weren't fools; by now, they understood what the advisors meant.

But they remained unusually silent, all choosing to keep quiet. Neither the ninja clans nor the commoners had any stake in the Police Force's interests.

"If I recall correctly, the Police Force's budget last year was only forty million ryo. Why has it doubled this year?"

The Police Force has four squads with fifty-two members, all Clan Elite. This sum barely covers their salaries, let alone the daily maintenance of the Police Force's numerous facilities and Barriers.

Fugaku's brow twitched. Last year, due to the Nine-Tails' rampage, the entire clan was ostracized by the Village, and their funding was slashed from one hundred million ryo to a mere forty million.

With that huge Copy Wheel Eye hanging there, all their explanations were futile.

"Last year was a continuation of the war, a special situation where all departments had their budgets cut to support the ninja army. This year, the Uchiha clan has made great contributions to Konoha.

Now that the war is over, there are many more matters within Konoha, and the Police Force has become busier. An increase in funding is only right."

As Fugaku was pondering, the Third Hokage suddenly spoke up to explain.

Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado were startled, then looked at the Third Hokage, who had been silent, with some confusion in their eyes.

"As for the hospital disputes, I have already sent people to appease the families. Matters of life and death are hard to guarantee. Even if Tsunade were back, she couldn't save everyone. The Uchiha clan members might have a temper, but they wouldn't commit such dereliction of duty.

However, after the meeting, Fugaku should still speak to your clansmen and try to keep things under control."

"Yes, Lord Third Hokage." Fugaku quickly replied, relieved in his heart.

No wonder news of the hospital incident hadn't spread throughout Konoha—the Third Hokage had secretly suppressed it!

Koharu Utatane's face darkened. She was even more puzzled as to why the Third Hokage was defending the Uchiha clan. "Can the Village's stability really rely on the Police Force?"

Danzo, who had been silent all along, finally spoke. He snorted coldly and said, "Hasn't Konoha been chaotic enough lately? Conflicts among villagers, conflicts among ninja, and that exposed spy still hasn't been caught.

And these families of the critically ill—all of this is due to the Police Force's incompetence! Is this how the Police Force uses the funds we allocate?"

Homura Mitokado seized the opportunity to take over the conversation, "The villagers are gossiping endlessly, and Konoha's disorder continues. The Police Force needs to be reorganized. I think the budget allocation should be reconsidered."

"Yes, it needs careful consideration. The money should go to the medical department instead!"

Some ninja associated with the medical department couldn't help but chime in, though most chose to watch the show in silence.

Fugaku's expression gradually darkened. He hadn't expected these advisors to join forces to suppress the Uchiha clan.

If the content of this meeting spread back to the clan compound, he could already imagine the fury of the clan elders.

Growing irritated, he snorted coldly and asked, "You three speak so lightly. Without funding, how is the Police Force supposed to reorganize?"

Shisui's mouth twitched at this, and he looked at Fugaku in disbelief.

Koharu Utatane seized on the loophole and immediately said, "Since Director Fugaku also recognizes the Police Force's incompetence, then take the next year to carefully consider how to reorganize it. As for this year's budget, I think it should remain the same as last time."

Fugaku paused. When had he ever admitted the Police Force was incompetent?

The Third Hokage sighed and spoke up again, "The budget is limited, and since the war is over, there's no need to increase the medical department's funding.

The Police Force is equally vital to the Village. This funding should stay where it is."

Seeing the Third Hokage speak again, Koharu Utatane took a deep breath, deeply puzzled, while Homura Mitokado sensed something was wrong and chose to remain silent.

Danzo glanced at Koharu Utatane, sneered, and suddenly suggested, "Since the medical department's funding is sufficient, why not transfer twenty million ryo from the Police Force to repair the areas damaged by the Nine-Tails last time?"

The Nine-Tails!

Fugaku was immediately silenced. The Nine-Tails was ultimately an obstacle they couldn't overcome.

The Third Hokage frowned, ignoring Danzo, and instead gave Fugaku a deep look. The two exchanged glances, both seeming somewhat helpless.

"Then let's vote on it?"

Seeing the Third Hokage silent, Homura Mitokado suggested.

Koharu Utatane glared at Danzo. Though unwilling, she could only nod.

Everyone looked back at the Third Hokage. Since it had come to this, he had no choice but to agree.

Only then did Yuki Sarutobi step forward to preside over the vote, but the three Uchiha had already anticipated the outcome.

In all votes, the Hokage, the advisors, and the six department heads could not participate.

Only the other jonin could vote, and the results came quickly. As expected, 24 were in favor of reallocating the funds, 3 were against, and most of the ninja clans chose to abstain.

(End of chapter)