"Naruto: Ice God"Chapter 189: Budget, Budget, and More Budget
The brief leakage of Nine-Tails chakra still managed to alert the ANBU responsible for surveillance.
They dutifully reported this incident to the trio who had just finished listening to Hiruko's report.
"The Nine-Tails chakra leaked briefly? Who was present?"
Hiruzen was the first to stand up, ready to grab Enma and have a proper brawl with the Nine-Tails.
"Hey, don't get worked up, old man. Feng Bai just finished his mission and went to Minato's house. I bet that kid is up to something again."
Having learned the full story from the ANBU, Jiraiya gestured for Hiruzen not to worry.
"Feng Bai? His team never sent back any reports, so how did they suddenly return to the village?"
Hiruzen was puzzled, looking at Sakumo with questioning eyes.
Noticing Hiruzen's gaze, Sakumo shrugged, indicating he really hadn't received any reports from them.
"This kid—comes back from a mission and the first thing he does isn't report here or go home, but keeps running to Minato's house every day. What's that about?"
Hiruzen muttered as he sat back down.
"Speaking of which, did you all understand the cursed seal Orochimaru provided?"
Knowing Feng Bai had returned to the village, the group stopped worrying about the Nine-Tails chakra leakage. After all, with a perfect jinchūriki around, they weren't afraid of the Nine-Tails causing any trouble.
Isobu: You're so impressive, so noble—you want me to go fight Kurama?
"The technique is very concise. Who would have thought that simply applying a cursed seal to a controlled corpse could block the genjutsu's effect? Third Hokage, you really have cultivated excellent shinobi for Konoha Village."
Sakumo examined the cursed seal's technique structure, gaining even more respect for Hiruzen's ability to train disciples.
The Legendary Sannin, Feng Bai—these were all outstanding shinobi renowned throughout the ninja world. Sarutobi Hiruzen's title as the "Professor of Ninjutsu" was truly well-deserved.
"Hahaha, I only did what I could."
Being praised directly by Sakumo, Hiruzen felt proud inside, though he didn't show it on his face—only the corners of his mouth lifted a few degrees higher than usual.
Feeling pleased, Hiruzen pulled out his pipe, which he had put away earlier, and lit it right in front of Jiraiya and Sakumo.
"Old man, this is a public space!"
Jiraiya, feeling like he was about to be smoked to perfection, couldn't tolerate Hiruzen's bad habit and was about to explode.
"Actually, I just thought of a good idea."
Hiruzen ignored the frantic Jiraiya and brought up a plan that had been shelved for a long time.
...
"De-Uchiha-ize the Police Force?" ×2
"Exactly."
Hiruzen nodded and began analyzing the policy established by his teacher, Senju Tobirama.
"Second Hokage's original intention was to keep the Uchiha clan in a permanently controllable state, and use the special authority of the Police Force to force the Uchiha clan into being unable to maintain good relationships with other clans."
"This policy was indeed practical in earlier times, but in recent years it has gradually strained relations between the village and the Uchiha clan. Now that the Fourth Hokage is taking office, I think we could first discuss with Fugaku about allowing other clans and civilian shinobi to participate in the Police Force."
"This way, we can also enhance the Police Force's counter-espionage capabilities."
Sakumo listened carefully to Hiruzen's words, analyzing the pros and cons of this plan in his mind.
Jiraiya's expression also became serious, no longer concerned about Hiruzen's smoking.
"It's indeed a good idea, but the Uchiha clan probably won't easily allow outsiders to join."
Jiraiya spoke before Sakumo, worried that this approach might provoke opposition from the Uchiha radicals, causing their already somewhat improved relationship to deteriorate again, or even become worse.
"The Uchiha clan also has people who yearn for peace. The radicals opposing the village are ultimately just a minority. We can have Fugaku appeal to them emotionally..."
Hiruzen's words were cut off by Sakumo.
"With radicals, we must never compromise easily, but should take decisive action."
Sakumo saw things more clearly—if the radicals weren't completely eliminated, the Uchiha clan would always have voices of opposition.
His character was more resolute than Hiruzen's, yet more moderate than Danzo's—almost like a fusion of both.
"Then, the work of negotiating with Fugaku will be troublesome for you, Fourth Hokage."
Seeing Sakumo had his own plan, Sarutobi Hiruzen, the former Hokage, stopped interfering.
"Right, after all, this is my responsibility as the Fourth Hokage."
Sakumo crossed his hands and placed them on the desk, covering half his face, his eyes staring straight ahead.
"So, about Orochimaru having Hiruko deliver the request to increase the Research Bureau's budget..."
Seeing the two had completely made up their minds, Jiraiya curiously took out Orochimaru's budget application and looked at the two Hokage before him who seemed to possess great wisdom.
"Budget—"
Sakumo, who had planned to shelve this matter, completely lost his composure when Jiraiya brought it up so inappropriately.
His eyes shifted from looking straight ahead to staring at Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Third Hokage, oh Third Hokage, if you were going to retire, just retire! Why did you approve the establishment of both the Research Bureau and Medical Corps right before stepping down? Konoha didn't gain any substantial benefits from this war, and now I have to fund new organizations for your two disciples—did you ever consider me, the Fourth Hokage?!
Sarutobi Hiruzen seemed to sense this telepathically. The moment Jiraiya finished speaking, he stood up and headed for the door: "Oh my, I almost forgot—Biwako asked me to bring some groceries home. I'll be going now."
Without waiting for Sakumo to speak, the instigator of the budget crisis immediately took off running.
"Sigh..."
Sakumo sighed, looking at the application in Jiraiya's hand, feeling extremely conflicted.
Undeniably, through the joint efforts of Orochimaru and Hiruko, the Research Bureau had indeed played an unexpectedly important role.
Not only had they solved the mystery of corpse reanimation, but they had also developed prosthetics capable of using ninjutsu independently, putting Konoha's technology at the forefront.
He'd heard that Hidden Cloud Village was also heavily supporting technology projects, so it seemed his side couldn't fall behind either.
But where would the money come from?
"Leave it here for now. Let me think about it."
After hesitating for a while, Sakumo, unable to make a decision, decided to wait until after he discussed the Police Force matter with Fugaku before considering Orochimaru's budget application.
"In that case, I'll just..."
Seeing Sarutobi Hiruzen had already escaped, Jiraiya, the ANBU commander, was also preparing to find somewhere to rest properly—preferably with some drinks and beautiful women to look at.
But Sakumo stopped him.
"I'm going to the Uchiha compound to discuss the Police Force issue with Fugaku. You stay here and handle these documents, and also consider candidates for the new deputy commander. That's settled."
After saying this, without giving Jiraiya a chance to refuse, Sakumo immediately used Lightning Body Flicker and left the office.
Jiraiya: ?
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