Chapter 183: Chapter 183
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"The tasks performed by the Root may be similar to those of the Anbu, but some missions require handling the village's dark side, hence the need for the Root."
Hiruzen's face darkened slightly as he explained, "The Root also provides training for potential Anbu members, serving as a talent incubator."
"Heh."
Yoichi couldn't help but laugh, then said, "I'm not laughing at you, Third Hokage, but the idea that the Anbu can't handle some dark missions is laughable. Right now, Konoha's funds, even if allocated, must prioritize village construction and pensions. All departments have had their budgets cut, with the police force seeing a 70% reduction."
"The Uchiha clan can subsidize the police force so our ninja don't worry about supporting their families, but what about other departments? Many ninja have had their salaries slashed and can't even support their families. What are they supposed to do?"
"The main issue is that the Fourth Hokage wasn't aware of this department. It only needs to provide a few 'talents' to the Anbu periodically to receive a large budget. Fourth Hokage, the Uchiha clan requests to establish a new Root, guaranteeing to provide twice as many talents as the old Root."
Yoichi's words made Hiruzen's face turn extremely grim. He knew the Root would likely be dissolved today, but being pressured by Yoichi like this made him furious.
The most important task of the Root was to curb the Uchiha clan's growth. Could Hiruzen say that? Of course not. He had planned to tell Sakumo about the Second Hokage's concerns regarding the Uchiha.
But it seemed impossible now. Sakumo's relationship with the Uchiha clan appeared too close.
Sakumo didn't respond immediately. After a moment of silent thought, he called an Anbu and said, "Go and invite Elder Danzo. Tell him the Third Hokage and I need to discuss something with him."
"Yes, Fourth Hokage."
The Anbu left, and the room fell silent.
Sakumo then said, "I neglected this issue. Ninja who rely on fixed salaries to support their families are surely struggling now. Does anyone have a good solution?"
Ninja with fixed positions, unlike mission teams, receive a regular salary. But now, all departments' salaries have been drastically cut, with the police force's salary reduced to less than a third of its original amount.
The interrogation team and the mission team saw a 50% reduction, with the lowest reduction being 40%.
The solution was simple: find more money. But from where? The main sources of income for Konoha were the Daimyo's funds and mission commissions. Sakumo and the Uchiha had already secured these. As for other sources, Shikaku had no immediate ideas.
He had some ideas but couldn't propose them due to his responsibilities to his clan.
After a period of silence, Yoichi said, "The Uchiha clan can provide loans. As long as the Hokage's office issues a certificate, ninjas can receive funds from the Uchiha clan. This is to help those in need. They can repay the money after five years when they're no longer struggling."
"In that case, on behalf of the ninjas who need help, thank you, Uchiha clan."
Sakumo smiled, "This will solve the immediate difficulties for some families. After these few years, Konoha should recover."
The others remained silent, listening to Yoichi and Sakumo handle the situation.
The Sarutobi, Nara, and Yamanaka clans had their own businesses, but these were mainly to ensure their clan members' livelihoods. Now, with Konoha unable to pay the in-service ninja's salaries, how could they help the village? They had to rely on their clans.
Even if they had some savings, they wouldn't dare take on such a responsibility. Only the wealthy Uchiha could afford to lend money interest-free for five years.
Soon, Danzo was brought in. No matter his condition, he had to answer the call of two Hokages if he was in Konoha.
"Elder Danzo, today's discussion is about the Root's budget. I have many questions that I hope you can clarify."
Sakumo smiled, "What tasks does the Root perform? How many talents does it provide to the Anbu annually? And what are the dark missions the Root handles?"
Danzo realized that the Fourth Hokage planned to dismantle the Root. After a moment of silence, he said, "The Root's tasks have been reported to Hiruzen. If you want to know, ask him."
"As for the dark missions, the Root handles anything that might threaten the village."
Sakumo shook his head, "Elder Danzo, your explanation doesn't justify continuing to fund the Root. I hope all village secret missions will go through the Hokage's office, every single one."
As Hokage, Sakumo couldn't tolerate a repeat of incidents where village comrades were betrayed. Danzo remained silent, and the room fell quiet for several minutes.
"In that case, I will assign an Anbu squad to take over the Root's ninjas and tasks. The Root will be merged into the Anbu. If there are too many personnel, I'll streamline the force and have some become squad leaders."
Seeing Danzo's silence, Sakumo decided to disband the Root.
Spending a large amount of money annually on an uncontrollable force was unacceptable. Danzo's previous actions also made this necessary.
Hiruzen interjected, "Sakumo, reconsider. The village still needs the Root. It has done much for Konoha."
Sakumo shook his head, "Third Hokage, we can consider re-establishing the Root in the future. For now, with the village's tight budget, the Anbu will suffice."
Sakumo then instructed the Anbu captain to handle the transition and collect the Root's tasks and data from Hiruzen.
Danzo then said, "Since the Root is dissolved, I will step down as Hokage's advisor. Please select someone else."
"Is that so? Very well."
Sakumo nodded, then looked at Yoichi, "Yoichi, would you be my advisor? We'll discuss the police force captaincy later."
"I understand, Fourth Hokage."
Yoichi tried to hide his smile. He hadn't expected such a smooth process.
Now, he needed to see if Danzo would leave the village. Killing him outright would trouble Sakumo, who didn't want to see village ninja harmed. It was best for Danzo to die at someone else's hands.
The others were still in shock at Yoichi becoming the new advisor.
"Sakumo..."
Hiruzen wanted to object but felt his words would be futile. Danzo stepped down, Sakumo agreed, and Yoichi became the new advisor.
Besides the surprised Hiruzen, Danzo nearly dug his nails into his palm in anger. He had just resigned as advisor, only for Yoichi to take the position.
"Is Uchiha worthy!?"
Danzo's face was icy, even resenting Hiruzen for allowing Sakumo to become Hokage.
After discussing a few more issues, the meeting adjourned. Yoichi was asked to stay while the others left.
Shikaku had remained mostly silent. He wasn't yet the head of the Jonin squad, having just been recommended by his father. The Fourth Hokage still needed to review his application.
In contrast, Inoichi's appointment as head of the interrogation team went smoothly, given the Yamanaka clan's expertise in this area.
"Shikaku, Shikano, and Inoichi, come to my house," Hiruzen invited, then called for Danzo and others.
He felt Sakumo had no need for his advice and wasn't interested in his experience as the Third Hokage.
After a private discussion with Sakumo about the advisor role and missions involving Kusagakure and Takigakure, Yoichi left the Hokage building.
Sakumo feared Yoichi might destroy the two villages, tarnishing Konoha's reputation and scaring off merchants.
For now, Yoichi didn't need to relinquish his police force role. The force operated well within regulations and had a growing reputation for fair and helpful service, reversing its previous negative image.
Returning home, Yoichi planned to spend the evening with Mina and Mikoto. He would be away for at least half a month on the mission involving the two smaller villages, each with thousands of ninja.
On the way, Yoichi suddenly paused, receiving memories from his shadow clone.
The morning training had ended, leaving Yugito exhausted but able to walk.
Yugito, with her single fire attribute, had been taught fire chakra nature transformation by Yoichi. This not only allowed her to use fire-style jutsu but also enhanced their power through deeper understanding.
After mastering the basics, she could learn Sage Mode, which didn't conflict with her tailed beast mode and offered unique advantages like enhanced perception.
Matatabi could also help her gather natural energy due to their bond.
At home, only Yugito and Yoichi were free.
Mina was in surgery with Rin, and Mikoto was handling business matters. The Uchiha's businesses, including pharmaceuticals and ninja games, generated significant income.
Seeing Yoichi enter, Yugito, freshly bathed, emerged from her room.
After a morning of training and a hot bath, her fair skin glowed with a fresh, delicate look.
Yoichi lay on the sofa, pretending to be exhausted, "I've been in meetings all morning. I'm exhausted. Please, Yugito."
Yugito blushed, then stomped her foot, "Pervert!"
She stormed back to her room but soon returned, this time wearing smooth white knee socks over her slender legs.
Blushing, she approached the sofa, imagining she was trampling an enemy, and began massaging Yoichi's back with her delicate feet.
'That pervert spent the whole morning guiding my training. I'll do this as repayment.'
She thought, coldly snorting inwardly, then skillfully massaged Yoichi's hard back with her tender feet.
"You mentioned joining a squad to the Fourth Hokage. He agreed. If a suitable squad is found, you'll be assigned to it."
Yoichi suddenly said, "But your basics are weak. Without Matatabi's power, you'd struggle against a Chunin. Train for a month first, then join a squad."
"Okay..."
Her voice was so soft that Yoichi barely heard it. But the next moment, he felt her smooth feet massage him with more dedication and effort.
(End of Chapter)
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