บท 183: 183
The Hokage leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples as the evening settled into night. His office, as always, was stacked high with scrolls, mission reports, and the endless tide of paperwork that came with leading a village like Konoha. Among the many documents, however, one scroll stood out—a neatly written essay given to him during his recent visit to the hospital. It had been handed to him personally by a young genin, Haruto Takeda.
At the time, Hiruzen had promised to read it when he could, though the flood of responsibilities had kept him from doing so. Tonight, though, he finally had a moment to himself. The essay had been nagging at the back of his mind, and after the impression Haruto had left on him during their brief exchange, Hiruzen was curious. He reached over and picked up the scroll, carefully unfurling it on his desk.
The title alone gave him pause: "The Case for a Konoha Village Bank: Economic Prosperity and Security for the Future." Not exactly light reading, but Hiruzen had come to expect the unexpected from this boy. Haruto had already shown his sharp mind with the earlier essay on the Will of Fire. The Hokage was eager to see what kind of insights the boy had to offer this time.
As he began reading, Hiruzen felt a twinge of surprise. The idea of a village-run bank was something he hadn't seen discussed much in Konoha, especially not by a genin. It was a bold and forward-thinking proposal, one that would give Konoha a tighter grip on its own finances while offering its citizens more security. Hiruzen could already see the benefits Haruto was proposing.
The essay laid out several clear points:
1. Secure Savings and Growth for Civilians and Shinobi
Haruto suggested that a village-run bank would offer both civilians and shinobi a safe place to deposit their wealth, allowing them to earn modest interest. This would not only encourage saving but also keep the village's resources within Konoha's borders, preventing external forces from manipulating Konoha's finances.
2. Funding for Economic Expansion
The essay argued that with affordable loans, Konoha could foster economic expansion in key areas—businesses, shinobi training programs, and public infrastructure. Haruto proposed that such loans could lead to a flourishing economy, with wealth being reinvested in the village's own growth.
3. Revenue for the Village
Haruto's essay also emphasized how the interest from these loans would provide a steady stream of revenue for the village, ensuring that Konoha's finances remained strong. This revenue could be used to support shinobi operations, improve public services, and fund projects that would keep the village secure.
Hiruzen couldn't help but nod as he read. The boy's points were well-thought-out and remarkably mature for his age. It was clear that Haruto had a firm grasp of the village's needs beyond just the shinobi aspect. But it was the next section that really caught Hiruzen's attention.
Debt as a Danger to Konoha's Stability
Haruto didn't shy away from addressing the risks. His tone became cautionary as he outlined the dangers of debt. He stressed that while debt wasn't inherently evil, it could become a threat to Konoha's future if not handled carefully. Haruto emphasized that Konoha should avoid excessive debt, warning that if the village became too indebted, it could lose its autonomy.
Hiruzen leaned back, absorbing the implications. The boy was right. Debt was a slippery slope, and Hiruzen had seen how reckless financial policies could destabilize even the strongest of systems. Haruto's essay urged for caution, proposing that debt should only be taken on when necessary and with clear repayment structures in place.
Then, Haruto addressed a deeper issue: the temptation to simply print more money to solve financial problems. The Hokage chuckled at the boy's derision of "monopoly money." It was a simplistic term, but it conveyed the dangers of devaluing a village's currency just to cover debts. Haruto was adamant that Konoha's wealth should be tied to real, tangible resources like land and valuable goods.
Avoiding the Pitfalls of Reckless Finance
Haruto's argument here was sound. He knew that a solid economy needed a real foundation, not speculative currency. By ensuring that the bank's funds were grounded in physical assets, Haruto believed that Konoha could avoid financial crises and protect its future.
The Hokage put the essay down for a moment, his fingers tracing the edges of the scroll as he reflected. Haruto was no ordinary genin, that much was clear. His understanding of the village's long-term stability and the foresight to propose something as intricate as a village-run bank was impressive. Hiruzen had been around long enough to know that Konoha's strength didn't just lie in its shinobi but in its ability to provide security and prosperity for its people.
Hiruzen sighed, a smile tugging at his lips. "This boy… He's full of surprises," he muttered. He had read the Will of Fire essay months ago, but this… this was on a different level. Haruto wasn't just thinking like a shinobi; he was thinking like a leader, someone who could see the bigger picture and plan for the future.
Hiruzen carefully rolled the scroll back up, placing it in a special pile for follow-up. He knew this was something he would need to discuss with his advisors, but more than that, he was now certain that Haruto Takeda had the potential to be more than just a great shinobi—he could become one of Konoha's pillars in the future. This kind of thinking was rare, and Hiruzen wasn't about to let it go unnoticed.
He chuckled to himself. "And to think I almost overlooked this essay… What a future this boy has ahead of him."
As the Hokage gazed out the window at the quiet village below, he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. The next generation was shaping up to be something special, and with boys like Haruto, Konoha's future was in good hands. But he knew he had to keep a closer eye on Haruto now. The boy had more to offer than just skill on the battlefield. His mind was sharp, his ideas bold—and Hiruzen knew that such a mind would be crucial for the future of the village.
As he extinguished the candle on his desk, the Hokage smiled again, thinking of the day ahead. Soon, he would make sure to bring Haruto closer into the village's circle of influence. This boy had a place in Konoha's future, and Hiruzen was determined to guide him on that path.
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