Chapter 82: The Will of Fire Manifest; How to Spend a Fortune
"Does anyone have any further objections?"
"Everything we do here is through consensus," Hiruzen said, his voice steady. "For the sake of the village."
Naturally, no one spoke up. The room was paralyzed by a mix of shock and awe. Was this really how ninjas were supposed to be treated? Pensions? Structured settlements? It felt more like a dream than a military briefing.
"Next item: Hazard Pay for High-Stakes Personnel."
"Danzo, you have the floor."
As the newly appointed Commander of the Anbu, this was Danzo's domain. He nodded and scanned the document.
"The roster includes the Anbu, the Police Force, the Patrol Net, and our deep-cover intelligence assets—a total of three hundred and forty-nine operatives currently in 'High-Stress' or 'Frontline' positions."
"The proposal is a one-time 'Combat Retention Bonus' of one million Ryo per operative. Furthermore, I am requesting a budget for Anbu equipment overhauls and global intelligence gathering upgrades. Total allocation: 500 Million Ryo."
Unlike the others, Danzo didn't bother with flowery explanations. Internally, his heart bled at the sight of all that silver being handed out. In the old days of the Root, he would have just put a Cursed Seal on their tongues, given them some rice and a sharp kunai, and called it a day.
But Danzo knew that if he suggested that now, Hiruzen would likely make him "fly" through a window. The Hokage had become unyielding on this point.
Hiruzen, you're going to regret being this soft, Danzo thought. But since he couldn't find a tactical reason to argue against well-equipped soldiers, he kept his mouth shut.
The item passed without a single dissenting vote. No one was brave enough to stand against the "Darkness of the Leaf" when he was asking for more money for his men.
"Next: Public Infrastructure and Academy Reform."
"We are funding new training grounds and medical hot springs for veteran recovery. Also, following the suggestion of Commissioner Kosuke Maruboshi, we are allocating funds to refine and improve the standard-issue jutsu used by our Chunin. Total: 200 Million Ryo."
"Finally," Hiruzen added, catching Orochimaru's eye, "we are establishing a pilot program to integrate unaligned clans within the Land of Fire. We need to bolster our combat population."
"Orochimaru, you are the Lead for this initiative."
This money was specifically for the Iburi and Tsuchigumo clans. The Iburi were Yamato's people—it was Hiruzen's way of cleaning up Orochimaru's previous unethical mess while simultaneously turning those clans into a "Foreign Legion" for the Leaf.
It was a "Konoha Green Card" system. These clans wouldn't become full citizens immediately; they would serve as contractors, earning their way into the village through merit. It preserved the pride of the native Leaf shinobi while solving the manpower shortage.
"Understood, Sensei!" Orochimaru replied with a sharp nod.
He knew exactly what Hiruzen was doing. By having Orochimaru personally oversee the "legalization" of the Iburi, the Hokage was erasing the Snake's black marks. It was a masterclass in political shielding.
"Lastly, the Industrial Expansion and Jutsu R&D Fund."
"We are initially allocating 600 Million Ryo to this sector."
Orochimaru frowned slightly. He had expected a larger slice for science. 600 million was a lot, but for the projects he had in mind, it was just a starting point.
"Shinnosuke," Hiruzen said, looking at his eldest son who was currently standing guard as an Anbu.
"Yes, Father?"
"I'm requisitioning ninety percent of your future wife's dowry," Hiruzen said casually. "I'm folding it into the village R&D fund. Along with a personal 'donation' from the Sarutobi clan coffers, we're bumping the R&D budget to a full One Billion Ryo."
Shinnosuke, who had been a model of professional stoicism, nearly dropped his sword. He pulled off his mask, his jaw hanging open. "Wait... what? Wife? Dowry? I don't even have a girlfriend, Dad!"
"Do you want one?"
"Well, yeah. I'm not getting any younger. I'd like to stop living in the barracks eventually. Asuma is driving me crazy with all his talk about the 'Azure Dragon Brotherhood'..."
"Good. Then pick a date. You're marrying the Daimyo's daughter, Reika Kujo."
"Be polite. If you need spending money for the wedding, ask your mother. She's still holding onto the family savings."
Shinnosuke looked like he had been hit by a Genjutsu. "Wait... did you just sell me for research equipment?"
"The village will remember your sacrifice, Shinnosuke," Hiruzen replied with a grin. "Besides, you aren't actually worth that much. I think the Daimyo overpaid."
The room erupted into laughter. The heavy, formal atmosphere of the High Commission meeting vanished, replaced by the feeling of a large family discussing a wedding.
"Don't worry, Shinnosuke! We'll all chip in for the gift!" Hizashi Hyūga laughed.
"Yeah! Ask Sakumo how much he's putting in. I'll double it!" Jiraiya shouted, always eager for a party.
Sakumo Hatake gave a thumbs-up. "Double Jiraiya's? Deal!"
The Commissioners were acting like village elders at a festival, bickering and joking. Suddenly, Danzo cleared his throat.
"Enough," the Assistant commanded.
The room went quiet, expecting a lecture on "Anbu Dignity."
"Don't bother the clans for money," Danzo grumbled, looking at Hiruzen. "I'll cover the wedding expenses from my private accounts. We don't need to touch the dowry for a party."
The room cheered even louder.
Danzo leaned over to Hiruzen, whispering, "Why didn't you tell me? I have plenty of funds. You didn't have to use your own son's inheritance."
Hiruzen beckoned Danzo closer, his voice a low, conspiratorial whisper. "If I didn't frame it as a 'Personal Sacrifice,' how could I show the village that their Hokage is giving everything he has?"
He bumped his shoulder against Danzo's and winked.
Danzo let out a rare, genuine chuckle. Hiruzen... you silver-tongued devil. You're pretending to be a martyr just to win their hearts. You're even more manipulative than I am!
With that, the distribution of the first 3.2 Billion Ryo was finalized. The remaining 200 million were placed into a "Liquidity Reserve" for emergencies.
Hiruzen emphasized that in the next budget cycle, science would be the priority. For now, they were fixing the "Soul" of the village.
Orochimaru watched his master, a look of profound satisfaction on his face. Between the "Labor Integration" funds and the "Jutsu Refinement" budget, Orochimaru was effectively managing nearly 400 million Ryo of the village's capital.
The Hokage wasn't just supporting him—he was making him the architect of the new world.
"Meeting adjourned," Hiruzen waved. "Go get some rest."
As the Commissioners filed out, Shinnosuke handed each of them a neatly folded package. It was a new uniform—the standard Leaf tactical gear, but with high-collared embroidery similar to the Hokage's robes.
It was the Commissioners' Mantle. A visual symbol of their status.
Hiruko immediately put his on, feeling the high-quality fabric. He wondered how he could "casually" walk through the market later so the grocery lady would see it. The Hokage thinks of everything, he thought.
The Commissioners turned back to offer a final bow of gratitude to the man behind the desk.
The setting sun poured through the windows, bathing Hiruzen in a fiery, golden light. A thin trail of smoke from his cigarette curled around him like a protective spirit.
In that moment, they didn't see a politician or a bureaucrat. They saw the living embodiment of the Will of Fire.
Meanwhile, on the Village Perimeter.
A squad of the new Patrol Net was engaged in a high-stakes game of cat-and-mouse.
En Uchiha narrowed his eyes, scanning the forest. "Something's wrong... I felt a chakra spike, but it vanished instantly."
"Where did that blonde brat go?"
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