radicalducati Chapter 101 The Banner of the Younger Generation
Chapter 101 The Banner of the Younger Generation
"Yes, I think it's great."
Mitokado pushed up his glasses:
"The banner of the younger generation, Hiruzen is right. This is already the village's symbol of deterring foreign enemies. Shouldn't we be supporting it instead of suppressing it?"
"Still saying it's not just flattery to kill!" Koharu Utatane glared at Homura Mitokado. "Stop with that veiled insult. Didn't Higanbana get it back then?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on.
These two Hokage advisors in front of him rarely offer constructive advice; most of the time, they just cause him trouble.
However, they were old classmates and teammates after all, so even though he was the Hokage, it wasn't appropriate for him to say anything harsh.
"The Shadow Guard is Konoha's 'new fangs,' and I will give them my open and full support, providing them with resources, status, and everything they need."
The third generation leader decided to be frank and informed the two advisors about the increased reward level for this mission.
"Hiruzen, are you crazy?!" Koharu Utatane exclaimed angrily.
"Don't you, as Hokage, know what the situation is like in the village right now? What do a few children need so much money for?"
In fact, 200 million ryo is nothing in Konoha's size under normal circumstances.
But the Shadow Guards are all kids, so Koharu's statement about turning the room around isn't entirely wrong.
Even Mitokado Homura, who usually doesn't express a stance, expressed his opposition:
"Yes, even if they are Konoha's 'new fangs,' it's time to contribute when the village is in trouble. Hiruzen, why did you give them so much money?"
"Training and growth also require resources," the Third Hokage said calmly. "Better ninja tools and better medicinal herbs can make a ninja's training twice as effective, and besides..."
"And what?!" Koharu, still furious, exclaimed.
"Is being greedy for money a flaw?" The third generation suddenly looked up at the two of them. "Qingwu has mentioned liking money many times. According to the finance department's report... he is always all smiles when he receives his salary."
Mitokado Homura suddenly realized, "I understand now. It's easier to control someone if they have flaws. If he has no desires or wants, what else can we give him?"
The third generation leader said helplessly:
"You can't say that. He's still just a child. I believe that under the guidance of the Will of Fire, Qingwu's loyalty to the village is beyond question."
"I don't see it that way," the old woman turned to Xiaochun, her eyes widening slightly. "This time, I agree with Yan's opinion."
Mitokado Homura pushed up his glasses, adopting an expression of complete control.
"So," Koharu continued, "it's because..."
"It's okay to be greedy, but don't give him too much at once. Keep his appetite whetted and don't let him be satisfied, so that he can better serve the village."
The third generation exhaled a puff of smoke, too lazy to elaborate on these details.
"So, Hiruzen, you gave too much this time."
Xiaochun, who was switching dorms, was unwilling to let the topic go easily.
The Third Hokage tapped his pipe and looked at the two advisors. "Inform all the major clans that at the New Year's celebration, I will officially announce—Senju Seigo has been promoted to Jonin!"
The third generation felt that perhaps he hadn't expressed himself clearly enough.
I clearly said I would give my full support, but all this petty stuff is pointless.
Koharu and Mitokado were both startled.
"Hiruzen, this is too fast, he's only a teenager? Thirteen?"
"Being a Jonin requires seniority and achievements, and it means entering the core of the village, which requires a vote by all the Jonin."
The third generation leader sighed inwardly.
A few months ago, after Qingwu's fight against Orochimaru, he mentioned that he wanted to promote Qingwu to Jonin. It was these reasons that forced him to temporarily change his status to Special Jonin.
"Qualifications?" The third generation leader laughed.
"He killed two elite Jonin from Iwagakure. Hmm, neither of them had any other members of the Shadow Guard present. It was all done by Qingwu alone."
"And also, those four teenagers you mentioned, they destroyed three important strongholds of Iwagakure and killed nearly four hundred enemies! Is that enough of an achievement?"
This time, he dispatched the Shadow Guard to carry out the mission of eliminating the Iwagakure stronghold.
On one hand, it's for revenge and to show off.
On the other hand, the purpose of this was to "cultivate the reputation" of the Shadow Guard, but no one expected so many changes to happen later.
Of course, everything has its advantages and disadvantages.
Qingwu's "summoning" ability, when demonstrated on the battlefield, is something that many elite Jonin probably cannot achieve.
Such a ninja is more than qualified to be a Jonin, even in Konoha.
That's what the third generation thought, and that's what he insisted on doing.
He said to Mitokado Homura, "As for the Jonin meeting..."
Mitokado Homura understood and took out a list from his pocket:
"Currently, there are 47 active Jonin in Konoha. I will inform them that they are not returning from the battlefield and will be voting at the meeting."
The Third Hokage's tone softened. "En, Koharu, don't you understand? At its peak, Konoha had over a hundred Jonin, but now..."
The number of ninjas in Konoha's ranks has consistently been between 1.2 and 1.5.
At its peak, Konoha, the strongest village in the ninja world, had a Jonin population that accounted for 1% of its total population. Now...
If we exclude the Uchiha clan, who have already alienated themselves from the village, the number of Jonin would probably be reduced by another third. This is certainly due to the strict selection process for Jonin by the major ninja villages...
However, it is undeniable that after several Shinobi World Wars, especially after the Third Shinobi World War and a series of upheavals, Konoha has become as weak as it was at its lowest point in history.
Sensing the resolve of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Koharu Utatane also fell silent...
……
Task delivery point.
The staff meticulously checked the scroll provided by the third generation.
"Tea Country Guard Mission, S-rank, after being selected according to the Shadow Guard's special regulations, the actual payment was two million taels."
The staff member said calmly, "Please have the team leader sign for it."
A mission to the Land of Tea? Qingwu's heart stirred. The mission didn't mention going to the Land of Grass to eliminate the stronghold, which probably had a deeper meaning.
Kakashi took the handover form, glanced at it, signed it, then picked up the money box, turned around, and said, "Let's go!"
Boom!
At the Anbu training ground, Kakashi placed the money box on the training stakes.
"According to the Shadow Guard's regulations, the mission rewards are distributed as follows: the captain takes 30% first, and the remaining team members split the remaining 70% equally."
Kakashi's voice came through the mask, devoid of emotion, "Two million, I'll take 60 ryo, and the three of you... will roughly get 46.6666666..."
Qingwu rolled his eyes; he felt Kakashi had changed.
She's starting to become playful.
However, this was the first time the Shadow Guard had left the village to carry out a mission, and he had never really understood this allocation method before.
Seeing Xi Yan's nonchalant expression, Qing Wu understood. This was probably how the Dark Division, which frequently carried out dangerous missions, was assigned tasks.
Fortunately, with my previous salary savings, I still have enough to upgrade the ancient tree.
Qingwu urged, "Hurry up and distribute the money!"
Kakashi stopped making the "6" sound and looked at the other two: "If no one objects, then we'll divide the money."
"No objections!" Xi Yan was the first to shake her head; she was no longer the captain.
Tianzang seemed to hesitate for a moment, then said, "I...I have an objection!"