Chapter 421: Merit Assessment! Sarutobi Hiruzen: I stand at the atmosphere level in this round!
Although they had returned to Konoha, everyone had not yet emerged from their busy state.
The forces that participated in the Land of Rain, the forces that participated in the Land of Wind... as well as the garrison forces stationed at the eastern, northern, and southern borders of the Land of Fire, each Ninja who had established meritorious service needed to have their achievements evaluated and then their rewards determined.
As high-ranking frontline commanders, neither Orochimaru, Jiraiya, Fujiwara Tetsuya, nor others such as Akimichi Torifu and Mitarashi, could remain uninvolved.
With the end of the war against Iwagakure, the current Hidden Sand Village was simply unable to shake Konoha... Therefore, the frontline forces, led by Sakumo Hatake, stationed in the Land of Rivers, were also recalled.
"Ha~~~ It's finally over."
"Evaluating merits is even more tiring than fighting a Jinchuriki."
In the Hokage Building, looking at the piles of documents in front of him, Fujiwara Tetsuya yawned repeatedly, his eyes dark.
If he, with his physique, was in such a state, then Sakumo Hatake, Jiraiya, and the others beside him were undoubtedly not much better.
Because it involved various interests, over the past three days and nights, everyone had been constantly bickering and arguing, between the high-ranking officials, between the Shinobi Clans, and between the various commanders...
Even cold individuals like Orochimaru and calm individuals like Sakumo Hatake did not hesitate to bang on the table in front of Hiruzen Sarutobi, Utatane Koharu, and others, all to secure the rightful interests of their subordinates.
One can imagine the intensity of the verbal sparring among them.
"We're finally done now~ But next, Hokage-sama and the Advisors will be quite busy!"
To his left, Sakumo Hatake stroked his chin, looking at the location of Hiruzen Sarutobi, Homura Mitokado, Danzo, and Utatane Koharu, seemingly a bit gleeful.
However, Fujiwara Tetsuya could understand the meaning behind Sakumo Hatake's words.
Compared to the vast number of ordinary Ninja, what troubled the Village's high-ranking officials the most... were likely them, the commanders and leaders active on the battlefield... Ninja who had reached the Elite Jonin level.
For these individuals, if the rewards were too light, it would inevitably dampen morale and give hostile forces a reason to attack.
If the rewards were too heavy... Konoha now was no longer like when the Village was first established, nor when Hiruzen Sarutobi first took office... one could say it was a situation where every position was already filled.
Their promotion would mean that the "seniors" in those positions would have to retire early.
The conflict between new forces and the old order would inevitably cause many twists and turns... "Let those few worry about that~ I'm going back."
"Senior Sakumo, Senior Orochimaru, Senior Jiraiya... See you later..."
Not long after Fujiwara Tetsuya left, individuals such as Sakumo Hatake, Orochimaru... and others were also sent back by Hiruzen Sarutobi and Utatane Koharu for various reasons.
In an instant, the previously bustling council chamber was left with only Hiruzen Sarutobi, Utatane Koharu, Homura Mitokado, and Danzo.
At this moment, the four of them, Hiruzen Sarutobi, were gathered in a small circle, their four pairs of eyes staring at each other, yet no one spoke first, as if they were all waiting for something.
"Cough~ Koharu, Homura, Danzo, it's getting late, and dragging this on isn't a solution."
"How about... Koharu, you go first and share your thoughts on how to determine the rewards for Sakumo, Orochimaru, Jiraiya, Tsunade... and that brat Tetsuya?"
Amidst the swirling smoke, Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze moved back and forth between the three, but... seeing Danzo and Homura Mitokado's downcast eyes, he could only cast a pleading look at Utatane Koharu.
"..."
Meeting Hiruzen Sarutobi's slightly pleading gaze, Utatane Koharu couldn't help but sneer inwardly... Men! They only think of her when they encounter problems... Hehe~
"Cough~"
"Hiruzen, actually, the rewards for Jiraiya, Tsunade... and Torifu, as well as that brat, are all relatively easy to handle."
"After all, they didn't hold any official positions in the Village before, so there's ample room for maneuver whether it's rewarding money, Ninjutsu, residences, or positions."
"The crucial issue lies with Sakumo Hatake and Orochimaru. As commanders of the Land of Wind and Land of Rain battlefields respectively... their rewards must be handled with utmost care."
...Under Hiruzen Sarutobi's resentful gaze, Utatane Koharu spoke for several minutes, but not a single word hit the mark, finally kicking the ball back to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Hiruzen! As Hokage, you must already have some ideas about these matters, right?"
"You should speak first, and as for whether it's suitable or not... the four of us can then discuss it."
Gazing at the night outside the window, Homura Mitokado scratched his head... "Alright... Since you all feel this way, I'll just say it directly."
In a deep voice, Hiruzen Sarutobi put down his pipe and slowly stood up, a peculiar significance seemingly brewing in his eyes.
"I want Sakumo to serve as Hokage Advisor..."
"No! Hiruzen, I object~"
"Hiruzen, Danzo and I are of the same mind. I do not agree with Sakumo Hatake serving as Hokage Advisor."
The moment Hiruzen Sarutobi's words fell, Danzo, like a startled rabbit, sprang up directly.
As for Homura Mitokado and Utatane Koharu, they were pretty much the same, their expressions also not good.
Hokage Advisor!
What a joke?
With Sakumo Hatake's current prestige in Konoha, and his terrifying strength... if he were to take the position of Hokage Advisor.
He would most likely become... the Hokage successor with the highest popularity among Konoha's middle generation.
Even Tsunade and Jiraiya, as the Hokage's disciples... would have to step aside.
As for Orochimaru?
Thinking of Orochimaru's cold nature, Utatane Koharu silently sighed.
If Orochimaru and Sakumo Hatake were to compete on equal footing, even if their talent, intellect, and strength were on par, then... Orochimaru would be utterly defeated.
The gentle-natured Sakumo Hatake would undoubtedly gain an absolute advantage.
If Sakumo Hatake, who came from a Shinobi Clan, were allowed to become the Fourth Hokage, then... the distribution of interests among Konoha's Shinobi Clans would be reshuffled after Sakumo Hatake took office.
"Hiruzen, the matter of Sakumo serving as Hokage Advisor needs to be carefully considered."
"Danzo, Homura, and I share the same stance. We object to Sakumo serving as Hokage Advisor..."
"Is that so? Do all three of you... object?"
Scanning the changing expressions of Danzo, Utatane Koharu, and Homura Mitokado, Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes showed no significant fluctuation.
Strictly speaking, the reactions of his three good friends were entirely within his expectations.
As for the so-called Hokage Advisor, he indeed had that thought, but definitely not now.
The reason he brought it up in this setting was simply to seek terms for a compromise.
Pubfuture Ads