Chapter 81: A Shinobi's Life is Bitter; Too Bitter for a Glimpse of Humanity
Homura Mitokado moved to the next item on the agenda: Shinobi Death Benefits.
In truth, Konoha had always had a policy for compensating the families of the fallen. However, hamstrung by decades of financial crisis, those payments had been symbolic at best—barely enough to cover a funeral and a few months of groceries.
"Regarding those who fell in the Second Great Ninja War and previous conflicts," Homura began, consulting his ledger. "We have identified two thousand and fifteen families with surviving members."
"The proposed payout is set at One Million Ryo per shinobi. Including a margin for pending claims, this requires an immediate allocation of 2.2 Billion Ryo."
Orochimaru's heart skipped a beat.
2.2 billion? He did the math quickly. Between this and the 500 million for the social stipends, they were looking at nearly 2.7 billion. That would leave the village with almost nothing for the industrial expansion he was planning.
Orochimaru wasn't cold-blooded; he just believed that investing in R&D and production would generate more money to help more people later.
Sensing his student's concern, Hiruzen spoke up before Orochimaru could object.
"The total liability is 2.2 billion, yes. But the village is currently in a growth phase. We cannot liquidate our entire treasury in a single day."
Hiruzen looked around the room, his voice calm and steady. "We have decided to distribute these benefits as a Structured Settlement. The families will receive their payout in monthly installments over the next five years, with a fixed interest rate to account for inflation."
"This brings the total expenditure to 2.5 billion, but it spreads the cost to 500 Million Ryo per year."
"Furthermore, we will maintain a 'Death Benefit Reserve' of 500 million annually to cover future losses. This ensures the system remains solvent regardless of the global climate."
Orochimaru let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. He gave a sharp, appreciative nod.
A structured payout with interest... Orochimaru mused. It was brilliant. It relieved the short-term pressure on the treasury while preventing the families from blowing through a lump sum and ending up back in poverty. It turned a "Handout" into a "Salary."
Sakumo Hatake, however, wasn't thinking about the economics. He was staring at Hiruzen with eyes that bordered on worship.
One million Ryo? Plus interest?
The "White Fang" was an elite, but he had grown up in the trenches. He knew how desperate a ninja's life could be. Shinobi made good money, but their "overhead" was astronomical. High-grade armor, specialized kunai, medical treatments for chronic battlefield injuries, and the sheer cost of keeping a household running while the primary earner was away for months—it all added up.
Most Special Jonin lived paycheck to paycheck. Only the legendary S-rank masters actually had a savings account.
Hizashi Hyūga felt a similar surge of emotion. Compared to the Hyūga Main House—who held onto the clan's wealth like dragons guarding a hoard, rarely letting a single coin trickle down to the Branch House—the Hokage was a saint.
Hiruzen watched the expressions of his Commissioners and felt a profound sense of sadness.
One Million Ryo. To these men, it was a staggering fortune.
But he knew the numbers of his past life. On Earth, a soldier who died in the line of duty received a payout equivalent to fifteen or twenty years of salary, plus lifelong benefits for their children.
One Million Ryo was roughly equivalent to a single year's income for a hard-working Chunin.
Ninjas have been treated like trash for so long, Arata thought, that even the bare minimum of human decency makes them want to weep.
The room began to erupt into applause again, but Hiruzen raised a hand to silence them.
"Regarding these payouts, the village will not just mail a check. We are creating a Welfare Mission Tier."
"We will assign active shinobi to perform 'Domestic Support' rotations. They will visit the families of the fallen, deliver the payments personally, and identify any practical difficulties—repairs, medical needs, or educational hurdles. We will pay the visiting ninjas for their time, though the mission rank will be lower than an outside contract."
Hizashi Hyūga froze. Wait. He's going to pay us to check on our brothers?
"Lord Hokage!" Hizashi stood up, his voice booming. "I must object! Caring for the families of our fallen comrades is a sacred duty! It is the very essence of the Will of Fire! We should not be taking the village's gold to perform an act of basic humanity!"
The other Commissioners looked at Hizashi with surprise.
In truth, many of them felt the same way. In this moment of overwhelming "decency," the ninjas—who were conditioned to view themselves as expendable tools—suddenly felt "undeserving." They felt that taking money for a "kindness" was beneath them.
But Hizashi was the only one bold enough to say it. He didn't care about his reputation; he was a Lone Official, loyal only to Hiruzen. If he thought Hiruzen was being "too kind," he would say it, even if it made him unpopular.
Hiruzen let out a soft, weary laugh.
"Hizashi, I understand your heart. You want the Will of Fire to be pure."
"I want the room to listen to me carefully," Hiruzen said, looking at the council. "In the Anbu, Hizashi works day and night. His colleagues call him a man of iron. His suggestion comes from a place of absolute dedication. Do not misunderstand his intent."
By publicly defending Hizashi, Hiruzen ensured his "Lone Official" wouldn't be isolated by the other clans. He was acting like the "Big Brother" he had claimed to be.
Hiruzen then turned to Danzo.
Danzo felt the look and instinctively caught the cue. He didn't like "wasting" money on soft policies, but he had been studying Hiruzen's "Charisma Mode" for weeks.
"Hizashi... as the Hokage says, your work in the Anbu is exemplary," Danzo said, his voice a gravelly rasp. "I have no doubt of your sincerity."
Danzo's back was straight, and he looked every bit the supportive Commander. Internally, he was scolding himself: Stop it! Stop following his lead! You're supposed to be a rival, not a backup singer!
But he couldn't help it. The momentum Hiruzen had built in the room was a physical force.
He glanced at Orochimaru and noticed the Snake watching him with a predatory smirk. That brat... he knows I'm being played, Danzo fumed.
"Hizashi," Hiruzen continued, bringing the focus back to the policy. "The burden on our shinobi is already too heavy."
"Visiting a family is an act of love, yes. But it takes time. Time that could be spent training, or resting, or earning money for your own family. By paying for these missions, the village ensures the care is Sustainable."
"I don't want a kindness that lasts for a week. I want a system that lasts for a century. We compensate our people so that they can afford to be human without sacrificing their survival."
"To be honest... even this amount doesn't satisfy me. It's not enough. But it is what we can do today."
Hiruzen looked at the rows of elite warriors. "I promise you this: I will not leave a single Leaf shinobi behind. Not in life, and certainly not in death."
Hizashi's heart hammered against his ribs. Thump. Thump.
This was the leader he would follow into hell. Hiruzen had protected his reputation, validated his zeal, and then explained the macro-logic of the village's future.
Hizashi felt a surge of manic energy. He felt like he could take on the entire Hyūga Main House by himself right now.
Lord Hiruzen... my life is yours, Hizashi vowed.
☆☆☆
-> 20 Advanced chapters Now Available on Patreon!!
-> https://www.pat-reon.co-m/c/Hollowborn
(Just remove the hyphen (-) to access patreon normally)
If you like this novel please consider leaving a review that's help the story a lot Thank you