Uchiha Hikaru had barely returned to Konoha and set foot inside the village when the wicked Tobirama Senju caught wind of his arrival and came calling.
“Uchiha Hikaru.” Tobirama got straight to the point.
“I need one billion for research funding.”
“What?
One billion?” Hikaru frowned.
“No.
At most, I can allocate one hundred million for your research.”
This wicked old fox of a Senju had the audacity to demand one billion for research right off the bat.
Everyone knew what his research was really about—it was all aimed at the Uchiha.
In the original story, his developments—Edo Tensei, Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags, Flying Thunder God—every single one was designed to counter the Uchiha.
Now that Hikaru was Chancellor of the Civil Affairs Department, holding the village’s purse strings, he had to keep this old fox on a tight leash.
“Uchiha Hikaru, you’re targeting me!” Tobirama’s face darkened, his already crimson eyes burning even redder, as if he were about to activate his Sharingan.
Hikaru was unfazed.
He straightened his back and fired back word for word: “I am the Chancellor of the Civil Affairs Department, not you!
The hundreds of thousands of people in Konoha need to survive, to develop, to find work, to eat—I am the one responsible, not you!”
“The Six Ministries have just been established.
Every single one needs funding.
And you demand one billion for research?” Hikaru let out a cold laugh.
“Tobirama, you are not the Hokage.
Even if you were, you cannot invent pretexts to siphon village funds.”
Tobirama’s face cycled through shades of pale and red.
Invent pretexts?
Siphon funds?
He swore on his conscience—yes, he did want to research ways to counter the Uchiha.
But was that inventing a pretext?
At worst, it was a well-intentioned lie.
For the village’s security, to prepare for the day the Uchiha might turn hostile, making some technical preparations in advance—what was wrong with that?
“Tobirama, I am the Chancellor of the Civil Affairs Department.”
Bam— Tobirama slammed his hand on the table.
“Uchiha Hikaru, you will regret this!”
One hundred billion sounded like a fortune, but Konoha needed money for everything.
In the village’s early days, there were gaps everywhere.
One billion for a single research project?
Not a chance.
That afternoon, in the People’s Conference Room of the Hokage Office Building—Konoha’s White House.
At the head of the table sat Hokage Madara Uchiha in his white haori, seated in the main chair.
Hashirama Senju sat to his right, and Hikaru sat to his left, a thick stack of ledgers and documents spread before him.
Behind them sat the Three Department Chancellors—Chancellor of the Central Secretariat Nara Rokuon, Chancellor of the Chancellery Tobirama Senju, and Chancellor of the Department of State Affairs Hyuga Ten’nin.
The Six Ministers took their seats in turn: Minister of Medicine Aburame Shihei, Minister of Ceremonies Sarutobi Sasuke, Minister of Justice Senju Momoma, and Minister of Works Shimura Yuno.
The position of Minister of War remained temporarily vacant, under the direct authority of the Hokage.
In addition, the clan heads of various families also attended as observers.
Hikaru rose to his feet.
“The Daimyo of the Land of Fire, understanding the hardships of Konoha’s early days, has provided us with ten billion in aid.”
The room erupted the moment the words left his mouth.
“ten billion?”
“That much?”
Though everyone knew Hikaru had gone to see the Daimyo for funding, they also knew the Daimyo had certainly been reluctant.
Most had assumed five billion would be the ceiling—no one expected Hikaru to secure one hundred billion.
Double the estimate.
Many clan heads looked at Hikaru with new eyes.
This man could fight, strategize, and even extract money with unparalleled skill.
Tobirama let out a cold snort and looked away.
“After discussion among the Hokage, the Three Department Chancellors, and the Ministers, this funding has been divided into four main categories.” He opened the ledger before him and read down the list.
“First category—public welfare.
Allocating one billion, to be managed by Chancellor Hyuga Ten’nin and Minister of Works Shimura Yuno.”
Hyuga Ten’nin and Shimura Yuno both sat up straighter.
“Your task is to expedite public welfare projects in Konoha, with particular emphasis on the commercial district and farmlands.” Hikaru’s gaze settled on Shimura Yuno.
“Our next priority is attracting investment and business to Konoha.
This is of utmost importance.
To build a strong economically developed village, we must optimize the investment environment.
Konoha’s development is rooted in public welfare.”
“Understood.”
The Hyuga clan was large and wealthy—one billion was not enough to excite Hyuga Ten’nin overly much.
But a glimmer of light flashed in Shimura Yuno’s eyes.
The Hyuga might not care about one billion, but the Shimura needed it desperately.
These infrastructure projects would require manpower and management.
Without violating any principles, he could certainly secure some advantages for his clan.
“Yes.
The Shimura clan will give its all.”
“Second category—healthcare.
Allocating five hundred million, to be fully managed by Minister of Medicine Aburame Shihei.
Your mission is to train as many medical-nin as possible for Konoha in a short time and to develop medical equipment.”
Aburame Shihei gave a slight nod.
Five hundred million was a substantial sum, enough to build a proper Konoha hospital and train a batch of qualified medical-nin.
Hikaru paused, his gaze shifting to Tobirama Senju.
“In recognition of Chancellor Tobirama Senju’s research capabilities, an additional two hundred million is allocated for joint research with the Minister of Medicine, to achieve results as soon as possible.”
In the world of Naruto, there were many combat geniuses, but only two could be called technological geniuses—Tobirama Senju and Orochimaru.
Tobirama’s research abilities were undeniable.
From Flying Thunder God to Shadow Clones, from Edo Tensei to Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags, including human anatomy research.
But for now, he would stick to medical research.
The muscles in Tobirama’s face twitched.
Now Hikaru was giving him two hundred million—though still far from his original budget of one billion, it was at least one hundred million more than before.
“Hmph.” Tobirama snorted, his displeasure evident.
Yet he suddenly found that Uchiha Hikaru was not quite so detestable—of course, only for an instant.
The next moment, he was already scheming how to use those two hundred million to conduct some extra research on the side.
“Third category—education.
Also allocating five hundred million, to be managed by Minister of Ceremonies Sarutobi Sasuke.”
“Planting trees takes ten years, nurturing people takes a hundred.
Education is the foundation of a century-long vision.” Hikaru’s gaze settled on Sarutobi Sasuke, his tone unusually solemn.
“The next generation of Konoha will determine its future.
How the school is built, how teachers are hired, how the curriculum is designed—all of this falls to you.”
Sarutobi Sasuke nodded firmly.
Since becoming Minister of Ceremonies, other clans had whispered behind his back—that he had risen through his son’s connections, that he was merely clinging to the Uchiha’s coattails.
Those words stung him like needles.
Now, his chance had come.
He would use this opportunity to prove himself.
He would show everyone that Sarutobi Sasuke had earned his position as Minister of Ceremonies through his own ability, not through his son.
Hikaru saw the fighting spirit in Sarutobi Sasuke’s eyes and gave a slight nod.
In the original story, Hiruzen Sarutobi had loved to inject his own agenda, constantly indoctrinating children with his Will of Fire.
Now the Sarutobi were loyal to the Uchiha, and if anyone was going to inject an agenda, it would be the Uchiha’s.
“Let me emphasize something here.”
Hikaru’s voice suddenly rose, and the entire room fell silent.
He faced every person in attendance and recited, word by word—
“If the youth are wise, the village is wise;
If the youth are prosperous, the village is prosperous;
If the youth are strong, the village is strong;
If the youth are independent, the village is independent;
If the youth are free, the village is free;
If the youth progress, the village progresses;
If the youth surpass the Land of Fire, the village surpasses the Land of Fire;
If the youth dominate the shinobi world, the village dominates the shinobi world.”
Hashirama Senju exclaimed in excitement: “Well said…
that was excellently said…”
Madara Uchiha said nothing, but his hands unconsciously clenched into fists.
Even Tobirama fell silent.
He kept his mouth shut, saying nothing, but a flicker of complex emotion passed through his eyes.
Hikaru looked at Sarutobi Sasuke, his gaze sharp as fire.
“Minister of Ceremonies, the burden on your shoulders is heavy.
Upon you rests the hope of Konoha—I trust you will not disappoint this village.”
Sarutobi Sasuke shot to his feet, snapping to attention with a sharp crack.
His voice rang out loud and clear: “Yes!
The Sarutobi clan will give its absolute all.
We will not disappoint the Hokage!”