103. Cutting Off The Financial Source Of The Hokage
"Uchiha Yagami, what do you mean by this? You said you would support the development of the village. Now you..."
The funds they applied for were not approved, and the first to panic were Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura. Their families had already exhausted their finances, repaying the arrears of subsidies to the Uchiha and maintaining the village's operations.
If they couldn't secure additional funding, their families' shinobi would struggle to sustain themselves.
"What's the meaning?"
Yagami sneered and replied:
"My meaning was made very clear from the beginning, but you misunderstood! Do you think the so-called rural revitalization plan means giving you a sum of money to spend however you like? How can such a good thing happen? What's the difference between that and giving you money outright?"
"Why do you think I insisted on taking control of the assistance funds? Do you think I care about the position of consultant elder? Don't project your ideas onto me."
Yagami rolled his eyes. Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura still hadn't grasped the situation, but the Third Hokage sighed inwardly, beginning to understand Yagami's reasoning.
"Don't play charades with us here. Just tell us how we can get the money! The village's finances are on the verge of collapse..."
Utatane Koharu suppressed her dissatisfaction and said that knowing that the Uchiha in front of her was the key to the funding. For now, she would set aside her grievances.
"I never said no! However, one thing you must understand is that the assistance funds do not relate to village finances.
Every support fund is directly allocated to the areas in need and bypasses the village's financial system entirely. So whether your finances can sustain themselves has nothing to do with me."
Yagami raised an eyebrow, his tone sharp. If this money were funnelled into Konoha's general finances and tens of millions of Ryo were approved, it would likely vanish into the pockets of these elders. Was that acceptable? Uchiha's money was to develop the village, not their families.
This was about revitalizing the countryside, not wasting Uchiha's funds on their personal gains.
"So, you're saying you get the final say on when and how much money is approved?"
Mitokado Homura finally understood, his face turning grim.
"Exactly! It's my money—why shouldn't I decide how it's used? Do you think you should decide instead? If you're so upset, feel free to challenge me!"
Yagami crossed his legs with a nonchalant air, exuding the confidence of someone firmly in control.
"You..."
"It's fine! Uchiha is funding the village's development, so they have the right to manage their contributions."
The Third Hokage held the other two back, turning to Yagami with a calmer tone:
"Yagami, I understand your concerns, but if you proceed this way, the village's development will stall. You don't have full knowledge of where funds are needed most or how much is required for various projects. If you..."
"Stop right there! I don't need to understand those details.
There are clear prerequisites for the rural revitalization project.
Only when those prerequisites are met will additional investments follow. My job is to ensure those conditions are fulfilled—not to fund projects you arbitrarily decide are important."
Yagami interrupted the Third Hokage. This sly old man had shifted tactics after realizing a direct approach for funds wouldn't work.
"For now, I believe the area requiring the most attention in Konoha is medical infrastructure. The village has faced frequent attacks recently, leaving many people, including shinobi, injured. Therefore, I will approve funding for medical development."
Yagami made it clear he wasn't interested in discussing rural revitalization any further with these three elders. The decision rested with him. If they were dissatisfied, the plan would be halted entirely.
Konoha wasn't the only option for strategic supplies—if necessary, they could always turn to the daimyo.
The Land of Fire is abundant in resources. As long as there are channels for food and other materials, there's no need to worry about insufficient supplies. If Konoha doesn't want to "borrow chickens to lay eggs," then paying the price to involve the daimyo is just as feasible.
Rural revitalization is not for Konoha—it's for Uchiha!
Although the Uchiha Group has the financial strength to obtain food and weapons independently, Konoha is still a shinobi village within the Land of Fire. Procuring these items in large quantities might cause unnecessary trouble.
It's far simpler for Uchiha to have Konoha take the initiative to collect these supplies and then provide them to the Uchiha rather than acting independently.
This is, after all, a transactional arrangement tied to rural revitalization: Uchiha provides the funds to develop the village, and in exchange, Konoha gathers food and weapons for them. Once the deal concludes, neither side owes the other anything.
As for why these materials were being collected—it was preparation for war.
Given the current instability in the ninja world, the war might not erupt immediately, but if the Akatsuki organization were exposed prematurely, peace would certainly unravel. In the event of war, material support would be essential.
As a prominent multinational entity in the ninja world, the Uchiha Group was bound to capitalize. If there were money to be made, they would participate.
Looking over Yagami's project in the approval scroll, the Third Hokage and others had no choice but to remain silent for the time being. At least there was finally money to approve. Although the arrangement wasn't what they had envisioned, Konoha desperately needed funds to maintain its current stability.
"War compensation? Very well... I'll pass it for you," the Third Hokage said finally. "Once approved, someone will visit the Uchiha office in Konoha to collect the compensation. As for the civilian support program application..."
Hearing that they'd need to go to the Uchiha office to collect the funds, the faces of Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura darkened. This was the indignity of being made to plead for money.
As the words "civilian support program" came up, the three elders became visibly tense. This program was the main financial lifeline for their families, alleviating financial stress. If it were rejected, they would face severe hardship.
"It is possible to approve, but the beneficiaries must be re-evaluated. Only genuine civilians and young ninjas in training can be included in this plan."
Yagami saw through their schemes immediately. For years, the elites at the top had bled Konoha dry. Now, it was time for them to experience some hardship themselves. Without financial investment, let's see how far behind their families' ninjas would fall.
"No... that's not necessary! This plan has been in place for a long time, and many Shinobi have become dependent on it. If it's abruptly stopped, it could lead to serious consequences. Could you reconsider and implement it gradually?"
Utatane Koharu's anxiety was palpable, her voice trembling slightly.
"Consequences? What consequences could there be? The only ones affected are the families who profited from this policy and now lack an income stream. Do I need to explain this further?"
Yagami raised his gaze, directing his words at the Third Hokage, who remained silent. Yagami understood that arguing further was pointless. The funds were in his hands, and without his approval, they wouldn't receive a single coin.
"You are all fully aware of how much this so-called civilian support plan benefits civilians versus how much it benefits certain ninja clans.
Let me reiterate—our Uchiha money doesn't fall from the sky and won't be handed over to you for the sake of your families' development. Get rid of such thoughts immediately!"
Yagami's sharp glare was fixed on Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura. It was clear the Third Hokage was wiser in this matter; he hadn't uttered a single reckless word throughout the discussion.
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