This proposal was clearly just an excuse. Setting up a new department in Konoha was practically impossible at this time. The village was still entrenched in a prolonged war that had stretched on for nearly three years, leaving little room for new initiatives or restructuring.
The Challenges of a New Department
Establishing a new department involved far more than just a decision:
Budget Constraints:
The war had already placed a significant strain on Konoha's finances. Funding a new department would require resources that the village simply did not have. The question remained: where would the money come from?
Manpower Issues:
Setting up a department wasn't just about the money—it also needed people. And in the midst of a war, manpower was stretched thin. The frontline constantly needed reinforcements, leaving few available for a new assignment. Recruiting suitable personnel from Konoha's established clans posed additional challenges:
Ino-Shika-Cho: Even if they didn't align completely with Tsunade, their participation in any secretive or morally ambiguous group was unthinkable. Uchiha and Hyuga: The Hyuga clan would refuse outright, while the Uchiha clan would be even more problematic. Danzo himself wouldn't trust them in such a role.
If the major clans were excluded, that left only civilian ninjas or those from smaller, less influential families—hardly the ideal candidates for sensitive work.
The High-Level Meeting
Faced with these challenges, the Third Hokage convened a high-level meeting in his office. Only four people attended:
The Third Hokage Utatane Koharu Mitokado Hamura Shinki, representing the Anbu in Tsunade's absence.
Tsunade had delegated her responsibilities in the Anbu to Shinki, preferring to focus on her medical work at the hospital. When Shinki entered the meeting room, he sat comfortably on the sofa, much to Koharu's irritation. Her lingering resentment toward Shinki was evident—she still blamed him for provoking her into accepting the ill-fated revenge mission.
The Proposal
The Third Hokage began, taking a long draw from his pipe before speaking. His stress was evident, as smoking had become a near-constant habit.
"Today, I've called this meeting to discuss an important matter. Since the Anbu was divided, I've realized that certain tasks, though not critical, still require immediate attention. Delegating them to the Anbu has become too cumbersome. I propose the establishment of a new department to handle such tasks."
Mitokado Hamura frowned. "Hiruzen, are you suggesting creating a second Anbu?"
His skepticism was palpable. To him, creating a similar department seemed redundant—like "taking off your pants to fart," as the saying went.
Koharu also appeared unconvinced, her gaze sharp. But Shinki immediately grasped the underlying motive: this wasn't about efficiency—it was about creating the Root, a department under Shimura Danzo's control.
Shinki leaned back and replied calmly, "I don't see the necessity. The village already has the Anbu. If you establish a similar department, what message does that send? The Anbu does not agree."
He continued, his tone unwavering. "Hokage, you assured us that the Anbu's authority would not be weakened. If you proceed with this, it might undermine the trust and efficiency of the Anbu."
The Third Hokage quickly tried to reassure him. "This new department won't diminish the Anbu's role. Think of it as an expansion of the Hokage Guard, a specialized unit directly under my command. It won't interfere with existing departments."
Shinki nodded, though his stance remained firm. "Even if that's the case, the Anbu must maintain its authority. If you feel the Anbu is out of control, negotiate with Tsunade. Return the Anbu to the Hokage's office, and in exchange, assign the Ministry of Finance to her."
The Unexpected Proposal
The room fell silent. Shinki's suggestion stunned everyone present. Trading the Anbu for the Ministry of Finance? It was an audacious idea. The Third Hokage's expression darkened as he realized the implications.
The Anbu was important, but control over the Ministry of Finance was far more critical. If the Hokage lost influence over the village's budget, his ability to govern effectively would be severely restricted.
Mitokado Hamura chuckled softly, clearly entertained by the predicament. "It's a fair exchange, Hiruzen. If you really want to form a new department, handing over the Ministry of Finance is a simple solution."
Koharu, on the other hand, looked eager. She wanted nothing more than to see the Anbu's privileges curtailed. "The Anbu has grown too bold, acting like they're untouchable. Handing over the Ministry of Finance would be a step toward balance."
The Third Hokage waved off their comments, his voice heavy with frustration. "Enough. The Anbu will remain as it is. This new department will focus on tasks unrelated to the Anbu, and the Ministry of Finance is not up for discussion."
Conclusion
Despite his assurances, the meeting revealed the complexities and divisions among Konoha's leadership. Shinki's bold counterproposal had left the Third Hokage on the back foot, highlighting the delicate balance of power within the village.
Meanwhile, the creation of the new department—the Root—remained an unresolved issue. As the war dragged on and Konoha's resources grew thinner, the feasibility of such a project seemed increasingly uncertain. But one thing was clear: any attempt to diminish the Anbu's role would be met with fierce resistance, both from its members and their allies.
>>>>>
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A/N: Hey Guys,
I was going over the discount code and saw that it wasn't toggled on for all the tiers. I fixed it now, sorry about that. ;)