This kind of makeshift approach, anyone with a bit of conscience would not choose to do.
Physically disabled people will have a hard time finding a way to survive in the future. Just a little bit of pension is simply not enough to support their later lives.
For those families of the fallen, the pension was already insufficient to console them. Let alone reducing it even further.
Tsunade felt a bit of anger in her heart. To actually use those two guys as a tool for manipulation—how despicable.
Even after death, they left troubles for the village.
She didn't expect to encounter such a thorny issue just after taking office.
And at this moment, Uchiha Fugaku planned to step in. After all, as one of the village's advisory elders, it was only natural for him to come forward and oppose the budget cuts.
These measures from the envoy were utterly absurd, absolutely unacceptable for the village.
"I do not agree with this matter. Konoha Village's budget must not be reduced."
Sasaki glanced at him. "Who are you? What qualifications do you have to participate in this discussion?"
Fugaku felt somewhat displeased. Had the other party failed to recognize him as an Uchiha just because he changed his clothes?
"Uchiha Clan Leader, Uchiha Fugaku. I currently hold the position of an advisory elder in Konoha Village. May I ask if I am qualified now?"
Previously, Ryosuke had already given him instructions. For general matters, he could make the decisions. As for this kind of issue, for Ryosuke, it was probably a minor one. Even though for the village, it was a major concern.
Upon hearing the name "Uchiha," Sasaki's expression was filled with shock. He hadn't expected the Uchiha Clan to have become Konoha Village's advisory elders, let alone that they were participating in this discussion.
This clan was famous not only in the Land of Fire but also across the entire shinobi world. Because of their past actions, they had not only defeated the Kumogakure coalition forces—and Kumogakure was a ninja village known to be extremely powerful in the shinobi world, no weaker than Konoha.
Moreover, this guy had even pulled down both the highly respected Third Hokage and the "Darkness of the Shinobi World," Danzo. And the methods used were extremely brutal.
Originally, the daimyo had thought that since the Senju Clan had declined somewhat and that this clan liked to reason, he could use the guise of righteousness to pressure them into accepting a budget cut.
Perhaps this plan could have succeeded. But now, the domineering Uchiha Clan was sitting at the center of power in the village. That instantly made him afraid to say more. Because this clan was strong and didn't care for reasoning.
With the Uchiha Clan involved, this was no longer something he could decide. So, he forced a smile and said, "This can be discussed properly, after all, this is the daimyo's opinion."
Shikaku and Tsunade were both somewhat surprised. Just moments ago, Sasaki had looked impatient, but now he had changed his attitude completely.
The pressure from the Uchiha Clan really was overwhelming.
Tsunade couldn't help but acknowledge it in her heart. Even when her great-uncle and granduncle were still around, they didn't have this kind of suppressive force. Perhaps this envoy had realized how troublesome it was to provoke the Uchiha Clan.
But Uchiha Fugaku outright refused. "There is nothing to discuss. To defend against foreign invasions, many of Konoha's shinobi have ended up disabled, and even more have lost their lives."
"The civilians of the Land of Fire may live difficult lives, but do they suffer more than the families of the fallen? Money is merely the simplest means of comforting them—after all, the dead cannot return."
"I hope you will relay this to the daimyo: Konoha Village will not agree to this matter. We will follow the previous agreements, down to the last coin."
Fugaku, of course, wouldn't act recklessly like before. If one must use righteousness as a justification, who wouldn't?
Tsunade felt a bit surprised—was this really something the Uchiha Clan would say? Weren't they radicals?
And yet they were actually considering the well-being of other shinobi in the village. She was somewhat shocked but still followed up by saying, "Elder Fugaku is absolutely right. Compared to the struggling civilians, the shinobi who were disabled due to war and the families of the fallen deserve even more support. Otherwise, who would be willing to risk their lives for the Land of Fire in the future?"
Hearing these words, Sasaki began to panic. Tsunade's statement carried serious implications. If no one was willing to fight for the Land of Fire, then the cooperation between the Land of Fire and Konoha Village could be at risk, something the daimyo would never want to see.
And the consequences were not something Sasaki alone could bear. If the Land of Fire lost Konoha's protection, then the various forces of the shinobi world would surely throw it into chaos.
Although the daimyo's government had some military strength, it was nowhere near enough to compete against the other powerful ninja villages.
Sasaki could only say helplessly, "If this is Konoha's stance, then please allow me to report back to the daimyo and let him make the decision."
Tsunade knew that this man in front of her couldn't make the call, but she was sure the daimyo wouldn't dare to act recklessly either.
If he did, then she wouldn't hesitate to retaliate. She smiled and said, "Then please inform the daimyo that Konoha Village also needs a large amount of funding after the war."
Sasaki naturally agreed.
On the side, Nara Shikaku sighed in relief. It was fortunate that the Uchiha Clan had been brought into the higher ranks. Otherwise, this trouble today might not have been resolved so easily.
The deterrence of this clan was too strong. Strong enough to even intimidate the daimyo's government.
As someone from Konoha Village, he naturally prioritized Konoha's interests. As for the civilians of the Land of Fire, they could only rely on the daimyo's government to handle things.
At this moment, Sasaki spoke up. "This time, I came to Konoha Village hoping to meet the strongest person in the village, Uchiha Ryosuke. Would that be possible?"
This was purely his personal interest—another powerhouse after Senju Hashirama. Of course, he was eager to meet him.
But Tsunade was puzzled—why did this guy want to meet that person?
Uchiha Ryosuke was someone who caused trouble. If he learned that the daimyo was trying to pull such tricks, would he stir up even more trouble? Would he stand on the village's side in this matter?
Even Fugaku had strongly rejected the envoy's proposal. Then would Ryosuke be even more reckless?
She frowned, unsure whether she should agree.
A moment later, Sasaki's expression turned somewhat displeased. This was too much of an act—he was the top-ranked guardian ninja of the daimyo's government. That status should be decent, right? And yet, he couldn't even meet the person?
Wasn't this looking down on him too much?
═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═
patreon.com/ZenonTL
🥳Joining Patreon keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please consider joining.🥰 You can access upto 20 advance chapter through Patreon.