Konoha, Year 59
Konoha, Land of Fire
December 28
2: 28 in the afternoon
When Bo Fung Watergate walked into the small conference room, Hiroyuki Yamanaka and Uchiha Fugaku were in the middle of a heated argument. They completely ignored the two coughs of the leader of the Four Generations, Naruto, who was announcing the start of the meeting. Therefore, Watergate and the other department heads could only watch as their two old comrades continued to bicker.
…
"Hiroyuki Yamanaka — this is a budget meeting. Do you know what a budget meeting is? Everyone is so busy, so don't waste time with irrelevant things! "
"How is it irrelevant? If we want to keep Dormitory No. 1 from being demolished, the reconstruction plan needs to be changed.
Of course, the budget also needs to be recalculated! "
"You also know that it needs to be recalculated! If you want to do it, then do it, don't drag us into it — humanoid calculator No. 1. "Uchiha Fugaku fiercely stubbed out the cigarette in his hand on the table." What's the date now? It's almost New Year's! I'm not the least bit interested in working overtime when the whole family is together! "
"You, you, how can you say such irresponsible things." Hiroyuki Yamanaka was furious. He pushed his chair aside and stood up, slamming his hands on the table. "You were the one who submitted the security department's plan half a month late. I didn't have time to consult the residents in advance when I was planning the comprehensive plan here."
"We need to consult their opinions?" Fugaku sneered and lit another cigarette.
"Why not? It's not like we're demolishing ordinary houses, it's our own people's dormitory. We're on the same side, why can't we discuss it? "
"Please, please, demolishing houses is something that needs to be discussed with the residents — we're ninjas, ninjas, please! Konoha is a military fortress! What does it mean that military orders are like mountains! What does it mean that superiors obey their subordinates! Can't they just obey the decision made by their superiors? Based on their brainless behavior this time, even if the No. 1 dormitory was worth keeping, it couldn't be kept. You should also use your little brain and think about it. If we change our plan as soon as they protest, what do you think those half-grown kids who aren't afraid of anything will think? Please, don't give them the bad impression that they can get everything they want just by blocking the office door. "
"Anyway, you're not the one who's being blocked. Uchiha, take a closer look at the application form. They're not making trouble for no reason. Hiroyuki Yamanaka finally remembered to ask for Naruto's help. "Lord Four Generations, Uchiha's eldest young master has never lived in a dormitory before. He won't understand, but you …"
"One Soul Comfort Tablet is enough."
Bo Fung Watergate finally spoke, interrupting Hiroyuki who wanted to continue speaking. "Open it."
…
"Yes, sir." Hiroyuki Yamanaka heaved a sigh of relief and returned to his seat.
"Then, let's get down to business. It's now 2: 37 in the afternoon. I still have a lot of work to do, so I hope to finish the meeting before 3: 00. " Bo Fung Watergate nodded to the heads of the various departments who instantly went into working mode. "I've read your budget report. I'd like to confirm that the conflict of financial allocation is mainly between the intelligence department and the security department, right? "
"Yes, sir." Uchiha Fugaku and Shikaku Nara stood up.
"I've thought about it. First, I agree with the intelligence department's budget plan. Therefore, the intelligence department's request for an increase of 20% is acceptable. Now, let's vote by a show of hands. Who agrees and who disagrees? "Watergate was the first to raise his right hand.
…
"Okay, 6: 1 passed." Watergate signed the document in front of him, indicating that Fugaku, who was the only one who didn't raise his hand, could speak. "Next, the security department, convince me."
Uchiha Fugaku stood up. "I know that the village isn't very well off right now, but according to the economic agreement we just signed, the General Staff Department predicts that the trade between Wind and Fire will increase by at least 7 times compared to previous years. Then, through trade, other exchanges will only increase. The more people there are, the more problems there are. I agree with increasing the intelligence department's budget, but it can't be as high as 20%. Even if they really need 20%, they can't cut our department's security budget. Although my security mission here is internal and not external, any changes in the outside world won't affect us too much. But everyone, please don't forget that the world isn't stable to the point where merchants don't need the protection of military force to travel the world. That means, next year's mission hall will be even more full than it is now! And Konoha will definitely have more non- Konoha armed forces! Do you want to see Konoha in chaos! If you don't want to, please guarantee the cost of maintaining order, okay?
The budget of 6% is really not enough. And … "
"Yeah." Watergate stopped Fugaku in time. He almost forgot that Uchiha's small round fan loves to fan the flames. "I can tighten the budget here. Naruto's office will give you 1%, that's about it."
"Thank you, but 7% is not enough." Fugaku didn't see Watergate looking at his watch. "There's also the Chunin Exam in March. Although there's nothing special about the Chunin Exam, isn't the intelligence department suspecting that Orochimaru -san and the Sand are taking advantage of the opportunity to do something? Since we were able to intercept the information, the other ninjas should at least be able to smell something. Who knows if there would be any random person who would want to take the opportunity to gamble? Inviting so many people to watch a few Genin fight is to show off Konoha's strength. If something goes wrong … Shouldn't I add another 4% to the budget just in case? And … "
"Naruto's office will give you 1%." Watergate frowned and interrupted Fugaku again. "That's the most I can do. You know that."
"But 8% is not enough, you know." Fugaku also frowned. "If something goes wrong …"
"There's no if! Well, don't worry. If you really encounter difficulties, you can ask other departments for help. "Watergate sighed." Hang in there, the financial crisis is about to be solved. "
"But really …" Fugaku still wanted to fight for more.
"There's no way around it if there's a security loophole! Uchiha Fugaku, you have to learn to interact more with other departments. " Minato felt a headache coming on. "Sigh, forget it. Let's leave it at that. How about the Council of Elders and the Senate give you another point each?"
"Of course …" Fugaku finally breathed a sigh of relief, but he was interrupted before he could say "okay."
"Objection! The General Staff Department objects! Four Generations -sama. " Hiroyuki Yamanaka suddenly stood up. "Naruto's office is fine, but there are no representatives from the Elders and the Parliament present. If someone makes a ruckus like this, it will be troublesome."
"What does this have to do with us? The notice of the meeting was sent out yesterday. " Bo Fung Watergate rested his chin on his hand and answered casually. "Besides, if there's trouble, it's my trouble. I'll solve it. Okay, it's 2: 50 now. We still have ten minutes. Let's move on to the next topic. We'll go to the National Capital to visit the King during the New Year. The guards and I will leave on the 30th and return on the 3rd as usual. Whoever is supposed to be on duty will be on duty. Do you have any objections? "
"No objections, no objections. Wasn't this decided a long time ago?" Fugaku, who was satisfied, answered quickly. The others also nodded naturally.
"That's good." Watergate smiled as if he suddenly remembered something. "By the way, I'm going to bring Naruto with me this year."
… The hall was silent.
Suddenly, everyone stopped moving and turned to look at their boss.
"Sir, that's not good."
"Please think about it again."
"I've thought about it carefully," Watergate replied.
"But Four Generations …"
"Ah, you've heard. I lost a bet yesterday and promised Naruto to fulfill one of his wishes." Watergate continued to smile. "Since I've promised, I can't go back on my word."
"But …"
"My Naruto said that he's already 12 years old and hasn't been out of Konoha yet."
"Watergate."
"His classmates, erm, your sons and daughters, can sometimes go out with you or your elders. But as you know, there are only two of us in our family. I've only been in the Konoha National Capital all these years. "
"…"
"About that, Sir Four Generations, Young Master Naruto will receive missions from all over the world in the future." Hinata looked at the silent people and spoke for the first time today.
"I told him the same thing."
"…"
"But he said," Bo Fung Watergate pointed a finger at himself. "I can't go on missions with him."
"But Sir, the Council and the Elders won't agree."
Hiroyuki Yamanaka was worried. "Although we're not afraid of anything, we're busy this year. Why do you want to find trouble for yourself?"
Watergate blinked and muttered to himself, "Aye, although ninjas don't have the habit of deliberately gathering during festivals, I haven't spent the New Year with Naruto yet."
"…"
"It's the New Year after all."
"…"
"Aye, don't worry, it's fine. Anyway, this matter is settled. Okay, okay. Now, the meeting is over. " In the silence, a golden light flashed and Bo Fung Watergate returned to his office, leaving behind a few dumbfounded fools.
Fool No. 1 said, "I knew he didn't seem to be in a good mood today … It's the New Year after all, let's just go and have fun."
Fool No. 2, No. 3, No. 4 and No. 5 all facepalmed. "Security Department, even if we bring Naruto along, meeting the King is not an outing!"
Fool No. 1 Uchiha sighed. "I don't need you to remind me."
Then he pushed the door open and left, passing through the corridor where the lights were never turned on. Like the others, he also felt that it was almost impossible for Watergate to change his mind now. He should hurry up and discuss with his Naruto about the accompanying guards. Moreover, since he dared to make a decision casually and caused trouble for others, he should be scolded back.
So 10 minutes later.
Uchiha Fugaku looked at the Four Generations Naruto who was looking down at the documents and asked softly, "Are you feeling better?"
"I didn't perform that badly today, did I?" Watergate picked up his empty coffee cup. "012110."
"Yes, Sir." Itachi refilled his cup. Looking at the empty coffee pot, he turned and left.
"Watergate, you really didn't think it through this time." Fugaku saw that Itachi had already left and advised Watergate.
"I promised Naruto. And, we have to spend the New Year together. "Watergate drank up his coffee again. He rummaged through the drawer, took out a convenient coffee, opened the can, and continued, "But you can rest assured that I know what I do every time I go to National capital. I won't delay the follow-up mission."
"I thought you didn't know how complicated the National capital situation is now." Fugaku's voice was even softer. "Besides, it's not good to expose Naruto in broad daylight."
"I know …"
"You know shit!" Uchiha Fugaku snatched Watergate's coffee. "Go rest if you're tired. Don't drink this kind of thing all the time! It's very bad for your health. You don't have to think about it anymore. "
"I promised Naruto. My son said he wants to spend New Year's Eve with me! "
"Then …"
Watergate suddenly raised his hand and interrupted Uchiha Fugaku's words. His face stiffened. "Clear the place."
Clear the place?
As soon as Itachi pushed the door open and closed it, his hand holding the coffee pot paused. He looked at his father, who suddenly looked as bad as his boss.
Fugaku grabbed his son, who was at a loss, and was about to pull him out of the door. With a "bang", the door of Naruto's office was pushed open again.
"I heard that you're going to take Naruto to National capital?"
It was the first time Itachi saw the third generation so flustered and exasperated. It was the third generation who pushed the door open.
"Yes." When Itachi heard the affirmative answer from the Fourth Generation, he was about to pour a cup of coffee for the third generation, but his father pushed him out of the door.
The door was quickly closed.
Itachi stared blankly at his father who quickly left. He suddenly realized that he didn't know what else to do besides standing there. Are the third generation and the Fourth Generation going to have a conflict again? Although he had clearly learned from his father that the two leaders had conflicts, but …
Suddenly, Itachi found a person behind him holding his shoulder.
He turned around and breathed a sigh of relief. It was the Shadow Guard, seven of them. It seemed that all the Shadow Guards who were on duty nearby were already standing in the corridor. "Senpai?"
— Keep quiet.
Itachi got these four words from the silent lips of the person who took off the mask. At this time, he began to pay attention to the voices in the office.
"Who allowed you to take the Force Of Human Column out of the village?"
"…"
"Do you know how easy it is for an untrained Force Of Human Column to go berserk?"
"…"
"Do you know how many people will die if the Force Of Human Column goes berserk in a place like National capital?"
"…"
"Have you forgotten how Ichibi in the Sand Hidden destroyed almost half of their village and made them unable to recover?"
"…"
"You …"
"I just want to take my son to National capital. He has been wanting to go there for a long time."
"Bo Fung Watergate!"
"Senpai, Naruto Uzumaki is my son, my biological son, the only one. Also, the child in the Sand Hidden has a name. He is called Eero."
How can you lie to a child?
…
Konoha 59
December 28th, two days before the New Year
On this day, Itachi in Uchiha heard for the first time that the legendary Force Of Human Column in Konoha, the Nine Tails, was called Naruto Uzumaki, and the Force Of Human Column in the Sand Hidden was called Eero.
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