Inside the conference room, there was a dead silence.
Homura Mitokado scanned the room.
"Jonin Shoji, do you have any thoughts?"
"Uh..."
Watanabe Shoji was the head of the Education Department, responsible for coordinating the work of most teachers at the Ninja Academy.
Having been called upon, he forced himself to pick up the manual: "I think... perhaps we can reduce some investment in Ninja Tools."
Masahiko sat at the end of the table, acting as if he were a mere corpse there only to take records, not saying a word.
This kind of thing offends people!
But.
Homura Mitokado did not express an opinion.
In the next moment, Masahiko sensed something was wrong—
Homura Mitokado's gaze lingered on him for a significantly longer time.
Could it be... His heart sank, and he began to ponder a necessary contingency plan.
After thinking for a moment, Masahiko already had an idea, but he still kept his head down and recorded without speaking.
However—
"Masahiko, you are a young man, your mind is more active than us old fogies. What thoughts do you have?"
Homura Mitokado had called on him again.
Just as expected!
Masahiko sighed silently, stood up, and bowed to everyone before saying: "I agree with Senior Shoji's suggestion; we can reduce some parts of the Ninja Tool budget."
"Ninja Tools..."
Homura Mitokado sighed softly, "Even with reductions, it's far from enough. Anything else?"
Everyone looked over in unison, each with a face full of expectation.
Leaving this kind of face-offending work entirely to a newcomer like him... what a bunch of bastards!
Masahiko cursed inwardly, but maintained a smile on his face: "I do have a somewhat immature idea, but I don't know much about the Village's rules..."
"No matter, this is a meeting for discussion; nothing is taboo."
Homura Mitokado waved his hand.
He assisted the Hokage in managing the Village's finances and was responsible for communication with the Daimyo's Mansion. Since this matter was primarily his concern, he was naturally extra attentive.
Masahiko bowed slightly and said, "Lord Advisor, I remember there are some orphanages around the Village?"
"There are, but... those expenses cannot be touched."
Homura Mitokado's eyes grew a bit more serious.
The others also leaned back in their chairs, faces showing expressions of surprise.
Embezzling that money... what a ruthless guy!
Masahiko quickly explained: "I'm not suggesting we touch that money. Rather, are there tasks at the orphanages that require spending which could be entrusted to our school?"
"Hmm?"
Upon hearing this, Homura Mitokado's eyes lit up, and he sat up straight, "What kind of entrustment?"
"We can use the name of mission practicals and training to let students participate in labor, helping the orphanages around the Village complete tasks that would otherwise require expenditures."
Masahiko replied respectfully, "This way, we won't take up the Village's D-rank missions, nor will we divert other funds, and we can also generate income for the school..."
"Yes, though it might not be much, it is indeed a good direction. Some missions within the Village can also use similar methods."
Homura Mitokado's mind opened up, and he suddenly had many ideas.
A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth: "See, young people's minds are flexible after all, coming up with a solution just like that!"
"Indeed, the future ultimately belongs to the young."
Everyone praised him one after another.
Masahiko let out a long breath and was about to sit down when he heard Watanabe Shoji say: "Masahiko-kun, if you have more ideas, feel free to bring them up?"
"Senior, I only thought of this one after much agonizing thought, it's really..."
Masahiko looked a bit troubled.
Mainly, since the one asking wasn't Homura Mitokado, he could easily refuse.
Watanabe Shoji sighed and nodded: "True, sit down then."
"Yes!"
Masahiko sat down.
Afterward, the meeting ended amidst a jumble of discussions, but in the end, Masahiko's proposal was the only one they settled on.
Furthermore.
The specific arrangements would still require follow-up negotiations with the Village and other parties.
Coming out of the conference room, Masahiko slowly exhaled and walked quickly toward the stairs.
A few seconds later, a shout came from behind: "Masahiko, wait a moment!"
Crap!
It was Homura Mitokado!
He stopped, turned around, and bowed respectfully: "Lord Homura, do you have any instructions?"
Homura Mitokado quickly caught up.
"No need for such formality. You thought of a very good method; I must thank you."
"Everything is for Konoha, and... this also concerns my own treatment."
Masahiko replied.
Homura Mitokado smiled: "Reducing expenditure isn't as good as increasing revenue. Your method is very good, but regarding the treatment of students after participating in activities, do you have any suggestions?"
"Some cash rewards should be given as incentives to help them establish the mindset that they can get money by performing missions, but it doesn't need to be too much."
Masahiko said in a low voice, "After all, these types of missions are usually not difficult, and the school handles the security."
"Hmm!"
Homura Mitokado nodded slightly, having a rough plan in mind.
He patted Masahiko's shoulder.
"You are very smart, hardworking, and responsible. The Village won't let a good talent like you go to waste. Keep it up, do a good job!"
"Yes!"
Masahiko looked excited.
Only after Homura Mitokado left did he carry that excitement and walk downstairs with a look of joy.
It wasn't until he got home that Masahiko restrained his expression.
Hardly any of those who could make it to Jonin in the Ninja Academy were kind-hearted; every single one of them was holding back bad intentions, wanting him to jump into a pit.
He wouldn't do anything that offended people!
Mentioning the orphanage was a last resort, but this proposal could not only complete the 'mission' but also allow him to observe Yakushi Kabuto's current attitude.
It killed two birds with one stone.
However.
"The Twelve Guardian Ninja haven't collapsed yet?"
"But it should be soon."
Naruto and Sasuke were now over seven years old; it was only a matter of half a year or a year before they turned eight.
By the time they graduated at twelve, it would only be four or five years away.
In the next four or five years, it seemed many major events would occur... Masahiko sorted them out.
The Uchiha Clan Downfall, the collapse of the Twelve Guardian Ninja, Itachi and Biwa Jūzō's assassination of the Fourth Mizukage, the upheaval in the Hidden Mist Village... "According to the bullet chat, 'Kishimoto' in that world hasn't drawn much yet, so it's unlikely to jump straight to the main story."
"The Twelve Guardian Ninja..."
Masahiko recalled this plot in his mind and had a feeling—
If there were to be a follow-up plot, it would most likely be related to the Twelve Guardian Ninja!
However.
There was still at least half a year to a year before that plot, so he didn't need to worry for now.
"Right, I can ask someone who goes out on missions."
"Someone who goes out..."
Masahiko left and walked around the Village, quickly finding a suitable target—
At a dango shop in the distance, someone had just ordered a few skewers of dango.
Getting closer... the familiar smile, the dango, and those familiar fishnet stockings.
Masahiko stepped forward.
"Anko, you're back in the Village?"
"Yeah!"
Anko Mitarashi took a bite of a dango, then looked up and scanned him, "I heard you got promoted?"
"Yeah, I'm a Special Jonin now, serving as a teaching Advisor at the school."
Masahiko nodded.
Anko Mitarashi's eyes darted around, she leaned in closer and said, "My hands have been a bit itchy lately, how about we go out and practice?"
Masahiko feigned confusion: "Didn't you just come back from an outside mission? Your hands are still itchy after finishing a mission?"
"Don't even mention it!"
Anko Mitarashi was speechless and began to vent her grievances in front of the window, "I thought it was a decent mission, but it turned out to be a disgusting profiteer. I endured the nausea and finished the mission..."
She shook her head in distaste.
Hearing this, Masahiko understood.
As a Ninja, it was impossible for every mission to align with one's values; it mainly depended on who paid the money, and encountering such things was inevitable.
"What kind of profiteer?"
"A bunch of nobles from the Land of Fire, together with a profiteer from the Land of Waves, planning to monopolize the business in that area... Sigh!"
Anko let out a long sigh, "Forget it, we can't control that much. Let's go, let's go, let's fight!"