Such a smart and capable Jonin squad leader, she didn't want to give up.

Because she has basically reached the end of what she can do, and without the support of Shikaku, the Jonin squad leader, her actions will be extremely difficult.

It can even be said to be difficult.

At present, although her actions are fast, the places she occupies are places where the ninja clan, advisors and even the roots have not penetrated thoroughly. Only then can she have the time and space to control and accumulate her own political capital.

But it won't work next. Her next policy will probably touch some sensitive interests. With Lujiu's help, she can save her a lot of trouble and make her pace much easier.

"Sorry, Hokage-sama, I don't know the answer to this question."

Shikaku said simply.

Without waiting for Tsunade to speak, he continued: "Now I can only give my current decision, but I can't make a decision for my future self. Until the last moment, I can't know where I will stand.

Side."

As the Jonin squad leader, he should be on the Hokage's side.

But the position of Jonin squad leader was obtained by the Nara clan for him, not by his own ability.

If it was based on ability, he didn't think that at his age, he could achieve such a high position, and he could achieve it overnight, without any warning.

Otherwise, just accumulating merit will take a long time.

Although he made some good decisions during the Third War, their impact was quite small, and his achievements could not be considered far-reaching.

Even Uchiha Fugaku, who has passed away long ago, made more contributions to Konoha during the Third War than him.

His surname is Nara, so he is the jounin squad leader, not because he is Nara Shikaku.

Just like Uchiha Fugaku, because his surname was Uchiha, he was unable to join the inner circle and could only be ostracized by the higher-ups. Even the Uchiha clan disappeared from the history of Konoha because of such a surname.

This is reality.

Therefore, when Tsunade asked him this question, he could not give an accurate answer.

He was Nara Shikaku, or Nara Shikaku of the Nara clan. Until the last moment, he didn't know whether he was fighting for the village or the family.

Only on this point, he didn't want to deceive Tsunade.

In his heart, he also vaguely longed for a Hokage like Tsunade to appear.

At least, this was what he had imagined when he was young - to break away from the shackles of his family, not to bear the reputation of the Nara clan, but to fight as the Konoha ninja Nara Shikaku.

"Really? Sure enough, it's too difficult for you to do this."

Tsunade sighed helplessly.

"It doesn't matter. The two Hokage before you also asked me similar questions."

"In this case, then you should be prepared, I will win you over."

Seeing Tsunade become confident again, Shikaku felt moved by the other party's true nature, so he revealed something to Tsunade:

"I know that Hokage-sama may have the same ambition as the second generation, or even greater ambitions. I also had similar fantasies in the past. I can understand Hokage-sama's inner desire... but I also have to pour cold water on it.

Don't be too optimistic about the current situation of the village. According to my estimation, the envoy from the Daming Palace will come to visit you, Hokage-sama, soon."

Shikaku mentioned something that had nothing to do with the current situation.

Tsunade was slightly startled.

"Daming Mansion?"

"Yes, if what I expected is true, the Daiming would like to invite you to the Daming Mansion to discuss military matters with you."

Discussing military matters?

Tsunade frowned, becoming even more confused.

Generally speaking, when it comes to the military, it is basically related to military mobilization... or even war-related matters.

For some reason, Tsunade suddenly had a bad premonition in her heart.

◎

The construction work of the mental health department... This is Konoha's first attempt.

Moreover, the Hokage himself drew up this project and issued the first-level order. You can imagine how busy the medical department will be next.

Konoha's medical department is just a general term, generally with Konoha Hospital as the core, and then supplemented by several other small departments related to the medical field, covering the medical system to all areas of Konoha.

Theoretically, Masumi Asami's position as the deputy director of Konoha Hospital is equivalent to the position of deputy director of the medical department. In terms of position, it is equivalent to the deputy director of the ANBU.

As long as the director of Konoha Hospital doesn't do anything, this department is her voice. She has the qualification to talk directly to the Hokage.

He is a high-level official who has truly reached the core of Konoha and holds a high position of authority.

As long as she kills the director of Konoha Hospital who is climbing over her, her position can be changed to a regular position at any time.

However, this does not mean that she can abuse her power at will and do whatever she wants within this department.

She can only do some small actions of her own within the rules.

Medical Talisman projects, mental health projects...these are all areas where there is room for operation.

After all, in research matters, there will always be a lot of trial and error costs before it is possible to develop a finished product.

Especially for a first-time research project with no experience, the cost of trial and error is even greater, and it is difficult to distinguish between right and wrong research routes.

Now she just wants to expand these trial and error costs a little bit.

As for what weird and weird things she would eventually research, she couldn't predict it.

But there are many ways here. There are many professionals in Konoha. Not everyone does not understand their major. How to deceive these people and make them think that this is the right research direction and it is also a profound subject.

knowledge.

In short, the core goal is to use professional knowledge that seems correct and can withstand theoretical scrutiny to make Konoha spend more money, and then create a bottomless system that only takes in money but does not spit out money on research projects in the medical department.

The black hole drags down the allocation of funds to other important departments, affects the development of these departments, and then affects the overall development of Konoha.

"It's such a troublesome job..."

Asami Masumi's face looked a little impatient.

"That is to say, we still need to start with relevant talent training. We don't know when we will see results. After all, the proportion of medical ninjas who study psychology is too small in the total number."

The deputy beside her also said the same thing.

Asami Masumi nodded in sympathy.

To increase the cost of trial and error in medical projects, to expand Konoha's overall financial loopholes, and to make people unable to see the problem and think it is a natural failure... this work is really too challenging.

"In short, let's gather together medical ninjas who specialize in psychological research first. As for training... we'll wait until the funds are released. Also, how is the progress of the medical talisman project now?"

Asami Masumi remembered something and looked at the deputy.

"There seems to be some problems among several core researchers involved in the study, and they have been taken away by the Anbu for investigation. There is also one who is always clumsy in simple processes and always mixes up the order. It is seriously suspected that he is trying to improve his performance.

I was assigned to the project team through the back door."

When the deputy mentioned this, he couldn't help but frown in distress.

The research progress of a medical talisman project was so difficult, and from time to time, it faced the risk of being targeted by the Anbu to assist in the investigation, which made many people panic. It is said that during the research, some researchers were distracted because of these things and wasted a lot of time.

Without expensive materials, all the research funds during this period were wasted.

Now that an equally large-scale mental health personnel training project has been added, it is not difficult for the deputy to imagine that once the project team for this project is established, it is likely to cause chaos.

"In this case, I will go to the Hokage-sama to discuss increasing funding for the medical department."

Asami Masumi thought for a while and decided to go to Tsunade to ask for research funds after a while.

"The other departments won't have any objections."

The deputy became worried.

More funds invested in the medical sector means less funds invested in other departments.

Maybe the staff in the medical department are happy, but this will inevitably arouse hostility from other departments and reduce their daily expenses.

When the ANBU comes to the medical department to arrest people and investigate, they may be more diligent and frequent.

"This is for the health and safety of Konoha ninjas and the people. I think they will understand the difficulties of the medical department."

"Thank you so much for your hard work."

The deputy can imagine how the managers of other departments will eliminate and exclude Asami Masumi.

Compared to the previous vice president who did nothing, he is really dedicated and has the professional ethics of a medical ninja.

After gaining the respect of her deputy, Asami Masumi stopped talking.

Too much is not enough.

This deputy is the eyesight of the others and cannot develop into one of our own, so he can just maintain such a distant distance.

Next, there should be some action on the Daming Palace side. What choice will the Fifth Hokage make at that time? And the time I stayed in Konoha... Asami Masumi turned to look out the window, and various questions emerged in

In my mind, my thoughts drifted far away, and I didn't come back to my senses for a long time.

◎
To be continued...