"Senior Danzo, isn't what we're doing a bit too much?" Minato asked with some concern.
After the Third Hokage was driven away by Danzo's anger, the two elders, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, also left.
Thus, at this moment, only Minato and Danzo were left in the Hokage's office.
Regarding Minato's worry, Danzo dismissed it with a wave of his hand:
"Rest easy. Given Sarutobi's temperament, even if he's furious, he won't do anything drastic."
"Otherwise, how could he be called the 'God of Shinobi'?"
Faced with the grievances and struggles between the two senior figures, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura, Minato didn't dare to say much.
Soon, Danzo let out a cold laugh and continued:
"Hiruzen Sarutobi, that old man, still plans to take advantage of your unstable foundation to control the government."
"How naive!"
"If we let them continue to govern, wouldn't my compromise become a joke?"
On this matter, Danzo was absolutely unwilling to give in.
The reason he compromised and voluntarily gave up the position of Hokage was to hope that a young person like Minato could bring new vitality to Konoha.
If those three old men continued to govern, wouldn't Danzo become a laughingstock?
Minato also understood this principle.
Although he was reluctant to get involved in such political whirlpools, since he had already ascended to the position of Hokage, he had to face these difficulties head-on.
"Senior Danzo, what about the candidates for these departments?" Minato inquired.
The two advisory elders had thrown out these four departments at the first opportunity, perhaps with the intention of showing off their power to the Hokage.
If Minato showed any weakness, it would prove that he indeed couldn't do without the support of these elders.
They might even become more aggressive in controlling the power and policies of the higher echelons.
At the same time, they could also give Danzo an explanation.
It's not that we are unwilling to hand over power, but that you can't find suitable candidates to take over.
However, Danzo would certainly not allow such a situation to occur.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs can be overseen by Shisui."
"Considering his relatively young age, although he has enough military achievements, his seniority is still insufficient."
"He can be appointed as the acting minister, and if he performs well, he can be promoted to the formal position."
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, mainly responsible for external affairs.
For example, managing foreign delegations, arranging various external activities, and so on.
Previously, this department did not have much power, as the exchanges between the Five Great Nations were not very frequent.
But after Konoha began stationing troops in the Land of Wind and the Land of Water, the status of this department rose significantly.
Because, in theory, the mines ceded by the Land of Wind and the ports opened by the Land of Water were all under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
At the same time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also needs to cooperate with the Anbu and Root.
To plant pawns in other countries and launch propaganda offensives, and so on.
In short, this position is busy with affairs and can fully exercise Shisui's abilities.
In the future, after being regularized, it will be more convenient to be transferred back to the Anbu or to take up the position of the head of the upper class.
"Shisui? I trust his abilities."
For the candidate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minato had no objections.
Although he was still young, Shisui had already shown very strong combat power.
His unique Phantom Body Flicker Technique + Mangekyo Sharingan made him the second fastest man in Konoha.
Combined with his experience of assisting Danzo in handling affairs in Root, he should be able to handle the position of acting minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
"What about the other departments?"
Minato asked curiously.
He was looking forward to seeing what other candidates Danzo could come up with.
"The Ministry of Finance needs a rather astute person to take charge, and I recommend Nara Shikaku."
This guy not only has a unique talent in military command, but also has a considerable talent in accounting and finance.
Minato was actually a bit surprised at this choice.
Because Shikaku and himself had a good relationship.
In comparison, his relationship with Danzo was only average.
They had only cooperated once on the battlefield and were not Danzo's direct subordinates.
Therefore, Danzo's decision to hand over such an important department as the Ministry of Finance to someone who was not his direct subordinate was indeed surprising to Minato.
Seemingly sensing Minato's surprise, Danzo immediately let out a cold snort:
"Do you think I would be like Sarutobi, favoring my own people?"
Minato felt a bit embarrassed.
Because he had indeed just now, out of habit, had such a thought.
"Rest assured, as long as one has the ability, no matter who they are, I will use them without hesitation."
Danzo's voice was not loud, but it was very convincing.
Minato did not doubt this either.
After all, Danzo could even take in Uchiha, whom he had always despised, as a disciple. The term 'favoring one's own people' really couldn't be applied to him!
"I was wrong, Senior Danzo."
Minato smiled apologetically.
As the Hokage, he was not lacking in the courage to admit his mistakes.
Danzo was also very satisfied with this attitude.
He did not hold Minato accountable for the unintentional rudeness he had just shown, but continued:
"As for the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Commerce, I am still observing for the time being."
"But I already have some preliminary ideas and hope that the Hokage will support them."
With that, Danzo took out a plan from his pocket.
Minato quickly took it over and immediately showed a surprised expression.
"Establish a joint chamber of commerce in the name of the village?"
Minato was quite surprised.
Because in the plan, Danzo intended to establish a joint chamber of commerce.
Led by the Ministry of Commerce, to handle various commercial issues within the borders of the Land of Fire.
"That's right. The business environment within the Land of Fire is currently in a very poor state, with bandits, thieves, and all sorts of underground forces rampant everywhere.
Merchants who wish to conduct business within the Land of Fire must hire ninja for protection.
However, not all merchants have sufficient financial resources to hire ninja from Konoha.
If we can eliminate these underground forces and create a suitable business environment, it will undoubtedly greatly promote the rapid development of commerce and trade within the Land of Fire."
Hearing Danzo's idea, Minato immediately fell into deep thought.
It had to be said that Danzo's words made a lot of sense.
But...
"If we eliminate all the bandits, the financial cost involved would undoubtedly be astronomical.
Most importantly, after the bandits are eliminated, the existing balance will be disrupted.
The number of missions within the Land of Fire will decrease significantly, which in turn will put tremendous pressure on the finances. How do we solve this problem?"
As the Hokage, Minato was well aware that he could not just have the ambition to take on the world.
Standing on reality and managing the village of Konoha well was the most important thing.
In response to this, Danzo's answer was—
"Membership fees."
He looked at Minato seriously and said:
"All merchants who wish to receive protection from Konoha must pay membership fees. Only by becoming a member of the joint chamber of commerce can they enjoy the protection of Konoha."
Minato's eyebrows immediately furrowed.
"How much should the membership fee be set at?"
If the fee was too high, small merchants would still not be able to enjoy the protection of Konoha.
This membership fee would essentially become the same as mission commission, completely failing to promote the prosperity of commerce.
Fortunately, Danzo had already thought of this issue and explained:
"The specific membership fee of the chamber of commerce can be adjusted according to the annual income of each merchant, with different proportions being paid.
Those with higher income will pay more.
Those with lower income will pay less, or even nothing at all."
Regarding this policy, Danzo's inspiration came entirely from the tax policies of Earth.
This policy, which is quite common on Earth, is truly eye-opening in the ninja world.
Because at this time in the ninja world, the standards for local nobles to collect taxes vary greatly.
It is entirely based on the mood of the local nobles.
If they are in a good mood, they will collect less.
If they are in a bad mood, or if they are short of money, they will collect more.
There is no standardized criterion throughout the Land of Fire.
Therefore, as long as the standards set by Danzo are not too excessive, the merchants would likely be willing to comply.
After all, no one would choose to endure the fluctuating tax standards of local nobles when safety is guaranteed!
"However, the Daimyo..." Minato said with some concern.
After all, although what Danzo proposed was called a membership fee, it was essentially a disguised tax.
And tax has always been a fundamental right of the nobility. Doing what Danzo suggested might provoke a strong backlash from the noble class.
In response to this, Danzo calmly laughed and said:
"Don't worry, don't forget that I am now the Grand General of the Land of Fire.
Eliminating the illegal forces within the Land of Fire is my duty.
As for collecting membership fees? That's just a gratuity given to the Grand General."
Danzo's domineering statement left Minato speechless.
Because with Danzo's bad reputation, perhaps none of the nobles in the court would dare to oppose!
_
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