"Advisor Koharu believes that my reform plan will waste too much resource and thinks that Konoha doesn't need a new department if it's just for one Academy."
"Advisor Homura thinks the process will take too long and will result in disadvantage in numbers of Konoha's active Shinobi. He also expresses concerns that Konoha's Ninjutsu may be more susceptible to be stolen by other villages. Lastly, he finds the plan overly complicated and unsuitable for Konoha."
"Are my summaries accurate, advisors?" Nagasawa looked at Koharu and Homura.
"No issues from me; that's exactly what I meant," Koharu said with a determined voice.
Koharu's determined gaze made it seem like she was a fighter unafraid of authority, viewing Nagasawa as a villain abusing power for personal gain.
Homura remained silent but nodded, indicating that Nagasawa's summary was acceptable.
"So, both advisors essentially share a common point of view, thinking that Konoha's current Academy is already optimal, and there's no need to complicate things. Is that right?" Nagasawa asked again.
"I didn't say the current Academy is optimal. What I meant is that Konoha is fine as it is, but your plan indeed overcomplicated things," Koharu quickly clarified.
"I agree. The plan is too complicated, too risky, and doesn't take how Konoha's current situations into account," Homura interjected.
"Alright, I understand your point now. Let me ask you both a question: what is the foundation of a village?" Nagasawa posed a question.
The two advisors exchanged glances, and then Koharu thought for a moment before responding, "Of course, it's Shinobi. Konoha became one of the five Great Shinobi Countries because of our excellent Shinobi."
"Since you already know that the foundation of a village is Shinobi, why would you reject my plan to put more effort in the Academy? A good Academy will definitely nurture excellent Shinobi, am I wrong?" Nagasawa inquired again.
Koharu thought for a moment and quickly replied, "I'm not against putting more effort in the Academy. I'm against your unreasonable plan. That plan doesn't align with reality."
Nagasawa secretly sighed as Koharu didn't fall for it. If Koharu hadn't caught on, it would be pretty much over.
"Konoha is just a village with a population of 300,000. Assistant Nagasawa, you should show your plan to the Daimyo; maybe he will be interested," Koharu tried to joke around to emphasize her point once again.
"So do you think Konoha will always remain a village with a population of 300,000?" Nagasawa's eyes flashed.
"And what if it doesn't?" Koharu raised an eyebrow.
She never considered Konoha as an independent force but rather as Land of Fire's military force. Why would a military base need so many people?
Nagasawa now understood why the two advisors often argued with him on certain aspects. He thought it might be because they hated him due to what happened between him and Danzo or his position as the Fourth Hokage's assistant.
It turned out the fundamental reason was they never imagined Konoha would develop so much and become stronger without restrictions.
In reality, Konoha occupied a large area, approximately a radius of twenty kilometers, similar in size to a city in Nagasawa's previous life.
But the proportion between Konoha's territory and population was slightly uneven. Imagine a normal city but the population was only 300,000!
The main reason was that Konoha was initially established primarily as the Land of Fire's military force.
The Daimyo provided funds in exchange for the Shinobi's service. The agreement was likely something along those lines.
Konoha was essentially a military base, and having so many civilians living there simply didn't make sense.
However, considering that many Shinobi came from normal family, they could be considered as a reserve source for military power, right?
Nevertheless, Nagasawa was different. He neither saw Konoha as the Land of Fire's military force and neither did he want to be the Daimyo's, even in name only.
Although, Konoha belonged to the Land of Fire on the surface, Nagasawa didn't really care about the Daimyo. The notion that the Daimyo could decide the Hokage was just a formality; the one who had the power to decide was Konoha in the end.
Being bound to Konoha, Nagasawa would only side with Konoha. Therefore, he didn't allow anyone above him. The Daimyo must be dreaming if he thought Konoha was his sword!
Nagasawa wanted Konoha to develop without restrictions, to grow to a point where its current territory couldn't support its expansion. Then, he could push down the walls surrounding Konoha, leading Konoha to further expansion.
This was the fundamental difference between him and the two advisors.
"Koharu-san, I begin to doubt whether you're still capable of serving as a capable advisor." Nagasawa straightforwardly stated upon understanding the core conflict.
Initially, he kept her around out of courtesy to the Third Hokage and the past generation. However, if her existence hindered Konoha's development, it would be better for her to retire.
Koharu was bewildered. How did Nagasawa suddenly think that she no longer deserved to serve as an advisor?
Staring at Nagasawa angrily, Koharu rebuked, "When I shed blood and tears for Konoha, you weren't even born. Where does a little kid like you get the right to say I'm not capable of being an advisor?"
Being underestimated by a young man like Nagasawa in a meeting struck a nerve in Koharu's fragile heart.
"Koharu, Nagasawa, can't we discuss things calmly?" The Third Hokage felt things were getting strange but quickly stepped in to mediate.
"Nagasawa, you can't just claim Koharu isn't capable of being an advisor without a reason."
"And Koharu, Nagasawa has contributed a lot to Konoha. He's now an indispensable person to Konoha like you. You shouldn't call him a little kid."
"Koharu-san, Homura-san, are you suggesting that Konoha will always be a village with 300,000 people? Do you never want Konoha to grow stronger?" Nagasawa no longer addressed them as advisors and directly used their names.
"Keeping it at 300,000 doesn't mean Konoha can't develop. The current population is already sufficient; more would only increase pressure for Konoha and offered nothing."
Koharu shared her understanding and provided many examples of the disadvantages of having more people in Konoha.
An increase in numbers would make management more difficult, increase the risk of infiltration by other villages, arouse suspicions from the Daimyo, and add pressure to Konoha.
"Is that what you think? How naïve!" Nagasawa laughed.
"Worried about management issues, worried about enemy infiltration, worried about Daimyo's suspicion, worried about not being able to provide enough jobs... Worries about this and that. How can Konoha become stronger with such concerns?"
"If management is an issue, find a way to make it more efficient! So what if the Daimyo is suspicious of us? We are not his henchmen; we are on equal standing!
Koharu was taken aback by Nagasawa's words.
She sensed a strong ambition in Nagasawa's words. Nagasawa wasn't just building Konoha as a village; he was thinking of the bigger picture.
Hiruzen Sarutobi and Homura Mitokado seemed surprised. Only Minato managed to retain a semblance of composure.