Inuzuka Ryoha looked at the large stack of reimbursement forms in his hands.
Most of them were for—dog food, dog food, dog food...
"I need to make more money. There are more and more large ninja dogs in the sacred land, and the food consumption has increased a lot."
"The old logistics system has to be improved. Right—I'll go ask Aburame Shiken. Their insects are great at mining coal, but when it comes to transportation, that still depends on the Inuzuka Clan."
Inuzuka Ryoha hurried to the Aburame reception office.
Ever since Aburame Shiken developed underground housing, it had been highly favored by the Aburame Clan.
The enclosed environment, the undisturbed peace, and the fully equipped facilities perfectly suited the socially reclusive nature of the Aburame Clan.
As a result, the Aburame Clan had all moved into the underground apartments built under Shiken's direction.
However, to ensure that people in the Hidden Leaf Village could still contact them easily, they had specially set up an Aburame reception office within the village.
As for the Aburame Clan's original territory, it had already been turned into a beekeeping base for the Kamizuru Clan.
"Shiken! Shiken!"
"What is it?"
A swarm of insects flew out from the reception office and formed the shape of Aburame Shiken.
"Shiken, you guys must be lacking large-scale transport equipment for mining coal, right? How about using the Inuzuka Clan? We guarantee quality and quantity, and our prices are low."
Inuzuka Ryoha pleaded earnestly.
"If you need money, I can just give it to you."
"No. I won't accept charity. I'd rather die than take handouts."
"Then what is this now?"
"This is cooperation. I provide labor, you pay me. It's only natural."
"Uh..."
Aburame Shiken's face darkened.
The key point is—I don't need your labor. Sending a batch of giant insects, losing a batch, and not even worrying about return trips—how is that not better?
"Fine, but you can't just handle deliveries, right?"
"No problem. As long as there's money, the Inuzuka Clan can do anything."
Inuzuka Ryoha patted his chest confidently. With the physique of the Inuzuka Clan, what couldn't they handle?
"Alright, then let's go find Minato. This time we need him to sign off on it—preferably give us an official title as well."
"No problem. By the way, are you tired? Would you like an Inuzuka mount service?"
"Ryoha, you're making me sick."
"Ah, such warm weather and gentle breeze, yet you say such cold words. My heart is breaking."
Inuzuka Ryoha clutched his chest in an exaggerated performance.
"Let's go, you drama queen."
Aburame Shiken had already walked out.
Ryoha quickly followed.
"You're no fun at all. You don't know how to play along. No wonder, despite all those beauties, you're still single."
"I'm not cooperating."
"I'm sorry, I was wrong, sir."
"You're really skilled at this. It must be hard for Rinko to ever argue with you."
"Hahaha, basic stuff."
The two bickered all the way to the Hokage's office.
With their identities, they didn't need to register—the heads of the Aburame Clan and the Inuzuka Clan, as well as classmates and close friends of the Fourth Hokage—of course they had that level of privilege.
They pushed open the door.
Sarutobi Hiruzen sat on the sofa to the side, calmly drinking tea.
"Third Hokage-sama, why are you still here?"
Aburame Shiken asked directly.
A large "#" symbol seemed to pop above Hiruzen's head.
As expected of these troublesome ninja clans. I just stepped down and already get treated like this. Is there anywhere in the Hidden Leaf Village I can't go?
"Minato is still young, so I came to guide him—to prevent any misunderstandings."
"Oh."
That made sense.
But where was Minato?
Aburame Shiken looked around but couldn't spot the signature blond hair.
"Minato! Minato!"
"I'm here."
"Where? I can't see you."
"Here."
Crash—
A tall mountain of documents collapsed to the ground.
The once sunny and cheerful Namikaze Minato now had a scruffy face, with heavy dark circles—he could play a panda without makeup.
Clearly, he hadn't slept in a long time.
Aburame Shiken and Inuzuka Ryoha exchanged glances.
As expected, being Hokage is not a job for humans.
Ryoha felt especially relieved.
Fortunately, he hadn't been selected a few days ago—otherwise, the miserable one wouldn't be Minato, but him.
The two stepped forward.
Shiken casually picked up a document and began reading it.
Hiruzen initially tried to stop him, but then suddenly lowered his hand.
Hmph, the Aburame Clan already courts death. Documents meant only for the Hokage—how could you casually read them? After this, Minato will surely become wary of Aburame Shiken.
"Minato, what happened to you? How did you end up like this?"
Ryoha asked.
"Ryoha, don't even mention it. There's too much Hokage work—it never ends. I haven't even finished yesterday's, and today's has already arrived."
"Then why don't you…"
Ryoha curled his lips slightly, gesturing toward Hiruzen.
Why not let him do something? You're drowning in work while he sits there drinking tea—doesn't that bother you?
"The Third Hokage-sama is here to guide my work. How can I trouble him? Besides, although these matters are tedious, they're not that difficult to handle."
Ryoha: Minato, they're taking advantage of your kindness.
"Minato, is this what you deal with every day?"
Shiken opened another document and pointed at it.
"North Street of Konoha has excessive garbage and needs an additional trash can. Request approval."
"Reply: Approved."
"Minato, something this trivial shouldn't require your decision, right?"
Ryoha was speechless.
The Hokage—the leader of the Hidden Leaf Village, the strongest ninja village in the world—actually dealing with things like this?
Minato immediately became serious and spoke in a firm tone.
"There are no small matters in Konoha. Every single issue affects whether the villagers can live comfortably and happily. Shiken, Ryoha—you must change that mindset."
Shiken and Ryoha were both speechless.
No wonder you're worked to death.
Seeing that Minato was about to continue lecturing, Shiken quickly waved his hand.
"Stop."
He picked up a pen and wrote on the document:
"Starting today, Konoha will establish a Health Department to manage all hygiene matters, ensuring a clean and orderly village for its residents."
He tossed it to Minato.
"What do you think?"
After reading it, Minato showed a troubled expression.
"Shiken… I don't have money."
"What? Didn't I just give you one billion?"
"Kushina already put it away, saying it's for our future child. When I say I don't have money, I mean Konoha's finances don't."
Hiruzen, who had been eavesdropping nearby, also fell over.
What did I just hear?
One—one—one billion?!!!!!