The next day,
Nara Shikaku, who had been requisitioned to work, pushed open the Hokage's office door.
Namizake Minato, looking noticeably better, greeted him with a smile.
"Morning, Shikaku."
Shikaku ignored him completely, walked straight up, grabbed Minato by the collar with both hands, and revealed a terrifying, ferocious expression.
"Damn it, tell me—who came up with this idea?"
Startled, Minato broke out in cold sweat.
"W-well, um… Shikaku, calm down."
Shikaku let go of him.
"So it was Aburame Shiken."
Minato: ??? Did I even say anything? How did you guess that so quickly?
"You stammered three times without revealing the person's name. That means, deep down, you think that person is even harder to deal with than me. And in Konoha, there's only one person like that—damn Aburame Shiken."
Shikaku was furious.
He had spent a long time getting the Intelligence Division to run independently, and just when things had settled down for a few days, he got dragged back here again.
No, he couldn't just let Aburame Shiken off like this.
"Where is Shiken? Call him over too."
"No, he won't come."
"I also said I wouldn't come, so why am I still here?"
"You're the head of the Intelligence Division. I can directly requisition you. But Shiken doesn't hold any official position in the village, so I have no authority to summon him."
"Damn it."
At this moment, the drawbacks of the iron rice bowl system were fully exposed.
"You're the Hokage. Don't you even have the authority to command a Konoha ninja anymore?"
"Shiken has already fulfilled his duties as a Konoha ninja—and exceeded them—for many years. For at least ten years, we have no right to ask anything of him."
Minato was equally frustrated. The most suitable Hokage advisor in his mind was Shiken, but the man simply wasn't interested.
"So there's really nothing you can do about him… as expected of Shiken. I still have a lot to learn."
Shikaku thought to himself that next time—next time—no one would interfere with his peaceful life again.
"Where's the work? Bring it here. The sooner I finish, the sooner I can go home."
Minato quickly pushed all the documents over.
"I'll leave it to you."
You really aren't doing anything at all, are you?
Shikaku was practically speechless. What kind of people had he gotten stuck with?
"Hm? What's this?"
"Oh, that? Shiken casually wrote it yesterday."
"Minato, think about it again. Shiken is far more suitable than me."
"He really won't come."
"Just call him over and follow what he wrote yesterday. Once that's done, we won't have anything left to worry about."
"But the Third Hokage won't allow it."
"Minato, remember—you're the Hokage."
Sarutobi Hiruzen: This is bad… the backlash is about to hit me.
...
Land of Wind.
An endless desert stretched as far as the eye could see.
More than ten giant ninja dogs carried massive wooden crates on their backs.
Inside the crates were ice-blue Extreme Ice Insects, generously provided by the Aburame technical division.
"Rapid cooling, instant freezing, prevents evaporation—Aburame-brand Extreme Ice Insects, worth every penny."
The grand desert water-selling operation officially began.
"Stop."
Inuzuka Ryoha stood atop Eimaru's head, issuing commands.
"Take two people with you to the capital of the Land of Wind."
"Yes, clan head."
"Ryu, take the rest and visit the remaining cities in the Land of Wind. When you return, map out the fastest and safest transportation route."
"Yes, clan head."
"Oh, and one more thing—on your way back, fill the crates. Buy whatever you can. If nothing else, fill them with sand."
"Understood, clan head."
The group dispersed.
Only Inuzuka Ryoha and Inuzuka Rinko remained.
"Ryoha, why are you having them bring sand back?"
"A sand-themed amusement park. Don't be fooled—sand is everywhere in the Land of Wind, but kids in Konoha have barely ever played with it. We'll open a sand theme park, and just ticket sales alone will make us a fortune."
"Ryoha, you're so smart."
"Hahaha, not really. Shiken gave me the idea. In this ninja world, anything can make money—why stick to just one path? Any path that makes money is a good path."
After a brief pause, he continued:
"Come to think of it, I've never taken you traveling, have I? During this time, I'll take you around the entire ninja world—let's explore it all."
"Ryoha, you're the best."
Soon after, the two of them, along with their giant ninja dogs, spotted the gateway to the Hidden Sand Village.
The guarding ninja immediately went on high alert.
From their perspective, two massive figures were charging toward the village, kicking up a sky full of sand.
"This is bad! Fire the signal flare—enemy incoming! Highest threat level!"
"Yes!"
Nine red signal flares were launched at once.
The sky turned completely red.
Inuzuka Ryoha and Inuzuka Rinko—
"There must be people over there. Finally, no more wandering around blindly. The Land of Wind doesn't even have landmarks—you could get lost even with a map. Eimaru, Sumimaru, head toward that red sky."
...
Inside the Hidden Sand Village, ninjas rushed to gear up.
In the Kazekage's office:
"Ebizō-sama, I'll lead the team to intercept the enemy. Prepare the evacuation of the villagers—move them all to a safe location."
"Understood, Kazekage-sama. Please be careful."
"No need to worry. In the desert, the Hidden Sand is invincible."
Pakura immediately dropped her teaching duties and rushed to the signal at top speed.
The Kazekage needed time to assemble forces, and Chiyo was already advanced in age.
Among the village's Kage-level fighters, only she could reach the battlefield immediately.
"I just hope I can buy more time for the village."
"No matter how many enemies you have, I, Pakura of the Hidden Sand, will not let you pass."
...
"Hey, Pakura, over here!"
"Inuzuka Rinko?"
After arriving, Pakura saw the two giant ninja dogs—they seemed oddly familiar.
Then she suddenly heard someone calling her name.
Looking up, she saw Inuzuka Rinko from Konoha standing on the dog's head.
But when did their relationship become this friendly?
Why was she acting so enthusiastic?
"Inuzuka Rinko, speak! What is your scheme? Why have you come to the Hidden Sand Village?"
Pakura assumed a combat stance.
"No scheme. I just came traveling with my boyfriend."
Traveling… such an unfamiliar word.
But Konoha people coming all the way here to the Hidden Sand?
There must be a scheme.
Better to strike first.
"Hey, Rasa, over here! Don't go the wrong way!"
Pakura: That sounds familiar.
The Fourth Kazekage arrived with two thousand Sand ninjas.
"Inuzuka Ryoha, speak! What is your scheme? Why have you come to the Hidden Sand Village?"
Pakura: Even more familiar now.
"Relax, relax. I'm just here to do business."
"Do business?"
Snap.
Ryoha twisted open a faucet installed on the water crate.
Clear, cold, sparkling water flowed out in a steady stream.
Gulp.
Gulp.
Gulp.
Gulp.