At dawn the next day, Aoki Yoru was practicing basic swordsmanship in the courtyard when he saw Nao actually get out of bed unexpectedly early; previously, she wouldn't wake up until the sun was high in the sky.
"Nao, why are you up so early today?"
"I heard from Konohamaru that today is the day Big Brother Naruto leaves the village. We agreed to go see him off, and I even brought him a parting gift!"
As Nao spoke, she held up a landscape drawing of Konoha she had painted for him to see.
Looking at the doodles, Aoki Yoru smiled. "Naruto will surely be very happy once he receives Nao's heartfelt gift."
"Mm-hmm!"
Nao nodded vigorously after receiving the praise. "Then I'll be going now!"
After saying that, she ran out.
Aoki Yoru watched her receding figure and suddenly realized that letting her play with Konohamaru wasn't without its benefits; at the very least, she now had a connection with Naruto, the Child of Destiny.
Over the next few days, Konoha appeared peaceful on the surface, but an undercurrent was quietly surging among the Jonin of Konoha, with news spreading silently like wildfire.
The Fifth Hokage had made her move, and her first strike aimed straight for the vitals.
She appointed Kakashi Hatake as the Anbu Commander, Aoki Yoru as the dual head of the Mission Department and Logistics Department, sent Shimizu Yui to the Konoha Military Police Force as Vice-Captain, and Tanaka Kenta as a Great Captain.
With one move, she had pinned the strongest members of the Hokage's faction into all the key positions.
The old powers that had held sway over Konoha for many years would never sit idly by and watch their power slip away; a fierce confrontation was already imminent.
In particular, Aoki Yoru held the concurrent posts of head of both the Mission Department and the Logistics Department. These two departments were precisely where Konoha's waters ran deepest and where interests were most intricately intertwined.
Could he do the job well?
How crazed would the counterattack from the vested interests be?
Everyone was looking forward to the struggle between these two titans.
After all, regardless of who won or lost, positions would certainly open up, and then they would have their chance.
This was the clan grounds of the Sarutobi Clan.
The heads of the Sarutobi, Mitokado, Shimura, and Utatane clans sat in a sealed room.
"Crash—"
A water cup was slammed violently onto the floor, porcelain shards and water splashing everywhere, letting out a piercing sound in the silent room.
"Tsunade, that ungrateful wretch! If it weren't for the strong support of the two Advisors, could she have become the Hokage?" The head of the Sarutobi clan slammed the cup down and spoke through gritted teeth.
Since the Third Hokage died in battle, their clan no longer possessed the absolute prestige they once had.
Before, no clan would dare compete with them for something they wanted. Now, not only the Hyuga, but even the Ino–Shika–Chō trio didn't give them much face.
Even though the Ino–Shika–Chō had been their allies since the Sengoku period, they wouldn't stand with them, claiming they were only loyal to the Hokage.
"We can't let her continue like this. The Anbu is already lost; there are many of Kakashi's old acquaintances inside, and our people will be purged sooner or later."
"The Mission Department and Logistics Department absolutely cannot be lost. They are our money bags. If we lose them, how will we support the thousands of Ninjas in our four clans? They'll revolt when the time comes."
At this moment, the head of the Utatane clan sighed. "If only Elder Danzo were still alive. With his Root around, we wouldn't have to care about Tsunade's attitude at all."
The others turned to look at the head of the Shimura clan upon hearing this.
The Shimura clan head sat there with a dark expression, not saying a word.
Since the deeds of Old Brother Danzo were exposed, their clan had become like rats crossing the street, hated by everyone.
They had used all their connections and barely managed to suppress the fallout.
He glanced at the other three and spoke slowly, his voice hoarse and gloomy. "Then let's fight. Don't even think about backing down."
"If we lose, we'll have to spit out everything we've swallowed before, with interest."
The three of them nodded solemnly upon hearing this.
Three days later.
Aoki Yoru received his formal appointment, and then he leisurely went to take up his post.
Konoha Logistics Department.
At this time, the atmosphere in the entire department was heavy. No one was in the mood to work; they just sat blankly in their chairs with solemn expressions.
They had already received notice from their clans. The original Sarutobi head had been removed by the new Hokage and replaced by the young genius, Aoki Yoru.
This was clearly a move to seize power.
Although some people were dismissive of this, thinking Aoki Yoru was just a green brat.
They acknowledged that Aoki Yoru was powerful, but they didn't believe he could straighten out the intricately tangled web of interests in the Logistics Department.
However, they wouldn't be careless either; they had been repeatedly cautioned by their clans to be careful.
This time, they definitely had to give that kid a show of authority.
As Aoki Yoru walked into the Logistics Department, he saw dozens of pairs of eyes staring at him in unison, their gazes filled with vigilance, malice, and disdain.
He hadn't expected to be met with so much hostility and wariness right upon arrival.
Aoki Yoru's pace didn't falter, and a casual smile remained on his face, as if he didn't see those needle-like gazes.
"Hello everyone, I am the new department head."
As he spoke, Aoki Yoru scanned them, seemingly trying to memorize all their appearances.
"So, can anyone tell me where the department head's office is?"
As if they hadn't heard him, no one moved.
Aoki Yoru wasn't disappointed; he had long expected this. He continued to scrutinize them with a smile on his face.
After a long time, just as everyone was about to reach their limit under his gaze, a middle-aged man slowly stood up.
"Department Head Aoki, I am Mitokado Genka, the Vice-Head of the Logistics Department. Follow me."
Mitokado Genka spoke and then walked towards the inner area.
Aoki Yoru leisurely followed him.
Arriving at a spacious office, Aoki Yoru nodded with satisfaction. The working environment was good; at least it looked pleasant.
"So, Vice-Head Mitokado, can you bring me the recent Account Books? Being new here, I want to understand Konoha's logistics situation."
"Of course, you're the department head, you have the final say. I'll have someone bring them over."
Mitokado Genka didn't seem to have any resistance and agreed cleanly and efficiently.
Aoki Yoru gave him a surprised look, not expecting him to be so straightforward.
He then leaned back in his chair, waiting to see how the other party would make their move.
This time he chose to strike the Logistics Department first instead of the Mission Department precisely because the Logistics Department was the foundation of their interests.
The funds and materials of the Mission Department were all held in the hands of the Logistics Department; touching one part would affect the whole.
Once this place was taken, the Mission Department would be nothing more than a minor ailment that could be cleared away at will.
A moment later, the door was pushed open.
Over a dozen staff members filed in, each carrying Account Books half a person tall, moving them in trip after trip.
Before long, the entire room was packed full, to the point where there was almost no place to step.
Mitokado Genka stood at the door, a flash of mockery in his eyes, and said with a fake smile, "Department Head Aoki, these are the Account Books for the past two years. Take your time. There's still a whole warehouse full behind them. I'll arrange for people to move them over for you then."
Aoki Yoru looked at his receding back through the Account Books, his face showing no signs of anger.
He casually picked up an account book and flipped through it, muttering softly, "Is this your show of authority?"
After flipping through a few pages, Aoki Yoru tossed the account book aside.
The accounts inside were one hundred percent fake, and they were done flawlessly.
Even if one were to check, they wouldn't necessarily find anything. Since they dared to bring them out, they weren't afraid of him finding problems.