Chapter 130 - Uchiha Itachi
But with Kazane's Observation Haki, if he really wanted to hide, how could they possibly find him?
Honestly, if he were forced to stay holed up in the ANBU all day dealing with endless trivial affairs, Kazane would rather be killed.
So, when Tsunade and Kushina failed to locate Kazane no matter how hard they searched, they went together to the newly renovated Hokage Building.
There, they found Orochimaru buried in an avalanche of paperwork—and loudly criticized Kazane's mistreatment of Minato.
After hearing them out, Orochimaru glanced at the towering stacks of documents beside him and couldn't help feeling irritated. He was swamped with duties, while Kazane was out there slacking off?
Still, the truth was—when Orochimaru agreed to Kazane's request to transfer Minato to ANBU, he had the same thought in mind.
No one in Konoha knew Kazane better than Orochimaru. If Kazane were truly left in charge of running ANBU... the entire organization would descend into chaos within three days.
So, as long as Kazane stayed in ANBU like a lucky mascot and didn't stir up trouble, Orochimaru was satisfied.
But if Minato were released from his duties, then who would manage ANBU? Kazane?
That wasn't an option.
Sure, Kazane could handle the workload—technically. But wouldn't that just dump even more work on Minato in the end?
However, now that even Tsunade and Kushina had shown up at his office door, he had no choice but to assign Kazane something. He couldn't let him keep lounging around.
Orochimaru first negotiated with Kushina and agreed to limit Minato's working hours to one day at a time.
Then, with both women present, he went to find Minato and informed him of the change.
Satisfied, Tsunade and Kushina finally left.
Afterward, Orochimaru headed to the forested back hills, where Kazane was currently training—and unceremoniously dumped two disciples onto him.
"If you're not going to manage ANBU, then at least do something!"
Orochimaru, already overwhelmed by government duties, was also struggling to take care of little Anko. Now Kazane had practically handed him the perfect excuse on a silver platter.
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Back to Kazane—
At that moment, Kazane was leading the two kids down Konoha's busiest main street.
He walked ahead, while little Anko clutched his hand tightly, half-hiding behind him. Her wide, timid eyes darted curiously at all the unfamiliar sights around her.
Behind them, Uchiha Itachi—slightly older than Anko—trailed along with his hands stuffed into his pockets, looking completely indifferent. Even from a distance, it was obvious he belonged to the Uchiha clan.
It wasn't just his outfit or that signature poker face. It was the aura he gave off—that unique Uchiha air of "everyone around me is an idiot except me."
Anko was curious about everything they passed, but the loss of her parents during the war had left her deeply fearful of the world.
Whenever she saw something she liked, she would simply tug on Kazane's hand and stare at the treats or toys with those big, watery eyes—waiting for him to offer on his own.
Meanwhile, Itachi, walking behind, was growing more and more irritated.
He didn't want to waste time wandering the streets with a little girl. He'd much rather spend that time practicing ninjutsu.
At this young age, Itachi's biggest dream was earning his father's praise.
Kazane wandered aimlessly with the two kids, until at some point they unknowingly arrived at Konoha's most famous sweets shop.
Maybe it was just muscle memory.
Anko looked up at the strings of beautifully arranged red bean dango and plates of snowy white mochi balls inside the shop window—and instinctively stopped in her tracks.
Kazane was feeling snacky too. He'd always loved sweets, especially those that replenished energy.
He and Anko exchanged a glance—both of them clearly seeing the hunger in each other's eyes—and nodded in perfect understanding.
That sealed it.
Kazane decided to take both Anko and Itachi into the sweets shop to top off some much-needed nutrients.
The shopkeeper, who had been tending to customers, immediately noticed Kazane walking in.
He was overjoyed—not just because Kazane was a hero of Konoha, but also because he was a regular.
Whenever Kazane came by, business boomed. This was a god of wealth—he couldn't afford to be anything less than enthusiastic.
But just as Kazane entered with Anko in tow, he realized something odd.
Uchiha Itachi, who had been following behind, hadn't come inside.
Instead, he stood alone outside the shop.
Kazane assumed Itachi was trying to be polite and didn't want to make Kazane spend too much, choosing to let him and Anko eat while he waited outside.
So Kazane pulled out his bulging wallet and waved it toward Itachi with a grin.
Jingle jingle! Clink! Clatter!
"Itachi, come in! Today's dango is all-you-can-eat… my treat!"
He let the cheerful chime of coins ring proudly in his hand.
The shopkeeper, hearing the musical sound of money, beamed even wider. His already plump face nearly vanished into a pair of laughing eyes.
But Itachi, standing at the door, simply let out a light "Hmph!"
"My father taught me that a true shinobi must maintain their physique. High-sugar foods like these are off-limits. As my senior, how can you not know even that much?"
He turned slightly, glancing sideways at Kazane with a judging look, then coolly tossed the remark.
Kazane looked down at his own muscular, powerful frame and couldn't help but feel confused.
Do sweets really affect your physique?
I don't feel any different… I love mochi. I always buy dozens to take home when I stop by. My body hasn't changed for the worse at all…
Actually, the only change is that I'm even stronger than before…
Hmm… maybe that was what Fugaku meant? That sweets make you stronger?
But then… why won't he let Itachi eat them?
Could it be… because sweets are expensive, and he's trying to save money?
Yeah, they are pricey.
Even Kazane—clan leader of the Hatake clan—felt the sting in his wallet every time he bought dango.
Don't think that just because Kazane is powerful, he must be rich.
Sure, the Hyuga clan under his command is loaded.
But as the strongest shinobi in the world, Kazane couldn't exactly go begging Hiashi Hyuga for pocket change. That would be humiliating.
It wasn't his fault. From the day he graduated the Academy, he'd trained non-stop under Orochimaru. He'd never even taken a simple D-rank mission.
After finally gaining some real power, he wanted to take down some bandits for side cash—but then the Third Great Ninja War broke out.
And the Hatake clan only had two members: Kazane and Kakashi. Unlike other clans, they didn't own businesses or property in the village.
Honestly, even Kakashi had more money than him now.
Kakashi had been doing missions since age six, after becoming a Chunin. He had real income.
Kazane, now ANBU Commander, was supposed to be earning a decent salary too.
But… he had only taken the post five days ago. Payday hadn't come around yet. So he was still short on funds.
All this time, Kazane had been scraping by on a heroic blend of "righteous generosity" and "strategic leeching."
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