Because Aburame Tatsuma was wearing sunglasses, Takeshi couldn't catch the details hidden in the man's eyes.
He only found it strange why the other stared at him for so long before finally leaving.
As Aburame Tatsuma closed the door, Takeshi relied on the memory transmitted back by his Shadow Clone and began looking through a piece of intelligence that had caught his interest.
"Found it..."
Fortunately, Itachi had the good habit of categorizing documents, which made it easy for Takeshi to find the information he recalled.
"Rasa personally went to the Daimyō's residence to recite sutras for the Daimyō's mother? Sunagakure really is interesting... even the Kazekage has to moonlight as a monk?"
Reading the intel, Takeshi nearly burst out laughing.
"Well, I guess it's about time we made contact with our ally..."
Under Itachi's unwavering stare, Takeshi casually tossed the file aside and began thinking about his next step.
"I heard Raikage, because of two consecutive war defeats and constant military expansion, is already facing open opposition from certain factions in the village?"
Takeshi suddenly turned his head toward Itachi, who was in the middle of tidying up the documents. Only after Itachi placed the papers back in their proper place did he answer Takeshi's question.
"Yes, but the opposition's power isn't strong. The Fourth Raikage's control over Kumogakure is still steady."
"Steady or not depends on external support. If opposing the Raikage brings enough benefits for most of Kumogakure, I don't think they'll refuse our goodwill."
Takeshi shook his head at Itachi's statement, lightly tapping his finger on the table.
"The Internal Affairs Division can make contact with Kumogakure's opposition."
"Understood. I'll tell Shisui. By the way, sensei, about revenue—since we've taken control of towns in the Land of Grass, recent profits have increased greatly compared to before..."
Itachi handed over this quarter's financial report. "Do you want to increase benefits for the shinobi again, like last time?"
"No. The current benefits are already sufficient. It's unwise to raise their treatment any further in the short term."
Takeshi denied Itachi's suggestion.
"Human desire is like a boulder rolling down a mountain—once it starts, it never stops.
Shinobi benefits should remain within a proper range. Otherwise, if one day the finances falter and benefits are reduced, those same shinobi who once felt grateful will be the first to turn against us."
Itachi shook his head after hearing this, his eyes showing half-understanding.
"I don't quite get it."
"When you do, Itachi, that's when you'll be Hokage."
Takeshi reached out and ruffled his hair. This time, Itachi didn't dodge but quietly accepted the touch.
"First, set aside some funds to improve Konoha's basic infrastructure. The villagers have given so much for everyone—it's time their living conditions were improved."
The civilians of the village and Konoha's shinobi weren't just protector and protected. They also provided supplies to sustain the non-productive shinobi, and during wartime, paid huge war taxes.
And in return for everything, all they got was a fleeting peace.
Born in the shinobi world, they had only two choices before them:
Either be ruled by nobles, or be sheltered by shinobi.
Anything outside of these two options usually ended in piles of white bones.
...
Nighttime.
On a utility pole within the Uchiha compound, Nanashi crouched in the shadows, quietly observing the pedestrians walking along the road.
"Every face is filled with happy smiles..."
Nanashi muttered softly.
Children laughed and played, adults exchanged warm greetings, clan members without talent worked in various non-combat roles, and the talented could interact with teammates normally.
"The Uchiha clan really has changed."
Recalling her own past experiences, an intense bitterness welled up in Nanashi's heart.
She wanted to kill. She wanted to fight. She wanted judgment. But...
Her eyes revealed the pattern of the Mangekyō Sharingan, power surging to its peak.
Yet in the end, Nanashi didn't attack them. Two silent streams of tears slipped from her eyes.
"Seriously, do all Uchiha with Mangekyō Sharingan have some obsession with climbing utility poles?"
Takeshi's untimely voice cut in. Nanashi quickly wiped her tears and turned back with irritation.
Poking his head up from a rooftop, Takeshi rolled his eyes at her.
"No, really—out of all the awkward places, how do you even manage to crouch on a pole?"
"None of your business."
Seeing that Takeshi didn't seem to notice her crying, Nanashi breathed a sigh of relief and turned away.
"That's pretty Uchiha of you. Here, wipe your face. The clothes I bought you were expensive—using them as tissues is just wasteful."
With Takeshi's words, it could've been a warm little moment.
But when he tossed the handkerchief, its fragrant cloth traced a graceful arc—only to land squarely on Nanashi's head. The air froze in an awkward silence.
"Thanks a lot."
Nanashi clenched her teeth as she pulled the handkerchief off her head. The faint sense of warmth she'd just felt instantly evaporated.
"You're welcome." Takeshi cleared his throat, trying to ease the awkwardness.
"So, uh... since it doesn't look like you have anywhere to stay here, I actually found a place for you. Want to come?"
Seeing she didn't seem intent on unleashing Amaterasu on him, Takeshi cautiously extended the invitation.
"A place to stay?"
Nanashi's gaze lingered on the clan's massive fan symbol. No matter how she looked at it, it was disgusting.
"Fine. But if it's not fancy enough, I'll burn you alive."
"Whoa, that cruel, huh?"
Takeshi played along with mock surprise, inwardly relieved by her response.
Good thing—for now, at least, she didn't plan on attacking the Uchiha.
Back at the Shimura residence, Takeshi was greeted, as always, by a familiar embrace, familiar complaints, and the familiar... Wind Release whip.
"Hey! This time I never said you had an illegitimate daughter, old man!"
"Slander! Complete slander!"
"Ow! Shimura advisor, I'm acting Hokage, you can't—ow ow ow!"
In the yard, Yamato munched on sunflower seeds, watching as Takeshi was chased and beaten by Danzō. Casually, he offered a handful to Nanashi beside him.
"Want some?"
Nanashi hesitated, then took the seeds. "Shouldn't you stop them?"
"No need. If there were any real danger, Haku and Kimimaro would've already stepped in. Honestly, this kind of scene is just Takeshi's daily routine."
Yamato was long used to it. The only ones who still worried were the pure, innocent kids like Haku and Kimimaro.
...Well, scratch Kimimaro.
Remembering how he'd asked Kimimaro to slaughter a chicken the other day, Yamato promptly struck him from the "child" category.
"Oh." Nanashi gave a flat response, then followed Yamato's lead and cracked open seeds by his side.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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