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After being promoted to Hokage Advisor, Kazuki found himself burdened with significantly more work.
To be precise, Tsunade had shifted many important tasks to him, leaving him to handle them.
Especially when it came to matters outside the village—Tsunade now wanted nothing to do with them.
Her sole focus was on resolving the village's internal troubles, striving to fill the massive pit left by the Third Hokage as soon as possible and restore Konoha to stable development.
Before sitting in the Hokage Advisor's seat, Kazuki had never imagined the workload would be this overwhelming.
Tsunade had even cleared out an office for him in the Hokage Administration Building to make it easier for him to handle official duties.
Knock, knock, knock!
"Come in."
Kazuki, engrossed in reviewing documents, didn't even look up as he called out.
The door opened, and Shizune walked in carrying a cup of coffee.
Ever since he started working in the Hokage Administration Building, Kazuki had developed a fondness for this energizing drink, feeling that tea just didn't cut it anymore.
Shizune placed the coffee on the desk and handed him another file.
"Thanks."
No sooner had he uttered his gratitude than Kazuki's smile froze. Rubbing his temples in exasperation, he asked,
"Why does Tsunade keep sending every single document to me? I'm just the Hokage Advisor, not the Hokage!!"
"This one's from the Land of Grass, so the Hokage said it's better for you to handle it. Right now, you're in charge of external affairs, while she focuses on internal matters."
Shizune teased playfully.
Kazuki couldn't help but roll his eyes. External and internal affairs? It sounded like they were some old married couple.
Taking a sip of coffee, he opened the file.
"What does the Land of Grass want this time? Don't tell me they're trying to form another alliance with the village."
Honestly, the Land of Grass lived up to its name—both the country and its hidden village were utterly shameless.
They were the epitome of a fence-sitter!
Constantly swaying between Konoha and Iwagakure.
During the war, the Grass Village happily acted as Iwagakure's lackey, guiding them to attack Konoha.
But once the war ended and they couldn't milk any more benefits from Iwagakure, they immediately turned around, bowing and scraping to Konoha, showering them with goodwill.
The most ridiculous part? Despite being backstabbed by the Grass Village multiple times, the Third Hokage still accepted their so-called "friendship" every single time.
His reasoning? To showcase Konoha's benevolence.
Showcase my ass!!!
A village like that didn't deserve anything more than annihilation, yet here they were, tolerating their "goodwill"?
The funniest part was that while the Grass Village pretended to cozy up to Konoha on the surface, behind the scenes, they did everything to undermine them—selling Konoha's intel for profit, studying their jutsu, undercutting mission prices to steal clients. There was nothing they wouldn't do.
"Uh… yeah, pretty much."
Shizune tilted her head in thought.
"The Land of Grass's envoys are still in the village. The Hokage said to let you handle their arrangements."
"Then tell them to get lost! Konoha doesn't need fence-sitting allies who only stab us in the back."
Allies? What a joke!
They were only "allies" when there was profit to be had. The moment that dried up, they were worse than useless—if they didn't turn around and stab you, it was a blessing.
The Grass Village was like this. So was the Sand Village. Kazuki had zero goodwill toward any of these so-called allies.
"Huh? You're not even going to meet them?"
Shizune was startled.
"I heard the Land of Grass's envoys came with full sincerity this time. They even made a detour to the Daimyō's palace first."
"Now that's playing the system."
Normally, Konoha wouldn't give them the time of day.
But since they'd buttered up the Fire Daimyō first before coming here…
Well, even if you despised the monk, you still had to respect his temple. With the Fire Daimyō's influence in play, Konoha couldn't just coldly turn them away. They'd have to at least meet.
"Fine. Have them wait in the conference room. I'll be there shortly."
Ever since Tsunade became Hokage, she'd secured several rounds of funding from the Daimyō, easing the village's financial strain.
If nothing else, just for the sake of the Daimyō's generous support, Kazuki had to at least meet the Grass envoys.
But as for any talk of alliances or cooperation? That was off the table.
"I'll arrange it."
Shizune hurried out, her high heels clicking against the floor. Watching the door close, Kazuki pondered a question:
Is she the Hokage's secretary… or the Hokage Advisor's secretary?
Officially, she was Tsunade's aide, yet she kept running over to his office.
---
Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office.
Tsunade, reaching for a glass of water, glanced around the empty room and immediately scowled.
"That damn girl Shizune—don't tell me she ran off to Kazuki's office again? Whose secretary is she, anyway?!"
When that girl got back, they were going to have a long talk. Otherwise, she'd end up getting sold out and still helping the other side count the money.
Grumbling under her breath, Tsunade returned to her calculations—only to grow more agitated the deeper she went.
"Aaargh, this is so frustrating!!!"
Slamming her hands on the desk, she grabbed her hair in frustration.
"No matter how much I fill it, this damn pit just won't close! What the hell was the old man doing?!!"
Since taking over this mess, she hadn't had a single peaceful day. Endless problems gnawed at her, and no matter how much money she scraped together, the financial abyss never seemed to shrink.
---
Back in the conference room.
The Grass envoys, notified by Shizune, quickly assembled in the Hokage Administration Building.
"Lord Advisor."
The moment Kazuki entered, the group rose and bowed.
Shizune stood quietly behind him, ready to take notes.
"Drop the formalities. You're from the Land of Grass, not our village."
I appreciate the gesture, but save the courtesy—it won't work on me.
Ignoring the strained smiles on the envoys' faces, Kazuki took his seat at the head of the table and cut straight to the point.
"The Land of Grass went through quite the roundabout route this time—schmoozing the Daimyō before coming to Konoha. What's your goal?"
"Ah, Lord Advisor, you misunderstand. Paying respects to the Daimyō first is simply proper protocol. There's no ulterior motive."
The envoy forced a smile, trying to smooth things over.
"Enough. State your purpose. I'm busy and don't have time for idle chatter."
Kazuki made no effort to hide his distrust and disdain for the Land of Grass.
He wasn't the Third Hokage, who cared about appearances and empty flattery.
Pleasantries were wasted on those who couldn't be trusted.
Swallowing his discomfort, the envoy stood and presented a scroll.
"Lord Advisor, I come bearing the sincere greetings of our Daimyō and the Grass Village. We hope to establish a cooperative alliance with Konoha—one that would benefit both villages—"
"You benefit. I don't see how Konoha gains anything."
Kazuki cut him off coldly.
"Spare me the pretty words. I'm not interested. Every time Grass Village 'allies' with Konoha, you profit while we lose. Worse, you take our support and use it to undermine us. Those aren't things I'm likely to forget."