Hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi say there's no need for an assessment, Haruki wasn't surprised.
After all, the Hokage has many sources of information.
Like the Anbu, which is akin to the Eastern Depot, and the Hokage's unique surveillance technique, the Telescope Jutsu.
Hiruzen knows Konoha inside and out.
Not to mention, Minato Namikaze and the others performed outstandingly in the last war and have long been on his radar.
Actually, Hiruzen Sarutobi now deeply regrets it.
Regrets that he missed this genius civilian ninja because he focused more on Mikoto Uchiha and Kushina Uzumaki back then.
If Minato Namikaze had been taken in by his three disciples, he wouldn't be worried about finding a successor for the Will of Fire.
Fortunately, things can still be rectified.
As long as Tsunade and Haruki get married, Minato Namikaze will be considered part of the Hokage's lineage.
Hiruzen glanced at Haruki.
In fact, learning the Flying Thunder God Jutsu made Minato Namikaze a legitimate heir of the Hokage's lineage.
After all, everyone knows this Jutsu originated from the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju.
It's surprising that when Haruki asked for the Forbidden Scroll, it was for Minato Namikaze.
One wonders how he saw Minato's talent.
"I heard you did quite a lot in Sunagakure," Hiruzen Sarutobi said, taking a puff from his pipe and exhaling a ring of smoke, sounding casual.
"It wasn't anything major," Haruki replied with a smile. "I was mainly interested in some of their resources."
As mentioned before, Hiruzen Sarutobi would know about Minato and the others' situation, so he'd certainly be aware of what Haruki did in Sunagakure.
After all, Haruki's status is special, and he took one of Hiruzen's disciples for a month.
If he didn't notice that, he wouldn't be the Third Hokage.
But Haruki wasn't worried about Hiruzen doing anything to him.
Because the Third Hokage's thinking is too outdated.
He doesn't think what Haruki did was significant; on the contrary, he sees it as a waste of time.
If he had any economic sense, Konoha wouldn't have relied on the Land of Fire's economic aid for decades.
In Hiruzen's view, ninjas are born to do missions.
Civilians? Their only role is to produce food and pay taxes.
As a top beneficiary in a transcendent society, Hiruzen Sarutobi can't recognize the power and importance of 'people,' let alone push societal development and improve their lives.
As long as it doesn't affect Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi won't pay them any attention.
"Resources? You mean gold dust?" Hiruzen Sarutobi recalled a report from Anbu not long ago and asked.
To him, reforestation is useless.
After all, the extensive Forest of Death outside Konoha only provides a training ground and wild game.
Underground railways are pointless too; how could ninjas use them?
He only heard that such things exist in the distant Land of Snow.
As for wind power generation, he doesn't care since Konoha has long had electricity.
The only thing that seems to fit Haruki's intentions is the gold dust trade.
"Yes, the other trades were just to deceive them. Think about it, Hokage-sama. They lost the war and should be recuperating, but because of my words, they're wasting many resources. It might be ten years before Sunagakure can threaten Konoha again."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes lit up. The more he thought about it, the more he felt Haruki made sense.
What they're doing now is all exhausting and energy-consuming.
"Haruki," Hiruzen Sarutobi said, looking at him. "You did well this time. I didn't expect you to have such a good mind."
"Thank you for the compliment, Hokage-sama. I learned these things from you."
Haruki subtly flattered him.
Indeed, his plans are considered useless projects by outsiders, or rather, by ninjas.
He experienced a form of dimensional suppression.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's old face smiled even more.
Look, as expected of his son-in-law, he knows how to talk. So much better than Tsunade!
That girl only knows how to make him angry.
"Since you're so interested in economics, why not be my secretary?"
"Ah?" Haruki looked at him in surprise and waved his hand. "I'm fine with small businesses, but handling Konoha's economy, Hokage-sama, you're overestimating me."
As Hokage, he has a dedicated guard team and a think tank.
The think tank is also the secretary team, generally headed by the head of the Nara clan.
For example, Shikamaru Nara's father, Shikaku Nara, is highly intelligent, captain of the Konoha Jonin team, and later replaces the Fourth Raikage as the commander of the Allied Shinobi Forces.
Their clan members can also participate in political discussions in the Land of Fire.
But the secretary team is certainly not just one person.
"There's actually not much to do. Most of Konoha's income comes from the Land of Fire's Daimyo, then from mission commissions, and finally taxes from major clans and civilian businesses," Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a smile. "You don't have to worry about not understanding; just delegate to your subordinates. I'm entrusting it to you because I trust you."
Haruki thought for a moment and said, "Since it's Hokage-sama's request, I'll do my best."
This was an unexpected bonus.
In an instant, he thought of many ways to make money.
In short, the role of economic secretary gave him many advantages.
After leaving the Hokage building, Haruki went to the Third Training Ground.
According to Konoha's rules, Genin can't take missions alone, but Chunin can in teams.
But since Minato Namikaze and the others are Genin, they usually only practice ninjutsu.
He came to tell them the good news about their Chunin promotion.
Since he usually doesn't have time to take them on missions, and the Ninja Academy requires attendance, constant training isn't beneficial. Only through real combat can they improve quickly.
"Little one, long time no see."
Haruki found the little fox he gave to Kushina, resting on a large fallen tree trunk by the river where they usually rested.
The fox seemed to have grown quite a bit, becoming a bit plump.
But it didn't affect its cuteness.
He petted the fox's head skillfully and looked around, spotting Minato Namikaze practicing the Flying Thunder God Jutsu by jumping between trees.
But he didn't see Kushina Uzumaki and Mikoto Uchiha.
A moment later, Mikoto appeared before him.
"Sensei, why are you so late?"
"I went to the Hokage building, so I'm a bit late. Where's Kushina?"
"She's practicing sealing techniques over there. I'll go get her."
"I'll come with you." Haruki put down the little fox and stood up.
"Okay, sensei."
Mikoto led the way into the forest.
The huge trees blocked the sky, making it dark.
A few seconds later, Mikoto suddenly turned around.
"Sensei."
"Wha..."
Haruki felt dizzy.
In front of him, Mikoto's three-tomoe Sharingan spun rapidly, releasing a massive amount of dark chakra like mercury.
To trap Haruki in a genjutsu, she not only sneak attacked without honor but also used her strongest genjutsu.