To read 15 adavance chapter in patreon
At the end of Konoha's nineteenth year, the annual review began.
This was an important occasion to assess everything done during the year and tally up earnings.
Year-end audits were always the busiest time.
For a whole week, Youya hadn't even come around to the three little ones for his usual bribes.
Tsunade was furious about it. She thought they'd be seeing him every day—turns out he was a big liar!
Orochimaru and Jiraiya didn't know what to say.
Youya had already instructed the barbecue restaurant manager that the three of them could drop in anytime, flash their faces, and eat whatever they wanted.
But to the three little ones, it was embarrassing to get free food without paying.
Kids have their pride. Now, if it were Jiraiya a few decades older, he would have marched right in and shamelessly eaten his fill.
Eventually, they decided to wait for Youya to take them to eat barbecue.
But another week passed, and with their vacation already halfway over, there was still no sign of Youya.
Curious about what he was up to, Jiraiya and Orochimaru wanted to ask, and even Tsunade was curious. But she was hesitant to go to the Hokage's office.
The last time she'd been there, Senju Tobirama had scolded her. However, she reminded herself that he was on the front lines and wouldn't be around to scold her this time.
With that, Tsunade confidently skipped toward the Hokage's office, humming.
Everyone knew her—who didn't recognize the princess of Konoha?
Just like Konohamaru visiting the Third Hokage's office without hesitation... well, maybe the comparison wasn't perfect.
Anyway, as a Hokage's relative, little Tsunade could visit freely.
When she reached the office, she knocked on the door, and a voice answered, "Please come in."
Tsunade pushed the door open and called out, grinning, "Youya! It's been forever since you took us for barbecue!"
Then she froze.
Youya's desk and much of the floor were covered with documents and papers—the Hokage's office was practically buried in them.
He turned toward the door and sighed, "Oh, it's Tsunade. Sorry, I've been swamped and haven't had time to check in with you."
He pushed a pile of documents to the side. "These are processed accounts from the steel plant. Thirteen managers have discrepancies in their bills. Inform the ANBU to begin surveillance."
Behind him, Uchiha Kagami appeared, looking hesitant. "Sir, ANBU's manpower is running thin. There are already so many people to watch and arrest..."
Youya waved dismissively. "Then arrest those under surveillance first, assign someone to manage them, and free up resources for further arrests."
Uchiha Kagami nodded, although clearly reluctant. "Understood."
He took the files and left.
Youya turned back to Tsunade, shaking his head with a tired smile. "Please tell Orochimaru and Jiraiya I'm sorry. I really don't have time to take you all out."
Tsunade took in the overwhelming stack of papers and offered, "Can I help?"
Surprised, Youya smiled. "Certainly. But, how's your arithmetic?"
Tsunade's face darkened instantly. She hated arithmetic. Though it was taught in Konoha, it hadn't been mandatory—until Youya graduated and insisted it become a required subject.
The culprit stood right in front of her.
Youya chuckled. "We're calculating Konoha's income and expenses for the year. A single mistake can affect dozens, even hundreds, of people. Is your arithmetic... up to that level?"
Embarrassed, Tsunade forced a smile and shook her head.
As Youya was about to console her, a nearby pile of documents suddenly shifted. "Finally finished!" a voice groaned.
Tsunade jumped back in shock. She hadn't realized there was someone under all that paperwork!
Without much sympathy, Youya handed the figure a fresh stack of papers. "Well, if you're done, take a look at this year's expenses for East District. Check for any inconsistencies."
"...Youya! This is personal revenge!" Shikaya protested. He'd been cooped up here for half a month. Youya used the Flying Thunder God to teleport for bathroom breaks and meals, rarely leaving the office otherwise.
Shikaya, lacking that technique, had only bathroom breaks and meal times as his few moments of freedom.
Any other time, if he managed to doze off, Youya promptly woke him.
He was at his limit.
Still, he couldn't just quit. With Youya holding all the leverage, returning to the Nara clan empty-handed would be unthinkable.
In the end, Tsunade decided to leave.
But she made a silent vow to study arithmetic next year and come back to help.
She then went off with Jiraiya and Orochimaru to catch hibernating animals on the mountain.
Study? Well… next year, she'd definitely study hard.
Meanwhile, Youya had no time for the three little ones—he was overwhelmed.
Development in Konoha brought more prosperity, but it also introduced more complications, requiring more intervention.
This year, Konoha was more stable than the last, but there were more issues to sort out.
He had anticipated some people would exploit their positions for personal gain. Still, he was shocked at how quickly this happened.
The steel plant was barely two-and-a-half years old, yet they couldn't wait…
Last year's year-end audit had been completed in just a week, thanks to collaboration. Each family had lent their ninjas to help with the accounts.
But this year...
It was all on him alone.
Youya hadn't expected the families to resist him so directly. He'd thought they might feign cooperation, hiding subtle sabotage underneath.
Instead, they'd taken a crude approach, simply not sending any help.
Did they honestly think he couldn't handle it?
Laughable.
If anything, they were only testing his patience.
A week later, most of the files were cleared out. Youya glanced at the remaining stack and sneered. "Do they think I'm a fool? They're asking me to check every little detail. Do they have nothing else for me to do?"
"What's next—should they ask me whether to use my left or right hand in the bathroom?"
Throwing the papers aside, he turned to Shikaya. "Send all these back. Cancel everyone's bonuses this year. Half their wages, too! If I'm doing all the work, why should they get paid?"
Shikaya was dismayed. Why did he have to deal with this?
Even his own clan had ninjas on the payroll...
Please visit my PATREON
To read 15 adavance chapter in patreon
patreon.com/Gho_