A special thank you to all my patrons.
The List of The "ANBU" Member:
-ar4ngel
-Cain
-Ryan biggins
-Kreios
-Sabo
You can read 30 chapters ahead of everyone on p@treon.
P@TREON - p@treon.com/lessaservantofcosmos
(just replace the "@" with "a")
ps: Please support me on P@treon. I can really use your help!
-------------------------------------------------------------
Although Tsunade wanted to punch Kazuki, she swallowed her anger, knowing his vengeful nature.
"By the way, tell the Uchiha to tone it down. How long has it been, and they're still hounding the Shimura clan? Don't they get tired?"
It was getting ridiculous.
In the past, targeting the Shimura clan was understandable as payback. Tsunade had turned a blind eye then. But now, even after the Shimura clan had been reduced to such a state, the Uchiha continued their relentless pursuit.
It felt like they were beating a dead horse.
She had even spoken to Fugaku several times, but it was no use.
The police force continued as they pleased. Every so often, they would arrest a few members of the Shimura clan, throwing them in jail just to stir the pot.
The worst offenders were Squad One, led by Jiro and Kaze. They not only arrested ninja but even targeted civilians.
The Shimura clan was in an uproar, with complaints piling up. The new clan leader had pulled out half his hair and repeatedly marched to the Hokage's office to file grievances—all to no avail.
Tsunade realized that only Kazuki could put a stop to this.
"After being targeted by Danzo for decades, now when I see anyone from the Shimura clan, I automatically assume they're up to no good. Oh, and let's not forget the Sarutobi, Utatane, and Mitokado clans…"
Calling it off? No chance.
Let the Uchiha vent their frustrations first. We can talk about stopping after that.
Until then, don't bother me.
Fortunately, they hadn't caused any major incidents—just created chaos for the Shimura clan. Kazuki's attitude was clear, so it wasn't hard to guess how the other Uchiha felt.
They wouldn't stop until they had thoroughly harassed those clans.
'If it were me… Wait, no! I'm the Hokage! I can't condone such petty behavior!'
Though, admittedly, it did feel cathartic.
"By the way, the mission in the Village Hidden in Hot Water went smoothly. We cleared out most of the cultists. The whole place was basically a nest of them—one strike took out dozens at a time. Even the rogue ninja and missing-nin in the area packed up and fled overnight, afraid they'd be next."
Tsunade wasn't too concerned with these minor details. Opening the scroll, she quickly scanned it before looking up in surprise.
"The cult in Hot Water was supported by someone in the village?"
This was absurd.
Someone in their own village supported the cult's growth, while another group couldn't stand it and paid Konoha to help clean up the mess. What kind of circus was this?
"Factional disputes, most likely. Even the Uchiha used to be a chaotic mess. If a single ninja clan can be that way, how much worse would it be for an entire ninja village?"
At the root of it all was a clash of interests. When interests don't align, it's natural for one group to support something while another opposes it.
Faced with a fast-growing cult that threatened their power, one faction might decide to pay a hefty sum to Konoha to have the cult wiped out.
'If I can't have the benefit, neither can you. Let's start over from scratch if need be.'
It's not like Konoha or the Sand Village would ever allow Hot Water to rise again anyway.
"That makes sense," Tsunade nodded.
Whether or not someone was backing the cult didn't concern Konoha. The payment was already received, and the mission was complete. Cleaning up the aftermath was Hot Water's problem now.
"Oh, and one more thing."
Putting down the scroll, Tsunade continued.
"The livestock operation—Nara and Inuzuka have nearly everything ready. What's left is for you to check it out."
"..." Kazuki's face darkened.
"I'm a Hokage advisor, not a livestock operations manager, and definitely not an elder tasked with overseeing this kind of thing. Shouldn't the clan elders handle this?"
"Does it matter?" Tsunade blinked innocently.
'That's... a good point.'
"Fine, I'll go take a look," Kazuki relented.
"Livestock farming requires more than just space; you also need good management. Konoha has no shortage of land, and if the Nara clan can raise deer so well, they should manage cattle and sheep just fine. The Inuzuka clan handling security is a solid choice. But where's the livestock coming from?"
Raising livestock isn't as simple as snapping your fingers. Just sourcing the cattle and sheep is a headache.
"I knew you'd ask," Tsunade said smugly, crossing her arms.
"I've already taken care of it. The funding and the livestock have been provided by the Daimyō as a sponsorship."
"..."
'Having connections really makes a difference.'
During the Third Hokage's tenure, funding development projects meant endless pleading, often met with rejection.
But with Tsunade? The Daimyō personally provided support.
'Short on money? Here, have some. Want livestock farming? Let me send over some cattle and sheep.'
Leaving the Hokage's office, Kazuki made his way to inspect the new pastures.
Near two small hills below Hokage Rock, the area had been transformed into Konoha's official public pasture.
Surrounded by wooden fences, the expansive field was filled with cattle and sheep grazing peacefully. If Kazuki hadn't proposed the idea himself, he wouldn't believe this was a newly established operation.
The Daimyō's wealth truly showed.
As Kazuki approached the pasture, two large gray dogs leaped out, baring their teeth and issuing warnings to stay back.
A moment later, an Inuzuka clan ninja appeared.
"Stop right there. This is a village livestock pasture. No unauthorized entry is allowed."
"I'm here under the Hokage's orders to inspect the pasture," Kazuki replied, presenting his identification.
After carefully examining his credentials, the Inuzuka ninja stepped aside and called off the dogs.
"Apologies, sir. Please, come in."
Kazuki pocketed his ID and entered the pasture, with the Inuzuka ninja following behind.
"Is the security always this strict?" Kazuki asked.
"Yes. Apart from the Hokage herself, everyone else must present identification and be screened."
It seemed Tsunade placed a lot of importance on the pasture, which was a good sign.
Most ninjas had abandoned other professions, relying solely on missions and contracts to survive—a dangerous imbalance.
The pasture was vast, with ideal conditions for livestock and agriculture.
Nara clan members could be seen tending to the animals. For them, overseeing cattle and sheep wasn't much of a challenge—certainly less demanding than caring for deer.
Despite the Daimyō's generous livestock donation, the number of animals was still on the low side for now.
Kazuki soon realized his visit was unnecessary.
The Nara and Inuzuka clans had everything well under control. Periodic inspections would suffice.
---
Returning to the village, Kazuki headed back to the Hokage's office.
*****
T/N: Read 30 chapters more at my P@treon: p@treon.com/lessaservantofcosmos
Use this code "ETHER" for 20% discount, I hope to see you there;)