Chapter 57 - 57: Nara Shikaku''s Spection

Konoha, BBQ Restaurant.

The burly Akimichi Chōza led the group to their seats. After ordering a massive amount of food, he said cheerfully, "Everyone, eat to your heart''s content-my treat today!"

Yamanaka Inoichi shot him a sideways nce, clearly unimpressed.

''This is your family''s restaurant, and out of everyone here, you''ll be eating the most. Of course, you''re paying.''

Even with such thoughts, no one present really cared about the cost of a barbecue. After all, they were all n leaders-people of means and status.

As the charcoal began to burn and the meat was served, the staff wisely retreated, leaving the big shots to talk in peace.

"Shikaku, tell us what exactly do you think Tsunade-sama meant by what she said today?" asked Inuzuka Tsume.

Seated at the table, besides the traditional Ino-Shika-Chō trio, was also Hyuga Hiashi, head of what was now considered the most powerful n in Konoha. As long as the Hyūga didn''t make any missteps, they were bound to benefit from any future reforms.

Nara Shikaku gave a wry smile. "Tsume, talking about Tsunade-sama like this out in the open... isn''t that a bit inappropriate?"

Tsume chuckled with a mocking tone. "So you''re looking down on me now, huh? Fine, I''m leaving!"

She stood as if to go, but Shikaku quickly reached out to stop him.

"Wait, my bad, my bad!"

Though the Inuzuka n wasn''t as powerful as thebined Ino-Shika-Chō alliance, they had built extensive connections through breeding and selling ninken. Many nobles adored intelligent dogs, some even treating them like their own children.

Shikaku, being the shrewd man he was, saw through this clearly.

The Inuzuka might seem low-profile, but they were everywhere. In some ways, they were even more well-liked than the Nara n. The Nara were now known as the ''brains of the shinobi world''—a reputation that, while ttering, also painted a target on their backs.

The Inuzuka n, on the other hand, kept quiet, made money, and earned a good reputation.

Now that was impressive.

"Tsunade-sama''s words today... I think they reflect her true thoughts. You all saw the stack of paperwork on the Hokage''s desk, didn''t you?" Shikaku asked.

Everyone here was at least a jōnin-some even elite jōnin-so their observational skills needed no praise.

At Shikaku''s question, they all nodded, but said nothing.

Seeing this, Shikaku sighed internally.

''Damn schemers. You all already know, yet you''re making me say it.''

They were all seasoned veterans-none of them were fools when it came to strategy.

With that thought, Shikaku continued, "We all know Tsunade-sama''s personality. Right now, arge portion of those documents could''ve been handled by the respective departments themselves, couldn''t they?"

The group exchanged nces, smiling faintly.

Sure, ording to Hokage protocol, the Hokage was responsible for everything. But the previous Third Hokage had Mitokado Homura and Koharu Utatane assisting him, and many departments also handled things on their own. So the Third wasn''t nearly as overburdened.

Now that Tsunade had just taken office, she hadn''t yet established her own system. To avoid mistakes, the departments had dumped everything onto her desk-partly out of convenience, partly as a power y.

They were following protocol, so no one could fault them.

"I believe Tsunade-sama has noticed the inefficiencies in Konoha''s current

system. She likely wants to delegate authority to reduce the Hokage''s workload." Shikaku spected.

''Just as I thought!''

Comparing Shikaku''s words with their own deductions, the group''s eyes gleamed with ambition.

Power was something no one dared touch as long as it remained solely in the Hokage''s hands. But if Tsunade was willing to share it... that presented an opportunity.

As n heads, even if they personally didn''t crave power, they had to consider their ns'' interests.

They had topete.

"Come on, the meat''s ready! Dig in, don''t hold back!"

Akimichi Chōza cheerfully served everyone a single piece of meat before

dumping the rest onto his own te, devouring it ravenously.

Looking at the pitiful scrap on their tes, Hyūga Hiashi and Inuzuka Tsume didn''t look too pleased.

''Was this how they treated guests?''

But when they saw that Nara Shikaku and Yamanaka Inoichi also had the same

meager servings, their mood improved a little.

After all, it wasn''t theck that bothered people—it was the inequality.

"That''s the situation. Konoha''s administrative structure is already well-established. Tsunade-sama will probably delegate some authority to department heads. As for the specifics... that depends on her decisions." Shikaku concluded.

With that, he turned his attention to the grilled meat, clearly done with talking.

"Thanks for the insight, Shikaku. I''ve got matters to attend to at home, so I''ll take my leave." Inuzuka Tsume stood up to leave.

Hyūga Hiashi thought for a moment, then also stood up. With a polite word of parting, he left alongside Tsume.

After walking a short while, Hiashi spoke up. "Shikaku''s a sly one. I don''t think he told us everything he knows."

Tsume nodded. "Of course. If it were us, we wouldn''t spill everything either."

Sharing valuable information only to create morepetitors? Only an idiot would do that.

"At this point, we need to know exactly what Tsunade-sama is nning. There''s an old saying that really applies here."

"I''m listening."

As the Inuzuka n head, Tsume had no conflict of interest with the Hyuga In fact, both ns specialized in tracking and reconnaissance, giving them an odd

sort of camaraderie.

"Some things are yours only if given. What is withheld, you cannot seize."

Tsume paused, thenughed.

That made perfect sense.

To someone in power, authority is everything. Even Tsunade, who didn''t care

much for politics, wouldn''t tolerate anyone coveting her power.

Like Hiashi said—-if she gives you power, then it''s yours. But if she doesn''t, don''t even think about reaching for it.

Hiashi''s philosophy might not lead to n expansion, but it ensured stability and longevity.

''A wise man, indeed.''

Tsume nced at Hiashi''s solemn expression, feeling a surge of admiration.

Here was a man who had led the Hyuga through turbulent times with calm precision. He might not seem shy or powerful, but in his own. quiet way, he had more than proven

himself. Even the elders of the Hyuga n no longer dared to

meddle in his affairs.

With great ns came great problems.

Tsume was already struggling to manage the Inuzuka n. Yet Hiashi seemed to

handle the Hyūga with ease. A man like that was no pushover, no matter how

others saw him.

"n Head Hiashi, are you heading home now or...?"

The road Hiashi was taking didn''t lead toward the Hyugapound.

"To Training Ground 10."

"That ce...?" Tsume was about to ask why, but then it clicked-wasn''t that where Danzo took root?

Meeting her gaze, Hiashi coughed awkwardly. "I''ve got some stomach difort. There''s a restroom there, so I''ll make a quick stop."

"Ah, same here! I haven''t gone since yesterday. Since it''s a new facility, might as

well check it out."

And contribute some nutrients to "Danzo-sama" while we''re at it.

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