It's Too Troublesome to be Hokage

"Captain Inuzuka, have you heard of me before?"

Hearing the undisguised familiarity in Inuzuka Tsume's tone, Nara Shikadan was a little confused.

He prided himself on having a good memory.

This should be the first time he had met Inuzuka Tsume.

Forget about the fairy-like big cat girl from earlier—her friendly attitude could easily be summarized as "customer recruitment."

But this female veterinarian, this senior kunoichi, the deputy captain of the Inuzuka clan…

Inuzuka Tsume picked up the remaining white sheet from the bed, wrinkled her nose in discomfort, and threw it directly into a nearby trash can.

Maybe the lingering "cat smell" on the sheets had offended her loyal dog faction instincts...

"Don't forget where you are, little Nara. This is the Animal Training and Rehabilitation Unit."

She clapped her hands and smiled warmly at Nara Shikadan, revealing a pair of sharp canine teeth.

"Senior Hirako took great care of me before she retired. By the way, if she hadn't retired, I wouldn't be deputy captain!"

So it was because of Hirako...

Nara Shikadan understood.

"By the way, remember to keep that burning incense in your hand," Inuzuka Tsume added, walking over to a desk in the corner of the ward.

"Even though Nekumura came from a black market merchant family, I'll admit the quality of her goods is guaranteed. Much better than Weapon Shop.

"Especially her ninja tools. Even the Uchiha clan places orders with her."

Ninja tools?

Nara Shikadan looked down at the burning incense in his hand.

While the sharpness of [Shadow Seam Technique] wasn't inferior to that of a standard kunai…

As a B-rank jutsu, it consumed a lot of Yin-nature chakra.

So naturally, weapon techniques had already been included in his long-term strength development plan.

Not to mention he'd developed the C-rank jutsu [Wind King Barrier] based on [Camouflage Hidden Jutsu].

Could that big cat girl really supply ninja tools that met his requirements?

Still, thinking "maybe it'll come in handy someday," Nara Shikadan carefully put the incense away.

Definitely not because he wanted to see the fairy-like golden cat girl again…

"Thank you for the advice, Captain Inuzuka."

"You're too polite, kid!"

Though her words were rough, the bright smile on Tsume's face showed she was pleased.

"Honestly, our two clans could've been even closer. When Hana-chan was born last year, I wanted to marry into Sister Hirako's family. Too bad she refused." 

Nara Shikadan lowered his head, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly.

Despite Inuzuka Tsume's wild hedgehog-like afro hairstyle, she wasn't even twenty yet.

Already a mother before twenty...

He could only marvel at how early ninja matured, and at Tsume's astonishing directness.

Child marriages weren't unheard of.

One of the First Hokage's goals in founding Konoha had been to break down the rigid boundaries between clans.

Moreover, the Nara and Inuzuka weren't "bloodline limit" families.

As clans of mystical arts, they didn't value blood purity as much as, say, the Uchiha or Hyūga.

Still... a "child marriage" with a ten-year age gap?

Inuzuka Tsume, seated behind her desk, resumed the previous topic with a nostalgic look.

"Sister Hirako said you were precocious and didn't like underdeveloped little girls. You prefer older women, especially—"

"Slander! That's absolute slander!"

Nara Shikadan's eyes widened as he cut her off.

His face flushed, veins bulging at his temple as he snapped back.

"I don't like little girls—big sisters either! Adults just don't understand children's preferences!"

"Well, never mind. I don't really get kids either. Even Hana-chan's being raised by my ninja dog, Kuromaru."

Tsume shrugged and let the topic drop.

"Now, where were we? Oh right—ration pills!

"Doesn't your family run a pharmacy, little Nara? Why'd you go to the Weapons Shop for Ration Pills?"

Her train of thought jumped too fast for Nara Shikadan to follow.

Before he could answer, she continued.

"Weapons Shop's soldier pills may be filling, but in terms of quality and effectiveness, they're far below other brands—and they digest way too fast."

Back when his chakra reserves were terrible, Nara Shikadan had indeed studied Ration Pills.

After a moment's pause, he asked:

"There are different kinds of Ration Pills?"

"Of course!"

Inuzuka Tsume pulled out a black pill from her ninja pouch.

"For example, our family's soldier pills have added dog food—er, forget that example!

"Anyway, if you're just comparing effect alone, the Akimichi clan's pills are the best!"

The Akimichi's Ration Pills?

Nara Shikadan thought for a moment.

Could she mean the famous three-colored pills?

As a fellow member of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, Nara Shikadan knew much more about the Akimichi clan than the Inuzuka.

The Akimichi had a secret medicine—three-colored pills: green spinach, yellow curry, and red chili.

Each pill was stronger than the last—but the side effects were also more severe.

Especially the red pill—it could even be fatal!

"If you're not satisfied with Weapon Shop's pills," Tsume said, holding out her hand, "we can switch.

"My ration pills contain some extra stimulants—besides dog food—that help squeeze out more chakra from your cells."

"No, thank you for your kindness."

Nara Shikadan shook his head firmly.

For one thing, he wasn't about to eat dog food.

For another...

Though Tsume didn't think highly of Weapon Shop's pills, she had just said they were non-irritating, very filling, and didn't damage the body.

That sounded perfect for him.

With a look of regret, Tsume pocketed her "special formula" pills.

"Still, it's good to switch things up now and then."

After chatting a while longer, the two became much more relaxed around each other.

Nara Shikadan brought up the real reason for his visit.

"Captain Inuzuka, this is my first time reporting to the Animal Training and Rehabilitation Unit..."

"Right! That reminds me—why did you even come in today?"

Nara Shikadan blinked, puzzled.

"Huh?"

Did he get fired for stepping in with his right foot first?

"It's like this," Tsume explained. "This morning, Lady Tsunade came to the center and used her authority as director to transfer your ninja file."

She spread her hands.

"So technically, you're no longer part of the Animal Training and Rehabilitation Unit."

Ah...

Nara Shikadan adjusted his sunglasses.

He'd been fired before his first day on the job.

Standing outside the medical department, Nara Shikadan looked up at the sky. The warm sunlight made him feel dazed.

Should I go find the big fat sheep first?

According to Tsume, he was now officially Tsunade's direct subordinate.

On normal days, he could form his own team to train and accept missions—much like a freelance ninja.

But Tsunade had direct authority over him.

Whenever she had a mission, she could summon him—like a tool—to take the blame at any time.

In other words—

Nara Shikadan was now mostly bound to Tsunade in the profession of "ninja."

As for the big fat sheep's sudden maneuver—

Nara Shikadan couldn't pretend it didn't confuse him.

Especially since Tsunade hadn't mentioned any of this beforehand!

But on the other hand—

Tsunade's action had freed him from the boring labor of a "ninja tool man."

Between "working in the animal rehab unit" and "doing missions with Tsunade"—

He'd choose the latter every time.

So, is this a shock? Or a surprise?

From a distance, Nara Shikadan looked toward the Hokage Building.

Tsunade was probably still inside, discussing village affairs with the top brass.

After a moment's thought, he chose to go home first—

Back to the top-floor apartment beside the Ninja Academy that still belonged to him for now.

The medical department wasn't far from the academy.

In less than ten minutes, he was home.

The first thing he did was not to rest—but to take out the black scroll Tsunade had given him earlier.

Entering the quiet study, he unrolled the scroll and carefully read its contents.

Beautiful handwriting covered the paper in dense detail, revealing the writer's effort and thoughtfulness.

'Why do I feel like I've seen this handwriting somewhere before...?'

After scanning the last character, Nara Shikadan frowned in confusion.

'And wasn't the secret jutsu [Super Beast Imitation Drawing] supposed to be Root's?

How did Tsunade get this scroll?'

His doubts didn't last long.

A system notification popped up on the panel and cut through his thoughts.

[Detected B-rank secret technique: Super Beast Imitation Drawing. Learn it now?]

So even regular scrolls work with one-click learning through the [Lazy Ghost System]?

Without hesitation, Nara Shikadan confirmed.

[B-rank Secret Technique: Super Beast Imitation Drawing]

[Technique Description: Injects will into false life; the drawn beast dances in reality.]

[Effect: Using Yang-nature chakra-infused ink, the user draws animals and imbues them with life based on their will.]

[Evaluation: You are trying to draw what does not exist in reality!]