It's Too Troublesome to be Hokage

The north?

The Land of Lightning? The Land of Earth? Or some other small countries?

Nara Shikadan pondered briefly, then asked, "Nekobaa, do you have more detailed information?"

"If you mean the specific buyer, I don't have any information here." Nekobaa shook her head, then lightly rubbed her fingers together, conveying a clear message.

"But if you're willing to pay enough, I can search the black market for related info. It might be hard to find the exact buyer, but tracking the general flow of chakra crystals should be possible."

"Forget it." Shikadan rejected her offer.

Chakra crystals were incredibly valuable.

Beyond the reasons "people in the north" might want them, even if Shikadan knew exactly where the crystals were, he wouldn't be able to afford to buy them back from those northern buyers.

"Well, one more thing."

Nara Shikadan put two D-level illusion scrolls into his ninja tool bag.

"Maybe this is a bit too straightforward, but I think Nekobaa should keep our transaction confidential, right?"

"Of course! I know how much ninjas value secrecy." Nekobaa replied solemnly.

"Strict confidentiality is the foundation of survival for black market merchants. I'm an upright businessman!"

Shikadan nodded lightly but only believed half of her words.

Not to mention his clan leader's previous warning: If black market merchants really had such rules, they wouldn't be 'black market merchants.'

Strict confidentiality usually just meant customers who couldn't pay enough had to remain quiet.

Still, Shikadan set aside his doubts. The Uchiha clan also bought customized ninja tools and goods from Nekobaa and the Cat Village clan. If anything went wrong, the first to get angry would be the Uchiha's red-eyed elite.

Shikadan then discussed the forging details of the kodachi with Nekobaa.

"I'll send Ninja Cat to the Iron Kingdom soon to find a free swordsmith and relay your requirements."

Nekobaa spoke carefully.

"After confirming the smith, they'll complete a first draft of the weapon based on your needs. Ninja Cat will bring the draft back here for your review."

"Once you approve the design, we'll begin formal forging."

Shikadan nodded. "Thank you for your efforts, Nekobaa."

"Hard work? Just taking money and doing business." Nekobaa chuckled, covering her face with a paw, her tone light again.

"But the Nara little brother is really considerate and polite~"

Shikadan couldn't help but smile awkwardly. He said goodbye and started to leave.

Before he stepped out, Nekobaa suddenly asked, "Nara little brother, I noticed some tension between you and Inahiro earlier?"

"It's no big deal." Shikadan briefly recounted the incident.

"I didn't pay much attention, but it seems the other party did."

"That was that day..." Nekobaa sighed.

"Normally, Inahiro isn't so extreme, but that day he lost his summoned beast partner, so he ignored police regulations and went too far."

Summoned beast partner? Shikadan recalled the cat corpse on the bed during the animal taming convalescence class.

"As a fellow ninja, I understand the Uchiha clan's pressure and responsibility leading Konoha's police."

Hearing the reconciliation tone, Shikadan responded tactfully.

"As long as we follow the rules, no sane person wants to fight the Uchiha."

Nekobaa's beautiful eyes brightened with approval.

"Chatting with smart people is a pleasure."

"We're all guests here. Why fight to the death when we can do business and make money together?"

Bidding farewell, Denka led Shikadan out of the air zone ruins.

"Come often, little brother Shikadan!" Denka called before slipping back into the labyrinth.

Shikadan hurried back toward Konoha alone, with other matters awaiting him.

Outside the ruins, a familiar voice rang out:

"That guy from the Nara clan, stop right there!"

Shikadan stopped, squinting at the newcomer.

"Uchiha Inahiro, I don't like fighting—it's just troublesome, understand?"

"You—"

Inahiro stepped from the shadows about five meters away.

"No more nonsense! You sneaked up and defeated me last time. This time, I won't lose!"

If we don't break this guy's fighting urge, he'll cause endless trouble.

Shikadan glanced at Inahiro and decided to use his newly acquired illusion.

[D-level technique: Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique]

[Description: A basic illusion revealing the fear hidden in others' hearts]

[Effect: Consumes own Yin-tun chakra to disrupt opponent's nerves, forcing their mind to relive terrifying scenes. The more tragic the imagined memory, the stronger the impact.]

[Evaluation: The best way to dispel fear is to face it!]

In Inahiro's vision, Shikadan's body erupted with dense black tentacles of shadow, piercing the air like javelins and stabbing through him. Blood spurted from the wounds.

"Wait! My body!"

Inahiro's eyes flashed two black magatama.

"You dare use illusions in front of the Uchiha Sharingan?"

"What?" Shikadan looked at him curiously.

"Is illusion exclusive to your clan? Do I have to submit an application before using illusions?"

Inahiro's anger flared, face reddening.

"Then see the power of the Uchiha Sharingan!"

The black magatama spun in his pupils. He stepped forward, locking eyes with Shikadan, attempting to trap him in a Sharingan illusion.

But Shikadan's eyes were hidden behind tactical sunglasses.

"Is this the Sharingan power you brag about?"

Shikadan adjusted his sunglasses calmly.

"Too strong, really too strong."

If it were three magatama or a Mangekyō Sharingan, Shikadan would close his eyes silently.

But two magatama? To be safe, he quietly closed his eyes.

The Uchiha illusion is an eye-technique illusion, requiring intersecting gaze.

Closing one's eyes is the best defense.

Uchiha Inahiro could not see through the sunglasses, but knew Shikadan's illusion had failed.

The Uchiha clan can use non-eye illusions, but Inahiro, a Chunin, could not.

Feeling mocked, Inahiro abandoned illusion and formed a seal.

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"

A blazing orange-red fireball erupted from Inahiro's hands, warping the air as it sped toward Shikadan.

"Using such a dangerous jutsu on a fellow villager?"

Shikadan's figure blurred and he slowly dove underground.

"I underestimated you, Uchiha Inahiro."

Earth Style Technique: Hiding Like a Mole!

Inahiro watched the fireball vanish into thin air.

"The Nara is gone!"

His pupils contracted, sensing movement beneath his feet.

Just as he prepared to leap away—

Swish!

A shadow thorn erupted from the ground, piercing his shadow.

An intense binding force seized him, freezing him in place.

Shadow Binding Technique!

The shadow expanded as Shikadan emerged, stepping on Inahiro's shadow.

He drew a kunai from his bag, pressing it gently to Inahiro's neck.

"The fight is over."

Seeing the half-broken kunai, Inahiro's heart twisted with bitterness.

"Ninjutsu, illusion, strategy… you're not better than me in any way."

Shikadan sheathed the kunai and turned away.

"You're still far from beating me."

"I lost."

Inahiro clenched his fists.

"But the Uchiha clan did not lose!"

"Are you still a child?"

Shikadan's voice faded as he walked off, clearly not taking this seriously.

"If you can't beat them, why bother fighting…"

-End Chapter-

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