Ran Out of Money

However.

His simple request to stay just one more day was not granted and was directly rejected.

"Your mission is to be responsible for this entire area! Remember, if you don't complete it, the deadline will be extended! When it's done, it's over! Kusagakure and Konoha are close friends, don't disgrace Konoha!"

"..."

Watching the departing Grass Ninja and then gazing at the endless land before him, Jiraiya sighed with emotion.

Why did he come to the Land of Grass?

Wasn't it to visit Teacher Ooki?

And the result?

He couldn't find Teacher Ooki, and now he's been punished to come here and farm because he obstructed the Land of Grass's important land reclamation plan!

What kind of situation is this!

In the short half-month he'd been in the Land of Grass, his experiences had been incredibly rich.

Especially at the beginning...

He almost couldn't return because he purchased intelligence from another country.

Thinking of this, Jiraiya felt a wave of emotion.

His only solace now was probably that... in a few days, he would receive a personally signed, collectible novel from Teacher Ooki!

"Forget it, why think about these things now? I should complete the mission quickly, then wait for Brother Mujie to come out, and rely on Brother Mujie's status in the Land of Grass to find Teacher Ooki!"

Jiraiya shook his head, swung his hoe, and said confidently, "It's just tilling the land, isn't it? The ninja world is waiting for this Sage to save it! A mere tilling... I'll finish it in no time."

However.

As soon as he finished speaking.

After tilling for a while.

Jiraiya stood still, then sighed and shook his head.

As expected.

He, the Toad Sage, the future great literary master of the ninja world, the master of the Child of Prophecy, was not meant for this kind of work.

It's just that...

Seeing the Grass Ninjas looking over from time to time, Jiraiya gave a sheepish smile and then muttered to himself, "It seems I can't leave if I don't finish this!"

He couldn't just run away!

What if the Land of Grass reported this matter back to Konoha?

Thinking of this, Jiraiya's expression became firm again, "Since I said I would finish it, I must finish it! Doing what I say is my ninja way."

With that said.

His face hardened, he quickly formed hand seals, and slapped the ground.

"Summoning Jutsu!"

"Bang~"

A puff of smoke appeared, and a huge figure materialized before him.

"Jiraiya, why did you suddenly summon me?"

"Bunta~" Jiraiya looked at the giant toad before him and said earnestly, "Are we partners?"

After he spoke.

"???" Bunta was stunned, then lowered his head, frowning at Jiraiya, "It looks like you've run into big trouble!"

Gripping his large cleaver, he scanned the surroundings with a serious expression.

"Where is the enemy? Why don't I see them?!"

"Enemy? There are no enemies here!"

"?? Then why did you suddenly summon me? Are we traveling?"

"It's not that! That..." Jiraiya licked his lips and grinned at Bunta, "I have a small matter I need your help with!"

"???"

"Can you help me till the land?"

"..."

Gamabunta stared blankly, holding a hoe that was just the right size to be his toothpick, and then looked at Jiraiya below, who was licking his lips and looking at him expectantly.

What the heck?!

"So Jiraiya should be working by now, right?" Kusana put down the official business he was handling, stretched, and said lazily, "Remember to keep an eye on him, don't let that guy slack off."

"It's already been arranged, don't worry. With Lord Miyoshi and the others watching, nothing will go wrong!" Kana smiled slightly, then looked at the exhausted Kusana, her cheeks flushing slightly. Her voice softened as she asked, "Amang, do you need to replenish… your magic?"

"?!"

Kusana was stunned for a moment, then nodded with a serious expression. "I'm tired anyway, please…"

However.

Before he could finish.

"Knock knock~"

There was a sudden knock on the door.

Helplessly, he had to stop for now. Kusana crossed his hands in front of his chin, his expression serious, and said, "Come in!"

As soon as he spoke.

"Creak~"

The door was pushed open.

Under Kusana and Kana's gaze, a white-haired old man walked in.

Uzumaki Yang Zheng!

An elder of the Uzumaki Clan.

But.

Why was he here now?

Could it be that the experiment had made some progress?!

Uzumaki Yang Zheng walked in and looked at Kusana, who sat sternly at the desk. "Leader!"

"Elder Yang Zheng, what is it?"

"My apologies for disturbing you, Leader!"

Elder Yang Zheng said apologetically, then handed over the documents in his hand. "The research institute and the academy are out of funds for this quarter's expenses."

"That's all?" Kusana nodded and looked at the expense request submitted by Elder Yang Zheng.

It was reasonable!

There were no problems.

After all, research required a lot of money, and as for the academy… it was about to start classes, so it would definitely need money as well.

"I…"

As he spoke, he was about to write "Approved."

Suddenly.

He felt someone subtly nudge him.

Without a doubt.

It was Kana.

But.

What did she mean by this?!

Was she refusing to give money?

Was there something fishy going on?

Kusana was stunned, then under Elder Yang Zheng's confused gaze, he looked again at the two applications, glanced at them, and saw Kana's helpless expression in his eyes.

At this moment.

He seemed to understand something in his mind.

Out of money again…

That's right.

If he calculated the time… they were indeed running out of money!

After all, since the country's reconstruction, the Land of Grass had been under continuous development. With the addition of the Chinoike Clan and the Uzumaki Clan, and the establishment of several departments, this was also an expenditure.

Not to mention the Land of Grass's spring farming preparations…

Indeed, building a country was not that easy.

However.

Looking at Elder Yang Zheng, who was waiting for his reply…

What should he do now?

Just say there was no money?

That would be too embarrassing!

At this moment.

Seeing their leader staring blankly for some reason, his face shifting between helplessness and entanglement, the subordinate hesitated before calling out, "Leader..."

"I understand," Kusana snapped back to reality. He clasped his hands in front of his chin, his expression solemn as he declared, "Both of these applications are reasonable and well-supported!"

"Then, Leader..."

Elder Yang Zheng's words were cut short.

"But you know the current situation! Everyone knows! The Land of Grass has just been established, and everything is in its infancy with the nation needing funds everywhere!" Kusana continued, his tone still serious. "The country is facing difficulties, and life is a bit hard, but in these challenging circumstances, I believe it will better showcase the Spirit of Grass among the Grass Ninja!"

He raised his fist, his voice firm, "Tenacity! Effort! Progress! Strength, strength, and more strength! Effort, effort, and more effort! I believe you can overcome all difficulties and obstacles with your own strength... If you face hardship and need resources, then find those resources!"

"What the Leader means is..."

"The country is out of money!"

"..."