Konoha was stirring.
Many people could feel it: Konoha was stirring.
Orochimaru stood before the window, looking out at Konoha, which appeared calm on the surface but was actually seething underneath.
There was no better stimulant than profit and justice.
"This is Konoha now."
Knock, knock, knock!
Someone knocked on the door.
"Come in."
The door opened, and Shikaku hurried inside, sweat beading on his forehead as he said, "Orochimaru! As soon as we opened today, a whole lot more ninja came to apply for missions!"
Orochimaru turned around and looked at Shikaku Nara.
Fear showed in the eyes of this brilliant strategist of the Nara Clan.
The sweat on his forehead and his slightly pale complexion made it clear that he had been rather worn out lately.
As one of the village's few truly intelligent people, he had naturally been made to share many important duties after Orochimaru became Hokage.
But the Nara Clan seemed to have an inherited fear of trouble. To Shikaku Nara now, he already felt as though he had fallen into a work hell. And as someone who handled a great deal of the Hokage's workload, including matters such as processing mission applications, an even greater wave of hell was descending upon him!
There was simply too much to do!
Heavens have mercy—Konoha had never had so much work, even during its busiest periods! But there was no helping it. After the Nine-Tails' Rampage, the village's replanning and reconstruction, along with all the preparations and implementation work for the Joint Security Plan, were simply far too numerous!!!
When had Konoha ever concerned itself with so many things in the past?
"Shikaku, once things are on track, you'll be able to relax a great deal. Until then, there are still many matters I'll need you to