"Oyakuro, since we're all on the same side, let's skip the formalities. Sit down, pour yourself some tea, and read the paper. I'll finish this document first, then we can have a proper chat."
Hoshino Maki pointed to a seat with his pen, then went back to his paperwork.
Living two lives hadn't made Hoshino Maki an expert in governance. He was still feeling his way forward.
After all, blindly copying experience could only lead to chaos.
As for adapting to local circumstances, Hoshino Maki had lived in the village since childhood, but as an ordinary civilian shinobi, he saw things very differently from a ruler. There was still plenty he needed to ask people he trusted, like Chiyo and Kojima.
After who knew how long, Hoshino Maki looked up and rubbed his aching wrist. The sunlight outside the window seemed rather harsh; only then did he realize it was already noon.
Oyashiro En was quietly sipping tea and reading the paper, with no intention of disturbing him.
"Sorry to have kept you waiting."
Hoshino Maki truly hadn't meant to leave the other man waiting, but there wasn't a good way to explain it now.
Oyashiro En shook his head calmly. "Only by focusing on the village's affairs can you make Sunagakure better, my lord. As a member of this ship, I can also devote myself to rowing for you without worry."
Just look at that!
He was a merchant who'd traveled far and wide, after all. He really knew how to talk. Those rough Sunagakure Shinobi couldn't even manage a decent bit of flattery.
Hoshino Maki smiled and waved a hand, modestly saying, "I'm just serving the villagers."
"Since you're here, let's get down to business. Keep doing whatever business you usually do, and come to me if you run into any difficulties. By the way, I heard you still don't have a residence."
As he spoke, Hoshino Maki opened a drawer and took out a deed. "I've bought the place you're renting now. If it doesn't suit you, you can move somewhere else. And don't worry about your daughter. As long as I'm in the village, she won't be treated any worse than the daughters of the Great Clans."
Oyashiro En respectfully took the deed. "Thank you, my lord. Is there anything I can do for you now?"
Hoshino Maki crossed his right arm over his chest and rested his chin on his left hand, thinking for a moment. "If possible, I'd like you to go to Iwagakure and Konoha to do business after leaving Sunagakure, then head to the Capital City of the Land of Lightning."
"Someone will contact you once you reach the Capital City. They'll tell you what to do next."
Oyashiro En nodded, stood up, and took his leave.
When he returned to his residence, Jukang saw him and said anxiously, "My lord, when I went over, they told me the house had already been bought yesterday. So what do we—"
Before Jukang could finish, Oyashiro En took the deed from his sleeve and shoved it in front of his face.
"My lord, you bought it? Why did you still ask me to—"
"I didn't buy it. Don't worry about it. I'm leaving Sunagakure tomorrow. Get the caravan ready, and we'll set out first thing in the morning."
"All right. I'll pack our things now."
As he spoke, Jukang turned to go back inside and pack.
"You don't need to come with me. Stay here and take good care of Chiyo."
"My lord..."
Jukang stood frozen in astonishment. Oyashiro En patted his shoulder. "I haven't been a good father, and I may never be one. I'm counting on you to take good care of Chiyo. If anything comes up, you can go to Lord Hoshino. He'll help you."
After speaking, Oyashiro En went into the inner room. He quietly opened the door and walked over to the crib, gazing at Chiyo as she waved her little hands around. His eyes brimmed with tenderness.
Chiyo looked at him too. Their eyes met, and her clear, glistening eyes were so captivating they seemed to wrap around a person's heart.
"D-Daddy."
The little one managed the word one syllable at a time. Oyashiro En froze, then his face lit up with joy.
When Oyashiro En found Chiyo, his wife had been clutching her tightly in her arms and hadn't let go even in death.
Seeing the scene had driven him out of his mind. He'd slaughtered every member of the Jigokudani clan.
Chiyo had witnessed the horrifying scene, and it had become a nightmare she couldn't escape. That was why she feared her father more than she loved him, and rarely spoke with him.
Oyashiro En hadn't expected to hear the little one call him Daddy before he left.
"Daddy?"
Oyashiro En called to her tentatively.
"D-Daddy."
"Daddy?!"
"Daddy!"
"Hahaha!!"
Oyashiro En laughed as he lifted Chiyo up and spun her around again and again. He only stopped when she began wailing, then handed her to Jukang with an apologetic look.
Watching Jukang rock Chiyo in his arms, Oyashiro En's gaze grew more resolute. He murmured,
"Changmei, I won't let our child suffer anymore. I swear it."
Sunagakure seemed to have returned to its usual calm.
The ration system wasn't Hoshino Maki's invention. The Great Clans and tribes had used similar policies long before the shinobi villages existed, and rationing had also been in effect for a time during the war. So most people were able to follow the system without trouble.
Only a few shinobi felt the distribution was unfair. They came to Hoshino Maki to complain, but when they saw that he was eating a bowl of boiled beans too, they left in embarrassment, covering their faces.
The lord eats the same food we do. What's there to complain about?
Word of this spread, further enhancing Hoshino Maki's already excellent reputation in Sunagakure.
"My lord, you're still growing. You can't keep eating boiled beans. I have two dried sea fish at home. Please accept this one."
A shinobi came to Hoshino Maki's residence to report on his work. He took out a dried fish half a meter long and respectfully offered it with both hands.
Hoshino Maki set down his bowl and shook his head gravely. "Everyone in the village is tightening their belts. We're all having a hard time. How could I accept your gift? Ikeda, I know things are tough for your family too. Your wife injured her right leg during the last Ninja World War and could no longer serve as a shinobi. I'm drafting some support measures for those who died in service and those who can no longer work as shinobi because of injuries. Once the village's situation improves, I'll submit the proposal to the Elder Council. The village won't let down anyone who has served it. You've been working hard these days, from six in the morning until nine at night. You haven't been home in ages, have you?"
Ikeda sniffed, moved. "It's all right. It's my honor to do something for you and the village. I should get going, if there's nothing else, my lord. I don't trust those youngsters to handle things on their own."
Hoshino Maki nodded. What a fine workaholic. He was finally getting a taste of the joy his department head had felt when he'd manipulated him with praise.
Two minutes later, Hoshino Maki pricked up his ears. Once he was sure no one was outside, he picked up the bowl beside him and scraped aside the beans. Beneath them lay two plump sea cucumbers, glistening with juices and looking utterly appetizing.
Hoshino Maki took a big bite. Their springy, gelatinous texture immediately filled his mouth.
He quickly polished off the sea cucumbers and burped. He'd gotten to experience the treatment of the national soccer team. He had to admit, it was pretty nice.
Just as Hoshino Maki was picking his teeth and thinking about what to eat tomorrow, the door was kicked open with a bang.
Before you continue