Nawaki Shows Off His Treasure and Brags About His Haul

The Third Hokage hoped Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura would take this matter seriously and not speak up for Shimura Danzō, sparing everyone further embarrassment.

"Don't worry, Hiruzen. We understand the gravity of this matter. I doubt he even has the nerve to come beg me."

Utatane Koharu was deeply dissatisfied with Shimura Danzō now.

Even if Shimura Danzō did have the nerve to come begging, she would not help him.

Only Mitokado Homura might possibly step in for him.

"Don't look at me. I wouldn't dare help with something like this. Danzo let his temper get the better of him and said whatever he pleased, without considering the consequences of offending Lady Mito. I agree that he should stay home and rest for a while."

Seeing his two companions staring at him, Mitokado Homura immediately made it clear that he would not help.

Of course, he did not dare help with something like that.

"Then let Danzo rest properly for a while."

The Third Hokage finalized the matter. "Tomorrow, I will represent Lady Mito and make a trip to the Daimyo's Court. It is time the village's financial allocation was increased."

Mito Uzumaki was not the stingy sort.

The Third Hokage had not removed Shimura Danzō's hollow position for nothing. He had gained Mito Uzumaki's strong support and could now go to the Daimyo's Court to ask for a sum of money.

With a letter personally written by Mito Uzumaki, the daimyo would certainly show her that respect.

"Excellent."

The village needed money everywhere it turned to develop. The F4 had worried themselves sick over funds.

But now, by removing Shimura Danzō, they had gained Mito Uzumaki's support and could openly go to the Daimyo's Court to ask for money.

To the Third Hokage, this deal was practically a killing.

If he could, he would not mind stomping on Shimura Danzō a few more times.

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura sincerely thanked Shimura Danzō for his sacrifice. Without his sacrifice, how could the village have asked the daimyo for money?

His sacrifice was bound to be worthwhile.

For some time afterward, Tsunade visited Jingyi's home less often to mooch meals. Every day after work, she hurried home and did her best to spend more time with Mito Uzumaki.

To make time, Tsunade even turned down many classes at the Medical Department.

Standing at his door, Jingyi paused with the key in hand before unlocking it, pushing open the door, and walking inside.

As the door opened, the living room brightened, revealing the face of an uninvited guest.

Jingyi casually shut the door, then turned on the lights and said to the person seated on the sofa:

"Orochimaru, I think you could wait until I'm home before coming over."

"My apologies."

A faint smile rested on Orochimaru's lips as he rose and explained, "It was close to the time Jingyi-kun got off work, so I came in directly. I hope I have not caused a misunderstanding."

"This is the first batch of goods."

Delivery service was certainly nice, but silently delivering the goods to someone's house and sitting on the sofa waiting was a little strange.

At the very least, few people could accept coming home after work only to find an uninvited guest inside who had not used the front door.

Jingyi picked up the scroll Orochimaru had placed on the coffee table and opened it to inspect its contents.

He had to admit, Orochimaru's efficiency was reliable.

After counting the items and glancing at the bill Orochimaru had calculated, Jingyi did not check the figures too carefully. Orochimaru was trustworthy in this regard.

Taking out a sealing scroll, Jingyi withdrew the equivalent amount of money and gestured for Orochimaru to count it.

"Jingyi-kun, it has been a pleasure doing business with you."

Jingyi had not checked the bill, and Orochimaru did not count whether the money was enough.

They said that besides talent and hard work, ninja needed vast sums of money and resources piled into them to grow strong. That was absolutely true. Just one batch of materials had cost Jingyi nearly two million ryo, almost emptying his savings.

Thankfully, his salary was high enough.

He could still handle such expenses. Medical ninja were not praised for earning money quickly without reason. As long as one worked hard and possessed sufficiently skilled medical ninjutsu, there was no need to worry about making money.

"Take care." Jingyi did not politely ask Orochimaru to stay.

Orochimaru worked efficiently and had integrity, so Jingyi was happy to cooperate with someone like him. Of course, that was limited to mission-related cooperation. As for anything else, better not.

He worried that he might become Orochimaru's next test subject.

There was no need to doubt it. Orochimaru was fully capable of doing such a thing.

That meant Jingyi would never become close friends with Orochimaru. The same went for Jiraiya; he could not really accept Jiraiya's bizarre hobbies.

With the materials in hand, the puppet's construction could finally begin.

Knock, knock, knock!!!

His thoughts interrupted, Jingyi got up and opened the door.

"Hi."

Nawaki, standing outside, grinned and greeted Jingyi.

Nawaki was the sort who quickly became familiar with people. Since visiting the Senju ancestral residence last time, he had often come to Jingyi's place.

Leaning against the doorframe, Jingyi said with amusement:

"Why aren't you going home after school? You even ditched Kushina to come here. If your sister finds out, she'll definitely beat you up."

"Hmph, I'm not afraid of her!"

Tsunade was not around anyway, so Nawaki acted tough.

When my sister is around, I'm afraid of getting beaten, so I keep my head down. But when she isn't around, I have to act tough.

"Alright, alright, you're not afraid of her." Jingyi burst out laughing.

He stepped aside and let Nawaki in.

"If there's something you need, just say it. Today, I'll be rather... uh."

Watching Nawaki sneak inside like a thief, shut the doors and windows, and pull several magazine-like books from his backpack as though presenting treasure, Jingyi's unfinished words caught in his throat.

"What do you think? Pretty awesome, right!"

Nawaki proudly waved the books in his hand.

"I secretly saved up a lot of allowance without my sister finding out. I left school early today and quietly went to buy them. They're all the latest editions, Jiraiya's favorites."

Jiraiya, who shared his interests, had gone out on a mission.

So Nawaki could only find Jingyi, his new friend, to show off his haul.

Looking at the lightly dressed girl on the cover, Jingyi's mouth twitched.

Children in the Shinobi World generally matured early, and with the influence of a certain peeping tom, Nawaki's hobby had become a little... lewd.

What kind of child bought pornographic books at that age?

What was even more absurd was that he had actually managed to buy them!

Jingyi slapped a hand against his forehead.

The problem was, aside from satisfying his eyes, what use was this stuff? Why bother?

It had not been easy saving allowance under Tsunade's watchful eye, yet he had spent it on this nonsense.

"This one is my favorite. Ozawa Makoto is so cute, hehehe..."

It was hard to imagine an eight-year-old holding several pornographic books and letting out such a creepy, vulgar laugh.

Jingyi felt as though his entire worldview had shattered.

Jiraiya was leading this kid badly astray!