"Why does it feel like you're the Fifth Hokage, while our actual Fifth Hokage has turned into the Sound Shadow?"
While Naruto told Mikoto and Fugaku about his experiences over the past three years, Jiraiya arrived at the Hokage's office.
A desk slightly smaller than the Hokage's had been added to the office. Shikaku sat there, reviewing documents concerning Konoha's expenditures.
"Lord Jiraiya, you're back. Please give me a moment."
Shikaku did not take the bait. He greeted Jiraiya, then continued finishing the work at hand while Jiraiya waited quietly nearby.
"Tell me, what has our Lord Hokage been doing these past three years? There are rumors everywhere that Konoha has occupied the Land of Rice Fields."
Only after Shikaku had finished all the documents did Jiraiya ask his question again.
Unlike Naruto, Jiraiya had kept a constant eye on Konoha's affairs as an intelligence operative, even though he, too, had spent most of his time training.
"Over the past three years, the Land of Fire has increased the provisions and funding allocated to Konoha by thirty percent. Because Konoha has troops stationed in the Land of Rice Fields, they also provide us with financial compensation each year, amounting to roughly ten percent of what the Land of Fire gives us."
In response to Jiraiya's question, Shikaku began reporting the figures. Judging by those numbers, Konoha under Madara's leadership had undoubtedly reached its greatest level of prosperity under any Hokage.
"Beyond money and provisions, Konoha has also earned greater trust among the Allied Countries. Many missions are offered to us first, and we can now even choose which ones to accept. As a result, the death rate among Konoha's ninja has fallen to a tenth of what it was during the Third Hokage's tenure. Of course, Lady Tsunade's Medical Corps