The air at Konoha's gates was a little hot and dry.
The thin slip of paper in Shikamaru's hand looked sharper to Goten than Orochimaru's Kusanagi Sword.
The bright red Hokage Seal on the paper seemed to be mocking his stomach.
"She really said that?"
Goten had been leaning lazily against a utility pole, but now he sprang straight up.
His clear, wide eyes were filled with disbelief, and his voice rose an octave.
"Those were her exact words."
Shikamaru slumped his shoulders listlessly and stuffed the paper back into his pocket.
"Lady Tsunade said that if certain people have the energy to hug and cuddle at the village gates, they must have the energy to catch rogue ninja in the forest."
"If you don't show up for this mission, the Hokage Building won't pay a single cent toward any of the Ichiraku Ramen Shop's meat purchases next month."
"Figure it out yourself. What a drag."
Goten's little face fell when he heard that.
Cutting off someone's income was like killing their parents. Cutting off Son Goten's ramen was practically asking for his life!
"She actually threatened the man behind her with economic sanctions?"
"This is rebellion! Absolute rebellion!"
Goten viciously stuffed the remaining half of his rice ball into his mouth and crunched away.
He turned to look at Sakura, who was still rubbing her eyes, then at Naruto, who stood beside her brimming with enthusiasm.
"Wait here. I'm going to the Hokage Office to settle things with that spendthrift woman!"
The moment the words left his mouth.
Only an afterimage remained on the ground.
A gale ruffled Shikamaru's hair. He looked at the empty space ahead and sighed helplessly.
"Is that guy... really human?"
Inside the Hokage Office, the curtains were half drawn.
Tsunade reclined in her spacious