Unable to hold it in any longer, Shizune's shoulders heaved violently, and she let out a soft "pfft" laugh.
The laughter sounded particularly jarring in the quiet office.
The Third Hokage's face darkened even more.
But he could only sigh helplessly and carefully put the check for two hundred million taels into his pocket.
There's no way around it; these days, money talks.
After leaving the Hokage Building.
Kenya and Tsunade.
Tsunade took Shizune to inspect the Senju Clan's old residence, preparing to arrange for the Iron Fist Chamber of Commerce's guard team to move in.
Meanwhile, Kenya Earth Flow Konoha's busiest commercial street.
The last rays of the setting sun shone on the bustling streets.
Kenya was wearing his signature floral shorts.
He had the Third Hokage's priceless white jade pipe dangling from his mouth.
With his hands in his pockets, he strode with an arrogant air that seemed to disregard all family and friends.
And behind him.
Two rows of Iron Fist Chamber of Commerce bodyguards, each a dozen or so, dressed in suits and wearing sunglasses, followed in neat rows.
These bodyguards were all burly and exuded a subtle but palpable aura of menace.
With Kenya clustered in the middle, the pomp and circumstance were simply maximized.
He looks exactly like a gangster boss out on patrol!
"Look! Isn't that the monster that smashed the door with one punch?"
"My God, those people behind him look terrifying. Are they guards of some daimyo?"
"Wait... look what he's holding in his mouth?!"
The surrounding Konoha quickly moved aside, pointing and whispering among themselves.
Soon, sharp-eyed people recognized the extraordinary nature of the pipe.
After all, the image of the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, with that white jade pipe in his mouth is iconic.
It's already deeply etched in the minds of every Konoha; it's practically the iconic item of the Hokage!
Now, this pipe, a symbol of supreme power, has appeared in the mouth of a runaway youth!
This is even more unbelievable than him smashing the Hokage Rock.
Just as the villagers were in shock...
A patrol team of Anbu responsible for maintaining order in the commercial street walked towards us.
They were wearing animal masks and carrying short knives; they had come to assess the situation of the riot.
When the leader of the Anbu squad saw what Kenya was holding in his mouth...
He abruptly stopped in his tracks, his eyes nearly popping out of their sockets beneath the mask.
"Then... then could it be?!"
The Anbu leader rubbed his eyes hard, unable to believe what he was seeing.
Of course he recognizes this pipe!
As a member of the Hokage's direct Anbu, he had seen the Third Hokage use it to issue orders countless times.
But how did this treasure end up in the hands of this extremely dangerous missing-nin?
Could it be... that Lord Third has been murdered?!
Thinking of this, the squad leader of the Anbu was instantly drenched in cold sweat.
"All personnel on high alert!"
He gave the order in a trembling voice, and the several Anbu behind him immediately drew their Ninja Blade, as if facing a formidable enemy.
Seeing this Anbu who were on high alert.
Kenya showed absolutely no sign of tension.
Instead, he grinned and swaggered straight over.
"Hey guys, patrolling the streets?"
Kenya walked up to the terrified Anbu squad leader.
He completely ignored the Ninja Blade pointed at him.
He took out a pinch of cheap tobacco he had just bought from a roadside vendor and slowly stuffed it into the expensive white jade pipe.
"Um... I'm sorry."
Kenya, with a pipe dangling from his lips, approached the Anbu squad leader and pointed to the tobacco.
"I was in such a hurry that I forgot my matches."
"Judging from your attire, you must be from the Anbu, right?"
"How's your Fire Style technique coming along? Can I borrow a light?"
Upon hearing this statement...
The surrounding villagers and the group of Anbu Ninja all gasped in shock.
Borrowing fire?!
You bastard stole the Lord Hokage's pipe.
They actually dare to ask the Hokage's direct Anbu, the Anbu, to Fire Style to light a cigarette?!
How incredibly arrogant is this?!
The Anbu squad leader's hand was trembling as he gripped his Ninja Blade; he felt utterly humiliated.
"You bastard! Hand over Third Sandai's pipe right now!"
He roared, but dared not actually make a move.
The subtle yet powerful aura emanating from Kenya made it difficult for him to breathe.
"If you don't want to lend it, then don't. Why get angry?"
Kenya curled his lip in boredom.
He turned his head and looked at a younger-looking member of the Anbu who was completely terrified.
"Young man, come here."
Kenya leaned closer, his tone carrying an undeniable air of command.
"Just a small, basic flame will do; don't burn the old man's pipe."
The young member of the Anbu had long been terrified by Kenya's fearsome reputation and aura.
Upon hearing Kenya's words, he actually formed a hand seal as if possessed.
" Fire Style... Lighter Jutsu..."
A tiny flame flickered from his fingertips and trembled as it approached Kenya's pipe.
"Hiss--whoosh--"
Kenya took a deep breath.
The pungent taste of inferior tobacco blends with the smooth, warm sensation of white jade, spreading throughout the mouth.
He exhaled a huge smoke ring with satisfaction.
This is an act of treating a symbol of Hokage's authority like a street toy.
It perfectly maximizes the humor and the sense of contrast.
"Not bad, not bad."
Kenya stretched out his large hand, which gleamed with a dark gold luster.
He patted the young member of the Anbu heavily on the shoulder.
"Young man, your fire control is quite precise; you didn't even burn the edge of the pipe."
"I think you have a bright future."
After saying that.
Kenya, with a smoking white jade pipe dangling from his mouth, led the group of thugs in suits.
Under the bewildered gazes of the Anbu team and all the villagers in the street.
He turned and left with an extremely elegant air.
The young member of the Anbu was left standing there, staring blankly at the still-burning flame at his fingertips, on the verge of tears.
"What... what did I just do? I actually lit a cigarette for missing-nin?"
Kenya walked down the street in a great mood.
The feeling of ignoring all rules and trampling on lofty authority is truly addictive.
Just as he was preparing to return to the Senju family mansion to check on Tsunade's progress.
He suddenly stopped in his tracks.
My gaze swept past the bustling crowd.
Kenya saw it in a dilapidated little park on the street corner.
There was a little boy with blond hair and Six Paths whisker-like lines on his face.
He sat alone on a swing, head down, looking utterly forlorn.