Chapter 608.Stop Daydreaming for Now, and Start Considering the Sixth Hokage’s Wrath

—Shahzaam, Jacob Mooe, kevin Williams, Jose Sierra, Pasang Sherpa, Acedia, kurtis newman, Nhoxious, Little Sand, Alin Kadas, sediaz, King Scales, Kurgarraz, Astraala.

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Needless to say, Tsunade felt very comfortable. Even Shizune was humming a little tune as she soaked in the hot water, utterly relaxed.

It was better in the village after all. The days spent wandering outside were truly not fit for human beings.

If Tsunade had not chosen to hide, she could have earned money by treating people’s illnesses.

The key was that Tsunade did not want the village to find her, so she hid here and there, which made the lives of the three of them somewhat miserable. They did not go hungry, but they also did not have much money to spend freely.

After returning to the village, all these worries disappeared.

Various expenses were either reimbursed by the village or could be put on Kazuki’s tab. Shizune herself could also work part-time at the Leaf Hospital, treating patients for a salary and earning extra income on the side.

As for whether the hospital would be happy about it, did that even need to be questioned?

Shizune’s strength might not be much to speak of. Among Jonin, she was on the weaker side.

The speed at which medical ninja earned money was no joke.

If Shizune was willing to work at the hospital, even as a temporary worker, the hospital would happily accept her.

And that was only Shizune. Tsunade had not even been factored in yet.

If Tsunade were included, Homura would be willing to carry her to work in a palanquin every day.

Tsunade was fine. Her food and drink expenses were either reimbursed by the village or covered by Kazuki.

But Shizune could not muddle along like that.

Because Tsunade could openly mooch off Kazuki, but she could not, so she needed a job.

Soaking in the hot spring pool, Shizune’s little head had already begun thinking about these things.

She could not freeload forever, could she?

Her relationship with Kazuki was pretty good, but it had not reached the point of freeloading.

Even if their relationship really reached that point, Shizune did not want to be a parasite. Although she seemed gentle and weak, and usually laid back, in truth Shizune’s ambition for her career was quite strong.

If she worked properly at the hospital, her salary and extra income combined might even let her earn more than Kazuki.

This was no joke.

Being Hokage did not come with much of a salary. The main thing was that the village reimbursed various expenses, which counted as a different kind of benefit.

If one really calculated the salary, the Hokage’s salary was not even as much as a regular Special Jonin carrying out missions earned.

Retired Hokage also enjoyed these benefits, just not as many as when they were in office.

"Hehehe, this is great. Next, this lady is going to rest properly for a while."

Tsunade leaned against the edge of the hot spring pool, her face full of smug satisfaction. She had been looking forward to this day for a long time.

No need to worry about village affairs, no need to fret over other troubles. Food and drink were available, and when sleepy, there was even someone to warm the bed.

The only bad thing was that if she wanted to play freely, she had to earn money herself.

Fortunately, when it came to earning money, Tsunade was an expert. If she personally presided over the hospital, was there any fear of not earning money?

As long as she, Tsunade, was willing, plenty of people would shamelessly come looking for her to treat them.

"..."

Lady Fifth was starting again.

Shizune really wanted to roll her eyes, but she held it in and kindly reminded the other party:

"Lady Fifth, I think the problem you need to consider right now is how you are going to appease the Hokage’s wrath when he returns."

Kazuki generally did not get angry, but when he did lose his temper, it was terrifying.

Without settling things with Kazuki, she still wanted to live freely?

That would probably be very difficult.

Shizune herself did not care. No matter how great Kazuki’s anger was, it would not burn in her direction. It was Tsunade who needed to be careful.

"Huh?"

Tsunade, who had been sitting there daydreaming, was instantly startled. Without caring whether her figure would shock Shizune, she stood up in a panic, clutching her bath towel with both hands, her drunkenness dissipating somewhat.

"You’re right. Once that brat Kazuki loses his temper, the trouble will be huge."

Tsunade’s face was serious,

"Shizune, quickly help me come up with an idea. How should I persuade that guy?"

"..."

How would I know?

Anyway, I’m not getting involved in this kind of thing. Lady Fifth, you handle it yourself.

Shizune did not answer, and the dizzy-headed Tsunade could not think of a good solution either. Before long, Tsunade decisively chose to give up and lie flat.

Forget it. Whatever happens, happens. What worst can happened to her anyway?

Kazuki still did not know that Tsunade had already returned to the village.

Fortunately, Shikaku was reliable. He immediately sent someone to the Land of Iron to deliver the news of Tsunade’s return to the village.

In the Land of Iron, another boring day passed just like that.

Most of the time, Kazuki and Terumi Mei chatted idly, while Rasa and Onoki occasionally chimed in with a sentence or two. They themselves also noticed that Terumi Mei had no interest in them, so they did not keep pulling long faces and trying to join the fun.

"It seems the Raikage won’t be coming today. Everyone should rest early."

It was almost dark. Given A’s personality, he might even be lying down somewhere on the road resting. Even if he came directly, there would be no point trying to handle anything at night.

Better to eat early and rest in the guest rooms.

After dinner, Terumi Mei and Onoki saw that Rasa had no intention of moving, so they knew he had something to discuss with Kazuki. They rose, said their goodbyes, and left directly.

Kazuki put down the chopsticks in his hand and picked up the hot tea on the table, taking a couple of sips.

"The tea of the Land of Iron seems quite good. This tea goes down smoothly. Kazekage, if you have something to say, please say it."

Rasa was not a talkative person. To put it plainly, if possible, he could go half a day without letting out a single noise. Fortunately, he was only usually quiet. When it was time to discuss matters, he would never hide or conceal anything.

If one really encountered someone who, when discussing matters, still hid everything and beat around the bush in every way, that was the truly unbearable type.

Even a few sentences would waste a great deal of brain cells.

Rasa said directly: "Previously, the Hokage said that the Leaf and the Sand Ninja Village could discuss some cooperation. Now that the Five Kage Summit has been convened and everyone is here, I wanted to talk to the Hokage about this matter."

As expected, it was about this. Otherwise, Rasa would not have come looking for him over anything else.

Kazuki put down the cup, leaned back in his chair, and asked,

"Why is the Land of Wind poor?"

"Because most of its land is covered by desert. It cannot grow food and is not suitable for people to live in." Rasa answered decisively.

"Quite a few of your Land of Wind’s oases were destroyed because of the war, weren’t they?"

"Yes." Rasa nodded slowly.

Kazuki was right. Oases were indeed the lifeblood of the Land of Wind. Unfortunately, a war had destroyed quite a few, and they were still being restored now. Alas, destruction was easy and restoration was hard.

Barring any surprises, the Sand Ninja Village would not have an easy time in the next few years.

Fortunately, the Daimyo’s attitude toward the Sand Ninja Village was not as bad as before, so at least they could receive some subsidy and let the Sand Ninja Village catch their breath.

Having said this much, Kazuki did not intend to keep hiding it either. He stood up, straightened his clothes, and walked outside, leaving one sentence for Rasa.

"The village has a ninja who received a transplant of the First Hokage’s cells and can use Wood Release. Although his strength is not much to speak of, it was enough to expand oases."