"Who goes there? Captain Shikaku?"
The Konoha shinobi stationed at the Land of Grass border outpost were surprised when they saw Nara Shikaku approaching. They still confirmed his identity, exchanged the proper code, and only then allowed him near.
If someone had been impersonating him, it would have spelled disaster for the entire outpost.
"Captain Shikaku, why did you come personally?"
The jonin squad leader of the outpost asked. As the leader of a jonin team, Shikaku had gone to war not long ago. Why had he suddenly appeared at the border outpost? Without the correct code and personal confirmation, the squad leader would have thought he was an impostor.
"There have been changes in the village. I'm here to inform you."
Shikaku briefly explained Konoha's recent changes and the next steps, then produced the Hokage Office orders and Tsunade's signature.
"Pack your things and return to the village as soon as possible. Tell all comrades to return immediately. There will be plenty of missions once you're back."
Konoha was no longer the old military force protecting the Land of Fire. It was becoming an enforcer for the Federation. The Land of Fire had many nobles, but those who committed too many atrocities or violated federal law would likely have their assets seized and be exiled to labor in the southwestern mines.
In the past, the daimyo turned a blind eye, and the feudal system allowed nobles to act like miniature rulers on their own land. Even if Konoha shinobi saw injustice, they couldn't intervene. If they acted on impulse and were reported afterward, they would be reprimanded—or even punished if they lacked backing.
Daimyo and nobles across nations had taken centuries to turn shinobi into tools, and today the Sand Federation had overturned that power.
According to the plan, the Federation would provide intelligence, while Konoha shinobi would be responsible for arrests. Konoha's administrative staff would also be reassigned to various places as officials, supplemented by Federation personnel if necessary.
Shikaku didn't know how the Federation obtained such detailed information on the Fire Country nobles. He could only guess it was related to the Uzumaki Trade Association, the Hyakusa Trade Association, and the Kaikō Trade Association. Only those three had members in every town.
Ever since learning that Hyakusa was also a Federation-backed association, Shikaku no longer opposed the merger. If anyone voiced objections now, he would be among the first to refute them.
The Nara clan's most important business was medicinal herbs, and Hyakusa was their largest buyer. The other herb traders had long been crushed.
If the Nara clan refused to cooperate, their entire business would collapse overnight; then even feeding the average clan member would become difficult. They might all end up working labor jobs.
Aside from Shikaku, the three police clans were also preparing to mobilize their entire forces. Beyond guarding Konoha and watching over the Sarutobi and other clans under supervision, they assembled six hundred members to apprehend evil nobles according to the first regional list organized by Yakushi Kabuto.
Hyuga Tokuma tried persuading Kiyo Hyuga not to take the field personally, saying this small matter didn't require the clan head's direct involvement. But Kiyo did not listen. If she didn't set a strict, decisive example, others might hesitate. Then how long would unifying the Land of Fire take?
She was already twenty-seven—was she supposed to wait another year or two? Impossible.
Kiyo Hyuga requested the mission directly from Tsunade and received approval. She also applied for an external assignment for Kurenai Yuhi. Without students to teach, Kurenai had far more free time, and Kiyo hadn't forgotten her near-defection.
After Kiyo and the reluctant Kurenai left the village, Tsunade grew increasingly frustrated with the growing piles of paperwork.
"These documents are even worse than when I was Hokage."
Tsunade scratched her blonde hair. Only a fool would choose to be Hokage. How had she let that brat Hyuga Mirai talk her into it?
"Whatever. Shadow Clone Technique!"
She immediately created a shadow clone to handle everything. When she was Hokage, she avoided using shadow clones for official duties, but she couldn't stand this endless paperwork anymore.
She wanted freedom. She shouldn't be trapped in this tiny office. She was about to go grab a drink when—
"A shadow clone? Tsunade-sama, you should've been doing that long ago. The Fire Country capital needs someone of status to handle affairs. There are many mid- and low-level clerks there already. Since you're using shadow clones, you can assign the capital to one of them."
Kabuto stepped inside, saw the clone, smiled, and shoved the files he held into its hands.
"The personnel have been arranged. My suggestions are at the end of the report. Personally, I think Tsunade-sama can be a little more forceful in this matter."
"Kabuto."
"Yes? Tsunade-sama, is something wrong?"
Kabuto lowered his head slightly and pushed up his glasses. Sunlight glinted off the lenses.
"…It's nothing."
She had just tried to sneak out and been caught. Her proud desire for freedom deflated instantly. She waved her hand and ordered the clone to head out.
"Tsunade-sama, aside from the capital, two more places need someone to take charge, but the village simply has no more available personnel."
Kabuto spoke as he drew two itinerary files from inside his robe and placed them on her desk.
The Land of Fire had more than just its capital. As the wealthiest nation aside from the Sand Federation, several other towns had to be secured quickly. Kabuto's selected towns held major resource deposits that Konoha needed to seize before news spread.
Tsunade felt hopeless, but when she looked at Kabuto's squinting smile, she still agreed.
"I understand, Kabuto. Shadow Clone Technique!"
Tsunade's clones could last five or six days without issue, and they weren't just ceremonial—they had to get the work done properly.
"Thank you, Tsunade-sama. Please endure just a little longer. The Sand Federation promised to send people within a month to discuss the merger. Things will get easier afterwards."
Kabuto was lying. Tsunade's workload would only increase. But he needed to keep her calm—otherwise she might abandon everything.
If Konoha's original workload was a one, the current workload was a three. Soon it might rise to seven—or even ten.
Tsunade had already asked Kabuto to coordinate with the Uzumaki Trade Association to install a new administrative system in Konoha. With Unit-18 assisting, the Hokage's burden would ease slightly.
But full installation would take time.
The Sand Federation was also busy, but thanks to its education system, its shortage of civil personnel had eased over the last two years.
Even with nearly five thousand new prisoners and more from the battlefield, the Federation could process them quickly. At worst, the administrative staff would be busy for a while.
Regarding the upcoming merger between the Federation and Konoha, they held many meetings, treating the matter seriously.
One of the Five Great Villages was about to join the Federation—unifying the ninja world was not far off.
Thus, Hyuga Mirai's marriage plans were also treated as a major national issue. The officials didn't understand Tsunade and Mirai's relationship. They only believed that if the academy principal married Kiyo Hyuga and Kurenai Yuhi, it would be an ideal gesture of goodwill to ease any lingering hostility among Federation shinobi toward Konoha.
The matter had already been elevated to a state issue. Mirai was essentially recognized as the next Kazekage after Pakura. With the backing of the Uzumaki, Hyakusa, and Kaikō associations, plus his positions as academy principal and Minister of Education—
No one wanted to compete with him. Anyone who did would be talked out of it by their own friends.
(End of Chapter)