It's Too Troublesome to be Hokage

Konoha, Root.

"Danzo-sama."

A masked, uniformed Root ninja with long orange hair knelt on one knee before Shimura Danzo and delivered her report.

"Nara Shikadan, the target you ordered me to monitor, has just left his residence in the village and is heading toward Kikyo Castle.

"Through covert observation, I confirmed that after returning to Kikyo Castle, he did not go to Kikyo Orphanage but went first to the Nara clan's territory."

"…Very good."

Shimura Danzo sat motionless in his high-backed chair, listening calmly to the report.

"I've been waiting two days. Finally, he's left the village."

Over the past two days, Danzo had ordered the Root to intensify intelligence gathering on Nara Shikadan.

And through that effort, they had more or less traced the boy's life trajectory.

Even the classified results of the duel between Nara Shikadan and Uchiha Shisui had been obtained by the Root.

After learning that Shikadan had not only forced Namikaze Minato to summon one of Myoboku Mountain's giant toads…

…but had also defeated Uchiha Shisui, the most promising genius of the modern Uchiha clan—

Danzo's interest had surged into obsession.

Regardless of whether the Nara clan had assisted in the transformation of Shikadan from "repeating ninja school student" to "super genius," his achievements were real.

Danzo preferred to believe that, under the Nara clan's help, Shikadan had resolved his physical issues and unlocked his buried potential.

A young man with talent blossoming at such a terrifying rate…

He was more than suitable for Root.

Danzo had even secretly arranged for Root ninjas to spread rumors:

"A Nara clan ninja defeated the Uchiha clan's genius."

His aim?

To provoke the impulsive and aggressive Uchiha into confronting Shikadan—and, in the process, give Root an opportunity to observe and collect more data.

But what he hadn't expected was…

Two days passed. The Uchiha clan remained silent.

And Nara Shikadan, the supposed provocateur, didn't leave home even once.

Danzo scoffed silently.

So this is the laziness of the Nara clan…

A genius like this—rather than offering his strength to serve the village—just lazed around at home?

An absolute waste of talent!

That settled it.

Danzo was done waiting.

He would take the initiative.

After a pause, he turned to another Root ninja.

"Has the Miko responded yet?"

Miko—full codename: Wandering Miko.

This was Yakushi Nono's identity within Root.

In Danzo's eyes, if he wanted to bring Nara Shikadan into Root…

…the best method was to have someone close to Shikadan deliver him directly.

That's right—

Danzo's initial plan was for Yakushi Nono to personally bring Nara Shikadan to Root.

But she had refused.

Flat-out rejected the mission.

And from her tone and behavior, she had even shown signs of wanting to escape Root's control.

That, to Danzo, was unacceptable.

Still, taking into account the Miko's special status, Danzo had given her time to reconsider.

If she came around, and offered the genius to Root willingly…

Then all would be forgiven.

But if not—

Whoosh!

A second Root ninja appeared, kneeling beside the first.

"No."

He bowed his head and reported.

"The Miko unilaterally severed communication. She's refused all contact."

"…What a pity. Such an excellent spy."

Danzo sighed softly.

"She knows too many of Konoha's secrets. Her existence alone is now a threat to the village's safety."

His voice turned cold.

"Proceed with the contingency plan."

He turned to the kneeling pair.

"Xin. Lin. This mission is yours."

"Understood!" ×2

With twin responses, the two Root ninjas vanished from sight.

Two flowers bloom, each with its own beauty.

Kikyo Castle.

Nara Shikadan bid farewell to the two Nara clan leaders and set off toward the Shadow Pavilion.

His current plan: to complete a basic version of [Shadow Binding Bullet] and hand it over to the clan, prompting the new clan head to issue a new high-level task.

'Compared to [Lacquer Eye], [Shadow Binding Bullet] doesn't have the same technical depth,' Shikadan thought.

'But in terms of utility for the clan, a B-rank [Shadow Binding Bullet] might be more useful. It's simpler, easier to teach, and easier to mass-distribute.'

'If I'm lucky, I can wring an S-rank task out of this. Worst case, another A-rank reward isn't bad either.'

As he walked, Shikadan summoned his system panel and reviewed the new B- and C-rank jutsu he had acquired.

'And it's not just about system tasks. In reality, I could trade [Shadow Binding Bullet] for a high-level Water Release technique too.'

'When it comes to water-style ninjutsu, Tobirama Senju was prolific. He may not be on par with the Second Mizukage, but he still created many versatile, high-level techniques…'

While his thoughts drifted, Shikadan arrived at the Shadow Pavilion.

There, he quickly summoned a group of [Shadow Clones] to assist with the research.

Before long, the basic version of [Shadow Binding Bullet]—lacking the spiral acceleration—was complete.

Compared to the full [Spiral Shadow Binding Bullet], this version only sacrificed speed (down to sonic from supersonic) while retaining all other features: long-range attack, high speed, low chakra cost, and strong binding power.

'Now that [Rasengan] and its derived jutsu are settled, next up is transforming [Super Beast Fake Painting]…'

Shikadan wrapped up his research and made his way toward Kikyo Orphanage.

Kikyo Orphanage was packed, once again bursting with people and the irresistible scent of fried chicken.

"…Bit of a miscalculation."

Shikadan stood in the distance, watching the sea of customers.

"I thought the crowds would've thinned out by now… but the Akimichi clan's appetite is more terrifying than I imagined."

He was just considering whether to return another day when a loud voice rang out—

"Sold out! We're completely sold out!"

The rotund nun shouted, nearly losing her voice.

"Come back next time!"

One Akimichi ninja, having snagged the final portion, looked triumphant.

The ninja next in line gritted his teeth in despair.

As the crowd began to disperse, Shikadan seized the opportunity to slip quietly into the orphanage.

The interior had changed drastically in just a few days.

Pots and pans everywhere. Oil still bubbling in the fryers. Bones, feathers, and used containers scattered across the ground.

Everyone inside—adult or child—wore the exhausted expression of someone who had survived a disaster.

"Why do Akimichi ninjas eat so much…?"

"The second I finish frying a batch, it's gone. And they're lining up again immediately!"

"I never thought the day would come when I'd complain about making too much money…"

The residents of the orphanage looked up and noticed Shikadan's arrival.

The fat nun and the thin monk approached together, looking equally torn between joy and exasperation.

They had hoped to make a bit of money off fried chicken…

They hadn't expected it to be this profitable.

Shikadan chatted with them briefly, catching up on the past three days.

On day one, under Nono's direction, the orphanage sold fried chicken outside the Akimichi clan's compound.

It sold out that morning.

By afternoon, Akimichi clan members were lining up at Kikyo Castle.

Soon after, more and more people joined the crowd—residents, bystanders, everyone.

In just three days...

The chickens in Kikyo Castle—

No, in all of Konoha Village—

Were almost wiped out!

"…That's not a bad thing, is it?"

Shikadan smiled and consoled the two overworked cooks, who now seemed permanently scented with fried oil.

"At least the orphanage won't have any cash flow problems this year.

"By the way—where's Sister Nono? I didn't see her outside."

The fat nun pointed. "A ninja came to see the director just now. They went that way."

Emergency mission?

Shikadan nodded and returned to his room, planning to wait for Nono's return.

But less than fifteen minutes later—

Knock knock.

The door opened, and Yakushi Nono stepped in.

"Sorry, Nara-kun. Did I keep you waiting?"

"…Nara-kun?"

Shikadan stood up to greet her—then froze.

That name—

It was off.

Very off.

"…What's wrong?"

Nono's expression was calm, her voice gentle. She walked into the room at a steady pace.

"When you came in, did you line up to buy fried chicken?

"I told you—our new recipe is great! Even the Akimichi clan loves it."

"…Really?"

Shikadan looked at her carefully.

His eyes turned cold.

"Dean Yakushi, I have a question."

Nono smiled gently. "Go ahead. If I know the answer, I'll tell you."

Shikadan took a step forward.

He raised both hands—his fingertips pointed toward the floor beneath her.

Toward her shadow.

"…Who are you?"

-End Chapter-

Visit the Patreon!!

Read 30 chapters ahead, more on the way!

[email protected]/TrashProspector