Although she was over a thousand years old, her mentality was childish.
Shizune felt that it wasn't very appropriate for Aoba to make a move on a girl like that.
After all, messing with a fool was against the law.
The same was true in Konoha.
"..."
Aoba was speechless after hearing that. He only meant that Otsutsuki Kaguya had a simple personality and had been sealed away for so long that she was unfamiliar with many things in the outside world.
But she had still lived for that many years. There was no way she was actually like a child.
At most, she was like Uchiha Hikari, looking a little slow on the surface, but actually having some cleverness.
Aoba explained it to her along those lines.
"What I mean is that you should look after her a bit in daily life. Don't let anyone trick her. Personality-wise, she's somewhat similar to Hikari."
"Wouldn't it make more sense to let Fu and Hikari take care of her? They have similar experiences, and Hikari should have quite a lot in common with her."
Shizune tilted her head and said.
"Hmm... that's true. Then when the time comes, let's have Kaguya live with Fu and Hikari."
Aoba held his chin and thought about it seriously. It really did make sense.
If Fu could take such good care of Uchiha Hikari, then adding Otsutsuki Kaguya shouldn't be a problem.
After thinking it over, Aoba nodded with satisfaction, then his expression became serious.
"Alright, we've finished discussing Kaguya. Now it's time to talk about something important."
"Something important?"
Shizune blinked, 'Aren't we already talking about something important?'
"That counted too, of course. But there's another important matter."
Aoba planted both feet on the floor and turned around, "Now we should talk about how you slandered the Hokage for no reason."
"?"
Shizune was still processing what he meant when Aoba pulled her onto his lap and pinched her cheeks.
"..."
Looking at this bad guy's expression, Shizune rolled her eyes helplessly. She knew he couldn't stay serious for long.
But after only a short while, she couldn't help taking control instead.
Because this bad guy was really only pinching her cheeks.
"?"
Now it was Aoba's turn to be confused.
———
Knock! Knock! Knock!
Outside the office, Ajisai knocked on the door while carrying a stack of documents and a scroll.
Only after hearing "Come in" did she push the door open and enter.
"Lord Hokage! Lady Shizune!"
Ajisai greeted them first.
But when her gaze landed on Shizune, she unconsciously tilted her little head.
The small tuft of hair on top of her head swayed along with the movement.
'Lady Shizune's face is red again this time...'
She wasn't quite sure why. Over the past few months, there had been several times when she came looking for Aoba and Shizune's face was red.
Of course, there had also been several times when she couldn't find Aoba. When she returned to her own office, Konan's face would also be slightly flushed.
When she asked Lady Konan, the other woman refused to tell her.
'It can't be that they are secretly exercising in their offices, can it?'
'But there isn't any exercise equipment in the offices.'
'It is really confusing.'
Seeing that Ajisai was still staring at Shizune, Aoba coughed lightly and reminded her about the reason she had come.
"Ajisai, what's the matter?"
"Ah! Lady Konan asked me to deliver these."
Ajisai quickly came back to her senses and placed the items in her hands on the Hokage's desk after sorting them.
"These are the records of assets confiscated after Lord Kakuzu led a team to destroy underground bounty stations and underground black market headquarters across various regions. There's also a list of captured rogue ninjas and missing-nin who tried to resist."
"Lady Konan said this money can be given directly to you and doesn't need to be recorded, but the handling of the prisoners isn't our responsibility."
"Cough! Cough! Cough!"
After hearing Ajisai's words, Aoba couldn't help coughing repeatedly.
'Why is this girl so honest?'
Something like not needing to be recorded could have just been hinted at in the documents, 'Why say it out loud?'
Back when he recruited Kakuzu, it was specifically to handle this kind of dirty work for him. Konan was only responsible for assigning his tasks.
And after he unified the ninja world, things like underground bounty stations and underground black markets definitely couldn't continue to exist.
After all, as long as you paid enough money, those places would accept any commission.
They were criminal organizations through and through.
Especially right after he unified the ninja world. Quite a few rogue ninjas and missing-nin who had committed serious crimes had started gathering around these places, hoping to take advantage of the unstable situation and expand before the major countries became fully stable.
At that point, they could already be considered terrorist organizations and had to be dealt with forcefully.
And for a job like that, it was naturally most appropriate for Kakuzu, who had spent years in underground bounty stations and black markets, to lead the team.
Along with the other members of the Akatsuki, they formed a temporary special operations squad.
In the face of overwhelming strength, those underground bounty stations and black markets were nothing more than a mob.
That's right, the Akatsuki still existed.
After all, although Nagato had joined Konoha, he had never disbanded the Akatsuki.
Even though there were only three members left, including Nagato...
It was still quite useful.
Deidara and Kisame both had useful abilities.
One could blow open mines, and the other could create an entire lake directly.
Kisame was fine. He was one of the more clear-minded ninjas and quickly accepted reality.
Only Deidara, the troublemaker, was very unwilling to obey at first. But that's how chuuni teenagers are. After taking a few Monster Strength punches, his eyes became much clearer.
Then the Akatsuki naturally became his Akatsuki.
It was quite useful.
When there was nothing going on, everyone handled their own work.
Mining for those who mined, farming for those who farmed.
[T/N: If you are liking the novel so far, considering leaving a review, power stone and comment below the chapter. You can also join the p@treon to support if you want. Enjoy~ Have a great day.]