"Thank you for your guidance and cultivation, Hokage-sama!"
Shimizu Kangetsu's face brightened, and he stood up at once, loudly proclaiming his loyalty to the old man.
"Ah!" The Third Hokage's grin practically split his face.
That jade-throne golden Buddha…
That was no small thing.
Even the Sand Village next door in the Land of Wind could sell mere gold sand for a decent price.
So what about a jade-throne golden Buddha?
"That's Konoha's cultivation—and your own performance," the Third Hokage said, feeling utterly refreshed inside.
Danzo, you old bastard.
Didn't see that coming, did you?
Even if I didn't get a single bill on my side, Kangetsu still pulled a stealthy maneuver and got me a jade-throne golden Buddha…
As expected…
Seeing the Third Hokage's barely-contained impatience, Kangetsu had the tact to withdraw from the office.
Sure enough.
The "jade-throne golden Buddha theory" never went out of style, no matter where you went.
And standing shoulder-to-shoulder with it was the "steampunk theory."
Kangetsu shrugged.
He hadn't given that gift for free.
You had to brush up your presence in the upper ranks.
Prove that the "good kid" was still the same good kid.
Still that loyal, direct ANBU line.
And wasn't this exactly what he wanted?
With the old man in a good mood, hadn't the Ninja Academy just fallen right into his hands?
That was the foundation for "peaches and plums under heaven" in the future.
Kangetsu had been eyeing the Academy for a long time.
But he hadn't dared to make a direct move.
Because the Academy touched one of Konoha's sensitive nerves.
Don't be fooled by how easygoing the higher-ups seemed.
That was only toward the "good kid."
Only toward their moneybags.
Take away those halos, take away the tangible profit, and see what kind of faces those old men would show you then.
Stretching lazily, Kangetsu smiled as he headed home.
No rush.
The appointment would need a little time to ferment on its own.
For now, he'd go home and enjoy some quiet time with Komachi.
He'd heard Komachi had specifically had someone tailor a set of "academy-style" uniforms from her original world.
It was… very nice.
Kangetsu liked it a lot.
Especially when she wore it with that bright, proud look—like she'd dressed up just for him.
When he teased her a little, Komachi's face changed immediately.
"Jerk!"
"You come home and do this right away!"
"Can't you slow down for once?!"
But with Komachi dressed up like that, how was Kangetsu supposed to hold back?
The pleats swayed when she moved.
The stockings looked crisp and immaculate.
The shirt fit just snug enough to make the lines clean and eye-catching.
Even a small breeze could turn a hint into a full-on distraction.
Pretty.
And dangerously tempting.
Just then, Haruno—the mischievous little fox—darted out from the side with a razor in her hand, grinning like she'd caught them red-handed.
"Komachi, want a shave?"
Komachi instantly went scarlet with shame and rage, covering herself like her life depended on it.
"That's too much!"
"Why don't you shave yourself?!"
"I did!" Haruno said righteously, hands on her hips.
It was something Yukine had once "corrected" her on after losing her temper during a particularly chaotic incident.
Don't ask how she did it.
Just know that she did.
Komachi went blank.
Because Kangetsu completely ignored Haruno's heckling, reached out, and pulled Komachi into his arms.
Komachi forced a shaky smile.
"W-Wait… isn't this… not a good idea?"
"I've got you," Kangetsu said calmly.
He tested his own limits a little—only to end up clicking his tongue in regret.
Still, Komachi was already too flustered to stand steadily, clinging hard around his neck.
By the time her legs truly gave out, she could only hook herself against him and hold on for dear life.
Kangetsu didn't mind.
He supported her with an easy hand so she wouldn't slip, then lowered his head and kissed her.
Yeah.
This was living.
At the same time.
After Kangetsu left, the Third Hokage "came back to his senses," and his so-called steadiness—whatever was left of it—stopped pinning him to his chair.
With a whoosh, he sprang up.
Then he rushed home in a panic.
That jade-throne golden Buddha…
Don't let that idiot son of mine ruin it!
That's my money…!
When he got home, he shouted for his dear boy with a booming voice.
"Sasuke! Sasuke—where are you?!"
"Coming, coming!"
Sarutobi Sasuke came running out, face glowing red with excitement.
He even lowered his voice and leaned in close.
"Dad! It's good stuff! My little bro sent it to us!"
What do you mean "us"?
That was sent to me alone!
The Third Hokage was extremely displeased by the brat's attitude.
What—are you planning to fight your father for spending money now?
He shot Sasuke a glare and marched straight into his bedroom.
He pushed the door open—
And a gold-flashing jade-throne Buddha filled his vision.
It practically turned the Third Hokage's eyes into "$_$."
Hiss…
Beautiful.
Truly beautiful.
Look at those curves.
Look at that base.
Look at the fine markings and detail.
He reached out and touched it.
Mmm…
Ninety-nine percent gold.
A rare treasure.
Behind him, Sasuke was so excited his face was nearly crimson. He squeezed in and blurted out—
"Dad, I did the math. This jade-throne Buddha is at least… this much!"
He held up a hand sign.
The Third Hokage's eyes flicked over, and his pupils shrank sharply.
Good!!!
The good kid really hadn't forgotten his old leader!
I accept that sentiment!
The old man let out a long, heavy breath, like he'd finally vented years of frustration.
This thing…
It could probably be passed down as a family heirloom.
He absolutely couldn't sell it off cheap right now.
Didn't the good kid say it?
This was the Fire Country General's mansion's treasured household talisman.
Take it to any noble, and they'd treat it as a heavyweight treasure.
Sasuke wanted to touch it again.
He hadn't gotten enough the first time.
This solid, dignified jade-throne Buddha had gone straight into his heart.
But the Third Hokage snapped his hand up—smack—and slapped the back of his dear boy's head.
Is this something you're allowed to touch?
What if you damage it?
After being crushed under that 3.5 billion ryō weight, the Third Hokage didn't want to trust anyone too much anymore.
What?
This is his dear boy?
Wasn't this very same dear boy the one who'd dug that 3.5 billion ryō crater to begin with?
That idiot Asuma—forget outsiders, even the old man himself wanted to break his dog legs!
Maybe Sasuke could be spared death.
But punishment?
Absolutely not.
For now, it looked like the old man had forcibly swallowed down Sasuke's "preferences."
But just wait until he came back and tried again…
(End of Chapter)
[Get +30 Extra Chapters On — P@tr3on "Zaelum"]
[Every 300 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter Drop]
[Thanks for Reading!]