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"Oh?"
Tsunade looked at Neji suspiciously. To be honest, she was really annoyed with the endless paperwork. If there really was a better method, it would certainly lighten her load.
Shikamaru, huh?
The Nara clan really does have smart minds.
Might as well call him and ask.
With that thought, Tsunade shouted domineeringly, "Someone, call Shikamaru here immediately!"
An Anbu kneeled down before her and instantly vanished after acknowledging the order.
---
Not long after, there was a knock at the door. Shikamaru walked in and saw Neji's back and the Fifth Hokage sitting at the desk.
"Greetings, Lady Hokage."
"Mm."
Tsunade nodded lightly and said, "There's too much paperwork for the Hokage to handle these days. I heard you have a way to manage this more efficiently. Is that true?"
"Uh, what?"
Shikamaru froze. Before he could say anything, he felt a hand rest on his shoulder. Turning to look, he was startled—
A pair of pure white eyes stared back at him.
More importantly, it was Neji's white eyes!
Oh god.
The Demon King's eyes have healed!
Shikamaru gasped in shock. Alongside his joy was a trace of dread. His legs felt weak and his voice trembled.
"N-Neji… Your eyes are healed?!"
Neji chuckled, "That's not important."
'Uh, wait—he's calling white eye recovery not important?'
And not just any eyes—Byakugan.
In the Demon King's eyes, this wasn't important?
Wrong.
Shikamaru suddenly sobered up.
Indeed this wasn't the important part.
The important part was…
Feeling the Hokage's intense gaze, Shikamaru broke into a sweat.
"Um… Lady Hokage, I—"
Neji gently squeezed his shoulder and said meaningfully,
"Shikamaru, remember those discussions we had back in the Academy?"
"Like the one time... and that time... and—"
Shikamaru's mind flashed back to the dark memories of him, Chōji, and Naruto trying to skip class only to be caught by Neji.
After a severe beating, the three of them were asked about their dreams.
Naruto loudly declared he'd become Hokage.
Neji, surprisingly, got interested and started listing the burdens and responsibilities of being Hokage.
And from there, he and Shikamaru launched into a debate one that Naruto didn't really understand about methods of streamlining work and governance.
Masaka… (Could it be…?)
"Neji—you brought this up to Lady Hokage?"
Shikamaru shook off Neji's arm and stepped back a bit.
Neji was a bit offended.
Seriously? You're recoiling like that?
"Yeah, I thought your suggestions back then were pretty useful, so I mentioned them to Sensei."
Shikamaru clutched his chest like he'd been stabbed.
So Neji had sold him out…
Even worse—
Back then it was Neji who had done most of the talking, but now he pushed the suggestion onto him.
Ah… political maneuvering.
As a member of the Nara Clan, loyal to the Hokage lineage and part of a support family, Shikamaru instantly grasped the big picture.
The Hyuga Clan was different it was a Bloodline family.
Neji was from the branch family, had regained his Byakugan, no longer had the Caged Bird Seal, and had Tsunade as a master.
In the shifting structure of Konoha, Tsunade's taking power meant the old power balances were changing. If the system Shikamaru once suggested was implemented, it would seem like power was shared, but in reality, Tsunade could revoke it at any time centralizing her control while passing off responsibility.
A subtle shackle disguised as a delegation.
In short Konoha's power structure was being rebalanced.
And as Neji couldn't propose it due to clan politics, he nominated Shikamaru to carry the burden.
All this flashed through Shikamaru's mind in a split second. He exhaled deeply, looked at Neji, then turned to Tsunade.
"I do have a method."
Tsunade narrowed her eyes slightly, glancing between the two. Based on their reactions, she already had a good guess at what had just happened.
Her disciple didn't trust her enough to speak up for himself?
Hmph. As if she cared about stupid clan drama. Then again… she suddenly remembered those three annoying advisors.
Okay—maybe a little.
With a soft sigh, Tsunade steeled herself and said with resolve,
"Tell me the details. Neji, you can leave for now. And don't forget to teach Sakura medical ninjutsu!"
"Yes, Sensei."
Neji left the office quietly. Teaching Sakura? Sure he'd just use a Shadow Clone to handle that.
If Tsunade implemented the new structure, he'd finally have more free time.
Freedom!
Closing his eyes again, Neji sensed the Anbu moving. Direction? The Nara Clan compound.
Heh, seems they're not just summoning the new blood they're calling in the old fox too.
Shikaku, Shikamaru's father.
This was now beyond his concern.
But if Tsunade restructured things, the current advisors would be isolated quickly.
Most of the smaller clans would never side with the advisors when such redistribution of power benefits them.
The Hyuga Clan, however, would be left out of this shift.
That meant he'd have to go have a word with his "cheap uncle."
As he reached for his eyes—
Since Tsunade gave him the go-ahead, maybe it was time to truly open them again.
To finally meet Hinata and Hanabi… with his own eyes.
It was finally time.
And just like that—Neji's steps toward the Hyuga compound felt lighter.
---
Meanwhile…
"Hey!"
A voice called out with irritation.
Neji sighed.
Why them of all people?
"You! Neji Hyuga! I finally found you!"
Temari angrily chomped down on a rice ball, glaring at Neji like he owed her money.
Beside her, Kankuro glanced up then pretended not to see anything and continued eating with Gaara.
Out of my jurisdiction. Out of my control.
Gaara simply nodded to Neji with curiosity, silently watching Temari's attitude.
Neji turned to face her with helplessness.
"Long time no see, the three of you. Can I help you with something?"
Temari's irritation flared.
This guy is acting like that whole Chūnin Exam never happened?!
Every time she thought about it, she could still feel the pain in her backside… and her throat choking for air.
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~Support with 200 PowerStones = 1 Bonus Chapter
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