While the entire Hidden Sand Village was preparing their troops, sharpening their weapons, and eyeing the Land of Lightning, Naruto remained diligently at work in his faithful Root Base.
In Naruto's private office, the light was illuminated by crystal lamps.
At the desk, Naruto was rushing to approve the final documents, while Karin, dressed in a uniform, waited nearby, holding papers for Naruto to stamp.
Bang!
After stamping the final document with his custom-made, chibi-Nine-Tails Root stamp, Naruto looked at the 'seductive' Karin.
"Have Shigaraki Tanuki and Ryūma returned yet?"
"No, there is still no news."
"Tsk."
Two more days had passed, and they still hadn't found that ancient turtle artifact?
Naruto pondered for a moment, then decided this was normal. After all, the thing was so small, and the ocean was so vast; who knew where on the seabed it was?
The difficulty was too exaggerated to describe as 'looking for a needle in a haystack,' but it was close—it was the difficulty of 'looking for a turtle in the ocean.'
"Well, we'll have to wait a while then."
Naruto sighed in relief, then noticed Karin leaning toward him, intentionally or not, which made him feel speechless.
This girl, he didn't know where she learned it, but she would 'brazenly' lean in like this for no reason, or secretly sniff his scent.
Not studying well at such a young age!
It seems a bit too perverted!
A man, no, a boy must protect himself outside!
"Ahem!"
Naruto coughed twice to warn her and interrupt Karin's advance, making her momentarily straighten up.
Just then, Naruto suddenly remembered something and pulled a stick out of his backpack.
Ahem.
A legitimate stick.
This was the 'Chakra' Glow Stick Naruto had used previously while fighting Kisame. Its official code name was: "C-Type Glowing Great Chakra Stick Model I!"
"Here!" Naruto handed the stick to Karin.
Karin took it curiously. "What is this?"
"A weapon. You submit this to the village, explaining that our Root organization needs to purchase 50 of them at a price of 3 million Ryo each. Request the funds from the village."
"3 million Ryo?"
Karin gasped, staring intently at the flimsy stick in her hand.
This thing is worth 3 million Ryo?
"Naruto-kun,"
Karin's expression was hesitant. "I'm afraid Lady Tsunade won't approve this purchase, will she?"
"Don't worry!"
Naruto smiled nonchalantly. "Just mark it as a Chakra Sword when you report it. The Anbu will test it; they understand the value of this thing."
Although the price of the stick was exaggerated, from a technical and practical perspective, it was absolutely worth it!
After all.
He, Uzumaki Naruto, wasn't some real Agent Smith who charged nine million dollars for a bag of screws!
The material cost of this stick was at least 300,000 Ryo, okay!
"Besides, I signed an agreement with the Third Hokage that Root has an annual unconditional budget of 1.5 billion Ryo."
"I was still considering how to spend all that money! Cough, cough, cough, it doesn't matter. Just report it."
Realizing he had let slip something, Naruto immediately changed the subject.
Karin smiled shyly and cooed.
"Yes, Naruto-kun!"
She didn't care about Naruto making money; her eyes were only on Naruto-kun!
Remembering something, Naruto added, "Oh, and negotiate the price with them."
Karin's eyes lit up. "Because it's too expensive?"
"No, it's too cheap. See if you can negotiate it up to 5 million Ryo!"
Karin: T_T
"Also, we need to purchase a batch of the computers from before! When it comes to digital, paperless office work, our Root organization must be at the cutting edge of the times!"
"After all," Naruto's voice suddenly deepened, "our Root must contribute its part to the world's environmental protection."
What is environmental protection?
Karin didn't understand at all, but she still nodded. "Yes, Naruto-kun!"
Seeing that the day's tasks were complete, Naruto looked at his watch, bored, and exclaimed in surprise, "Ah? It's already 6:03?"
He actually worked three full minutes of overtime today?
He was truly too diligent!
He immediately stood up, ready to leave, and turned to Karin before walking out: "I have to clock out. Don't forget to calculate today's overtime pay for me."
Watching Naruto's hurried figure leaving, Karin smiled helplessly.
'Naruto-kun is so cute today too!'
Naruto still needed to clock out to leave. This was an attendance system he had deliberately set up, mimicking his previous life. Of course, this attendance was currently only for him.
He! Uzumaki Naruto! Konoha Civil Servant!
After clocking out, as soon as he stepped out of the Root headquarters, Naruto saw an unexpected acquaintance.
The future brother-in-law?
Ahem, no, it was Hyūga Neji!
"Neji?" Naruto walked over, puzzled.
The Root base was remote and hidden, with no inhabitants nearby, not even a training ground. Neji couldn't possibly be passing by.
So, Naruto was certain this person had come to find him.
"Naruto."
Seeing Naruto emerge, Neji's face showed delight and his eyes held expectation.
But as Naruto walked up to him, he suddenly hesitated, not even daring to meet Naruto's gaze.
"What's wrong?" Naruto asked curiously.
"That... that..."
Neji was momentarily unable to speak. When faced with the need to directly expose the deeply hated scar on his spirit, he hesitated.
Naruto simply stared at him.
His usually outspoken 'brother-in-law' was showing a rare moment of timidity today.
Inadvertently, Naruto noticed the gesture of Neji covering his forehead with his palm. He instantly understood, and it all came back to him.
During the Chunin Exam's Forest of Death, Naruto had vaguely known why Neji acted the way he did—constantly blaming the heavens and others, always talking about 'destiny' and 'dead last.'
Naruto hadn't known the inside story before, only that Neji harbored some 'hatred' toward Hinata.
Later, through Danzō Shimura's memories, Naruto learned the whole truth: a darkness that had existed within the Hyūga Clan for hundreds of years.
Naruto had originally planned to let the sun's brilliance shine on the ninja world, only to discover that in the Land of Fire, in Konoha, right beside him, such a darkness was hidden within the Hyūga Clan.
Although the current Hyūga Clan Head—his future father-in-law—and his brother shared a respectable bond, it didn't change the facts.
Hyūga, Branch Family and Main Family, Master and Slave.
Is this good?
No, it is not!
So, Naruto decided to do something about it.
Although he couldn't directly demand reform for the entire Hyūga Clan due to political and positional issues, he could start with those closest to him.
Thus, a few days ago, when teaching Neji the Gentle Fist, Naruto had suggested that he could help Neji change or even remove the seal on his forehead.
Neji had asked for time to consider it.
Naruto had also put the matter out of his mind.
He had been so busy with the restructuring of Root these past few days that he had almost forgotten about it.
Which led to the scene before him.
With this thought, Naruto met his gaze with sincere eyes and smiled gently, "Come with me."
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An Important Announcement: Time to Write Our Own Novel!
Hello everyone!
Thank you all so much for your support; it truly helps me keep going!
I have some exciting news: after translating many fanfics, I've decided it's time to start writing my own Novels! I plan to begin with a new fanfic—I'm currently thinking of either the Avatar: The Last Airbender or Douluo Dalu universe, featuring a Neutral protagonist.That is exactly what I meant by Neutral Protagonist (This refers to the character's Alignment. A Neutral Protagonist is not strictly bound by concepts of absolute good or evil, nor are they necessarily tied to Law or Chaos. Their actions are generally motivated by their own survival, personal goals, or a desire for balance, operating in a morally gray area.)
Once I've written a few fanfics and gained more experience, I can then move on to developing my own original novel soon after.
If you want a direct hand in shaping the main character's destiny and giving input, be sure to join the poll!
I've launched a poll on my P@t reon page!
HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE:
1. Head over to our P@t reon page and become a member. (Don't worry, even those with a free membership can join the poll and share their input!)
2. Select any option you desire in the poll
3. Leave a comment on the poll post or send me a DM if you have any specific thoughts or ideas!
p@treon HongMengZi