It's Too Troublesome to be Hokage

The sky was clear, the sun blazing overhead.

Nara Shikadan left Konoha alone, carrying a backpack.

Seeing that noon was approaching, he adjusted his plans. Instead of returning directly to the Nara clan land in Kikyo Castle, he headed first to the Kikyo Orphanage.

The orphanage ran on a strict schedule.

When Shikadan arrived, the children were gathering in the kitchen, ready to enjoy lunch.

Outside the kitchen, the fat nun and the thin monk—let's call them that—were pulling Yakushi Nono, the pharmacist, aside and whispering to her.

Shikadan moved closer, catching their conversation clearly.

"Dean, the village's assistance funds this month are far less than before."

"With war looming, few families are willing to adopt children."

"The orphanage's finances have been stretched thin for a long time."

"And if war breaks out, the number of orphans will only increase..."

Yakushi Nono listened quietly as the two finished.

After a moment, she spoke slowly.

"I'll find a way... Please give me some time."

The fat nun and thin monk exchanged looks and sighed.

They understood some things couldn't be rushed.

Yakushi Nono had opened the orphanage herself, gathering orphans as a ninja, using mission income to cover most of the expenses. She was already a kind-hearted soul.

What more could the fat nun and thin monk ask?

"If you ask me," the fat nun said, pursing her lips, "we could ask the village for more funding—who's there?!"

Her sad expression vanished instantly, replaced by a serious face used to intimidate children.

But when she saw who was coming, her expression softened into a warm smile.

"It's little Nara! Why are you here at noon? Have you eaten?"

"Fat nun, thin monk," Shikadan greeted them, then looked at Yakushi Nono.

"I came to see Sister Nono."

The thin monk opened his mouth to say more but stopped when he noticed Shikadan's ninja forehead protector.

Yakushi Nono nodded to the fat nun and thin monk, then led Shikadan into her small, private room.

Once inside, her posture stiffened briefly, and the gentle oval face revealed a hint of fatigue.

Don't be fooled by the calm, reliable image of a nun.

Yakushi Nono was only just over twenty—21 years old.

"Sister Nono."

Shikadan set down his backpack and poured a cup of warm water.

"Drink some and rest a moment."

"Thank you."

Yakushi Nono took the cup with both hands and sipped carefully.

"You've really been a great help, Shikadan."

"What's the matter?" he asked, sitting on the bed and shaking his head.

"I expected this moment since you opened the Kikyo Orphanage. But I didn't expect you to have lasted this long."

If ninjas were ranked by their belief in the Will of Fire, Yakushi Nono would be at the top.

Gathering orphans, protecting children, giving them shelter and hope.

In this brutal ninja world, cold and ruthless from endless wars, only this gentle, kind blonde nun brought warmth.

Shikadan's cup seemed to pour energy into her.

She set it down, a gentle smile returning to her fair face.

"Shikadan, you shouldn't be skipping lunch like this. I'll prepare something now."

"No need, Sister Nono."

Shikadan raised his hand to stop her, pulling her to sit beside him.

"You rest first, then listen."

Yakushi Nono adjusted her round glasses and said softly, "Go on, I'm listening."

"I heard what the fat nun and thin monk said just now."

Shikadan stood and poured another cup of warm water for her.

"There's really a cash shortage at Kikyo Orphanage, isn't there?"

Nono nodded, opening her mouth to respond when Shikadan interrupted.

"Remember our agreement? If the orphanage has problems, we discuss together how to make money to support it."

"Don't be so serious, like a little adult."

Nono lightly tapped Shikadan's forehead with her warm, soft fingertips.

"But I'm your sister."

"Anyway, about making money."

Shikadan nudged her fingers away playfully.

"Sister Nono, have you thought about it?"

"Since that night, whenever I'm free, I've been thinking."

Nono nodded softly.

"I'm a ninja and know some medical ninjutsu. What do you think about me opening a clinic next to the orphanage?"

Shikadan was stunned by this "genius idea."

"You mean, a small clinic near the Nara clan gathering place?"

"Is that not possible?"

Her brown-green almond eyes shone with unspoiled clarity.

"I'm confident in my medical ninjutsu.

Besides, the Nara clan excels at Yin Dun, and Kikyo City lacks specialized medical ninjas.

Opening a clinic sounds good—and no extra venue is needed."

"Ah, so few competitors, broad market prospects, and low entry barriers..."

Shikadan nodded, then changed the subject.

"Sister Nono, want to hear my idea?"

"What competition? What prospects? What barriers?"

Nono was confused but nodded.

"Before discussing how to make money, we need to pool the resources and abilities we have."

"Tell me, Sister Nono, what human resources does Kikyo Orphanage have? Or labor for money-making?"

Nono looked at him carefully, then whispered,

"Me... and you?"

"And the children!"

Shikadan waved helplessly.

"And the fat nun and thin monk."

"No, no!"

Nono shook her head, nearly twisting her glasses.

"These children are too young, they don't know how to refine chakra, so they can't help.

The nuns and monks are ordinary people and can't do ninja work.

Don't think like a ninja, Sister Nono."

Shikadan sighed.

"There's a big difference between how ninjas and ordinary people make money."

"Sorry, Shikadan."

Nono bit her lip but admitted,

"I don't understand... didn't fully get what you meant before."

"I'm the one who should apologize, I spoke beyond your scope."

Shikadan reflected.

"Okay, skip the professional jargon and get to the point.

Considering our abilities and conditions, we should enter catering—low threshold, low risk."

"How much do you know about Konoha's catering stores, Sister Nono?"

"Not much," she stammered.

"But after missions, I sometimes buy snacks at the dakashiya for the children."

"Dakashiya is one, but besides that...?"

Shikadan nodded and named the famous food spots around Konoha.

"There's the meatball shop with three-color meatballs and red bean rice cakes,

Gan Li Gan's high-end desserts,

Yakiniku Q, for dinners and gatherings,

And the newly opened Ichiraku Ramen.

Plus various izakayas, teahouses,

And mobile stalls like oden and barbecue.

High-end places like Ri Zhao Ryotei, where the Hokage dines, don't count."

Nono's eyes widened, pink lips parted.

"Great, amazing!"

"I just looked into it a bit."

Shikadan shrugged—his clone was tired, not him.

"Hearing those names, what do you think, Sister Nono?"

"Konoha... there are lots of people?"

Nono tried to answer.

"So... you want to sell many kinds of food?"

For her, even killing someone would be easier than answering such market questions.

"Almost," Shikadan nodded.

"Konoha's population is huge, with diverse tastes.

To enter catering and make money quickly, we must segment the market.

Target a specific group and develop a new creative dish.

Considering the orphanage's location, I plan to focus on a particular ninja clan..."

Nono, trying to save face, guessed, "The Nara clan?"

"No."

Shikadan gave her a subtle look.

"I mean the Akimichi clan.

They have huge appetites, especially for high-calorie food.

My plan is to sell fried chicken right at the doorstep of the Akimichi clan."

-End Chapter-

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