It's Too Troublesome to be Hokage

"Fried… chicken?"

As a lover of Japanese cuisine, Yakushi Nono was unfamiliar with the dish Nara Shikadan mentioned.

But when he actually placed the so-called "fried chicken" before her, Nono finally understood why Shikadan was so confident.

The golden crust wrapped around steaming chicken wings, its uneven surface like bursting fish scales. A gentle tap with fingertips produced a crisp, satisfying sound.

Tearing through the crispy shell released white heat, the aroma of chicken, and a tantalizing blend of spices, mingling with oily juices that made one's mouth water.

Nono wasn't sure if even the Akimichi clan's famously huge appetites could resist this temptation.

But at least she was certain… she herself could hardly suppress the near-manic hunger rising in her stomach.

"Try it while it's hot, Sister Nono."

Shikadan pushed the plate forward, the aroma flooding the air.

"I'll start."

Nono put her hands together, then gently picked up a golden wing.

Moments later, she blinked and found only a bare chicken bone left in her hand.

"Subarashi—(Great!)"

She dropped the bone onto the plate, joining a small pile of casualties.

"Shikadan! I never knew you could cook so well!"

"It's just a new taste, and apparently it suits your appetite."

Shikadan shook his head, refusing the praise.

"Sister Nono, what do you think of fast food like fried chicken?"

"Great!"

Nono gave two enthusiastic thumbs up, a rare youthful sparkle lighting her face.

"A novel, delicious flavor that makes you want to lick your fingers!"

"Then that's the product's name."

Shikadan smiled.

"Finger-licking chicken."

He taught her every tip and technique for "Finger-licking Chicken," warning her to keep the recipe secret.

Nono nodded, relieved.

"Shikadan, I believe 'Finger-licking Chicken' will be a huge success!"

"This is only the beginning," Shikadan said calmly.

"If the Akimichi clan embraces 'Finger-licking Chicken,' it means we've found the right target audience.

Then we can expand the menu, increase production…

Our ultimate goal: a super fast-food chain spanning the ninja world!"

Nono smiled, without dashing his enthusiasm.

"What Shikadan said sounds perfect!"

…

With renewed energy, Yakushi Nono led the entire Kikyo Orphanage into making "Finger-licking Chicken." She had high hopes for the project.

At first, the fat nun and thin monk refused to help cook fried chicken.

But like Yakushi Nono, they soon couldn't resist the alluring aroma—especially the fat nun.

As for the children, "almost crying with greed" best described their reaction.

Amid this lively, bustling scene, Nara Shikadan quietly left the orphanage and returned to the clan.

He had no intention of directly managing the orphanage's fried chicken business.

He preferred to remain a silent shareholder, investing creative technology.

All other matters, he left in Yakushi Nono's capable hands.

Back at the clan, Shikadan went straight to the clan leader's house, intending to deliver the [Lacquer Eye] ritual scroll as promised.

But unexpectedly, he was greeted not only by the clan leader, but also another person.

"Shikadan, you're here."

Nara Shikano, dressed casually, smiled. His relaxed demeanor sharply contrasted with the younger man beside him.

"Want to play an exciting game of shogi?"

Shikadan was puzzled by the elder's casual attitude.

"Clan leader, what's going on?"

"I'm not the clan leader anymore! I'm retired!"

Nara Shikaku patted the young man's shoulder.

"This is Shikaku. He's the new clan leader now.

"Oh, and he's still squad leader of the senior ninja class, so he took over my role."

"I want to retire too…" Shikaku's face showed frustration.

"Let's talk about that after you have a baby."

Shikaku chuckled lightly.

"Isn't the whole point of having a kid so you can retire early?"

"Dad!"

Shikaku scratched the back of his pineapple-shaped hair, looking troubled.

"I'm not married yet. Where would a child come from?"

"You're not married to Yoshino yet?"

Shikaku's eyes widened in surprise.

"I thought you'd been married for years and wondered why you had no kids."

"Let me tell you, having kids means letting your wife rest first—"

"Shut up, Dad!"

Shikaku panicked.

"There's still a kid here!"

"Shikadan is twelve this year."

Nara Shikano said casually.

"Do you think he's still a clueless child?"

Though, I do know a lot…

Shikadan looked up at the sky, thoughts drifting.

"I'm very sorry, Shikadan."

Shikaku apologized for his troublesome father.

"He retired from ninja work for safety reasons and is a bit emotional. Hope you understand."

"Understood."

Shikadan composed himself and took out the scroll from his ninja tool bag.

"So, clan leader... or rather, both of you—who should I give this ninjutsu scroll to?"

"Ninjutsu scroll?"

Shikaku looked confused, having just taken over the clan leadership this morning and still learning the ropes.

"What's this?"

"Oh, right, that—almost forgot."

Shikaku slapped his forehead, then reached out his right hand.

"Give it to me first. I'll explain things to Shikano later."

Shikadan handed over the [Lacquer Eye] scroll.

"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave, clan leader."

"Wait, there is more."

The old patriarch stopped Shikadan.

"They all concern you.

"Have you found someone to help make weapons? Need assistance?"

"I went to the training grounds this morning."

Shikadan reported.

"The details have been entrusted to Nekobaa."

"Good. Although the Cat Village clan can be greedy, their business skills are solid."

The old man stroked his beard thoughtfully.

"Secondly, about your summoning beast.

"I recall you were curious about summoning techniques before—wait here!"

Shikano suddenly disappeared, reappearing moments later with two new scrolls in hand.

The [Lacquer Eye] scroll was no longer visible.

"These are the ninjutsu scrolls for the Summoning Technique and the Reverse Summoning Technique.

"You should accept them first, Shikadan."

Shikaku watched his father's actions and quickly concluded that the old man deeply valued the younger generation.

He also guessed why.

'Is it because of the scroll just now?'

"Thank you, patriarch."

Shikadan hid his surprise and simultaneously learned the [Reverse Summoning Technique] with a click.

[C-level Technique: Reverse Summoning Technique]

[Description: Reversal of the Summoning Technique]

[Effect: After forming a contract with a creature, ninja tool, or puppet, the summoning contract allows the other party to summon you back, or you can actively summon yourself to them. Duration depends on chakra invested.]

[Evaluation: It's not a monster! It's me!]

Whether summoning or reverse summoning, the time-space effects are temporary.

"Patriarch, I have a question about these techniques."

Shikadan asked seriously.

"Can either achieve permanent effects?"

"Yes."

Shikano nodded, raising two fingers.

"There are two ways, as far as I know.

"One, have enough chakra to extend the summoned being's duration as long as possible.

"Two, alter the summoning contract formula."

The first method was only a temporary fix, so Shikadan dismissed it.

But the second option…

"Change the contract formula?"

"Yes."

Shikano nodded firmly.

"The Second Hokage developed many new space-time ninjutsu based on the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques and summoning technique—but the chakra cost was enormous."

That sounded familiar.

Shikadan's expression shifted.

Before he could speak, Shikano cut him off.

"All those techniques mastered by the Second Hokage are recorded in the Book of Sealing."

The old patriarch looked at Shikadan meaningfully.

"That forbidden book is off-limits—even for the senior ninja squad leader—unless the Hokage permits."

Shikadan nodded gently.

"I understand."

"I've already told you about summoning beast knowledge. If you don't want to contract crows or ninja dogs, you'll have to find summoning beasts yourself."

The old clan leader paused.

"Lastly—your appointment with Minato?"

"Tomorrow."

-End Chapter-

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