Chapter 104: Methods

Hearing Sarutobi Hiruzen ask why he hadn’t come to report to him at the Hokage residence yesterday, Kato Gufu’s thoughts drifted back to the unbearable burden on his wallet the previous night.

A faint glimmer sparked in those fishy eyes of his as he spoke, “Third Hokage, sir, may I ask if you have some spare funds at hand? Could you lend me some money to help me out temporarily?”

“The reason I didn’t come to you yesterday is because I was worrying over a gambling debt owed by Tsunade.”

“Third Hokage, you know your precious disciple well—she took advantage of my absence from Konoha these past few days and went wild at the casino.”

As Kato Gufu pitifully pleaded for a loan, he blinked those fishy eyes and stared intently at the wallet hanging from Sarutobi Hiruzen’s waist, subtly trying to activate his “fish power” to make his expression appear even more pitiable.

Regarding why he hadn’t reported to the Third Hokage yesterday, Kato Gufu couldn’t possibly admit that he had been slacking off at home that morning, flirting with Tsunade at the Konoha hospital in the afternoon, dealing with the woman Shimura Danzo sent him at the Spring Base in the evening, and then spending the night courting Tsunade.

It was convenient to shift the blame onto Tsunade, which wasn’t exactly unfair. At the same time, Kato Gufu hoped to see if he could swindle some money from Sarutobi Hiruzen to rescue his empty wallet.

After all, isn’t the father-in-law’s wallet essentially the daughter’s wallet? Half a father-in-law is still a father-in-law; supporting the future son-in-law’s wallet is perfectly reasonable.

“Hmm... well, yesterday Konoha was drenched in light rain all night. The air in the village now is fresh and crisp, ha ha, ha ha.”

Sarutobi Hiruzen had been listening attentively, curious about what this Third Hokage might be asked to assist with.

But once the hazardous words “borrow money” and “Tsunade” were uttered together, he immediately began talking about the rain that had fallen all night and the current cool weather.

Kato Gufu: “...”

Kato Gufu continued blinking his fishy eyes, successfully channeling a trace of his fish power; an unusual gleam flickered within.

“Hmm, that look? This rascal must be trying to trick my wallet. Tsunade has already bled me dry plenty of times; now he’s trying too? Finally, I had a sucker…”

“No, I have to send this brat away. As Third Hokage, I have countless affairs to attend daily. I don’t have time for these young fools’ gossip…”

“This scoundrel looked so reliable just now. Who would’ve thought he’s such a schemer!”

“Secretary Hinagiku Yamanaka, please come to my office. Bring me a cup of hot tea, and a cup of tea brewed with cold water for Kato Gufu!”

Without meeting Kato Gufu’s conniving fishy gaze, Sarutobi Hiruzen pressed the call bell on his desk, requesting fresh tea and specifically ordering the cold-brewed tea for Kato Gufu.

Kato Gufu: “...Third Hokage, if you want me to leave, you can just say it straight!”

“Tsunade’s criticisms were right—this old man is truly devious! Only the Third Hokage could think up such a bizarre tactic, and he really wants cold-brewed tea!”

Kato Gufu hastily escaped from Sarutobi Hiruzen’s office and met Secretary Yamanaka in the hallway holding a cup of hot tea and one of cold-brewed tea.

The normally gentle and kind familiar face now bore a sly smile. Upon seeing Kato Gufu exit the office, she subtly gestured toward the cup of cold tea in her hand.

Who would have thought that the gentle and kind secretary was just a facade—her true nature was cunning and quietly mischievous.

Kato Gufu paid little mind to her teasing. He still had to rush to the Spring Base early today. He had already wasted too much time with Sarutobi Hiruzen, and over there awaited the big trouble Shimura Danzo had left him yesterday.

“That old scoundrel...”

“That young rascal...”

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Konoha, underground Spring Base.

Upon arriving, Kato Gufu first sought out Shimura Danzo to discuss the woman from yesterday.

After careful thought, Kato Gufu concluded that having that woman around was nothing but trouble.

He wasn’t worried that Shimura Danzo might want to keep an eye on him or anything like that. The real problem was Tsunade. If she ever found out he had such a woman nearby, Kato Gufu would be in deep trouble.

He wasn’t ready to completely sever ties with Shimura Danzo by outright killing that woman yet.

Considering Shimura Danzo was currently trying hard to win him over, Kato Gufu thought it best to make his position clear.

He had no objection to Shimura Danzo’s attempts at rapprochement; aside from the woman, all other benefits were welcome, and Kato Gufu could easily make use of them.

Having Shimura Danzo handle that woman was the best option.

Unfortunately, when he went to Shimura Danzo’s office, it was empty. Danzo hadn’t come to Spring Base today.

Kato Gufu could only return to his own office with a sigh.

“Fine, I’ll just completely ignore that woman for now. Pretend she doesn’t exist—that’s the best way to avoid headaches…”

“Huh?”

Outside his office, Kato Gufu spotted the honest-looking male clerk sitting at the new secretary’s desk from yesterday.

This fellow was familiar to Kato Gufu: Aoi Sora, a subordinate of the base’s administrative chief An. Kato Gufu had seen him several times with An.

Despite his honest and simple appearance, Aoi Sora was highly capable and a valuable asset to An.

When Kato Gufu first came to Spring Base, it was this man who had scolded those who gossiped behind Kato Gufu’s back.

“Good morning, Lord Kato Gufu!”

Hearing the voice, Aoi Sora looked up to see Kato Gufu, immediately standing with a respectful bow.

“I am Lord An’s new personal secretary assigned to you. I will be working here from now on. Please take care of me!”

After greeting Kato Gufu, Aoi Sora introduced his new position and bowed almost at a ninety-degree angle, his respectful demeanor impeccable.

“Oh, the woman from yesterday...?”

Kato Gufu brought up the troublesome woman from last night.

“Yesterday? You mean that woman?” Aoi Sora replied with his usual simple smile.

“That was a mistake on Lord An’s part. She is one of the new patients in the base. Somehow, she sneaked into the administrative office and wandered over here.”

Aoi Sora recounted the grim fate of the woman in an enthusiastic tone.

“After Lord An discovered the anomaly yesterday, he arranged for her to be transferred downstairs to the infirmary. She has since received proper treatment...”

“I don’t buy it for a second. You lie so naturally—you really are talented. No wonder you’re Lord An’s trusted aide.”

“Was I found out? Such is Shimura Danzo’s method: clean and decisive when something’s off…”

Kato Gufu said nothing, silently pondering the message Shimura Danzo was trying to convey.

“Also, to apologize for Lord An’s mistake yesterday, he specially sent this for you today.”

Aoi Sora maintained his honest smile as he said the apology on An’s behalf, then pulled two sealing scrolls from beneath his desk.

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When Kato Gufu arrived at Spring Base, Tsunade had just reached Konoha Hospital.

Tsunade was late again...

As she reached the hospital’s front gate, suddenly a large black rat leapt down from the rooftop.

The big black rat exclaimed, “It’s over, I’m going to be late! Only pigs could get up this late in Konoha!!!”

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