Naruto-Start by eating the golden fruit

In April, the situation grew even more intense. Danzo, determined to emulate Youya's strict management style, struggled to grasp the subtleties of Youya's methods. While Youya maintained strict control, he also provided excellent benefits to his workers. Every month, employees received candies, snacks, canned goods, and drinks to take home. Since the factories were under Youya's management on behalf of Hokage and Konoha, it made sense to utilize excess production capacity to offer these perks.

Everyone understood the concept of balancing discipline with rewards, but Danzo didn't. Frustrated by the demands of his workers, who now expected similar benefits, Danzo was pushed to the brink.

In mid-April, news broke that Kumogakure had announced a cooperation agreement with Konoha. That same year, the Third Raikage publicly apologized to Konoha and agreed to pay two billion taels in compensation. Initially uncertain, the Third Raikage, after extensive discussions and inspections, finally decided to accept Youya's terms and issued a public apology.

Yuya's reputation soared in Konoha. Danzo, realizing the importance of worker benefits, reluctantly agreed to provide them.

Meanwhile, in Youya's barbecue restaurant, Tsunade absentmindedly stirred her drink. Jiraiya and Orochimaru exchanged glances before Jiraiya asked, "What's on your mind?"

Tsunade, startled, replied with a huff, "None of your business."

She was preoccupied with personal matters. Her mother had become pregnant late last year, and while Tsunade was happy, she couldn't shake off what she'd overheard about her mother and Yuya. Her mother was now several months pregnant, due in three to four months, and Tsunade couldn't help but recall her mother's words about her and Yuya.

"Wow, your face is so red. Are you really okay?" Jiraiya reached out to touch Tsunade's forehead, but she grabbed his hand and squeezed it hard.

"Ouch!!!!" Jiraiya's scream echoed through the restaurant.

"What happened?!" Sarutobi Hiruzen, arriving with plates of meat, witnessed the scene.

"Tsunade, girls should be gentler," he admonished, exasperated.

Tsunade released Jiraiya's hand, who, unfazed, focused on the grilled meat. Sarutobi Hiruzen joined them, chatting as they ate. Tsunade casually asked about Yuya, and when she heard he had spent days in the Hokage's office negotiating with Kumogakure (a rumor—he was simply too lazy to go home), Jiraiya praised Yuya, while Tsunade felt a pang of sympathy.

As they discussed their training progress, the conversation shifted to their desire for powerful summoned creatures. Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression changed from delighted to pained when it came time to pay the bill—over three hundred thousand taels for more than seventy plates of meat.

Dejected, Sarutobi Hiruzen walked with his students when they encountered another group led by Mito Kadoyan.

"Hey, Hiruzen!" Mito Kadoyan greeted, approaching with three children.

"Kato Yan?" Sarutobi Hiruzen shook hands with him.

Mito Kadoyan introduced his students, focusing on a white-haired boy named Hatake Sakumo, praised for his talent and teleportation skills. Sarutobi Hiruzen, unfazed, introduced his own students, highlighting Orochimaru.

The two adults engaged in friendly banter, each boasting about their disciples. Meanwhile, Hatake Sakumo approached Orochimaru, extending a hand: "Hello, I'm Hatake Sakumo."

Orochimaru reciprocated, sensing a future rivalry between them. Their interaction was brief but hinted at inevitable competition.

Amid the laughter, Mito Kadoyan invited Sarutobi Hiruzen to join them for barbecue. Sarutobi Hiruzen declined, warning about the cost. Mito Kadoyan, puzzled, remarked that a meal typically cost 30,000 to 40,000 taels. Realizing Sarutobi Hiruzen's predicament, he taunted him for being stingy, especially given the Sarutobi clan's wealth, before departing with his students.

Sarutobi Hiruzen seethed, vowing that one day, Orochimaru would surpass Hatake Sakumo.

Please visit my PATREON

To read adavance chapter in patreon

patreon.com/Gho_