Konoha: You're letting me build up my bonds, but you're offending the entire ninja world.

However, Gengetsu Shimura knew that this was true.

The Akimichi clan's secret techniques are extremely energy-consuming and require a lot of nutrition. One member of the clan is equivalent to five people in other ninja clans. Relying solely on the meager wages of ninjas would cause half of them to starve to death, so they can only supplement their income by doing business.

The price of BBQ Q is very expensive. Even ninjas would feel the pinch if they ate there. Even the Akimichi clan has to pay. It's not like you can just eat it whenever you want.

No wonder Choji Akimichi was always overjoyed whenever he came over, while Asuma seemed utterly despondent.

If even the son of the Hokage is like this, then Hyuga Hizashi must be even more so.

Although he was a veteran Jonin, he didn't carry out many missions. The main mission of the branch family was to protect the main family, and a portion of the mission rewards had to be handed over to the family. Therefore, Hizashi's financial situation was only average.

When Hyuga saw Shimura Gengetsu order twenty servings of marinated beef with his secret sauce, Hizashi nearly fainted.

"Xuan, Xuan Yue." Hyuga Hizashi's lips were trembling. "Twenty servings, can we finish them all? Or should we... have half first?"

"Don't worry, Mr. Hizashi."

Genjuro Shimura returned a bright and cheerful smile, "I have a good appetite, and I didn't eat breakfast this morning. Twenty plates are just for me. You can order whatever you want to eat, don't be shy with me."

Who the hell is being polite to you?

Hyuga Hizashi is now even considering quitting his job with Sarutobi Hiruzen. He's not a subordinate, he's practically a bandit.

Fortunately, the two girls remained reserved and each ordered only three plates of grilled meat, as well as some snacks and side dishes.

Soon, the waiters brought their dishes up, and since there wasn't enough room on the table, they even brought over a small cart.

Since they were already there, Hyuga Hizashi resigned himself to his fate and stopped worrying about the price.

I also ordered myself a bottle of sake.

"Red, Evening Glory, would you like some?"

"I want shochu," Kurenai said excitedly, while Yugao shook her head. "Like Gengetsu, I'll just have milk."

Although ninjas are forbidden from drinking, sex, and money, and Kurenai Yuhi and Yugao Uzuki are not yet adults.

Hyuga Hizashi shouldn't be allowed to drink alcohol.

But being a ninja is a high-risk profession. The large-scale war had only ended a few years ago, and who knows what will happen next? They earn so much money and are under a lot of pressure, so they need to find some way to vent.

Of the three prohibitions, alcohol is actually the least harmful, as long as you don't drink during missions.

Besides, if even a child of that age has to go to the battlefield, what does a little drinking matter?

When the drinks were served, the four of them clinked glasses first. Kurenai Yuhi even moved her glass slightly toward Gengetsu Shimura and raised an eyebrow slightly.

It's like they're saying you have such small arms and legs, and your older sister has to take care of you.

Shimura Gengetsu ignored her and stuffed two slices of beef into his mouth.

So what if they're small? They'll grow up someday.

Eat more quickly, then order the next round.

Kurenai Yuhi, having been rebuffed, held a grudge against Gengetsu Shimura in her heart and went to chat with Yugao Uzuki and Hizashi Hyuga in a huff.

The atmosphere gradually became lively, and Hyuga Hizashi didn't put on any airs of a superior. He was just like an ordinary neighbor, sharing his experiences as a ninja.

However, as the conversation went on, the topic turned to daily life, and the most frequently mentioned character was Hyuga Neji, who is only two or three years old at the time.

Hizashi's smile never disappeared when Hyuga Neji was mentioned.

His gaze shifted to Shimura Gengetsu, who had been eating the whole time and barely speaking, and while feeling heartache, he couldn't help but sigh:

"I would be content if Neji's talent were half that of Gengetsu-kun in the future."

Kurenai encouraged him from the side, "Don't worry, teacher, Neji will definitely be stronger than this guy in the future."

"I don't know if he's stronger than me," Shimura Gengetsu said after swallowing a large piece of beef, "but he's definitely stronger than you."

Kurenai was so angry she gritted her teeth. "You brat, once you can drink, I'll get you drunk and make you look bad."

Shimura Gengetsu ignored him and continued to eat voraciously.

Hyuga Hizashi panicked, "Xuan Yue, please spare me! If I keep eating, I'll be stuck here washing dishes."

.....

After half an hour.

Looking at the bill of 100,000 taels, he felt like crying. This amount was almost the same as a B-level mission.

Moreover, a B-level mission is divided among a small team of four people.

The sky is falling!

Neji, if you don't grow tall in the future, don't blame your father. Blame Shimura Gengetsu; he ate all your milk powder money.

"I'd be a fool to treat you to barbecue again." Hizashi pointed at Shimura Gengetsu with a hint of annoyance, then his expression turned slightly serious.

"We'll rest tomorrow, and our team will start taking on missions the day after tomorrow. Although Xuan Yue is a genin, there's no need for her to take on those D-rank missions."

"Get ready, replenish your ninja tools, and ensure you are in good condition. Meet at the entrance of the Hokage Building at nine o'clock the day after tomorrow."

"Yes!"

The three responded, said their goodbyes, and then went in different directions to return home.

As Yugao Uzuki watched Gengetsu Shimura's figure gradually disappear into the darkness, a longing flickered in her eyes...

........

root base.

Gengetsu Shimura did not go home, but went directly to the base.

He guessed that the old man was probably hiding here plotting his schemes, so he came directly to him.

In fact, he was right; Danzo was in the office when he arrived.

"Old man, I'm back." Gengetsu Shimura plopped down on the sofa.

Danzo put down his pen and looked at him. "How are your new teammates and teacher? Are you satisfied?"

"It's alright." Shimura Gengetsu nodded.

Their skills are so-so, they won't be a big drag on the team, but they're pleasing to the eye. Two beautiful young girls in the prime of their youth, it's a pleasure to watch them.

Gengetsu Shimura voiced the question that had been on his mind.

"Old man, aren't the branch families of the Hyuga clan supposed to stop being Jonin who lead teams? How come Hizashi suddenly came to lead me? And what about Uzuki Yugao and Yuhi Kurenai? They're both Chunin. What happened to our former teammates?"

When Xuan Yue brought this up, Danzo laughed, a smug laugh.

They're also really annoying.

Chapter Twenty-Nine: Acting First and Reporting Later, with the Hokage's Permission—This is the Root!

"This is the result of my negotiation with Hiruzen."

Danzo Shimura leaned back slightly in his chair, closed his one eye, and leisurely recounted his actions:

"The Hyuga clan has always looked up to the Hokage. Hyuga Hizashi is quite strong. Hiruzen Sarutobi bringing him out is a way of fulfilling my wish. At least your safety is guaranteed."

"But don't listen to what Hizashi says about the Will of Fire, and don't let it influence you."

"As for those two Chunin..."

Danzo opened his eyes, a hint of mockery flashing across his face.

"They are all high-potential stocks that I carefully selected, not the kind of useless people who can only stay at the Chunin level."

"I put in a lot of effort to get rid of those obstacles."

Not only did he help Shimura Gengetsu find his teammates, he also annoyed Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"One of Uzuki Yugao's teammates died, and another one named Gekko Hayate was sent to the Anbu by me, but he looks like a sickly person and won't live much longer."

"As for Kurenai Yuhi... hehe, he and Asuma Sarutobi were teammates, but through my efforts, Asuma has now left Konoha and joined the Guardian Stones."

"Xuan Yue, this is the allure of power. Only by possessing power can you achieve your goals openly and legitimately through various means."

Even at this time, Danzo did not forget to teach his grandson his own style of doing things.

Gengetsu Shimura was speechless.

It was just a small matter of forming a team, and it didn't matter who the teammates were, but Danzo turned it into a huge conspiracy.

It turns out that Danzo was behind Asuma's departure from Konoha and joining the Twelve Guardians of the Sea.

Sure enough, any bad thing in this world is inextricably linked to his old man.

But since this was meant to be kind to him, Xuan Yue couldn't say anything.

The system has really suffered by following him; it should have followed Danzo!

"........"

"Alright, old man, I'll be going on a mission the day after tomorrow." Shimura Gengetsu waved his hand, then waved and left.

To be honest, Danzo really went to great lengths for him. With the old man so concerned about his team, Shimura Gengetsu also had his own ideas.

We can't do everything ourselves; it's time to find a few qualified assistants.

"Come to my house tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock with the bag from the orphanage."