I am the new Hokage of Konoha.

Chapter 181 Premeditation

Just as the new generation of Konoha began to grow up, Yun Ting also arrived at the Hokage Building.

The Hokage Building is no longer what it used to be.

As Konoha expanded and more affairs of the Land of Fire needed to be handled, the old building was no longer suitable for office needs.

The newly built Hokage Building is even more magnificent and imposing than the old one. It is red in color and, when viewed from above, resembles a blazing flame.

This would better reflect the true administrative center of the Land of Fire.

Amid a series of greetings from "Lord Hokage" and "Lord Shogun," Yun Ting made his way to the Hokage's office, which also served as the Shogun's office.

"Lord Hokage, you've arrived!"

Midway through, Minato Namikaze, carrying a large stack of documents, greeted him with a bright smile upon seeing him, and was about to continue speaking when...

Yun Ting patted him on the shoulder first and said, "Our Hokage's assistant is already working so early! You truly are a model worker. You've worked so hard, Minato!"

"It's all for Konoha, for the Land of Fire!" Minato said with a bright smile, almost unconsciously.

After saying that, he returned to the topic he had started with, saying, "Lord Hokage, there are some documents that require your..."

"Well done, Minato!" Yun Ting interrupted Minato quickly with a smile, "Keep it up! Right now, all the affairs of the Land of Fire, including Konoha, are on our shoulders. At this time, we need someone to show a spirit of not being afraid of hardship or fatigue. Minato, I have the highest hopes for you!"

"I... thank you for your high regard, Hokage-sama!"

"Yes! Keep it up!"

Yun Ting patted the somewhat dazed Shui Men's shoulder one last time, then quickly passed through without any burden on his hands.

Minato was left standing there for a long time, clutching a huge pile of documents. Finally, he looked down at the heavy workload at his feet and sighed solemnly, "In order not to betray the Hokage's trust, I can no longer make excuses!"

Inside the Hokage's office, as Yun Ting entered, Yamanaka Ritsuko, still dressed in her black stockings secretary outfit, skillfully carried out her daily work.

Although the latter is still by Yun Ting's side, with the increasing number of affairs, he has been promoted from being a single person to the director of the secretariat who manages many people.

Yakushi Kabuto, along with the young official named Ishida Nagahide whom Yun Ting had met in the northern part of the Land of Fire, are now all members of the secretariat, working alongside her to handle affairs. They are clearly being groomed to be Yun Ting's confidants.

That's why Sasuke was surprised when he heard that Kabuto Yakushi was the Hokage's assistant.

For both Konoha and the Land of Fire, the most coveted path to promotion is undoubtedly that of becoming the Hokage's assistant.

Ritsuko Yamanaka's position as head of the secretariat speaks volumes about her status.

At this moment, Yamanaka Ritsuko, who looked much the same as when they first met, with her skin still smooth and delicate, but with a more mature and composed demeanor, handed over two applications to leave the village, explaining, "Yakushi Nonou and Yakushi Kabuto are applying to leave the village today."

Although Konoha has become less strict in checking people coming and going due to the significant increase in traffic, this only applies to ordinary people. The movement of Konoha ninjas remains strictly controlled.

Of course, nowadays such matters no longer require Yun Ting, as the Hokage, to handle them personally.

However, the applicant's identity is somewhat special this time.

Regardless of the current situation, given the importance of the matter, Chu Ru, one of Konoha's two top spies, was still sent to Yun Ting.

"Is Kabuto going out too?"

Yun Ting found out that Nono was going out.

After all, his daughter had just acted as a benefactor, and given her increasingly ambitious nature as a living bodhisattva, she would naturally go out to help orphans in need as soon as she had enough money.

Yakushi Kabuto, however, was somewhat surprised.

Is this a family trip?

As Yun Ting signed his name on the application form with a flourish, he said to Ritsuko:

"Tell Pharmacist Kabuto that his workload will double when he returns."

No one can slack off when working under someone else's supervision.

Nobody's here!

Knowing Yun Ting's personality well, Yamanaka Ritsuko calmly nodded and then asked, "Should we send ANBU to supervise the two of them?"

It's normal for her to ask such a question, since Kabuto and Nonoya have so much valuable information in their minds.

Yun Ting shook his head: "Don't use people you suspect."

Given the current situation, he couldn't imagine that Kabuto and Nono would betray him.

As for potential external dangers, these two are not weaklings.

Especially Kabuto Yakushi, after receiving personal instruction from Tsunade, his strength was far from being as harmless as he appeared.

"Let them go without worry," Yun Ting finally decided.

Seeing this, Ritsuko Yamanaka said nothing more, nodded, and took the consent form to get things done.

Soon, thanks to Konoha's extremely fast efficiency these days, Kabuto Yakushi and Nono, who were already prepared, headed to Konoha Train Station after receiving approval.

As a transportation industry that has only emerged in recent years, trains are extremely popular among the people of the Land of Fire, especially merchants.

When Kabuto and his companion arrived at the train station, they could see that it was packed with people.

Among them were quite a few ninjas wearing green vests from Konoha.

Although ninjas could run at speeds comparable to modern steam trains and were far more agile.

But when it comes to traveling long distances, even if one has the ability, who would prefer to rely on their own two legs instead of the more convenient and equally fast train?

Now, with the strong support of the Cloud Court, most of the major cities in the Land of Fire are connected by rail, which has become the mode of transportation chosen by the vast majority of Konoha ninjas for their missions.

Therefore, a ninja passage was specially opened inside the train station.

At the entrance, the iron duo, Kotetsu and Izumo, sat at the table, recording the comings and goings of the ninjas.

"Gentlemen, please show your village exit permit."

Although they had seen the kind, bespectacled lady in front of them many times at the train station, and the person beside her was Tsunade's personal disciple and the Hokage's assistant, a big name in Konoha, Kotetsu and Izumo still diligently fulfilled their duties.

"Ok."

Kabuto smiled, adjusted his glasses, and handed over his and Nonou's certificates of leaving the village.

After checking and verifying the documents, Izumo Kamizuko stamped them and handed them back, finally smiling and saying, "Ms. Nonou, and Mr. Kabuto, have a safe journey. Also..."

As he spoke, Izumo Shingetsu gave Kotetsu a look.

As best friends with perfect understanding, the latter immediately understood and pulled out a large wad of cash that he had prepared beforehand, handing it to Nono and saying, "Ms. Nono, we know that you always help orphans when you go out. This is a small token of our appreciation, and we hope that you will accept it so that you can help more children."

"Thank you so much for your kindness! However, thanks to the donations from the village and many kind people, the orphanage is now well-funded, so please take it back," Nono said gently, refusing repeatedly.

She had just glanced at the money; such an amount was probably what the two Chunin in front of her could save up in several months. And the other party didn't look like a rich person.

She was deeply moved by such a thoughtful gesture.

However, she was unwilling to let the two of them fall into financial difficulties in the future.

"No! Ms. Nono, you must accept it. This is our true wish," Kotetsu said firmly.

Beside him, Izumo Kamui added, "As ninjas, we may not have made as many great contributions to Konoha and the Land of Fire as our dazzling comrades. But we can still contribute in our own way. Although our methods have always been imperfect, our heart that hopes for our juniors has never changed, as we love to mentor them."

Gangzi Tetsu added, "Whether they are children born in Konoha or orphans brought from elsewhere, they are all the next generation of Konoha. So after learning about Ms. Nonou's tireless efforts to take in orphans from all over the country to prevent them from dying young, we also wanted to do our part."

"It's just some money. If it can save more orphans' lives, we will do it without hesitation."

"Yes! We are deeply moved and honored to be able to participate in your charitable deeds, Ms. Nono!"

"So, please accept it!" Finally, Izumo Kamizuki and Tetsuo Kotetsu said in unison.

Seeing their resolute attitude, Nono finally accepted the money from Izumo and Kotetsu, saying that she would use it all to help orphans.

To the side, Kabuto Yakushi, who had remained silent, simply watched the scene with a smile.

As he boarded the train and the roar of the engine began, he looked back at Konoha and thought with a sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a complex emotion encompassing both emotion and reflection):

"That's why I love Konoha now!"

Then, before I could fully process what was in my mind, some new memories suddenly appeared, along with something deeply imprinted in my heart that I should regard as my master.

Kabuto pushed up his glasses and gave a cold smile.

......

Just as the train whistle rang out over Konoha, Yun Ting turned to look out the window and said thoughtfully, "The railway connecting the Land of Fire and the Land of Grass is almost finished, isn't it?"

“Yes,” Ritsuko Yamanaka, who was waiting nearby, nodded.

Yun Ting smiled and said, "I suppose that old man Onoki and the others are about to get restless, aren't they?"

Ritsuko Yamanaka replied, "That's right. According to the information just sent back by Jiraiya-sama, the railway construction team will soon face a premeditated attack."

Yun Ting said, "An attack? I suppose it would be the Iwa ninja who are most anxious who would carry it out. So, will Onoki have his prized Iwa ninja do it themselves, or will he, as usual, throw money at bounty hunters to do it?"

Ritsuko Yamanaka said, "According to intelligence, the Iwa ninja will likely recruit a bounty hunter organization called 'Akatsuki' to carry out the operation."

"dawn?"

"Yes."

"interesting."

A glint of light flashed in Yun Ting's eyes, and he said calmly,

"It seems it's time to give them a big gift."

Chapter 182 The Four Shadows Conference

Railways not only facilitate people's daily travel, but also accelerate military deployment, troop movement, and logistical support.

Especially logistical support.

The reason why the Iwa ninja were defeated by Konoha on the battlefield during the Third Shinobi World War was because Minato cut off the most important logistical supply line connecting the front line, the Kannabi Bridge.

Therefore, when they learned that the Land of Fire had begun laying railways towards the Land of Grass, the Iwa ninja, who were already adjacent to the Land of Grass, were very sensitive.

Inside the Tsuchikage's office in Iwagakure Village.

Rumors of his poor health had circulated for some time, but Onoki, who still sat on the throne of the Third Tsuchikage, looked at his son, Kouto, and asked, "Has the mission been issued?"

Huang Tu said, "The Akatsuki members have already accepted it."

"That's good," Ohnoki said with relief.

Seeing this, Huang Tu hesitated for a moment, then thought for a moment and said, "Father, there are many missions that can be handed over to the Iwa ninja. Why spend a lot of money to hire those bounty hunters?"