Tsunade Can Hear My Inner Voice novel Chapter 57

Chapter 57 - 57: Nara Shikaku's Speculation

Konoha, BBQ Restaurant.

The burly Akimichi Chōza led the group to their seats. After ordering a massive amount of food, he said cheerfully, "Everyone, eat to your heart's content—my treat today!"

Yamanaka Inoichi shot him a sideways glance, clearly unimpressed.

'This is your family's restaurant, and out of everyone here, you'll be eating the most. Of course, you're paying.'

Even with such thoughts, no one present really cared about the cost of a barbecue. After all, they were all clan leaders—people of means and status.

As the charcoal began to burn and the meat was served, the staff wisely retreated, leaving the big shots to talk in peace.

"Shikaku, tell us—what exactly do you think Tsunade-sama meant by what she said today?" asked Inuzuka Tsume.

Seated at the table, besides the traditional Ino–Shika–Chō trio, was also Hyūga Hiashi, head of what was now considered the most powerful clan in Konoha. As long as the Hyūga didn't make any missteps, they were bound to benefit from any future reforms.

Nara Shikaku gave a wry smile. "Tsume, talking about Tsunade-sama like this out in the open... isn't that a bit inappropriate?"

Tsume chuckled with a mocking tone. "So you're looking down on me now, huh? Fine, I'm leaving!"

She stood as if to go, but Shikaku quickly reached out to stop him.

"Wait, my bad, my bad!"

Though the Inuzuka Clan wasn't as powerful as the combined Ino-Shika-Chō alliance, they had built extensive connections through breeding and selling ninken. Many nobles adored intelligent dogs, some even treating them like their own children.

Shikaku, being the shrewd man he was, saw through this clearly.

The Inuzuka might seem low-profile, but they were everywhere. In some ways, they were even more well-liked than the Nara clan. The Nara were now known as the 'brains of the shinobi world'—a reputation that, while flattering, also painted a target on their backs.

The Inuzuka clan, on the other hand, kept quiet, made money, and earned a good reputation.

Now that was impressive.

"Tsunade-sama's words today... I think they reflect her true thoughts. You all saw the stack of paperwork on the Hokage's desk, didn't you?" Shikaku asked.

Everyone here was at least a jōnin—some even elite jōnin—so their observational skills needed no praise.

At Shikaku's question, they all nodded, but said nothing.

Seeing this, Shikaku sighed internally.

'Damn schemers. You all already know, yet you're making me say it.'

They were all seasoned veterans—none of them were fools when it came to strategy.

With that thought, Shikaku continued, "We all know Tsunade-sama's personality. Right now, a large portion of those documents could've been handled by the respective departments themselves, couldn't they?"

The group exchanged glances, smiling faintly.

Sure, according to Hokage protocol, the Hokage was responsible for everything. But the previous Third Hokage had Mitokado Homura and Koharu Utatane assisting him, and many departments also handled things on their own. So the Third wasn't nearly as overburdened.

Now that Tsunade had just taken office, she hadn't yet established her own system. To avoid mistakes, the departments had dumped everything onto her desk—partly out of convenience, partly as a power play.

They were following protocol, so no one could fault them.

"I believe Tsunade-sama has noticed the inefficiencies in Konoha's current system. She likely wants to delegate authority to reduce the Hokage's workload." Shikaku speculated.

'Just as I thought!'

Comparing Shikaku's words with their own deductions, the group's eyes gleamed with ambition.

Power was something no one dared touch as long as it remained solely in the Hokage's hands. But if Tsunade was willing to share it... that presented an opportunity.

As clan heads, even if they personally didn't crave power, they had to consider their clans' interests.

They had to compete.

"Come on, the meat's ready! Dig in, don't hold back!"