Naruto: Passerby and Returnee

Chapter 211 Holiday

This disastrous start to the year seemed to set the tone for the entire year.

After Tone left, a steady stream of young people came to his door, all trying to curry favor with him under the guise of repaying a debt of gratitude, desperately trying to slip him things. Naruto refused them all subtly, silently noting down their names and backgrounds.

How to put it? His age certainly made them lower their guard, even resorting to such underhanded tactics. Don't think he was unaware of the traps hidden in these gifts; many seemingly insignificant items were actually the real valuables. It's unbelievable, someone even gave him medicine made by the Senju family. This stuff targets the high-end market, initially marketed as beauty and health products, and was wildly popular with wealthy women, always sold in limited quantities. Unexpectedly, now some ninjas have discovered it can also treat illnesses, and with quite good results. I wonder how much money they could get by raiding such a family? It's making me quite itchy to do it.

"So, that's why you can't come back for the meeting?" Fugaku's expression was somewhat ruthless, but it was understandable, because the argument had given even his impure body a headache. One shadow clone was indeed no match for this group of hidden dragons and phoenixes.

"Incredible! I've never seen such a lavish gift given to the lower ranks before," Izuna exclaimed.

"...That reminds me. Let me check what's going on with the others." Naruto was actually able to think of something else while dealing with this situation; he truly was someone who could multitask all the time.

Hashirama, on the other side, slapped his forehead, carefully recalling the images of the advisors, and finally gave up. "Tobirama, say something. You usually take care of those kids."

"I'm not familiar with them." Tobirama's voice was icy cold, he was so angry he wanted to kill. If it weren't for the greater good, he would have already gone to Konoha and started a massacre.

"By the way, have you had dinner?" Fugaku stood out among the seniors' comments. "Mikoto made you ramen."

"Ah! I'm coming right away!"

After receiving a positive response, the group of senior members gave Fugaku a thumbs up, expressing their high regard for his actions. Who would have thought that all it took to lure someone over was a bowl of noodles? Once the person arrived, he had no say in the matter!

Unaware that he was being plotted against in more than just Konoha, Naruto landed unprepared, only to discover that he couldn't lock onto the Flying Thunder God Mark outside of Hokushin in his normal sensory state. He almost snapped into battle mode in that instant, but instead, he was met with his seniors surrounding him.

"Naruto, after our discussion, we've decided to give you a seven-day vacation. You don't need to worry about anything except for communication!" Hashirama patted Naruto's shoulder hard, his smile exceptionally bright.

At this moment, Naruto was filled with questions, wondering what had gotten into these people this time. Honestly, he hadn't had such a long vacation even when he was Hokage, and Hiu was currently in a period of quiet development; was it really okay for him to be without him?

"Are you serious?"

"This matter has been approved by the Supreme Council, and you must carry it out." Tobirama said with an air of righteous indignation, showing no sign that getting leave approved by the Supreme Council was some kind of magical feat.

After a moment of mental turmoil, Naruto cautiously asked, "Um... is it the Supreme Council I understand? The one where representatives from the masses vote together?"

"Yes." Fugaku's eyes darted around; his soul was no longer there.

"...The new equipment experiment was a success?" Naruto, who hadn't received the news at all, wasn't speechless at first, but rather quite shocked. Because the representatives weren't all in Hokushin! They actually managed to hold a meeting without even using teleportation!

"We're halfway there, but some signal towers still need debugging, and the signals being transmitted... wait, you're on vacation, we'll talk about these things after your vacation!" Tobirama habitually stopped halfway through his report.

Are these people really determined? He can't skip the holiday even if he wants to.

Naruto surrendered. "Fine, I'm on vacation. So you're planning to let me spend the holiday in Hokushin?"

“There are many fun places around Beichen. The proposal to attract tourism was first piloted in the nearby towns.” Izuna actually took out a scroll. “Here, this is a travel guide I researched. With Flying Thunder God, it’s convenient to go anywhere you want.”

"What about Konoha?"

Hashirama was eager to raise his hand, but his brother pressed him down. Tobirama said through gritted teeth, "I'll go."

"My clones scattered outside?"

"Wow!" No one can compete with Hashirama's extraordinary chakra reserves.

"Hui's official business?"

"Fugaku and I will handle it." Izuna didn't hesitate to drag his junior into the mess.

So, am I going on a trip alone?

Hashirama laughed heartily, scooped Naruto up, and said, "Of course I have to go with you, and Mikoto-san too, she insisted on coming."

Alright, looks like this was planned all along. They really want to know all his work? Whatever, let them be. Anyway, there's nothing I can't know. The barrier that sealed off spatial perception dissipated as Naruto nodded. Naruto has always been the type to memorize formations by rote; he doesn't understand anything about them. At this moment, he can only watch the power dissipate in the sky and sigh.

Once the older generation is determined to do something, their efficiency becomes exceptionally high.

For example, Tobirama had already transformed into his likeness and inquired about his recent situation and what he planned to do these days. Actually, he was also on vacation in Konoha, with a seven-day break, but he was busy digging for evidence during those seven days and didn't have time to rest or deal with any potential social interactions with acquaintances.

Izuna was quick and efficient, immediately syncing the latest official documents with his Sharingan. He was in charge of the intelligence department, while Fugaku was in charge of Dongfeng. They were usually well-informed, but there were always some trivial matters in other departments that they weren't aware of, so the necessary handover was still necessary.

Hashirama, on the other hand, was quite relaxed. He usually only managed agricultural research at various bases. The results of these things were produced relatively quickly, so he didn't need to keep a close eye on them. The one who was really in charge of the major affairs of the Ministry of Construction was actually Uchiha Shoyun.

Mikoto usually oversees the education department, and most schools are already on holiday. Even if something incredibly important happens, it has to wait until Naruto's turn. Who says teaching Naruto to take care of himself isn't education?

Each of them did their job properly, making sure Naruto was well taken care of, and finally they acted like elders.

So, after handing over his work at midnight, Naruto lay down on his back and drifted into an even sweeter dream.