Chapter 517: Yuanfei Rizhan Lies Flat

After decades of toiling like a beast of burden, I finally quit and went home to do nothing.

Yuanfei Rizhan reclined on the lounge chair in the yard, a look of contentment on his face.

"No wonder Lian Ye likes sunbathing; so sunbathing at home is that enjoyable?"

Had he known retirement was this blissful, he wouldn't have spent year after year in the Hokage Office, miserably handling paperwork.

One can only say Lian Ye's lying‑flat IQ far surpasses his combat IQ!

"Ri Zhan, are you really quitting for good?"

His wife, Lake Biwa, watched her leisurely husband and asked subconsciously.

She couldn't understand why her husband, who was doing fine as a Hokage Assistant in his thirties, would suddenly choose to resign.

Logically, a husband who cares deeply about village affairs wouldn't slack off and skip work like Lian Ye.

Yuanfei Rizhan took a contented sip of juice, turned his head, and explained to his wife.

"Lake Biwa, I feel work has no future; instead of handling paperwork day and night, I'd rather quit and stay home with you all."

Although his strength doesn't match a powerhouse like Lian Ye, he is still among the top fighters in Konoha Village.

Moreover, he's the head of the Sarutobi Clan.

Even if he doesn't work and just lies flat at home, he still has an income source.

The family fortune has long been enough for him to lie flat for several lifetimes.

Besides, his Hokage Assistant position has no room for promotion.

One year as an assistant, ten years still an assistant; even until death, he'll only have the title of Hokage Assistant.

As long as Tuan Cang doesn't retire, he'll never get a chance.

If he really waits for Zhi Cun Tuan Zang to retire, it'll be another ten or twenty years, and he'll be fifty‑six or sixty by then.

At that age, he certainly can't compete with the village's prodigies.

Even if he miraculously becomes the coveted Hokage, how many years can his aging body last?

And being old, there's no guarantee he can lead the village to prosperity like Tuan Cang.

At that point, a careless move would inevitably tarnish his reputation.

Yuanfei Rizhan sees this matter very clearly.

Even though he wishes to become Hokage, he must consider it realistically.

He can't aim for Hokage without considering the village's future.

Moreover, over the years as a Hokage Assistant, he has realized the Hokage role isn't as easy as imagined.

Gradually, he stopped caring much.

After being pressured by Zhi Cun Tuan Zang for a few days, he finally couldn't stand it and resolutely chose to quit and lie flat at home.

The result: not having tried lying flat he didn't know; once he did, he was startled.

Turns out the days of lying flat are that enjoyable?

No wonder they once urged Lian Ye to strive hard, and that guy looked at them with a clueless stare.

Now I finally understand—the clown was actually me!

Lian Ye started lying flat at seventeen, while I only realized it at thirty‑seven.

That guy saved himself twenty years of detours!

Lake Biwa, Yuanfei's wife, saw her husband wasn't joking, just smiled and didn't object.

Ri Zhan has toiled for so many years; he truly deserves to enjoy life now.

In two years Asma will start school, and he can give some guidance.

At that moment, an ANBU Shisui appeared in the yard.

"Lord Ri Zhan, Lord Hokage has something for you."

Yuanfei Rizhan raised an eyebrow and casually asked, "What does that Tuan Cang guy want me to do?"

He waved his hand, bluntly refusing.

"Not going!"

That guy must have realized he couldn't handle a whole table of paperwork alone without him.

So he tried to persuade him to go back and be Hokage…

Having finally tasted the bliss of lying flat, how could he possibly go back to the office to miserably handle paperwork?

Tuan Cang's words were right: he is the Hokage!

A retired Hokage Assistant like himself, idle and with nothing to do, why worry so much?

Instead of spending time on paperwork, he'd rather travel with his wife and children, enjoying a happy family life.

ANBU: "……"

Hokage Office.

"Did Ri Zhan really say that?"

Zhi Cun Tuan Zang listened to the ANBU's report, a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth.

He hadn't expected that after resigning, Ri Zhan would be so defiant, even ignoring the Hokage's summons.

"Yes, Lord Hokage."

Tuan Cang sighed helplessly; he had originally thought of having Ri Zhan return as Hokage Assistant so he could find an excuse to leave the village and travel with Lian Ye.

He wanted Ri Zhan to stay and handle the mountain of paperwork for him.

It seemed Ri Zhan had lost interest in the Hokage Assistant position.

At first he wasn't very supportive of Ri Zhan becoming Hokage, but since Lian Ye's recommended candidate included him, and Ri Zhan had served as Hokage Assistant for over ten years, only he could temporarily take over managing the village's affairs…

After a moment of silence, Zhi Cun Tuan Zang finally decided to let Ri Zhan act as interim Hokage.

I can only say that I'm reluctant to give up the kid while I can't catch the wolf; after all, Lian Ye wanted me to accompany him on a trip.

At worst, just let that guy Ri Zhan indulge his craving for being Hokage!

Otherwise there's no way to persuade him to come back and be a workhorse.

Thus, Tuan Cang took the Hokage Hat and left the Hokage Office.

Yuanfei Ri Zhan's manor.

Hokage, why are you here?

The Sarutobi Clan opened the gate of Lake Biwa and, seeing Tuan Cang at the doorway, was somewhat surprised.

But he quickly realized that he must be here to see Ri Zhan.

Come in quickly; Ri Zhan is in the courtyard.

Hmm, sorry for the disturbance.

Yuanfei Ri Zhan saw Zhi Cun Tuan Zang walking in, took off the sunglasses he was wearing on his face, and said in a mocking tone.

Hey, isn't this our ever‑busy Hokage? Not in the office handling documents today—how do you have time to come to my place?

He will never forget how Tuan Cang's official position oppressed him.

Whenever a political dispute arises, this guy will end the argument by claiming that he is the Hokage.

He's long been fed up with the helplessness of being crushed by a position one rank higher.

No matter what promises Tuan Cang makes, he could never go back to being a workhorse!

With this time, he'd rather stay home and be with his wife and children.

Zhi Cun Tuan Zang, seeing Yuanfei Ri Zhan's satisfied expression, seemed to see someone's shadow in it.

Ri Zhan, do you want to come back to work?

Sorry, Hokage, I just resigned and have no intention of continuing work, Yuanfei Ri Zhan replied without hesitation.

Just kidding, he couldn't possibly rush back to work just because Tuan Cang showed up in person.

It's just a Hokage Assistant position; it sounds impressive.

In reality it has no real authority; an assistant is just an assistant, incomparable to the Hokage's rank.

It's not like he's being made Hokage…

Rather than being a workhorse in the office, he'd rather live a laid‑back life at home.

Zhi Cun Tuan Zang's mouth twitched into a faint smile as he tentatively said.

If you come back, I'll let you be the Acting Hokage.

Yuanfei Ri Zhan: "???"