Chapter 659: Repairing the Hokage Building

"Today is a good day..."

At Zhi Cun's residence, Lian Ye still hides in Tuan Cang's house sunbathing, while Qianshou Feijian and the others sneak off on a trip that probably won't be back for several weeks.

During this time, he doesn't have to listen to the two's endless quarrels or serve as a cook.

Strangely enough, Qianshou Feijian and Yuzhibo Quannai aren't arguing as frequently as before.

Sometimes the two can even discuss calmly for a while.

Even though it's only a short while, it's already quite shocking.

A while ago, he saw the two discussing what to have for dinner, with no trace of that tense atmosphere at all.

Lian Ye was completely stunned at the time.

Unfortunately, without further observation, they took the chance when he left the Village and ran off together on a trip.

Perhaps Uncle Hashirama and Lord Ban want to use this opportunity to ease their relationship.

After years of quarrelling, it's time for a change.

Of course, these are just his guesses; whether it succeeds is another matter.

Since taking down Pu Shi of the Otsutsuki Clan, life has gotten back on track.

Every day he's either commanding his good brother to cook or to go buy groceries.

Tuan Cang is somewhat helpless about Lian Ye's gluttonous, lazy nature, but doesn't choose to drive him away.

As long as this guy doesn't leave on his own, he won't utter words to expel him.

"Lian Ye, what do you want for dinner?"

Tuan Cang asked.

It's getting late, and he has to go prepare the ingredients.

"Just have some ginseng abalone," Lian Ye yawned, "I'm older now, should treat myself better."

Tuan Cang: "..."

Does this guy eat that every day and still not treat himself well enough?

That's a bit excessive, isn't it!

The price of a single meal can equal the reward for an A-rank Mission.

One can only say that wealth is indulgence.

Lian Ye lives in Tuan Cang's house, so he can't eat and drink for free; he gave several tens of millions of taels as food expenses.

Otherwise his good brother would have been bankrupted by him long ago.

"By the way, Ri Zhan asked me to tell you that the Hokage Building needs repairs; transfer two hundred million to his account."

Tuan Cang relayed Ri Zhan's earlier request to his good brother.

Since Konoha's founding, the Hokage Building really hasn't undergone much repair.

The last renovation was when he first became Hokage; Lian Ye paid to help refurbish the building, making it more imposing for appearances.

Since then, the Hokage Building hasn't been repaired at all.

Money is spent on essentials, not on flashy projects like the Hokage Building.

At least that's how Tuan Cang thinks...

"Two hundred million? Ri Zhan can't embezzle public funds and then find an excuse for me to cover the balance, right?"

Lian Ye instantly stopped feeling sleepy.

Even though they're all good friends, such a thing can't be allowed to happen!

Sarutobi Ri Zhan truly has no money; he can give some emergency aid, but absolutely not in this manner!

It's a matter of principle!

As Hokage, one must not knowingly break the law...

"Call Uchiha Jing; we'll go investigate ourselves,"

Jing is the Uchiha clan head and also the captain of the Konoha Security Force, making it easiest to check whether Ri Zhan is corrupt.

The key is that they're all friends; even if something exists, it won't become too ugly!

Hokage Building.

Lian Ye stared at the outwardly splendid yet internally dilapidated building in silence.

It seems he previously misunderstood Ri Zhan.

Inside the building there aren't just the Hokage Office, but various other departments as well.

The three walked around once; the interior truly couldn't be called good.

A building from forty years ago, even with frequent cleaning, can't hide its ruinous state.

Previously Lian Ye would head straight to the Hokage Office, never really knowing the conditions of other departments.

"Lian Ye, then should we still go after Ri Zhan?"

Uchiha Jing looked at the surrounding decay and asked cautiously.

Lian Ye: "..."

Catch what!

Having just received the news, he truly thought Ri Zhan's embezzlement amount was huge.

After all, in that position, making money isn't that simple, is it?

Even if Ri Zhan possesses the Will of Fire, he can't guarantee the will will ever wane.

"Forget it, let's go sit in the office; it's been a long time since we chatted with Ri Zhan,"

Lian Ye shook his head regretfully.

Tuan Cang: "..."

He feels like his good brother didn't get a hold on Ri Zhan, as if there's some regret.

This guy really doesn't mind the spectacle even if the matter is big!

Uchiha Jing heard that and nodded.

It's just that it's been a long time since catching up with friends.

Since the war ended, everyone has their own life, and the time they gather together has become fewer.

Hokage Office.

Yuanfei Rizhan is laboriously handling paperwork; ever since being duped by Tuan Cang into becoming the coveted Hokage, he hasn't had a single day of rest.

Even if his body feels unwell, after taking medicine he must still hold his post.

When Tuan Cang was the Hokage, he had this Hokage Assistant to help.

Now that he himself has become the Hokage, he can only single‑handedly grind through state affairs.

It's not that he doesn't want to look, but there are few trustworthy people willing to laboriously serve as beasts of burden.

Before, he called a few people including Zhuan Qin Xiaochun to help, but they ended up working all afternoon and then all fled.

No matter how he tried to coax them later, not a single one was willing to come.

The matter of the Hokage Assistant fell into dead end; the office always had only him.

"Bang."

The office door was suddenly pushed open.

Now entering the Hokage Office, there is only one person and no one knocked.

Yuanfei Rizhan doesn't lift his head, continuing to review the documents in his hand.

"Lian Ye, are you here to deliver money to me?"

The Hokage Building indeed needs proper repairs; if the village hadn't just begun constructing the Commercial Street, he wouldn't have had Tuan Cang ask Lian Ye for money.

When it comes to village matters, Lian Ye is generally very generous.

Who says he's short of money?

Yuanfei Rizhan looks up, sees Uchiha Jing, and asks in surprise.

"Jing, why are you also here, and why are you holding handcuffs?"

It's not strange that Tuan Cang and Lian Ye arrived, but why is Jing here, and the key point is that he's damn holding the handcuffs for escorting a criminal!

Could it be... Uchiha is trying to seize power?!

Uchiha Jing, upon hearing that, hurriedly hid the handcuffs behind his back, an embarrassed smile appearing on his face.

Earlier Lian Ye had approached him to explain the situation; he truly thought Ri Zhan was breaking the law and embezzling silver, so he came with the handcuffs.

If both the person and the loot are obtained, then capture them.

But now it seems it won't be needed…

Yuanfei Rizhan: "..."

He finally understands.

These people simply don't trust his character, assuming he wants money and wants to embezzle!

These guys, are they really that kind of people?

Although when going out to eat, he didn't shy away from using public accounts for reimbursement, he could never possibly commit corruption!

"Hahaha, it's all a misunderstanding."

Uchiha Jing forced a nervous laugh, almost being set up by Lian Ye and Tuan Cang.