Kazuki tapped the desk lightly.
The Chūnin Exams…
That immediately reminded him of the original storyline.
The Sand–Sound invasion.
Gaara going berserk.
And Hiruzen Sarutobi dying at Orochimaru's hands.
Kirigakure proposing a joint Chūnin Exam right now?
Yeah. That wasn't "friendship."
That was fishing for revenge.
And this document still needed to be "reviewed"?
Please.
Kazuki picked up a pen and wrote:
"Konoha currently lacks proper facilities to host the Chūnin Exams.If a joint exam is required, we may hold it in Kirigakure instead.This would better demonstrate the friendship of the Hidden Mist."
Simple.
Polite.
Absolutely sarcastic.
The document was immediately pushed back toward him.
"Director Kazuki… this isn't for you to approve."
"It's for you to execute."
"Hokage-sama has already agreed."
Kazuki stared at it.
So he wasn't here to decide anything.
He was here to clean up.
"…That old monkey really does have a talent for digging his own grave."
"Director Kazuki, the Mist delegation arrives this afternoon."
"The timing is tight."
"Tight?" Kazuki raised an eyebrow.
"Where is everyone?"
It was nearly noon.
The Administration Department was practically empty.
"What is going on today?"
After a while, Kazuki's shadow clone pieced it together.
Most of the department had taken leave.
And not randomly.
They were from the Mito clan, the Utatane clan, the Shimura clan, and families closely tied to them.
In short—
Nepotism central.
Shindo Utatane and Ryosuke Mito—leaders of the younger generation in their respective clans—were the former vice ministers under Akimichi Takekaze.
The moment they heard Kazuki had been parachuted in as Director—
They coordinated leave.
A collective "sick day."
The two staff on the first floor?
No backing.
No connections.
Too scared to lose their jobs.
Kazuki understood immediately.
They wanted to paralyze the department.
Let the Mist delegation arrive to an empty office.
Make Kazuki look incompetent.
Embarrass him in front of the village.
"Trying to freeze me out?"
He smirked.
"Fine."
"You want a staffing problem?"
He formed a seal.
Ten shadow clones appeared.
Not enough?
Twenty.
Still not enough?
He kept going.
Meanwhile—
Kazuki was walking through the village holding Kushina's hand.
There weren't many entertainment spots in Konoha.
It was a ninja village, not a shopping district.
Kazuki sometimes felt shinobi life was painfully monotonous.
Then he suddenly stopped.
Kushina blinked.
"What's wrong, Kazu?"
He smiled slightly.
His clone's memories had returned.
He now knew exactly what was happening in Administration.
"It's nothing."
"Wait for me."
He formed seals again.
"Multi Shadow Clone Technique!"
Poof!
Hundreds of clones appeared around them.
Passersby froze.
A street full of identical Kazukis.
"If they won't show up," Kazuki said calmly,"then I'll fill every seat myself."
"If they don't want their jobs—"
"I'll happily accept their resignation."
The clones scattered in all directions.
Kushina stared.
"…You're scary."
Kazuki just smiled and took her hand again.
"Let's go."
After a moment, Kushina asked softly,
"Kazu… will you teach me sealing techniques?"
He paused.
Then nodded.
"Of course."
He switched back to the Uzumaki Ashina character card internally.
As for the First Mizukage, Byakuren—
That could stay shelved for now.
Koharu's death was still fresh.
If he wasn't careful, it might escalate into a Mist investigation.
Administration Department
The hundred clones quickly filled every office.
The two original staff members were stunned.
"Are those all shadow clones?"
"Director Kazuki is terrifying…"
"A true powerhouse really can solve anything."
The clones spoke in unison:
"Personnel list."
"If they don't show up today—"
"They don't need to show up tomorrow."
"Director Kazuki… that might be too harsh…"
Kazuki smiled.
"If they don't work, they don't get paid."
"Konoha won't collapse without them."
The Hokage Office was informed immediately.
Hiruzen chuckled.
"Let him decide."
"I said the department would be his."
"No take-backs."
Besides—
The Utatane, Mito, and Shimura clans needed a reality check.
Paralyzing government functions out of spite?
That crossed a line.
Tavern – Midday
Shindo Utatane.
Ryosuke Mito.
Ken Shimura.
And several young elites were drinking.
"Hokage-sama has terrible judgment," Ryosuke scoffed.
"How is Kazuki qualified to run Administration?"
Shindo drank silently.
Everyone knew about last night.
Koharu had been assassinated.
Officially—by a Mist kunoichi.
Unofficially?
Most people suspected Kazuki.
But no evidence.
Koharu died humiliated.
The Utatane clan had taken a slap to the face.
The Mito clan too.
And Kazuki?
Overnight, he rose like a rocket.
Deputy Anbu Commander.
Administration Director.
It was unacceptable.
So they coordinated their protest.
Just in time for the Mist delegation.
Let Kazuki crash and burn publicly.
Then—
Hiruzen would have to remove him.
That was the plan.
Two black-clad ninjas burst into the tavern.
"Ryosuke-sama!"
"Shindo-sama!"
They whispered in their ears.
Both faces changed instantly.
Shindo smashed his cup.
"That bastard Kazuki!"
"What happened?!"
"He fired us."
Silence.
Their expressions froze.
They had tried to embarrass him—
And he fired them instead.
"…What do we do?"
Going back meant losing face.
Not going back meant losing their careers.
Kazuki had the authority.
They had gambled wrong.
And lost.
One by one—
They swallowed their pride and returned to the Administration Department.
Only to be blocked at the entrance by two Kazuki clones.
"Didn't you take leave?"
"You're dismissed."
"If you won't leave politely—"
"We'll escort you."
Wood Release roots shot up—
Binding them instantly.
They were tossed outside.
"I'll report you to Hokage-sama!"
"Just try," the clones said calmly.
Administration Office – Afternoon
The Mist delegation arrived.
Four people.
Led by—
Yagura Karatachi.
The strongest of Kirigakure's younger generation.
The top candidate for Fourth Mizukage.
If he successfully retrieved the Third Mizukage's body—
His position would be secured.
With that level of envoy—
Hokage receiving personally would seem excessive.
Administration Director was appropriate.
And Kazuki?
He was the one who killed the Third Mizukage.
Perfect.
Yagura slammed his hand on the desk.
"Where is Hokage?"
"We traveled all the way from Kirigakure."
"Is this how Konoha treats guests?"
Kazuki leaned back in his chair.
Calm.
"Sit."
"Hokage-sama is not someone you request like a restaurant menu."
"I am in charge of this matter."
"You will speak with me."
Yagura's eyes sharpened.
"You?"
"Who are you?"
Kazuki smiled faintly.
"Oh?"
"I forgot to introduce myself?"
"Kazuki."
"Director of the Administration Department."
"Deputy Commander of Anbu."
"Vice Principal of the Ninja Academy."
"And the man who killed your Third Mizukage."
He leaned forward slightly.
"So tell me."
"Am I qualified to speak with you?"