Haruto Saito's home had successfully been reduced to ruins!
The commotion had alerted all the major figures of Konoha, as well as the police force, the defense corps' patrol squads, and even the nearby Anbu operatives on surveillance duty. One by one, they rushed over to check the situation, and one by one, they left quietly.
They didn't dare interfere!
If someone else had demolished Haruto Saito's house, they would have been arrested immediately!
But since it was Tsunade…
Everyone simply turned a blind eye! Who knew what Haruto Saito had done to provoke Tsunade this time?
...
Hokage Tower, Administrative Department Office.
In fact, Haruto Saito had been in the Hokage Tower the entire time. He had sensed Tsunade's arrival, and he knew when she left. If only Tsunade had known he was in the Hokage Tower at that moment—she might have torn it down in her fury!
Of course, if she really had, Hiruzen Sarutobi would have personally stepped in to teach her a lesson!
At this moment, inside the Administrative Department's inner office…
Haruto Saito was discussing the establishment of the Commerce Department with Koharu Utatane. The plan was set, but many details still needed to be worked out—such as the location of the department's new building. Haruto Saito wanted an independent structure, and the choice of location required careful consideration!
"...This spot is near the Hokage Tower, right in Konoha's core protection zone," Koharu pointed at the map and said.
"No, no, no, Lady Koharu, I think this place is better!" Haruto Saito pointed elsewhere.
He was indicating Konoha's northern district, an area with a large civilian population—essentially a slum! The poorest residents of Konoha lived there.
Koharu frowned.
"Why choose such a remote location?" she asked.
"To save money!" Haruto Saito grinned. "If we build a tower in Konoha's core, as you suggested, how much would that cost? You must know how expensive land is there!"
Koharu eyed Haruto Saito skeptically.
Her instincts told her this was just an excuse!
Indeed, land in Konoha's core was expensive!
But Konoha hadn't sold off all the land in its core districts, so they could simply build on an empty plot rather than buying land!
"You're the department head, so it's your decision," Koharu said without objecting.
Though she found it suspicious, it didn't matter. As an advisory consultant, she could only make recommendations, not decisions. If she truly disapproved, she could request a prohibition order from the Hokage to block some of Haruto Saito's actions.
But choosing a construction site? That wasn't important enough to bother with!
"How tall do you plan to make the building?"
"Twelve floors should be enough."
"Does it need to be that high?"
"What's the harm? How expensive could it be to build a tall building?"
"Well… it's your call."
Indeed, construction costs weren't a big deal—this was a ninja world, and normal financial concerns didn't apply!
Afterward, Haruto Saito and Koharu continued discussing the details of the building's construction. Koharu also handed Haruto a list of personnel drawn from the Administrative and Finance Departments—these individuals would form the Commerce Department's initial team.
Haruto had no objections!
Then, the two discussed financial department staff salaries.
This time, they started arguing!
Haruto Saito's proposed salaries were too high—especially his own, which was twice Koharu's salary in the Administrative Department! In the end, Haruto compromised, but he had a backup plan: implementing a performance-based benefits system.
Right now, Koharu couldn't possibly imagine what Haruto Saito was going to achieve—or how much tax revenue he would generate!
Knock knock!
A knock sounded at the door.
"Come in," Koharu called.
A ninja from the Administrative Department hurried in, gave Haruto Saito a strange look, then whispered something to Koharu. Haruto overheard—it was about Tsunade demolishing his house!
As expected!
He was going to move anyway, so it didn't matter!
"I see," Koharu nodded after hearing the report.
The ninja quickly left.
Once the door was shut, Koharu turned to Haruto Saito and asked, "What did you do this time? Tsunade lost her temper and tore your house down!"
"She's on her period, so she's a bit irritable. No big deal," Haruto Saito joked.
Koharu's eyelid twitched at his choice of words.
But she didn't press further.
They resumed discussing the Commerce Department.
Not long after…
Whoosh!
A sudden gust of wind swept through the room!
Haruto Saito immediately jumped up… and hid behind Koharu!
Tsunade materialized out of thin air, storming in with a furious glare, clenching her fists as if itching to pummel Haruto Saito. But since Koharu was blocking her, she hesitated.
"No fighting in here!" Koharu said calmly, looking up at Tsunade.
"You! Get over here!" Tsunade pointed at Haruto Saito.
"Uh… um… Lady Koharu, could you step outside for a moment? I need to handle something…" Haruto Saito said awkwardly.
"Don't break anything," Koharu warned before getting up and leaving.
"Wait, wait, wait! Hold on, Lady Koharu isn't out yet! Just wait a moment—" Haruto Saito pleaded rapidly.
Tsunade looked ready to pummel him.
Once Koharu left and closed the door…
Tsunade pounced like a specter, grabbed Haruto Saito by the collar, and lifted him off the ground. Through gritted teeth, she growled, "You little brat, you're dead today!!"
"I was wrong! I apologize!" Haruto Saito raised his hands in surrender.
"If an apology was enough, what would be the point of fists?"
"I'll compensate you! I'll give you a way to make money! How about that?"
"I'm still going to beat you…"
"I can guarantee you'll earn a hundred million ryo! How about that?"
Tsunade had already raised her fist, but upon hearing this, she hesitated. Though she still looked angry, money signs flickered in her eyes… One hundred million ryo! She had never had that much money before!
Haruto Saito had hit her weak spot. Besides, he had already apologized and was raising his hands pitifully.
"Hmph!" Tsunade snorted and let go of him.
"Come, come, sit over here…" Haruto Saito, acting like a bootlicker, eagerly invited Tsunade to sit on the couch in the small office.
"What kind of business can make a hundred million ryo?" Tsunade asked grumpily, still looking fierce. "Why don't you just give me a hundred million, and we'll call it even?"
"Hey! The bounty Kirigakure placed on my head is only fifty million! What did I ever do to you that makes you want a hundred million from me?"
Tsunade scowled and glared at him. "Then hurry up and tell me—how do I make a hundred million ryo?"
Haruto Saito began explaining his plan to her.