Chapter 258: Taking Care of the Kid
"Lady Hokage, you're looking well today," Shōta remarked as soon as Tsunade entered the office.
"No, I look like this every day," Tsunade replied, briefly touching her flushed cheeks before walking briskly to her seat.
"Today is exceptionally good," Shōta joked, their familiarity making such a joke harmless.
"Get to work," Tsunade shot back, glaring at him while muttering something under her breath about Kawakaze.
"Heh," Shōta snickered before burying his head in the documents and returning to work. He was already used to this relentless pace, though it was certainly taking a toll on his thinning hair.
His Yamanaka Clan friend, who had initially promised to help with the workload, had yet to show up. It seemed Shōta would need to push himself harder, and if that didn't work, he'd have to sweeten the deal with some incentives. The thought dampened his mood further.
Inwardly, he cursed Kawakaze, though he refrained from doing so aloud in front of Tsunade.
"Shōta, the documents that were previously backed up and waiting for funding can be approved now," Tsunade said, drawing his attention.
Many of the funding requests that had been stalled could finally move forward. The recent acquisition of 200 million ryo, which Kawakaze had extorted from Kirigakure, had resolved their financial bottleneck.
This windfall was also part of why Tsunade had been so close to Kawakaze lately. Of course, last night's "cooperation" had its own implications, and she had spared no effort in showing her gratitude—though Nayuki's knowing looks earlier still lingered in her mind.
"Huh? Where did you get the money?" Shōta asked, visibly surprised. The sum was significant, and he hadn't been working the day before, leaving him unaware of Kawakaze's successful negotiation with Kirigakure.