Hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi say that there was no need for an assessment, Haruki wasn't surprised.
It was because the Hokage had many sources of information.
The Anbu and the Hokage's special peeping ability - Telescope Technique.
For Hiruzen Sarutobi, the entire Konoha was an open book.
Moreover, Minato Namikaze and his two companions had performed extremely well in the last war and had long been on his observation list.
No, it should be said that Hiruzen Sarutobi was especially regretful now.
He regretted that he had missed this civilian genius ninja because he had paid more attention to Mikoto Uchiha and Kushina Uzumaki back then.
If Minato Namikaze had become a disciple of his three apprentices, he wouldn't have to worry about a successor for the Will of Fire.
Fortunately, the situation could still be salvaged.
As long as Tsunade married Haruki, Minato Namikaze would also bear the insignia of the Hokage lineage.
Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at Haruki.
In fact, since Minato Namikaze had learned the Flying Thunder God Technique, he was already an orthodox heir of the Hokage lineage.
After all, everyone knew that this ninjutsu originated from Tobirama Senju, the Second Hokage.
He never expected that Haruki's request for the Scroll of Seals back then was actually for Minato Namikaze.
He really didn't know how this guy had seen his talent.
"I heard you've done some pretty big stuff in Sunagakure," Hiruzen Sarutobi said casually as he took a puff from his pipe and exhaled a faint ring of smoke.
"It ain't no biggie," Haruki smiled. "I just took a fancy to some of their resources."
As mentioned before, since Hiruzen Sarutobi knew about Minato and his two companions, he must also know about Haruki's situation in Sunagakure.
After all, Haruki had a special identity and had taken one of his apprentices away for a month.
If he didn't notice, he wouldn't deserve to be the Third Hokage.
But Haruki wasn't worried that he would do anything to him because of this.
Since the Third Hokage's ideas are overly old - fashioned.
He didn't think that what Haruki had done was that great. On the contrary, he thought it was a waste of time.
If he really had an economic mind and sense, Konoha wouldn't have relied on the economic aid from the Land of Fire for decades.
In Hiruzen Sarutobi's view, ninjas were born for duties.
What were civilians?
Their only function was to produce food and provide taxes.
As a beneficiary in the upper - echelon of the extraordinary society, Hiruzen Sarutobi fails to recognize the power and importance of 'people'. Let alone promoting social development and improving their lives.
As long as it didn't affect Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi wouldn't even look at these people.
"Resources? You mean Gold Dust?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked, recalling the report provided by the Anbu some time ago.
In his opinion, Tree - planting and Afforestation is completely useless.
Because outside Konoha was the vast Death Forest, which could only provide training grounds and wild game.
The underground railway was also useless. How could ninjas use such a railway?
He had only heard that there was such a thing in the distant Land of Snow.
As for Wind Power Generation, he looked down on it even more. Konoha had already achieved electrification.
After thinking it over, only the Gold Dust trade seemed to match Haruki's expectations.
"Yes, the rest of the trades were just to deceive them."
Lord Hokage, think about it. Now that they've been defeated, they should recuperate, but because of my words, they've wasted so many resources. I'm afraid the Sunagakure Village won't be able to invade our Konoha Village for at least ten years."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes lit up. The more he thought about it, the more he felt that Haruki's words made sense.
All the things they're doing now are time - consuming and energy - draining.
"Haruki," Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at him. "You did a great job this time. I didn't expect you to be so smart."
"Thank you for the compliment, Lord Hokage. I've learned all this from you."
Haruki flattered him subtly.
Sure enough, to outsiders or even to ninjas, his plans seemed like useless projects.
Well, he was experiencing the so - called 'attack by lowering the dimensionality' again.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's old face broke into a wider smile.
Look, this guy is really good at talking. He's my apprentice's wife. He knew how to talk, much better than Tsunade!
That woman only knew how to make him angry.
"I see that you're quite interested in the economy. Why don't you be my secretary?"
"Ah?" Haruki looked at him in surprise and waved his hand. "I'm okay at running small businesses, but if you want me to be in charge of Konoha's economy, Lord Hokage, you're overestimating me."
As the Hokage, there are a special bodyguard team and a think - tank.
The think - tank, also known as the secretary team, is usually led by the head of the Nara family.
For example, Shikaku Nara, Shikamaru Nara's father, is extremely intelligent. He is the captain of the Konoha Jonin squad and even later replaces the Fourth Raikage as the commander of the Allied Ninja Forces.
The ninjas specially permitted by their clan can also participate in the government affairs of the Land of Fire.
But the secretary team definitely consists of more than one person.
"Actually, there aren't many big things to do. Most of Konoha's income comes from the aid of the Fire Daimyo. The rest is partly the commission from ninja duties and partly the tax from the businesses of various ninja clans and civilians."
Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a smile, "You don't have to worry about not understanding. Just let your subordinates handle it. I'm giving this task to you because I trust you. I'll be more at ease with you overseeing them."
Haruki was stunned for a moment, thought for a while, and then said, "Since it's your request, Lord Hokage, I'll do my best."
This was really an unexpected bonus.
In an instant, he thought of many ways to make money.
All in all, the position of economic secretary brings him great convenience.
After leaving the Hokage Building, Haruki came to the Third Training Ground.
According to Konoha's rules, Genin can't take on duties independently, while Chunin can form teams to take them on.
But Minato Namikaze and the other two are still Genin, so they can only practice Ninjutsu on a daily basis.
Oh, right!
He came here to tell them the good news of their promotion to Chunin.
Because he really didn't have the time to take them on duties on a regular basis, and the Ninja Academy also had classes. But just training blindly wasn't beneficial. Only through actual combat could they improve the fastest.
"Little guy, long time no see."
Haruki found the little fox he had given to Kushina on a huge trunk lying across the river at the usual resting place.
It looked much bigger and a bit chubby now.
But it didn't affect its cuteness at all.
He skillfully ruffled the little fox's head and scanned his surroundings. He saw Minato Namikaze leaping from tree to tree, seemingly practicing the Flying Thunder God Technique.
But he didn't see Kushina Uzumaki and Mikoto Uchiha.
A moment later, Mikoto Uchiha appeared in front of him.
"Teacher, why did you come so late?"
"I went to the Hokage Building, so I'm a bit late. Where's Kushina Uzumaki?"
"She's over there practicing the Sealing Technique. I'll go and tell her."
"I'll go with you." Haruki put down the little fox and stood up.
"Sure, Teacher."
Mikoto Uchiha led the way and they entered the forest.
The huge trees blocked out the sky and the sun, and the visibility suddenly dimmed.
A few seconds later, Mikoto Uchiha suddenly turned around.
"Teacher."
"Wh…"
Haruki suddenly felt dizzy.
In front of him, Mikoto Uchiha's Three - Tomoe Sharingan spun rapidly, and a dark and massive amount of Chakra gushed out like mercury spilling on the ground.
To put Haruki under a Genjutsu, she not only pulled a sneaky surprise attack but also used the most powerful Genjutsu she could cast.
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