When Nohara Haruto heard Sarutobi Hiruzen’s words, the corner of his mouth lifted slightly.
His face was full of modesty and respect, but his hands were already raised before his chest, waving repeatedly in refusal.
“Lord Hokage, aren’t you making things difficult for me?”
Haruto smiled helplessly.
“I’ve only been in the Medical Department for two years.
Compared to the seniors who have stayed there for more than ten years, I’m still far behind.”
“And besides, I’m only fourteen this year.
If someone as young as me suddenly takes over as Head of the Medical Department, I’m afraid many people won’t accept it.”
Sarutobi Hiruzen’s gaze sharpened instantly.
“You would be the Head of the Medical Department appointed by me.
I’d like to see who dares refuse to accept it.
If anyone has objections, let them come to me personally and argue their case!”
“Why do you have to hand such a thankless job to me…”
Nohara Haruto rubbed his forehead, his face full of reluctance.
“There are clearly so many people eagerly waiting for you to promote them.”
“You brat!”
Sarutobi Hiruzen’s eyes widened.
He looked almost angry from disappointment.
“What do you mean, thankless job?
Do you even understand how important the Head of the Medical Department’s position is in Konoha?”
“If you take that position, even every jōnin in Konoha will have to show you an extra measure of respect.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity falling right into your lap!”
“And on top of that, you’ll gain another voice in Konoha’s political meetings.
Do you know how many people dream of something like that and still never get it?”
“But even so, I still can’t become the Head of the Medical Department.”
Nohara Haruto continued looking for reasons to refuse.
“I’m already very busy every day.
There are plenty of patients I need to treat.
And after this, I may need to spend even more time researching medicine.
I simply don’t have enough energy to manage the Medical Department and handle all those other matters.”
“With my ability, I’m afraid I’m still not qualified for such a position.”
“You… you really are trying to anger me to death!”
Sarutobi Hiruzen glared at him and slammed his palm heavily against the desk.
In his eyes, this brat was like a stubborn stone that refused to be shaped no matter what.
Their gazes collided in midair.
For a moment, the atmosphere seemed almost drawn tight like a blade about to leave its sheath.
The air instantly grew tense.
The Hokage’s office fell into complete silence, as if even the air itself had frozen.
Sarutobi Hiruzen’s brows knitted together.
He took a hard pull from the pipe in his hand, then exhaled wisps of white smoke.
There were some matters he had to consider carefully.
Konoha had already lost two high-level shinobi in succession: Tsunade and Hatake Sakumo.
On top of that, the losses Konoha had suffered during the Second Shinobi World War had still not fully recovered.
The village truly needed something uplifting right now.
If Nohara Haruto became Head of the Medical Department at this time, it would absolutely be a very good opportunity.
It would also inject some fresh blood into Konoha’s political structure.
This goal had to be achieved.
In that case…
It seemed he would have to give this brat even more authority.
Sarutobi Hiruzen inhaled deeply and calmed himself before speaking again in a slower voice.
“Fine, fine.
I understand what you’re thinking.”
He sighed.
“The main reason you don’t want to become Head of the Medical Department is because you’re afraid of being too busy, right?”
“Then how about this?
I promise you that after you become Head of the Medical Department, you won’t become busier.
In fact, you’ll be more relaxed than you are now.”
“After you take the position, you’ll only need to personally act when something major happens.
As for minor matters, you can hand them over to the other medical-nin.
Is that acceptable?”
Sarutobi Hiruzen’s words made Nohara Haruto slightly tempted.
Getting Hiruzen to make such a promise was already quite difficult.
“Mm… this…”
Even so, Haruto still hesitated.
Seeing that he still had not agreed after so long, Sarutobi Hiruzen became even more anxious.
This brat really is dragging things out!
“Fine!
How about this?
I promise you that every month, I will arrange no more than five patients for you personally.
As for everyone else, if you want to treat them, treat them.
If you don’t, throw them to the other medical-nin.
Will that do?”
Giving a specific number of patients was undoubtedly another concession from Sarutobi Hiruzen.
This was already the greatest compromise he was willing to make.
“Deal!”
Nohara Haruto’s eyes narrowed, and a bright smile immediately spread across his face.
He agreed without hesitation.
He was extremely satisfied with this result.
This way, even if he became Head of the Medical Department, he would still have enough time to study the things that interested him.
He would also have more time to spend with his younger sister.
Once the deal was struck, the atmosphere inside the Hokage’s office instantly relaxed.
Although the two of them had been haggling back and forth just now, their relationship was actually still fairly good.
“You brat.
You really refuse to suffer even the smallest loss.”
Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled helplessly, his face filled with resignation.
“Don’t I usually take good enough care of you?
Yet you still refuse to do even this small thing without bargaining.”
“Work is work.
That’s a separate matter.”
A sly smile appeared on Nohara Haruto’s face, and a crafty glint flashed in his eyes.
“I know you usually treat me pretty well, so as repayment, when the day comes that you truly sacrifice yourself for the village, I can soak your corpse in formalin and preserve it forever.
That way, you’ll be immortal in another sense.”
“Forget it.
Forget it.”
Sarutobi Hiruzen swallowed, cold sweat rising on his forehead as he hurriedly waved his hand.
“I really can’t understand the strange hobbies of you medical-nin.
Just let me rest peacefully in the ground like a normal person.”
Then he added, “I’d rather give that opportunity to my disciple Orochimaru.
He’s always liked researching those messy things anyway.”
“Uncle Snake’s vitality is even scarier than a cockroach’s.
I’m afraid I won’t have any chance to use my skills on him…”
Nohara Haruto clicked his tongue in disappointment.