Pushing open the door to the Hokage Office and looking at the Sandaime, who was puffing out clouds of smoke, Akimichi Torifu spoke: "Sandaime, did you need something from me?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi put down his pipe, a helpless smile on his face as he gestured for him to sit down.
"Torifu, there is indeed something regarding your Akimichi Clan that I feel would be most appropriate for you to handle personally."
Hearing that it concerned the clan, Akimichi Torifu immediately sat up straight, his expression turning serious: "Please enlighten me."
To be called over by the Hokage, the matter must certainly be significant.
Just as Akimichi Torifu was wondering if the clan had done something wrong, he heard Hiruzen Sarutobi mention the name Akimichi Ryoko.
Following that, Hiruzen Sarutobi recounted in detail how Akimichi Ryoko had been extorting students' bentos at the Ninja Academy under the guise of anti-bullying, even causing several students to faint during training due to hunger.
On Akimichi Torifu's chubby face, his expression gradually shifted from serious to stunned, and then to the awkwardness of being on pins and needles.
He never expected that the matter requiring the Hokage's personal attention would actually star that kid, Ryoko.
Seeing that the boy had been well-behaved for a few days, he had thought he finally grew up and knew how to restrain his appetite.
He hadn't expected the boy to simply move his mischief from the clan to the school, causing an even greater stir.
Extorting classmates for food, causing others to faint during training...
If word of this got out, how would others view the Akimichi Clan? Would they think the Akimichi Clan couldn't even afford to raise a single child?
Uh...
Although from a certain perspective, raising one Akimichi Ryoko was indeed more taxing than raising a hundred ordinary children...
But now that the Third Hokage had personally intervened, Akimichi Torifu knew he had to take a stand.
He cleared his throat and forced a slightly embarrassed and awkward smile, saying: "Lord Sandaime, I've made a fool of myself."
"Ryoko's appetite is indeed quite abnormal, but he is not bad by nature. Rest assured, I will definitely have a good talk with him when I get back and strictly warn him that he must never do such a thing in school again!"
After stating his position, Akimichi Torifu stood up, bowed slightly to Hiruzen Sarutobi, and left the Hokage Office with a heavy heart.
Walking on the road back to the clan compound, Akimichi Torifu felt his footsteps were heavier than when he was on an S-rank mission.
Stopping Akimichi Ryoko from extorting his classmates' bentos wasn't a difficult task, but what gave him a headache was the subsequent development.
By stopping Ryoko's actions at school and cutting off this important bento supply line, with that kid's appetite and unscrupulous, scheming nature, he would surely turn his attention back to his own clansmen.
At the thought of the clansmen potentially falling once again under the fear of being dominated by Ryoko's 'freeloading,' Akimichi Torifu felt his scalp tingle.
Simply because his own household was the biggest victim.
"Sigh, in the end, it's still a matter of money..." He sighed helplessly.
The living allowance the clan gave Ryoko was already three times that of an ordinary clansman; if it were increased any further, the accounts would go into the red.
But one must choose the lesser of two evils.
Compared to letting the entire clan be thrown into chaos, it was more cost-effective to solve the problem at its source.
"It seems I can only increase his living allowance a bit more." Akimichi Torifu made the decision, feeling the sting in his wallet.
Although clan funds were tight, for the sake of internal harmony and stability, this money had to be spent.
So, where would the money come from?
Akimichi Torifu rubbed his round belly, his eyes wandering before finally landing on a young figure who was working hard on missions to earn money.
"That child Choza has just been promoted to Chunin; it's time for him to share some of the clan's burden..." he murmured to himself, a "kindly father" smile appearing on his face.
"In any case, this boy will inherit the position of Clan Leader in the future, so it's good for him to adapt to contributing to the clan early on."
"Yes, it's settled!"
In an instant, Akimichi Torifu felt the burden in his heart lighten considerably.
As expected, the key to solving a problem often lies in finding someone to share the pressure.
He decided that as soon as he returned, he would increase Ryoko's living allowance, and as for the extra portion, he would let his young and promising son, Akimichi Choza, work a little harder.
After all, fatherly love is like a mountain... a mountain landslide.
Ah, no, it is as heavy and reliable as a mountain.
Inside the Akimichi Clan compound.
"Ha, you want me to give up the Atonement Bentos the students at school give me?" Akimichi Ryoko's eyes widened as he looked at the person before him with dissatisfaction.
Akimichi Torifu said helplessly: "Ryoko, your behavior was too much. The Sandaime just had a talk with me."
"Do you know that because of you, many students fainted from hunger during their lessons and training?"
Hearing this, Akimichi Ryoko couldn't help but scratch his head and said helplessly: "Are they really that useless? I thought skipping one lunch would be fine."
After all, he wasn't some evil person; he only had them deliver lunch for a week.
Who knew they were so useless that after only a few days of delivering bentos, they fainted at school.
However, now that this had happened and with Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi watching, he couldn't continue.
But while he couldn't have them send bentos, it wasn't said that they couldn't send money.
Ryoko's round black eyes darted around; one look and you knew he was thinking of some bad idea.
Akimichi Torifu quickly said: "Ryoko, school is a place for you to learn and make friends, so don't mess around anymore."
"I will increase your living allowance again, so just settle down for me, for the sake of the clan."
Regarding this Akimichi Big Eater, the likes of which have not been seen in a hundred years, Akimichi Torifu felt he had truly done his best.
If it weren't for the fact that Ryoko's parents died sacrificing themselves for the clan, and that Ryoko was clever and sharp, he would have wanted to let the boy fend for himself.
Seeing the Clan Leader put it this way, Ryoko could only suppress the thoughts in his heart and agree.
"Fine, since you've put it that way, Clan Leader, I'll spare them for the time being. But if I see anyone bullying classmates again, I'll still give them a harsh lesson."
The business was over, but his persona couldn't fall; he was still the messenger of campus justice.
Hearing Ryoko's answer, Akimichi Torifu breathed a long sigh of relief.
"In that case, I won't disturb you any further. Stay home and behave yourself." He stood up and turned to leave.
Ryoko quickly said: "Clan Leader, won't you stay for a meal?"
Akimichi Torifu didn't look back; he just waved his hand and walked even faster.
"I'd better not. You eat by yourself."
After saying that, he quickly disappeared through the main gate.
Looking at the Clan Leader's departing back, Ryoko clicked his tongue and said helplessly: "Why leave so fast? I really wanted to treat you to a meal this time."
The reason he said this was because he had once used this excuse to scam the Clan Leader, leaving a lasting impression on him.
As for the process, naturally, he invited him to dinner, but then there were no vegetables or rice at home, using that as an excuse to cry poverty and swindle a large sum from him.
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