Chapter 39

Not only did I not have the opportunity to rest for even a week after returning from the front, as I had to recover at your request, but I also have to work fourteen to fifteen hours a day with only one day off.

Of course, I understand that others work long hours and selflessly for the needs of Konoha's shinobi, but there has to be a limit! Not only did I not have time to properly restore my physical condition, but over the past few weeks, I've noticed that I'm losing weight instead of gaining it.

Sorry, Hishi-san, but I'm not going to sacrifice my combat abilities for others! I'm not getting paid enough for that!

Crossing my arms over my chest, I stood straight and responded with the same intense look to the veteran. I wasn't going to back down.

— Alright, your terms? — Hyuga finally relented after five minutes of tense silence and attempts to glare each other down.

— First — I'm going to Sunagakure and will be considered on leave for nine months of continuous work until the end of the exam finals. Second — I switch to an eight-hour workday and no more. Third — two days off per week and no urgent cases being dumped on me at any time! Why should I always end my workday almost out of chakra? I have better things to spend it on outside the hospital than on "another clone"! After all, no one pays me for making kage bunshins! Every time something goes wrong, it's Ryo, send a clone! This is lacking, that is lacking! I'm fed up! It's much easier to quit and go back to missions than to work myself into the ground like this! Even if I'm half-Uzumaki, I'm not going to work myself to death!

Finishing my rebuttal, I took a deep breath and tried to calm down, feeling the curious eyes gathering near the office door. Nosy bastards! Neither Hyuga nor I had been mindful of our volume, so we were probably heard across the entire floor. The old man, tiredly rubbing his forehead, deactivated his Byakugan, shuffled to his desk, and sank heavily into his chair.

— And who's going to do the work, Ryo-kun? There are only a few with your qualifications, and the rest can't handle any more workload. You don't want your colleagues collapsing from chakra exhaustion right on the job, do you?

— So, I'm supposed to handle it? — I raised an eyebrow at the attempt to make me feel guilty.

— You're handling it because you can, — the old man frowned.

— I don't care! Either I get a reduced workload, or I quit, — I was tired of arguing with the stubborn old man.

After staring at me a bit longer, evidently hoping I would change my mind, Hyuga waved his hand.

— Fine, you'll get your leave, but if you're hoping for the same pay, you'd better roll up your expectations — we're short on funds as it is.

— I have enough money already, — I snorted in response. — Is that all?

— Almost. What's the deal with the girl you recently brought in for examination? Why did you need official documents about her condition?

— The girl? Oh, Mitarashi… There's an unpleasant story — the girl had enormous potential, but due to an early pregnancy at fourteen and the lack of proper care in such cases, her child drained her dry and nearly destroyed her keirakukei…

The old man swore, clearly understanding the consequences.

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