Author Note:
Here's the BONUS CHAPTER as promised—thanks for the support, and let's keep this energy going!
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Orochimaru's evaluation of Sarutobi Hiruzen was, as expected, astute.
Hiruzen was soft-hearted, yes...but he was still human. Like anyone else, he had his own share of personal biases and hidden intentions.
Guts wasn't qualified to run for the position of Fourth Hokage, his age and lack of seniority ruled him out. But for the Fifth or even the Sixth Generation?
He would easily be one of the strongest contenders.
That is, if Hiruzen was still alive by then.
Even after stepping down as Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen wouldn't be able to rest easy.
He cared too much about the village, its balance, its future.
He would want to leave the village in capable hands, soone with the Will of Fire burning in their heart.
Tsunade, at that point in ti, was still too immature to shoulder the burden of Hokage.
Orochimaru? His nature was too cold, too distant. In Hiruzen's eyes, he simply wasn't suited for leadership.
The most suitable candidate would be Jiraiya.
But Jiraiya had made it clear, ti and again, that he had no interest in becoming Hokage.
Which left one na: Namikaze Minato.
He was still young, relatively inexperienced, and hadn't yet built a long track record like the other Sannin, but he carried Jiraiya's ideals, his vision, and his warmth.
Hiruzen hoped Minato would succeed him.
Back at ho, Guts lay down, resting his head comfortably on Kurenai's lap.
Her legs, now softer and more mature than a few years ago, felt like the perfect pillow.
His mind wandered back to the upcoming power struggle for the Hokage title.
Things were about to get political.
"Haaah~"
He yawned lazily, his arms crossed behind his head.
Just then, a familiar and energetic voice rang out, full of excitent.
"Guts! You're really back!"
He looked up.
Charging toward them with a big grin was Anko, now over ten years old, carrying two skewers of colorful dango in her hands.
She eagerly chomped both at once, not caring about appearances.
"I've told you how many tis, call Sensei!"
Guts scolded, lightly knocking her on the head.
He didn't actually care about the title,but every now and then, he liked putting this rowdy girl in her place.
"Ow!"
Anko pouted, rubbing her head before plopping down beside them.
"I've heard about all the crazy stuff you did on the frontlines! Konoha's been buzzing about you!"
"Guts, co on, tell everything, in full detail!"
She clung to his arm like a monkey, practically vibrating with excitent.
Sighing, Guts pinched her cheek and said teasingly,
"You've definitely gotten rounder. What, haven't been following the training plan I gave you?"
"H-Hahaha… what? Nonsense!"
Anko laughed stiffly.
"I train every single day!"
"Is that so? Then starting tomorrow, I'll personally supervise you."
"Nooooo!!"
Her scream echoed down the street.
Later that evening at dinner, Anko looked utterly defeated, stuffing her face with food as if trying to make up for the carefree days she was about to lose.
Eat now, suffer later. That was her logic.
Her cheeks were puffed out like a chipmunk when she suddenly noticed sothing odd hanging on the wall nearby.
"Hmm?" She mumbled, food still in her mouth.
"Hey...what's that thing? It's… swood?"
BANG!
Guts landed a light "Iron Fist of Love" on her head.
"Don't talk with your mouth full! You're spitting everywhere."
"Ugh… you're so an…"
Anko muttered, finally swallowing before pointing at the strange blade with her chopsticks.
"Seriously though, what is that? It's like… covered in scales or spikes or sothing?"
Kurenai smiled and answered gently,
"That's Sahada. Guts brought it back from the southern battlefield...his trophy."
She repeated everything Guts had told her earlier about the weapon.
Anko's eyes sparkled.
"No way! THAT'S Sahada?! The one from the Seven Ninja Swordsn of the Mist? I've heard of it! They say it can absorb chakra and feed it to its wielder. I never thought I'd see it in person!"
She stared at it for a mont in awe.
Then her expression changed.
Suddenly, Anko scooted close to Guts and, with a sickeningly sweet voice, leaned into him.
"Neeee, Sennnseiiii~…"
The sugary tone was so unnatural that even Kurenai almost choked on her rice.
Guts's face imdiately darkened.
"Ugh… what do you want?"
"You're not using Sahada, right? You just hung it up there like decoration. So~ how about giving it to your lovely student~?"
Guts stared at her blankly.
"Oh, now I'm your Sensei, and you're my student, huh?"
"I've always admired you, Sensei! I was just too shy to say it!"
Anko blinked innocently.
He looked at her clinging to his arm, shalessly putting on her act.
Guts couldn't help but think it was both ridiculous and oddly entertaining.
Anko's performance aside, she was one of his people. She'd never betrayed his trust.
And it's not like he was using Sahada,it was just collecting dust.
"…Fine. You can try it."
"YESS!! Thank you, Sensei! Mwah! Mwah! Mwah!"
Anko smothered his cheek with exaggerated kisses.
"Ugh! That's disgusting! You've got grease on your lips!"
Whatever romantic tension might've existed was imdiately ruined by the greasy sensation of dango oil.
Kurenai giggled quietly to herself. She wasn't worried, Anko was still just a kid in her eyes.
Anko, on the other hand, was practically vibrating with excitent as she picked up Sahada.
The sword was MASSIVE, LONGER than her entire height, and wildly out of proportion in her hands.
"I've decided! I'll beco one of Konoha's greatest kunoichi, with Sahada by my side!"
Guts raised an eyebrow.
"…Sahada didn't reject her?"
That surprised him.
Maybe it was because, in the end, between being hung up on a wall forever and being used, even by an overeager little girl, Sahada chose the latter.
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