"Shikaku, if I'm not mistaken, that guy is the one who guards the gate, right?" Yamanaka Inoichi, with his golden hair, walked up to Nara Shikaku and muttered in a low voice.
In Inoichi's mind, Shikaku was a smart guy—lazy, too, never doing anything unnecessary.
And yet, here he was, getting along so well with a re gate guard. There had to be sothing more to it.
"That guy looks way too similar to the Second Hokage! Earlier, Tsunade-sama brought him and Shizune to the Hokage Building. Don't you think there's sothing fishy going on?"
Inoichi blinked. "Back when the Third Hokage used the Second Hokage's decree to have the Senju Clan change their surna and integrate into Konoha, soone from the Kamizuki family might have coincidentally married into the Senju line. A resemblance isn't all that strange, is it?"
Thinking about the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama—the cold-blooded god of war, a shinobi of extraordinary strength, and a creator of countless forbidden techniques—Inoichi found the comparison absurd. Kamizuki Hikari? He was just a re Konoha gatekeeper. There were plenty of shinobi in Konoha with his level of ability. It really wasn't worth overthinking.
"It just looks a bit odd, that's all."
Shikaku neither confird nor denied it. "Let's go. Ti for the eting."
With that, the two quickened their pace toward the Hokage building.
---
Konoha's Main Gate.
Hikari pushed open the guard booth door and saw Jiraiya sitting there, completely at ease. His brow furrowed. "Shadow Clone?"
"Heh, as expected of you, Hikari. You know too well!" Jiraiya admitted with a grin. "My real body took Naruto ho and went to gather so... research materials. It's been years since I last ca back—Konoha's scenery must be more beautiful than ever."
Hikari shook his head and sighed as he looked at Jiraiya's perverted expression.
"Jiraiya, we've known each other for a long ti. You're not getting any younger. Have you never thought about settling down? Wandering from one pleasure house to another—when does it ever end?"
Such words of wisdom... but did they reach Jiraiya's heart? Not at all.
"You're such a traitor! Being single is freedom! Being single is joy! Stay single, stay happy forever! You're just trying to trap in a pit so you can hog all the fun! Well, I won't fall for it! I, Jiraiya, am a free man in life and a free ghost in death! I will never get married—not even if I die!"
His passionate speech left Hikari speechless.
With Jiraiya's wealth and strength, getting married wouldn't be a problem. Konoha still had quite a few charming widows who would be a good match for him.
As for Tsunade? Forget it.
"You keep guarding the gate. I'm heading out! Bye!"
*Poof!*
With a puff of smoke, Jiraiya disappeared, leaving the guard post to Hikari.
Sitting down, he propped his feet on the table and stared blankly at the scenery outside.
Today's wind is particularly noisy...
---
Hokage Building.
"The actual number of jōnin present is 89. The votes supporting Lady Tsunade as Hokage total 89. Unanimous approval!"
Nara Shikaku reported the results, inwardly surprised by the numbers.
'This must be the highest approval rate in history, aside from the First and Second Hokage.'
Back when the Third Hokage took office, the entire Uchiha clan's jonin opposed him, while the Hyuga clan was split—half in favor, half abstaining. The rest of the jonin were mostly in support.
During the Fourth Hokage's election, there was also Orochimaru as a competitor, and the approval rate was only around 80%.
Now, for the Fifth Hokage, Tsunade, it was a full 100% approval. That was astonishing.
This ant the entire village believed in her.
Hearing the results, the gathered jōnin were visibly excited.
At long last, they had a Hokage they could all put their faith in.
"In that case, let's quickly arrange the Hokage inauguration ceremony. The Fire Daimyō must also be inford so that Hokage can officially take office." Suggested Hyūga Hiashi, who was usually silent.
The others glanced at him but paid him little mind. Their focus was entirely on Tsunade's next actions.
With the jōnin vote in her favor, her appointnt was as good as settled.
"Then I won't hold back!" Tsunade declared. "Given the current situation, all personnel will remain in their current positions, missions will proceed as usual, and Konoha's reputation will continue to rely on our joint efforts."
"Konoha is not the Hokage's Konoha—it belongs to all of its people!"
Though a bit wordy, her statent stirred the hearts of the jōnin. Everyone knew the Hokage held supre authority, but even after winning the election, Tsunade still acknowledged them. That was sothing they appreciated.
"Departnt heads, stay behind. The rest of you, return to your duties!"
With Tsunade's orders, most of the jōnin left. Those who remained included Nara Shikaku, Yamanaka Inoichi, the hospital director Kira, the ANBU commander, and a few others.
One particular individual in green with a bowl-cut hairstyle stood out awkwardly.
*Swoosh!*
Maito Gai bowed at 90 degrees before Tsunade. "Tsunade-sama! Please save Lee!"
The hospital director Kira added, "Lee is Gai's student. Also, Kakashi has been in a coma since his battle with Uchiha Itachi a few days ago."
Tsunade pinched the bridge of her nose.
Whether personal or professional, she couldn't ignore Kakashi's condition. As for Gai—he was a rising star from a civilian background, soone she needed to recruit. Considering his plea, she couldn't ignore Lee either.
But the timing was a problem. She still had missions to arrange and formalities to go through before officially taking office.
Shikaku, ever the sharp thinker, imdiately understood Tsunade's concerns.
"Gai, head back and wait. We'll wrap up this eting quickly, and then Tsunade-sama will go to the hospital."
"Alright! I'll wait outside!" Gai, worried Tsunade might delay her visit, resorted to the simplest strategy—waiting right at the door.
Shikaku's mouth twitched. Smart people feared dealing with fools. And Gai... was definitely his kryptonite.
"Gai!" Tsunade called.
Gai imdiately reacted. "Yes, ma'am!"
"Bring Kamizuki Hikari to the hospital. Let your other two students handle the gate duty in the anti. Any issues?"
"No issues at all! I'm on it!"
With his orders clear, Gai dashed out of the Hokage building at a speed that left even the jōnin in awe.
"Ahem, Tsunade-sama is quite resourceful. Gai's enthusiasm can be overwhelming."
Hospital Director Kira comnted, thinking Tsunade had simply found a way to get rid of Gai.
Only Shikaku and Inoichi sensed that things weren't that simple.
But as wise n, they knew better than to voice their thoughts.
Tsunade didn't refute Kira's assumption. She had her reasons.
Having been away for years, she still felt a sense of detachnt from Konoha. But Kamizuki Hikari's insights gave her a valuable perspective—one that could help her make the best possible decisions.
"Now, let's finalize the imdiate tasks. Afterward, I'll head to the hospital!"
"Kira, your dical techniques haven't improved much over the years. I'm very disappointed!"
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