"Open the gate!"
Seeing that everyone had gathered, and with Neji and Tenten also present to guard the gate, Tsunade gave the order.
Kamizuki Izumo and Hagane Kotetsu immediately stepped forward to form hand seals. A complex barrier seal was completed, and Konoha's grand gates opened, revealing the fresh air outside.
"Tsunade-sama, you're the Hokage now, how about we prepare a palanquin for you?" Hikari suggested.
[Since she's the Hokage, having a palanquin carried by four people would be fitting. That way, I can also hitch a ride.]
Kamizuki Hikari had a rather ambitious thought, but unfortunately, Tsunade could hear his inner musings. Moreover, since this trip was to the Daimyō's residence and she was in a hurry, there was no way she would let herself be carried in a palanquin and waste time dawdling.
"No need for such formalities. Neji, Tenten, you two guard the gate well. We'll be back soon!" Tsunade said before taking the lead and walking out of the village.
The group hurriedly followed, except for Hikari, who patted Tenten's head.
"Be careful. If there's danger, just let Neji handle it. He's a guy, so even if he gets hurt or crippled, it's not a big deal. But you're such a beautiful girl—if you get injured, I'd feel really bad."
"Mmm! Hikari-senpai, I'll make sure to protect myself!" Tenten beamed happily at Hikari.
She hadn't felt such genuine care in a long time.
Her parents at home weren't very expressive, but ever since she became Maito Gai's disciple last year, Hikari had always looked after her, which deeply touched her heart.
Beside her, Hyūga Neji silently rolled his eyes.
He felt that his strength was still lacking. Once Hikari returned from the Daimyō's residence, he had to challenge him properly.
"Hikari, let's go!" Tsunade turned around and gave him a sharp reprimand.
Kamizuki Izumo also looked at him with a pleading expression.
'Dear little brother, can you please stop causing trouble? The one in front of you is our direct superior, Tsunade-sama. Are you really not afraid?'
Hikari: Afraid? Not a chance. Someone here got drunk, threw a tantrum at me, and even took all the cash from my wallet. Can a person like that really be a responsible Fifth Hokage?
Even though he was grumbling internally, the moment he saw Tsunade's urging gaze, Hikari obediently ran over.
Hands behind his back, he assumed the classic shinobi running posture.
---
Hokage Office.
Shizune arrived early, and upon seeing the towering pile of documents on the desk, she quietly sat down and began working.
After a while, Hatake Kakashi entered the office. Seeing Shizune working diligently, he didn't disturb her. Instead, he glanced around before casually plopping down onto Hikari's usual seat.
So comfortable.
Shizune wasn't blind. The moment Kakashi entered, she had already noticed. However, since Kakashi was the enforcer Tsunade assigned to her, and he was a loyal Konoha shinobi, there was no way he was a spy.
Because of this, she didn't mind.
A moment later, the laid-back middle-aged man, Nara Shikaku, walked in.
"Shikaku."
"Kakashi."
The two men exchanged polite nods before Shikaku turned to Shizune to report.
"Tsunade-sama has left the village. According to her instructions, Shizune, you are to handle the paperwork. Kakashi and I will take care of the village's defense and security. If anything comes up, you can contact us through the ANBU."
"Kakashi, come with me for a moment."
Hatake Kakashi adjusted his forehead protector, glanced at Shizune, who was seriously reviewing documents, and seeing that she had no objections, he followed Shikaku outside.
The two arrived at the Hokage Rock, overlooking the village from above.
"Kakashi, the Intelligence Division just reported that the Root shinobi have been showing irregular activity."
Hearing this, Kakashi's eyes narrowed slightly before he chuckled.
"Perhaps Danzō-sama has his own arrangements. The Root members are indeed formidable, but the people Tsunade-sama took with her aren't pushovers either."
Maito Gai's taijutsu was overwhelming, Yuhi Kurenai excelled in genjutsu, and with Tsunade leading them, those three alone could crush an average team. As for the so-called "Gate Guardians" Kamizuki Izumo and Hagane Kotetsu, they had passed Tsunade's selection and had been promoted to Special Jōnin. Together, they were a force to be reckoned with—even Kakashi would have a hard time dealing with them.
That is, unless he used his Kamui.
Yamashiro Aoba and Shiranui Genma were also well-coordinated. Unless another village launched a large-scale attack, Tsunade wouldn't be in any danger. Besides the six obvious members, two ANBU squads were secretly assigned to protect her. Under such circumstances, for something to happen to Tsunade, it would be nearly impossible.
Kakashi wasn't worried about their safety at all.
Shikaku was a smart man—he never spoke without purpose.
"Recently, the Daimyō sent a reprimanding letter, stating that they intend to reduce military funding. If that really happens, it will be a huge blow to Tsunade-sama."
Kakashi looked at the bustling village below, watching the warm, joyful faces, and felt a wave of warmth in his heart.
"Shikaku, don't worry. I will protect this village with everything I've got."
"Besides, since Tsunade-sama dared to go, it means she's already prepared for whatever comes her way."
"Compared to their mission, our task of guarding the village seems even more important. We need to tighten the collaboration between the intelligence unit and the ANBU. We can't let spies from other villages discover our weaknesses."
Shikaku nodded. "Rest assured, I have already taken care of the necessary precautionary measures."
After speaking, his expression turned slightly complicated, as if there was something else he wanted to say.
Kakashi noticed this but didn't pry.
He knew that if Shikaku wanted to talk, he would.
If he didn't, forcing him wouldn't help.
After a long pause, Shikaku finally spoke.
"Kakashi, Asuma requested leave. He said he needs to undergo a trial to summon the monkey king, Enma."
Hearing this, Kakashi's eyes flickered with interest before returning to his usual calm demeanor.
"Let him go."
"Enma is indeed a powerful summon. Compared to my Eight Ninja Dogs, it's vastly superior."
Seeing Kakashi's nonchalant attitude, Shikaku couldn't help but shake his head.
"It's just us here—stop pretending."
"Enma is strong, but Asuma's timing is way too convenient."
"I discovered that Asuma, using support from the Sarutobi clan, had left the village on his own. Under these circumstances, what do you think he's doing out there?"
If it were an unaffiliated shinobi, breaking village rules might be excusable.
But Asuma was different. His students were the current generation of the Ino-Shika-Chō trio.
Now, at a critical time for Konoha, Asuma suddenly left the village. If not for the fact that his father was the Third Hokage, Shikaku would have seriously considered labeling him a missing-nin.
Shikaku knew Kakashi was intelligent enough to understand his meaning without him having to spell it out.
Since Kakashi wasn't saying anything, it meant he had his own thoughts on the matter.
"Shikaku, let's just wait and see."
"What's done in the dark will always come to light."
"Asuma's actions can be reported to Tsunade-sama once she returns. Do you really think that just by leaving the village for a while, Asuma will gain the power to defeat her?"
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