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Hokage Building, Secretary's Office
"Lord Hokage!"
Hyūga Hizashi and the others immediately stood to greet him.
"At ease. Carry on."
Sasame waved his hand before gesturing to the blonde girl beside him. "Hizashi, this is Yamanaka Ino."
"Ah, Lady Tsunade's little apprentice."
Hizashi chuckled warmly. "I've heard much about you."
"Uncle Hizashi."
Ino bowed, her demeanor the picture of refined elegance—a far cry from her usual boisterous self.
As the heiress of the Yamanaka clan, she'd been drilled in etiquette since childhood. Around outsiders, she could switch to "proper lady mode" effortlessly.
"I'd like you to assign someone to train her as a Hokage secretary."
Sasame cut straight to the point.
"Understood."
Hizashi blinked, then nodded.
So the Sixth is already consolidating power…
To him, this move signaled an alliance with the Yamanaka—and by extension, the Ino-Shika-Chō trio.
He'd never guess the real reason: Sasame just didn't want to stare at his middle-aged face all day.
"In a couple days, I'll have someone take over your duties."
Sasame smiled. "You'll be promoted to Hokage Advisor."
"Thank you, Lord Hokage!"
Hizashi's voice trembled with excitement.
Hokage Advisor—a position second only to the Hokage itself!
(What he didn't know? Sasame's version of the role had far less authority, part of a broader council voting only on major decisions. Still, it was a step up from glorified paperwork handler.)
"Who'll replace me?" Hizashi asked after calming down.
"Likely Yūhi Kurenai."
Though he hadn't asked her yet, refusal was unlikely.
Hizashi's eyebrows shot up.
He'd expected a clan elder—perhaps from the Sarutobi—to shore up political support.
Kurenai, however, had no backing.
Her father, Yūhi Shinku, died during the Nine-Tails' attack, leaving her the last shinobi in her family.
No connections, no leverage…
Then it hit him.
Ah. A play for the common shinobi's loyalty.
Hizashi marveled inwardly. To think someone so young could match Hiruzen's political acumen…
If not for the Caged Bird Seal, he'd swear fealty on the spot.
Hokage's Office
After dismissing Ino, Sasame summoned his ANBU.
"Antelope."
A masked kunoichi with flowing hair materialized before him—the same one who'd later serve as Tsunade's guard in the original timeline.
"Fetch Kurenai."
Minutes later, Kurenai knocked and entered.
"You wanted to see me, Lord Hokage?"
"Just Sasame is fine when we're alone."
He leaned back in his chair. "Hizashi's moving up to Advisor. I'd like you leading the secretary team."
Kurenai's crimson eyes lit up.
"I'd be honored."
While the pay (100,000 ryō/month) couldn't match the Hokage Guard's, combined with her current salary? More than enough to live comfortably—without risking her life on missions.
"Thank you." She bowed deeply.
"Go see Hizashi for the handover."
As she turned to leave, Sasame added, "Oh, and Kurenai?"
"Yes?"
"Wear something… professional."
Evening, Hokage's Office
Just as Sasame was about to teleport home, another knock interrupted.
So close…
"Enter."
The door opened to reveal Kurenai—now clad in a sleek black pencil skirt and sheer stockings, the epitome of executive elegance.
(Similar to Mabui, the Fourth Raikage's secretary.)
Now THIS is an upgrade over Hizashi's grumpy mug.
"For your review."
She bent slightly to place a file on his desk, the motion stretching the black fabric taut over her thighs.
Sasame skimmed the contents and laughed.
"This is my going rate?"
Kurenai tensed. "This isn't a joke. A 100 million ryō bounty will tempt even level-headed mercenaries."
Huh. One billion?
Not bad… though still undervalued for a Kage.
(For context: Asuma's bounty had dropped post-Hiruzen's retirement. Ouch.)
"Any leads on the sponsor?"
"None." Kurenai shook her head. "The black market's too deeply entrenched—likely backed by the Five Great Nations."
Makes sense.
Shinobi villages and the black market were natural competitors. That it operated freely across borders—even hosting rogue nin—hinted at noble (if not Daimyō) involvement.
"Ignore it."
Sasame set the file aside. "Killing me won't be that easy."
"You're safe in Konoha, but the trip to the capital…"
"A perfect ambush opportunity."
He smirked. Good training for Team 7.
"Have my students meet at Training Ground 4 tomorrow."
"Understood."
As she turned to leave, Sasame called after her:
"Kurenai-nee."
"Yes?"
"The new outfit suits you."
A faint smile curled her lips.
Mission accomplished.
Evening, Sasame's Residence
Stepping inside, Sasame found Tsunade lounging on the sofa, a bottle in hand.
"Since when do you drink?"
He shot Shizune an accusatory glare. "I thought we agreed—"
"It's juice."
Tsunade licked her lips, cheeks faintly flushed. "Taste it."
…Is this a trap?
He sat beside her and thoroughly sampled the "juice" directly from her mouth.
"Mmm. Sweet."
"Shizune's right there!" Tsunade shoved him away.
"Am not!"
Shizune vanished in a puff of smoke, leaving only her voice behind.
"So? First day as Hokage?" Tsunade took another swig.
"Boring."
Sasame's eyes dropped to her lips. "Though some perks are nice."
"Pervert."
She flicked his forehead. "Go check if dinner's ready."
In the kitchen, Shizune was cradling a pink piglet.
"Found her today. Named her Tonton."
"Just… picked up off the street?"
(No way this was coincidence. Destiny's a funny thing.)
"Go entertain Lady Tsunade." Shizune shooed him out. "Dinner in ten."
Back on the couch, Tsunade smirked and shook the empty bottle.
"All gone~"
"Don't worry."
Sasame nipped her earlobe. "I've got other juices for you tonight."
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