Hokage Building, conference room.
Hyuga Hiashi pushed the door open and found it already half full.
A glance showed only familiar faces.
Shinobi familiar to him were basically jonin.
And today was a jonin meeting.
Usually, only very important matters warranted a jonin meeting.
Reason was simple.
Jonin are very busy—many are on missions outside.
Calling one required notice several days in advance.
Even so, some would still be absent.
After all, jonin missions usually start at A-rank, and can take months.
Hiashi scanned the room and locked onto Hyuga Hizashi.
Because he was the Hokage's secretary, his seat was in the second row.
Compared to before, his status had clearly risen.
But as clan head, Hiashi sat in the front row.
A few seats were taken.
For instance, the newly appointed Konoha Police Department Chief, Maruboshi Kosuke.
When Tsunade dug him up from who-knows-where, it shocked many.
But they couldn't deny it was a brilliant move.
The direct result was the police department's power returned to Konoha proper.
Besides Maruboshi Kosuke, there were the four Hokage guards:
Hatake Kakashi, Might Guy, Yūhi Kurenai, and Shizune.
Strictly speaking, they weren't qualified to sit here.
But being Hokage guards was a bit different.
They were de facto Hokage candidates, carrying significant symbolic weight.
There was one more today: Natsume.
Hiashi suddenly noticed he was seated dead center—clearly against protocol.
That seat had always been Shimura Danzō's.
He paused, a guess forming.
But it seemed unlikely.
Natsume was too young.
If he revealed his full strength, that would be another matter.
Hiashi sat in silence.
If Natsume became Hokage's aide, he'd be one beneath the Hokage and above ten thousand—his authority second only to Tsunade.
Perhaps it was time to consider him and Hinata.
Hiashi was a smart man; he knew what was best for the Hyuga.
"Clan Head."
Hizashi greeted him.
"Mm."
Hiashi snapped back and said calmly, "You've done well lately. Keep it up. If you become a Hokage advisor, that will be your greatest contribution."
Hizashi sighed inwardly but could only nod.
When will the branch family stand tall?
Nearby, Kakashi suddenly noticed Sarutobi Asuma.
He thought of the favor he'd agreed to recently.
Troublesome.
"Kurenai, I haven't seen you and Asuma together lately. Did something happen?"
Kakashi chose his words and asked.
He and Asuma had graduated the same year—they were on good terms, so he could only help.
"No."
Kurenai shook her head. "I just feel we're not quite compatible."
"Not compatible?"
Kakashi blinked. "Could you say why?"
"The documents from a few days ago."
After reminding him, Kurenai fell silent.
An expression of dawning appeared on Kakashi's face.
So that's it.
After a comprehensive investigation of Danzō, many past events surfaced.
Quite a few involved Hiruzen and Orochimaru and other high-level figures.
Tsunade had delayed action out of concern for village stability—and old ties.
But for people like Kakashi and Kurenai, who had followed and admired Hiruzen, it was very hard to accept.
Like an idol collapsing—you thought he was immaculate, then he turned around and got caught at a sewing machine.
For a time, Kurenai even grew suspicious of Hiruzen's son, Asuma.
Even if he was innocent—if she married into the Sarutobi clan, would she face Hiruzen daily?
Kurenai felt she couldn't.
And since they had just started dating, with shallow feelings, she'd already decided to let go.
[Because of your actions, the fates of Sarutobi Asuma, Yūhi Kurenai, and Sarutobi Mirai have changed. You gain a total of 150 Fate Points.]
Natsume, who had been zoning out, suddenly jolted.
Good grief!
What's going on?
How did I accidentally break up Asuma and Kurenai?
Natsume truly felt wronged.
He hadn't done anything.
Even though Kurenai was the Hokage's secretary, there'd been no advantage—he hadn't touched her at all.
Still, points were points.
Natsume wasn't the god of matchmaking—he didn't care about others' happiness.
And he didn't much care for Asuma anyway.
If it were Uzumaki Naruto, he'd feel he was pitiful and lend a hand.
In short, his principle was: do as he pleased.
Soon, Tsunade arrived and the meeting began.
"First matter: Root."
No wasted words—decisive as ever, she went straight to business.
At the mention of Root, many faces shifted.
Especially Aburame Shibi.
Root had taken two of the Aburame clan's geniuses—or rather, top-level fighters:
Aburame Tatsuma and Aburame Torune.
Worst of all, once they joined Root, they basically ignored their clan and became Danzō's hounds.
"Since Root has been disbanded, there's no need to rebuild it."
Tsunade's voice was steady. "Former Root members will be reassigned as regular shinobi."
At that, the previously gloomy Shibi brightened visibly.
That meant Tatsuma and Torune would return to the Aburame.
And it meant their prodigies wouldn't be snatched again.
Many others were all smiles as well.
"Second matter: division of Konoha Police Department duties."
Tsunade raised a second finger.
Because of the Uchiha, the police department's authority had been scattered.
Even after rebuilding, it felt like a chicken rib.
For the clans whose shinobi joined the police, it wasn't very fair.
Or rather, demotivating.
"From now on, Konoha's public security is handled solely by the police department. ANBU will no longer interfere."
As her words fell, the shinobi below collectively drew cold breaths, contributing to global warming.
It sounded like a bland restoration of original powers, but for them, it was a massive boon.
Because now they were the beneficiaries.
Tsunade swept a glance around, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly.
The first two matters were paving the way for the next.
Of course, she wasn't losing out.
It seemed to favor the clans and shinobi, but there was no single biggest winner.
They would share the benefits.
Konoha would be the one laughing last.
The first matter needed no elaboration.
The second—ANBU had indeed overreached.
Returning it to the police would save costs and let ANBU focus on intel and the Hokage.
And with Maruboshi Kosuke in place, the police wouldn't stir trouble.
"Third matter: appoint Natsume as Hokage's aide. He made great contributions regarding Danzō, is quite capable, and as a Senju shinobi, is fully qualified."
She raised a third finger, tone solemn. "I'm done. Who approves? Who opposes?"
Silence settled briefly.
Many instinctively opposed him as too young and too green.
But the shrewd saw the issue.
Like Nara Shikaku, head of the Nara clan.
He immediately read Tsunade's tactic.
Two sweets first, then the main point.
It meant her stance was very firm.
With that in mind, Shikaku murmured, "Don't oppose."
On his left and right were his allies: Akimichi Chōza and Yamanaka Inoichi.
The Nara were always the external brain of the Ino–Shika–Cho.
Even if they didn't fully get it, they'd comply.
"So that's how it is."
Hiashi narrowed his eyes. Perhaps he should be the first to voice support.
Not the Hyuga's usual style, but he was the only one who knew Natsume's true strength.
With that, he rose without hesitation.
"I approve."
Ignoring the surprised looks, Hiashi said, "I've heard some inside info: the Hokage's secretariat and the police restructuring were Natsume's ideas. Combined with his strength, I think he merits a special appointment."
Tsunade nodded calmly.
But she was somewhat surprised.
The Hyuga had been very supportive lately.
Or had Hiashi already considered Natsume his son-in-law?
With the village's largest clan, Hyuga, backing him, many shelved their opposition.
"I see no problem."
Maruboshi Kosuke stood. "This is a young person's era. Electing another Danzō would only harm Konoha. Natsume is outstanding among the younger generation—let him try. Konoha might find new vitality."
After him, Shikaku spoke as well.
Though only one man, everyone knew he represented three clans.
Naturally, there was opposition—like from the Sarutobi and Shimura.
Tsunade ignored them.
Most jonin ultimately agreed, making Natsume officially the Hokage's aide.
Unlike Danzō, though, with Root gone, his authority wasn't that vast.
That was why so many agreed.
Plus, Tsunade had already given out benefits—opposing now would seem ungrateful.
Being Hokage wasn't just about fighting—it was about people and politics.
The jonin meeting ended.
As Hokage's secretary, Hizashi quickly announced the three decisions.
The most sensational was Natsume's appointment.
He was now the youngest Konoha executive in history.
Even younger than Namikaze Minato had been.
As gossip swirled, Natsume was escorted by ANBU to a sealed chamber deep within the Hokage building.
Where the Scroll of Seals was kept.
…
"Lord Natsume, please enter."
The ANBU was respectful.
"Thanks."
Natsume entered alone.
There were many nice-looking treasures inside, but he took none.
After all, the Hokage was Tsunade.
Why steal from his own house?
He looked to the central Scroll of Seals and opened it.
The first forbidden jutsu: Multi-Shadow Clone Technique.
When Naruto was tricked by Mizuki into stealing the scroll, he learned this.
Thinking back, it was clearly Hiruzen's arrangement.
Otherwise, with Naruto's strength then, how could he enter such a well-guarded vault?
And stealing the precious Scroll of Seals without punishment?
Anyone sharper would have smelled something off.
Only a carefree Naruto thought it normal.
Natsume already knew Multi-Shadow Clone, so he flipped to the next.
Reverse Four Symbols Seal.
Danzo's specialty.
Natsume shook his head—he had Uzumaki Hinae, no need to waste time on sealing.
He turned more pages.
Impure World Reincarnation—the original version, not that useful, too limited.
He already had Orochimaru's improved version.
Eight Gates Released Formation—great power, but a torturous path.
He didn't think he had it in him to learn it.
And it depended on the person.
With the same Eight Gates open, Might Guy would far outstrip Might Duy.
Dead Demon Consuming Seal—one-for-one. Not on his list.
Spirit Transformation Technique—now this was interesting.
An S-rank soul technique that lets the spirit leave the body.
Turning yourself into a living spirit that can traverse distance to kill, possess, and enter others' mental worlds.
There were barely any soul techniques in the shinobi world—rare like space-time ninjutsu.
In layman's terms: out-of-body.
Natsume noted it; he'd find time to learn it—it might come in handy.
Soon, he'd gone through the entire scroll.
Well…
There were many forbidden techniques not seen in the original.
But either the cost was too great or the effect was middling.
No big surprises.
Leaving the vault, he returned to his office.
Though Danzō had been Hokage's aide, he was confined to Root and had no dedicated office.
Natsume didn't care about offices.
But Tsunade was proper about it, so one had been set up.
Right next door to the Hokage Guard office.
"Ino? Why are you here?"
Natsume opened the door, a little surprised.
"Natsume-kun."
In an apron, Ino said excitedly, "Shizune asked me to help tidy up your office."
Natsume didn't get why she was so happy.
Silly child—you've been duped.
He could guarantee Tsunade had told Shizune to clean, and Shizune outsourced it to Ino.
Natsume picked up a broom. "Let's do it together—save time."
Ino's eyes lit up; she nodded.
She already treated it as a rehearsal for the future.
"By the way, Ino."
While sweeping, Natsume asked, "Shouldn't you be calling me senior?"
"Eh?"
Ino looked up. "Um… does Natsume-kun prefer being called senior?"
"Not really."
He thought for a moment. "Let's stick with what you've been calling me. Feels friendlier."
"Mm!"
Ino's cheeks reddened as she smiled brightly.
He said our relationship is friendly.