"Lord Hokage."
Hyuga Hiashi and the others immediately stood to greet him.
"It's fine, keep at it."
After waving his hand, Natsume introduced, "Uncle Hiashi, this is Yamanaka Ino."
"Lady Tsunade's little disciple, eh."
Hyuga Hiashi chuckled. "I've heard of you."
"Uncle Hiashi."
Yamanaka Ino behaved with the poise of a proper lady.
In truth, as the Yamanaka clan's young miss and future heir, she'd been specially trained in etiquette.
In front of outsiders, she could tuck away her real personality at any time.
"Please find someone to teach her how to become a qualified Hokage's secretary."
Natsume didn't beat around the bush.
"No problem."
Hyuga Hiashi was slightly taken aback, then nodded.
He figured Natsume had begun cultivating his own faction.
As the youngest Hokage, while no one said it outright, there wasn't full buy-in behind the scenes.
He believed Natsume's move was a bid to rope in the Yamanaka clan and curry favor with the Ino–Shika–Cho trio.
It never occurred to him that it was simply because Natsume didn't want to keep seeing his uncle face.
"In a couple of days, I'll have someone take over your job."
Natsume smiled. "Then you'll become a Hokage advisor."
"Thank you, Lord Hokage!"
Hyuga Hiashi could barely contain his excitement.
In theory, a Hokage advisor is second only to the Hokage.
They're absolute high-level leadership in Konoha.
However, Natsume's idea of a Hokage advisor was nothing like Hiashi imagined.
There wouldn't be that much power.
And the number would increase, ultimately becoming Konoha's board of directors, only deciding major issues.
But compared to being a secretary, it was indeed a promotion.
At least no more menial chores.
"Lord Hokage, who'll be taking over for me?"
Once calm, Hyuga Hiashi asked.
"Should be Kurenai Yuhi."
Natsume hadn't told her yet, but the chances of refusal were slim.
Hyuga Hiashi was a bit surprised.
He'd thought it would be a jonin from a clan.
For example, the Sarutobi.
That would win their support.
Kurenai, though, was the epitome of no background.
Her father, Yuhi Shinku, died in the Nine-Tails' rampage; there's no second ninja in her family now.
In other words, she offers no political leverage to the Hokage.
Hyuga Hiashi reconsidered; this didn't fit Natsume's style.
Maybe it was to win over non-clan ninjas.
The more he thought, the more it made sense.
He couldn't help but sigh that, though young, Natsume's methods were no worse than the Third, Sarutobi Hiruzen.
He'd felt this keenly these past years.
After all, he'd witnessed many of the Hokage Building's changes first-hand.
If not for the Caged Bird, he'd pledge his loyalty.
Following such a Hokage wouldn't be a loss.
Natsume didn't know what Hyuga Hiashi was thinking. After a few words with him, he greeted Yamanaka Ino, then turned to leave.
As Hokage, he couldn't stay here all day.
"Soku."
At his call, a female ninja in ANBU uniform with a mask and flowing hair appeared before him.
Soku had served as Tsunade's guard in the original story.
She had excellent observation and analytical skills.
And was quite young, only a few years older than him.
"Go fetch Kurenai Yuhi."
Natsume returned to the Hokage's office.
He had barely sat down when Kurenai knocked and entered.
"Lord Hokage, what did you need me for?"
"Kurenai, there's no one else here; no need to be so formal."
Natsume waved. "Just talk like we usually do."
Hearing that, Kurenai showed a faint smile.
Even after becoming Hokage, Natsume hadn't really changed.
For her, that was good.
"Uncle Hiashi will soon serve as a Hokage advisor, so I want you to head the Hokage secretarial team. What do you think?"
Natsume leaned back, relaxed.
"No problem at all."
Kurenai's eyes lit up; she nodded quickly.
Though the secretary team's salary can't match the Hokage Guard, it's still 100,000 ryo per month.
Stacked with her other pay, that's not a small sum.
Even without missions, Kurenai would do fine.
"Thanks, Lord Natsume."
"You're welcome."
Natsume smiled. "Kurenai, go find Uncle Hiashi."
"Yes!"
Kurenai took a deep breath, bowed deeply, and left.
Natsume nodded in satisfaction.
Next, he'd head to the Fire Country's metropolis to meet the Daimyo.
…
Dusk.
A knock sounded.
Natsume paused; one second later and he would've Flying Thunder God'd out to clock off.
"Come in."
He sat back down.
Kurenai entered with a file.
Natsume's eyes lit up.
She'd changed outfits.
A black pencil skirt and black stockings.
A standard secretary look.
Such attire existed in the ninja world.
For example, the Fourth Raikage's secretary, Mabui—she dressed like that all the time.
He hadn't expected Kurenai to switch too.
But it was great.
Much nicer than her previous clothes.
"Lord Natsume, take a look at this document."
Kurenai bent down to hand him the file.
The motion pulled her black-sheathed long legs taut, outlining a fine curve.
Natsume glanced.
Way better than looking at that grumpy old man Hyuga Hiashi, right?
And that guy always had a bitter face.
Being Hokage sure is nice.
After so much effort to become Hokage, time to enjoy it.
He opened the file and chuckled. "Am I worth only this much?"
Kurenai froze, worry on her face. "Lord Natsume, this isn't a joke. A 100-million-ryo bounty is enough to make plenty risk it all."
Indeed, as soon as Natsume became Hokage, the black market abruptly raised his bounty to 100 million ryo.
Equivalent to three Sarutobi Asumas.
Oh wait—since Sarutobi Hiruzen retired, Asuma's price dropped to 3.5 million.
Tragic.
One hundred million… how to put it?
Just barely.
Actually a bit unworthy of the title.
He was Hokage, one of only five Kage in the ninja world.
"Can we trace who posted it?"
Natsume asked casually.
"No."
Kurenai shook her head. "The black market has deep backing, likely supported by the Five Great Nations."
That wasn't wrong.
Though the original story never stated it, the black market's existence clearly challenged the Five Great Villages—or stole their business.
Ninjas earn money through missions.
The black market uses the same model, competing to a degree.
Also, the black market's regulars are mostly missing-nin from each village.
In other words, it funds them.
Such an organization is spread across countries and hasn't been crushed by ninja villages.
The backing is obvious—most likely the five great countries.
Not necessarily the daimyo themselves, but certainly the nobility.
Ninja villages sometimes have lines they won't cross.
The black market doesn't—and often posts bounties on Five Village ninjas.
"Ignore it."
Natsume set the file down. "Killing me isn't so easy."
"In Konoha, there's no need to worry."
Kurenai reminded him, "But in a few days you'll go to the Fire Country's metropolis. Bring enough hands."
"It is indeed a perfect opportunity for an assassination."
Natsume stroked his chin, thinking he could bring Uzumaki Naruto and the others for some live training.
"Kurenai, notify my three students to meet at Training Ground 4 tomorrow morning."
"Ah—okay."
The sudden topic shift left Kurenai a bit slow to react.
"That's all."
Natsume stood, then paused. "Kurenai, the new outfit really suits you."
Kurenai blinked at his disappearing figure, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
Mm, looks like it worked well.
After things fell through with Sarutobi Asuma, facing a high-quality man like Natsume, it'd be a lie to say she felt nothing.
Even if not love, he's easy on the eyes.
And now he's Hokage.
Of course, Kurenai wasn't a casual woman—she let things happen naturally, so she did nothing over the line.
She also worried about backfiring and harming their current good rapport, which would be a loss.
…
Natsume returned home.
Changing shoes at the door, he saw Tsunade on the sofa, a flask in her right hand.
"Why are you drinking?"
Natsume frowned, then looked to Shizune. "Shizune-nee, didn't I tell you to keep an eye on her?"
"This isn't alcohol—it's juice."
Tsunade lounged, licking her moist lips. The smile on her cheeks turned a touch more seductive. "Try it."
"…"
Natsume strongly suspected she was baiting him.
He stepped over, sat beside her, and leaned in to kiss her deeply, tasting the smooth, soft sweetness of her lips.
Tsunade froze, then pushed him away. "Shizune's still here."
"Nope, I'm not."
Shizune had vanished, leaving only her words echoing in the air.
"Sweet and tangy."
Natsume grinned. "Which shop sells this juice?"
"I forgot."
Parched, Tsunade took another swig. "Just bought it randomly on the street."
"Oh."
Natsume leaned back, slipped an arm around her. "Let me have another sip."
Tsunade shot him a look, took a drink, then tilted her head up and pressed her lips to his in a soft, lingering kiss, sharing the sweet juice between them.
"The sweet part isn't the orange juice—it's you."
Natsume smacked his lips.
"Talking nonsense again."
Tsunade snorted lightly. "How's your first day as Hokage?"
"Alright, nothing special."
Natsume stared at her dewy red lips, smiling.
"Stop drinking—you'll finish it all."
Her eyes flowed, a hint of charm on her face. She pushed Natsume away. "Go check if Shizune's cooking."
"Okay."
He headed to the kitchen, opened the door, and saw a pig.
"I found this pet on the street today."
Shizune glanced at him. "Her name is Tonton."
"Picked up?"
Natsume was surprised.
The original never mentioned her origin.
"Mm."
Shizune nodded. "Go keep Lady Tsunade company—dinner's almost ready."
She was very considerate.
Natsume was shooed back to the sofa.
Seeing him, Tsunade smiled brightly. "The orange juice is finished."
"No worries, there's other juice."
Natsume lowered his head and licked her ear. "You'll find out tonight."