Since Orochimaru was in a hurry to go back and read, Hibari didn't insist on dragging him along to observe any speech at the Hokage Residence.
Midway, Hibari and little Tsunade parted ways with Orochimaru. He went back to read, while Hibari continued with little Tsunade to attend the speech.
Just as Orochimaru had predicted, the area around the Hokage Residence was packed with people. A large crowd of shinobi and ordinary citizens mixed together, completely surrounding the building.
However, things were different now. Previously, Hibari entered the Hokage Residence relying on his identity as the Young Master of the Senju clan. Now, it was different; he held a legitimate 'official position.'
Although this department currently only consisted of him and Hiruzen, they were still 'high-ranking officials' personally appointed by the Hokage. If this were in his previous life, he would be a first-rank official who could enter and exit the Forbidden City at any time to report directly to the emperor.
Hibari, holding little Tsunade's hand, squeezed through the congested crowd and arrived at the building's entrance, which was guarded by four protectors.
Just as Hibari was about to pull out his 'work ID,' the leading protector, Torifu of the Akimichi clan, being a newly rising 'power noble,' naturally knew that Hibari was favored by the Hokage and Tobirama. He also had some general idea that Hibari and Hiruzen had been tasked with forming a team, and thus held an official position in the Hokage Residence.
Therefore, without even waiting for Hibari to pull out any 'work ID,' he directly pulled Hibari aside and said, "What took you so long? Hiruzen has been waiting for you for ages. Come on in!"
Hibari stopped his movements at the sight, chuckling as he said, "Torifu-nii, isn't there still some time before the speech starts? What's Hiruzen rushing about?"
"You two are so mysterious all day long, keeping secrets from me too. Who knows what that Hiruzen is rushing for? Why don't you go see for yourself? Go on in, I still have work, so I won't escort you up. You're familiar with this place anyway," Torifu said with a smile.
Hibari hadn't known Torifu for too long. Before, they just exchanged greetings. It wasn't until recently, after the Ino-Shika-Cho clans gained influence and strongly established themselves in the Hokage Residence, that Hibari became familiar with Torifu, Hiruzen's good friend.
He used to think that Torifu, with his thick eyebrows and big eyes, should be a straightforward, stubborn person, but after getting to know him, he found that Torifu was also a very clever individual and excellent at dealing with people. No wonder he could get along so well with Hiruzen, that 'little monkey.'
"Hahahaha, isn't it all for mission requirements? Hokage-sama hasn't authorized it, so none of us can speak about it. Once it's all done, I'll tell you all about it, Torifu-nii," Hibari said with a cheerful laugh.
Then the two didn't continue chatting, after all, everyone had things to do, didn't they? Hibari led little Tsunade all the way to the Hokage's office. After knocking on the door and hearing a voice from inside, he pushed the door open and entered.
Upon entering, he saw Hashirama wearing the Hokage's exclusive ceremonial robe, standing with his back to them by the window, looking at something. The large characters 'First Hokage' were exceptionally prominent, filling Hibari's heart with a sense of emotion.
Hibari knew very well that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, something significant was bound to happen today.
What was this significant event?
That's right, it was the formal retirement of Hashirama Senju, the First Hokage of Konohagakure, from the Hokage position. And his younger brother, Tobirama Senju, the 'Fastest of the Shinobi World,' who also held extremely high prestige and popularity in Konohagakure, would formally inherit the Hokage position, becoming the Second Hokage of Konohagakure!
"Ojiisama~" As soon as little Tsunade saw Hashirama, she let go of Hibari's hand and darted to Hashirama's side, clinging to his leg and beginning to act spoiled.
Hibari felt a great deal of relief watching the harmonious and warm scene between the two. His wrist truly hadn't been broken in vain for this moment. Let alone a broken wrist, even if all his limbs were broken, it would be worth it!
"Hibari, you're here. Hiruzen was looking for you. Didn't you see him on the way?" Tobirama asked, as he tidied the speech manuscript on the desk, looking at Hibari.
"No, I didn't. I heard Torifu-nii downstairs say Hiruzen-jisan was up here, so I came up, but I didn't see him either." Hibari replied. He then quickly changed the subject and asked, "Tobirama-jiisan, is... that matter going to be announced today?"
Tobirama nodded upon hearing Hibari's words and said, "That's right. Although I thought about waiting a few more days, first putting out some feelers to give the villagers some preparation before announcing it, it seems now your Hashirama-ojii doesn't want to wait that long. He insists on finalizing this matter today."
Before Hibari could speak, Hashirama, holding little Tsunade, turned around and said with a very bright smile, "Why delay? Announcing it sooner will only benefit the village sooner, won't it?"
"Hashirama-jiisan, don't smile so happily. I owe 800,000 ryo in external debt at the bookstore. When I get back, I'm going to ask Mito-baasan for that money. We'll see when you can pay it back!" Hibari also said, teasing him with a laugh.
As soon as his words fell, Hashirama, who had been smiling very happily, grimaced and said, "You brat, today was supposed to be a happy day, and you just had to bring this up. Do you think I wouldn't pay you back the money I owe you? Don't you know who I am?"
"You steal your grandson's money!" Hibari retorted unceremoniously.
"I told you, that was..." Hashirama tried to argue, somewhat annoyed.
"You steal your grandson's money!" Hibari directly interrupted again.
This infuriated Hashirama greatly. Just as he was about to speak, the door to the Hokage's office was gently pushed open. Then Hiruzen poked his head in and asked, "That brat Hibari hasn't... Ah, you're finally back!"
Seeing this, Hibari stopped teasing Hashirama and asked, very puzzled, "What's wrong? I heard so many people say you were looking for me early this morning?"
Hiruzen walked in and said, somewhat annoyed, "You, you were the one who said this was our... what was it again?"
"Anbu, the Special Assassination and Tactical Squad! You better remember it well. How many times do I have to tell you such a cool name?" Hibari reminded Hiruzen Sarutobi again.
"It's all your doing, making it so convoluted. What 'Assassination Squad'? Is it really that dark?" Hiruzen grumbled, somewhat displeased. But then he thought, judging by Tobirama's requirements for this department, it truly was that 'dark.' He wondered if Hibari had some psychological issues to want to join such a team.
"Forget it, Anbu it is. Didn't you say the other day that this would be our Anbu's first appearance and that we needed to be prepared? I've got all those uniforms and masks you designed ready. Come pick them out yourself," Hiruzen said, too rushed to bother arguing with Hibari about names.
Hibari's interest was piqued. He quickly walked over to Hiruzen and asked, "Where are the things?"
Then, without even a word of farewell, the two of them boisterously exited the Hokage's office again.
Watching this scene, Tobirama chuckled and said, "Those two, I wonder what they're up to. They're not rushing to recruit personnel, but rather to create an image first?"
Tsunade, upon hearing Tobirama's words, rolled her dark eyes and said, "Hibari-nii told me before that he wanted to create a high-end, classy image so it would be easier to invite those high-ranking experts who care about their reputation to join his ranks..."
"Hahahahaha, that brat always comes up with these ridiculous ideas," Hashirama also burst out laughing.
A short while later, the door to the Hokage's office was knocked on again. Tobirama softly said 'Come in,' and two figures entered, one tall and one short. Although their faces were covered by strange masks, Tobirama and Hashirama recognized them at a glance; it was none other than Hibari and Hiruzen.
Hashirama carefully scrutinized Hibari and Hiruzen, then said with interest, "They really look the part, it has the feel of a mysterious unit..."
Hibari, who had been maintaining an air of mystery, immediately pulled up his mask upon hearing this, then chuckled and said, "Well? Hashirama-jiisan, Tobirama-jiisan? How's our look?"
Tobirama's lips curved slightly into a smile. He said, "Excellent, keep it up!"
"Mission accomplished!" Hibari also said with a smile.
The mask on Hiruzen's face was a simply drawn 'monkey,' which also exuded a sense of mystery. His clothes had been changed to the specialized Anbu attire Hibari remembered.
As for Hibari, his mask was a bird with outstretched wings. Due to its complete design, it also had a mysterious feel. Other than being a size smaller than Hiruzen, there wasn't much other significant difference.
Just as the few of them were chatting and laughing, Sasuke also pushed open the door. His first glance fell upon the mysterious figures of Hibari and Hiruzen, which surprised him for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure.
He then said nothing more, but looked at Hashirama and Tobirama, and said, "Hokage-sama, Tobirama, everything is ready. The time is almost here. We can begin!"
Hashirama put down little Tsunade, whom he was holding, then glanced at Tobirama, smiled, and said, "Let's go, to welcome this new era."
Tobirama's lips also curved slightly into a smile as he said, "Anija, you should think about how to face the public's doubts. Just deciding not to be Hokage anymore, that's truly willful."
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