After settling everything related to Shizune, Arata Itsuki took a moment to gather his thoughts.
He soon realized that among all the system tasks he had, only two remained unfinished—
both related to Uzumaki Mito.
1: Become Hokage.
2: Win Mito's heart.
Neither could be accomplished quickly.
Becoming Hokage required strength, but also connections…and most importantly, approval from the Fire Daimyō. Arata would need to build that step by step. At least he now had the power and some allies.
Next, he needed to trip up Hiruzen—create an opening or pretext for the next Hokage election. Otherwise, unless the Third retired voluntarily, no one else was qualified to even run.
The position of Hokage wasn't like the presidents back in his previous life—
no term limits, no re-election rules.
If Hiruzen didn't have a major scandal or "accident," his seat was immovable.
Arata could simply assassinate him—but that required perfect timing. Otherwise, he'd be branded a Hokage-slayer forever, and that would destroy any chance of becoming Hokage himself.
Besides, Hiruzen's strength was mediocre, but his survival skills were top-tier.
No matter how fierce the wars outside were, Hiruzen always used the excuse of "protecting Konoha" to stay inside the village.
That's why he lived until the Chūnin Exams in Naruto's era.
Just like Danzō in the future—others fought while he stayed behind to claim the credit.
But precisely because he never left the village…
Arata had no clean shot at him.
He couldn't exactly fight Hiruzen in the middle of Konoha.
Even if he won, he'd destroy half the village—completely not worth it.
But now he had Orochimaru under his control.
Perhaps he could let Orochimaru handle it.
That snake was a natural-born rebel—perfect for dirty work.
Give him the right reward, and Orochimaru would happily make a move.
As for winning over Uzumaki Mito…
That would be much harder.
She'd lived for decades—no trick could fool her.
To move someone like her, he needed something entirely different.
After thinking for a while, Arata suddenly realized a potential plan.
From what he knew, Mito was still completely unaware of certain events that were destined to happen…
With a solid plan forming, Arata resumed training smoothly.
As for the ANBU appointment?
He tossed that aside immediately.
Now that he was openly at odds with Hiruzen, going to ANBU was pointless.
He'd rather pretend he didn't know about the assignment at all.
As long as he still completed any missions Hiruzen personally gave him, the old man would have no excuse to pick a fight.
...
That morning, as Arata was about to begin his usual training, his sensory perception suddenly caught a familiar chakra signature.
"Finally back, huh…"
He muttered to himself.
BOOM!!
A white-clad figure dropped from the sky and crashed into the Senju estate's courtyard.
"The great Jiraiya has returned! Tsunade! Prepare yourself for my heartfelt confession!!!"
Arata turned around, saw the white-haired man, and smirked:
"Jiraiya, you're late. Tsunade is already my wife."
Inside the house, Tsunade heard Jiraiya's shameless announcement and exploded.
"Jiraiya!!
You looking to die?!"
The newcomer was, of course, Jiraiya—future Sannin.
He had been training at Mount Myōboku, but because he still couldn't master Sage Mode, he occasionally returned to Konoha.
And like always, the moment he got back, he rushed straight to Tsunade to confess.
Arata and Tsunade had long grown used to it.
Jiraiya would confess, get punched through a wall, and then go peep at the women's baths.
This guy wasn't devoted—he was a notorious flirt.
Ever since childhood, he claimed he wanted to be "the boyfriend of all women."
Otherwise, with their teammate relationship, he might have had some chance with Tsunade.
Arata and Jiraiya had similar backgrounds—they naturally bonded.
They trained together, fought together, and after being rejected by Tsunade together, they would go peep at the bathhouses together.
So when Arata made his declaration, Jiraiya froze.
"What did you say!? Tsunade is your wife?!"
He'd been isolated in Mount Myōboku—he didn't know about the marriage, nor that Arata had killed an enemy Kage-level powerhouse.
Jiraiya always thought he understood Arata well.
This kid liked Tsunade, sure—but he was weak back then.
Even when he had a chance, he'd never muster the courage to confess.
So how did he suddenly grow a backbone?
And how did he succeed?!
But before Arata could answer, Tsunade took action.
She was a married woman now—she wasn't going to tolerate Jiraiya running his mouth.
Her fist came swinging down.
BAM!!!
CRACK!!
Bone-shattering impact echoed through the courtyard.
Just hearing it made Arata flinch in pain.
As for Jiraiya…
he flew into the sky and vanished over the treetops.
Arata sighed, offering a silent condolence for his brother, then hurried after him.
This was his one true friend in Konoha—
and now that Arata was married, he had to show off properly.
Tsunade just shook her head helplessly.
"Sigh… I wonder which bathhouse will suffer tonight…"
She didn't try to stop Arata.
After all, this was his closest brother—
she wouldn't take away his right to have friends.
....
In a forest behind Konoha, the smell of roasting meat filled the air.
Arata and Jiraiya—now wrapped in bandages across his chest—sat around a fire, drooling as they watched rabbit meat roast over the flames.
The first thing these two idiots did after reuniting was cook wild game.
Arata's grilling skills, bolstered by 21st-century seasoning knowledge, were unmatched.
After not tasting it for so long, both he and Jiraiya were salivating.
Leaning against a boulder, Jiraiya watched Arata tend the fire and teased:
"I can't believe you actually got her…
Tell me—how did you work up the courage? Did you throw away your dignity as a man?"