After Inoichi and Ino left, the Hokage Office grew quiet again.
Natsume leaned close to Tsunade's smooth cheek and said, "Thanks."
"No need to thank me. She's the Yamanaka heir—taking her as a disciple strengthens ties with Ino–Shika–Cho."
Tsunade analyzed coolly. "Quite beneficial for me, freshly seated as Hokage."
Natsume savored the soft feel and nodded.
That's a Hokage's calculus.
Tsunade isn't as power-hungry as Hiruzen, but she still does what needs doing.
In the original, she took Sakura not only for talent but also because of Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha.
Now that those two teammates are absent, Tsunade would hardly notice Sakura.
Because Sakura has no background.
Maybe her ancestors once prospered and left a family crest.
Or maybe it's just the author's mistake—forgetting their own setup mid-writing.
But this is the real Hokage world now.
With her current unremarkable performance, Sakura has no chance of becoming the Hokage's disciple.
Natsume brushed a kiss across Tsunade's cheek. "I thought last night's effort moved you."
"You!"
Tsunade turned, a blush of anger coloring her face. She glared. "Do you have a death wish?"
"Don't be mad."
Natsume raised his hands. "Tonight I'll let you vent however you like."
"Behave yourself here!"
Tsunade laughed in exasperation and flicked his forehead hard.
"—Tch!"
Natsume sucked in a breath and apologized obediently. "Sorry, Lord Hokage."
"Honestly."
Tsunade reached out and rubbed his forehead. "I have work to handle. Don't distract me."
In the end, she softened.
"What is it? The Uchiha inheritance distribution?"
Natsume caught her hand. "I can help."
"The Uchiha inheritance is under Sasuke's management."
Tsunade pulled her hand back, flipped out a file. "It's about the Konoha Police Department. The whole village is in an uproar."
Oh right—he'd forgotten that institution.
Back then, the Second Hokage, Tobirama, established the Police Department and entrusted it to the Uchiha.
At first it had tremendous authority—responsible for internal security and defense of Konoha.
In theory, broader than the ANBU and Root's remit.
But after Hiruzen and Danzo's maneuvers, the Uchiha lost power and were forced to move out of their compound.
The Police Department they managed was reduced to an ordinary institution.
Its day-to-day became handling civilian disputes.
The more it went that way, the worse their reputation grew.
Now the Uchiha are gone, and the Police Department is an empty shell.
Many clans are tempted.
The Sarutobi, Shimura, Hyuga, Inuzuka, and so on.
A starved camel is still bigger than a horse.
So is this agency.
Taking control would certainly benefit a clan's development and prosperity.
And someone does need to take over.
"Yeah, it's tricky."
Natsume glanced through it and understood Tsunade's headache.
With so many clans, whoever gets it offends the rest.
"Sis, I have an idea."
Natsume thought for a moment. "Why not split the Police Department into two? One handles civilian affairs; the other handles Konoha's security."
"Why the sudden thought?"
It was Tsunade's first time hearing such a proposal.
"Because having ninja handle civilian matters is an uneven match—it breeds misunderstanding."
Natsume laid it out. "The Uchiha's awful reputation likely owes something to this."
Tsunade froze.
The more she thought about it, the more sense it made.
She tilted her head at Natsume. "I suspect you have a Yin Seal like me."
As in: he might look young but is actually an old monster.
"Sis, you watched me grow up."
Natsume stressed the last words.
Tsunade's face stiffened. She rolled her eyes. "Why are you so unruly these days?"
"It's because you're too charming."
He stole another peck on her cheek.
Tsunade turned her face, the corner of her mouth twitching upward before she resumed Hokage dignity.
"And after splitting it?"
"The Police Department is a Konoha institution, not a private one. Best is to involve every clan."
Natsume paused. "As for how to select people to balance things—that's up to your skill, Sis."
That suggestion was within Tsunade's expectations.
She'd thought of it too.
Her hesitation was about management.
So many clans crammed together—big problem.
You need someone who can command the room.
"Flip to the last page."
Tsunade pointed at the file.
Natsume did and couldn't help but grin.
An institution needs a head, of course.
The Sarutobi clan proposed Asuma Sarutobi.
The Shimura clan proposed Danzo Shimura.
Their schemes couldn't be more obvious.
Asuma—a seemingly rebellious ninja whose life path has been laid out by Hiruzen:
Guardian of the Fire Daimyo and teacher of the new Ino–Shika–Cho.
And his girlfriend—
Kurenai Yuhi, an ordinary genin-to-jonin illusionist who somehow became sensei to Hyuga Hinata, Inuzuka Kiba, and Aburame Shino.
Incredible.
She specializes in genjutsu; her three students are all recon-type.
No connection at all.
If Asuma were a bit stronger, he could already be penciled in for the Hokage seat.
As for Danzo—at his age, still angling to be Police Chief.
Clearly a curved path back to power.
Root may be disbanded and its members functioning as normal ninja, but trained as they were, they still obey Danzo.
Disbanded, but not truly.
"Who should I pick?"
Tsunade rubbed her temples and sighed.
"The best choice is someone with extremely high prestige, a strong Will of Fire, solid strength, and a civilian background."
Natsume set the file down. "Any candidates, Sis?"
"Jiraiya and Orochimaru—but that's impossible."
Tsunade shook her head. "Beyond them, no third candidate."
"There is one."
Natsume thought for a moment. "Maruboshi Kosuke."
"Maruboshi Kosuke?"
Tsunade blinked, then nodded in realization.
A legendary genin.
He's lived through the Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Hokage.
Tobirama taught him Water Style; Hiruzen taught him ninjutsu; Minato once bandaged his wounds.
And Tsunade will have ordered him to defend Konoha.
Though that hasn't happened yet.
"Not bad. He can indeed serve as Police Chief."
Tsunade exhaled, mood improving. "You did well today. Your big sis will reward you."
Natsume grinned.
"Don't make that weird face—it's ugly!"
Tsunade glared and kneaded his cheeks.
She couldn't help but smile herself, lips curving into a pretty arc.
"Go back to your files."
Tsunade stood and planted a quick peck on his forehead.
By "files," she meant Konoha's historical paperwork.
Having Natsume read them—ostensibly to pave the way for his future as Hokage.
So when he suggested Maruboshi Kosuke, Tsunade wasn't surprised.
"Mm."
Natsume had business anyway, so he went along. "Call me if you need me."
Tsunade blinked and clicked her tongue.
"…?"
"I'm being serious," Natsume added firmly. "What's with that reaction?"
"Well, you've been misbehaving lately."
She knew there'd been a misunderstanding, but she didn't act coy—just waved a hand. "Go on."
Natsume left the Hokage Office.
…
"Natsume-kun."
Ino called from not far away.
She was hugging a stack of materials, almost covering her head.
"You're here to ask about Sakura, right?"
Natsume guessed why she was waiting. "Have her go to Konoha Hospital and find Director Nonou."
"Thank you!"
Ino breathed a sigh of relief.
Though it's not Tsunade, Nonō Yakushi is no slouch—she's a top-tier medical ninja, more than enough to teach Sakura.
Clever as she is, she couldn't guess the twists behind this.
She was helping Sakura purely out of friendship.
That's the taste of youth.
Natsume glanced at the books she was carrying and smiled. "Shizune's quite capable. Don't think she's torturing you."
"Of course not!"
Ino shook her head, full of spirit. "I'll work hard!"
Her long bangs and high ponytail swayed with her.
"Um… I have a question."
Natsume reached out and brushed aside her bangs, revealing her right eye. "Doesn't that usually block your vision?"
Ino's body stiffened. Her eyes darted away, her face flushing.
"Sorry."
Natsume withdrew his hand. "I just think your eyes are pretty—it's a pity to cover them."
In his previous life, he'd thought young Ino's long bangs didn't look great.
Though as she grew, her figure and looks could carry it.
From anyone else, those words would be harassment.
But paired with Natsume's face, Ino's blush deepened and she grew flustered.
Very softly, she said, "If Natsume-kun doesn't like it, I'll change it."
She hugged the materials and hurried back into the office.
Natsume sighed. "Youth is wonderful."
[Because of your actions, the fates of Yamanaka Ino, Haruno Sakura, Nonō Yakushi, and Maruboshi Kosuke have changed. You gained a total of 199 Fate Points.]
More than he expected.
Perhaps because Sakura and Ino have many scenes in the original.
Especially the former, one of the heroines.
Satisfied, Natsume walked over to the nearby Hokage Secretarial Office.
"It's Natsume."
Hyuga Hiashi greeted him first.
Hiashi hadn't told anyone Natsume's true strength.
But to avoid any accidents dragging the Hyuga in—
He told Hinata's uncle, Hyuga Hizashi, that Natsume was the reason he could be Hokage Secretary.
How to put it?
It was useless.
Hizashi didn't care.
He thought the Hokage Secretary was a thankless job.
Above him are the Hokage and the advisors.
He's just a gofer.
But after actually doing it, he found the power far greater than he'd imagined.
They now manage nearly two-thirds of village affairs—virtually sidelining the advisors completely.
Because of this, Hizashi had repeatedly been scolded by Koharu and Homura for "overstepping."
He shot back that he was following the Hokage's orders.
These last few days, Hizashi had been having a great time.
In the Hyuga, he's branch family. With the Caged Bird, life is suffocating.
He even has to watch his own son, Neji, get used as a punching bag.
And he has no freedom.
Whatever missions, all arranged by the main family.
But here, he's a manager, with real power.
Plenty of ninja and clans who once looked down on him now greet him warmly for various errands.
Thus, Natsume counts as his benefactor.
Plus, Natsume is the Hokage's disciple, so his attitude is naturally very good.
"Uncle Hizashi, I need a favor."
Natsume stated his purpose. "Any missing or dead ninja in the village recently?"
"Quite a few."
Hizashi thought a moment. "Ninja is a high-risk job. People get into trouble every day."
"Mm."
Natsume nodded. "Find and compile them for me."
If he wants Danzo to defect, he needs decisive evidence.
Like the Hashirama cell experiments.
Given Root's darkness, it's definitely not just one experiment—there are many.
Natsume's plan is to find a pretext—say, missing ninja—pin the blame on Danzo, then open an investigation.
Hiruzen might endure scrutiny, but Danzo can't.
Even dragging out the old Hashirama cell experiments would damn Danzo forever.
Now it depends on whether Koharu and Homura can hold back.
With that in mind, Natsume lowered his voice. "Uncle Hizashi, another favor?"
"What is it?"
Hizashi, puzzled by the secrecy, still said, "Tell me. If I can help, I will."
"Those two advisors must be giving you trouble lately, right?"
After his confirmation, Natsume said, "Don't be polite—lay into them. Make it as infuriating as possible."
"That's… not great, is it?"
Hizashi hesitated.
Previously he'd talked back, but only by citing the Hokage's orders, not pushing it.
"If anything happens, I'll take responsibility."
Natsume paused. "If you still have doubts, consult the Hyuga clan head."
Hizashi's eyes widened.
That seemed to imply a lot.
Could it be that his brother had reached some agreement with Natsume?
"Alright."
Hizashi agreed first.
But after all, those two are Hokage Advisors.
Their power may have waned, but they're not to be underestimated.
If he offends them rashly, it could affect the Hyuga.
The branch family might suffer punishment from the main family.
So he'd only act after asking Hiashi.
"Thanks."
With the missing and deceased ninja reports in hand, Natsume left the office.
As for Hiashi—if he knows what's good for him, he'll agree.