The next day, the Hokage Tower was livelier than usual.
Clan heads from all the major families had gathered here.
Even clans like Ino–Shika–Cho were present.
Though they had no interest in the advisor seats themselves, they still came to watch—
to see who would end up taking those two vacant positions.
The most eye-catching figures were undoubtedly Uchiha Fugaku and Hyuga Hiashi.
One had long been pushed to the fringes of Konoha's core power structure,
the other spent most of his time secluded within his clan compound.
Yet today, both appeared.
Anyone with eyes could tell why.
As for why the two advisor seats had suddenly become vacant—
no one cared.
What everyone cared about was who would get them.
Just as the crowd buzzed with their own calculations, the Third Hokage finally strolled over to the office entrance.
"Oh?"
"What's the occasion today, that everyone's gathered here?"
The question was so obviously rhetorical that many of the clan heads cursed inwardly.
Still, not a single person dared show it.
Smiles went up across the board as they greeted him.
Among them, Fugaku and Hiashi were easily the most enthusiastic.
"Hehe, we heard that the two advisors resigned due to personal reasons," Fugaku said smoothly.
"You already handle such exhausting affairs every day, Hokage-sama. We merely wished to share your burden."
"So you could rest a little more."
Hiruzen almost laughed out loud.
Do you take me for a senile old man?
They might as well have written advisors on their faces.
All this lofty talk—
Everyone here was an old fox. What kind of ghost story were they trying to sell?
"All right," Hiruzen said, waving his hand.
"You're asking the wrong person about the advisor seats."
"Myself and Danzo have decided to leave this matter entirely to Aiden."
"If you want the position, go persuade him yourselves."
"That's all. You may leave."
The room fell silent.
Only after stepping outside did the clan heads fully process what they'd just heard.
Advisor seats—
left to a ten-year-old child to decide?
This was absurd.
No matter how much the Third Hokage doted on his grandson, this was far too much.
Yet no one dared voice their dissatisfaction.
What if an ANBU overheard and reported it?
That would be asking for trouble.
Amid the dispersing crowd, two figures immediately turned and left the Hokage Tower at top speed.
Uchiha Fugaku.
Hyuga Hiashi.
Neither of them had time to waste.
If they wanted those advisor seats, speed was everything.
While the two clan heads hurried toward the Sarutobi estate—
Aiden Sarutobi had only just woken up.
"Mm…"
His movement disturbed the person beside him.
Looking at the completely naked Izumi next to him, Aiden felt his throat go dry.
Damn it…
If only I were a few years older.
Otherwise, morning exercises would've already begun.
As the two finished washing up, a servant approached the door respectfully.
"Aiden-sama."
"The heads of the Uchiha and Hyuga clans have come to pay a visit."
Aiden wasn't surprised in the slightest.
But if they wanted advisor seats—
it wouldn't be that easy.
"Make them wait," he said lazily.
"I'm busy."
The servant didn't dare say another word and hurried off to relay the message.
When Fugaku and Hiashi heard it, dissatisfaction flashed through their eyes—
but they swallowed it.
They could only sit down in the reception hall and wait.
Meanwhile, Aiden checked his gains from last night.
Slapping Utatane Koharu to death had earned him five percent fusion.
As for Mitokado Homura—
even though Aiden hadn't personally killed him, the result was still caused by him.
So the reward counted.
After Root finished ransacking the households, the rewards had already been issued.
He just hadn't had time to look.
Last night had been… rather busy with Izumi.
Now was perfect.
[Host: Aiden Sarutobi]
[Age: 10]
[Ninjutsu: None]
[Taijutsu: None]
[Genjutsu: None]
[Bloodline: None]
[Template: Homelander]
[Fusion Rate: 50%]
[Unlocked Abilities: Super Strength, Super Durability, Super Speed, Super Hearing, Flight, X-Ray Vision]
[Next Template: Superman (Man of Steel)]
Aiden raised an eyebrow.
He hadn't expected that reaching fifty percent would unlock two abilities at once.
Aside from heat vision, Homelander's powers were basically all there.
And more importantly—
he could feel it.
Right now, he could crush yesterday's version of himself without breaking a sweat.
He immediately tested the new abilities.
Flight.
His body lifted effortlessly from the ground, hovering in midair.
The sensation was intoxicating.
As for X-ray vision—
his gaze sharpened.
Clothes became meaningless.
Organs. Bones. Everything was laid bare.
After testing things out, Aiden finally remembered—
Someone was still waiting in the reception hall.
Inside the hall, Fugaku and Hiashi were already growing impatient.
But for the sake of the advisor seats, they endured it.
The moment Aiden appeared, both men immediately stood up, faces filled with smiles.
"Aiden-sama."
"Aiden-sama."
"All right, all right," Aiden said, waving them off.
"Enough pleasantries. Sit."
He didn't even bother acknowledging their flattery.
Once they sat down, Aiden cut straight to the point.
"I know why you're here."
"So—what are you offering?"
"…Offering?"
Both men froze.
The blank look on their faces almost made Aiden laugh.
Did they really think he was a clueless ten-year-old?
"Let me get this straight," Aiden said lazily, idly spinning the teapot in front of him.
"You think flapping your lips a bit is enough for me to hand over an advisor seat?"
"You two really don't have that much clout."
The meaning was crystal clear.
If they wanted those positions—
they'd have to bleed.
Uchiha Fugaku took a deep breath, then stepped forward decisively.
"Rest assured, Aiden-sama."
"The terms the Uchiha clan is willing to offer…"
"Will absolutely satisfy you."
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