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Damn Danzo! You messed things up!
Qianyu took the pale red invitation from Takenouchi. "Uncle, I've got to run!"
With that, he jumped out the window.
"…"
So, was leaping through windows the destined fate of all ninja?
Recalling how his own daughter had always obediently used the stairs, Takenouchi's eyes grew moist. He walked to the window and closed it properly.
Qianyu sped all the way to the gates of the Hyuga compound.
By the time he arrived, quite a few ninja had already gathered outside.
"Qianyu!"
Juri was still in his Root uniform, having clearly just arrived himself.
"Qianyu, we don't need the invitations, we can just head right in!"
Shisui was here too, a light smile on his face.
In just these few short days apart, this guy seemed like a different person.
All traces of boyishness had vanished. Every movement now radiated a gentle, handsome warmth that felt like a spring breeze.
Several female ninja were stealing glances at Shisui, their eyes soft, expressions sweet—no trace of the bold fierceness they showed on the battlefield.
Qianyu's eyes burned red with envy.
Damn it!
When he dressed as a guy, would there even be any room for Shisui?
"Let's go."
Shisui led Juri and Qianyu towards a side entrance.
"Shisui, how's life in the Anbu?"
Juri slung an arm around Shisui's neck as he asked.
The few days apart hadn't created any distance between them.
"Good."
Shisui replied with a slight smile, but his gaze drifted towards Qianyu on his other side.
Juri gave Shisui a once-over, his tone implying something. "Yeah, looks really good. Even found time to start grooming yourself, huh?"
"…"
Shisui's expression conveyed his utter exasperation with Uchiha Juri.
Qianyu laughed out loud. Perfect! Juri had said exactly what he was thinking.
Since when did Shisui get so… extra? That hairstyle of his definitely had product in it.
"Qianyu, Shisui, Juri!"
Standing at the inner courtyard gate was Hizashi Hyuga, dressed in a light-colored yukata.
Success brings a happy spirit.
Hizashi was no exception. He was all smiles, his entire demeanor overflowing with happiness.
"Sensei!"
The three of them called out in unison as they approached.
Even though they were all Jonin now, assigned to different squads, Hizashi would forever be their sensei.
"You've all grown so much taller!"
Hizashi remarked, looking them over.
"…"
Qianyu's smile froze on his face.
Could they not mention the subject of height? It was a blow to his pride.
Shisui and Juri had shot up like weeds, while he… grew inch by painful inch. He was starting to suspect they were secretly eating something behind his back!
Now, when the three of them walked together, they formed a perfect concave shape.
Unfortunately, he was the concave part in the middle.
"Sensei, let us see the baby, quick!"
Juri was the most excited, already rubbing his hands together eagerly right in front of Hizashi.
"Alright."
Hizashi led them down the corridor of the courtyard, stopping before an elegant Japanese-style room.
"Miyu."
He slid the door open and called out to the woman kneeling on the tatami.
His expression gentle, he went to help her up.
The woman named Miyu gave a soft, beautiful smile.
Qianyu's attention was completely captured by the little infant in the wooden cradle.
Shisui and Juri were the same.
The tiny baby was pale and soft, holding tiny pink fists. A pair of extremely pale, clear eyes darted around curiously.
Juri's face suddenly turned bright red.
"So… so cute!" he finally managed to blurt out.
Shisui gently reached out, using one finger to tease the child. "He is, indeed."
Qianyu swallowed.
He couldn't hold back his sinful hands any longer!
"Sensei, what's their name?"
Such a pink, delicate child had to be a little girl, right?
Juri and Shisui thought simultaneously.
Qianyu must have been this cute when he was little!
No.
Qianyu was probably even cuter than this baby back then.
Juri and Shisui's gazes swung in unison towards Qianyu.
Qianyu, utterly lost in the joy of stroking the soft baby: ∑(△｀)?!
Why did he feel something strange?
"Haha, Neji is a boy!"
Miyu, standing beside Hizashi with his support, corrected with a laugh.
"A boy?!"
Juri's eyes widened. "A boy can be this cute?"
For some reason, hearing Juri say that made Qianyu feel inexplicably annoyed.
"His name is Neji?"
Shisui smiled. "It's a lovely name."
"Oh right, we didn't bring any gifts!"
Juri suddenly remembered. "I'll definitely bring one next time I visit!"
Hizashi just smiled, unconcerned about gifts.
Their intentions were what mattered.
Shisui's lips curved. "Sensei, I already gave my gift to the attendant at the gate."
"Huh?"
Qianyu and Juri both looked at Shisui.
"Shisui, when did you prepare a gift?"
Juri looked utterly confused.
"I prepared it a while ago."
Shisui said simply.
Looking at the smile on Shisui's face, Qianyu sighed inwardly. Truly the ever-prepared Shisui.
It made him and Juri look like a couple of slackers.
Qianyu's smile turned a bit bitter.
Juri had it easy, just fighting and killing all day.
He had it worst—having to fight and kill and play Village Intrigue with people.
"Really, gifts weren't necessary."
Hizashi helped Miyu sit down and motioned for the others to sit as well.
"Sensei, for something as big as Neji's birth, how could we not bring gifts?"
"Yeah, exactly!"
Juri nodded vigorously in agreement.
Qianyu watched Neji entertaining himself in the cradle, feeling a peculiar sensation.
"Qianyu, actually, I have something in mind."
Hizashi suddenly spoke, his tone turning more serious. "I want Neji to become your student."
Qianyu froze.
He blinked, his mind a whirl of panic.
Him, a hack, teaching a genius? Wasn't that just leading the disciple astray?
A light silence settled.
Of course, Qianyu couldn't refuse Hizashi. He nodded, a look of guilt appearing on his face. "Sensei, I'll do my very best to teach Neji!"
Even if his own skills were limited, he had the Witness system.
"…"
The Witness was silent. It was a points system, not a child-rearing system!
Why was a simple system like itself being put through this?
Seeing Qianyu agree, Hizashi couldn't help but smile. "Then I'll leave Neji in your care from now on!"
Qianyu nodded with a smile. "I'll do my best to teach him!"
Hizashi's choice was understandable. Qianyu could guess the reasoning.
Juri and Shisui were immensely talented, but they were both Uchiha.
With the war over, the Uchiha clan's reputation in the village was worsening by the day.
Shisui might have sensed it. But Juri…
Juri probably sensed it too, but he just didn't care.
The Uchiha clan was, ultimately, an unstable factor. Besides, their Sharingan was fundamentally different from the Byakugan. They couldn't teach Neji much anyway.
Qianyu was different.
In the eyes of both villagers and fellow ninja, Qianyu—a medical ninja with formidable combat strength—was the very model of an exemplary ninja.
Orphan, strong-willed, powerful, trusted by the Hokage, respected by his peers…
With all those buffs stacked up, any smart person knew that aligning with Qianyu was a safe bet.
Hizashi's gaze settled on the infant in the cradle, growing heavier.
His status as a branch family member meant he couldn't even control his own fate, let alone his son's.
So, he could only place his hope for changing his son's destiny on his own student.
Through a slight gap in the wooden window frame, a single green leaf was stuck, adding a touch of vibrant color to the heavy atmosphere.
…
One month later.
Meeting room, Hokage Tower.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat at the head of the table, several elders behind him.
Orochimaru and Minato Namikaze sat on his left and right respectively.
Below them sat the clan heads and leaders of Konoha's various major families.
The atmosphere in the room was solemn and grave.
Everyone was waiting for this moment.
Qianyu, clad in full Root attire, stood behind Danzō.
Shisui and Kakashi Hatake, in Anbu gear, stood behind Hiruzen.
"Now, we begin the election ceremony for the Fourth Hokage."
Hiruzen put down his pipe and announced solemnly.
The election would proceed with each clan head casting a vote by show of hands, with the final decision resting with the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"On behalf of the Uchiha clan, I support Minato Namikaze."
The first to break the silence was Fugaku Uchiha, head of the clan.
He sat poised beside Minato, his words leaving no room for hesitation.
"On behalf of the Hyuga clan, I support Minato Namikaze."
Hiashi Hyuga, seated beside Orochimaru, gave a slight nod, his voice following immediately.
Orochimaru's face was expressionless. No fluctuation could be seen in his eyes, as if the support of two great clans for Minato meant little to him.
With the Uchiha and Hyuga leading the way, the remaining clans began to voice their support.
The final tally was compiled and handed to Hiruzen.
He looked at the result in his hand, a trace of resignation flashing in his downcast eyes.
Minato Namikaze. The will of the people.
His student Orochimaru had lost after all.
At this moment, Hiruzen wasn't sure if he felt disappointment or relief.
He knew Minato was the best choice, yet he couldn't help but feel a pang of loss for his brilliant disciple.
Danzō's face was exceptionally dark.
Even though the final decision rested with Hiruzen, he could see from the voting that Orochimaru was at a clear disadvantage.
Qianyu could almost see the black aura emanating from Danzō.
"I declare…"
All eyes were on Hiruzen.
Orochimaru's included.
Nothing before had stirred his emotions, but this was different.
The one announcing the result was Hiruzen. His sensei.
"…the Fourth Hokage is Minato Namikaze!"
For some reason, Hiruzen's heart twinged. He looked straight ahead and declared loudly.
Amidst the sounds of joyful laughter and congratulations, Orochimaru slowly smiled.
At that moment, something tangled within his heart began to fade, to cool.
A thought long buried deep within finally became clear and sharp.
"Congratulations, Minato-senpai!"
Qianyu lifted his mask slightly, offering Minato a genuine smile.
Minato's eyes shone brightly, his grin radiant. "I won't let everyone down!"
"Hmph!"
Danzō, standing in front of Qianyu, thumped his cane heavily on the floor, a warning glare aimed at Qianyu.
Qianyu cleared his throat lightly and followed Danzō as he left.
"You seem quite pleased about Namikaze becoming Hokage."
On the way back to Root HQ, Danzō spoke abruptly.
Qianyu's voice was light. "The Fourth Hokage has been chosen! Isn't that something for the whole village to celebrate?"
"…"
Danzō felt a wave of irritation he couldn't swallow.
This damned fool, with his one-track mind, was impossible to talk to.
"Orochimaru was the best candidate! Hiruzen will regret choosing Namikaze!"
Danzō gripped his cane tightly, venting his thoughts.
"…"
Qianyu decided he should probably throw the old man a bone.
"Minato-senpai will be the pillar of the village in everyone's hearts, just like the Third. And Orochimaru-sama can be a great ninja like you, Lord Danzō—protecting the village from the shadows, maintaining its order."
Qianyu said bluntly and frankly.
Danzō choked, momentarily speechless.
As much as he resented Orochimaru's loss… what Qianyu said wasn't entirely wrong.
[Ding! Favorability for Target Danzō Shimura has reached 50!]
Ah.
Vanity truly was the essence of humanity.
He heard the favorability prompt. The corner of Qianyu's mouth twitched slightly as he sighed inwardly.
…
The Hokage transition was far from simple.
The Hokage seat was no easy position.
First, a thorough understanding of the village's ninja institutions was needed. Then there were the important ninja under his command, the power of the elders… For days, both Minato and the Third were incredibly busy, rarely seen.
Qianyu, meanwhile, enjoyed a leisurely time in Root, occasionally tasking his squad, clocking in and out on time—a blissfully idle life he could get used to.
Finally, amid great anticipation, the Fourth Hokage's inauguration ceremony arrived.
Minato Namikaze's blonde hair seemed even more brilliant under the sun.
Watching Minato give his speech on the podium, Qianyu suddenly felt a strange sensation.
He stood in the crowd, flanked by Shisui and Juri, who had both snuck out from work.
Qianyu glanced back towards the source of the strange feeling. A figure in black met his gaze for a moment before vanishing into thin air.
Obito?
So, Obito had come to watch Minato's inauguration.
What was Obito thinking right now?
"Qianyu!"
Juri, looking at the radiant Minato on stage, nudged Qianyu. "You'll be up there one day too!"
Qianyu heard him clearly. He looked at him in surprise.
Damn, bro, you have more faith in me than I do in myself!
Shisui chuckled, unusually chiming in to agree with Juri. "Then I'll strive to be the one assisting you, Qianyu."
"You said all the nice lines first!"
Juri complained, a note of grievance in his voice for being a step behind.
Qianyu looked at Minato on the stage and grinned. "Alright!"
When the time came, he'd appoint Shisui as his Left Blade-Bearing Guard and Juri as his Right Blade-Bearing Guard.
They'd both activate their Susano'o. So damn cool.
"Hmm?"
Qianyu rubbed his chin.
Come to think of it, hadn't Shisui and Juri awakened their Mangekyō Sharingan yet?
He should find an opportunity to help them with that.
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