Nara Shikahisa's Allegiance

The two old geezers frantically kowtowed before Hikari, and Tsunade, watching from the side, felt immensely satisfied.

With Hikari here, why would she, Tsunade, worry about being unable to secure the Hokage's position?

"No, he isn't Sensei. Homura, have you forgotten? He should be the Hikari Hiruzen mentioned, the one who looks somewhat like Sensei." Utatane Koharu was the calmer one. After her initial shock, she identified Hikari.

Mitokado Homura remembered that information as well, but faced with Hikari's icy gaze, he could only turn his head away.

"Impersonating the Second Hokage, Hikari, what crime should you be charged with!"

Hikari curled his lip. "That's quite an accusation. This is my face. Is it somehow my fault that I look like this? You two have quite the official airs! Lady Tsunade hasn't said a word, yet you two are really something!"

"I won't argue with you about this. Tsunade, hurry up and heal him. You were the one who injured him!" Mitokado Homura looked painfully at the wounded Anbu and continued pressuring Tsunade.

He won't die. This is a perfect chance to suppress that old fossil Homura. Just say her hemophobia hasn't improved and have him go to the hospital.

Tsunade had originally intended to tell Shizune to treat him, but after hearing Hikari's thoughts, she immediately changed her mind.

"My apologies, but my condition remains the same. Elders, please take him to Konoha Hospital. Hidden Leaf Village will cover all subsequent treatment expenses."

"Fine!"

After suffering such a huge loss today, Mitokado Homura could only grit his teeth and swallow it.

"You, take Xiao Gang to the hospital. Charge all expenses to the Hokage."

Tsunade raised a brow, ignored the two old fossils, and said to Hikari and Shizune, "You two, come in with me!"

Hikari glanced at Shizune and only slowly entered the Hokage's Office after she had gone in.

"Lady Tsunade!" Nara Shikahisa greeted Tsunade.

Tsunade nodded and pointed at the seats nearby. "Shizune, Hikari, the two of you can sit there."

Seeing this, especially Hikari's current white hair, Nara Shikahisa narrowed his eyes slightly, though no one knew what he was thinking.

"Shikahisa, I won't beat around the bush. I am about to become the Fifth Hokage. What advice do you have?"

Nara Shikahisa said, "Lady Tsunade inheriting the position of Fifth Hokage is only right and proper. I will support you wholeheartedly, Lady Tsunade!"

Heh, as expected of the smartest man in Hidden Leaf Village. Shikahisa is probably worried about those old geezers holding power.

After all, those old geezers have done plenty of foolish things over the years. Shikahisa is worried they will obstruct Tsunade, or worse, that Tsunade might soften up and let them take power again. That would be troublesome.

Besides, Sarutobi Asuma is the jonin instructor of the new generation of Ino-Shika-Cho. A smart man like Nara Shikahisa definitely won't place his bet lightly.

Hearing Hikari's thoughts again, Tsunade did not show much of a reaction.

She now treated Hikari entirely as her advisor.

He required no payment and could corroborate her suspicions from the side. It was killing two birds with one stone.

"Shikahisa, you are a smart man. From now on, those two old geezers may only offer advice; they will hold no actual authority. As captain of the Jonin Squad, I hope you can help me more. Is that a problem?"

"Rest assured, Lady Tsunade. The three Ino-Shika-Cho clans have always been the Hokage's most loyal subordinates!"

Oh? Those words sound rather hollow right now.

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu aren't important. What matters is Danzo. Under the pretense of acting for Hidden Leaf Village's good, he has Root firmly under his control. Nara Shikahisa fears him, not those two old fossils.

As long as Danzo is dealt with, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, who cannot wield real authority, can be played to death by Nara Shikahisa whenever he wants.

Danzo?

Hearing that name, Tsunade sighed inwardly.

Given her status, she knew many things.

For instance, the Wood Release experiments back then, and Nawaki's death afterward—there was far too much involved. Otherwise, Tsunade would not have left Hidden Leaf Village.

She had returned now partly because the Third Elder was dead, and partly because she did not want the village her grandfather had founded to decline.

"Good. Shikahisa, notify all the jonin in the village. I am convening a Jonin Meeting."

"Yes, Lady Tsunade!"

Seeing that Tsunade did not pursue the matter further, Nara Shikahisa breathed a sigh of relief.

For him, Tsunade taking the position was a very good thing. But Danzo, that old schemer, kept him from letting down his guard.

After Nara Shikahisa left, Tsunade slapped the desk.

Slap!

"Those two old bastards dared to scheme against me like this. Once I take control, I will definitely make them behave themselves."

That sounds nice, but with your abilities, Tsunade, it'll be difficult.

After you return, Danzo will stay obediently hidden in Root and refuse to show himself.

And as long as Danzo lives, those two old geezers can continue their old balancing strategy and force you to compromise again and again.

Listening to Hikari's thoughts, Tsunade recalled Hiruzen's previous behavior and began pondering in secret.

What's with this Hikari? He's about the same age as Shizune, so why is he so familiar with all this? Say, should I marry Shizune to him and keep him by my side?

What's with Tsunade?

Why is she looking at me like that!

Could it be that she really covets my looks!

If so, I really need to replenish my stamina.

I hear Tsunade has the Yin Seal. Even if my physique is ten times stronger than an ordinary person's, I can't say I'd be able to surpass her in that regard!

After all, only bulls die from exhaustion; fields never get plowed barren.

Tsunade: ???

How old am I? This brat isn't thinking about courting Shizune, but he's thinking about me? What does that mean?

Her gaze fell on Shizune. Seeing her rather generously endowed figure, Tsunade understood.

As expected, I'm still the best. From eighty-year-olds to eight-year-olds, I can make them all fall head over heels for me.

But then again, why isn't Hikari thinking about Danzo anymore? Since he won't, I'll ask him myself.

Having decided on a strategy, Tsunade glanced at Hikari, who was pretending to behave himself, then asked Shizune, "Shizune, do you have any ideas for dealing with those three old geezers—Mitokado Homura, Utatane Koharu, and Danzo?"

"Huh?"

Shizune widened her eyes and looked at Tsunade in confusion.

She had been with Tsunade since childhood and was not even familiar with those three people. How could she know how to deal with them?

You're just making things difficult for me, Shizune!

Though she felt aggrieved, she still had to answer.

"Lady Tsunade, I don't understand any of that either?"

Tsunade nodded, thinking, I know you don't understand these things. I wasn't asking you because I wanted an answer from you, but because of the one beside you.