Jonin Meeting

Hm? Why was Tsunade looking at me so eagerly?

Was she trying to ask how I would deal with those three old geezers?

I already said Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu were easy enough to handle. The key was taking care of Danzo.

But that guy had ten Three Tomoe Sharingan as extra lives, and he also had Uchiha Shisui's Mangekyō Sharingan to cast the ultimate genjutsu, Kotoamatsukami. That was rather troublesome!

Against the genjutsu of the Mangekyō Sharingan, only another Mangekyō could contend with it, aside from me.

Actually, as long as Tsunade took me in, I could go back and crush Danzo to death. After all, helping my wife wouldn't count as betraying my low-profile style. As long as I didn't say anything, no one would know how strong I was.

Not even the Byakugan could see through me. Tell me, weren't you scared?

Tsunade froze.

Naturally, she knew about the Mangekyō Sharingan.

After all, her grandfather had been Madara Uchiha's best friend. Before Hashirama Senju died, he had told Tsunade many secrets about the Mangekyō Sharingan.

But how did Hikari know about it?

And this guy dared to set his sights on me. If it weren't for the fact that your ideas were useful to me, I would have made you stare at the Hidden Leaf Village gates for the rest of your life.

It seemed this guy didn't like Shizune. Since Shizune was still young anyway, she could stay by my side for now.

(Shizune: Lady Tsunade, at my age, I'd already be considered an old maid in the Ninja World. You're the legendary Golden Saint. I really don't want to inherit your legacy in this regard.)

Since Danzo couldn't be dealt with for the time being, she would set him aside first. Hikari's analysis was right as well. As long as she firmly controlled the Jonin Squad, Anbu, Intelligence Department, and hospital—those major institutions—there would be plenty of ways to deal with Danzo later.

Huh, these people had arrived quickly enough!

It seemed these jonin were quite supportive of Tsunade becoming Hokage!

As long as she guarded against the Mitokado, Sarutobi, Shimura, and Utatane clans, then cleaned up the Anbu, she would truly deserve the title of Hokage!

At the very least, she would be far stronger than Minato had been back then!

Tsunade glanced out the window in confusion.

Someone had arrived?

Even she hadn't noticed them. How had Hikari noticed?

And she hadn't seen him use an observation tool like the Byakugan.

Without making Tsunade wait long, she soon sensed those powerful presences converging on the Hokage Building.

Although she hadn't inherited Senju Tobirama's scouting range of dozens of kilometers, she was still far superior to ordinary people.

The Senju Clan's physique was terrifying indeed.

Hikari has some skill! He could sense these people approaching before I did. It seems his strength might not be mere boasting. It could actually be real!

As she thought that, Tsunade's gaze unconsciously fell on Hikari.

Huh, Tsunade, since you like me so much, hurry up and confess!

I wouldn't reject you. And tonight, I would serve you properly too. I guaranteed I would let you experience the utmost pleasure in the world!

Don't be shy! Those people wouldn't arrive for another minute. Hurry up and say it!

"Lady Tsunade, is there something you need? You've been looking at me like that."

"Nothing. Hikari, wait outside for now. The Jonin Meeting will be held shortly. It isn't appropriate for you to stay here!"

That was it? That's all you had to say to me?

Tsunade, I would never love again.

Even if you begged me in the future, I wouldn't help you. Hmph, I was just that stubborn!

Even if someone begged me to be a jonin, I wouldn't do it. I could easily crush this bunch of trash with one hand.

"Lady Tsunade, then I'll head back to work first! Lord Jiraiya is still waiting at the gatehouse!"

Better let Jiraiya handle this mess! I had pretended to be Senju Tobirama to scare off Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, so it probably wasn't useful anymore.

I should just honestly guard the Hidden Leaf Village gates! When Pain attacked three years from now, I guaranteed I wouldn't let him enter through the village gates.

Of course, if he came in from somewhere else, that wasn't my problem.

Who told me I was only responsible for guarding the Hidden Leaf Village gates?

Tsunade had wanted to stop Hikari, but when she saw someone walk in with the Byakugan activated, she immediately changed her mind.

Pain will attack the Hidden Leaf Village in three years. Why does Hikari know about something three years from now?

And who is Pain? There doesn't seem to be anyone with that name in the other four great ninja villages!

Forget it. Once I officially take office as Hokage, I'll have Hikari serve as my gatekeeper.

Having made up her mind, Tsunade rose to welcome him. "Hiashi, long time no see!"

"Lady Tsunade!"

Hyuga Hiashi respectfully bowed to Tsunade.

As the current largest clan in the Hidden Leaf Village, once he learned Tsunade would become Hokage, he naturally had to be the first to come offer congratulations and leave an impression of loyalty and honesty in her heart.

"Hiashi, rest to the side for now. We'll wait for the other jonin!"

After leaving the Hokage Building, Hikari looked over the jonin running toward the place one by one, gave them a brief appraisal, then prepared to return to guard the gates.

"Yo, Hikari, long time no see!"

The green Might Guy made a dazzling entrance. Especially those White Fang teeth of his—they shone so brightly that Hikari could barely keep his eyes open.

"It's Guy. Long time no see. How's Rock Lee?"

At the mention of Rock Lee, Might Guy's expression darkened before quickly returning to normal. "Rock Lee is still in the hospital, but I believe he will definitely recover."

He was one of the Konoha Twelve Ninja. Of course he would recover!

Hikari nodded. "Go on. Lady Tsunade is back. Once her meeting is over, you can ask her to take a look at Rock Lee. Lady Tsunade is the best medic in the Hidden Leaf Village—no, in the entire Ninja World."

"Of course. I will sincerely beseech Lady Tsunade."

"Then I'll head back to guard the gates."

"Alright, see you another day!"

As the jonin who loved running laps around the village most, Might Guy frequently appeared outside the Hidden Leaf Village gates. Over time, the two had become acquainted.

After Might Guy left, the other jonin all ignored Hikari and entered the Hokage Building one after another.

In the Ninja World, chunin were merely slightly bigger cannon fodder than genin. They could be cultivated with resources, and the requirements for talent were not so strict.

But in every village, jonin belonged to the upper ranks.

These people were equivalent to councilors and possessed the right to choose the Kage.

Hikari naturally had no intention of putting on some pretentious act and slapping their faces over their disregard.

He had already moved beyond such low-level tastes.

For him, the most important thing was to guard the Hidden Leaf Village gates and continue idling to gain even greater power.

Above Shadow Level was Super-Shadow Level, and above Super-Shadow Level was Six Paths Level.

Even at Six Paths Level, there were still quite a few members of the Ōtsutsuki Clan.

As long as he wasn't truly the number one being in the universe, Hikari would never give up idling.

By guarding the gates, he could continuously increase his strength. Hikari truly loved that sort of thing.

Halfway there, Hikari had no choice but to stop.

"Hikari, I can call you that, right? Why weren't you staying at the Hokage Building?" Nara Shikahisa stood before Hikari.

Hikari responded, "Of course, Lord Shikahisa."

"My duty is to guard the Hidden Leaf Village gates. I left just now because Lady Tsunade asked me to go over. Now that the matter is finished, I naturally need to return and continue working!"

Nara Shikahisa looked at Hikari with a smile.

Even with his clever mind, he couldn't quite understand why Tsunade had directly brought Hikari to the Hokage Building, even going so far as to leave Jiraiya guarding the gates.

If it was only because of his appearance, that seemed somewhat unreasonable.

With insufficient information, he had no way to analyze anything further.

"I can see that Lady Tsunade likes you very much. You're not getting any younger, Hikari. How about working at the Hokage Building? You'd be closer to Lady Tsunade, and the benefits would be better than before. What do you think?"

"Thank you for your kindness, Lord Shikahisa, but I think guarding the gates is quite good. For the Hidden Leaf Village's safety, I am willing to devote my youth!" Hikari said words he didn't even believe himself as he fooled Nara Shikahisa.

"Very well. I'll discuss this with Lady Tsunade when I return. Go back to work for now!"

After speaking, Nara Shikahisa immediately hurried toward the Hokage Building.

Hikari paused. A flash of gold appeared at the edge of his vision, making the corners of his lips rise unconsciously.

Yamanaka Inoichi?