I Won't Let Hokage-sama Down

The Education Department's reforms continued in full swing. Looking at the empty seat across from her, Mito Uzumaki rubbed her brow with a headache—Minako Uzumaki had gone on field inspections with the three principals, not only to select sites for the new schools, but also to prepare for the expansion of the old ones.

Communications with the various ninja clans also required Minako Uzumaki to be present for record-keeping and coordination. Now, on top of the pile of documents, there was the issue of discussing financial aid with the daimyo. Even Mito Uzumaki, with her steely will, had begun to consider hiding somewhere for a while.

No, if I run away, the Hokage Building will be turned upside down.

Mito Uzumaki glanced at Hokage-sama, who was happily sipping tea from his cup in his seat, and felt a faint ache in her liver—this ambitious Third Hokage, who nearly managed to create an entire Uchiha Military Academy every time he stirred up trouble, could not be underestimated.

Besides, she owed him a favor in some regard, and he had her weakness firmly in his grasp. Though she did not wish to admit it, Mito Uzumaki more or less understood that she had become Uchiha Takeyasu's secretary-general in the truest sense.

"Secretary-General Mito, if there aren't enough secretaries, I happen to have someone suitable in mind. She would be more than capable of handling Konoha's external communications, especially matters concerning the Land of Fire."

The young Third Hokage had practically developed an immunity to the aristocratic woman's reproachful looks, and replied blandly.

"Are you referring to Princess Kaori, Hokage-sama?"

Quick-witted as she was, Mito Uzumaki immediately understood whom Uchiha Takeyasu meant. A trace of hesitation appeared on her face. "Princess Kaori is of such noble status. Wouldn't it be inappropriate for her to serve as a secretary?"

"Also, when will Hokage-sama's wedding to all three brides take place? Senju of the Forest will certainly attend in force."

Faced with Mito Uzumaki's amused gaze, which also carried a faint trace of contempt, the great Third Hokage shot her a sidelong look. Just wait until I win Tsunade over. Let's see if you can still be so happy then.

But then I'll have to call her Grandma Mito. This generation gap is getting ridiculously multiplied!

"Kaori is bored staying at home anyway, so she might as well come to the Hokage Building and do some work."

"Besides, she is now the Hokage's wife. What is wrong with helping her own husband handle a few matters?"

"As for the wedding date, the clan elders and Prince Kazuhiko have more or less finished their discussions. There will be a result soon. Even if Secretary-General Mito had not mentioned it, I would not forget the Senju."

"Then thank you, Hokage-sama. Please have Lady Kaori come to the Hokage Building tomorrow."

The Hokage's spacious office could easily accommodate more than a dozen people working at once. Mito Uzumaki nodded decisively—anything involving the Land of Fire would be handed over to Minamoto Kaori from now on.

Her status alone would be enough to solve ninety-nine percent of all problems. The rest was nothing more than a matter of force.

Having cast off part of her burden, the aristocratic woman's gaze toward Uchiha Takeyasu softened. After some thought, she decided to draw a little closer to him—not only was he the Hokage, he was also Tsunade's greatest future safeguard.

Mito Uzumaki spoke softly. "Hokage-sama, would you like to visit the Senju today and meet Tsunade?"

"No problem."

Sensing Mito Uzumaki's shift in attitude, Uchiha Takeyasu agreed without hesitation. He then checked the time and, beneath Mito Uzumaki's helpless gaze, left work early with light steps.

Walking from the core district to the central district, Uchiha Takeyasu found that peace had returned to the area around the Sarutobi Clan Land. People came and went through the streets, children chased and played, as though the great battle and confrontation from only days ago had happened ages in the past.

"Hokage-sama!"

Upon arriving leisurely at the entrance to the Sarutobi Clan Land, Uchiha Takeyasu released his Transformation Technique. Amid their respectful greetings, he entered the inner courtyard, where a healthy-looking Sarutobi Sasuke hurried over.

"Sit."

Uchiha Takeyasu took the main seat without ceremony. As he watched Sarutobi Sasuke pour him tea, his eyes suddenly flicked to the side.

"Grandpa, I refined Chakra!"

"Shinnosuke, we have an honored guest. Don't run around."

A string of cheerful, rapid footsteps rang out. A five- or six-year-old child rushed joyfully into Sarutobi Sasuke's arms. Behind him followed a rather pretty young woman whose face was filled with panic, too afraid to make any sudden movements.

"Hokage-sama, Lord Sasuke, I failed to watch Shinnosuke properly. Please forgive me."

Biwako Sarutobi would never forget the day her clan had nearly been destroyed. Seeing Uchiha Takeyasu at their door again, she could not even use Chakra, her legs going weak as she immediately knelt and bowed to the ground.

"Hokage-sama, Big Brother is so young."

"Someday, I'll become Hokage too."

"Then I'll avenge Father and teach Kumogakure a lesson."

Sarutobi Sasuke's body had already gone stiff. He was drenched in sweat, his face pale. Just as he was about to reprimand the boy, Uchiha Takeyasu interrupted him. "Big Brother is looking forward to that day."

"Lady Biwako, please get up as well. It's not like I'm some villain."

Seeing that Uchiha Takeyasu was not angry and had even smiled as he joked, Sarutobi Sasuke finally relaxed. He gently patted Sarutobi Shinnosuke on the back and spoke warmly.

"Hurry and go with your mother to study ninja knowledge in the back. Only by becoming stronger can you teach Kumogakure a lesson. Your grandfather and Hokage-sama have important matters to discuss."

"Okay."

Sarutobi Shinnosuke clenched his fists and nodded fiercely before running back happily. After respectfully completing her bow, Biwako Sarutobi followed behind him on slightly unsteady legs.

Wisps of white steam rose from the cup filled with tea, carrying a faint fragrance through the air. Sarutobi Sasuke knelt beside Uchiha Takeyasu.

The young Hokage asked quietly, "You used the Memory Erasure Technique?"

"Yes, Hokage-sama."

Sarutobi Sasuke answered respectfully, "Shinnosuke will never remember that day. Kumogakure is his only enemy."

No wonder he was the father of the Ninja Hero.

Uchiha Takeyasu gave Sarutobi Sasuke a deep look. The man had played no small part in raising Hiruzen Sarutobi—he was capable.

"Get up. I only like seeing my enemies kneel at my feet."

"As you command, Hokage-sama."

Knowing that he had passed this trial, Sarutobi Sasuke inwardly breathed a sigh of relief, only to hear a sigh of emotion immediately afterward.

"The Sarutobi Clan has worthy successors."

Without a moment's hesitation, Sarutobi Sasuke replied firmly, "The Sarutobi Clan will become Hokage-sama's sword!"

"Then cooperate more with the Education Department. You'll learn the specifics later."

Uchiha Takeyasu lifted his teacup and took a light sip, saying meaningfully, "I've never disliked ambitious people. What I dislike are fools who have ambition but lack the ability to match it."

"The opportunity is right in front of you. Whether you can seize it depends on you, Sasuke."

"I understand."

Sarutobi Sasuke lowered his head as he answered.

Then Uchiha Takeyasu glanced at his arm. "Does the arm that was severed still affect your movements?"

"It has fully healed. I can fight for Hokage-sama at any time."

"From now on, Konoha's Anbu will be replaced by the Kage Guard. Its structure and duties will follow the Anbu's model, but the positions of minister and deputy minister will be removed. They will be free to operate in the open."

Uchiha Takeyasu did not like the cold, impersonal Anbu. Since they were both directly under his command, naturally he would arrange them as he pleased. "One of the four squad captain positions will be left for you to appoint. Handle the selection of personnel yourself."

"Sarutobi Sasuke will not disappoint Hokage-sama."