Shinji had to hand it to Tsunade—she had a broad vision.
Anyone with a keen eye could tell that Utatane Koharu had taken him as her student to use him to counterbalance the Hokage faction's new generation of recruits.
Now Tsunade was willing to put the past behind her and make him such an offer. It was proof that she wanted to mend the divisions within the village.
But from Shinji's perspective, whose ANBU he served under didn't really matter. What mattered was his independence and freedom.
By comparison, working under Utatane Koharu would undoubtedly give him more independence and freedom. After all, how could he find time for his own affairs if he was constantly under the Hokage's nose?
After a brief moment of thought, Shinji declined Tsunade's offer. "Thank you for trusting me, but I've already promised the Elder that I'll become her ANBU."
"That's a real shame!"
Tsunade sighed, genuinely disappointed.
After seeing Tsunade off, Shinji got up and went to the front desk. "I'd like to consult the Senju Clan's ancient records."
The administrator's expression changed. "You don't have the authority!"
Shinji frowned. "I'm the top student, aren't I?"
The administrator curled his lip. "That doesn't matter! These aren't records from your own Uchiha Clan. They belonged to the First, the Second, and even the family of the soon-to-be Fifth Hokage. How could we just lend them out for anyone to look at?"
Shinji was displeased. "Do I really have to bring the advisor Elder into this?"
The administrator said, "Even the advisor Elder can't authorize it. If you want to consult them, you'll need special permission from Lord Hokage—"
He stopped mid-sentence, his expression turning blank.
"Even the new Hokage is trying to win me over, and some administrator still dares to run his mouth.