The Slug's Affection

"Puff, puff."

Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly exhaled a plume of white smoke, the hazy cloud blurring his vision. As the light streamed through the window, the scene of the Hokage's Office came into view, plunging him into a brief reverie.

Back when he first took the seat of Hokage, Konoha was under foreign invasion. Yet in his youth, the village had the Senju and Uchiha—foundations forged in the chaos of war. In his middle years, there were legends like the White Fang and the Sannin. In his old age, the rising star known as the Yellow Flash terrorized the Shinobi World. Add to that the Uchiha, Hyuga, Ino-Shika-Cho, and other clans—he, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was brimming with ambition. Even facing four nations alone, he felt no fear.

Back then, meetings of this level required Elite Jonin to attend, and core decision-makers had to be Kage-level.

"Lord Hokage, everyone's here."

Reminded by his Guard, the Third Generation seemed to snap awake, straightening up to survey the room. The weight in his heart grew heavier.

Tsunade, a slave to drink, was sipping sake while staring at the blank wall opposite her, a flicker of disdain in her eyes.

Uchiha Fugaku, head of Konoha's premier clan, stood isolated. The way others shrank away from him only darkened his expression further.

Across from him stood Hyuga Hiashi, his rigid demeanor and expressionless face betraying no hint of his thoughts.

Radiating outward from these three core figures were the clan heads and Konoha's remaining Jonin. On the outermost fringes stood some Special Jonin, summoned on short notice, but they had no voice in the discussion.

"Tap, tap, tap."

Hiruzen Sarutobi curled his index finger and lightly rapped the desk, drawing everyone's attention.

Thus, the first meeting since the Nine-Tails Disaster commenced.

"Senba... a m-monster! There are so many monsters in the hospital! Look, it's... it's eating someone!"

At that moment, in the corridor of Konoha Hospital, Iruka pointed a trembling finger at a patient lying in bed, wrapped in a mass of sticky fluid by a sky-blue insect.

"Mmph!"

Senba clamped a hand over Iruka's mouth, shooting an awkward glance at the medical staff's displeased expressions. He quickly dragged Iruka aside to avoid blocking anyone's path.

After silencing the panicking Iruka, Senba explained the existence of the Summoning Beast "Slug" and warned him not to cause another scene.

"Oh my god, Lord Tsunade of the Sannin—this is her Summoning Beast, the Slug? So cute!"

Watching Iruka's complete turnaround, Senba's mouth twitched. Was this the power of idol worship?

On the other side, Iruka's eyes lit up as he stared at the wriggling "Slug." He reached out both hands, eager to pet one of the Split Bodies of this exclusive Sannin Summoning Beast.

He grabbed—missed. Grabbed again—still missed. One more try.

"What are you doing? Don't disturb Lady Slug's treatment!"

A crisp, girlish voice rang out. A girl with a neat black bob and a baby-faced, pleasant visage bared her fangs, glaring fiercely at the startled Iruka.

The next second, her slender arm yanked Iruka aside, nearly sending him crashing to the floor.

"Strong grip. That's Shizune, right?"

Senba watched as the girl, slightly taller than him, hoisted Iruka by the scruff of his neck, scolding him. Iruka's legs dangled in the air as he struggled, but the gap in their strength made his efforts futile.

Just as Senba moved to help Iruka, a flash of blue light caught his eye. The Slug that had been dodging Iruka's embrace leaped onto the windowsill in front of him, meeting his gaze.

Amused by the sight, Senba wondered if he was getting the protagonist treatment—a Summoning Beast voluntarily acknowledging him.

Ignoring Iruka's pleading look, Senba and the Slug stared at each other from different heights. After a moment, nothing happened. The Slug simply kept its gaze fixed on him.

His neck starting to ache, Senba tilted his head to the left to relieve the stiffness. To his surprise, the Slug mirrored him, tilting its own head. This tickled Senba's curiosity.

So, with a lightened mood, Senba began shaking his head left and right, watching the little Slug sway in sync. It was utterly adorable.

Then, straightening up, Senba extended his palm forward, trying to make contact. The Slug crawled onto his hand, a warm surge of Chakra entering his palm before quickly receding, leaving no trace of abnormality.

Thoughtfully, Senba looked at the Slug now resting quietly in his palm. He guessed his bloodline had drawn it close—perhaps a little too close. Behind him, Shizune's gaze, tinged with surprise and a hint of resentment, bore into his back.

"What's your name? What are you doing here?"

Shizune casually set down the red-faced Iruka and walked over to Senba, looking down at him. Girls in their growth spurt often shot up faster than boys, so from Senba's perspective, she carried an imposing presence.

"Uh, Senba. Aoki Senba. I'm here to find my team leader—he was badly injured in the Nine-Tails attack."

Hearing his answer, Shizune stepped back, giving him a once-over. She felt like she'd seen him somewhere before, but that couldn't be right—she'd left the village with Lord Tsunade long ago and never met him.

In the midst of this silent standoff, the Slug nestled in Senba's palm crawled up his arm to his left shoulder, then slithered back down.

Senba could clearly feel the chill in Shizune's gaze intensify.

So, Shizune hadn't contracted with Shikkotsu Forest yet, had she? Senba mused silently.

Elsewhere, unaware that her Summoning Beast was being so friendly with a stranger, Tsunade watched the bickering crowd with a bored expression, a flicker of irritation in her eyes. But when her gaze landed on the opposite wall, that irritation morphed into pure disgust.

Just then, a bout of coughing rang out, gradually silencing the room. Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes gleamed with satisfaction.

"This meeting has three items. First, we've already discussed disaster relief for the village—implement it after you leave."

"Second, Konoha has lost many Jonin this time. The Special Jonin here must accumulate missions in the coming period. This will help you advance to Jonin and rebuild Konoha's reputation for entrusted tasks. The village won't be toppled by one Nine-Tails incident."

"Finally, regarding the mastermind behind the Nine-Tails' control—everyone saw it clearly. It was the Sharingan."

"Lord Hokage!"

Hiruzen raised a hand to stop the anxious Uchiha Fugaku, then stood and swept his gaze across the room. He spoke slowly:

"But that doesn't mean the Uchiha Clan is responsible. The Sharingan has been passed down for so many years—no one can guarantee it hasn't leaked. So, I hereby lift the alert on the Uchiha Clan. However, clan Jonin may not leave Konoha for now. Those below Jonin must obtain approval before departing. What say you, Clan Head Fugaku?"

Hearing the Third Generation's trust, Uchiha Fugaku's face lit up with joy as he quickly agreed.

With that, the day's meeting concluded. Everyone tacitly acknowledged Hiruzen Sarutobi's return to the position of Hokage.