Missing?

"Um... Lord Hokage, I think I'll go back to my own home. I'm more familiar with the place..."

As soon as Takizawa Dan finished speaking, he tried to seize the chance to slip away.

Although this body of his was only thirteen, his soul certainly wasn't! It held a seasoned shut-in who was already well into adulthood!

If Tsunade really made him live with her, Takizawa Dan couldn't guarantee he wouldn't do something he'd regret!

If certain things really happened...

The consequences would be unthinkable!

So right now, all Takizawa Dan wanted was to get away!

But Tsunade wasn't having it. She grabbed him by the collar and said with a displeased look, "What are you doing? Did I say you could leave? Walking away without a word in front of the Hokage—is that any way to behave?!"

Takizawa Dan grumbled inwardly, Weren't you just saying you hate formalities and that I didn't need to worry about the details...

But although that was what he was thinking, he put on a very obedient face and nodded.

"Sorry, I was wrong..."

Seeing Takizawa Dan obediently admit his mistake, Tsunade's expression softened. She wasn't really angry; she just thought the kid in front of her always acted so serious and calculating. She wanted to tease him a little and see him get flustered.

Now that she'd gotten what she wanted, Tsunade was satisfied.

"All right, Takizawa Dan. From today on, you don't have to call me Lord Hokage anymore. Everyone calls me that, and I'm sick of hearing it day in and day out!" Tsunade waved her hand impatiently.

"Then... what should I call you?" Takizawa Dan looked dumbfounded.

They'd barely met, and he already had to change how he addressed her?

Why did this feel so embarrassing...

"Just call me by my name. Call me Big Sis Tsunade!" Tsunade said boldly. "We're master and disciple, after all. No one else can call me that, but you can! It'll make us seem closer!"

"Well... all right."

Takizawa Dan had no choice but to agree.

"All right, all right. You've lived alone all these years, so your home must be awfully lonely, right? From now on, you can live with me. Don't worry, I won't be the only one there. Shizune lives with me too. And if you feel awkward, there's also that little pig, Tonton, to keep you company~"

Tsunade might have noticed Takizawa Dan's discomfort and assumed he was embarrassed about living with her. She patted his head and reassured him.

Those words made Takizawa Dan's eyes light up.

That was right! This time, he wouldn't just be living with Tsunade—her assistant, Shizune, would be there too.

Living with two people could be dangerous, but with three, things would be much better...

Besides, they were both beautiful women.

It would be a feast for the eyes.

"Mm... all right, then. Sorry for the trouble, Lady Tsunade."

"You don't have to be so polite, kid. You're one of our people from Konoha."

When Takizawa Dan agreed, Tsunade was overjoyed.

In her eyes, Takizawa Dan was not only talented and exceptionally mature, but also sensible and obedient. Most importantly...

He was handsome!

It really was an age when looks ruled. Someone like Takizawa Dan could win Tsunade's favor with nothing but his face—and even get her to invite him to live with her...

Of course, if Tsunade knew that an old lecher was actually living inside the kid, she probably wouldn't have made the offer.

Now that everything was settled, Tsunade eagerly pushed Takizawa Dan toward her home.

She wanted to make it official while he was still agreeing!

As she pushed him along, her chest inevitably brushed against Takizawa Dan's back from time to time.

Takizawa Dan felt a soft, cotton-candy-like sensation against his back every now and then. His face flushed, but he didn't dare think too much about it. He pretended not to notice and let Tsunade lead him away...

The sight of Tsunade and Takizawa Dan leaving so intimately didn't escape the eyes of the examinees.

Everyone watched Takizawa Dan's retreating figure, their feelings complicated!

Who could have guessed that Takizawa Dan, who had just been considered the biggest failure in Konoha, would undergo such a dramatic transformation? Even Fifth Hokage Tsunade had personally seen him off, behaving so affectionately toward him!

Those who had looked down on Takizawa Dan and mocked him repeatedly were especially stunned. Their faces felt as if they'd been slapped over and over, burning with pain!

What's more, Tsunade had called Takizawa Dan over as soon as his match ended, and then the exams had been called off for the day...

Anyone who wasn't a fool could tell that this had everything to do with Takizawa Dan.

He was the first—and only—examinee in Konoha's history to change the entire Chunin Ninja Exams through his own efforts!

"Hmph. Interesting!"

Sasuke and Neji both looked toward the direction Takizawa Dan had disappeared in, the corners of their mouths curling upward.

For the first time, they had the same person to chase after!

As Takizawa Dan disappeared from view, Danzo quietly withdrew into the shadows as well.

At that moment, the smile he'd used to disguise his true feelings finally vanished completely.

In its place was an icy killing intent!

Takizawa Dan could not be allowed to live!

If he was allowed to grow stronger, Konoha wouldn't be able to control him. One day, he'd become a threat!

So he had to be eliminated now, while he was still finding his footing!

After thinking it over, Danzo summoned an Anbu Ninja.

"Go get Miki Ichiro. Isn't that man Hyuga Niuda's teacher? Takizawa Dan has ruined his chance to climb the ranks through the Hyuga Clan, so he must be resentful. We'll give him a little nudge and get him to willingly act as a scapegoat. He can kill Takizawa Dan and remove a problem for Konoha!"

If Miki Ichiro were still alive at that moment, he would surely have been shocked beyond words.

Danzo had already figured out his motives and plans—and even intended to use them to get rid of him once he'd served his purpose!

There was no denying it: the Anbu's web of connections ran deeper than anyone could imagine!

But the Anbu Ninja, who should have taken the order and left immediately as usual, remained where he was, looking hesitant.

Danzo's brow furrowed. He sensed that something had gone wrong.

"What is it? Why haven't you gone? Is there a problem?" Danzo asked with a frown.

"Lord Danzo... Miki Ichiro mysteriously disappeared yesterday. There's been no word of him since..."

The Anbu Ninja shook his head as he spoke.

In private, he was a friend of Miki Ichiro's, though Miki Ichiro didn't know he was in the Anbu.

It was precisely because of their unusual connection that Danzo had planned to use the Ninja to persuade Miki Ichiro to deal with Takizawa Dan.

"What?!" Danzo's eyes widened. "You're saying... Miki Ichiro disappeared?"