I Pulled an SSR at Hokage Rock, Minato Invited Me to Be CEO, and Hidden Cloud Came to Deliver the KPI?

The smoke of war on the Kikyo Mountain front had unexpectedly dispersed ahead of schedule because of one man.

The Hidden Leaf Village was immersed in an almost unreal ecstasy.

When Kamizuki Yu appeared at the village gates alongside Minato Namikaze and the other victorious ninja, they were greeted by thunderous cheers.

"Lord Kamizuki Yu!"

"Lord Kamizuki Yu is back!"

Countless villagers flooded the streets, with flowers and ribbons flying everywhere.

The people's enthusiasm even temporarily overshadowed the "Yellow Flash."

The way they looked at Kamizuki Yu was filled with reverence and fervor.

This young man had defeated the Third Tsuchikage and forced Hidden Rock into a full retreat all by himself. Even in Hidden Leaf's history, this was a moment worthy of bold ink.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, personally led the senior officials to welcome them before the Hokage Building.

As he watched Kamizuki Yu approach at an unhurried pace, a sincere smile appeared on his aged face.

"Kamizuki Yu, you have rendered unparalleled service to the village." Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice spread across the square through an amplification ninjutsu.

"By unanimous decision of the leadership, you are hereby awarded the title 'Guardian Star of the Hidden Leaf,' a Special-Class Merit, a reward of ten million ryo, and your choice of three S-rank ninjutsu scrolls!"

The surrounding ninja and villagers erupted into even more enthusiastic applause and cheers.

Kamizuki Yu did not feel anything in particular about those titles and rewards.

To him, it had merely been something he did in passing.

"Thank you, Lord Hokage," he replied calmly.

In everyone's eyes, that calmness made him seem even more unfathomable.

The grand welcome ceremony lasted a long time.

After the crowd gradually dispersed, Kamizuki Yu avoided the still-enthusiastic villagers and ninja trying to gather around him and came alone to the foot of Hokage Rock.

The enormous stone carvings symbolized the will and legacy of the Hidden Leaf.

Standing beneath the head of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, he silently called out in his heart.

"System, check in."

"Ding! Check-in successful at [Hokage Rock (beneath the First Hokage's head)]! Congratulations, Host, for obtaining [Asura Chakra (Partial)]!"

An indescribably pure power surged into his body.

This chakra was vast and mighty, brimming with vigorous life force and a boundless love. It merged perfectly with his Sage Body.

The quality of his Sage Body seemed to have risen slightly once again.

His affinity for [Wood Release] also increased accordingly.

Not bad.

Kamizuki Yu felt the changes within his body. The sensation of continuously growing stronger was indeed pleasant.

"Yu."

Minato Namikaze's voice came from behind him.

He walked to Kamizuki Yu's side, and the two stood shoulder to shoulder as they gazed up at the towering Hokage Rock.

"This time, we truly have you to thank." Minato spoke sincerely. "If not for you, who knows how many more comrades would have fallen in the battle at Kikyo Mountain?"

His blue eyes were filled with gratitude.

Kamizuki Yu turned his head slightly and glanced at him.

"It was nothing."

Minato could not help but laugh.

Defeating Onoki and turning the tide of an entire war was merely "nothing" in this man's eyes.

That composure and strength filled him with both admiration and a faint sense of pressure.

"Yu, I..." Minato seemed hesitant, but he ultimately said it. "I hope to become the Hokage who protects this village."

He gazed at the faces of the past Hokage carved into Hokage Rock, his tone carrying both hope and resolve.

"If that day truly comes, I hope you can become my most important support, protect the Hidden Leaf alongside me, and create a better future together."

Minato looked at Kamizuki Yu solemnly and extended his invitation.

Become the Hokage's partner, the future Hokage's right-hand man?

Kamizuki Yu felt no stir in his heart.

He had little interest in power, but if Minato became Hokage, that did not seem like a bad thing for him.

At the very least, Minato was someone trustworthy.

Besides, he did need a stable "home" where he could check in.

"Sure," he agreed.

Those two simple words made Minato let out a breath of relief, and a brilliant smile spread across his face.

"That's great!"

Just then, a masked ANBU ninja appeared in a Body Flicker, dropping to one knee.

"Lord Hokage! Lord Minato!" The ANBU ninja spoke urgently.

"Emergency intelligence! Our reconnaissance team stationed at the border with the Hidden Cloud Village has reported signs of a large-scale ninja assembly in the Hidden Cloud Village. Their intentions are unknown!"

The atmosphere, which had been relatively relaxed just moments ago, instantly froze.

The shadow of war seemed not to have fully passed.

Minato's smile faded, and his brow furrowed.

"The Hidden Cloud Village?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi also appeared not far away, clearly having received the same report.

"It seems some people do not wish for us to have peace just yet." Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression turned grave.

Kamizuki Yu was not surprised.

Peace in the ninja world had always been as fragile as paper.

The end of one great war was often merely the prelude to the next conflict.

He gave the frowning Minato a slight nod.

"Don't worry. I'm here."

His tone remained calm, yet it carried unquestionable strength.

The unease in Minato's heart eased somewhat because of it.

That was right. Kamizuki Yu was here.

This man who had created miracles might truly become the Hidden Leaf's strongest support.

Meanwhile, Kamizuki Yu began to consider it.

Movement from the Hidden Cloud Village?

That meant a new check-in location might be about to refresh.

The Land of Lightning was not a bad choice, either.

He wondered what good things he could check in for there.

Perhaps he could visit Cloud Lightning Canyon?

Or he could just spar with A, the future Fourth Raikage?

An almost imperceptible curve lifted at the corner of his mouth.

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Kamizuki Yu, then at Minato.

"Minato, come with me to the Hokage Office first. We need to discuss this matter in detail."

"Yes, Sensei," Minato replied.

He looked at Kamizuki Yu again.

"Yu, the village's affairs..."

"I understand," Kamizuki Yu interrupted him.

Some things did not need to be spelled out.

Minato nodded and quickly departed with Hiruzen Sarutobi.

The ANBU ninja vanished as well.

Once again, only Kamizuki Yu remained beneath Hokage Rock.

He raised his head and looked once more at the massive stone faces.

The lingering aftereffects of Asura Chakra still flowed through his body.

What would the next one be?

He turned and slowly walked away.