"Shizune-senpai, why aren't you with Tsunade-sensei today?" Kitazawa suddenly realized something and asked curiously.
"She went to see the Third Hokage-sama, probably to ask him some things," Shizune replied.
"I see." Kitazawa stroked his chin thoughtfully.
He remembered Sarutobi Hiruzen's statement about becoming a Ninja Academy teacher after retirement a long time ago. Why not invite him to teach the Genius Class?
Kitazawa was already very busy, and he would only become busier after the implementation of the new combat methods.
After all, it was normal for a mission to last ten days to half a month. What if one day, he, Maruboshi Kosuke, and Kakashi all couldn't make it back in time for class?
He felt he could talk to Sarutobi Hiruzen about it.
He was also about to meet the conditions for mastering the Five Release Great Combo Technique, which required all five Chakra nature transformations to reach the proficient level.
He was only missing Fire Release now — all he needed was to secure first place in the new practical exam during the upcoming Monthly Exam.
If Sarutobi Hiruzen became a teacher at the Ninja Academy, it would be much more convenient for him to seek guidance.
At nine in the morning, Homura Mitokado and Utatane Koharu entered the conference room before Tsunade. Their seats were in the front row, to the left and right of the Hokage's seat — signifying their transcendent status.
A moment later, Tsunade pushed open the door and walked in unhurriedly.
"Hokage-sama." All the Jonin stood up in unison, greeting her simultaneously.
"The Jonin Meeting will now begin." After Tsunade sat down, she spoke decisively.
"First order of business — a new Hokage Secretariatwill be established."
"Hokage Secretariat?" Utatane Koharu immediately asked. "What's the difference from a Hokage Assistant?"
"It's a department specifically to handle Konoha Village's daily affairs for the Hokage," Tsunade replied, her calm gaze meeting Koharu's.
Utatane Koharu felt a little relieved. The Hokage Assistant, evolving from one person to a department, indirectly divided power.
She had been worried that the establishment of a Hokage Secretariat would usurp her and Homura Mitokado's authority.
Now, it seemed there was no need to worry.
"The Hokage Secretariat will have four directors and nine members," Tsunade announced. "The list is as follows: Nara Shikaku, Shizune, Uchiha Itachi, Kitazawa, Hyuga Hisashi… and Inuzuka Yuki."
The conference room instantly erupted into an uproar.
Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado's expressions shifted from surprise to uncertainty.
Nara Shikaku becoming the head of the Hokage Secretariat was within expectations — but the appearance of Uchiha Itachi and Hyuga Hisashi caused deep unease.
The Uchiha Clan now had its second high-ranking Konoha official position since Uchiha Kagami. And for the first time, the Hyuga Clan had reached a position equivalent to the Hokage's Assistant.
Homura and Koharu didn't care much about the other clans, but these two — the Uchiha and the Hyuga — were simply too powerful.
Now that another Hokage Secretary had emerged, they no longer had confidence that they could suppress them.
A bad premonition grew in their hearts.
Could this Hokage Secretariat be targeting them? Trying to take away their power as Hokage Advisors?
Kitazawa raised an eyebrow.
He hadn't expected the Uchiha Clan to select Uchiha Itachi for the position of Hokage Secretary. In his opinion, Itachi was too young.
But upon reflection, he understood — the Uchiha Clan's true goal was the Hokage's seat.
With Itachi's strength and his identity as Hokage Secretary, he was now half a Hokage candidate. Theoretically, it was indeed possible for him to become the next Hokage.
Even if he didn't, he would still secure a high-ranking position — and that influence could later support Uchiha Sasuke in vying for the title of Hokage.
Simply put, the Uchiha Clan had chosen a dual-insurance strategy.
Still, the list of Hokage Secretaries was undeniably fair.
Aside from him, there were twelve secretaries — eight representatives from the major clans and four from civilian Jonin.
It was a distribution not unlike the eight Anbu members Kitazawa had once selected.
The Jonin were surprised to see Uchiha and Hyuga representatives included — something unprecedented, even during the times of Sarutobi Hiruzen or Minato Namikaze.
Yet most Jonin were satisfied.
The major clans each had their share, and even the civilian Jonin had representation — one-third of the total, which was already considerable.
"The head of the Hokage Secretariat will be Nara Shikaku," Tsunade continued, a faint smile curving her lips as she glanced at Kitazawa.
"His position will be Hokage Advisor."
"What?!" Utatane Koharu immediately stood up.
Homura Mitokado, though less explosive, also showed visible disbelief.
Of course, they weren't the only ones — the other Jonin were equally shocked.
Even Shikaku himself felt as if a pie had fallen from the sky. The Hokage Secretary and Hokage Advisor were two entirely different roles.
If the Secretary was subordinate to the Hokage, then the Advisor stood on equal ground.
"I disagree!" Utatane Koharu's voice rang out sharply.
Shikaku's gaze hardened. With his intellect, he instantly understood her objection — it was a struggle for power.
Once he became Hokage Advisor, both Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado's influence would weaken.
But he would not back down.
Whether for his own advancement or for the Ino–Shika–Chō behind him, he had to accept the opportunity Tsunade had offered. Refusing would mean losing her trust.
"How can the Hokage Secretary and Hokage Advisor be confused?" Utatane Koharu questioned. "Tsunade, your decision is unreasonable."
"It's just a different title," Tsunade said calmly.
"Since you have a different opinion, we'll take a vote."
"No!" Utatane Koharu refused outright.
This Hokage Secretariat had already distributed benefits among the major clans and Jonin.
The outcome of the vote was obvious — and it definitely wouldn't favor her.
"This won't do, that won't do. Are you the Hokage?" Tsunade lifted her gaze toward her, her tone carrying a weight that silenced the room.
"I am the Hokage."
At that moment, Utatane Koharu's body trembled. A chill crawled down her spine — there was something terrifying in Tsunade's eyes, something that brooked no opposition.
"Vote." Ignoring Koharu entirely, Tsunade spoke coldly, "Those who agree with Advisor Koharu, please raise your hands."
Her words fell, and the entire conference room sank into silence.
Several Jonin who had always sided with Koharu subconsciously wanted to lift their hands. Yet after exchanging brief glances, they hesitated. In the end, their hands slowly dropped.
Even if they raised them, the outcome wouldn't change — and doing so would only paint a target on their backs. Since it was pointless, they chose silence.
Utatane Koharu stood rigidly in place, her lips quivering with anger.
Tsunade could have easily said, "Those who agree with Nara Shikaku becoming Hokage Advisor, please raise your hands."
But instead, she deliberately phrased it this way — a blatant humiliation.
"Koharu." Homura Mitokado gave her a sidelong glance and subtly shook his head.
No matter how influential a Hokage Advisor was, they could never oppose the collective will of all Konoha's Jonin. If they kept pushing, they would only lose further ground.
Koharu understood this truth… but unwillingness burned in her chest.
Tsunade was once their junior — how dare she disregard them so openly after becoming Hokage?
Even Hiruzen would never have treated them this way.
"Any other questions?" Tsunade's eyes narrowed slightly as she looked at her, her voice calm but sharp.
The surrounding Jonin instinctively turned their gazes toward Koharu as well.
"…" Koharu's body trembled again, and she could only shake her head.
"Continue the meeting." Tsunade's lips curled into a faint smirk. Watching Koharu shrink back filled her with a rare sense of satisfaction.
No wonder the Old Man loved to say, 'I am the Hokage.' In Konoha, that title alone was enough to crush all dissent.
"Second order of business — the Konoha Military Police Force will be expanded."
Her voice grew steady and authoritative. "Fugaku will be in charge of recruiting new members. All ninjas may participate in the assessment."
"Yes, Hokage-sama." Uchiha Fugaku stood and bowed slightly.
This had already been agreed upon beforehand, so he accepted without surprise.
The other clan leaders had also heard rumors in advance, so their expressions remained calm. Only the Jonin unaffiliated with any clan appeared dumbfounded — their eyes wide with disbelief.
Was this truly the Uchiha Clan? They were actually opening the Police Force to outsiders?
Kitazawa merely sighed inwardly. Experience teaches lessons.
The Uchiha of the past had been too proud — and that pride had chained them to the Police Force, blinding them to change.
But after all that had happened — Danzo's suppression, Shisui's death, their forced relocation — they had tasted humiliation deeply.
If not for Tsunade's rise, they might have erupted under that pressure and walked the same doomed path toward annihilation.
Yet, due to Kitazawa's butterfly effect, Tsunade had become Hokage early, and Danzo had already met his end in the Pure Land.
Now, the Uchiha were facing a new dawn — one born from humility and adaptation.
Homura and Koharu exchanged uneasy glances. Both could sense the shifting tide of Konoha's power.
The Uchiha were poised to return to the village's political center — rendering all of Danzo's lifelong schemes meaningless.
They wanted to voice their opposition, but the composed expressions of the other clan heads stopped them cold.
It dawned on them that perhaps they were the only ones left in the dark. A faint chill settled over their hearts.
"The third matter: Kitazawa will serve as representative, and Nara Shikaku will handle the negotiations to receive the Hidden Mist envoy."
Tsunade's tone didn't waver as she moved on.
"Yes, Tsunade-sensei." Kitazawa stood and responded immediately.
The Jonin around him exchanged quiet glances. For the first time, they heard him refer to Tsunade as 'sensei' rather than 'Hokage-sama.'
It could only mean one thing — Tsunade had formally accepted Kitazawa as her disciple.
His status had now surpassed that of an ordinary Jonin. Considering his remarkable strength, many couldn't help but think — was he perhaps the next Hokage?
After all, there was no one among his peers — not even Kakashi, Asuma, or Guy — who could truly rival him.
"The fourth matter: Announce Naruto's identity as Minato's son." Tsunade's voice echoed through the room.
"What?" The Jonin erupted in astonishment.
"Tsunade!" Utatane Koharu blurted out, "You're disregarding Naruto's safety!"
"If Konoha can't even protect one child," Tsunade shot back sharply, "then does it still deserve to be called one of the Five Great Hidden Villages?"
"But Naruto, he's not just…"
Koharu faltered mid-sentence, realizing she had almost revealed a forbidden truth — that Naruto was the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki. She bit her tongue, stopping herself.
"Being so hesitant," Tsunade's eyes turned cold, "are you even worthy of being a Hokage Advisor?"
Her voice cracked like thunder. "Those who agree, raise your hands and vote!"
Without hesitation, every Jonin raised their hand. Uchiha Fugaku and Shibi Aburame, both once close to Minato, raised theirs the highest.
"…" Koharu sank back into her chair, her expression hollow. The contrast with the earlier vote was like night and day.
One matter after another unfolded swiftly.
But for Kitazawa, the subsequent discussions held little relevance. Under Tsunade's command, the Jonin meeting concluded in less than two hours — far faster than under Hiruzen, who would have dragged it till noon.
Such decisiveness was precisely what made her popular.
When the meeting adjourned, Kitazawa left with Yakushi Nono and Kabuto, planning to visit Haku.
---
Meanwhile, Homura and Koharu returned to their office.
"We can't let Tsunade act so willfully!" Koharu seethed, her anger reigniting as she recalled her public humiliation and the waning power of their office.
"Tsunade's prestige is at its peak right now," Homura replied more calmly. "It's unwise to confront her directly."
"Let's go find Hiruzen!" Koharu's eyes lit up with sudden resolve, her voice trembling with excitement.
"That's a good idea." Homura nodded slowly. "He may have retired, but his reputation still carries weight. If he steps in, he can stop Tsunade."
"Let's go!" Without another word, Koharu strode out of the room, her pace brisk and furious. Homura followed close behind.
The two elders soon arrived at the Sarutobi Clan's compound.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was sitting quietly by the pond, fishing.
When he saw the two approaching figures, he paused slightly, already guessing their purpose. There was no need to ask — they must have come because of the Jonin Meeting earlier that day.
After all, Tsunade had visited him that very morning to consult about a few matters.
"Hiruzen, you seem to be enjoying your retirement quite comfortably," Utatane Koharu said coldly, glancing at the empty bucket beside him. "But your old friends are having a rather difficult time."
"What's wrong with you two?" Sarutobi Hiruzen asked, his tone calm and unhurried.
"It's all because of your good student, Tsunade!" Koharu snapped. "She actually allowed the Uchiha and Hyuga to join Konoha's upper command!"
Hiruzen's brows lifted slightly in surprise.
He hadn't been informed of the specific proceedings of the Jonin Meeting — Tsunade hadn't shared the details with him beforehand.
"It seems you don't yet know what Tsunade has done," Homura Mitokado added, and immediately began recounting everything that had occurred, including the public revelation of Uzumaki Naruto's identity.
When Homura finished, Hiruzen let out a small chuckle.
"That does sound like something Tsunade would do," he said softly, a trace of nostalgia in his voice. "In her, I can see my teacher's shadow."
"Teacher is teacher, and Tsunade is Tsunade!" Koharu said sharply, her voice laced with disapproval. "How could she ever compare to our teacher?"
"So what exactly is the problem?" Hiruzen asked, his tone turning firm.
"Are you worried Tsunade can't control the Uchiha and Hyuga? Or that revealing Naruto's identity will draw attention from other villages? Or…" His gaze grew sharper. "…are you simply upset that your own authority is being diminished?"
"We're naturally concerned about the first two!" Koharu said quickly, her tone defensive.
"Tsunade has only just become Hokage," Hiruzen countered. "How do you already know she can't handle it?"
"I…" Koharu faltered.
In that moment, she realized how much her old friend had changed. The once-gentle Hiruzen now spoke with a weight that left no room for argument.
"I understand what you're trying to say," Hiruzen said quietly, shaking his head. "But I am no longer the Hokage."
"Hiruzen, you're really not going to get involved?" Koharu asked, disappointment flickering across her face.
"Tsunade's measures are too reckless," Homura added gravely. "She should have consulted us before making such decisions."
"I've already told you," Hiruzen said, his eyes fixed on the rippling pond, "I'm no longer the Hokage — and I can't interfere."
He paused briefly, then added in a calm but cutting tone, "Think about Danzo's fate."
At those words, both Homura and Koharu froze. Danzo's death had been far from what they expected.
In their eyes, no matter how extreme his methods had been, Danzo had always acted for Konoha's sake — he didn't deserve to die.
But Tsunade wasn't Hiruzen. Her actions were swift, decisive, and left no room for hesitation.
---
Konoha Hospital.
Kitazawa was meeting with Haku.
"I've given him a full examination," Nono said gently. "Aside from some mild malnutrition, there's nothing wrong with him."
"That's good." Kitazawa nodded, then turned to Haku. "Have you ever learned Ice Release ninjutsu?"
"No." Haku hesitated briefly before answering. "I only used it once by accident before."
"You have natural talent in both Water Release and Ice Release," Kitazawa said thoughtfully.
"So from now on, you'll train in both. I might not fully understand Ice Release, but I can give you some guidance."
[Current Mission: Help Haku learn three Ice Release Ninjutsu.]
[Mission Reward: Ice Release.]
[Do you accept?]
Kitazawa looked at the glowing text before him and couldn't help but feel a spark of excitement.
The reward was excellent — to directly gain Ice Release himself. But the mission wouldn't be easy.
Haku had no understanding of Ice Release techniques and would have to develop them from scratch.
Kitazawa could only guide him based on the Ice Release jutsu he remembered from the original timeline.
The real problem, however, was Haku's lack of any proper ninja foundation. He was essentially starting from zero.
Still, Ice Release was too valuable to pass up. At the very least, he thought dryly, I could make free popsicles in the summer.
Kitazawa immediately accepted the mission.
"Thank you, Teacher Kitazawa," Haku said earnestly.
"You'll begin with basic chakra refinement," Kitazawa instructed. "Kabuto, teach him."
"Yes, Teacher Kitazawa," Kabuto replied with a nod.
Without lingering further, Kitazawa left the hospital and made his way toward the Ninja Academy.
Not long after lunch, there was a knock at his office door.
"Come in," Kitazawa said, looking up.
Konan stepped inside. She was wearing the signature black cloak of the Akatsuki, its red clouds vivid against the fabric.
The cloak wrapped tightly around her slender frame, revealing only a pair of high-heeled, open-toe boots — her toes painted black, a striking contrast against her fair skin.
"This outfit of yours is a bit too conspicuous in Konoha," Kitazawa said evenly. "From now on, you'll wear this."
He held out a Konoha Anbu vest and a white long robe. Anbu had two forms of attire: one with just the vest, and another with the robe worn over it.
"In the village, you'll operate under your Anbu identity," Kitazawa continued in a firm tone. "But no matter what happens, you'll follow my orders — including during missions."
Konan sensed the unquestionable authority in his voice and nodded silently. Treating Nagato's legs was still their top priority.
"Change your clothes," Kitazawa said, then turned and stepped out of the office.
Konan removed her Akatsuki cloak.
Underneath, she wore a zip-up backless top and light purple tight pants — her flat stomach exposed, a small silver ring glinting at her navel.
She then slipped on the Anbu vest and draped the white robe over it, finishing with the Anbu mask.
In that instant, her aura shifted — from cool and aloof to mysterious and untouchable.
--
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P@atreon/Arvinstorm (45+ Advanced Chapters)