The meeting proceeded in an orderly manner.
Every additional word Tsunade spoke added pressure to the clan heads seated before her.
"Next are the rectification notices from the Civil Affairs Department and the Medical Corps."
Shizune calmly announced the next agenda item, recording the proceedings onto a scroll with practiced ease.
The moment those words left her mouth, the expressions of the clan heads shifted. No longer calm, they were visibly shaken.
Beads of sweat formed at Yamanaka Inoichi's temples.
He clenched his thighs, trying to suppress his anxiety.
The Civil Affairs Department was something the Yamanaka clan had long been eyeing. If he could secure the position of Minister, it would bring enormous benefits—not only to his clan but also to the entire Ino-Shika-Cho alliance.
"The former Minister of Civil Affairs, Mitokado Hamura, is hereby dismissed for abuse of power and misappropriation of village funds. He is fined one billion ryo."
Tsunade's voice was firm and final.
Mitokado could only clench his teeth, his aging face dark and grim. He no longer had the courage to protest.
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Accepting his punishment, He leaned back in his chair, his expression blank with regret.
A ridiculous thought crossed his mind.
If I had confessed to Tsunade myself… would things have turned out better for me and my clan?
No one else was to blame—it was his own greed, his refusal to let go of power, that had led him here.
His frustration became fuel for everyone else's ambition.
Yamanaka Inoichi opened his mouth to speak, only to be interrupted by an unexpected challenger.
"Hokage-sama," a calm voice spoke, "though the Aburame clan tends to keep a low profile, our insect-based jutsu can handle complex logistical work efficiently."
"Now that the Civil Affairs post is vacant..."
"I wish to apply for the position."
It was Aburame Shibi.
The room stirred. No one had seen that coming.
Even Uchiha Hikaru narrowed his eyes.
He had spoken with Shibi in private not long ago, and at that time, the man had expressed interest in becoming the Minister of Intelligence. Given the Aburame clan's unparalleled skill in reconnaissance and information gathering, Uchiha Hikaru had agreed, and they had reached a quiet understanding.
So why the sudden change of heart?
Yamanaka Inoichi immediately reacted, seizing the moment to push his own case.
"Hokage-sama! The Yamanaka clan specializes in floriculture and the management of entertainment sectors."
"I also wish to run for the position of Minister of Civil Affairs."
"And frankly, if there are bugs flying all over the village, it'll ruin the scenery and disturb the peace."
In his panic, Inoichi blurted out what he truly thought—without any tact or forethought.
The atmosphere froze.
Tsunade maintained a thoughtful expression, but under the table, her hand reached out and tugged at Uchiha Hikaru's sleeve.
With his index finger, Hikaru drew the character for "yamanaka" on her thigh.
Tsunade understood immediately.
"Then the position of Minister of Civil Affairs will go to Inoichi."
Yamanaka Inoichi finally relaxed, the anxiety that had been coiled in his chest melting away.
Aburame Shibi quietly pulled up the high collar of his coat, hiding the faint smile on his face.
No one noticed.
Nara Shikaku furrowed his brows slightly.
Something had deviated from his plan—but the impact was minimal.
As for the Medical Corps, Tsunade appointed someone none of them had expected.
The former Root intelligence specialist.
The "Wandering Nun."
Yakushi Nono.
The clan heads didn't bother vying for this position. None of them practiced medical ninjutsu, and without it, the position was little more than a burden.
Shikaku, for instance, could prescribe herbal remedies but had no formal medical jutsu. He could handle basic treatment for civilians—but the responsibilities of the Medical Corps went far beyond that.
Research and development of new medical ninjutsu, surgical protocols, emergency response units, battlefield triage—it was a level of complexity they simply couldn't handle.
They had all mentally prepared to lose this round, but everyone was curious who would take up this heavy post.
Yet none of them had anticipated her.
Yakushi Nono.
Though not widely known among civilians, every village's ANBU and intelligence divisions feared her name.
Her spy missions were legendary. Perfect completion rate. Zero exposure.
During the Second and Third Great Ninja Wars, her covert intelligence work gave Konoha the upper hand time and time again.
Now she sat here, completely unrecognizable.
Utatane Koharu, seated beside Mitokado, suddenly lifted her hand and peeled away the transformation from her neck.
A woman with soft brown hair and a gentle face emerged before them.
"Yes, Hokage-sama," she said softly.
No one had even noticed her disguise. Even Orochimaru's face lit up with interest.
It wasn't a standard transformation or disguise technique. The intricacy of the disguise intrigued even him.
Not a face-erasing technique… How did they manage this illusion? Fascinating…
Mitokado glanced at Yakushi Nono but said nothing.
It has nothing to do with me anymore. I'm already lucky my name and clan were spared.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's brows furrowed.
He turned to Tsunade, troubled.
"Tsunade… Utatane Koharu—"
"Old man," Orochimaru interrupted before she could respond, his tone half-amused, half-predatory. "You should be calling her Hokage-sama now."
He spoke like a venomous serpent—mocking, dangerous.
Sarutobi paused.
Yes… Tsunade was no longer his disciple.
Jiraiya had distanced himself from him.
Even Orochimaru...
His once-favorite student had been forced into exile, blamed for crimes he never committed—crimes that actually stemmed from Danzo's orders.
And he had allowed it.
Regret? When he held the Hokage's seat, he'd never felt it.
But after stepping down, alone in his home… he had regretted it countless times.
Was it really worth sacrificing your humanity to hold onto power?
He looked at Tsunade once more.
"...Hokage-sama. Koharu's crimes… They don't warrant execution, do they?"
His voice was soft. He had no one left now. No more loyal allies. No more power.
Danzo was dead.
He didn't want to lose his last two comrades—Utane Koharu and Mitokado .
Tsunade arched an eyebrow, puzzled.
"I'm not Danzo. We're from the same village—why would I kill her?"
"She thought she'd never be able to repay the two-billion ryo debt, so she voluntarily went to Konoha Hospital to teach medical ninjutsu."
"For every medical Jonin she trains, I'll reduce her debt by thirty million ryo."
Sarutobi Hiruzen exhaled deeply, finally feeling a hint of relief
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