Shiki didn't say anything...he simply smiled.
"I'm the Golden Lion, Shiki. How could I possibly fall here?"
Tsunade exhaled through her nose and rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, yeah… being powerful is one thing. Making me worry like a maniac is another."
Before Shiki could respond, Nara Shikaku, Yamanaka Inoichi, and Akimichi Chōza—
the full Ino–Shika–Chō trio—walked over.
They watched the interaction between Shiki and Tsunade…
and instead of judging it like before, they only smiled.
Moments ago, there might've been whispers about "Tsunade and a civilian kid."
Now?
After seeing him defeat Shukaku head-on, slice a Tailed Beast Bomb in half, and walk away with two legendary blades at his waist—
No one in Konoha dared to say Shiki wasn't worthy.
Not anymore.
The three men exchanged glances, stood firm, and bowed deeply.
"Lord Shiki!"
Their voices carried weight—
not flattery, not fear, but genuine respect earned through overwhelming strength.
This world had always been simple:
Strength is absolute.
Strength commands respect.
Strength decides everything.
And Shiki's strength was now undeniable.
Two blades.
One tailed beast, defeated.
A feat only a handful of shinobi across all history could claim.
Tsunade felt her chest swell with pride.
See?
This is the man I chose.
"Heh, no need for honorifics. Just call me Shiki."
Shiki waved casually, but his tone carried quiet authority.
He didn't need to brag.
He didn't need to posture.
Power spoke for him.
Shikaku's lips curled into a knowing smile—
this was a man worth aligning with.
"Well then, Shiki… when you have time, come visit the Nara clan. I keep some very rare tea—perfect for someone who appreciates quiet strategy."
"Definitely."
Two smart men.
One glance was enough, they understood each other.
Tsunade, however, puffed her cheeks slightly.
All this political networking right after a life-or-death fight?
She wasn't used to it.
"Alright, enough chit-chat," she snapped lightly. "Everyone rest up for the day. We'll return to Konoha tomorrow!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
Later that night, Nara Shikaku sat alone, writing a detailed war report by hand.
A report that would soon reach the Hokage's desk.
A report that contained one line destined to shake the entire village:
"Tailed Beast Shukaku was defeated—
single-handedly—by Konoha's Golden Lion, Shiki."
---
"Good! Very good!"
Inside the Hokage Building, Sarutobi Hiruzen's smile was rare and genuine as he read the final war report.
Even Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado—half asleep during most meetings—allowed themselves small, relieved smiles.
Konoha was safe.
The war was over.
Their positions as elders remained secure.
Of course they were happy.
But Danzo…
Danzo saw something else entirely.
He leaned forward, staff tapping the floor.
"Hiruzen… didn't you notice it?"
His tone was sharp, almost cold.
"Shiki's strength."
The room went silent.
Danzo's single eye narrowed.
"Slicing a Tailed Beast Bomb. Defeating Shukaku head-on. The title Golden Lion is no exaggeration."
It wasn't praise—Danzo didn't praise anyone.
It was pure, cautious acknowledgment.
Sword-cutting a Bijūdama.
Even reading it, Danzo had been stunned.
That wasn't something humans did.
But the report was from Shikaku, not some random messenger.
It was undeniable.
Hiruzen finally set the report down, expression unreadable.
"Danzo… what are you implying?"
Instead of answering immediately, Danzo gave a dry, humorless chuckle.
"That boy… Shiki… has inherited the Will of Fire extremely well."
Hiruzen understood immediately.
A civilian genius.
No clan attachments.
No complicated loyalties.
Just like Minato—clean, easy to mold, easy to place wherever Konoha needed.
Unlike Sakumo Hatake, who had an entire clan and political weight behind him…
Shiki was alone.
To a Hokage, that was convenient.
To Danzo… it was opportunity.
Danzo continued, voice dropping.
"Shiki himself is not the problem."
His single eye glinted.
"But you didn't notice, Hiruzen?"
"The relationship between Shiki and Tsunade… is far from ordinary."
That single sentence crushed the entire room into silence.
Koharu froze.
Homura swallowed hard.
Even Hiruzen's smile vanished.
Tsunade.
Princess of Konoha.
Granddaughter of the First Hokage.
Senju heir.
Legendary Sannin.
The strongest medical ninja in the world.
And now tied—emotionally—to a boy strong enough to cut a tailed beast's strongest attack in half?
Danzo tapped his cane once more.
"If Tsunade returns… and Shiki stands behind her…"
"…the balance of power in Konoha will shift."
"You haven't forgotten, have you?"
Danzo's smile was thin and poisonous.
"The Senju Clan died out because of us."
Hiruzen's jaw tightened.
Koharu and Homura froze.
Danzo continued calmly, almost enjoying their discomfort.
"If Tsunade ever discovers the truth… and decides to take action—"
He paused deliberately.
Let the silence dig into everyone's nerves.
Then he added:
"Tell me… would Shiki side with Konoha?"
"Or would he choose Tsunade?"
The question didn't need an answer.
Everyone knew it.
If Shiki and Tsunade truly became a couple…
There was only one choice he'd make.
Only an idiot would oppose Tsunade under those circumstances.
"Impossible."
Hiruzen snapped.
"Tsunade will never learn the truth."
But his voice was tense.
Danzo's words had hit him where it hurt—the fear that Shiki, this rising power, was not fully under his control.
Koharu folded her arms.
"I also believe Shiki needs… guidance. Restraint."
Homura added coldly:
"Assign him to normal duties. Keep him as an ordinary Konoha shinobi. Distance him from the upper levels."
Their proposal was simple:
If a threat can't be killed… isolate it.
Keep it away from the power center.
Hiruzen remained silent for a long moment.
Then he lit a cigarette.
No nod.
No denial.
But everyone felt it:
The Third Hokage agreed.
Danzo's grin widened.
"In that case… perhaps assigning him to my Root division would be ideal. Root is best suited to… controlling assets like Shiki."
Hiruzen shot him a deadpan look.
"Danzo. Do you take me for a fool?"
"I can see very clearly you're after Shiki's power."
Danzo stiffened, caught.
"I won't give that order," Hiruzen said flatly.
"But if you think you can recruit him…"
He exhaled a ring of smoke.
"…then try it yourself."
Danzo froze.
If he had the strength to subdue Shiki, he would've done so already.
Even Danzo wasn't delusional enough to fight a boy who cut a Bijūdama in half.
His mind raced.
No.
The research plan must accelerate.
—The Wood Release Cell project.
A forbidden study he had hesitated to start.
But now?
Shiki's existence made him to not hesitate any longer.
And Orochimaru…
That prodigy could be both a tool and a leash.
Danzo said nothing aloud.
But the ambition burning in his single eye was unmistakable.
Hiruzen, unaware of Danzo's inner calculations, reached his own conclusion.
"So be it."
"Shiki has rendered great service. A reward is necessary—at least publicly."
He tapped ash from his pipe.
"Give him the title of Elite Jōnin. Nothing more."
A pitiful reward, considering Shiki defeated a Tailed Beast.
But it kept him away from true power.
Koharu and Homura exchanged glances, then nodded.
"This is acceptable."
Hiruzen stood.
"Koharu, Homura—prepare for negotiations with Sunagakure."
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