Kangetsu's residence.
Kangetsu was this close to laughing out loud.
Those two old geezers went at each other, and Danzo that old bastard actually came out on top?
Third… you're getting old.
No.
That's not quite right either.
The way that old man protects "his own people"—that kind of heart is still worthy of respect.
But does that make me, Kangetsu, one of the Third's "own people"?
There's a hint of it, sure, but if you really get down to it… I'm still nowhere near that circle.
It's just bait. A big fat promise.
Don't you dare believe it.
Just look at Itachi and Shisui in canon.
They ate the old man's "promise" until they were full—so what did it get them in the end?
"Big brother, what are you laughing about?" Ino Yamanaka asked curiously, looking up at him.
So handsome.
Exactly her type.
There was only one problem.
He was way too popular.
Look at his lap—Hinata, that little cutie, was curled up in his arms, tense as could be.
And behind him—
Ino was sucking in a sharp breath, staring at the "blade-wind" like her "affection value" had just slammed straight to the ceiling.
Kangetsu almost couldn't hold it in.
Was his Hinata some kind of traveling frog?
How did she go out for a bit and come back having "picked up" a loli for him?
Tenten was one thing—now it was Ino too.
"I'm happy that Ino-chan can come over and play," Kangetsu said.
That immediately made little Ino light up.
Big brother said he's happy I can come here to play!
He's got me in his heart!
As expected of the man she fell for at first sight!
…Which was really just love at first look.
Kangetsu wasn't clueless about this little face-obsessed girl's personality.
It all depended on the "model."
So, was there some kind of technique to deal with girls who don't care about the model?
There is, bros. There is.
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado—those two old bitches were absolutely capable of living off soft rice three times over.
If you transmigrate into the shinobi world and you're out of options, you could always try it.
Kangetsu patted Ino's head.
She turned her face away, a little shy.
Kangetsu sank into thought.
Coincidence… or a signal from Ino–Shika–Cho?
Whatever.
A loli that jumped into his bowl—was he going to not eat?
Kangetsu Shimizu was that kind of greedy man.
Otherwise, he wouldn't be grinding his training and stirring up trouble like this.
What was he doing it for, if not this?
Seize power under heaven, then sleep with people—circle circle.
A man has to have some ambition.
In his previous life, Kangetsu didn't have the conditions. Even if he did, he'd have to keep it locked down.
But now that he'd come to the shinobi world… he was supposed to keep holding it in?
Then what the hell did he come here for?
But Hinata was getting anxious.
After listening to her clan, and her father's daily nagging day after day, she knew her husband was someone incredibly important to her—
and also incredibly important to the Hyuga.
How could he only pay attention to others and not her?
So Hinata lifted her white-stockinged little jojo again.
H-husband… please play…
This time she wouldn't pull back!
…Mm.
Seeing Hinata so shy she was practically steaming, Kangetsu couldn't exactly refuse.
Everyone! You all saw that, right?!
Hinata told me to play!
Deep down, I was totally refusing, okay?!
Refusing?
Danzo, who was in the middle of celebrating, heard that and frowned.
I just got promoted to Deputy.
I invited Koharu and Homura for drinks. I thought about it, and I even invited you, Hiruzen.
And what do you do?
You ignore old friendship and refuse me?
Hmph!
Fine, then!
If you're not coming, don't come!
It's not like I care!
Danzo preened smugly in front of the mirror.
It was the Hokage robe.
Even if he was only the "deputy," he still got the robe.
With it hanging behind him, Danzo was so excited he could barely contain himself.
He hurriedly asked the Shimura Second Elder at his side.
"What about the hat? The Hokage hat?"
If the gear wasn't complete, what kind of look was that supposed to be?
"Clan Head-sama, Advisor Koharu said she's making the hat personally. Please wait a bit."
Oh?
Koharu is making it herself…
Danzo got even more excited.
Look!
Everyone look!
This—this is what a true coronation looks like!
Can you do that, Hiruzen?
For the sake of climbing to the top with a name that's "qualified," I even took the initiative to shoulder the 3.5 billion debt!
And you still don't know how to behave—won't even come drink!
Fine!
I'm happy today, so I won't stoop to your level, old man.
He was happy.
And the Shimura clan started strutting around, swaggering like they owned the world.
It's about damn time!
The Clan Head-sama who always loved to daydream actually made it to Hokage!
Sure, it's a "deputy," but it's still Hokage!
Back when Clan Head-sama was just an advisor, we already had this much power—now that he's the Hokage, won't we just take off?!
For this, the Shimura folks waved flags and shouted slogans.
Like they were hosting some huge celebration.
Some Shimura clansmen even handed out invitations at the gate of the residence, laughing as they waved.
"Come! Everyone come! Our Clan Head-sama is happy today!
Come drink!"
The shinobi on the road heard that.
Whoa!!
Free food and free booze?
And it's a banquet?
Let's go, let's go!
If you don't eat for free, you're a fool!
That massive, black swarm of people made the Second Elder's temple veins throb violently.
No.
I told you to invite people to sit down—not invite this many!
It hurt so bad he almost started cramping, his face twisting as if it was smoking.
But he could only pinch his nose and accept this gang of freeloaders.
Shit…
A bunch of task-running stinkers and they've got the nerve to come mooch.
"Hey, you!"
The Second Elder's face was dark.
The others could be tolerated.
But Sarutobi clan people?
"Throw them out."
Huh?
The Shimura clansman blinked, confused.
Isn't that… bad?
That's the Hokage's relatives.
"Listen to me. Throw them out."
Did the Second Elder not understand his Clan Head's meaning?
You invited them.
But we didn't.
So sorry.
This old man isn't giving them face either.
Now we're all Hokage—who's afraid of who?
If you've got the ability, then go fill that 3.5 billion crater yourself!
If you don't, then shut up and swallow it.
Right now, you need us, not the other way around!
With a snort, Danzo kept admiring himself in the mirror.
He thought Hiruzen was the one who couldn't see the situation clearly.
3.5 billion.
Me, Danzo.
Deputy Hokage!
Got it?
Before long, the lantern-hung, festively decorated Shimura residence welcomed the two advisors.
Koharu arrived beaming, carrying a Hokage hat.
Homura had even brought a pen.
Mm.
The same model the Third used to sign with.
That made Danzo so happy he could've floated.
He waved a hand grandly.
"Highest seats! Everyone eat well, drink well!
It's on me!
Eat as much as you want!
No one leaves unless they're drunk!!"
"So generous, Hokage-sama!"
"Hokage-sama, congratulations, congratulations!"
"Hokage-sama!"
"Hokage-sama…"
Hearing that string of "Hokage-sama" made Danzo grin.
Made him dizzy.
Ahahaha~~~~~~
Yes. This. This phrase!
More!
Say it more!
I love hearing it!
(End of Chapter)
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