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The next day.
Heshu led Hanzō toward the Hokage's office.
Hanzō was still holding little Naruto in her arms.
Compared to Heshu's frantic clumsiness a few days ago, Hanzō handled the baby with practiced ease.
The villagers' respectful gazes fell on Heshu. When their eyes touched Hanzō, their looks turned curious. And when they finally landed on little Naruto, they twisted into disgust and repulsion.
Perhaps out of consideration for Heshu's presence, the villagers didn't openly discuss Naruto in front of him. But the moment Heshu passed, a torrent of curses erupted in whispers behind his back.
"Lord Heshu."
The gate guard saw Heshu approach and stepped aside to let him through.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had long instructed the guards: if Heshu came, no announcement was needed.
Heshu smiled and gave the guard a polite nod.
The guard watched Heshu's back disappear into the office.
Only when he was completely out of sight did the guard sigh in admiration. "Lord Heshu is truly so down-to-earth."
A shinobi who could come and go freely in Kumo and Kiri, made major contributions in the Third War, and stood against the Nine-Tails… yet Lord Heshu was exceptionally gentle and courteous.
Hiruzen was, as usual, buried under mountains of paperwork.
Ever since discovering Heshu's talents, he'd planned to have Heshu spend his mornings here—assisting with documents, getting a feel for administrative work.
"And this is…?"
Hiruzen looked up and only then noticed the woman standing beside Heshu.
When his eyes registered her appearance, a sudden spark lit in Hiruzen's gaze.
Full chest, slender waist, long legs. Soft, light brown hair cascading down her back. A delicate face, completely expressionless—the very picture of an icy, untouchable beauty.
Ahem.
Hiruzen cleared his throat, smoothing the wrinkles from his Hokage robe.
"Lord Hokage, this is Rishihui-san. I've brought her from outside the village to care for Naruto."
A helpless, bitter smile formed on Heshu's face. "As you know… finding someone in the village willing to look after him has been impossible."
Hiruzen fell silent for a moment. But his attention swiftly snapped back to Hanzō.
"This… Rishihui-san. Before entering the village, you'll need to complete some necessary formalities."
Was it Heshu's imagination, or had the Third's demeanor suddenly shifted?
He didn't sound like an old man at all.
His tone was dripping with polite, gentlemanly charm.
Hanzō glanced at the Third. Nodded. "Understood."
The Nine-Tails jinchūriki's status was special. No matter how beautiful this Rishihui-san was, he couldn't skip the vetting process for outsiders.
Hiruzen nodded, inwardly praising his own unwavering willpower against feminine charms.
Heshu took Naruto back briefly.
Hanzō leaned over the desk to fill out the forms. Hiruzen reminded himself that Heshu—his admirer—was still here. He shouldn't be too obvious. But his eyes refused to listen, dragging helplessly toward the V-neck of Hanzō's robe.
Ooh.
Two strange blushes quickly bloomed on the Third's cheeks.
Lost in the moment, he let out a dreamy chuckle.
Heh heh heh…
Hiruzen's strange, gleeful laughter filled the room.
Suddenly, the entranced Hokage felt two pairs of eyes on him.
He looked up.
This Rishihui-san was staring down at him, displeasure sharp in her gaze. But…
An angry Rishihui-san had her own unique flavor.
The other gaze…
Shit.
Meeting Heshu's utterly confused and stiff stare, Hiruzen hurriedly looked away. He coughed awkwardly into his fist.
Hiruzen was clearly flustered. He forced a calm facade as he looked over the documents, though his mind was already galaxies away.
"Lord Hokage is truly meticulous, inspecting Rishihui-san's records so closely."
Heshu kindly provided a way out of the awkwardness.
Ahem…
Hiruzen shot Heshu a glance. The boy's eyes were clear, completely normal.
Hiruzen relaxed. Heshu probably hadn't seen. That look earlier must have been his own misinterpretation.
"These are special times. We must be thorough."
Even as he said it, Hiruzen felt a twinge of guilt. He skimmed the basic information—name, etc.—before sealing Hanzō's file and shoving it into the massive pile beneath his desk.
Watching Hiruzen's actions, Heshu's lips curved upward slightly.
"Heshu."
Hiruzen stood from his seat, stroking Naruto's head with infinite tenderness. His eyes, however, drifted toward Hanzō, who had taken Naruto back.
"Naruto's father was a hero. Because of the Nine-Tails, Naruto has lost so much. As Hokage, I will visit little Naruto often from now on!"
Heshu shot the Third a dubious look—the old man's gaze was still glued to Hanzō's chest.
Visit little Naruto?
Really?
Are you sure about that?
Heshu's face shone with moved emotion. "With the Hokage's care, little Naruto will surely grow up strong and healthy!"
Hiruzen smiled benevolently.
Heshu still had to stay and help the Third with paperwork. He turned to Hanzō. "Rishihui-san, please take Naruto home first."
Hiruzen froze. He nearly opened his mouth to say she could stay, but remembered the classified documents they'd be handling. He reluctantly nodded. There will be other chances, he consoled himself.
Only after Hanzō's figure vanished from the Hokage's office did Heshu speak.
"Lord Hokage, I have something to report."
"Ah! Go ahead!"
Hiruzen's attention drifted back from the doorway, somewhat absent-minded.
"…"
"Within Lord Danzō's Root… there is a Wood Release user."
"What?!"
Hiruzen's expression instantly sharpened.
"Is it the same Wood Release as the First Hokage's?"
Hiruzen's tone was deadly serious.
"Well…"
Heshu wasn't sure how to answer. Wood Release was Wood Release, but the same as the First?
"It is indeed Wood Release."
It was the real thing. Just… not on Hashirama Senju's level.
Hiruzen would have to see for himself to understand.
Furious sparks flashed in Hiruzen's eyes.
That damn Danzō! Even something as major as a Wood Release user, and he dared to hide it!
The more Hiruzen thought about it, the angrier he got. He couldn't focus on a single word of the paperwork now. He summoned an Anbu.
"Fetch Danzō. Now."
At this, Heshu rose to leave. "Lord Hokage, since you're summoning Lord Danzō, I shall take my leave."
Hiruzen shook his head firmly. "Heshu, you stay. You'll have to face situations like this sooner or later."
This was a live demonstration for the future.
"?"
Heshu was utterly baffled.
Are you serious?
I just ratted him out, and you want me to sit in on the confrontation?
Heshu sat back down in the seat beside the Hokage.
From far off, the steady tap-tap of a cane approached.
"Hiruzen. What is it?"
Danzō stopped before Hiruzen, staring at him.
His gaze swept over Heshu. A flicker of satisfaction passed through his eyes unnoticed.
Good. Tsukimi Heshu is already assisting Hiruzen with administrative duties.
His path to the Hokage seat is getting closer.
Danzō's lips curved slightly.
Hiruzen was already in a foul mood. Seeing Danzō's faint, provocative smile only fanned the flames of his anger.
"Danzō. Hand over that Wood Release user under your command."
Hiruzen's order was blunt and direct.
"What?!"
Danzō's eyes widened sharply. His gaze immediately snapped to Heshu, pupils burning with rage.
If Hiruzen knew about the Wood Release, it had to be connected to Tsukimi Heshu!
But to his surprise, Tsukimi Heshu was also staring at Hiruzen with a shocked expression.
What is going on?
Danzō's brow furrowed deeply.
"I have no Wood Release user."
Danzō's denial was stubborn.
"Is that so?"
Hiruzen sneered. "Root has grown increasingly lawless over the years. Perhaps it's time to dissolve it."
"Hiruzen, you—!"
Danzō stared at Hiruzen in disbelief, as if hearing something unimaginable.
Heshu's eyes widened too. Then, under Danzō's stunned gaze, he stepped forward.
"Lord Hokage, Root has done much for Konoha. Lord Danzō has dedicated himself to Root and the village. Please reconsider."
[Ding! Target: Danzō Shimura. Favorability: 85!]
Hiruzen had only spoken in anger. Dissolving Root wasn't really an option.
Many tasks still required Root's… methods.
"Besides, whether it's Root, Anbu, or any of us shinobi—we are all your subordinates, Lord Hokage."
"Why would Lord Danzō quarrel with you over a mere Wood Release user? The two of you are longtime friends."
Heshu continued smoothly.
When he mentioned "friends," a look of genuine envy touched his smile.
The anger in Hiruzen's heart gradually dissipated. He looked at Heshu with approval.
As expected of his chosen successor. That speech preserved face, gave an out, and acknowledged their bond—for both Danzō and himself.
"?"
Danzō felt like every word was a trap.
Didn't Tsukimi Heshu's words just admit I have a Wood Release user?
And he arrogantly decided to hand the user over on my behalf!
Danzō's emotions were tangled.
He was furious at Tsukimi Heshu's stupidity… yet also felt the boy's words were genuinely meant to protect him.
And the dumber Tsukimi Heshu is, the more useful he'll be as Hokage later.
Danzō gritted his teeth. "I'll have him report to you later."
Forget it!
Just one Wood Release user. Once Tsukimi Heshu became Hokage, everything in this village would be his!
Patience. Recklessness ruined grand plans.
"Danzō, you seem tired lately. Go home and rest."
Having achieved his goal, Hiruzen smiled cheerfully and issued the dismissal.
Danzō shot Hiruzen a venomous glare before storming out of the Hokage's office.
The entire morning passed under the Third's "guidance," accompanied by the frantic scratching of Heshu's pen.
Heshu returned home, eyes bleary.
A child stood before his door.
"You are…?"
Kabuto?
When the child turned around, Heshu recognized him.
Kabuto wasn't wearing his Root uniform today—just a dark blue t-shirt and black pants.
"Lord Heshu has a busy man's memory, it seems."
Kabuto's tone was flat.
"…"
So young, yet already a master of passive-aggressive speech.
Promising.
Using his height advantage, Heshu ruffled Kabuto's hair—a bit too roughly. "Speak properly."
Kabuto, likely sporting a new bump on his head, looked displeased. But he seemed to remember something and forced a stiff smile.
"I came to thank you."
The words were gratitude. The eyes were pure defiance.
Heshu's fingers itched. This kid really needed a beating.
"Thank me for what?"
Aside from that time in Root, when he'd generously "donated" his mission to boost his team's stats, Heshu didn't recall helping Kabuto.
Hm?
Wait.
Heshu studied Kabuto more closely. He looked familiar.
Then he remembered—the child he'd randomly saved at the hospital was also Kabuto.
And back when Takenouchi first found him, among the orphans on that wooden cart… wasn't Kabuto there too?
"…"
Black lines practically covered Heshu's forehead.
So how had he missed the "Dreamweaver" all this time?
He should have started grooming him when the kid was still young!
"To put it another way… I'm not here to thank you."
Just as Heshu assumed Kabuto was thanking him for that earlier rescue, Kabuto added with malicious glee: "I came to thank Chunin Takenouchi."
Heshu's brows furrowed. "What do you mean?"
"Ah. During the Nine-Tails attack the other day… Chunin Takenouchi died trying to save me—"
Cough!
Kabuto didn't get to finish.
His body was suddenly lifted into the air.
Heshu's hand closed around his throat.
"Then you can die to repay him."
Heshu tightened his grip.
Kabuto's face turned purple. Veins bulged on his neck.
Seeing the cold murderous intent flash in Heshu's pupils, Kabuto actually laughed.
"Go… ahead… kill me…"
Kabuto's words were broken, strained.
Kill him, and Heshu's reputation would be ruined.
Heshu released him. Kicked him square in the chest.
Thud.
Kabuto's body slammed against the wall. He spat blood.
He looked at Heshu and smiled—a twisted, deranged grin.
Heshu frowned.
Kabuto's psychological issues were severe.
No point dirtying his reputation over trash.
Takenouchi's death was essentially Kabuto's doing.
Heshu refused to believe a Root shinobi couldn't dodge a collapsing building.
Clearly, Kabuto had set a death trap for Takenouchi.
"What's your goal?"
Could someone truly hate another person so much they'd kill their family?
If Heshu and Kabuto had some deep grudge, he might understand.
But the opposite was true—Heshu had saved Kabuto's life.
"Ungrateful little bastard."
Heshu's foot came down on Kabuto's hand. "You're skilled in medical ninjutsu, right?"
"What happens if I ruin your hands?"
He increased the pressure.
He felt no sympathy for Kabuto.
Takenouchi had given his life to save him. And Kabuto had deliberately lured Takenouchi to his death.
If Kabuto truly hated him so much, he could have come for Heshu directly. But Kabuto had targeted Takenouchi instead.
Gah…
Kabuto trembled from the intense pain. Yet his pale, bloodless face still wore that same smile.
Heshu paused. A thought occurred.
"Maybe you don't care about your hands. But there's someone you do care about, isn't there?"
Kabuto's head jerked up.
Meeting Kabuto's bloodshot eyes, Heshu spoke slowly, deliberately.
"What was her name again? Oh, right. Yakushi… Nonō, was it?"
Kabuto glared viciously. "You—!"
"Since you killed someone dear to me… me killing Nonō shouldn't be too much to ask, right?"
Heshu smiled innocently.
Panic flashed in Kabuto's eyes. He forced bravado. "No! The director is a Konoha shinobi! Killing a comrade makes you a missing-nin!"
Heshu shook his head, laughing. He looked at Kabuto with pity. "So naive. Why would I do it myself? Just assign her a suicide mission. Problem solved."
Kabuto froze solid.
Staring at the gentle, almost tender smile on Heshu's face, a chill seeped into his bones.
Given Danzō's attitude toward Tsukimi Heshu… dealing with one Nonō would be nothing.
Heshu personally helped the ice-cold Kabuto to his feet. He healed Kabuto's wounds in an instant, then affectionately brushed the dust from his clothes.
Contrary to the smile on his face, his voice was frozen and brutal.
"Why would I dirty my own hands?"
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