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Heshu was right.
The day he would become Hokage was fast approaching.
It came two months after Orochimaru's defection.
"Heshu."
Standing before the window of the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked down at Konoha's busiest street. The warm winter sun softened his features. He took a slow drag from his pipe.
"Lord Hokage."
Heshu had come as usual to assist with paperwork. Assist? For the past month, he'd been handling all the village's administrative documents single-handedly.
"From this angle, the village is beautiful, isn't it?"
Sarutobi's gaze swept over every pedestrian, every street vendor, a faint smile on his lips.
"Yes."
"The villagers live and work in peace, their lives growing more prosperous. The village is on a better path."
Heshu couldn't help but smile brightly in return.
At some point, Sarutobi had turned from the window. His gaze was now studying Heshu deeply.
"Then… can you shoulder the responsibility of protecting this peace? This tranquility?"
Sarutobi's expression was uncharacteristically solemn. The question wasn't superficial. He was asking if Heshu could bear the weight of the Hokage's title.
Heshu stilled. This was no time for false modesty.
He met Sarutobi's gaze, his nod firm. "Lord Hokage. I will protect this village with my life. I will make it my life's responsibility."
Sarutobi didn't speak. His eyes remained locked on Heshu's. The office fell silent—not an awkward silence, but a heavy, expectant one.
"Good."
The tension drained from Sarutobi's face instantly, replaced by a satisfied smile.
"That's good. Now I can rest easy."
"Lord Hokage, why so suddenly…?" Heshu hesitated.
Sarutobi wasn't surprised by the question. Stepping down wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision. Even without Orochimaru's betrayal or the village rumors, he wouldn't have stayed in this position much longer.
Honestly, he'd dedicated most of his life to this office. It was time he lived the life of an ordinary old man. He knew who was behind the rumors. He didn't care.
"I've told you before. This village belongs to you young people now." Sarutobi smiled, waving a dismissive hand.
The lead-up to the succession was a whirlwind. Heshu was swamped.
Two months later, the private handover was finally complete. But to become Hokage, one crucial step remained.
Receiving the formal appointment from the Fire Daimyō.
"Kakashi, Shisui, Juri. The three of you will act as guards for the journey to the Daimyō's capital."
Sarutobi addressed the three ninja before him. Shisui had been specially transferred out of Root for this. He'd expected resistance from Danzō, but surprisingly, the man had cooperated, handing Shisui over without a fuss.
"Yes, sir!" the three replied.
Shisui looked at Heshu, who stood beside Sarutobi. A slow smile spread across his face. Memories of their first mission as teammates surfaced.
"I want to be a great ninja like the Hokage…"
"My goal is to become Hokage…"
The words echoed in his ears. And now, it was about to happen.
Led by the Third Hokage, with Kakashi, Shisui, and Juri as guards, Heshu—the man of the hour—set out for the Fire Daimyō's palace.
Before leaving the village, Heshu glanced back at the Hokage Mountain. Construction had already begun.
'Gods, please… make the carving handsome,' he prayed inwardly.
The system, which had braced for some profound reflection on life: …
This prayer was unexpected. It could guarantee one thing, though: the gods probably wouldn't grant that wish.
At their speed, the two-day journey was halved. They reached the capital by the first night.
For an old man, Hiruzen Sarutobi was still nimble. Faster than Kakashi, even.
Kakashi: …Rude.
The Daimyō's palace, a sprawling compound of classic architecture, sat in the heart of the vast and bustling capital.
Heshu followed Sarutobi through the main gate. The three guards fell in step behind him.
"Halt. The Daimyō has retired for the evening. Return tomorrow."
Past the main gate was another, more ornate inner gate. A maidservant guarding it glanced at the four of them, her eyes lingering on their forehead protectors. She frowned, her tone flat.
Sarutobi looked at Heshu, shrugged, and nodded. "Very well."
As they turned to leave, Heshu glanced back. The maidservant was fanning the air in front of her nose with a delicate hand, her face a mask of utter disdain.
Heshu turned away, his expression unreadable.
This. This was why the shinobi world needed to change. The ninja who protected the country received no respect. Only rejection and contempt.
The night was deep, the moon bright, the stars sparse. The capital, however, blazed with light. Street lamps formed rivers of gold, and the air hummed with the city's nightlife.
Halfway to their lodgings, Kakashi's eye lit up.
"Lord Hokage! I need to buy something! Be right back!" He stared at Sarutobi, his gaze burning with urgency.
Sarutobi: ? What could Kakashi possibly need to buy this badly?
Heshu raised a hand. In it was a small, pink, perfectly sealed book. He waved it in the air. "Looking for this?"
Kakashi's visible eye sparkled. He snatched the book, clutching it to his chest in pure bliss.
…Hm. Something felt off.
His eye snapped open.
Shisui was looking at him, confused.
Heshu, Sarutobi, and Juri wore identical expressions of deep, knowing amusement.
! Kakashi stiffened.
"Haha… hah…" He quickly shoved the book into his weapons pouch. "Ahem. Heshu, you're… very thoughtful." He couldn't meet anyone's gaze.
Sarutobi narrowed his eyes. Since when did Kakashi have such taste? His student Jiraiya's Icha Icha Paradise was a fine literary work, indeed. He'd been perusing it himself recently.
"Ahem! Let's find an inn."
[Ding! Target Kakashi Hatake's favorability: 96!]
Heshu's step faltered. He looked back at Kakashi.
Well, damn. If I'd known Icha Icha worked this well, I'd have gifted it sooner.
"Kakashi-senpai, can I see that book Heshu gave you?" Shisui's question was innocent. He was genuinely curious. A book both Kakashi and Heshu knew about? It must contain weighty topics on life's great truths!
"Cough! Cough-cough!" Kakashi choked on his own saliva. "Wh-what did you say?" His face wasn't yet the impenetrable mask it would become. His hand landed on Shisui's shoulder, disbelief written all over him. Impossible! Every young male ninja in the village has a copy by now! How does Shisui not know?
Juri stifled a laugh. "Shisui, if you want one, I can get you a copy too!"
Shisui blinked. What was happening? Why were Kakashi and Juri acting so strangely? Was he that out of touch with village trends?
Sarutobi, walking ahead, refused to engage. He was the Hokage, after all. Reading Icha Icha was… undignified.
"You want to read it too, Shisui?" Heshu, hearing Juri, looked at Shisui with newfound interest. Who would've thought? The gentle, refined Shisui couldn't resist the allure of Icha Icha either.
"I…" Shisui's instincts screamed danger, but he couldn't pinpoint why.
Fortunately, they reached their inn. Sarutobi paid for the rooms; the place was decent.
As everyone's attention shifted to the accommodations, Shisui sighed in relief. First thing when he got back to the village, he was hitting the bookstore. He had to see what was in that book.
Sarutobi booked them each a private room. After exchanging goodnights, they retired.
The clock on the wall pointed to one in the morning. The city lights outside had dimmed.
Heshu's room was empty.
Meanwhile, at the Daimyō's palace.
Squads of samurai patrolled the grounds.
Heshu's figure materialized within the complex. The layout of the palace was clear in his mind. He moved toward the Daimyō's bedchamber.
Creak.
Inside the opulent room, an elegant wooden screen shifted slightly.
The Fire Daimyō's eyes snapped open, scanning the darkness.
"Husband?" The woman in his arms stirred sleepily, looking at her suddenly rigid spouse.
"Something's wrong." The Daimyō's temple throbbed. The room was empty, yet a primal sense of danger made his heart hammer against his ribs.
"You're quite alert, Lord Daimyō." The amused voice came from directly above him.
Goosebumps erupted across the Daimyō's body. Cold sweat beaded on his balding scalp. His eyes darted around before slowly rolling upward.
That single glance sent a full-body tremor through him.
Directly above his head, the tip of a silver-white blade was poised between his eyes.
"Mmph!" The Daimyō's wife, choking back a scream, clapped a hand over her mouth. She knew a single sound would seal her husband's fate.
"Y-you… Who are you? Wh-what do you want?" The Daimyō swallowed hard, forcing his gaze away from the chilling steel.
Heshu smiled. Slowly, deliberately, he sheathed the blade right in front of the man's face.
He dropped silently to the floor at the foot of the lavish bed.
"To be frank, Lord Daimyō, I am Tsukimi Heshu. The soon-to-be Fifth Hokage of Konohagakure."
Sarutobi had sent formal notice ahead of their visit, detailing Heshu's identity, age, capabilities, and character.
The Fire Daimyō found the claim absurd. "You're what?"
His lost composure flooded back. With his wife's help, he sat up and began dressing, pointedly ignoring Heshu as if the terrified man from moments ago had been someone else.
"The Third Hokage spoke of your kindness, fairness, respect for elders, care for juniors…" The Daimyō's voice dripped with sarcasm. "So many praises. Seeing is truly… different from hearing."
Heshu's smile widened.
See? This is the shinobi's place in the world.
He watched the pompous man. "Care to guess why I'm here tonight, Lord Daimyō?"
The Daimyō's eyes turned cold. "With someone like you as the Fifth Hokage… I'm far from reassured." The statement was a death sentence for Heshu's appointment.
"Do you think I came here to ask for your permission?" Heshu took a step closer.
"What are you doing? Tsukimi Heshu! Remember, Konoha is the Fire Country's village! It exists by our grace!" The Daimyō retreated two steps despite himself.
"True enough," Heshu nodded.
Before becoming Hokage, he could tolerate others dictating to the office. It didn't concern him. But now? It was a different story. He wouldn't be a shackled Hokage. He wouldn't tolerate anyone pointing fingers. He would be the absolute authority.
"So, I'm here to inform you."
"From today on, you will obey my commands. You will be my subordinate." Heshu's gaze pinned the man.
"Outrageous! Tsukimi Heshu, you are reckless! Lawless! I am the Daimyō! How could I possibly take orders from you?" The man had never encountered such insolence. He spat the words.
"A lie told enough times becomes the truth."
Heshu tapped the Daimyō's plump cheek with the cold scabbard. "Now. Do you understand?"
The confusion in the Daimyō's eyes vanished, replaced by deference. He bowed his head. "Yes."
"Husband!" The woman in the silk robe gasped, hand flying to her mouth. Her eyes darted between her compliant husband and Heshu, filled with terror.
Heshu's focus shifted to her.
"I believe you are a smart woman. Correct?" He gave a slight, knowing smile.
The Daimyō's wife stared at her now-obedient husband, the rumors of Tsukimi Heshu's monstrous power echoing in her mind. She swallowed hard and, under Heshu's approving gaze, nodded.
"Then everyone's happy," Heshu said pleasantly.
His eyes caught the flicker of wariness that remained in hers.
One moment, he was several paces away. The next, he stood directly in front of her. Her hands clenched the bedsheets. Her pupils dilated.
Heshu's hand closed around her throat. "Still… I'm not entirely convinced."
He glanced at the Daimyō standing behind him. "How about this? The Daimyō, enraged by his wife's behavior tonight, strangled her in a fit of anger. Sound plausible?"
The Daimyō nodded. "Leave it to me. I will handle it."
Terror consumed the woman's eyes.
"Ugh… ngh…" Darkness crept into her vision. Just as she was certain death had come, the pressure vanished.
Heshu released her.
"I believe you are an obedient woman." His smile was warm. He gently stroked her cheek.
"I will obey! I'll obey!" Relief, born of sheer terror, flooded her. The warm smile, the gentle touch… a strange illusion took root. He never meant to kill me. It was just a scare. He's even comforting me…
Heshu watched the shift in her emotions with satisfaction.
"Tomorrow. You know what to do?" He looked at the Daimyō.
"Of course." The Daimyō bowed again.
Heshu vanished from the room.
[Host, you're getting more and more… unhinged,] the system whispered.
[And how do you figure that?] Heshu felt wronged.
[What you did to the Daimyō's wife just now…] The system gulped. That performance… it perfectly matched a new term it had learned: psychopath.
[What do you know?] Heshu scoffed. [That was just a small psychological trick.]
A woman whose mind was that easy to read didn't even require Kotodama Jutsu.
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