The next day,
the Hokage building was livelier than usual.
Heads of the great clans had gathered,
including the Ino-Shika-Cho trio.
Although these clans had no interest in the advisor position,
they still came to see who would claim the two vacant seats.
The most eye-catching, however, were Uchiha Fugaku and Hyuga Hizashi.
One usually kept away from Konoha's inner circle,
the other spent most of his time in the clan territory,
yet today, both had come out.
Clearly, it was all for the vacant advisor positions.
As for why the positions were vacant,
no one cared.
What mattered was who would get them.
While everyone's thoughts diverged,
the Third Hokage slowly arrived at the office door.
"Oh? What's the occasion, gathering you all together~?"
Hearing this deliberate, leisurely question,
the crowd internally groaned,
but none dared show it.
Everyone smiled politely and greeted him.
Among them, the most eager were, naturally, Fugaku and Hizashi.
"Hehe, we heard that two advisors have resigned~"
"With so much tedious work every day, we thought we'd help share the burden!"
"So you wouldn't have to be so tired daily, and could get some rest~"
Hearing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen nearly laughed out loud.
Did they really think the old man was that gullible?
It was as if they had "Advisor" written on their foreheads,
yet spouted such grandiose words.
A thousand-year-old foxes, playing at some ghost story game…
"Enough. You're asking the wrong person about the advisor positions~"
"Hiruzen and Danzo have decided to leave it entirely to Sarutobi Hakuto~"
"If you want the positions, convince Sarutobi Hakuto yourselves!"
"Now, leave."
With Hiruzen's dismissal,
the clan leaders finally realized what was happening,
and reluctantly exited the Hokage's office.
None of them had expected the advisor matter to be entrusted to a ten-year-old child.
It was absurd, even for a grandfather who favored his grandson.
Even if they were displeased,
no one dared show it.
If the ANBU reported their attitude to the Hokage,
they would face serious consequences.
Among the crowd, two figures quickly left the Hokage building:
Fugaku Uchiha and Hizashi Hyuga.
Neither could afford to waste time;
they needed the advisor positions as fast as possible.
As they headed toward the Sarutobi clan,
Sarutobi Sarutobi Hakuto was just waking up.
"Mm~"
Waking stirred Izumi beside him.
Seeing her completely naked,
Sarutobi Hakuto felt a dry itch in his throat,
cursing that he wasn't old enough yet—
otherwise, he'd already be starting morning exercises.
While washing up,
a servant appeared at the door:
"Young Master Sarutobi Hakuto~"
"The heads of the Uchiha and Hyuga clans have come to pay their respects!"
Sarutobi Hakuto didn't mind their arrival,
but getting an advisor position wouldn't be so easy.
"Have them wait. I'm busy right now."
The servant didn't dare argue and quickly returned with the message.
Though slightly displeased,
Fugaku and Hizashi could only endure and waited in the reception room.
After finishing his morning routine,
Sarutobi Hakuto checked yesterday's "earnings."
Killing Tenjin Koharu with a single slap gave him 5% fusion progress.
Mito Monen hadn't died by his hand,
but Sarutobi Hakuto still considered his involvement,
so the points were counted.
After the ANBU's raid, rewards had automatically been added,
though last night Sarutobi Hakuto had been too busy with Izumi to check.
Now was the perfect moment.
[Host: Sarutobi Sarutobi Hakuto]
[Age: 10]
[Ninjutsu: None]
[Taijutsu: None]
[Genjutsu: None]
[Bloodline: None]
[Template: Homeland Hero]
[Fusion: 50%]
[Unlocked Abilities: Super Defense, Super Strength, Super Speed, Super Hearing, Flight, X-Ray Vision]
[Next Template: Superman (Steel Body)]
Feeling the changes,
Sarutobi Hakuto realized that reaching 50% fusion had activated two abilities.
Except for Laser Silver,
all the Homeland Hero powers were unlocked.
He felt confident he could easily defeat his previous self.
Sarutobi Hakuto began testing his new abilities:
Flight.
Within moments, he lifted off the ground,
hovering in mid-air.
The sensation was exhilarating.
X-Ray Vision.
With a sharp glance,
he could see through clothing,
even organs and bones.
After experimenting,
Sarutobi Hakuto remembered the two clan heads waiting in the reception room.
Inside, Fugaku and Hizashi were growing impatient,
but for the advisor positions,
they had no choice but to wait.
When Sarutobi Hakuto finally appeared,
both immediately rose with smiles.
"Young Master Sarutobi Hakuto~"
"Young Master Sarutobi Hakuto~"
"Enough with the formalities, sit~"
Ignoring their flattery,
Sarutobi Hakuto waved them to sit and went straight to the point:
"I know why you're here~"
"Speak. What are your conditions?"
"Conditions?"
Both froze, their confused expressions nearly making Sarutobi Hakuto laugh.
Did they really think he was just a ten-year-old child?
Trying to act cute won't fool him.
"Let me get this straight. You two think a few polite words and I'll hand over the advisor positions?"
"Your faces aren't that big yet, are they?"
Saying this,
Sarutobi Hakuto idly played with the teapot in front of him.
Seeing this, Fugaku and Hizashi realized
that claiming the advisor positions today would cost dearly.
Fugaku stepped forward confidently:
"Don't worry, Young Master Sarutobi Hakuto!"
"The Uchiha clan's offer will be more than generous!