There was no denying it—Tsunade was truly a responsible Hokage.
That towering stack of documents, half a meter high, had to be reviewed and approved one by one, with corrections meticulously written where necessary.
As for Kamizuki Hikari, the moment Shizune arrived, he immediately took the opportunity to slack off.
"Shizune, go fetch some medical records. Let Hikari study them. Lee has been refusing to give up on becoming a shinobi. I've decided to give him a chance."
Shizune obediently left the office to retrieve the records.
[Tsk tsk, Shizune is really obedient!]
[She's also quite well-off. I wonder if Kakashi would be into someone like her... Should I play matchmaker for them?]
Kakashi: "I really appreciate it!" Thıs text ıs hosted at novel※fire.net
Tsunade ignored someone's random thoughts. Kamizuki Hikari had all sorts of absurd musings every day. If she didn't learn to tune him out, she would probably suffer from a mental breakdown sooner or later.
The only sounds left in the office were the steady strokes of Tsunade's pen as she reviewed documents.
"Hokage-sama, it's me, Shikaku!" Nara Shikaku's composed voice came from outside the door.
"Come in, Shikaku!" Tsunade responded while continuing to review the files. Only after hearing the door open did she set aside the document she had just finished, raising her head to look at Nara Shikaku.
Nara Shikaku bowed respectfully, earning a nod of approval from Hikari.
[No wonder the Third Hokage liked Shikaku so much. This guy is smart and knows how to show proper etiquette. Not bad, not bad at all!]
Tsunade glanced at Hikari, who was slacking off in the corner, and shot him a fierce glare.
If you recognize someone else's good qualities, why not take the initiative to learn from them?
Slacking off in the office every day... People were already starting to suspect she was keeping him as a lover!
Nara Shikaku took out an official document and respectfully placed it on Tsunade's desk.
"This is a letter from the Daimyō, inviting you to report on your duties and discuss this year's military budget."
Tsunade took the letter, casually set it aside, and smirked.
"Looks like that old man isn't completely useless yet. After being the Daimyō for so many years, he still has some tricks up his sleeve."
"What's your take on this, Shikaku?"
Shikaku had already anticipated this discussion. Upon hearing Tsunade's question, he answered immediately: "It's standard protocol for a new Hokage to report to the Daimyō after taking office. Nothing unusual about that. However, since the Daimyō specifically brought up the military budget, there's definitely something suspicious. We don't have much intel on the Daimyō's court, so I can't determine where the issue lies just yet."
Tsunade tapped her index finger on the desk rhythmically, clearly deep in thought.
The military budget was the backbone of a shinobi village. If the Daimyō decided to cut funding, it would significantly undermine her authority. If the cuts were severe, she might even become the shortest-serving Hokage in history.
"Hikari, what's your opinion?"
Still in the midst of slacking off, Kamizuki Hikari was caught off guard when Tsunade called his name. He blinked in confusion.
Shikaku glanced at him briefly before shifting his gaze back to Tsunade. Seeing that she merely frowned but wasn't actually angry, he immediately understood.
Love me, love my dog, as the saying goes.
Hikari bore a striking resemblance to the Second Hokage. It wasn't surprising that Tsunade, out of her respect for Senju Tobirama, treated him with favor.
Compared to how the Third Hokage had filled Konoha's leadership with his own trusted subordinates, Tsunade merely showing favoritism to one person was hardly a big deal.
Even if something did happen between Tsunade and Hikari, Shikaku wouldn't be surprised. In fact, he'd be quite entertained by it.
"The Daimyō has invited me to report on my duties and discuss the military budget. What are your thoughts?"
Hikari rubbed his face, trying to wake himself up.
"Tsunade-sama, if soldiers come, we'll fight them. If water rises, we'll block it. Whatever happens, we'll deal with it when we get there."
[Come on, I barely know the Daimyō. Don't ask me about this kind of stuff!]
[Still, this is pretty suspicious. From what I remember, the Fire Country's Daimyō rarely meddles in Konoha's affairs. He provides funding without issue... Could someone be stirring up trouble behind the scenes?]
Hearing Hikari's inner thoughts, Tsunade had a realization.
"Shikaku, who has been handling communications with the Daimyō?"
"So it's him... Looks like our esteemed Elder Mitokado isn't too fond of me as the Fifth Hokage." Tsunade's lips curled into a cold smile.
She had earned her reputation on the battlefield, through blood and steel.
If anyone thought she was easy to manipulate, they were fools.
"Shikaku, start making preparations. I'll be heading to the Daimyō's court soon. I refuse to believe he actually dares to cut Konoha's military budget."
With that, Nara Shikaku quietly left the office.
However, before stepping out, he gave Kamizuki Hikari one last glance.
As the door closed, Tsunade's composed expression darkened.
"I knew those two old geezers wouldn't just sit back after I stripped them of their positions. They're definitely stirring up trouble behind the scenes. And now it's clear—they've been manipulating the Daimyō."
'Tch. Does that old fossil really think I wouldn't dare to kill him?'
Now that they were alone, Tsunade didn't bother holding back her harsh words. It was obvious she was furious.
To her, the position of Hokage was something she had been begged to take. And yet, now that she was in office, those same people were trying to sabotage her?
Did they really think she wouldn't fight back?
"Hikari, what do you think we should do about those two old relics?"
Kamizuki Hikari yawned. "Tsunade-sama, they're just remnants of a bygone era. Not worth worrying about."
[Come on, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu just want you to submit. If you bow your head, apologize, and ask them to return as Hokage advisors, they'll smooth everything over with the Daimyō.]
[But without concrete evidence, you can't just kill them.]
[If you refuse to submit, you'll just have to visit the Daimyō and see how things unfold.]
Having held complete authority for this long, Tsunade finally understood why the Third Hokage had clung to power so desperately.
Once you've tasted true authority, you can't go back.
Letting Homura and Koharu return to oversee her every move? That was unthinkable.
"If I go to the Daimyō's court, will you accompany me?"
Hikari's face was full of reluctance.
Leaving the village was way too much trouble. If possible, he'd rather stay in Konoha and laze around at home.
All hail the way of the shut-in.
"Answer me!" Tsunade urged.
Despite the reluctance written all over his face, Hikari still obediently responded, "If Tsunade-sama doesn't mind my weak abilities, of course, I'll accompany you!"