"Lord Hokage."
Hizashi Hyuga and the others immediately stood up to greet him.
"Don't mind me. Carry on with your work."
Natsume waved his hand and then introduced, "Uncle Hizashi, this is Ino Yamanaka."
"Oh, the little apprentice of Lady Tsunade."
Hizashi Hyuga said with a smile, "I've heard a lot about you."
"Uncle Hizashi."
Ino Yamanaka was as well - behaved as a lady.
In fact, as the young miss and future heir of the Yamanaka clan, she had received special training in etiquette.
She could always put on a different facade in front of outsiders.
"Later, could you find someone to teach her how to be a qualified Hokage's secretary?"
Natsume didn't beat around the bush and said directly.
"No problem."
After a slight moment of surprise, Hizashi Hyuga nodded.
At this moment, he thought that Natsume was starting to build his own power.
As the youngest Hokage, although no one said anything to his face, not everyone was fully convinced of him secretly.
He believed that Natsume's current move was undoubtedly an attempt to win over the Yamanaka clan and then extend an olive branch to the Ino - Shika - Cho trio.
He never thought it was because Natsume didn't want to see his face as an old - fashioned uncle.
"In a couple of days, I'll find someone to take over your job."
Natsume smiled and said, "By then, you'll be a Hokage advisor."
"Thank you, Lord Hokage!"
Hizashi Hyuga was immediately overcome with excitement.
A Hokage advisor was theoretically only one step below the Hokage.
In Konoha, it was an absolute high - level position.
However, what Natsume understood as a Hokage advisor was completely different from what he imagined.
It didn't carry as much power.
Moreover, the number of Hokage advisors would increase, and eventually, it would become the board of directors of Konoha Village, only making decisions on major matters.
But compared to being a Hokage's secretary, it could indeed be considered a promotion.
After all, he wouldn't be doing odd jobs anymore.
"Lord Hokage, who will take over my job?"
After calming down, Hizashi Hyuga asked again.
"Probably Kurenai Yuhi."
Although Natsume hadn't talked to her yet, the probability of being rejected was extremely low.
Hizashi Hyuga was a bit surprised.
He had thought it would be a Jonin from a ninja clan.
For example, the Sarutobi clan.
In that way, they could gain the support of the clan.
Kurenai Yuhi, on the other hand, was a typical person without a background.
Her father, Shin Yuhi, died in the Nine - Tails Incident, and there was no other ninja in the family now.
In other words, she couldn't provide any help to the Hokage.
Hizashi Hyuga pondered on it and realized that this didn't fit Natsume's style.
Maybe it was to win over civilian ninjas.
The more he pondered on it, the more reasonable it seemed.
He couldn't help but secretly sigh that although Natsume was young, in terms of means, he was no less than Hiruzen Sarutobi.
He had keenly felt this over the past few years.
After all, he had witnessed many changes in the Hokage Building.
If it weren't for the Caged Bird Seal, he would have wanted to offer his loyalty.
It wouldn't be half - bad to follow such a Hokage.
Natsume didn't know what Hizashi Hyuga was thinking. After chatting with him for a few words, he greeted Ino Yamanaka and turned to leave.
As the Hokage, he couldn't always stay here.
After Natsume finished speaking, a female Anbu ninja wearing a mask and with long floating hair appeared in front of him.
Antelope, in the original story, once served as a bodyguard for Tsunade.
She has excellent observation and analysis skills.
Moreover, she is quite young, only a few years older than him.
"Go and call Kurenai Yuhi."
Natsume said and then returned to the Hokage's office.
Just as he sat down, Kurenai Yuhi knocked on the door and entered.
"Lord Hokage, what do you want to see me about?"
"Sister Kurenai, there are no outsiders now, so there's no need to be so polite."
Natsume waved his hand and said, "Let's just talk like we usually do."
Hearing this, Kurenai Yuhi immediately showed a faint smile.
Even after becoming the Hokage, Natsume still hasn't changed much.
For her, it is undoubtedly a good thing.
At least she doesn't have to worry about losing her job.
"Uncle Hizashi will take up the position of Hokage advisor soon, so I want you to be in charge of the Hokage secretary team. What do you think?"
Natsume leaned back on the Hokage's chair, looking relaxed.
"No problem at all."
Kurenai Yuhi's eyes lit up and she quickly nodded.
Although the salary of the Hokage secretary team is not as high as that of the Hokage's bodyguard team, it's still 100,000 Ryo a month.
The combination of the salary of the Hokage secretary team and other possible incomes is really not a small amount.
Even if Kurenai Yuhi doesn't go on missions in the future, she can still live a good life.
"Thank you, Natsume."
"You're welcome."
Natsume smiled and said, "Sister Kurenai, go and find Uncle Hizashi."
"Yes!"
Kurenai Yuhi took a deep breath, bowed deeply, and then left.
Natsume nodded in satisfaction.
Next, he had to go to the Metropolis of the Land of Fire to meet the Daimyo.
Dusk.
There was a knock on the door.
Natsume was startled. If it had been one second later, he would have used the Flying Thunder God Technique[b]Flying Thunder God Technique[/b] to leave work.
"Come in."
He sat down again.
Kurenai Yuhi pushed the door open and entered, holding a document.
Natsume's eyes lit up.
She had changed into a new set of clothes.
A black pencil skirt and black stockings.
It was the standard secretary's outfit.
In the ninja world, there are ladies' uniforms. For instance, Mabo, the secretary of the Fourth Raikage, always dresses in such a way.
Unexpectedly, Kurenai Yuhi would also change her clothes.
But it really looks great.
At least it's much better than her previous clothes.
Oh!
"Natsume, take a look at this document."
Kurenai Yuhi leaned forward and handed the document to Natsume.
As she moved, her long legs clad in black were tightly stretched. They showed a nice curve.
Natsume glanced at it.
Isn't she much more good - looking than that grumpy old man Hizashi Hyuga?
Moreover, that guy always has a gloomy face.
Sure enough, being the Hokage rocks! It's time to enjoy myself.
Natsume opened the document and immediately laughed, asking, "Am I only worth this much?"
Kurenai Yuhi was taken aback, and a look of worry appeared on her face. She said, "Natsume, this isn't a joke. A reward of 100 million Ryo is enough to make many people take risks."
That's right. As soon as Natsume became the Hokage, the black market suddenly increased the reward, which had reached 100 million Ryo.
It's equivalent to three Asuma Sarutobi.
Oh, no. Since Hiruzen Sarutobi stepped down, his price has dropped. He's no longer worth 35 million Ryo.
What a pity!
One hundred million Ryo. Well, what can I say?
It's just so - so.
Actually, it's a bit of a mismatch.
After all, he's the Hokage. There are only five Kage in the entire ninja world.
"Can you find out who placed the bounty?"
Natsume asked casually.
"No."
Kurenai Yuhi shook her head and said, "The black market has deep roots. It's very likely that the Five Great Nations are backing it."
That's quite true.
Although the original story doesn't explicitly state it, the existence of the black market is undoubtedly a provocation to the Five Great Villages, or rather, it's taking their business.
Ninjas earn money through missions.
The black market operates in a similar way, and to some extent, the two will compete.
Moreover, most of the people who frequent the black market are rogue ninjas from various ninja villages.
In other words, it provides them with funds.
Such an organization is spread across every country and hasn't been suppressed by the ninja villages.
It's obvious that its backer is most likely the Five Great Nations.
Not necessarily the Daimyos, but definitely the aristocracy.
Ninja villages sometimes have a certain bottom line.
The black market doesn't, and it often places bounties on ninjas from the Five Great Villages.
"Don't worry about it."
Natsume put down the file and said, "It's not that easy to kill me."
"You don't need to worry in Konoha Village."
Kurenai Yuhi reminded him, "When you go to the Metropolis of the Land of Fire in a few days, make sure to bring enough people."
"This is indeed a good opportunity for an assassination."
Natsume stroked his chin and thought that he could bring Naruto Uzumaki and the others along to give them some practice.
"Sister Kurenai, please help me inform my three students to meet at Training Ground No. 4 tomorrow morning."
"Okay."
Suddenly switching the topic, Kurenai Yuhi was a bit slow to catch up.
"That's it then."
Natsume stood up, paused for a moment, and said, "Sister Kurenai, that new dress suits you very well."
Kurenai Yuhi was slightly stunned. Watching him disappear, a faint smile appeared on her lips.
Well, it seems the effect is quite good.
After her relationship with Asuma Sarutobi ended, it would be a lie to say she wasn't interested in a high - quality man like Natsume.
Even if she didn't have feelings for him, he was a pleasure to look at.
Moreover, he's the Hokage now.
Of course, Kurenai Yuhi isn't a promiscuous woman. She believes in following fate, so she hasn't done anything out of line.
She's also worried that it might backfire and ruin their current good relationship, which would be a great loss.
Natsume returned home.
After changing his shoes at the door, he saw Tsunade sitting on the sofa, holding a wine flask in her right hand.
"Why are you drinking?"
Natsume frowned and then looked at Shizune, saying, "Ms. Shizune, I told you to keep an eye on her."
"This isn't wine. It's juice."
Tsunade looked at him lazily, licked her moist lips, and with a more alluring smile on her face, said, "Try it."
"..."
Natsume strongly suspected that she was luring him.
He leaned forward and took several big gulps of the smooth and soft jelly.
Lady Tsunade was stunned and quickly pushed him away, saying, "Shizune is still here."
"No, I'm not."
Shizune had already disappeared, leaving only a few words echoing in the air.
"Sweet and sour."
Natsume smiled and asked, "Where did you buy the juice?"
"I forgot."
Lady Tsunade, who was parched, took another gulp and said, "I just bought it casually on the street."
"Oh."
Natsume leaned back on the sofa, stretched out his arm, and pulled her into his arms, saying, "Let me have another sip."
Lady Tsunade shot him a disdainful look, took a sip of the juice, then tilted her head back and brought it to his lips.
"It's not the orange juice that's sweet. It should be you."
Natsume smacked his lips and remarked.
"You're talking nonsense again."
Lady Tsunade snorted softly and asked, "How do you feel on your first day as the Hokage?"
"Not bad. There's nothing special about it."
Natsume stared at her juicy red lips and grinned.
"Don't drink anymore. You've almost finished it all."
Lady Tsunade's eyes fluttered, and there was a hint of charm on her face. She pushed Natsume away and said, "Go and see if Shizune is cooking."
"Alright."
Natsume got up and headed to the kitchen. As soon as he opened the door, he spotted a pig.
"This is a pet I picked up on the street today."
Shizune glanced at him and said, "Its name is Tonton."
"Really? You picked it up?"
Natsume was quite surprised.
The original story didn't mention its origin.
"Yeah."
Shizune nodded and said, "Go and keep Lady Tsunade company. The meal will be ready soon."
She knew her place well.
Natsume was sent back to the sofa again.
When Lady Tsunade saw him, she said with a big smile, "The orange juice is all gone."
"It's okay. There's still other juice."
Natsume lowered his head and licked her ear, saying, "You'll find out later tonight."
Three thousand words.
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