"What's the process—or rather, the standard—for expanding the Hokage's bodyguard team?"
Kurenai Yuhi responded quickly, fulfilling her role as the Hokage's secretary to perfection.
In the past, she might have worried that more competition could affect her position.
But now, as the Hokage's secretary, she was worry-free.
"This—draft a list of civilian-born ninjas," Natsume said after a moment's thought. "As for the major ninja clans, have them submit their own candidate lists."
As Hokage, he had to maintain appearances and a level of fairness.
In reality, though, he already had his candidates in mind.
He just needed to push them forward a little.
It's a shame the Konoha Twelve haven't graduated yet.
Come to think of it, once they did graduate, Might Guy probably wouldn't have the time to stay on the Hokage's bodyguard team anymore.
There'd be a personnel shortage.
Natsume quietly considered whether he should recruit a couple from other ninja villages.
"Understood."
Kurenai nodded slightly and asked, "Is there anything else?"
"I'm planning to reform the Mission Hall," Natsume spoke up. "The current system is cumbersome for mission pickup. I've acquired a radio bracelet that will make it easier for ninjas to carry out missions."
The ninja world already had radio communicators.
In the original story, when Gaara was captured and Naruto Uzumaki went to rescue him, they used radio communicators.
So using a radio bracelet to conceal the Heavenly Network Log-in Device made sense.
Even if some ninja suspected something, they wouldn't dare approach the Hokage directly with questions.
"A radio bracelet?"
Kurenai looked confused. "What if you're too far away? Won't the signal get lost?"
"This one can do that."
Natsume pulled out the Heavenly Network Log-in Device. "Get familiar with it for a few days, then you can handle it."
"Alright."
Kurenai accepted the bracelet and glanced at it briefly.
"That's all for now."
Natsume waved his hand dismissively.
Kurenai nodded, turned around, and left.
She moved swiftly, spreading the word far and wide.
It sent waves through Konoha Village.
Of course, this mainly pertained to the Hokage's bodyguard team.
Everyone knew how valuable it was.
Just one step removed from the Hokage himself.
Even without becoming Hokage, you could still climb into Konoha's upper ranks.
Especially since Natsume was still young—with plenty of time ahead.
Unlike Minato Namikaze, whose early death ended both his reign and his personal guard's influence on the village's power dynamics.
Since each clan was allowed to submit its own recommendations, no one approached Natsume directly.
Kurenai arrived at Orochimaru's residence.
"Anko?"
"Kurenai, long time no see."
Anko Mitarashi held a skewer of Three-Colored Pills. Seeing Kurenai, she immediately smiled warmly.
"We really haven't seen each other in ages."
Kurenai sighed thoughtfully.
After becoming the Hokage's secretary, she had stopped going on missions.
Her interactions with fellow ninjas of her generation had significantly declined.
But she felt no regret.
Getting such treatment meant sacrificing some social connections wasn't a big deal.
"Are you here to see our teacher?"
Anko Mitarashi bit into her meatball and suddenly remembered something. "You're the Hokage's secretary now, right? Has Hokage-sama assigned a mission to us?"
"Yeah."
Kurenai Yuhi didn't beat around the bush and replied, "Hokage-sama wants to establish a research division with Orochimaru-sama as its representative."
"This sounds like something your teacher would enjoy."
Anko's eyes lit up, then dimmed slightly. "But if that's the case, it'll be even harder to see my master from now on."
"In time, every apprentice must walk their own path."
Kurenai comforted her, "Besides, Orochimaru-sama is always in Konoha Village. If you want to see him, you still can."
"That's true."
Anko Mitarashi said with a smile, "She originally needed to carry out missions. Not seeing her teacher was normal."
As a Tokubetsu Jonin bearing the Cursed Seal of Heaven, she was quite strong.
Missions were unavoidable.
Unless Orochimaru himself said otherwise.
"You could try out for the Hokage's bodyguard team," Kurenai suddenly suggested. "Hokage-sama is planning to expand recruitment. If you succeed, you can stay in Konoha Village."
The Hokage's Bodyguard Team?
Anko paused briefly.
That seemed like a good idea.
Once she became part of the Hokage's bodyguard, her primary duty would be protecting the Hokage.
Which means she wouldn't have to go around taking on other missions.
"I'll ask my master first."
After thinking it over, Anko decided to seek Orochimaru's opinion first.
"Then I'll leave Orochimaru-sama to you."
Kurenai pulled out an order and said.
"No problem."
Anko agreed readily.
This order gave her official reason to visit Orochimaru.
The problem was that sometimes, when he got caught up in his experiments, she'd be left waiting with nobody paying attention.
After Kurenai left, Anko summoned a snake to send word to Orochimaru.
Anxiously anticipating his arrival, she waited.
Before long, Orochimaru appeared.
"Master!"
Anko sighed in relief and hurried forward.
"Hmm."
Orochimaru cast a glance at her. "This is from Natsume."
Natsume provided him the greatest support.
It allowed him to focus on his research.
Having no desire to disrupt the current arrangement, he took Natsume's orders seriously.
"Here."
Anko handed over the order.
Orochimaru read through it and appeared somewhat satisfied.
This would make his future experiments more convenient.
[More excitement coming up!]
Naturally, he wouldn't say no.
"There's one more thing, Master."
Anko explained the matter about the Hokage's bodyguard team.
Orochimaru hesitated slightly.
With Natsume's strength, did he really need a Hokage bodyguard team?
But it wasn't really any of his concern.
"If that's what you want, then go ahead."
Orochimaru looked at her and said.
He genuinely cared about Anko.
Joining the Hokage's bodyguard team wasn't a bad idea.
Considering Natsume's strength, it wasn't clear who'd be protecting whom.
But regardless, safety should be guaranteed.
"Okay, Master."
Anko Mitarashi smiled and asked, "Teacher, would you like to have lunch together?"
"I haven't finished my experiment, not yet."
Orochimaru turned away and strode off.
Anko sighed, powerless to change anything.
That was simply how Orochimaru's personality was.
Inside the Daimyo's Mansion in the Land of Waves...
"Busy again?"
A familiar voice caused Ena Uzumaki to look up and smile.
Natsume had appeared before her.
He reached out, tousled her hair, and asked, "Didn't I tell you to cultivate more successors?"
"I just don't feel comfortable doing that."
Ena narrowed her eyes like a cat, basking in her master's affection.
She knew about Yugito Nii, and had begun unconsciously emulating her.
"This might be troublesome."
Natsume chuckled softly.
"What's wrong?" Ena looked up, slightly puzzled.
"I'm planning to fully take control of the Land of Fire."
Natsume picked her up and sat down on the chair, saying, "After that, you'll have even more on your plate."
"That's fine."
Without hesitation, Ena replied.
"So obedient," Natsume murmured, taking her hand in his.
"Are you appointing me as the Fire Daimyo?"
Ena realized something and became flustered. "I don't think I'm cut out to be a Daimyo."
All she'd ever done was business.
Suddenly being asked to handle political matters made her doubt her own abilities.
Natsume smiled and said, "I'll leave the position of Daimyo to someone else. You still handle the Thousand Sunny Merchant Guild."
The importance of economy went without saying.
He needed someone he could fully trust.
And that someone could only be Ena Uzumaki.
"That's good then."
Instead of feeling stripped of power, Ena felt relieved.
Because if she became the Daimyo and messed things up for Natsume, she would've felt even worse.
She was one of those rare women who neither sought nor vied for power.
This attitude came from her past experiences.
"I'll have lunch here today."
Natsume said.
"Okay!"
Ena immediately smiled, leaving his arms and standing up. "I'll go prepare right away."
...
Natsume wanted to say something else but couldn't find the words, eventually letting out a soft laugh.
He didn't want to interrupt Ena's sincerity.
He had originally intended to take it easy first.
But it didn't matter.
Natsume headed toward the backyard.
He opened the door.
Yugito Nii approached dutifully, lifting her head to meet his gaze.
Since Matatabi's betrayal, she seemed resigned, having no other thoughts.
After all, there was a spy within her.
Even if she tried to escape, there would be no escape.
So she decided to simply become a cat.
Natsume picked up the black cat and leaned back on the sofa.
Gently nudging her cheeks playfully, he asked, "Want to pay Konoha a visit?"
Yugito Nii showed confusion.
What did he mean by visiting Konoha?
However, she always had one lingering question.
He was the Hokage.
She was a prisoner from Kumogakure.
In theory, she should've been sent to Konoha.
Yet she remained here in the Land of Waves.
"What if you joined the Hokage's personal guard?"
Natsume looked down at her and asked.
Yugito Nii's first instinct was to refuse.
In her current condition, she had no desire to be seen in public.
Much less serve as part of the Hokage's bodyguard unit.
That was nothing short of a joke.
Her—a Jinchuriki from Kumogakure—joining Konoha's upper ranks?
If the Fourth Raikage, B, Mabo, and the others ever found out, there would be no way to clear her name anymore.
The thought alone made Yugito feel lightheaded all of a sudden.
Was there even a way back for her now?
She knew full well that Natsume's decision was final.
Yugito silently sighed and gave a slight nod.
"Don't worry," Natsume said, patting her head. "I'll prepare a mask for you later."
He had already decided—Yugito would serve in the Hokage's bodyguard team under her real identity.
As for how Kumogakure would react, he wasn't afraid.
The bigger issue was explaining things internally.
It was too complicated, so he chose to keep it quiet.
Like Shisui Uchiha before her, he would assign her a covert role within the Anbu.
Hearing this, Yugito felt somewhat better.
Actually, joining the Hokage's bodyguard team might be better.
Spending all day locked up in the room wearing her catgirl outfit had grown quite dull.
Joining Konoha offered more space to move freely.
Maybe that wouldn't be bad.
"There's still time before noon," Natsume reached out and pinched Yugito's chin. "Let's play a game."
He remembered a game from his previous life—Neko Atsume (Chocolate & Vanilla).
It was a cat-themed shooting game.
Pretty fun actually.
A long while later.
The Black Cat curled up on the sofa.
Tears still glistened on her cheeks.
Ena Uzumaki opened the door and froze at what she saw.
But she quickly regained composure.
Walking forward, she said, "You'll catch a cold staying like this."
Yugito didn't move—mainly because she lacked strength.
Ena went into the bedroom and returned with a bedsheet, draping it over her.
"Where's Natsume?"
"He went to Karin."
Yugito replied, slightly embarrassed.
"You should rest properly," Ena said, gently patting her shoulder. "Actually, Natsume isn't so bad."
Yugito remained silent.
In her opinion, aside from certain aspects, everything else about him was terrible.
Thinking back to what just happened, her face flushed even redder.
Ena smiled, roughly guessing her thoughts.
"In the future, we're sisters already."
"You…"
Before Yugito could ask if she also shared the same fate, she stopped herself.
Clearly, that wouldn't be right.
Because it was clear that Ena didn't just like him—she truly loved him.
Their situations were completely different.
Yugito didn't think she could ever reach that place herself.
Ena left the room.
Karin was already eleven by now.
Too much indulgence turned her into a mischievous little demon running rampant through the Land of Waves.
Tenten and Tayuya trailed behind them, stirring up chaos wherever they went.
But everyone already knew who they were and could only pretend not to notice.
When Natsume saw them, the two girls were in the middle of pummeling a group of brats.
Crying out and pleading for mercy.
He couldn't help but freeze on the spot.
Good lord!
Have things really come to this?
"Natsume-niisan!"
Karin spotted him first and immediately ran over, throwing her arms around him.
Meanwhile, Tayuya also stopped what she was doing.
But unlike Tayuya, she couldn't be so straightforwardly affectionate. She simply stood there, watching him.
Looking rather conflicted.
"What are you doing?"
Natsume pointed toward the group of children as he asked.
"They were bullying other students at school, so I found them and gave them a beating."
Tayuya clenched her fist and replied.
School.
Referring to Land of Waves University.
Founded by Ena Uzumaki.
Primarily offering education to members of the Thousand Sunny Merchant Guild and their children.
All the courses offered were related to economics.
"I see."
Natsume patted her on the head and said, "Well done."
"Don't forget about Karin too!"
Tayuya didn't forget her good partner and gestured for her to come closer.
Karin hesitated before slowly walking over.
Natsume extended his hand—but she dodged it.
Letting out a light snort, she said, "I'm just helping Tayuya. It has nothing to do with you."
"You previously told me that you missed Natsume-niisan," Karin chimed in with an 'Eh?' and exposed her Tsundere act.
"No… There's no such thing!"
Karin's face instantly turned bright red, the blush spreading all the way to her ears.
With her red hair, she looked even more like a steam maiden than Hinata Hyuga ever could.
Tayuya winked playfully.
Seeing this, Natsume couldn't help but laugh.
This girl clearly hadn't inherited a single one of Ena Uzumaki's personality traits.
Actually, she seemed a bit more like him instead.
Natsume reached out and pinched Karin's cheek.
She didn't pull away, staying there with her head bowed, too shy to meet his gaze.
Luckily, Ena Uzumaki arrived just in time, rescuing her from the awkward situation.
Otherwise, she might have actually run off.
"Let's go eat."
Ena said with a smile.
"Is there okonomiyaki that I like?"
Karin, still held in Natsume's arms, asked excitedly.
"There is."
Ena gently patted her head again, then took Karin's hand. The four of them made their way toward the Daimyo's Mansion.
Four thousand words. P.S.: This chapter is part of a dual-release original novel. If you're interested, feel free to check it out—it's in the same style.
(End of Chapter)
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!
<><><><><><><><>
~ 100+ Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
~ More *Free* Chapters and Books Available on Patreon!
patreon.com/Tansnovel
<><><><><><><><>