The Hokage succession ceremony ended quickly thanks to Tsunade's decisiveness.
Everyone was pretty satisfied.
After all, who likes listening to long-winded speeches?
Yamanaka Ino and the others didn't stick around; they had to return to school.
Even for something as big as changing Hokage, they only got a half-day off.
Natsume headed straight for the Hokage Building.
Outside Tsunade's office, he heard an argument.
"Tsunade, the Uchiha clan now only has one child left—Sasuke."
Mitokado Homura's stern voice sounded. "He's too young to manage so much inheritance. It should be handed over to Konoha."
Anyone who didn't know better would really think he was looking out for Uchiha Sasuke.
"That's right. Sasuke just turned seven. Gaining such wealth all at once is too much for him. He could be corrupted by money."
Koharu Utatane chimed in. "It will do nothing good for his future."
Standing outside, Natsume almost laughed.
In the original story, after Uchiha Sasuke married Haruno Sakura, they were quite poor—she even had a mortgage to pay.
The Uchiha—once Konoha's foremost clan.
No way were they short of money.
For Sasuke, as the sole heir, to end up in such straits was most likely due to Konoha's higher-ups.
Even if Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't act, Danzo Shimura, Koharu Utatane, and Mitokado Homura wouldn't have let it go.
But now there was a new Hokage.
"Who did you have in mind to manage it?"
Tsunade suppressed her anger and asked evenly, "You two?"
Koharu and Homura exchanged a look and immediately smiled.
See? Tsunade just took office—how could she have confidants yet?
"Leave it to us—no problem at all."
Homura took a half-step forward, secretly delighted, though his face remained righteously solemn. "We'll manage the Uchiha assets properly and return them to Sasuke when he comes of age."
"Shameless!"
Tsunade clenched her fists and snapped, "You two old fossils—don't think I don't know what you're after!"
"Tsunade! We're your elders, at least. What, you've just taken the Hokage's seat and already plan to move against us?"
Homura and Koharu's faces darkened.
"Hmph, I don't recognize elders like you—trying to swallow up a lonely child's inheritance!"
Tsunade glared at them without fear.
"Swallow up? It's called safekeeping!"
Homura flushed with anger, forcing an explanation.
Matters of Konoha's leadership—how could she put it so crudely?
"I am the Hokage!"
Tsunade couldn't be bothered to argue further and pulled rank. "I'll handle this. I don't need your interference!"
Now she understood why Hiruzen and Danzo always ended their sentences that way.
There was no helping it.
Homura and Koharu were furious enough to spit blood.
Such a huge fortune, slipping away before their eyes—they were unwilling.
But Tsunade had invoked her authority as Hokage. If they kept pushing, it would lead to open hostility.
"Tsunade, you'll regret this!"
Leaving that classic line behind, the two turned and left.
Natsume frowned.
Hey—that's my line!
You two old fossils are done for!
Daring to steal my line!
Tsunade let out a long breath.
Being Hokage wasn't easy.
If it wasn't to pave the way for Natsume, she truly wouldn't have wanted the job—arguing with those two old undeads every day.
She leaned back in the Hokage's soft chair and stretched out fully.
With no one around, she relaxed completely.
Her light blouse clung to her curvaceous figure; her long, straight jade-like legs crossed and gently swung, while her delicate toes peeked out through her heeled sandals.
"Sis."
Natsume's voice sounded.
He opened the door and saw Tsunade looking so unguarded and slack that he froze for a moment.
Looks like arguing with the two advisors really was draining.
"Mm, you're here."
Tsunade blinked her beautiful eyes slightly. "Did you hear the conversation just now?"
"I heard."
Natsume walked behind her, raised his hands, and began to knead her shoulders through her clothes.
Feeling his massage, Tsunade's body gradually relaxed, and her mood improved.
"What do you think we should do?"
"Leave it to Sasuke, of course."
Natsume had his bottom line.
Besides, there were plenty of ways to make money.
Why steal a child's inheritance?
"At least you've got some conscience."
Tsunade's lips curled into a smile as she closed her eyes.
"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?"
Natsume got a little annoyed, stopped massaging, and took her soft little hands in his.
Then he rested his head on her shoulder, inhaled her scent, and bit her earlobe.
Nibble, lick.
Tsunade's eyes shot open, and her face, down to her ears, flushed scarlet as if a squeeze would draw blood.
Her body trembled for a few seconds; her heart raced, and she went limp in the Hokage's soft chair.
"Mmm… I'm sorry…"
Her eyes misted as she hurriedly apologized.
"That's better."
Natsume let her go.
"Ah! You brat, you've grown bold!"
Tsunade took a deep breath, suddenly stood, and pinned him against the wall with one hand, growling fiercely.
Natsume truly didn't see it coming.
He was subdued in an instant.
He thought to himself, women really can switch faces faster than turning pages.
What now?
He was pinned at a vital point—no way to escape.
"Um… Sis… I was just joking earlier."
When it came to women, Natsume was always flexible. He quickly changed his tone and apologized at light speed. "I'm sorry, I won't do it again!"
"Joking?"
A vein throbbed on Tsunade's forehead. Remembering that never-before-felt sensation from just now, she glared at Natsume with a murderous look.
Still not satisfied, she shoved him to the floor and stomped him a few times.
But she wasn't that cruel—she took off her shoes first.
Natural, shapely legs and fair, bare feet.
The burst of power was indeed impressive.
Natsume regretted not wearing less—no, not wearing more layers.
"Sorry."
Seeing how pitiful he looked, Tsunade softened, pulled him up again.
"No more of that next time."
"I won't, I promise!"
Natsume patted his chest in guarantee.
He noticed Tsunade had taken off her shoes and quickly crouched down.
"Sis, sit—I'll help you put them on."
"Hmph, at least you know your place."
Tsunade sat back down and extended her right foot first.
Natsume took her slightly cool jade foot; the soft, silky feel made it hard to let go.
But to avoid arousing suspicion, he quickly slipped her shoe back on.
Tsunade's heart stirred.
Natsume's movements were very gentle, like handling a precious porcelain piece.
She thought to herself, this guy is actually pretty good to me.
"All right, you can go for now."
Tsunade waved a hand. "I have to deal with the remaining Uchiha issues."
"Okay."
Natsume didn't intrude further.
He had no official position now, so it wasn't convenient to get involved.
After Natsume left, Tsunade stood, locked the office door, and exhaled.
Good thing she'd brought a change of clothes, or this would've been trouble.