Sitting in the Hokage's chair, Tsunade felt a touch of unreality.
She'd never planned on becoming Hokage, yet after all the twists and turns, here she was.
Thinking it through, everything traced back to Kitazawa's proposal for "psychological medical-nin." It piqued her interest and brought her back to Konoha. After that, there was no leaving—and now she'd even become Hokage.
Blame Kitazawa? No need.
Tsunade realized she didn't actually have much resistance to the role. Since things had come to this, there was nothing more to say. She was already Hokage; there was no running. She'd hold the post for a while.
"Tsunade-sama," Kitazawa reminded her, "we should issue another bulletin to formalize your status as Acting Hokage."
"You handle it," Tsunade said after giving him a glance.
"I'll inform the Anbu then," Kitazawa answered, a little taken aback. Strictly speaking, an order like this should come straight from Tsunade to the Anbu. But since she'd said so, he could only run the errand.
"Kitazawa," Tsunade realized that instruction hadn't been ideal, smiled, and asked casually, "do you want to be Anbu Commander?"
The Anbu report directly to the Hokage. Naturally, the commander is a major post. Just look at those who've held it in the original timeline—Yamato, Sarutobi Hiruzen's eldest son, Hatake Kakashi. In short, the Hokage's inner circle among the inner circle.
"Didn't you just say you wanted me as Hokage's secretary?" Kitazawa arched a brow.
"With your ability, making you the Hokage's secretary would be a waste. Anbu Commander suits you better," Tsunade replied. After so long working with Kitazawa, she knew him well: thorough, capable, and—most importantly—thick-skinned, or rather, not soft-hearted. When it was time to strike, he never hesitated. Compared to Shimura Danzo, Kitazawa was like a principled version of Danzo who never turned dark.
"I can, but I still have to teach classes," Kitazawa said after a brief thought.
"You're still teaching?" Tsunade asked, surprised.
"The Advanced Class is Konoha's future," Kitazawa said seriously. "Whether for personal reasons or to cultivate the village's future, I have to be there."
The "personal reasons" were to trigger system quests and deepen his bond with the students. In Tsunade's eyes, of course, it was the latter—Kitazawa couldn't bear to leave his students. That was loyalty. She wouldn't force him.
"The Anbu Commander doesn't need to go out on missions often. You'll have plenty of time to teach," Tsunade said generously. "When I need you, I'll let you know."
"Thank you, Tsunade-sama."
For Kitazawa, this was the best of both worlds. He'd already been thinking about building his own power base; as Anbu Commander, he could finally get started. The Anbu might report to the Hokage, but cultivating a few loyal subordinates of his own wouldn't be a problem.
[The host has become Anbu Commander and should have subordinates loyal to him.]
[Current Mission: Foster four trusted lieutenants.]
[Reward: Improved Caged Bird.]
[Accept?]
Kitazawa froze for a second. Getting a system quest at this moment was a surprise—more surprising still was the reward.
The Caged Bird Seal is a curse mark the Hyūga use to protect the Byakugan. Essentially, it's a sealing technique. Those branded with it are branch family; only the main family goes unmarked.
It has two effects: when a branch member dies, it destroys the Byakugan and brain to prevent leakage; the other is that the main family can punish or even kill branch members through the seal. Because of that, what began as good intent became a tool of main-house control.
But what was an "Improved Caged Bird"?
Judging from the quest, perhaps it was meant for his own lieutenants. But his lieutenants wouldn't necessarily have the Byakugan. Was it some other seal like the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal used by Root?
He couldn't guess it, so he stopped trying. He'd know when he finished the quest.
The difficulty wasn't exactly high, but not low either; true lieutenants weren't easy to cultivate. Kitazawa's eyebrow lifted—his quest was already a quarter done. Where had he gotten a lieutenant?
Kurenai?
She was the only person he could think of who might qualify. When the system triggered Kurenai's Super Strength training quest before, it had described her as his subordinate. Well then, a free 25% progress was still progress.
"You should say 'Hokage-sama,'" Shizune chirped, in high spirits. No one was happier about Tsunade becoming Hokage than she was—not even Kitazawa. It meant no more wandering the shinobi world. With Tsunade as Hokage, she wouldn't be running around gambling or dodging debt collectors anymore.
"Just stick with what you've been calling me," Tsunade waved. "I'm more used to it."
"Same here," Shizune nodded.
"Shizune, you'll be Hokage's secretary and help me with the work," Tsunade said.
"Got it." Shizune had already guessed she'd become Hokage's secretary, so she agreed immediately. It's not like she'd be doing anything else but staying by Tsunade's side.
"Kitazawa, the twelve Anbu who were following Shimura Danzo are yours to deal with," Tsunade added after a pause. "Once they're out, make sure to recruit replacements for the vacancies."
"Yes, Tsunade-sama." Kitazawa thought: what a perfect chance to cultivate lieutenants. Twelve empty slots in one go. He hadn't decided who to elevate yet—most of his connections were at the Academy. Uchiha Sasuke and the others were still too young for Anbu. At most, he could earmark Yakushi Kabuto.
"We'll leave it there for now. I'll make the rest of the appointments after I'm formally Hokage," Tsunade said after a moment's thought.
"Tsunade-sama," Kitazawa asked, thinking of Shimura Danzo, "what should we do with his body?"
"Bury it anywhere," Tsunade said, unconcerned.
"He still has a Sharingan—Mangekyō Sharingan, even," Kitazawa reminded her.
"I'd actually forgotten that," Tsunade frowned. By rights, the Sharingan and Mangekyō should be returned to their clan. But Kotoamatsukami left her uneasy. What if the wrong Uchiha got their hands on it?
"It's your spoils. Hold onto it," Tsunade decided after a long think. "If the Uchiha come knocking, we'll discuss it then."
Kitazawa understood what she was worried about. Kotoamatsukami did sound terrifying. In the original timeline, Danzo had ambushed Uchiha Shisui precisely because he'd heard what Kotoamatsukami could do.
"Mm." If it were him, he wouldn't return Shisui's Mangekyō to the Uchiha either. Every so often, the clan produced a shinobi with… questionable mental stability. As for Tsunade's last line, it probably wouldn't come to that—only Uchiha Itachi knew that Shisui's Mangekyō was in Danzo's possession, and Itachi was unlikely to ask for it.
Kitazawa mulled it over. Keeping it wasn't bad. He could give it to Uchiha Sasuke someday—maybe it would let him awaken the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan. In the original, transplanting someone else's Mangekyō could awaken the Eternal form; closer blood ties meant higher success rates.
Distant ties were possible too, just far less likely. With a system backing him, Kitazawa didn't worry about failing to reach Eternal Mangekyō. And if he somehow couldn't pull it off, he could always use it himself. In short—he'd decide later.
"When you have Anbu post the bulletin, include Shizune's new role," Tsunade added, having just remembered. Once the notice went out, Shizune could take office officially. As for why not announce Kitazawa's post—simple. He was Anbu. Anbu membership is confidential, including the commander. Still, Anbu Commander is a top Konoha position; with time, a few people would inevitably know.
"You've worked hard today. After the bulletin, go home and rest," Tsunade sighed. "I've got more to do." She'd just become Acting Hokage; there was a lot waiting on her desk. She also needed to meet with each department and get a feel for things. None of that was something Kitazawa could do for her—it was Hokage work.
After saying their goodbyes, Kitazawa headed for the Anbu office.
"Kitazawa?" a familiar voice called. He looked over at the Anbu seated inside. He recognized the voice at once—Sarutobi Asuma. After the Twelve Guardian Ninja's internal conflict ended, Asuma had returned to Konoha and Hiruzen placed him in the Anbu. If Kitazawa remembered right, he was now Anbu Deputy Commander. With his jōnin strength and background, that tracked.
"What brings you here?" Asuma smiled. "Checking in on me, or do you need a hand with something?"
"Captain Asuma," said the Anbu operative behind Kitazawa—Haru. "Kitazawa-sama has been appointed Anbu Commander by Hokage-sama."
"Huh?" Asuma's eyes widened. "Why did the old man make you Anbu Commander?"
It wasn't that Kitazawa wasn't qualified. In the Konoha–Kirigakure war he'd racked up achievements; even among jōnin he stood out. Asuma had assumed that with Tsunade as Hokage, Kitazawa would become a Hokage aide of some sort.
If Asuma became Anbu Commander alongside Kitazawa helping run the village, it would make a fine story. He hadn't expected Kitazawa to become his direct superior just like that. It felt… complicated.
"Just now, Hokage-sama named Tsunade Acting Hokage," Haru added. Since it had literally just happened, Asuma didn't know.
"What?" Two bombshells in a row left Asuma frozen.
"Let's work well together," Kitazawa said, offering his hand.
"That really… caught me off guard," Asuma said, coming back to himself and shaking it. Kitazawa had risen fast—less than two years and he was Anbu Commander. Compared to that, Asuma felt he'd wasted some time. Still, he couldn't bring himself to be jealous; Kitazawa was already far stronger than he was.
"I'm here to take over Anbu affairs and handle two tasks," Kitazawa said, withdrawing his hand.
"Haru, you can get back to work," Asuma offered. "I'll take it from here with Kitazawa."
"Yes." Haru bowed slightly and left. Her role in Anbu was akin to the Hokage's guard—or secretary. She waited outside the Hokage's office for orders every day. The Hokage might be Tsunade now, but her work hadn't changed much.
"I want to review files on all Anbu personnel," Kitazawa said after thinking for a moment.
"Have a seat. I'll grab them." Asuma pointed at the sofa.
"Thanks."
Before long, Asuma returned and handed him a dossier.
"Dismiss these twelve Anbu," Kitazawa said after finding the ones who'd been with Danzo today.
"Understood," Asuma said, unsurprised—those were all former Root operatives. Combined with the news he'd just received about Danzo's failed assassination of Tsunade and subsequent death, the picture was clear.
"Other than them, are there any former Root left in Anbu?" Kitazawa asked, scanning the list. He wasn't Hiruzen—he had no intention of relying on ex-Root.
"No. Just those twelve," Asuma shook his head.
"All right, then post the bulletins now." Kitazawa's eyes paused on the name "Tenzo." Tsunade didn't seem to know about him yet. He planned to mention it tomorrow—and while he was at it, ask her for Wood Release techniques.
The excuse would be that he wanted to try a kekkei genkai. On one hand, he needed Wood Release jutsu for himself—he had Wood Release but not the techniques. On the other, when the time was right, he could reveal his Wood Release and claim he'd developed it himself.
"First bulletin: Tsunade-sama's and Shizune-nee's appointments," Kitazawa continued. "Second bulletin: Anbu recruitment is open. Interested shinobi can apply."
He meant to use the twelve empty slots to cultivate his lieutenants—but twelve was too many. Three would be about right. The rest he'd fill through recruitment. Anbu recruitment is simple: meet the strength bar and have a clean record and background.
"What's Shizune's position?" Asuma asked, curious.
"Hokage's secretary," Kitazawa said.
"Got it." That was expected. Kitazawa as Anbu Commander, though—that had blindsided him. Asuma sighed inwardly. From today on, their standings were completely reversed. Acting Hokage Tsunade's student, the Academy's vice-principal, Anbu Commander—those three identities together outstripped his.
With Hiruzen retired, being the Hokage's son didn't carry the same weight. Looks like Kurenai had made the right choice. Not that Asuma hadn't already given up on her.
"That's all for now," Kitazawa smiled. "I still have classes to teach, so I'll be leaning on you for day-to-day Anbu matters."
"That's my job," Asuma said after a beat. "I'll go post the bulletins now."
"Mm." After he left, Kitazawa put away Tenzo—Yamato's—file. He'd need it for tomorrow's meeting with Tsunade.
Kitazawa stood and stretched. The Anbu were important, but as commander, he didn't have to micromanage daily operations. He'd handle the big things. All in all, the job wouldn't eat too much of his time.
He rubbed his chin. The system already counted Kurenai as his subordinate. Should he bring her into Anbu? But Asuma was in Anbu too; that could be awkward. After a brief think, he decided to keep things as they were.
Let Kurenai keep training and studying at home. When a mission came up, he could bring her along. If the day came when he became Hokage, he could make her Hokage's secretary.
Kitazawa left the Anbu office and went home.
"Eh?" Kurenai blinked in surprise when she saw him. "Weren't you going to the Fire Capital with Tsunade-sama?"
"You didn't hear about Shimura Danzo's death?" Kitazawa asked back.
"What?" Kurenai was stunned. She'd been home all day training Wind Release: Rasengan and hadn't gone out.
"Here's what happened," Kitazawa said, and walked her through the morning's events.
"Good riddance to Danzo!" Kurenai clenched a fist. "If I'd known, I would've gone with you and beaten him up!"
She knew she couldn't actually beat Danzo, of course.
"You really are adorable," Kitazawa laughed.
"You becoming Anbu Commander means I get to bask in your glory!" Kurenai put her hands on her hips, pleased with herself.
"Keep pushing your strength. You might snag yourself a post," Kitazawa said, reaching out to pinch her cheek.
"I'm this close to mastering Wind Release: Rasengan!" Kurenai declared with confidence.
"Then let's bet on it," Kitazawa grinned. "If I develop a medical ninjutsu that regenerates severed limbs first, you owe me one request."
"What kind of pervy request this time?" Kurenai shot him a look.
"A normal request," he said with a straight face. "If you master Wind Release: Rasengan first, I'll owe you one."
"Deal!" Kurenai's fighting spirit lit up. "I'm definitely winning!"
With that, she ran off to train again, and Kitazawa went back to his room to keep refining the limb-regeneration medical technique.
While they were busy, word spread through Konoha that Tsunade had become Acting Hokage. People were a little surprised, but not much. Danzo's death was the real bombshell.