Chapter 109: The Hokage's Personal Affairs
After the Iwagakure and Kumogakure envoys signed the treaties, Nara Shikaku promptly delivered the documents to Akatsurugi's office.
Akatsurugi glanced over the signatures and gave a nod of approval. "Good. Now, what of Sunagakure and Kirigakure? Do they believe hiding in their deserts and across the sea will keep them safe? Dispatch envoys. Demand their representatives come to Konoha. Otherwise, I will not hesitate to pay them a personal visit."
Shikaku could only scratch his head. This was a tall order. Suna was one thing, but Kiri was a mess, embroiled in internal strife after losing its Mizukage and most of its major clan heads to Akatsurugi's blade. Who was even left to negotiate?
"Is there a problem?" Akatsurugi asked, noting his hesitation.
Shikaku quickly shook his head. "No, Lord Hokage." It wasn't his problem to solve. He was just the messenger. If they refused, the Blaze God would simply make good on his threat. The thought was almost enough to make him pity them.
After Shikaku left, Akatsurugi turned his attention to the infrastructure plans on his desk. He had always found the technological development in this world lopsided. He intended to use his tenure as Hokage to transform Konoha from a large village into a true, modern metropolis, though he knew such progress had to be gradual.
"Lord Hokage," an ANBU agent materialized before him. "Uchiha Tai requests an audience."
Akatsurugi granted permission.
Uchiha Tai entered and bowed. "Lord Hokage."
Akatsurugi acknowledged him with a casual wave. "That was quick. What is your decision?" He had given them three days; their arrival after only one was surprising.
"Well... ahem," Uchiha Tai began, awkwardly outlining the clan's core dilemma: abandoning the Security Division would leave a large number of Uchiha ninja without stable employment and income. This was the main point of contention.
Akatsurugi understood immediately. Of course, he thought. Why leave a comfortable family business to suffer in someone else's company? It was a universal problem.
He frowned, considering the numbers. The Uchiha had over fifteen hundred registered ninja post-war, a significant force comprised mostly of elites.
"Give me the personnel roster for your Security Division," Akatsurugi commanded.
Uchiha Tai promptly produced a scroll. Akatsurugi unsealed it and scanned the contents. Five hundred and fifty names—over a third of the clan's fighting strength. No wonder they were hesitant.
"Very well," Akatsurugi stated. "My personal guard detail within the ANBU has an opening for one hundred men. Select them from this list. Furthermore, positions will be found in the Ninja Academy as instructors, the ANBU training corps, and the Third ANBU Company. Will that suffice?"
"That is more than sufficient! Thank you, Lord Hokage!" Uchiha Tai replied, relief washing over him.
"Additionally," Akatsurugi added, tossing the scroll back, "this does not mean Uchiha are barred from the Security Division. But a division composed entirely of Uchiha is the root of the problem. You understand the consequences. Do not make me intervene."
Uchiha Tai bowed again. "Perfectly, Lord Hokage. I will see to it." He would ensure the clan cooperated fully. With the issue resolved, he quickly took his leave, immensely grateful that the Hokage had provided a face-saving and practical solution.
Alone again, Akatsurugi leaned back in his chair and eyed the small crystal ball on his desk. With a few hand seals, the ball clouded, then displayed scenes from various public areas within Konoha's barriers. The Telescope Technique, he mused. A clever use of the village's barrier network. After a few moments of observing the mundane daily life, he curled his lip in boredom.
Suddenly, the office door swung open without a knock. Akatsurugi swiftly dismissed the jutsu and looked up, ready to reprimand the intruder, until he saw it was Tsunade. He let it slide.
"Tsunade. What is it?" he asked.
Tsunade smirked, planting her hands on his desk. "Captain, about our trip to the Daimyo. It seems he noticed you're... unattached. He's inquiring if you'd be interested in a marriage alliance with the capital."
She had received the message that morning. It was true; the Hokage being unmarried was becoming a topic of discussion.
Akatsurugi was speechless. A political marriage? He cleared his throat. "Decline politely. Thank the Daimyo for his... consideration." He had seen the Daimyo's daughter. He had no intention of marrying someone he found unattractive.
"Suit yourself," Tsunade said with a shrug. "There's one more thing. My grandmother... her health is declining."
Akatsurugi sat up straighter. "How is Lady Mito?" As head of Medical Services, Tsunade's assessment was definitive.
"She has a few years left," Tsunade said, her tone softening. "But... well, Grandma's opinion is that you should take a wife from the Uzumaki clan. It would ensure a suitable future vessel for the Nine-Tails."
Akatsurugi sighed internally. So it came down to this. He needed to marry, and for political and practical reasons. His mind briefly flickered to the original timeline—Kushina would only be an infant now. Should he wait? The idea was distasteful.
Another, more radical solution presented itself.
"Tsunade," he began. "What would you think of me becoming the Jinchūriki?"
Tsunade stared at him, stunned. "You? But you're the Hokage!"
He waved a dismissive hand. "It's too troublesome for anyone else. They might not be able to control the Nine-Tails. I am different. I can suppress it completely."
"This..." Tsunade faltered, then shrugged. "You'll have to take that up with Grandma yourself. I'm just the messenger." It was true. If anyone could safely host the Nine-Tails through sheer force of will, it was Akatsurugi.
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