"If you're willing to help, then from today onward, the position of Guest Elder of the Hyūga clan will be yours."
The Hyūga, one of Konoha's oldest families, ranked just beneath the now-declined Senju and Hatake and the currently dominant Uchiha. Their numbers were great, and their jōnin were far more than just "a few."
This so-called Guest Elder position was something Hyūga Higurashi had only recently conceived. Whoever took up that role would be able to command Hyūga shinobi at will.
And the Hyūga would not be permitted to disobey.
Even the branch house—even the main house—would have to obey the Guest Elder's orders.
That authority was second only to the clan head. And this was the greatest bargaining chip Higurashi could offer to win Arata over.
After all, Arata lacked none of the usual gifts: ninjutsu, tools, money, property—none of that would impress him.
What he lacked now was power. Real, usable, military power.
Arata stared blankly. He had no idea what a Guest Elder was supposed to be.
"This 'Guest Elder' is…?"
Hearing Arata's confusion, Tsunade—who'd been suspicious a moment ago—finally relaxed. So she had misunderstood after all. Arata clearly wasn't the type she had feared.
And once she heard that the little girl, Hyūga Tamamo, genuinely loved medical ninjutsu, Tsunade immediately found the child far more pleasing to the eye. In this era, few truly liked medical ninjutsu. Even half the doctors in Konoha Hospital weren't trained medical shinobi at all—they were simply civilian doctors.
To find a junior who actually loved medical ninjutsu? Tsunade was more than happy to take a look.
Hyūga Higurashi began explaining the position in detail.
Once Arata realized this "Guest Elder" wielded near-clan-head authority, he couldn't help but grow intrigued.
Compared to the flashy gifts of other clans, this was far more valuable. This was an open declaration of alliance from the Hyūga.
Other clans had offered gifts, sure—but their attitudes remained ambiguous. They could stab him in the back at any moment.
But the Hyūga were offering him command authority. That was sincerity.
Still, the disciple in question was Tsunade's, not his, so Arata glanced at her for confirmation.
Tsunade, having finished glaring at him, walked over with a warm expression.
"What a cute little girl. You really like medical ninjutsu?"
Tamamo, who'd been timid earlier, straightened her back and nodded firmly.
Seeing even the most basic medical questions answered effortlessly, Tsunade felt genuine appreciation. This child wasn't faking it—she truly loved medical ninjutsu.
Tsunade nodded to Arata. Approval granted.
Arata also smiled. "Then I'll accept your generous gift, Higurashi-sama."
With Tsunade and Tamamo now chatting happily off to the side, Higurashi quietly leaned toward Arata.
"The future of the Hyūga depends on you now. We have already reached the verge of decline. There is no other path left."
Arata finally understood—the Hyūga truly were placing their hopes on him.
It made sense. Their era of dominance had long passed. Since joining Konoha, their strength had remained neither high nor low—not weak, but not strong enough to compete with the great clans. For over 20 years, they'd produced no Kage-level shinobi. And a massive war loomed ahead—no one knew how many would survive.
A clan like this needed outside help… or a strong alliance.
Arata replied seriously:
"As long as you don't play any tricks, I'll be able to protect the Hyūga in the future."
Higurashi, usually composed, was clearly moved. Then he leaned closer and whispered:
"Tamamo is my son's eldest daughter. If you're interested, I can marry her to you someday, forming a permanent alliance between us…"
Arata nearly choked.
So that was the real hidden card!
"No, no—absolutely unnecessary—I have Tsunade, and that's more than enough…"
Higurashi glanced at Tsunade in the distance and nodded knowingly.
"Then we'll discuss it when Tamamo is older. I understand… Tsunade is quite intimidating."
Arata silently thought: Understand your head. You've clearly never been punched by her.
Thankfully, the matter ended there.
With that, the engagement ceremony finally drew to a close.
Next, Arata still needed to report to the ANBU and find time to officially adopt Shizune.
As for Tsunade, aside from medical research and training, she now had a new pastime: teaching Tamamo.
Later that evening, Arata walked home with Tsunade, enjoying the rare quiet after a busy day.
Tomorrow, the hectic life would begin again.
But just then, from the dimly lit street ahead, a figure slowly stepped out.
Sickly-pale skin. Serpentine features. A thin tongue flickering across his lips.
Arata recognized him instantly—one of the Legendary Sannin, Orochimaru.
He and Jiraiya were close, but he had never interacted much with Orochimaru. He had no idea what this man intended.
Orochimaru's trademark eerie smile spread across his face.
"Congratulations, Tsunade. You've found yourself a partner rather quickly…"
Tsunade didn't shy away—Orochimaru was her teammate, after all, and she'd long grown immune to his oddities. And in this era, he had not yet walked completely down his twisted path. His feelings for Tsunade and Jiraiya were genuine.
"Can't you congratulate people like a normal person?"
Everyone else chose crowded moments to offer blessings—only Orochimaru chose to slither out now, while Arata and Tsunade were enjoying a moment together.
Her jab didn't faze Orochimaru. Instead, he turned to Arata, eyes bright and gleaming with intrigue.
"Congratulations are merely secondary. What I came for… is to meet you, Arata-kun."
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