Konoha: Gu Master

With the announcement of the new Hokage posted across the village, Konohagakure experienced an eventful afternoon.

For many, Shinho Aburame left only two impressions:

First, he was the Fifth Hokage Tsunade's disciple and an undeniable genius.

Second, he had placed first in the joint Chūnin Exams two and a half years ago.

Beyond that, most villagers didn't know much about him.

His youth, in particular, gave rise to concerns among the ninja populace.

The Hokage represented the village and needed to be seen as dependable.

..

"Father!"

After school, Hanabi Hyūga shouted as she sprinted into the Hyūga clan's courtyard. She had seen the announcement on the way and had immediately rushed home.

"Stop shouting. Show some decorum," Hiashi Hyūga reprimanded her sternly.

"Yes."

Hanabi came to a halt but couldn't suppress her excitement. "Is it true that brother-in-law has become Hokage?"

"The inauguration ceremony is tomorrow," Hiashi confirmed with a nod.

This time, he didn't correct her use of "brother-in-law." Instead, he tacitly accepted it. After all, having a Hokage as a son-in-law was nothing but advantageous.

"That's amazing!"

Hanabi's face lit up with admiration, her eyes brimming with awe.

"Stay composed," Hiashi chided, frowning slightly. "You should strive to be like him, mature quickly, and shoulder the clan's responsibilities."

Not long ago, the Hyūga clan had held a meeting.

The consensus was clear: once Hinata became the Hokage's wife, her focus should shift away from clan leadership. The family's future now lay with Hanabi.

Hiashi couldn't help but think back to when the elders had pressured him to place the Caged Bird Seal on Hanabi years ago.

Now, with the tables turned, those same elders were praising his foresight.

If he hadn't stopped them back then, the current situation would have been far more complicated.

Such hypocrisy was almost laughable.

"I'll do my best."

Unaware of the clan meeting, Hanabi had already set her sights on Shinho as a role model.

In truth, her admiration was shared by the entire student body at the Ninja Academy.

Shinho Aburame's achievements were nothing short of legendary.

Even compared to prodigies like Kakashi Hatake or Itachi Uchiha, Shinho's rise seemed almost otherworldly.

After all, neither Kakashi nor Itachi had become Hokage at such a young age.

…

At Ichiraku Ramen, Naruto Uzumaki reluctantly paid for their meal.

After leaving the Hokage building, he had gathered his friends for lunch.

With Chōji Akimichi and Hinata Hyūga's appetites, his wallet was now completely empty.

"Naruto, let me teach you a trick," Shikamaru Nara suggested with a grin. "Go to Shinho and ask for reimbursement."

"Reimbursement from the Hokage?" Naruto's eyes lit up.

"Of course." Shikamaru reclined lazily, resting his head on his hands.

"That's amazing!" Naruto exclaimed enviously. "When I become Hokage, I'll eat Ichiraku Ramen every day!"

"Then I'll have chips daily," Chōji chimed in, "and barbecue too."

"Can't you aim a little higher?" Kiba Inuzuka groaned.

"Woof woof!" Akamaru barked in agreement.

"But Ichiraku Ramen is really delicious," Naruto scratched his head sheepishly.

"Do you think Shinho will still do missions with us now that he's Hokage?" Karin suddenly posed a concerning question.

"Of course not," Ino Yamanaka replied with a sly smile.

Karin had often accompanied Shinho on missions as his teammate, while Ino could only watch from afar.

Now, with Shinho's new role, they were all on equal footing.

"What?!" Karin's face fell in despair.

"Look at it this way," Shino Aburame interjected, adjusting his glasses. "Now you can see him anytime by visiting the Hokage's office."

Before he could finish, Ino shot him a sharp glare.

This kind of assist was dangerous business.

Shino quickly retreated behind the others.

"It's surreal," Kiba said. "We're from the same graduating class, and now Shinho is Hokage?"

"Shinho has always been exceptional," Ino declared, hands on her hips. "It's only natural he became Hokage!"

"Exactly!" Karin added vehemently. "Who else but Shinho should be Hokage?"

Hinata silently nodded in agreement.

On this point, the three young women found common ground.

…

As night fell, the Hokage building gradually grew quiet.

The rhythmic click of high heels echoed through the halls.

Shizune carried a document upstairs, stopping at the Hokage's office door.

She knocked and, upon receiving permission, entered.

"Shinho, the village's voting results are in—over half have approved," Shizune reported eagerly.

"That's good," Shinho said with a smile. "I was worried about what we'd do if it didn't pass."

"It was always going to pass," Shizune reassured him, handing over the document with a knowing look.

Shinho caught her implication but wasn't surprised.

As past Hokage successions had shown, the opinion of the outgoing Hokage held the most weight.

Take, for example, the contest between Minato Namikaze and Orochimaru for the Fourth Hokage position.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's influence had been decisive.

"Is my teacher still at the casino?" Shinho asked, glancing at the document that summarized the village vote.

"I'm not sure," Shizune replied. "I was busy overseeing the voting process and didn't keep track of her."

"Could you have Yugao-nee check?" Shinho suggested casually.

"Yugao-nee?"

Shizune paused.

"What's wrong?" Shinho teased. "If you don't like it, I'll stop calling her that."

"No, that's not it!" Shizune turned away, flustered. "I'll go arrange it now."

She quickly left the room.

When she returned, she was met with Shinho's scrutinizing gaze, making her heart race.

She lowered her head, unable to meet his eyes.

"Are you getting used to wearing heels?" Shinho asked, his gaze drifting down to her black high heels.

"They're a bit uncomfortable," Shizune admitted softly. "It's my first time wearing such high heels."

"Want me to massage your feet?" Shinho offered.

"No, thank you!" Shizune refused without hesitation.

She knew Shinho too well to trust such an offer.

Just then, there was a knock at the door.

"Hokage-sama," Yugao Uzuki greeted with a slight bow. "Tsunade-sama has returned home."

"She actually went home?" Shinho asked, surprised. "Did she lose all thirty million ryo?"

"What do you think?" Shizune sighed. "No matter how much you give her, she'll lose it all."

"She truly is amazing," Shinho quipped as he stood. "Let's call it a day."

Yugao waited for them to leave before turning off the lights and locking the office door.

Another busy day had come to an end.

…

"I'm home," Shizune announced as she opened the door.

At the entrance, she leaned against the wall, removing her high heels.

Realizing something, she turned her head to see Shinho watching her with an appreciative gaze.

'Pervert,' Shizune thought to herself, but she dared not say it aloud.

After enduring his kisses and butt slaps earlier in the day, she was wary of provoking him.

With Tsunade at home, she feared the consequences if anything were discovered.

Placing her heels neatly aside, Shizune strode into the living room.

Tsunade lay sprawled on the couch, her face a picture of defeat and despair.

Hearing footsteps, Tsunade came back to her senses and glanced at Shizune.

"Why are you dressed like that?" Tsunade lazily asked.

"It's the standard attire for a secretary," Shizune replied, trying to maintain her composure.

"Did you lose everything?" Shinho interjected.

"You're so annoying!" Tsunade shot him a glare. "It must be because your money is cursed!"

"Is this the wisdom of a Hokage?" Shinho chuckled. "Coming up with excuses like that?"

"Brat!"

Tsunade stood abruptly and stepped closer to him.

Being shorter than Shinho, she had to stand on her toes. The tips of her feet pressed firmly against the ground, her rounded toes blushing under the pressure.

"Don't think that just because you're Hokage, I can't teach you a lesson!"

Tsunade glared at him, clenching her fist.

Shinho lowered his head slightly.

From his angle, he could clearly see the elegant curves of her neckline and her fair, smooth skin.

It was mesmerizing.

"Kid!"

Tsunade noticed his gaze and stepped back, throwing out a kick.

Shinho reacted quickly, catching her foot.

She instinctively tensed her long legs to avoid falling.

"Let go!" Tsunade growled through gritted teeth.

"Apologies," Shinho said as he released her.

Shizune stood there, stunned.

Why did this scene feel so... off?

Was Shinho really this audacious?

"Shizune."

Tsunade took a deep breath. "I'm hungry. Go make dinner."

"Yes."

Shizune set aside her scattered thoughts and headed to the kitchen.

"Behave yourself when Shizune is around!"

Tsunade noticed Shizune's reaction and, upon reflection, realized her playful exchanges with Shinho might have crossed a line.

"Understood."

Shinho nodded earnestly, then added, "What about when she's not around?"

"Don't ask such meaningless questions, brat!"

Tsunade's heart skipped a beat, and she shot him a sharp glare.

"Alright then."

Shinho smiled.

The living room grew quiet.

Tsunade, uncomfortable with the silence, walked back over to Shinho and extended her hand.

"No money."

Shinho grabbed her hand.

"Seriously, none?"

Tsunade narrowed her eyes, her tone hinting at menace.

"Let me hold your hand a bit longer," Shinho said, improvising.

Tsunade froze, her body stiffening.

She hesitated for a moment but didn't pull away.

"Stop squeezing!"

Tsunade growled when she felt his fingers subtly move.

"I already gave you money," Shinho countered confidently.

"You!"

Tsunade's chest heaved in frustration.

Shinho was treated to an awe-inspiring display of motion.

"Enough!"

Tsunade pulled her hand away. "Hand over the money!"

"One minute equals one million ryo."

Shinho calculated and named his price.

Tsunade glared at him before turning and sitting on the sofa.

She crossed her arms and refused to acknowledge him further.

Yet the lingering warmth of his touch left her heartbeat slightly erratic.

Pressing her lips together, she silently reminded herself: It's all for the money.

…

The Next Day

The plaza in front of the Hokage building was packed early in the morning with villagers and ninjas eager to witness the Hokage inauguration ceremony.

In the Hokage's office, Shinho donned the Hokage robes.

Tsunade circled around him twice, ensuring everything was in place, and nodded approvingly.

"Tsunade-sama."

Shizune handed her the Hokage hat.

"Have you decided what you're going to say?" Tsunade asked as she accepted it.

"Yes," Shinho replied with a nod.

"Good."

Tsunade looked at him seriously. "Being Hokage is no trivial matter. Do you understand?"

"I understand."

Shinho's expression was solemn.

"Let's go then."

Tsunade's face softened into a proud smile. "Taking you as my student might just be the best decision I've ever made."

"I think so too," Shinho replied without hesitation.

"You brat!"

Tsunade flicked his forehead. "Now that you're Hokage, act like one!"

…

9 A.M.

The plaza was teeming with people.

Shinho stepped onto the rooftop of the Hokage building.

Receiving the Hokage hat from Daimyo, he officially became the Sixth Hokage.

A wave of cheers erupted from the crowd.

Hiashi Hyūga observed Shinho thoughtfully.

What changes would this bring to the Hyūga clan in the future?

"Thankfully, it's Shinho who became Hokage," Mikoto Uchiha said softly, her tone gentle.

In her eyes, Shinho was practically half an Uchiha.

Given his age, he would hold the position for decades, ensuring stability and security for the Uchiha clan.

"It's unbelievable," Kurenai Yuhi said, looking up in awe.

Asuma Sarutobi watched silently, his mind preoccupied with the implications for the Hokage Guard Platoon.

Today would mark a turning point for many.

Kakashi Hatake found his thoughts drifting to Minato Namikaze.

He sighed softly.

How times had changed.

…

One Hour Later

Back in the Hokage's office, the inauguration ceremony was over.

It had been a straightforward affair with just a speech.

Shinho had cobbled together a generic Fire Will speech to get through it.

Shizune stepped forward to take his Hokage robes.

"Has my teacher left again?" Shinho asked casually.

"She left during your speech," Shizune replied, exasperated. "Why did you give her more money?"

"It was just a million," Shinho said dismissively.

After all, Tsunade had earned it.

He turned, pressing a finger to Shizune's lips, silencing her.

"Go call Sasuke and Karin," he instructed.

Shizune froze, her cheeks flushing.

"Shizune-nee."

Shinho's finger easily broke through her defences. It lingered lingered for a moment before she stumbled back in a panic and fled the room.

Shinho chuckled, wiping the moisture from his finger onto his clothes.

Before long, Sasuke Uchiha and Karin entered the office.

"There's a mission," Shinho said directly. "Prepare yourselves. We leave for Kusagakure tomorrow."

With the Akatsuki's plans yet to unfold, he intended to rack up as many achievements as possible.

"Yes!" Karin, realizing, said excitedly, "I'll go tell my mom!"

Sasuke, meanwhile, was puzzled but interested.

It wasn't every day that he got to join a Hokage-led mission, and he anticipated the challenge.

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