Konoha: Gu Master

"Shinho is the perfect choice," Shikaku Nara said after a brief moment of thought. "His abilities are more than sufficient to take on the role of Hokage."

As the brain of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, Shikaku's opinion represented the collective stance of the group.

He was a highly intelligent man, and Tsunade's intentions had been evident from the excessively grand birthday banquet. 

Attempting to oppose her would only cause unnecessary friction.

Even if he succeeded in delaying the decision, it would only buy a few years at best. 

Shinho's power and status made him a natural contender for the position, sooner or later.

It was better to support him now.

Thanks to Shinho's close relationship with Ino, the Ino-Shika-Cho alliance wouldn't lose its current influence, and it might even strengthen over time.

The only downside was that both Shinho and Ino were still young.

Had Shinho waited until after their marriage to assume the Hokage title, it would have been the ideal scenario for the alliance, ensuring a future of unshakable stability.

"I agree," Mikoto Uchiha said with a faint smile as she glanced at Shinho, who was quietly eating his meal.

She didn't elaborate further, but her agreement spoke volumes.

Since the deaths of Fugaku Uchiha and Itachi Uchiha's defection, the Uchiha clan had maintained a low profile among konoha ranks.

Even so, the clan's influence and reputation remained formidable, ranking among the top three in Konoha's hierarchy.

Hiashi Hyuga hesitated, wanting to point out that Shinho's youth and lack of experience might be concerns.

But on second thought, he realized that these could work in favor of the Hyuga clan.

The Hyuga were deeply rooted in Konoha, and with Shinho's close ties to Hinata and Hanabi being Tsunade's pupil, his ascension would likely strengthen their clan's influence.

"Shinho lacks experience," Hiashi finally said.

Tsunade's brows furrowed in visible displeasure, but others, like Asuma Sarutobi and supporters of the Third Hokage's faction, sighed in relief.

For a moment, it seemed as though their hopes for an alternative candidate might still have a chance.

However, Hiashi's next words caught them off guard.

"But the best place to gain experience is as Hokage," Hiashi added. "With all of us here, Shinho will have all the guidance he needs. In a few short years, he'll be more than qualified."

"...?" Asuma Sarutobi was left speechless.

The clan leaders aligned with Danzo Shimura, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane were ready to object, but Asuma stopped them.

The tide had turned decisively against them. There was no point in further resistance.

While their faction had lost its chance at the Hokage seat, staying in line would avoid unnecessary retaliation.

"Well said, Hiashi," Tsunade said, her smile returning. "Sunagakure entrusted Gaara, a twelve-year-old, with the Kazekage title. Are you suggesting Konoha can't do the same?"

Was that really Sunagakure's boldness? Everyone present knew it was Konoha's intervention that had made Gaara's appointment possible.

Still, no one dared to contradict Tsunade.

With the Hyuga, Uchiha, and Ino-Shika-Cho clans all in agreement, along with the Aburame clan and Tsunade herself backing Shinho, his appointment as Hokage was inevitable.

Arguing further would only put them on the wrong side of the incoming administration.

"After the New Year festivities, we'll convene a Jonin council to formalize the decision," Tsunade said after a moment of thought. "Shikaku, see to the arrangements."

"Yes, Hokage-sama," Shikaku replied promptly.

"With that settled, let's return to our meal," Tsunade said, raising her glass. "A toast to all of you for your support."

"You honor us, Hokage-sama," the clan heads replied, clinking their glasses.

…

A short distance away, Kiba Inuzuka was craning his neck to catch a glimpse of the main table.

"Hey, Shikamaru, what do you think they're talking about?" Kiba asked.

"How should I know?" Shikamaru replied, sipping his orange juice. "If you're so curious, go over there yourself."

"Not a chance," Kiba said, waving his hands. "But why did they call Shinho over? He's usually with us."

"It's his birthday," Ino said, watching Shinho from afar. "It makes sense for him to sit there."

"But in previous years, he always sat with us," Kiba pointed out, offering Akamaru a chicken leg as he spoke.

"That's true," Ino admitted with a sigh. "It's less fun without Shinho-kun around."

"I know why," Karin said smugly, a sly smile spreading across her face.

"Why?" Ino asked eagerly.

Hinata Hyuga looked up from her plate, her attention now focused on Karin. Even Shikamaru and the others turned their eyes toward her.

"Because of 'Hokage'," Karin said with a cryptic air.

"Hokage?" Shikamaru blinked, his sharp mind piecing things together. "You mean Shinho's going to be Hokage? Already?"

"Wait, what?!" Kiba yelped, nearly dropping his food. "You're saying Shinho's becoming Hokage? He's so young! You've got to be kidding."

"I knew it!" Ino exclaimed with delight. "If it's Shinho-kun, it makes perfect sense!"

Hinata clenched the hem of her clothing tightly.

Was Shinho really going to become Hokage?

Not only was his strength unmatched, but now his status was also moving even further out of reach.

Biting her lip, she thought about her Snow fairy Gu, which had grown stronger over the years. 

Yet, it still didn't feel like enough.

How can I ever catch up to him?

"Hokage," Sasuke Uchiha muttered, his brow furrowing.

While Sasuke had no interest in the position himself, seeing Shinho ascend so early gave him a rare sense of defeat.

After all, Hokage was the pinnacle of power and authority in Konoha.

It also meant Shinho would have the right to oversee and command the Uchiha clan.

This unspoken demotion left a bitter taste in Sasuke's mouth.

For some reason, he found himself wishing Naruto Uzumaki were here.

Naruto, whose dream had always been to become Hokage, would no doubt have a priceless reaction.

"So, he's really becoming Hokage…" Neji Hyuga murmured, a distant look in his eyes.

He recalled the day Shinho had first recruited him into the 'Heaven's Will', speaking bold words that had seemed unthinkable at the time.

One of those goals had been about being the Hokage.

Perhaps soon, Shinho's influence could push for the abolishment of the Caged Bird Seal.

The thought filled Neji with anticipation.

"If you don't believe me, that's fine," Karin said, grinning. "You'll hear about it soon enough."

"How do you know all this?" Ino asked, suddenly suspicious.

"Take a guess," Karin said, crossing her arms.

Ino clenched her fists.

Did something happen between her and Shinho that I don't know about?

"C'mon, let's finish eating first," Shikamaru interjected quickly, steering the conversation away. "We can ask Shinho after dinner and find out for sure."

He shot Choji a pleading look, silently begging his teammate for help.

"If you guys don't eat faster, I'm going to finish everything," Choji said, grinning.

"Leave some chicken legs for Akamaru!" Kiba protested.

"I want that sesame ball!" Tenten chimed in.

Shikamaru let out a quiet sigh of relief.

Once again, he found himself marveling at Shinho's ability to command attention and stir emotions wherever he went.

…

The lively birthday banquet eventually came to an end.

Shikamaru and the others had planned to catch up with Shinho afterward, but he had already slipped away.

Not wanting to disturb him, they reluctantly left.

"Shinho, I'll see our guests out," Shizune said, glancing at a tipsy Tsunade. "You take care of Lady Tsunade."

"I don't need to be taken care of!" Tsunade protested.

Shizune ignored her and left.

"Sensei, can you walk?" Shinho asked, offering his hand.

"Of course I can!" Tsunade said, brushing his hand away as she staggered to her feet.

She managed two steps before losing her balance.

Shinho caught her just in time, steadying her as she leaned heavily against him.

Her soft figure, combined with the faint scent of alcohol, was a sensory overload.

Looking down, Shinho couldn't help but notice how her kimono accentuated her curves.

What a shame, he thought. She's not wearing her usual outfit today.

"Hey, brat!" Tsunade barked suddenly. "I want some water!"

Why are you being so loud? Shinho flinched, startled. For a moment, he thought she'd caught him staring.

"Wait here," Shinho said, guiding her into her room.

As he led her to the bed, Tsunade instinctively flopped backward, pulling Shinho down with her.

"..." Shinho froze.

The soft cushion beneath him was almost otherworldly.

Round, warm, and perfectly firm.

"You brat! Do you really want to hold your funeral at your birthday?!" Tsunade growled.

Tsunade's sharp gaze locked onto Shinho. She raised her foot, her pale, delicate sole ready to kick out.

Shinho instinctively retreated, unwilling to test whether Tsunade, in her drunken state, could control her strength.

"Stand still! Let me stomp on you once!" Tsunade barked, her frustration mounting after missing her target.

"I'm getting you some water," Shinho said, sparing a glance at her swinging long legs before quickly exiting.

"You brat! Come hwerw now!" Tsunade yelled after him, but her voice soon faded into the quiet of the room.

Shinho returned moments later with a glass of water, but Tsunade was already sprawled across her bed, seemingly asleep.

"Sensei?" Shinho called softly.

No response.

"I'll never understand your love for alcohol," Shinho muttered, setting the glass on the nightstand.

He observed her flushed face for a few seconds before reaching out a hand.

The warmth of her skin against his palm felt slightly feverish.

But then he noticed something odd—her breathing wasn't as steady as it should be.

She's faking it?

Shinho's sharp mind immediately caught on. A small smile curled his lips as he leaned in closer.

The rhythm of Tsunade's breath, which she was trying so desperately to keep in a uniform rhythm, faltered and her long lashes trembling faintly.

"Goodnight."

Shinho whispered the words with a playful smile, leaning in to plant a light kiss on her cheek.

He pulled back, not pushing his luck.

Tsunade wasn't someone who could be rushed. After years of maintaining their dynamic, patience was key.

With that, Shinho quietly left the room.

The moment the door clicked shut, Tsunade's eyes fluttered open.

Though she had consumed a fair amount of alcohol, it wasn't enough to completely impair her.

A strange urge had driven her to test the waters, to gauge Shinho's feelings.

What she found was confirmation to her thoughts.

Staring at the ceiling, Tsunade's thoughts wandered.

Meanwhile, Shizune, who had just finished seeing off the last of the guests, returned to the now-empty living room.

Noticing Shinho's absence, she let out a quiet sigh of relief—but strangely, also felt a twinge of disappointment.

…

Late that night, Tsunade awoke, parched and uncomfortable in her clothes.

She shuffled out to the living room, intending to grab a drink, but froze in her tracks when she saw someone seated on the sofa.

"You're still up?" Tsunade asked, blinking in surprise.

"There's water on the table," Shinho said nonchalantly.

"Were you… waiting for me?" Tsunade asked, caught off guard.

"You forgot something, didn't you?" Shinho said, holding out his hand. "My birthday gift."

"I don't have one!" Tsunade snapped, her tone irritated.

"You can't be serious!" Shinho protested with a clearly dissatisfied tone.

"You brat!" Tsunade growled, taking a step closer. "Do you even know who your teacher is?"

"Of course, it's you," Shinho replied smoothly. "But shouldn't a teacher prepare a gift for her student?"

Tsunade's expression darkened, her long legs carrying her to stand directly in front of him.

"Violence isn't the answer, Sensei," Shinho quipped, meeting her eyes with a cheeky grin that skimmed past certain… rounded distractions.

"Do you even have any respect for your teacher?" Tsunade huffed, glaring at him.

"I do!" Shinho said earnestly, catching her raised fist mid-air. "I always listen to you."

"Then stop letting your eyes wander!"

Tsunade scowled, releasing her frustration by aggressively ruffling Shinho's hair until it resembled a bird's nest.

She burst into laughter at his disgruntled expression, her smile as bright as it had been years ago.

She released something. She had spent a long time with Shinho without even realising it.

Could she really leave him now?

The thought lingered as she unexpectedly pulled him into an embrace, pressing his head against her chest.

Shinho stiffened at the sudden softness enveloping him. He inhaled, feeling suffocated, the faint scent of alcohol mingling with her natural fragrance.

Through the muffled sound of her heartbeat, he wondered, What's going on here?

"Go to bed," Tsunade murmured, patting his head gently.

"What about you?" Shinho's voice came out slightly muffled.

"I'm going to take a bath," Tsunade said, letting go. "As for your birthday gift, you'll find it tomorrow at the Hokage's office."

Shinho felt a little reluctant, but before he could ask what the gift was, she had already turned around and walked toward the bathroom.

Wasn't she here for water?

…

The next morning, Shinho arrived at the Hokage's office after having his breakfast, where Tsunade awaited him with a white Hokage robe in hand.

"What's this supposed to be?" Shinho asked, his expression unreadable.

"Your gift," Tsunade said, unfurling the robe with a smile. "Hold out your arms."

A bit stunned, Shinho complied as Tsunade helped him into the robe.

For a fleeting moment, the way she adjusted it reminded him of Mikoto Uchiha's gentle demeanor.

"It fits perfectly," Tsunade said, stepping back to inspect him with satisfaction.

Her gaze lingered.

She had imagined this scene for a long time, but the person in this robes were her brother, Nawaki.

But, 

Life was truly unpredictable.

She hadn't expected his death, nor had she imagined someone would break into her life after all those years.

Shinho noticed a trace of nostalgia in her eyes.

"Sensei?"

"It's nothing," Tsunade replied, her usual smile returning.

"Wait," Shinho said, realization dawning. "This is my gift?"

"Why? Don't you like it?" Tsunade teased, her smirk widening.

Shinho stared at her, utterly speechless.

Tsunade's laughter was vibrant and unrestrained, her beauty almost mesmerizing.

"May your journey as Hokage be smooth and successful," she said, rising onto her toes to plant a soft kiss on his forehead.

…

Meanwhile, at a Hot Spring Inn in the Land of Hot Water

"Another cup, Jiraiya-sama?"

A waitress leaned close, her kimono revealing just enough to make Jiraiya's eyes sparkle.

"This one's for you," Jiraiya said, his attention thoroughly fixed on her neckline as she drank.

His mischievous grin widened as he slapped her thigh playfully.

"Oops, my bad," Jiraiya said quickly, using it as an excuse to wipe the spilled drink off her clothing.

The waitress shivered but didn't pull away, allowing him to take full advantage.

"Jiraiya-sensei!"

Naruto Uzumaki burst into the room, his voice breaking the mood.

"Out, out!" Jiraiya waved the waitress away with visible regret. "I'll call for you later."

"Yes, Jiraiya-sama," the waitress said with a flirtatious wink before exiting.

"Naruto, I was gathering intelligence," Jiraiya said, coughing awkwardly.

Naruto shot him a skeptical look.

After two and a half years of traveling together, he was all too familiar with Jiraiya's antics.

Calling him lustful sage wasn't an exaggeration in the slightest.

Every stop they took involved drinking, hot springs, and drafting his Icha Icha Paradise manuscripts.

"I got a message from Konoha," Naruto said, ignoring the excuse. "Shinho's about to become the Sixth Hokage."

"What?!"

Jiraiya shot to his feet, completely stunned.

join my patreon for 125+ advanced chapters: patreon.com/HyppoTL