Naruto: Wooing Tsunade from Day One!

As time passed, the Hokage inauguration ceremony officially began.

Kawakaze, who had never seen an inauguration ceremony before, had personally planned this one, striving to make it extraordinary. A group of beautiful women took the stage and performed an eye-catching dance for the villagers. Their graceful figures and enchanting moves drew bursts of applause from the audience.

"Did you like it?" Tsunade asked, noticing Kawakaze was mesmerized, her eyes dancing with amusement.

"Ah, it was just so-so, not as good as yours," Kawakaze stammered, quickly looking away under Tsunade's cold gaze.

It was a pity that Jiraiya wasn't here to witness this.

"Haha, I can see why you've been so busy these past few days. Was the rehearsal good?" Tsunade sneered. Men were all pigs.

"No, I was just busy with work," Kawakaze hurriedly explained, insisting he'd barely glanced at the rehearsal.

"I'll deal with you later," Tsunade said, glaring at him fiercely before turning away. Her tone left no room for trust.

"We in Sunagakure don't have so many tricks," Pakura commented, standing next to Orochimaru, finding the event rather novel. It seemed wealthier villages had the resources for elaborate displays.

"It's just that Kawakaze has a lot of tricks," Orochimaru replied. Even he had never seen an inauguration ceremony like this before, and he had to admit it was impressive.

"I guess brother-in-law is going to get beaten up," Nawaki speculated with a mischievous smile.

"I think you're right," Minato added, prompting the rest of the group to burst out laughing.

As the opening dance ended, Koharu Utatane took the stage as the host.

"Good morning, everyone," she began. "Today is an important day, as we welcome the Fourth Hokage to Konohagakure. She is a powerful ninja and a kind director. Not only did she lead Konoha to victory in the Second Shinobi World War, but she also saved many villagers suffering from illness and injury. This person is Lady Tsunade. Let's give her a warm welcome as she takes to the stage."

Koharu recited her lines word for word, and a tsunami of applause erupted from the audience. Many in the crowd shouted Tsunade's name, a testament to her immense popularity. The applause and cheers echoed throughout Konoha.

"Still haven't let go?" Biwako Sarutobi asked, stepping out of the house and draping a coat over her husband.

"It's over. I'm happy for Tsunade," Hiruzen replied, patting his wife's hand on his shoulder as he gazed toward the village center. A wry smile crossed his face as he shook his head, dismissing some lingering, unrealistic thoughts.

"Have you finished packing?" he asked. If not for his own mistakes, he felt he should have been the one to personally hand over the Hokage hat to Tsunade. Instead, he now waited for the clan's relocation.

"Yes, it's all packed," Biwako answered softly, unsure how to comfort him.

"You go back. I'll stand here for a while," Hiruzen said, persuading her to leave as the excitement from the village center continued to resonate.

Under the crowd's expectant gaze, Tsunade unfolded her wings and flew directly from the stage to the platform. The heroic display caused the villagers' cheers to surge even louder.

As Tsunade landed and folded her wings, Koharu nodded slightly to her before turning and leaving the stage, leaving the moment entirely to her.

"Ahem..." Tsunade cleared her throat. The speech Kawakaze had prepared for her was quite long, and she had been reciting it for a while.

The crowd fell silent, waiting for Tsunade to speak.

"I am honored to be standing here today.

...

Under my leadership, Konoha will surely become even more prosperous and flourishing.

I, Tsunade, the Fourth Hokage, swear."

Reciting from a script was one thing, but delivering a speech was another. Tsunade gradually became more emotionally involved, even shouting the last sentence with conviction.

"Hokage! Hokage!"

The villagers were moved by Tsunade's impassioned words, and their cheers echoed throughout the village. In the distance, the final stroke was added to the Hokage Rock. Tsunade glanced at it and saw her likeness, the fourth face from the left. It wasn't as vivid as she had imagined, but it was unmistakably hers.

Thus, Tsunade's inauguration ceremony as Hokage concluded successfully.

"Great!" Kawakaze exclaimed, giving Tsunade a thumbs-up as she stepped down from the stage.

"I almost died of exhaustion. Your speech was so long," Tsunade complained, though her eyes sparkled with satisfaction.

"You didn't do so badly reciting it!" Kawakaze replied. "Let's go home for lunch, and in the afternoon, I'll take you to find help."

He stepped forward, grabbed Tsunade, and the two disappeared from the spot.

Meanwhile, the villagers continued to exit in an orderly manner.

After lunch, Kawakaze and Tsunade, now without her Hokage robe, left the house together.

"Are we going to the Nara Clan?" Tsunade asked. Kawakaze hadn't told her who they were meeting to keep it a surprise, but Tsunade could guess where the road led.

"Yes, we're going to see Shōta Nara. Do you still remember him?" Kawakaze asked, recalling the young man who had impressed him during the Second Shinobi World War. The Nara Clan's intelligence was unmatched.

"I remember," Tsunade nodded. The Nara Clan, known for raising deer, often supplied antlers as precious medicinal ingredients. Tsunade had worked with them many times before.

"The Nara Clan are all afraid of trouble and will need to be fooled a bit," Kawakaze said, rubbing his chin as he planned his next steps.

"Can't you be a little more sincere?" Tsunade asked, clearly displeased with his use of the word "fool."

"More or less, more or less. Don't dwell on these small details," Kawakaze replied dismissively, waving his hand to keep her from interrupting his train of thought. Inwardly, he silently apologized to Shōta; after all, he didn't want to deal with the mountain of paperwork either.

Before long, the two arrived at Shōta Nara's front door.

Knock, knock.

Kawakaze stepped forward and knocked.

"Who is it?" a voice called from inside. Moments later, the door opened, and Shōta Nara appeared, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.

"Lady Hokage, Lord Kawakaze," Shōta greeted them respectfully.

"Shōta, I came to see you today about something," Kawakaze said. "Is it convenient to go in and chat for a while?" He wore a harmless expression, noticing Shōta's slight confusion.

"Of course. Please come in," Shōta replied, stepping aside.

He led them into the house, seated them, and poured tea before sitting down opposite them.

"I wonder what you two lords want with me?" Shōta asked, pouring tea for Kawakaze and Tsunade.

"In the Land of Rain, you left a deep impression on us," Kawakaze began. "You have a broad perspective, are steady, and can shoulder great responsibilities. I believe you're also willing to contribute to the village. Now, there is a very important task for you. I wonder if you would like to accept it?"

Kawakaze's words were a mix of praise and flattery, delivered with seriousness. Tsunade remained silent, quietly observing him in action.

"Lord Kawakaze, it is my duty to contribute to the village," Shōta responded earnestly, seeing Kawakaze's intense gaze. Believing it to be a significant responsibility, he agreed without hesitation.

"Very good," Kawakaze said, his expression shifting into a mischievous smile. "Congratulations! From now on, you are the assistant to the Hokage."

Shōta froze for a moment, not immediately understanding. "Assistant to the Hokage" sounded like a formal position, but he was still expecting some kind of mission.

"Isn't it a mission?" Shōta asked, glancing at Tsunade, puzzled by Kawakaze's sly demeanor, which hardly seemed trustworthy at that moment.