The meeting had begun in the early afternoon and dragged on until nearly ten at night.
Uchiha Hikaru's throat was dry from hours of nonstop talking.
At some point, he couldn't help but feel like a high school teacher desperately drilling students in review classes before exams.
But no, that wasn't quite right.
It felt more like being a stressed-out college student trying to cram an entire semester's worth of quantum theory before finals.
Because, in truth, Hikaru didn't expect them to ace the exam that was the Shinobi World.
A passing grade—just 60 points—was good enough.
After all, reshaping one's way of thinking was no easy feat.
Even with the passive enhancement of his Word Spirit technique, Hikaru knew there was no way he could completely shift their perspectives in just half a day.
Luckily, there were still those who caught on—Hiashi, Orochimaru, Shikaku Nara, Kurenai Yuhi, and Tsunade.
They were like the class representatives, and now Hikaru, the overworked "guidance counselor," could finally delegate some of the heavy lifting to them.
That thought alone made him smile while eating.
Tsunade, seated across from him, caught the expression and raised an eyebrow.
"After working your ass off the whole afternoon, only a few of us actually understood it," she muttered. "The rest barely even got the gist."
"And yet you're sitting there grinning like an idiot? Here—drink."
She downed her own glass of sake in one smooth motion.
Tsunade wasn't like Hikaru. Right now, she wasn't amused at all. She was frustrated.
To her, the clan heads felt cold, detached—utterly disconnected from the people they were supposed to protect.
They gave off the arrogance of those who believed the civilians of the shinobi world had nothing to do with them. As if even if every last commoner died, their lives would go on unaffected.
But Hikaru just shrugged.
"This is normal."
"If everyone could understand in one afternoon…"
"Well, your grandfather Hashirama and our old Uchiha leader Madara wouldn't still be turning in their graves."
"It's hard for people to truly understand one another."
"This isn't the kind of thing that gets resolved just by talking."
"No more speeches. Drink."
Hikaru raised his cup and tilted his head back, downing it in one go.
Tsunade stared at him a moment longer, then silently lifted the sake jug and took several long gulps straight from it.
The liquid scorched down her throat, heating her chest and jarring her thoughts back into focus.
Right… this was never supposed to be easy.
Even my great-grandfather and Madara failed to do it. They split apart because they couldn't agree on the same future.
Maybe I've been too naive…
Off to the side, Shizune quietly ate her bowl of rice. Watching the two of them banter with soft smiles and flushed cheeks, a gentle expression settled on her face.
Yep… it's definitely more cozy when it's the three of us together~ ( ˘͈ ᵕ ˘͈♡)
That night, after a bit of a chaotic brawl between the two, Uchiha Hikaru triumphantly snatched the Want Want Rock Jelly from Tsunade's hands.
Afterward, Tsunade lay curled in Hikaru's arms, still catching her breath, and asked curiously:
"What's this… Want Want Rock Jelly you mentioned earlier?"
Hikaru's eyes lit up.
A grin crept onto his face, and he subconsciously glanced toward the curves between Tsunade's ample peaks.
"Want Want Rock Jelly… It's a dessert that's a lot like pudding."
"Wobble wobble wobble~"
"Isn't it… kind of similar?"
Tsunade's mind conjured up an image of milky-white pudding swaying gently on a porcelain plate.
Then her face flushed a deep red as she remembered what he had just done…
"Y-You pervert! Get away from me!"
"You shameless little creep!"
She pushed him back in a panic, but Hikaru's hand caught her wrist mid-swing.
His grip was firm. After all, thanks to the Hashirama cells in his body—along with years of physical training and medicinal soaking—his physique now rivaled or even exceeded Tsunade's in raw strength.
And Tsunade, well… she was already drained by their previous battle.
Unlike Hikaru, she didn't have an inhuman regeneration ability to fall back on.
"Be good~"
"Come on, let me see~"
As she kept resisting, Hikaru's hand accidentally slapped her on the butt.
SMACK.
A jolt of tingling pain shot up her spine, and her brain fizzed like a shaken soda.
Tsunade's entire face turned scarlet.
For a moment, she felt like a new door had opened in her mind.
It's like… Columbus discovering the New World… (⁄ ⁄•⁄ω⁄•⁄ ⁄)
And so…
They had another fierce round, as the Big Bad Wolf once again pounced on the helpless Little Lamb. (ꈍᴗꈍ)
…
The next morning, Uchiha Hikaru arrived in the bustling commercial district in western Konoha.
As soon as he stepped into the area, a masked ANBU agent wearing a red-and-green cat mask appeared before him with a quiet swoosh.
"Good morning, Assistant Hokage."
Hikaru looked at the masked ANBU and slowly reached out to remove the mask from his face.
"Starting today, you're no longer part of ANBU."
Yamato froze.
Wait… huh?
Did I just… get fired? (⊙_☉)
"Uhh… Assistant Hokage… did I do something wrong?"
Hikaru raised an eyebrow at the panicking man and gave him a look.
"Young man, don't overthink it."
"Technically speaking, this is a promotion."
"You're no longer an ANBU team captain. You're now the Deputy Director of Konoha's Foreign Trade Department."
"And since you're leaving ANBU, you'll need a new name."
"…Just call me Yamato," the man replied after a pause.
At that, Yamato's entire demeanor shifted.
Wait what? A promotion?
I'm out of ANBU? Like, actually out?? (⊙▽⊙)
For someone like him—born in darkness, modified with Hashirama's cells, and forced to live in the shadows—this was nothing short of a dream.
He'd always longed for the sunlight. But he also knew… his power, his existence, brought up painful memories for the village.
Things best left buried.
That happiness in his chest slowly gave way to unease.
"Assistant Hokage… I mean, sir…"
"…Are you sure this is appropriate? I mean, I am… you know… that bloodline."
"And I don't really know anything about business…"
Hikaru smiled like he'd seen this conversation coming a mile away.
"Don't worry about your bloodline."
"If the time comes, use your Wood Release freely."
"And if anyone asks, just say it's a technique developed by Konoha's Ninjutsu Science Research Institute."
He waved a hand forward.
Together, they turned toward the vast clearing ahead of them.
Hikaru raised his fist in front of Yamato.
"Yamato."
"It's time to put that Wood Release to good use."
"For the sake of the village—use Wood Release: Multiple-House Technique on this land!"
Realization dawned on Yamato.
So this is what being Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade means… (;￣Д￣)
With a resigned sigh, he formed hand seals and slammed both palms to the ground.
"Wood Release: Multiple-House Technique!"
Chakra surged from his body, draining fast. His skin paled.
But the results were immediate.
Thick wooden pillars erupted from the earth, winding together like vines. Trunks, floors, supports—all grew and shaped into six beautiful, grand, traditional-style wooden buildings.
An entire district of commerce, raised in seconds.
-------
Send Power Stones
Bonus Chapter at 150 Power Stone
Second Bonus Chapter - 300 Power Stones
---------------------
Join my Patreon and get access to 50+ early chapters before anyone else! 🔥
https://www.patreon.com/UK21
Your Support is Truly Appreciated 🫂