"No, that's impossible! My granduncle is already dead—who are you!?"
The man standing before her looked exactly like Senju Tobirama, except for the hair color. Tsunade was momentarily stunned, feeling as if she were seeing her granduncle alive again.
Hikari sighed helplessly. "Tsunade-sama, I am Kamizuki Hikari, the younger brother of Kamizuki Izumo. As for my appearance... well, I struggle with it myself."
Tsunade's temper flared instantly. "What do you mean? Are you saying my granduncle is ugly and doesn't match your standards?"
"No, no! What I mean is, how could an ordinary Konoha gate guard like me possibly be worthy of such a face?" Kamizuki Hikari hurriedly clarified.
[Looking like the Second Hokage isn't exactly my choice either.]
[If I could choose, I'd rather look like Hashirama. If I could also find a red-haired woman, that would be perfect.]
[Too bad most of the Uzumaki Clan was wiped out. I even saw Karin a few days ago, but I didn't keep her. She must've been taken by Orochimaru.]
[What a waste!]
Tsunade furrowed her brows.
Now that she had confirmed these thoughts were coming from Kamizuki Hikari, she wasn't sure how to react.
No matter what, he bore an uncanny resemblance to Senju Tobirama. How could she bring herself to punish someone who looked exactly like her granduncle?
But… who was this Karin? Could she be an Uzumaki Clan member?
As a shinobi, one must endure everything.
Tsunade knew that if Kamizuki Hikari realized she could hear his thoughts, he would probably run far away and never dare to appear before her again.
No doubt about it—if someone could hear her inner voice, Tsunade would either beat them to death or leave. There was no third option.
However, having someone who looked like her granduncle wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
"How good is your Transformation Jutsu?"
"My Transformation Jutsu? I know a little," Hikari said humbly.
[Of course, I've mastered it. Not only that, but I've also mastered its advanced forms: the Harem Jutsu and Reverse Harem Jutsu! Are you afraid now!?]
[This is a secret technique that even defeated Kaguya! How could I not train in it!?]
'This Kamizuki Hikari... his thoughts are getting harder to understand!'
'But that's fine. If I keep him by my side, I'll figure him out eventually.'
I, Tsunade, am a genius.
"Just change your hair color to white—something like Kakashi's."
Huh? White hair?
Well, as long as it's not green, that's fine.
Though confused by Tsunade's request, Kamizuki Hikari found it an easy task. A simple Transformation Jutsu was child's play for him.
*Poof!*
With a puff of smoke, Hikari's black hair turned white.
Tsunade reached out and ran her fingers through his hair. Before he could complain, she declared, "No, too soft. Make it spikier, like Kakashi's."
*Poof!*
Another puff of smoke. Seeing his transformed appearance, Tsunade nodded in satisfaction.
Never mind his other thoughts—this face alone was her secret weapon for securing the Hokage position.
"Alright. Jiraiya, you stay here and guard the gate. From now on, Kamizuki Hikari is my personal bodyguard. Naruto, you stay with Jiraiya. Shizune, Kamizuki Hikari, you're coming with me!"
Jiraiya was stunned.
Watching Tsunade walk away without hesitation, dragging Hikari along, he felt completely abandoned.
"Hey, Tsunade! I know the Transformation Jutsu too! Let me do it instead!"
"Shut up and watch the gate! I'll send someone to relieve you soon!" Tsunade snapped back at him, unwilling to tell Jiraiya the truth.
With Kamizuki Hikari (a.k.a. Senju Tobirama) by her side, she feared nothing.
The Konoha Council? Hah!
Forget politics—just take one look at his face. Scared yet?
[Looks like my handsomeness has finally gotten to Tsunade. Should I send a clone to buy some... protection? I might need it tonight.]
[Poor me, single for over twenty years, and now I've fallen into Tsunade's hands. I'm kind of excited, though!]
[But Tsunade is a master of medical ninjutsu. She probably has a way to prevent pregnancy. First time with protection… doesn't sound too great.]
"Shut up!"
Unable to hold back, Tsunade snapped, startling both Kamizuki Hikari and Shizune.
"Tsunade-sama, who are you telling to shut up? We didn't say anything..." Shizune looked at her in confusion.
[What's wrong with Tsunade? Is she having an episode? That shouldn't be the case.]
Tsunade's eye twitched. She seriously wondered if she had made a mistake bringing Kamizuki Hikari along.
This guy constantly ridiculed her in his mind. If he stayed near her for too long, could she even survive?
But that was a problem for later. Right now, her main priority was dealing with the Konoha elders.
Tsunade had returned to become Hokage to serve the village, not to be a puppet for the elders.
"Let's go. I just remembered something about Jiraiya, but it's nothing important. Move out!"
Suppressing her irritation, Tsunade quickened her pace.
The villagers around them still looked tense. Clearly, Orochimaru's invasion had left a deep impact on Konoha.
War...
For the civilians of Konoha, it was something distant and terrifying.
Seeing the village her grandfather built in this state left a bitter taste in Tsunade's heart.
*Whoosh!*
A Body Flicker Technique.
A masked ANBU in black armor appeared before them.
"Tsunade-sama, welcome back. The two elders and Nara Shikaku are waiting for you at the Hokage Building."
"Let's go!" Tsunade didn't bother asking the ANBU's name.
Every Hokage had their own subordinates. Once she took office, any disobedient ANBU would be dismissed.
The red Hokage Building stood tall but aged. Stepping inside again, Tsunade felt a rush of emotions.
"Tsunade-sama!"
"Tsunade-sama!"
Shinobi familiar with Tsunade greeted her as she passed.
Whether as one of the Legendary Sannin, the granddaughter of the First Hokage, or the pioneer of medical ninjutsu, she was deeply respected by these veteran shinobi.
Konoha's medical system had contributed greatly to the Second and Third Shinobi World Wars.
[Impressive. Tsunade truly is respected. If she can gain enough support from these veterans, the elders won't be able to control her.]
[After all, shinobi are what truly matters.]
Hearing Kamizuki Hikari's thoughts, Tsunade snapped out of her daze.
Seeing the admiring gazes around her, she waved. "Everyone, I—Tsunade—have returned!"
"Ohhh! Tsunade-sama!"
"Tsunade-sama spoke to me! Hell yeah!"
"I love Tsunade-sama!"
Just a few words, and the reaction was overwhelming. Tsunade smiled.
"Back to work, everyone. I have a meeting to attend."
"Tsunade-sama, this way!"
"Tsunade-sama, take care!"
"Let me treat you to a meal sometime, Tsunade-sama!"