[Hm? Why is Tsunade looking at me so eagerly?]
[Is she trying to ask me how to deal with these three old geezers?]
[I already said that dealing with Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu is easy. The real problem is Danzo.]
[But that guy has ten three-tomoe Sharingan as extra lives, not to mention Uchiha Shisui's Mangekyō Sharingan, which allows him to cast the ultimate genjutsu, Kotoamatsukami. That's a real headache!]
[When it comes to Mangekyō Sharingan genjutsu, aside from me, only another Mangekyō can counter it.]
[Honestly, as long as Tsunade takes me in, I'll take care of Danzo later. Helping my wife wouldn't go against my low-key nature, after all. As long as I don't say anything, no one will ever know how strong I am.]
[Even the Byakugan can't see through me—now tell me, aren't you scared?]
Tsunade was stunned.
She naturally knew about the Mangekyō Sharingan.
After all, her grandfather was Uchiha Madara's sworn rival. Before Senju Hashirama died, he told her many secrets about the Mangekyō.
But how did Kamizuki Hikari know about it?
And this guy dares to set his sights on her? If it weren't for the fact that his thoughts are somewhat useful, she'd make sure he spends the rest of his life guarding Konoha's gates.
'Looks like this guy isn't interested in Shizune. Well, she's still young, so I'll just keep her by my side for now.'
(Shizune: Tsunade-sama, at my age, I'm already considered a leftover woman in the shinobi world! You're the legendary Golden Saint, and I don't want to inherit your legacy in this regard.)
'Since Danzo can't be dealt with for now, I'll put him aside. Kamizuki Hikari's analysis is correct. As long as we control the Jonin squad, the ANBU, the intelligence department, and the hospital, we'll have plenty of ways to deal with Danzo later.'
[Huh, these guys arrived pretty fast!]
[Looks like the Jōnin are quite supportive of Tsunade becoming Hokage.]
[As long as we keep an eye on the Mitokado, Sarutobi, Shimura, and Utatane clans, and clean up the ANBU, the Hokage position will truly be secured!]
[At least it's much better than when Minato was in charge!]
Tsunade glanced out the window with a puzzled expression.
Someone's coming?
She hadn't noticed, so how did Kamizuki Hikari sense it?
He didn't even have the Byakugan's perceptive abilities.
It didn't take long before she finally felt the powerful chakra signatures converging on the Hokage Building.
Though she hadn't inherited Senju Tobirama's insane sensory range, she was still far better than most people.
The Senju clan's physique was terrifying.
'Kamizuki Hikari is quite capable. He sensed their approach before I did. It seems his strength isn't just empty boasting—it might be real!'
As this thought crossed her mind, Tsunade's gaze unconsciously landed on Hikari.
[Oh? Tsunade, if you like me this much, just confess already!]
[I won't reject you. Plus, at night, I'll make sure you experience the ultimate pleasure of the human world!]
[Don't be shy! These guys won't arrive for another minute—hurry up and confess!]
"Hikari, why are you looking at me like that? Do you need something?"
"No, Tsunade-sama, I was just wondering if you had something to say to me."
"Nothing. Go wait outside. The Jōnin meeting is about to start. It wouldn't be appropriate for you to be here."
[That's it? That's all you had to say?!]
[Tsunade... I won't love you anymore.]
[Even if you beg me in the future, I won't help you. Hmph, I'm that stubborn!]
[Jonin? I wouldn't even bother becoming one. These guys are so weak I could crush them with one hand.]
"Tsunade-sama, then I'll return to my post. Jiraiya-sama is still waiting at the gate."
[I'll let Jiraiya clean up this mess. I scared off Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu by pretending to be Senju Tobirama, so my usefulness here is probably done.]
[I'll just stick to guarding Konoha's gate. When Pain attacks in three years, I'll make sure he never gets past me.]
[Of course, if he enters from somewhere else, that's not my problem.]
[After all, I only guard the gate.]
Tsunade wanted to stop Hikari, but just then, someone with the Byakugan entered, and she quickly changed her mind.
'Pain will attack Konoha in three years… how does Kamizuki Hikari know that?'
'And who is Pain? There's no such name among the Five Great Shinobi Villages.'
'Forget it! Once I officially become Hokage, I'll have Kamizuki Hikari guard me instead of the gate!'
With that thought, Tsunade stood up to welcome her guest.
"Hiashi, it's been a while."
"Tsunade-sama."
Hyūga Hiashi bowed respectfully.
As the leader of Konoha's strongest clan, he naturally came to congratulate Tsunade and leave a good impression.
"Hiashi, please wait here. We'll begin once the other Jōnin arrive."
—
As Hikari left the Hokage Building, he saw numerous Jōnin rushing toward it. After a quick glance, he continued on his way back to his post.
"Yo, Hikari, long time no see!"
The green-clad Blue Beast of Konoha, Maito Gai, made a shining entrance, his pearly white teeth gleaming so brightly that Hikari had to squint.
"Oh, it's Gai. Long time no see. How's Lee?"
At the mention of Lee, Gai's expression darkened for a moment before he quickly returned to his usual passionate self.
"Lee is still in the hospital, but I believe he will recover!"
'Of course he will. He's one of the Konoha 12, after all.'
Kamizuki Hikari nodded. "Then go on, Tsunade-sama is back. Once the meeting is over, you can ask her to check on Lee. She's not just Konoha's, but the entire shinobi world's best medical nin."
"Of course! I will sincerely request her help!"
"Alright, I'll get back to guarding the gate."
"See you later!"
Having spent so much time running laps around the village, Gai often passed by the gate, so the two had grown familiar with each other.
After Gai left, the other Jōnin ignored Hikari and entered the Hokage Building one after another.
He didn't mind being ignored by them. He had long outgrown the need for petty validation.
His priority was guarding the gate, idling away while accumulating more power.
Above Kage-level was Super Kage-level, and above that was the Six Paths level.
Even among the Six Paths-level beings, there were many Ōtsutsuki clan members.
Until he became the strongest in the universe, Kamizuki Hikari wouldn't stop.
Just as he reached the halfway point, he stopped.
"Oh? Hikari, mind if I call you that? Why didn't you stay in the Hokage Building?"
Nara Shikaku appeared before him.
Kamizuki Hikari responded, "Of course, Shikaku-dono."
"My duty is to guard Konoha's gates. I only left earlier because Tsunade-sama summoned me. Now that everything is settled, I naturally have to return to my post!"
Nara Shikaku looked at Kamizuki Hikari with a knowing smile.
With his intelligence, even he couldn't quite figure out why Tsunade had personally brought Hikari to the Hokage Building, going so far as to leave Jiraiya to guard the gate instead.
If it were just about appearance, it wouldn't make much sense.
Right now, he lacked sufficient information, so he couldn't analyze the situation any further.
"I noticed Tsunade-sama seems quite fond of you. Hikari, you're not getting any younger. Why not work at the Hokage building? You'd be closer to Tsunade-sama, and the benefits are better. What do you think?"
"I appreciate your kindness, Shikaku-dono, but I think guarding the gate suits me just fine. For the safety of Konoha, I'm willing to dedicate my youth!" Kamizuki Hikari said, not even believing his own words as he tried to brush off Nara Shikaku.
"Well then, I'll discuss this with Tsunade-sama later. You go ahead and get back to work."
With that, Nara Shikaku swiftly made his way toward the Hokage Building.
Kamizuki Hikari paused for a moment. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of golden hair, causing the corners of his mouth to curl up slightly.
'Yamanaka Inoichi, huh?'