"Lord Sixth Hokage, please wait."
The Fourth Kazekage, who had been watching the Chūnin Exams with mixed feelings, noticed that the Hokage's entire chair was being carried off as if to depart, and hastily called out for him to stop.
"Huh? What's the matter?" Link asked, somewhat puzzled as he looked over.
He was the Hokage now, so he had to keep up appearances. A single extendable chair alone wasn't enough. Once the Chūnin Exams ended in a couple of days, he'd have to attend the Five Kage Summit.
Organizing his words, the Fourth Kazekage said, "About the upcoming Five Kage Summit… I was wondering how the Sixth Hokage plans to approach it?"
He worried that the loss of a jinchūriki could spark war. The Raikage, according to intelligence, was notoriously hotheaded; any misstep might mean open conflict.
If Sand and Konoha had formed an alliance, they could join forces against him, right?
But… well, that's a separate matter.
"Oh, that." Link truly hadn't put much thought into it. "Doesn't have much to do with us, does it? We'll just pop over and see what's up."
He didn't mean he hadn't considered the potential dangers—he just didn't care.
The phrase "Five Kage Summit" sounded lofty, but really, it was just five village leaders sitting down to bargain and compromise.
But Konoha wasn't asking for anything right now.
The "Second Parallel World" base used to need supplies shipped from the main world. Ever since the Ninja Alliance was established, though, that place no longer lacked resources.
In fact, with shinobi's productivity, the Second Parallel World had begun sending goods back to the main world last month.
Otherwise, how could the village keep operating after turning down so many lucrative "war" missions? They were surviving on profits from the Second Parallel World.
Here in the main world, everything still needed rebuilding. In Senju Tobirama's plan, they would defeat Kaguya, let the Ninja Alliance get on track, produce a sufficient management layer, then come back and handle the rest of the main world's ninja villages, dissolving them and removing all Kage positions except the Hokage.
So as for the Five Kage Summit, who really cared?
The Fourth Kazekage was momentarily speechless. He'd planned to probe the boy further, but all that got stuck in his throat. Part of him wanted to grab this brat by the collar and demand: Do you even understand "politics?"
"Is there anything else? Otherwise, I've got stuff to do, so I'll take my leave first."
Link was ready to head off to Training Ground Seven for more practice, to give his mind a break. At sunrise every day, the Anbu who guarded his home would drag him out to the Hokage's office.
He'd sit there flipping through files, listening to the two advisors lecture about intelligence handling and personnel changes—just like punching a timecard at an 8-to-5 job.
Physically, it wasn't exhausting, but mentally? Draining.
He wanted to train a bit, then come back to the office. Even if he doubted he was suited for the Hokage position, he still had to learn how to adapt. If worse came to worst, he'd figure out how to step down later.
"My subordinates recently vanished somewhere in the Land of Fire…" the Fourth Kazekage ventured cautiously.
"Ah, so those were the ones who snuck in as 'Anbu' spies, right?" Link flipped through the files that Homura had posted on the Net. Reading them as-is, he recited the ransom demanded. "Just pay up for their release."
"If that's all, we'll talk another time, Lord Fourth Kazekage," he said.
No sooner had he spoken than a shadow lifted the entire chair and carried him away.
(Same old Link, all right…)
Gaara's face held a barely noticeable hint of nostalgic fondness. Even if he became "Kage," Link didn't change—a wonderful thing indeed.
The Fourth Kazekage couldn't decide whether to laugh or fume. He noticed that Sasori had also slipped away at some point. He wanted to be upset, but in the end could only sigh in helplessness.
(Honestly, who wouldn't want to do what Link does, if they had the power? But I'm just not that strong.)
He was still the Kazekage simply because there was no suitable successor in Sand. The only one qualified and strong enough was a certain "Sasori," someone nobody liked, who wouldn't even pass a jōnin confidence vote.
(How did he pass the jōnin vote in Konoha, anyway…?)
That evening, Hokage's Office.
"Mmm…"
Link stretched lazily, setting aside the last file. Yawning, he said, "Thanks for all your help today. Let's call it a day, you two."
"Great work, Lord Sixth Hokage," Homura said formally with a slight bow, departing the office.
Koharu paused at the doorway. "Lord Sixth, do find an assistant soon. Homura and I plan to retire next month and head to the Second Parallel World."
According to Tobirama's revised mission system, amassing the 10,000 "contribution points" required for reincarnation was no joke.
None of their older merits or service counted; everything had to be accumulated anew. So far, only the Second Parallel World's Minato Namikaze (the youth version) has managed it.
If they stayed in the main world aimlessly, they might never rack up enough in decades. They'd rather move on early—reportedly, the Second Parallel World needed administrative personnel. The sooner they arrived, the sooner they could earn their points for reincarnation.
Growing old was miserable, so they'd rather hurry.
"Understood," Link replied calmly, seeing the two advisors off. Then he let out a weary sigh.
(What now…?)
Someone with enough qualification, ability, and willingness to serve as a "Hokage assistant"… well, Konoha just didn't have anyone who fit the bill.
Sure, Kakashi was perfect, but he was constantly running off to the Second Parallel World on missions, practically wearing "escape" on his forehead.
(An assistant's essential, but can't be some random kid. Maybe I can ask Lord Shikaku to help? But he's already in charge of the jōnin group… Might not have time.)
Click—the office door opened a crack. Anko Mitarashi peeked in, carefully scanning the room, saw only Link present, and stepped inside with an easy grin. "Congratulations, Link."
She walked straight to the desk, thumped her chest, and laughed: "I voted for you, so you'd better treat me, y'hear?"
"Ahem." Link cleared his throat and tried putting on an air of authority. "Address me properly as Lord Hokage."
Anko just planted herself on the desk, arms folded. "Aww, come on. Don't be so distant with me."
"Hey, you…" Link was about to put on a show of dignity when the window "thunk!" swung open.
In a flash of orange, a boisterous figure burst in. "Fifth Hokage-sama, Fifth Hokage-sama—"
This version of Naruto had never gone through the same experiences with Tsunade, so he was still polite with the title.
Then he caught sight of Link, wearing the Hokage robe and hat. He blinked in confusion. "Why are you messing around wearing that, huh? Grandpa Third would scold you if he found out…"
(He knew from personal experience that wearing the Hokage's attire without permission would get you in big trouble.)
"Oi, kid." Anko jumped down from the desk, hands on hips. "You'd better show some respect to Lord Sixth Hokage."
Naruto froze, eyes darting between Anko's serious face and Link's self-satisfied grin.
"Huh—?"
~~~
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