Konoha: Gu Master

"I'm going to take a shower.And please be safe when you're out and about."

Shinho watched as Tsunade picked up her clothes and dressed one piece at a time.

Once she was fully dressed, she looked back at him with a triumphant smile.

"Enjoy the discomfort, Hokage-sama!" she said, somewhat proud, before leaping out of the window and disappearing from sight.

Shinho twitched the corner of his mouth.

Flipping the script already, huh? Was that happiness from earlier fake?

He raised his hand, cleansing himself in an instant with primeval essence, then changed into fresh clothes.

Opening the windows, he used his primeval essence to let a breeze circulate through the room, ensuring it smelled fresh. Once satisfied there was no lingering scent, he dispelled the barrier.

Taking a seat in the Hokage's chair, he called out, "Yūgao-nee."

"Hokage-sama," Yūgao Uzuki entered the office promptly, "About half an hour ago, Shizune came by."

"Did she say what it was about?" Shinho asked, raising an eyebrow.

"No, she didn't," Yūgao replied with a shake of her head.

"Call her here for me," Shinho said with a wave of his hand.

"Yes."

Not long after Yūgao left, Shizune walked into the Hokage's office. Since the Finance Department was right next door, it took her less than half a minute to arrive.

"What were you doing in the office just now?" Shizune asked curiously.

"Training," Shinho replied with a serious expression, "It's very important."

Shizune scrutinized his face, feeling like something was off.

"What did you need me for?" Shinho changed the topic smoothly.

"The Konoha Jewelry Company has been officially established," Shizune said, suppressing her doubts, "Now we just need the gold from Sunagakure."

"It's in the underground warehouse," Shinho said, "Send the ninjas from the Market Development Department to move it."

"That fast?" Shizune was surprised, "When did it arrive?"

"It's a secret," Shinho said with a sly smile, "Come closer, and I'll tell you."

Shizune's legs in her black stockings trembled, and she instinctively took two steps back.

"What kind of reaction is that?" Shinho said, frowning, "I am the Hokage."

"..."

Shizune stayed silent for a few seconds before replying, "I'd rather not know."

"Alright, then," Shinho said with a shrug, "I'll be heading to Takigakure this afternoon, so I'll have to trouble you to handle things for the next two days."

Two days? Shizune bit her lip, hesitating.

She had been so busy recently that she barely stayed in the Hokage's office, which also meant fewer opportunities for Shinho to tease her.

Taking a deep breath, she walked up to Shinho's desk.

Her heart pounded louder than the sound of her heels on the floor.

Shinho blinked in mild surprise.

She actually came closer.

"Shizune, you're so adorable," Shinho said as he pulled her into his arms.

"D-don't say strange things," Shizune stammered, her face flushing red.

Leaning down, Shinho pressed his lips to hers, his right hand trailing to her black-stockinged thigh.

Shizune's body tensed before softening, her eyes dazed as she let him take the lead.

Moments later, their lips parted.

Shinho raised an eyebrow at her.

Shizune's face was bright red, her eyes shut tight, and her blouse slightly unbuttoned, revealing a glimpse of pale skin.

Her entire posture was unguarded as if she had completely surrendered to his embrace.

"Wait for me to return," Shinho whispered in her ear, exhaling softly.

Shizune instinctively pressed her legs together, unable to meet his gaze but nodded gently in response.

Shinho reached out and buttoned her shirt.

Such a capable secretary was undoubtedly his alone.

"T-thank you," Shizune stammered, steadying herself by leaning on the desk as her trembling legs struggled to support her.

She felt a mix of emotions.

She hadn't expected Shinho to hold back at this point.

In fact, she had mentally prepared herself…of course to resist if needed.

"No, thank you," Shinho said with a grin, giving her a pat on her skirt.

"I-I'm going to work now…" Shizune muttered, stumbling out of the Hokage's office.

…

By 2 p.m., at the gates of Konoha.

"Yamato-sensei, what rank is this mission?" Kiba Inuzuka asked.

Since the mission was a last-minute order from Shinho, the details were still unclear to him.

"It's an S-rank mission," Yamato said calmly.

"Huh?" Kiba's face twisted in disbelief, "There must be some mistake!"

While Hinata Hyūga and Shino Aburame were undoubtedly strong, had anyone considered his survival in this mission?

"This is a direct order from Hokage-sama," Yamato replied, "There's no mistake."

Shinho?

Hinata's eyes lit up as she turned toward Yamato.

"Does that mean Shinho will be coming?" Kiba asked, voicing the question lingering in Hinata's mind.

"Yes," Yamato confirmed. "Hokage-sama will be leading this mission."

"Then we're doomed," Kiba groaned, "Last time he led us, we ran into Raiga Kurosuki from the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. Who's it going to be this time?"

"We're heading to Takigakure to escort the Seven-Tails Jinchūriki," Yamato explained, "There's a chance we'll encounter members of the Akatsuki."

"The Akatsuki? That definitely justifies the S-rank," Shino said, recalling his previous encounter with Sasori and Deidara. Even with Sage Mode, he hadn't fared well against them.

"..."

Kiba froze at the thought.

The Akatsuki, the most infamous group in the ninja world at the moment, was no joke.

And now he was supposed to go up against them?

I'm just an average Chūnin!

"Shinho!"

Hinata's eyes brightened as she ran forward.

"Woof woof!" Akamaru barked.

"She noticed him before Akamaru did? As expected of Hinata," Kiba muttered, feeling like he'd just swallowed a mouthful of dog food.

"Good afternoon," Shinho said, turning to Hinata.

She wore her usual long-sleeved top and pants, with only her sandal-clad feet exposed.

Shinho couldn't help but recall the previous times he had teased her.

Her touch was softer and fleshier than Karin's, though still not on par with Tsunade.

But she's far from her prime, Shinho thought, smiling to himself.

"Let's go," Shinho said, patting Hinata on the head before turning to Yamato and the others.

"Yes, sir!" Yamato replied immediately.

Even after leaving the roots, his ingrained habits had remained.

Shinho said nothing more until they left the Forest of Death, where he paused.

Takigakure lay to the north of the Land of Fire, bordering the Land of Grass.

Under normal conditions, it would take two days to reach.

But even two days was too slow.

Shinho casually waved his hand.

With a puff of smoke, the massive River-Swallowing Toad appeared.

"Is that… a summoning beast from Mount Myōboku?" Yamato asked, studying the toad carefully.

It was natural to associate frogs and toads with Mount Myōboku.

"No," Shinho replied as he leapt onto the toad's back, "Everyone, climb on."

One by one, the team climbed aboard.

"Be careful," Shinho said as he grabbed Hinata's hand to steady her, "Hold on tight."

Hinata's cheeks flushed, and she nodded slightly, embarrassed by the attention in front of the others.

With a powerful leap, the River-Swallowing Toad moved at an astonishing speed.

By nightfall, they had already reached the Land of Waterfalls.

"Let's rest here," Shinho said, scanning the forest around them.

"Shino and Kiba, set up the tents," Yamato ordered, "Hinata, start a fire."

With a clap of his hands, Yamato made wooden planks sprout from the ground.

"That's… convenient," Shinho said, his lips twitching at the sight.

Is this really how Wood Release should be used?

Still, he had to admit, Yamato's practical approach was impressive.

Shinho recalled Yamato's Four pillar house technique, which, while mundane, had significant potential. It could even revolutionize housing for civilians when Shinho eventually became Daimyō.

Then, an idea struck Shinho: Yamato could also be used for agricultural purposes, speeding up crop growth.

Combined with the Aburame Clan's insect-controlling abilities, they could solve the food supply issue in this war-torn ninja world.

In a world constantly at war, two things mattered most—money and food.

The reason the Akatsuki needed massive amounts of money is because a significant portion of their expenditure went toward maintaining operations in Amegakure.

"Hokage-sama, is something wrong?" Yamato asked, noticing Shinho's intense gaze.

"Nothing," Shinho replied with a small smile before walking off, "Yūgao-nee."

"Here, Hokage-sama," Yūgao Uzuki appeared promptly.

"Contact the Takigakure ninja and let them know we'll arrive by morning," Shinho instructed.

Takigakure's location was notoriously isolated, almost like a hidden paradise. Outsiders couldn't find the entrance without a local guide.

"Understood." Yūgao vanished into the shadows.

The fire was lit, illuminating the darkness of the forest.

"Eat up," Shinho said, handing Hinata a bento box.

"Thank you, Shinho-kun," Hinata said, pulling out her own bento, "Let's trade meals."

"Alright," Shinho replied with a smile, opening the box.

Across from them, Yamato, Kiba, and Shino sat in a line but maintained a noticeable distance. They were self consious as they knew Shinho and Hinata's close relationship.

After finishing dinner, Yūgao returned.

She leaned in close to Shinho and whispered, "I reached the designated location but didn't see any Takigakure ninja."

Did something happen?

Shinho's eyes narrowed.

"Should I send ANBU to investigate?" Yūgao asked.

"No need."

Shinho stood up.

A puff of smoke formed, quickly coalescing into a small sparrow-like creature that flew into the night sky.

While ANBU were efficient, Takigakure's hidden location would delay their efforts. The Fog Sparrow Gu was much faster.

Yamato and the others noticed Shinho's actions and immediately tensed.

Something was wrong.

Shino and Kiba dismantled the tents they had just set up.

"Follow me," Shinho said.

Minutes later, Shinho recalled the Fog Sparrow Gu and led the team to a large waterfall.

The crashing water filled the area with a deafening roar.

But it wasn't the waterfall that caught their attention—it was the four lifeless bodies sprawled in front of it.

"They're Takigakure ninja," Kiba said after a quick glance.

"The entrance to Takigakure should be behind the waterfall. Hinata and Akamaru, please search for it."

Hinata activated her Byakugan, and Akamaru began sniffing the air for traces.

"There!" Hinata said, pointing to a spot behind the massive waterfall.

"Let's go," Shinho said, using his primeval essence to part the water as they entered the cavern behind the falls.

Meanwhile, at a distant vantage point, two Akatsuki members wearing black cloaks with red clouds observed the scene.

"As expected, it's the Sixth Hokage, Shinho Aburame," Kakuzu said gravely "That sparrow earlier was likely one of his scouting techniques."

"Why are you so cautious?" Hidan asked, twirling his bloody triple-bladed scythe.

"He killed Sasori and Deidara," Kakuzu said, his tone flat, "The leader has ordered us to avoid unnecessary conflicts with him."

Kakuzu had survived for so long because of his calm and cautious nature. He understood Sasori and Deidara's power intimately, enough to know that even he might not have beaten them.

"You're afraid of dying, but I'm not!" Hidan exclaimed, raising his weapon, "If I sacrifice him to Jashin-sama, I'll be greatly rewarded!"

"Go ahead and try," Kakuzu replied, unimpressed.

He didn't think highly of Hidan.

While Hidan was indeed immortal, his curse technique required the enemy's blood to activate.

From White Zetsu's report, Kakuzu knew about Shinho's powerful defences. The likelihood of Hidan breaking through it when even sasori couldn't was slim.

If Hidan managed to succeed, however, it would be worth the risk. After all, Shinho's head was quite valuable.

"Just watch!" Hidan said confidently, "With Jashin-sama's blessing, I'll take him down!"

"Good luck," Kakuzu said indifferently, deciding he would support from a safe distance of 800 meters with kunai if needed.

…

Inside Takigakure.

Shinho and his team navigated a winding secret passage before finally emerging at the exit.

The sight before them was breathtaking. A massive tree surrounded by a hidden village nestled in its shade.

However, the village was far from peaceful. It was in the midst of a battle.

Shinho's eyes narrowed.

The attackers weren't Akatsuki members but rather Takigakure's rogue ninja, Suien.

In the original story, Suien had allied with Amegakure to attack Takigakure and steal the Hero Water, only to be defeated by Team Seven.

This scenario, however, felt slightly off.

"Rescue the villagers," Shinho ordered, scanning the area and quickly identifying the Seven-Tails Jinchūriki, Fū.

It was his first time seeing her, but her distinctive features were unmistakable: short blue-green hair, dark skin, and a lively personality that radiated even amidst the chaos.

"Wood Release: Great Forest Technique!"

Yamato formed hand seals, causing countless wooden vines to sprout from his arms and spread across the battlefield.

"It's Wood Release!" Shibuki, Takigakure's leader, shouted upon noticing Yamato's technique. "The Konoha reinforcements are here! Suien, surrender!"