Chapter 320: Hinata's First Day at Work
**Trouble is coming.**
Naruto furrowed his brow, thinking about how to respond when the other person said:
"Naruto Uzumaki, welcome back. Welcome to becoming a Konoha ninja again."
With that, the person smiled warmly and extended a hand towards Naruto.
**Uh.**
Naruto was taken aback, and it wasn't until Konan nudged him that he realised he should respond. He quickly extended his hand to shake.
Seeing this scene...
**Clap, clap, clap!**
The surrounding crowd began to applaud, cheering:
"Welcome back!"
"Naruto Uzumaki, keep it up! I'm a fan of yours!"
"..."
Hearing the people's encouragement, Naruto was a bit bewildered. He waved his hands, trying to explain: "You misunderstand. Actually, I'm about to..."
"Naruto."
Konan placed her hand on Naruto's shoulder, shaking her head to signal him not to spoil the moment and create an awkward scene.
**"Heh heh."**
Naruto could only scratch the back of his head and give an awkward laugh.
Amid the enthusiastic crowd, the two continued holding hands and walked towards the hotel.
As they rounded a corner, a small incident occurred.
Naruto had just turned when he saw a black-haired girl walking towards him. She was carrying a large stack of documents, hurrying with her head down, and nearly collided with him.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry."
The girl appeared very timid, repeatedly apologising to Naruto before he could respond, and then she quickly ran off.
**"That person..."**
Naruto watched the girl leave, feeling like she seemed familiar.
"She is Hinata Hyuga, the eldest daughter of the Hyuga clan. Do you know her?" Konan asked curiously, watching Hinata's retreating figure with Naruto.
"Ah, it's her."
Naruto suddenly remembered that he had only seen Hinata a few times when they were children and had no significant impression of her otherwise.
Hinata was heading in the direction of the Hokage Tower, clearly rushing to handle some important matter.
However, this had nothing to do with Naruto and Konan.
**Five minutes later.**
**"Huff... Huff..."**
Hinata, sweating profusely, arrived outside the Hokage Tower, looking up at the sixty-meter-high, nine-story building.
Starting today, this would be her workplace.
People constantly came and went around the Hokage Tower, creating a busy scene.
Thinking about the work ahead, Hinata couldn't help but feel nervous. Even though she was almost late, she hesitated at the entrance, unable to move forward.
**Hmm?**
An elderly man noticed Hinata's unusual behaviour and stepped out of the security booth, approaching her.
"Lady Hinata, you must be the new Hokage's secretary. I am Maru Hoshikage, the security guard of the Hokage Tower. Pleased to meet you."
The old man smiled kindly, looking gentle and friendly.
"Hello."
Hinata, feeling awkward, quickly bowed to Maru Hoshikage, speaking softly, "Please... please take care of me."
From what she knew...
Despite his unremarkable appearance, this old man was a legendary figure who kept a low profile.
Maru Hoshikage, Konoha's eternal genin.
The Second, Third, and Fourth Hokage recognised him.
The Second Hokage taught him Water Release techniques, the Third Hokage wanted to promote him to jōnin, but he declined, and the Fourth Hokage personally bandaged his wounds on the battlefield.
Now, the Sixth Hokage had entrusted the important task of guarding the Hokage Tower to this elderly man.
**Hinata, you must be very careful working at the Hokage Tower. Do not offend those important figures, not even Maru Hoshikage, the gatekeeper.**
This was Hinata's father's serious advice to her last night.
With her naturally shy and timid personality, Hinata now acted even more cautious and nervous upon meeting Maru Hoshikage.
Seeing the young girl's anxious demeanour, Maru Hoshikage smiled and shook his head, comforting her:
"Don't be nervous. Despite all the rumors about the Sixth Hokage, I can assure you that he is not scary at all. On the contrary, he is very approachable."
"Thank you."
With his encouragement, Hinata's nerves eased a bit.
"You must be unfamiliar with the Hokage Tower since it's your first day. Let me take you to the Hokage's office," Maru Hoshikage offered warmly.
Hinata quickly waved her hands: "No, no, it's too much trouble for you."
"There's no trouble at all. It's part of my job. Come along."
Maru Hoshikage said, leading the way into the lobby.
Hinata, clutching her stack of documents, hurried after him.
**Ding.**
The elevator door opened, and the two entered.
Maru Hoshikage glanced at Hinata as the elevator ascended, noting her continued nervousness.
"Let me tell you a story. Do you know why I am called Konoha's eternal genin?"
He began sharing his story.
When he was younger, Maru Hoshigake, in his eagerness to complete a mission, gave reckless orders that resulted in the death of two comrades.
Filled with guilt and remorse, he swore before the Second Hokage to punish himself for his mistake by remaining a genin for life.
In the subsequent decades of his ninja career, Maru Hoshigake dedicated himself to the village and the Will of Fire.
However, during this time, he sustained numerous injuries, leaving his left eye and leg disabled.
As he aged and his strength waned, Maru Hoshigake found himself compelled to retire.
But he was just a genin with a modest salary and had saved little over the years.
After losing his income post-retirement, his life became increasingly difficult, and he almost lost his place in Konoha.
Having dedicated his life to the village, being abandoned and forgotten seemed to be his tragic end until one day—
He suddenly received an order to report to the Hokage Tower for a job as a gate security officer.
This job was easy, well-paid, and came with some authority—a position many would fight for.
It felt like a gift from the heavens to Maru Hoshigake.
Later, he learned from Kakashi that the Sixth Hokage had personally ordered this arrangement for him after noticing him.
"Our Sixth Hokage may appear stern and ruthless, but in reality, he is kind-hearted. Even someone like me, who has been neglected, received his compassion," Maru Hoshigake gratefully and reverently revealed to Hinata the lesser-known side of the Hokage.
His words greatly eased Hinata's nervousness.
As they spoke, the elevator door opened, and they arrived at the floor with the Hokage's office.
"Good luck, Miss Hinata," Maru Hoshigake said, stepping aside with a kind smile.
"Thank you, sir," Hinata replied, bowing again before summoning the courage to step out of the elevator and approach the Hokage's office door.
She took a deep breath, raised her hand, and gently knocked twice.
Thump thump.
No response came from inside.
"…"
Hinata grew anxious again, debating whether to knock again, when a low, cold voice came from within:
"Come in."
She trembled slightly, then stiffly pushed open the door and walked in.
Inside, Hinata was startled.
Not only was the Sixth Hokage, Uchiha Danzo, present, but also Kakashi and several ANBU members, along with Orochimaru, shackled and restrained. The atmosphere was tense and heavy.
As Hinata entered, all eyes turned to her, each gaze sharp and scrutinising.
"I-I'm sorry, Hokage-sama, for disturbing your work," Hinata stammered nervously, realising her bad timing.
Danzo observed the flustered girl and smiled, beckoning her over:
"No, you came at the right time. Make me some tea."
"Oh, okay."
Hinata snapped out of it, hurriedly setting down the files she was carrying and clumsily preparing the tea.
Danzo shifted his focus back to Orochimaru, asking nonchalantly:
"So, what is your plan?"
Gulp.
Orochimaru swallowed hard, feeling nearly as nervous as Hinata under Danzo's calm gaze.
After all.
Hinata might lose her job as the Hokage's secretary at most.
But Orochimaru's entire life depended on convincing Uchiha Danzo with his next words.
So, he took the opportunity to explain his plan to revive the Nine-Tails.
"From what I know, the Konoha Museum houses several masks from the Uzumaki Clan's Mask Temple, including the Death God mask that I need.
By wearing that mask, I can summon the Shinigami that performs the Reaper Death Seal, then cut open its stomach to release the Fourth Hokage's soul.
After that, I can use the Edo Tensei to fully revive the Fourth Hokage, allowing you to extract half of the Nine-Tails sealed within him.
However.
I will need a sacrificial body to avoid the Shinigami's curse during this process. Reviving the Fourth Hokage will also require a sacrifice, which I hope Konoha can provide…"
Orochimaru spoke cautiously, watching Danzo's expression.
But Danzo's face remained impassive, showing no reaction.
After hearing Orochimaru's plan.
"Hmm..."
Danzo leaned back in his chair, rhythmically tapping the desk with his index finger, clearly in thought.
Hinata, listening quietly, was shocked.
On her first day at work, in the very first minute, she had already heard such explosive information. No wonder—
Her father and the Hyuga Clan had worked so hard to secure this position for her as the Hokage's secretary.
Working beside the Sixth Hokage indeed allows access to many top-secret documents and helps in understanding the village's future policies through his decisions and commands.
This role would undoubtedly help the Hyuga clan thrive better in Konoha.
This was Hinata's family mission.
Could someone as insignificant as herself make a significant contribution to her clan? Father, I won't let you down this time.
With that thought, Hinata's eyes filled with determination, and she no longer felt timid or nervous.
Carrying the freshly brewed tea, she walked over to Dan, carefully placing it on the desk:
"Hokage-sama, your tea."
"Thank you."
Dan picked up the cup, took a sip, then frowned and put it down. "It's a bit hot, blow on it for me."
"Sorry!"
Hinata's newfound confidence crumbled instantly.
She quickly bent down, cradled the teacup with both hands and stepped aside to blow on it carefully.
Dan glanced at Orochimaru, seeing the latter's forehead drenched in cold sweat, looking terrified. He couldn't help but snicker.
Pathetic.
He shook his head and decided not to toy with Orochimaru any longer. He spoke aloud:
"No problem, as long as you give me the Nine-Tails, I'll spare your life. Additionally, I know someone who can provide an excellent sacrifice for this plan."
"Hokage-sama is wise."
Orochimaru was quickly flattered, finally relieved and smiling involuntarily.
His life was saved.
"Kakashi, take him to the underground chamber at the Naka Shrine and wait."
Dan ordered, and Kakashi bowed, leading Orochimaru and the Anbu out.
In the blink of an eye, only Dan and Hinata remained in the office.
Seeing Hinata still blowing on the tea, Dan stood up, took the cup from her, and drank it in one gulp.
"A bit bitter." He tasted it and gave a bland evaluation.
"Sorry, Hokage-sama!"
Hinata reflexively bowed, making it her third apology today, even though she hadn't been on duty for ten minutes.
She had messed up.
"Apologies aren't enough."
Dan looked at Hinata, making her heart race and her body tremble with fear.
Was she going to be fired on her first day?
If so, she couldn't face her father and the Hyuga clan, and she'd become a laughingstock in all of Konoha.
Just thinking about it made her feel desperate and helpless, tears welling up in her eyes.
About to cry?
Dan looked at the pitiful girl before him. Her frail and helpless appearance stirred a protective instinct in men, but such a useless person couldn't be his secretary.
"Hinata, you don't want to lose this job on your first day, right?"
Dan's words were thick with threat.
Hinata's wide, watery eyes grew even wider. Her greatest fear was becoming a reality: the Hokage wanted to fire her.
No, this couldn't happen.
She clenched her fists, summoned all her courage, and said loudly to Dan:
"Please give me another chance. I... I'm willing to do anything!"
"Good!"
Dan's eyes sparkled. This was what he had been waiting for, making it easy to control her.
He placed a large hand on Hinata's shoulder, seating her in the Hokage's chair:
"I have some errands to run. As my secretary, your job is to handle all Konoha's affairs in my absence."
Hinata was petrified.
She had considered many possibilities but never expected this.
"But, Hokage-sama…"
Hinata looked up at Dan, her face full of fear.
She must have heard wrong, right?
Was she supposed to wield the Hokage's authority on her first day at work? How absurd!
"Don't worry, just sign and stamp the documents. If you have any questions, ask the deputy village chief or the advisors. I'm counting on you."
Dan entrusted her with a solemn face, then disappeared in a flash.
After Dan vanished, Hinata slowly came to her senses, staring at the mountain of documents on the desk. She murmured:
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
(End of Chapter)