"Lord Hokage, this... this organization of yours sounds full of elites. With an old geezer like me in the mix…wouldn't that be awkward?."
"Besides, I'm old. My regular work already takes up all my energy. I really don't have the strength to contribute to any organizations." Homura's forehead was sweating as he hastily refused.
'What kind of crazy group was this?
'The entrance exam required going to the front lines! Just say you want to get rid of me you chunni bastard.
'This little Hokage might be young, but he's certainly cunning.
'Fortunately, this old man has been around the Hokage for years. I've seen it all! Trying to trick me into leading a team to the front lines? Hah! No way!'
Beside them, Kurenai couldn't help but let out a giggle.
This old man, who usually wouldn't even respectfully call 'Hokage' if his life depended on it, actually used 'Lord Hokage' to address natsuki!
It showed just how much he feared joining Natsuki's bizarre congregation.
However, her little brother was now the Hokage.
She needed to keep an eye on him and prevent him from saying anything reckless.
He couldn't afford to offend all the higher-ups in Konoha at once. There was a right pace and rhythm to doing things like that!
With that in mind, Kurenai stepped forward to mediate. "Absolutely, Elder Homura is already busy enough. Natsuki, don't make things difficult for him."
"You've got a point. Having this old geezer join would drag down my congregation's average," Natsuki said, frowning and nodding in agreement. "Forget it then."
Homura was speechless.
'I was just being humble! Did you really think those brats in your organization could beat me?
'Still… who's this Beastmaster of Retribution? And the Second Mage? Their titles sounds impressive, but they're probably just his chunni tendencies acting up.
'And that Giant of Light... sounds suspiciously like that fat kid, Choji Akimichi, and his Ultraman transformation.
'If he does really transform into a Giant of Light, then maybe, just maybe, I wouldn't stand a chance.
'Forget it. It's best to avoid these violent affairs.
'I don't need to worry about such things. I'm not like Danzo, who covets the Hokage seat. As long as they don't strip me of my advisor position and kick me out of Konoha's leadership, everything is fine.'
With anyone else as as the Hokage, Homura's influence would decrease significantly.
But with Natsuki as the Hokage, who doesn't respect seniors or elders, things actually worked in the old man's favor.
'When he inevitably clashes with the other clan heads and elders, they'll need to rely on this old man to resolve things.
'In the end, everyone will realize that I, Homura, am indispensable to Konoha.
'Besides, he seemed to listen to his sister quite a bit. And from what we've seen so far, she's loyal to Konoha and respects her elders. I can just have her relay messages.
'I'll just have to praise her work more often and get on her good side.'
"By the way, Fifth Hokage, the missive from the Land of Fire's Daimyo has arrived," Homura said, as if he'd just remembered, pulling a scroll from his pocket and presenting it.
"The Land of Fire's Daimyo?" Natsuki frowned, taking the scroll.
"Yes, the Daimyo is the nominal supreme leader of the Land of Fire," Homura explained with a smile. "All the tax revenue flows to him, and he commands countless samurai. While we Konoha ninja are the most powerful fighting force in the Land of Fire, we don't produce anything.
"Our expenses rely on the Daimyo and the feudal lords' provisions and mission bounties. He has approved your appointment as the Fifth Hokage. You simply need to travel to the Land of Fire's capital in five days to meet him."
Natsuki unfurled the scroll.
As expected, it stated that the current Daimyo of the Land of Fire approved of his appointment as the Fifth Hokage and summoned him to the capital in five days for the official investiture.
"Me? The Hokage, going to see some Daimyo? You've got it all backward!" Natsuki snorted, casually flicking his wrist.
The Tenseigan activated.
BOOM!!!
The scroll shot out like a cannonball, blasting through the window and vanishing into the sky in the blink of an eye.
"Ah? This..." Homura jumped in fright, quickly trying to persuade him.
"Lord Hokage, this is the established procedure. Every Hokage needs the Daimyo's approval and authorization upon taking office.
"It's just a formality, a way to demonstrate the Daimyo's supreme authority in the Land of Fire. Even the Third Hokage went through this."
Natsuki didn't even glance at Homura. He turned, sat back in the Hokage's chair, and said with a chilling air, "Tell the Daimyo... tell him to come see me.
"Why should the strong seek approval from the weak?" Natsuki questioned.
"I don't care how previous Hokage were appointed. The Daimyo will come to me.
"Let's set the date to be in the Hokage inauguration ceremony in ten days. If the Daimyo doesn't come, then I won't acknowledge him as Daimyo." He continued, his voice growing colder.
"We won't send a single ninja to the borders with Iwa and Kumo. If our land is invaded, let the citizens decide who is to blame!"
Homura was stunned.
Good heavens! Every other Hokage had gone to the Daimyo for the formalization of them taking office.
But this guy not only refused to go, he demanded the Daimyo come to him! This Fifth Hokage was incredibly arrogant!
Homura could already imagine the Daimyo's furious reaction.
He was about to berate the young Hokage for his arbitrary decision, but he was met with a pair of icy, heterochromatic eyes.
Natsuki's normally beautiful ocean blue and pale gold eyes were now filled with a chilling, daunting aura.
A gust of wind blew, carrying a bone-chilling killing intent and immense pressure that washed over him, threatening to crush him into dust.
Gulp!
Homura swallowed hard, sweat pouring down his forehead.
"L-Lord Hokage, please calm down! It's really just a formality. The Daimyo doesn't interfere with our choice of Hokage. Otherwise, your age would have been an issue already. The Daimyo wants the name, and we want the benefits.
"This is a recognized formality in the ninja world. If we offend the Daimyo and break this tradition, we'll be attacked by every nation!" Homura pleaded, terrified that this hothead, chunni bastard, would not only want to be Hokage of Konoha but also the Daimyo of the Land of Fire.
"Did I say I wanted to harm the Daimyo?" Natsuki said coldly.
"Huh?" Homura was dumbfounded.
He had been so scared by the young Hokage's words and killing intent that he hadn't thought things through.
Now that he considered it, the Fifth Hokage hadn't actually said he would kill the Daimyo.
Phew, that was a relief at least.
"I'm merely asking you to invite the Daimyo to Konoha in ten days to observe my inauguration ceremony," Natsuki clarified.
"And while he's at it, he can bring the documents formalizing my appointment and save me a trip. Konoha has just experienced unrest, and the other nations are watching us like hawks.
"As the greatest fighting force in the Land of Fire, the Fifth Hokage cannot leave the village. Do you understand?" Natsuki tapped the table, emphasizing each word.
"Ah? Oh! So that's what it is..." Homura nodded, indicating his understanding.
Before he could finish, Natsuki cut him off. "Since Advisor Homura understands and agrees, then I'll leave the matter of inviting the Daimyo to you.
"If you can't even accomplish this, then it proves you're truly too old and it's time for your old bones to retire. Advisor Kurenai, see our Elder out. I'm tired and need of some rest."
Kurenai stifled a laugh.
With a serious expression, she stepped forward, blocking Homura's bewildered gaze towards Natsuki.
"Elder Homura, we'll have to trouble you with this. After all, you're the expert when it comes to diplomacy and hospitality," she said, ushering him out of the Hokage's office.
BAM!!!
The door slammed shut behind him, and the chilling killing intent vanished.
Only then did Homura come to his senses.
He wanted to cry but had no tears. After years of participating in Konoha's political affairs, he had been outmaneuvered by a child!
It sounded nice, but it still amounted to forcing the Daimyo to come to Konoha.
The thought of facing the wrath of a Daimyo he could neither fight nor scold, and being outplayed by a young brat in his own village, filled Homura with frustration.
He didn't even remember how he left the Hokage Tower.