August 25.
Early this morning, Hinata and Hanabi arrived at Sasuke Uchiha's home.
"Izayoi-kun, Sasuke-kun, today is the ceremony for the Fifth Hokage's inauguration. I've brought some clothes for you both – see if they fit."
Neither Hinata nor Hanabi wore their usual kimonos. Instead, they both had on long pants with a white collared shirt, a bold red "Fire" character emblazoned across the back.
Because the fit was just right, Hinata's ample curves stretched the material into two "puffy rabbits" at her chest, all but guaranteed to become a talking point and draw envious and resentful stares from other women on the street.
"Thanks. Living way out here is a bit inconvenient," Izayoi said as he took the clothes, slinging them over his shoulder while continuing to pinch Hanabi's cheeks.
Hearing that, Sasuke raised an eyebrow, scanned Hinata and Izayoi, and then broke into a mischievous grin. Accepting his own outfit with a serious face, he remarked, "Thanks, sis-in-law."
"S-Sis-in-law…?"
Hinata's cheeks instantly turned scarlet, flustered by the impact of that form of address. Deep down, though, her opinion of Sasuke skyrocketed.
Recently she'd been secretly practicing the monstrous-strength punches Izayoi taught her, thinking about trying them out on Sasuke in their next spar. But now, she reconsidered—maybe she'd let him off.
Izayoi also shot Sasuke a look of surprise, unable to believe this normally stuck-up "Second Young Master" would utter such a thing. But the next moment, Izayoi caught a glimpse of Sasuke's mischievous expression.
So Izayoi smiled.
"Just saying 'thanks' isn't enough, so let me teach you a phrase of blessing."
"A phrase of blessing?" Sasuke asked automatically.
"It's something you say for the New Year's holiday. But you can't say it in Japanese—here, I'll teach you…"
Izayoi cleared his throat, then faced an empty spot and spoke slowly in a different tongue:
"Happy New Year, big bro and sis-in-law! You're my grandpa, and I'm your grandson!"
"Happy… New Year… big bro… sis-in-law… you are… my grandpa… I am your… grandson," Sasuke repeated, accent rather comical. But catching a fleeting smirk on Izayoi's face, he instantly grew stern. "You scumbag! You tricked me again!"
"No, I wasn't—"
"I saw that sidelong glance you gave; damn you!"
"Oops, guess I got caught!" said Izayoi in mock surprise.
"Onii-chan, he tricked you first, so you basically gave yourself away," Hanabi helpfully pointed out.
Izayoi retorted in all seriousness,
"Sasuke, how shameless. Lying is a terrible habit."
"I'll kill you!"
Realizing he'd been trolled yet again, Sasuke lunged forward to beat Izayoi. With a casual sidestep, Izayoi easily dodged and jabbed a fingertip at one of Sasuke's acupuncture points. Sasuke froze on the spot, shivering with numbing tingles radiating through his limbs, unable to move.
"You still need more training, Sasuke-kun," Izayoi teased, patting Sasuke's shoulder before heading inside to change clothes.
Seeing Hinata and Hanabi stifling their giggles, Sasuke's face reddened. He, too, vanished into another room to get dressed.
A few minutes later, four young people wearing white shirts emerged from the now less lonely Uchiha district, chatting lightheartedly as they headed toward downtown Konoha.
They passed the site of Izayoi's future home, noticing that the new house was already taking shape. In a world of ninjutsu, plenty of obstacles could be solved with ninja techniques and the universal lubricant of money—construction progressed at a pace far beyond anything imaginable in Izayoi's former life.
The inauguration ceremony was held at the Hokage Building. Even before they arrived, the streets below the building were thronged with people, shoulder to shoulder. Those who hadn't managed to secure a good vantage point simply jumped onto utility poles or clung to walls and rooftops.
Izayoi and friends arrived late and ended up standing way in the back.
"Onii-chan, give me a piggyback ride," Hanabi tugged on his sleeve.
"Sure."
Izayoi gave a nod, squatting so Hanabi could climb onto his shoulders. Holding her ankles, Izayoi straightened up, letting his little sister-in-law see over the crowd at the Hokage Building in the distance.
It wasn't long before Tsunade emerged on the building's rooftop, wearing her tan-green coat edged in black and holding the Hokage's hat.
"Lady Tsunade!"
"She's gorgeous! I can't believe I'm finally seeing the legendary Princess Tsunade in person!"
"Lady Tsunade's finally back. I'd never have become a ninja if she hadn't healed my leg—I'll follow her forever!"
The moment Tsunade appeared, the entire street erupted in cheers, so loud it seemed to shake the whole village, like frenzied fans meeting their idol.
Men and women, clan heirs and ordinary folks alike were all consumed with excitement and adoration. This kind of reception was something Jiraiya and Orochimaru could never have matched.
Even Hiruzen Sarutobi and Minato Namikaze hadn't enjoyed such unbridled popularity at their own inaugurations. That was the illustrious name of "Senju," recognized as the true lineage of Konoha.
The First and Second Hokage had brought peace to the ninja world and made Konoha so strong it could fight four adversaries simultaneously and still win.
Their granddaughter Tsunade also happened to be one of the Legendary Sannin, a renowned medical master. No one was better suited to be the Fifth Hokage!
Surely under her leadership, Konoha would become powerful once more—at least, that was the villagers' collective faith in the Senju clan.
"She's so pretty!"
Eyeing Tsunade's golden hair fluttering in the breeze—and that stunning figure that certainly hadn't sagged—Hinata murmured in awe,
"The books say Lady Hokage is about fifty-two years old, right? But she could pass for someone in her early thirties! How does she preserve herself so well?"
Izayoi smiled.
"See that diamond shape on her forehead?"
At his prompt, Hinata and Hanabi activated their Byakugan to examine Tsunade's forehead seal.
Even Sasuke grew curious enough to activate his Sharingan. Izayoi's next words caused all three to blink in surprise—Hinata and Hanabi in particular breaking into smiles.
"That seal is called the 'Yin Seal'—it's the S-rank jutsu I plan to teach you. It's a technique that stores chakra, boosts your physical condition, and grants rapid healing plus anti-aging."
"So it's for storing chakra, huh?" Sasuke murmured, excitement sparking in his eyes. Suddenly, all that study made perfect sense.
So did Hinata—though her motivation focused more on "staying youthful." Most girls care about beauty, and the more attractive they are, the more they yearn to preserve their youth. Hinata was no exception.
Even seven-year-old Hanabi perked up, clutching Izayoi's hair and pouting,
"Onii-chan, I wanna learn the Yin Seal, too."
"When you're older," Izayoi teased, half-threatening. "If you tried to learn it now, your body might end up stunted—maybe you'd never grow taller, or even if you do, you'd keep your current shape forever."
Hanabi stared at her flat chest, then at Hinata's "puffy rabbits," and frantically shook her head,
"Nuh-uh, never mind then!"
Standing in a far corner, with villagers cheering wildly, no one overheard their conversation. And even if they had, Izayoi wouldn't care; he had a perfectly good explanation for either monstrous strength or the Yin Seal.
Just then, a loud, booming voice rang out across the street:
"From this day forward, I am the Fifth Hokage of Konoha!"
Tsunade had placed the Hokage hat on her head, formally announcing Konoha's new era. The cheers grew even more deafening, echoing through the sky. Konoha with a Hokage was a wholly different village from one without.
In the days prior—before the council named Tsunade—although the village wasn't exactly lifeless, both ninja and civilians bore uncertainty in their eyes, fearful enemies might strike or war might resume at any moment. But with Tsunade now in charge, vitality instantly returned, and everyone's heart felt more secure.
…
The next day, the Hokage Building rebooted its mission system, and word quickly spread among outsiders, who flocked to Konoha in droves. Meanwhile, ninja who'd spent a long while idle finally had jobs again.
"I'm heading out on a mission."
At Sasuke's house, he'd just finished packing. Gazing at Izayoi—who lounged on the porch browsing an interior design book—Sasuke sneered, "If you're scared of living in the boonies by yourself, why not have Hinata stay here to keep you company? Or maybe sneak into the Hyūga clan so she can lull you to sleep."
"Oh."
Izayoi didn't even look up from his pages. "But if I get so freaked out I lose my mind, I might forget the Yin Seal method. So when you're off on your mission, remember to pray daily that nothing happens to me."
"…I wish you a long, healthy life!"
Sasuke ground out the words like a curse. After all, he hadn't forgotten Izayoi's whole ambition was to break free of mortal lifespans. Seeing Izayoi start to glance his way, Sasuke disappeared in a Body Flicker. At least he managed to depart on his own terms this time, his mood a tad lighter.
"Izayoi-kun…"
Moments after Sasuke left, Hinata's soft voice reached Izayoi's ears. She had appeared in front of him in a Body Flicker.
"Kurenai-sensei asked me to tell you: the Hokage wants to see us at once in her office."
Hearing this, Izayoi's eyes flickered with insight. Considering the timing and the fact that Tsunade summoned them both, he guessed her reason instantly. Smiling, he said, "Hinata, looks like you're about to get your wish."
"Eh?"
Hinata tilted her head in adorable confusion. Izayoi gave no further explanation, but tossed the book aside, then wrapped an arm around Hinata's waist, scooping her into a princess-carry and lifting off into the air.
"Eek—!"
First time ever flying in Izayoi's arms, Hinata yelped softly. Reflexively, she hugged his neck, gazing with shining eyes at the forest below and the city beyond. "Izayoi-kun, the village looks so pretty from up here."
"Is it pretty? I've seen it so many times that it's not much. But…" Izayoi trailed off, looking down at Hinata's curious face. He smiled. "You, I never get tired of looking at. I could stare at my photo album of you for days."
Vwoom—
The sudden "direct hit" sweet-talk sent heat rushing to Hinata's cheeks, her mind whirling like a steam whistle, face emanating a faint misty flush. Though her shyness and "immunity" had improved a lot compared to the old days, she was once again reduced to trembling in embarrassment, lowering her head and fidgeting with her fingers in Izayoi's embrace.
Yet, her lips curved upward in utter delight, unable to conceal the joy and sweetness in her heart. Izayoi momentarily regretted taking flight; if he had stayed on the ground, he might have quietly produced a Wood Clone to fetch the camera from a sealing scroll and snap a photo of Hinata in this "steam princess" state. But the romance of this moment was forever etched in both their memories—something they would never forget.
Outside the city center, Hinata asked Izayoi to land, and once he set her down, she patted her cheeks to calm herself. She then reached out and clasped his hand as they walked to the Hokage Building together—hand-in-hand was about as far as Hinata's shyness would allow in public. Linking arms would require leveling up her "immunity" a bit more.
Arriving at the office, they let go of each other's hands and entered in the capacity of mere "teammates." Izayoi rapped politely on the door.
Knock, knock…
Moments later, it swung open. A refined-looking woman with short black hair, wearing a grayish-black robe, stood there hugging a small pig. It was Shizune, Tsunade's personal assistant and aide.
"You must be Izayoi and Hinata, please come in." She smiled, stepping aside. "I'm Shizune, Hokage-sama's secretary. She's been waiting for you."
"Nice to meet you," Izayoi greeted. Hinata likewise gave a polite bow.
Inside, the first thing they noticed was Tsunade behind the desk, hands folded under her chin, quietly studying them.
"Hokage-sama." Izayoi and Hinata bowed.
"Yes."
Tsunade nodded, her tone firm and businesslike. "I called you here to meet the two best rookies from the Chūnin Exams. Your performances in the Final Stage were outstanding—winning both rounds, against the princess of our ally nation and a Jinchūriki of the One-Tail, delivering a decisive blow to their arrogance. Well done."
At the last part, Tsunade's expression broke into a smile, unreservedly praising them. But before Izayoi or Hinata could respond with humility, Tsunade's face returned to seriousness.
"I've gone through your files from the academy, plus your written-exam scores in the Chūnin Exams—everything checks out. Therefore," she declared, "I hereby, in my capacity as Fifth Hokage, promote Izayoi and Hinata Hyūga from genin to Chūnin!"
"Thank you, Lady Hokage."
Izayoi and Hinata bowed once more, the latter unable to hide her joy.
~~~
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