Konoha, Hokage's Office
The ever-dutiful Shizune continued reviewing a towering stack of documents, processing approvals with practiced efficiency. Not far from her, Kakashi had happily pulled out a copy of "Kiss Heaven" and was deeply engrossed in its pages.
Shizune watched him out of the corner of her eye, heart filled with sorrow.
She wasn't that unattractive, was she?
Yet Kakashi was reading a pervy book instead of sparing her a glance. Was there anything more heartbreaking in this world?
And Tsunade-sama? Off somewhere with Kamizuki Hikari, probably enjoying good food and drink while leaving her here like some kind of office tool... How cruel.
She really felt like crying.
'Such resentment!'
Kakashi, studying his little book for "educational purposes", suddenly snapped his head up. His left eye, with its three-tomoe Sharingan, couldn't help but whirl into Mangekyō form.
An almost tangible dark aura floated above Shizune's head. At first, Kakashi thought someone was trying to harm her. But then he realized... Shizune was the source of the aura.
'This woman is terrifying... 2D waifus are still the best.'
'The illustrations in Holy Light-sensei's latest work are absolutely top-tier.'
As Kakashi remained silent and offered no comfort, Shizune's resentment only deepened.
If this were a world filled with spirits and demons, her level of negativity could probably reincarnate her as a top-tier yokai with overwhelming power.
*Knock knock knock!*
"Come in!"
Snapping out of her gloomy thoughts, Shizune quickly composed herself and put on a professional smile.
The door opened, revealing Nara Shikaku with his signature pineapple hair.
"Shizune, these are the documents Tsunade-sama needs to review. Please take a look!"
After speaking, Shikaku stepped aside. Behind him, Akimichi Chōza marched in with a stack of documents half a meter tall.
Shizune: ...What do I do? I really want to cry now.
She had once dreamed of sweet romance, yet here she was—reduced to a mere office tool. And to make matters worse, there was a handsome man right in front of her, yet completely out of reach.
This is just too cruel...
Seeing the bitterness on her face, even Shikaku felt a little guilty.
It wasn't really his fault. Back during Orochimaru's "Konoha Crush" plan, although Konoha hadn't been completely destroyed, the damage was still extensive. Many shinobi died, and much of the infrastructure was damaged.
Following Konoha's regulations, all financial and material expenditures required the Hokage's approval. So really, he had no choice.
Kakashi shrank slightly, trying his best to minimize his presence.
'Don't look at me, don't look at me. I don't want to deal with a single one of those documents!'
Shizune rubbed her temples and nodded heavily. "Alright... Chōza, just put them over there, please."
Chōza placed the documents down and quietly took his leave.
He might be large and broad-shouldered, but he had a kind heart—much better than sly foxes like Shikaku. Seeing Shizune's repressed misery made him feel genuinely bad, so he exited quickly to lessen his own guilt.
"Ugh..."
Now that they were alone again, Shizune stood up and walked over to the window. She watched the villagers laughing and enjoying themselves, tears of envy streaming down her cheeks.
'Tsunade-sama was right. Becoming Hokage is a cursed job—I'd rather die than take it!'
Tsunade had gone to the capital to make a report, leaving this mountain of work to Shizune. It was hell. If she had the chance to do it all over again, she'd do everything she could to stop Tsunade from becoming Hokage.
Sure, they used to be chased by debt collectors all the time while traveling. But in hindsight, that life had its own kind of charm.
'Tsunade-sama, please come back soon... I can't hold on much longer.'
While Shizune was lost in thought, gazing out the window, Shikaku exchanged a glance with Kakashi. The two of them stealthily slipped away.
Once again at the Hokage Rock, Kakashi gave Shikaku a look.
"Can we pick a different spot next time?"
Shikaku chuckled. "What's wrong? Doesn't this place have the right atmosphere? Or is it interfering with your 'research material'?"
Kakashi silently stared at him with his signature dead-fish eye, making Shikaku's scalp tingle.
"Okay okay! My bad. I won't bring it up again."
Kakashi's expression softened. "I remember a certain someone stood in line to buy Holy Light-sensei's latest release..."
"Hahaha..." Shikaku broke into a cold sweat.
If Jiraiya's novels were known for their engaging plot and fine writing, Holy Light's works were renowned for their stunning illustrations. The alluring depictions of beautiful women made them irresistible to collectors—even those who didn't typically indulge in such material.
And unfortunately, Shikaku was exactly that kind of man.
No one understands men better than other men.
One could say that as long as a man still drew breath, he would never lose his appreciation for beauty.
It was an instinct carved into their very bones—unalterable, even in death.
"Let's get to the point." Kakashi said.
Shikaku nodded. "Tsunade-sama has successfully completed her report to the Daimyō. She should be back by tomorrow morning."
Kakashi's expression remained neutral, as if he didn't care much.
Shikaku continued, "I wanted to ask... regarding Asuma. If Tsunade-sama brings it up, what are you planning to say?"
"This doesn't really have much to do with me, does it?"
Kakashi's familiarity with Asuma was limited at best.
There were many things Kakashi chose not to voice, but that didn't mean he was unaware.
The Ino-Shika-Chō trio had been extremely respectful toward the Third Hokage while he was alive—even sending their kids to train under Asuma.
But now that Asuma's behavior had grown suspicious, Shikaku had sensed something amiss—and now he was trying to drag Kakashi into it.
"Come on, Kakashi, don't be so cold!"
"We've been through thick and thin together. If you won't help me in my time of need, what kind of comrade are you?"
Kakashi's expression relaxed slightly. This matter wasn't exactly complicated, but it wasn't simple either. It all came down to what Shikaku wanted to do.
"Some things are better settled sooner rather than later."
"Indecision invites disaster."
"No matter who's in power, no one likes fence-sitters."
Leaving behind that bit of advice, Kakashi vanished from Hokage Rock with a Body Flicker Technique.
"Sigh..."
Shikaku let out a long sigh.
As the brains behind the Ino-Shika-Chō trio, life wasn't easy for him either.
If Asuma hadn't made any unusual moves, they could have simply followed the status quo. After all, the Third Hokage had been Tsunade's teacher—even if their relationship wasn't the best, there was still that lingering sentiment.
But now, Asuma had left Konoha without warning. That made things... complicated.
For someone as sharp as Shikaku, the current situation wasn't difficult to grasp. The reason he had sought Kakashi's opinion was simple—Kakashi was a man of principle.
Ever since the death of his father, Hatake Sakumo, Kakashi had changed.
All that "mission over everything" talk? Lies to fool others—and himself.
His true stance was simple—he would stand firmly on the Hokage's side, no matter what.
"Looks like... it's time for me to make a decision too..."
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