Tsunade Can Hear My Inner Voice

Konoha, Main Gate

Kamizuki Hikari stood at the village gate with the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, along with Asama Sandayū and Kazahana Koyuki, who was currently using the alias Fujikaze Yukie.

To be more precise, an unconscious Kazahana Koyuki.

Originally, Sandayū had suggested bringing along the film crew, but Hikari had mercilessly shot down the idea.

What a joke! This was a shinobi mission, one tied to Koyuki's return to reclaim her country. Did they think this was some carefree trip with no danger involved?

After Hikari's righteous persuasion, Sandayū came to a profound realization of his mistake and swore not to meddle in Konoha shinobi affairs again.

In any case, things had been settled amicably.

"Hikari-senpai, are you really leaving?" Tenten, who had waited in vain for him yesterday, had now arrived at the gate alongside Maito Gai, Neji, and Lee.

"Of course!" Hikari gently ruffled Tenten's hair, feeling a warmth in his heart at her unwavering trust in him. "This is a mission assigned by the Hokage herself. Did you think I could refuse?"

Tenten pouted, clearly unhappy.

"Yesterday, I asked Gai-sensei if I could join you on the mission, but he didn't manage to make it happen!"

Beside her, Maito Gai scratched his head awkwardly. He, too, had been a little worried about Hikari's first major mission. Originally, he had wanted to accompany him, but Tsunade had informed him that he had more important duties ahead, leaving Gai with no choice.

"It's alright—I'm pretty strong. Aside from your usual training, try to avoid unnecessary contact with outsiders, though people like Kakashi and Shizune are fine. Got it?" Hikari said.

Gai's combat prowess was undeniable, but his mind wasn't exactly wired for politics. His focus was purely on taijutsu training—a fact that left Hikari somewhat resigned.

When the heavens created Maito Gai, they poured all his talent into taijutsu. His brilliance was limited to combat and physical training; when it came to politics, he was utterly clueless.

"Got it!" Tenten hesitated for a moment before boldly stepping forward and wrapping her arms around Hikari's waist.

"Hikari-senpai, you have to be careful!"

"Relax, relax, it's no big deal!" Hikari patted her back reassuringly.

"If anything happens to you, I'll—"

Before she could finish, Hikari flicked her forehead sharply.

"Don't jinx it. Gai, take them to train. Look at the three of you—you've all gotten a bit chubby lately. Must be slacking off!"

"Gai! Youth waits for no one!"

"I knew you'd understand me, Hikari! Waaah!" Tears streamed down Gai's face as he was moved to emotional outburst.

Nearby, Sandayū watched the bizarre scene unfold, his heart filled with doubt.

Could these people really help fulfill their dream of restoring their country?

"Alright, we'll celebrate properly when I get back. For now—move out!"

Hikari gently pushed Tenten aside and signaled for Team Ino-Shika-Chō to follow. With Koyuki in tow, the group set off into the distance.

"Come on, Tenten! Youth does not tolerate laziness!" Gai comforted her in his own unique way, flashing a thumbs-up and his signature gleaming white teeth.

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Utatane Koharu's Residence

Asuma stood in the courtyard, his expression calm as he observed Koharu and Homura sharing the same space.

These two old relics, well past their prime, could only talk a big game—unlike him and Kurenai, who could revel in passion night after night. If only he'd become the Fifth Hokage, he could've married Kurenai properly.

"Good morning, Advisors. Did you rest well last night?"

"Old people don't sleep much. Not like you youngsters, who can sleep soundly." Koharu smiled warmly at Asuma—so warmly that one might mistake it for romantic interest.

"Advisors, you're still in your prime! Konoha still needs your wisdom and guidance. How can you call yourselves old?" Asuma shamelessly flattered them.

Koharu's eyes almost crinkled into crescents from sheer delight.

"The storm last night was quite intense."

Asuma nodded. They weren't talking about the weather but rather Tsunade's recent moves.

"It was a bit intense, yes. Without your guidance, many things were handled... less than gracefully."

"Well said. I like the way you think." Homura chuckled approvingly.

"And I assume that young man has left the village by now?" he added.

Though no names were mentioned, all three knew exactly who he meant.

Kamizuki Hikari.

A man who instilled fear in Koharu and Homura—one they dreaded facing.

To be precise, it was his face that unsettled them. Every time they saw him, they were reminded of the late Second Hokage. If Tobirama had known half of what they had done over the years, he would have skinned them alive without hesitation.

The fact that Tobirama was long dead was their only consolation.

But Kamizuki Hikari was alive, hovering around Tsunade like a specter. More than once, the two elders had wondered if the Second Hokage had somehow returned from the grave, leaving them sleepless for many nights.

"I watched them leave with my own eyes. Though it's a shame—Nara Shikaku actually dared to ignore my goodwill!" Asuma's expression darkened, sending a chill down Homura's spine.

'This look in Asuma's eyes... It's just like Hiruzen back in the day.'

Koharu, however, gazed at Asuma with a grandmotherly fondness.

"Don't worry. The Ino-Shika-Chō clans are, to put it nicely, loyal supporters of the Hokage. To put it bluntly, they're opportunists—they'll follow whoever sits in that seat. Asking Shikaku to formally let Shikamaru become your disciple would be like asking a fox to give up its cunning."

She then gave Asuma a meaningful look.

"Rest assured, every hardship and humiliation you've endured will one day be repaid tenfold."

Asuma took a deep breath and nodded. "Thank you both for your support. With your guidance, I'll correct the course of Konoha and lead it to greatness."

"Because you're doing the right thing, Asuma. We've watched you grow up—to us, you're no different from our own kin. It's getting late now, so you should head back. Everything has been arranged outside the village. That eyesore will never return to Konoha."

"Then I'll take my leave, Advisors." Asuma bowed respectfully.

The two elders watched him go in silence. Only after half an hour had passed did they exchange glances.

Homura was the first to speak. "Koharu... are we doing the right thing?"

"Right or wrong, does it even matter now?" Koharu's eyes held a faint trace of mockery.

'Pathetic. If only you had ambition, Homura. If only I had been born a man—then the Third Hokage would have been me!'

"We've come too far to turn back now, haven't we?" she added.

Homura nodded slowly before letting out a long sigh.

"Sigh..."

His sigh carried exhaustion and unease. These days, he felt older than ever.

Power... it was something you could neither live with nor without.

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