Konoha: Gu Master

Before dawn broke, Shizune was already awake.

To be precise, she hadn't really slept much.

The events of the day ahead filled her with anxious anticipation. For her, it was a thrilling challenge.

Shizune glanced at the sky, patted her cheeks with both hands, and steadied herself. She needed to act quickly.

If Tsunade woke up, things would become much more complicated.

She got out of bed, stood up, and slipped out of her nightgown.

A wave of cold air made her instinctively cross her arms over her chest.

Taking a deep breath, she grabbed the maid outfit she had prepared beside her bed.

Once she had it on, her body immediately felt warmer.

The last piece was the white stockings.

Sitting on the edge of her bed, Shizune carefully pinched the hem of the stockings, raising her foot and sliding them up her pale, smooth legs until they stopped just above her thighs.

In no time, she was fully dressed.

Feeling both nervous and determined, she stepped out of her room.

Barefoot, her white stocking-clad feet made no noise as they moved across the floor.

When she reached Shinho's door, she pulled out a key.

The sound of the lock turning roused Shinho, who instinctively sat up.

For a brief moment, he wondered if a thief had broken in.

However, seeing Shizune enter, he lowered his guard.

Although she didn't explain, her attire—a white stocking maid outfit—made her intentions clear.

"G-Good morning, Shinho," Shizune stammered, mustering her courage as she walked over and handed him a beautifully wrapped gift box. "Happy birthday!"

"Thank you," Shinho said, accepting the box with a smile. "You're the first to give me a gift today."

"I've given you your gift, so I won't disturb your rest," Shizune said hurriedly, avoiding his gaze as she turned to leave.

"Wait," Shinho called after her.

She stopped just shy of the door, hesitating for a moment before turning back. "I-Is there something else?"

"Is this the only gift?" Shinho asked as he got out of bed and approached her.

"Huh?" Shizune's heart raced under his steady gaze.

"You're already dressed as a maid. Wouldn't it be a waste not to play the part?" Shinho teased.

"I…" Shizune's voice caught as she glanced away, unable to meet his eyes.

Shinho said nothing further, simply waiting.

"Happy birthday, M-Master!" Shizune finally blurted out, closing her eyes tightly. 

She bent slightly at the waist, her white-stockinged legs bending gracefully. The second half of her sentence came out in a rush, as though she were fleeing from invisible pursuers.

Shinho found her flushed face both adorable and amusing.

Reaching out, he gently tilted her chin up.

"C-Can I go now?" Shizune asked, her voice trembling with panic.

"What's on your lips?" Shinho asked, noticing the glossy sheen that made them look soft and inviting.

"What?" Shizune blinked in confusion, only to freeze as he leaned in and kissed her.

Her mind went blank, overwhelmed by a sensation she had never experienced before.

For a moment, she felt just as she had during her first mission outside the village—helpless and unsure of what to do.

All she could do was accept the "lesson."

Her body softened as a wave of dizziness and breathlessness washed over her.

Shinho, ever considerate, wrapped an arm around her to support her.

When the two finally separated, Shizune stumbled back, pressing herself against the wall.

"N-No… Tsunade-sama will wake up soon," she stammered before fleeing back to her room.

Once inside, she pressed her hands to her face.

Her cheeks burned, and a light sheen of sweat glistened on her pale neck.

Shinho's unexpected move was something she had never imagined, yet she couldn't muster any anger or rejection.

…

"That went well," Shinho said to himself, watching her retreating figure with a sly grin.

He had expected resistance or at least a stronger reaction but was pleasantly surprised by how cooperative she had been.

It wouldn't be long now before he won her over completely.

Tsunade, however, would be a far tougher challenge.

First, he'd need to redefine their relationship from teacher and student to something more personal.

Yawning, Shinho opened the curtains and watched the snow falling outside.

Winter's season had arrived again.

He summoned two Primeval stones into his palm, produced by the Heavenly Essence Treasure Monarch Lotus.

The presence of Primeval Stones had significantly accelerated his cultivation, giving him hope of reaching the rank-5 before the Akatsuki made their next move.

While he wasn't sure of the exact timeline, he estimated about four to five months remained.

He already had a plan: if the original storyline held, the Three-Tails Hunt would occur before Gaara's capture.

All he had to do was send people to stake out the Three-Tails' location in advance.

…

Half an hour later, a knock at the door interrupted his thoughts.

Shinho ended his meditation and went to answer it.

Finding no one outside, he smiled knowingly—it could only be Shizune, pulling a "knock-and-run."

Amused, he made his way to the kitchen and tapped on the door.

Shizune turned, saw him, and quickly looked away.

"Shizune-nee, don't you want to see me?" Shinho asked playfully.

"N-No," Shizune replied softly, focusing on the pot of soup on the stove. "I'm making soup."

"Rice cake soup again today?" Shinho asked, peering into the pot.

"Yes," Shizune replied, but her body stiffened as she felt a warm hand on her thigh.

"You're still wearing the white stockings," Shinho observed with a chuckle.

Shizune had changed out of the maid outfit but had forgotten to remove the white stockings, a detail that did not escape him.

"I-I just forgot…" Shizune tried to explain.

"Always being so stubborn," Shinho teased. "You weren't so stiff earlier."

Shizune's face turned scarlet.

Before she could respond, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed nearby.

It was Tsunade.

Shizune panicked, her heart pounding as she looked at Shinho with pleading eyes.

"Carry on," Shinho whispered, stepping back from the kitchen.

At the doorway, he greeted a groggy Tsunade, still dressed in her sleepwear, her hair sticking up in messy tufts.

"Good morning, Sensei," Shinho said, extending a hand.

"What are you doing?" Tsunade asked suspiciously, grabbing his wrist.

"Your hair," Shinho replied, gesturing to her head.

"Oh." Tsunade released him, letting him smooth it down.

Since giving her the Lifespan Gu, their interactions had become more casual—or rather, more natural.

Even Tsunade herself wasn't sure how she felt about it anymore.

All she could do was take it one step at a time.

Shizune glanced back at the two from the kitchen, feeling an odd pang in her heart.

She quickly shook it off.

Given their respective roles and ages, such a thing was unlikely… wasn't it?

…

Ten minutes later, the three sat at the breakfast table.

"Guests should start arriving around dusk," Tsunade said between bites of rice cake soup. "Shizune, you'll wait outside to greet them."

"Understood," Shizune replied distractedly, already planning to remove the stockings before heading to the door. 

Being spotted wearing them by outsiders would be truly embarrassing.

"You, too," Tsunade said, looking at Shinho. "You're the star of the night—don't wander off."

"I know," Shinho assured her. 

He always knew when to behave.

After breakfast, Tsunade and Shizune headed to the Hokage Building. Shinho followed them, but, on the way, he ran into several of his friends: Shikamaru Nara, Sasuke Uchiha, Hinata Hyuga, Neji Hyuga, and more.

Everyone close to him was there.

As for why they'd come, it needed no explanation.

Tsunade, in a rare show of understanding, allowed him to stay.

"Shinho-kun!" Ino Yamanaka called out, smiling brightly as she and Hinata carried a massive cake between them.

Eighteen candles adorned the top, along with a cheerful "Happy Birthday" message.

"Let me help," Shinho offered, stepping forward.

"No way!" Ino refused. "You're the birthday star today."

"Shinho, let me tell you," Kiba said with a wink, "we offered to help carry it, but they wouldn't let us."

"Stop saying things like that!" Ino protested, flustered as her cheeks turned pink under the group's laughter.

Hinata, even shyer, hung her head so low it seemed she might disappear into her clothes.

Ino Yamanaka glanced at Hinata Hyuga and felt a pang of envy.

Among their peers, Hinata was the first to mature into such a well-developed figure.

Is it because she eats so much? Ino wondered silently.

"Alright, alright, I'll stop talking," Kiba said, grinning. "But Akamaru might not."

"Woof! Woof!" Akamaru barked enthusiastically, playing along.

The lively atmosphere was filled with laughter.

…

"Come inside," Shinho Aburame said, opening the door with a smile.

"Ladies first—Ino and Hinata," Shikamaru Nara said, stopping Choji Akimichi, who seemed eager to get to the cake.

"Let's go," Ino huffed, glancing at Shikamaru before stepping inside.

Hinata, blushing furiously, cast a quick glance at Shinho before nodding shyly and following.

"You're in trouble, Shikamaru," Tenten teased. "Ino's got her eye on you."

"…" Shikamaru groaned. "I was trying to help her."

"You should learn from your girlfriend, Shikamaru," Kiba joked.

"Girlfriend? What girlfriend?" Shikamaru's eyes widened in disbelief. "It's way too early for that."

Not long ago, Sunagakure hosted a joint Chunin Exam.

In the original timeline, characters like Neji Hyuga, Hinata Hyuga, and Sakura Haruno had participated.

However, due to Shinho's involvement and the butterfly effect, many had already been promoted to Chunin earlier.

Still, some things remained consistent—Shikamaru Nara and Temari served as proctors, deepening their connection.

"Who's lighting the candles?" Shinho asked, glancing at the cake. "You do it, Sasuke."

Sasuke hesitated briefly before stepping forward.

While he had yet to awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan, his abilities had improved significantly over the past two years.

He extended a finger, and after a few moments, a small flame flickered at its tip, lighting the candles one by one.

"I'll close the curtains," Sakura volunteered, rushing to the window.

"It's still a bit bright," Ino remarked with mild disappointment.

Shino Aburame adjusted his glasses as his kikaichu emerged from his sleeves, quickly covering the curtains and dimming the room significantly.

"Nice trick," Shikamaru said with a chuckle.

"All done," Sasuke said, stepping back after lighting all the candles.

"Make a wish!" Karin Uzumaki said excitedly, leaning in close to Shinho.

Ino promptly pulled her back. "The wish is for Shinho-kun to make, not you," she chided.

Shinho stood before the cake, closed his eyes, and silently made his wish.

A few seconds later, he blew out the candles.

"What did you wish for, Shinho-kun?" Karin asked curiously.

"Birthday wishes shouldn't be spoken aloud," Shinho replied, grabbing a knife. "I'll cut the cake."

"I want the piece with the most chocolate!" Ino said eagerly.

"Me too!" Karin added quickly, unwilling to be left behind.

Hinata hesitated, looking like she wanted to speak but couldn't muster the courage.

She knew the significance of chocolate but felt too shy to express her desire in front of everyone.

"There's enough for everyone," Shinho assured, slicing the cake and handing a piece to each of them.

Shikamaru watched in stunned silence.

Dealing with Temari alone was already exhausting for him, yet Shinho was juggling three girls at once.

Even with his high IQ, Shikamaru couldn't fathom how Shinho managed such a situation.

What baffled him even more was that all three girls seemed genuinely happy after receiving their chocolate-laden slices.

The cake was large, and with Hinata and Choji around, there was no risk of leftovers.

Once the birthday celebration ended, everyone left.

…

By dusk, they all gathered again—this time with their families.

The area outside the Senju estate was decorated magnificently, adorned with lights and festive ornaments.

The indoor space was too small to accommodate all the guests, so tables were set up outdoors for a grand banquet.

Shinho and Shizune served as greeters, exchanging pleasantries and guiding guests to their assigned seats.

The main table was reserved for clan heads, with nearby tables for prominent Jonin such as Kakashi Hatake.

Shikamaru and his peers were seated at a cluster of tables further north—essentially the "kids' section."

…

By 7 PM, all seats were filled.

"Everyone's here. Thank you for your hard work, Shizune-nee," Shinho said, turning to her.

"It's nothing," Shizune replied with a shake of her head.

"I'll find a proper way to thank you later," Shinho said, leaning closer to pat her thigh lightly and whispering, "Why aren't you wearing the white stockings tonight?"

"B-Because…" Shizune stammered, her face turning crimson.

"Let's go enjoy the meal," Shinho said, refraining from teasing her further. With so many people around, they could be noticed at any moment.

"Shinho, over here!" Tsunade called from the main table, motioning for him to sit beside her.

Her right side was occupied by Hiashi Hyuga, Shikaku Nara, Inoichi Yamanaka, and Choza Akimichi.

To her left were an empty seat, followed by Mikoto Uchiha, Shino's father Aburame Shibi, and Asuma Sarutobi.

Technically, Shinho's age and status didn't warrant sitting at the main table.

But with Tsunade's invitation, no one raised an objection.

Moreover, the clan leaders present all had favorable ties to Shinho.

Hiashi Hyuga had a vested interest due to his daughter, Hinata.

Shikaku Nara and the rest of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio shared similar reasons involving Ino.

Aburame Shibi, naturally, supported his son.

Mikoto Uchiha, having watched Shinho grow up and knowing his friendship with Sasuke, also held no objections.

Tsunade noted the dynamics and realized that Shinho might secure the Hokage position without much effort.

Still, there was a potential complication:

Hinata Hyuga and Ino Yamanaka.

Should Shinho have to choose between them, how would he handle it?

Both the Hyuga clan and the Ino-Shika-Cho trio were influential in Konoha. Alienating either would have consequences.

However, this was Shinho's issue to resolve.

Tsunade had no intention of intervening. In fact, a part of her relished the prospect of him getting into trouble someday—it served him right for throwing his charm around left and right.

…

"Thank you all for attending Shinho's birthday banquet," Tsunade said, standing with a light cough. "Please, remain seated."

The guests, who had started to rise, exchanged glances and sat back down.

"Shinho is still young," Tsunade continued, raising her glass, "and may need your guidance going forward. I hope you'll look after him."

"Shinho's abilities speak for themselves," Shikaku Nara said earnestly.

As a member of the Hokage Guard Platoon, he often worked closely with Shinho and was well aware of his capabilities.

In truth, the clan heads present all knew that Shinho had essentially co-managed the village with Tsunade over the years.

"The first toast is to celebrate Shinho's birthday," Tsunade said with a smile.

Everyone raised their glasses in unison, Shinho included.

"Let's enjoy the hearty meal, no need for formality," Tsunade said, sitting back down and picking up her chopsticks.

Shinho glanced over at Hinata and the others, who were enjoying themselves with ease.

In his previous life, he had never been fond of dining with superiors.

Halfway through the meal, Tsunade cleared her throat. "I have a matter to discuss with all of you."

"What is it, Hokage-sama?" Shikaku asked, already suspecting what was coming.

Under normal circumstances, such an extravagant banquet wouldn't be held for a junior's birthday.

"I've been Hokage for nearly a decade now," Tsunade said, setting down her chopsticks. "It's time to pass the torch to someone younger."

The room fell silent as the clan heads exchanged glances.

Shikaku instinctively looked at Shinho.

Could he become the youngest Hokage in history?

"Who do you think should be the next Hokage?" Tsunade asked casually.

The silence deepened.

Becoming Hokage was no small matter, and many at the table harbored their own ambitions or knew others who did.

Hiashi Hyuga, for example, understood that his chances were slim and decided against speaking up.

Asuma Sarutobi, while not personally interested, was aware of his clan's aspirations for him to assume the role.

Finally, Shikaku broke the silence. "Hokage-sama, do you have a candidate in mind?"

"I choose Shinho," Tsunade nodded, talking decisively, earning a look of approval from Shikaku.

The reactions around the table varied.

Aburame Shibi couldn't hide his excitement.

Mikoto Uchiha was both surprised and pleased—Shinho becoming Hokage would undoubtedly benefit the Uchiha clan.

Hiashi Hyuga and Asuma Sarutobi, however, were visibly stunned.

At Shinho's age, they had assumed he might eventually become the Seventh Hokage, with someone else serving as the Sixth in the interim.

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