In Naruto With Gacha Template

Chapter 178: Chapter 181: Hokage Guard and Hokage Secretary Natsuki

Shimura Danzo, fuming with impotent rage, ultimately had no choice but to sit back down.

Orochimaru had, in fact, given him an out.

He only asked him to compile the experiments Root wanted to conduct and send them to the Hokage’s office.

He didn’t order the Anbu to shut down the experiments currently being conducted by Root.

If he really investigated, he would definitely uncover many problems.

Realizing this, Shimura Danzo didn’t completely tear away all pretenses with Orochimaru.

After all, with Root’s power, they could entirely continue conducting experiments in secret.

It was just that compared to before, the risks were much higher.

"Second matter, restart the Hokage Guard Platoon."

Orochimaru continued.

Hearing "Hokage Guard Platoon," many Jonin in the meeting room perked up, showing expressions of anticipation and excitement.

The Hokage Guard Platoon, as the name suggested, existed to protect the Hokage.

It sounded like just a guard duty, but in reality, it was not.

When Sarutobi Hiruzen was the Third Hokage, he didn’t establish a Hokage Guard Platoon.

But when Senju Tobirama was the Second Hokage, he did.

The members of his Hokage Guard Platoon included Sarutobi Hiruzen, Shimura Danzo, Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, and Uchiha Kagami.

The members who survived to this day were either the Hokage or Konoha higher-ups.

In the original work, the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, also established a Hokage Guard Platoon.

For example, Shiranui Genma and Namiashi Raido.

However, because Namikaze Minato died young, and their strength was insufficient, none of them were heavily relied upon.

Undoubtedly, Orochimaru establishing the Hokage Guard Platoon now was meant to build his own faction.

"The members are tentatively set as Natsuki, Nawaki, Yakushi Nonou, Namikaze Minato, Uzumaki Kae, and Inuzuka Suzume." freewebnøvel.coɱ

Orochimaru read out in one breath.

Shimura Danzo, Utatane Koharu, and the others were not surprised.

Because the Hokage Guard Platoon chosen by the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, was mostly composed of his students.

Orochimaru only had three students.

But he had a close relationship with Jiraiya and Tsunade, so he added Jiraiya’s three students.

Tsunade’s student was Yakushi Nonou, who was also included.

Nawaki immediately pumped his fist excitedly.

If they weren’t in the meeting room, he would definitely have jumped up and cheered.

The most surprised were Uzumaki Kae and Inuzuka Suzume.

Namikaze Minato possessed the Flying Thunder God Technique and was powerful, so it was normal for him to be chosen for the Hokage Guard Platoon.

But the two of them felt a bit like they were just there to make up the numbers.

Uzumaki Kae was essentially not a Konoha ninja, just an exchange student sent by the Uzumaki clan.

As for Inuzuka Suzume, her strength was significantly inferior, and she didn’t have much fame either.

Jiraiya nodded in satisfaction.

Orochimaru had clearly given him enough face.

Tsunade glanced at the overjoyed Nawaki and couldn’t help but smile.

Joining the Hokage Guard Platoon brought him one step closer to his dream of becoming Hokage.

Although with Natsuki around, it would be very difficult for Nawaki to become the next Hokage, youth was capital, and anything was possible.

"Third matter, establish the Hokage Secretary Department to assist me in handling daily chores."

Orochimaru continued without pausing.

Hearing this, Shimura Danzo, Mitokado Homura, and Utatane Koharu subconsciously frowned.

The three of them—one Hokage Assistant and two Hokage Advisors—had the primary duty of advising the Hokage.

And the Hokage Secretary, theoretically speaking, had the same duties as them.

Although Orochimaru said it was to assist him in handling daily chores, none of the three quite believed it.

After all, the three of them were appointed by Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Now that Orochimaru was Hokage, he definitely wanted to replace them.

But they held high positions and had served for many years. Rashly replacing them would cause instability in Konoha.

Taking it slow was obviously a better method.

But what could they say?

Shimura Danzo had already proven earlier that Orochimaru came prepared.

If Orochimaru said everything was done according to the rules, they would have no counterargument.

Most importantly, the establishment of the Hokage Secretary Department gave the Jonin new hope for promotion.

If they opposed it, they would be opposing the Jonin.

"The members are tentatively set as Natsuki, Namikaze Minato, Nara Shikaku, and Uchiha Mikoto."

Not giving them a chance to react, Orochimaru finished announcing the candidates.

After he finished, a commotion inevitably arose in the meeting room.

The Hokage Guard Platoon was entirely composed of the students of Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya.

The rest of the Jonin had no chance.

But the Hokage Secretary Department was different. Two ninjas not from the Hokage lineage appeared.

They could understand Nara Shikaku’s inclusion.

Because the Nara clan had high intellects.

Whenever a major event occurred, the Hokage would consult them.

During wars, they were also frequently appointed as strategists.

But Uchiha Mikoto’s inclusion greatly surprised them.

They all understood the Uchiha clan’s status within the village.

They had also heard of their conflicts with Shimura Danzo and Root.

Many tacitly assumed that Sarutobi Hiruzen wanted to suppress the Uchiha clan a bit.

But Uchiha Mikoto becoming a Hokage Secretary...

This meant that Orochimaru, as Hokage, had a change in attitude toward the Uchiha clan.

"Hokage Secretary?"

Hearing this abruptly, Uchiha Fugaku’s pupils shrank.

Previously, Natsuki said he could arrange for Uchiha Mikoto to work in the Hokage building.

At most, he thought it would be working in some department, like the Anbu, the Torture and Interrogation Force, or the Analysis Team.

But he never expected it to be the Hokage Secretary Department.

A Hokage Secretary was undoubtedly already a semi-higher-up.

Most importantly, this department answered directly to the Hokage, allowing them to constantly be in contact with Konoha’s core and grasp a massive amount of information.

Thinking of this, Uchiha Fugaku became unusually excited.

The position of Hokage Secretary was undoubtedly extremely important to the Uchiha clan.

It was also the closest position to Konoha’s power the Uchiha clan had obtained since Uchiha Kagami was in the Hokage Guard Platoon.

Uchiha Fugaku subconsciously began to ponder.

Obviously, the relationship between Natsuki and Uchiha Mikoto was not as simple as they claimed.

But this played right into his hands.

Uchiha clan ninjas were allowed to marry outside the clan.

If Natsuki and Uchiha Mikoto could get together, it would be an unprecedentedly excellent situation for the Uchiha clan.

"What’s going on?"

Compared to Uchiha Fugaku’s excitement, Hyuga Hiashi’s face was ugly.

Why were there no Hyuga clan ninjas?

The Uchiha clan and the Hyuga clan had always been evenly matched, but they had fallen behind in this aspect of power.

Because the Uchiha clan had the Konoha Military Police Force.

However, that department was now a hot potato, so the Hyuga clan wasn’t particularly envious.

But the Hokage Secretary was different.

This was a plum job.

Even the Uchiha clan, who had previously been suppressed by Shimura Danzo, got a spot. Why didn’t the Hyuga clan, who had always supported the Hokage lineage, get one?

Hyuga Hiashi’s expression changed, feeling confused and uneasy at the same time.

The new Hokage’s change in attitude was not a good thing for the Hyuga clan.

Not far away, Uchiha Mikoto’s face was full of astonishment.

Undoubtedly, her becoming a Hokage Secretary was Natsuki’s doing.

Otherwise, an important position like Hokage Secretary would never have fallen to her.

Why?

Uchiha Mikoto felt puzzled.

She believed her relationship with Natsuki was just as friends.

But if they were just friends, it hadn’t reached the point where he would help her secure a job like Hokage Secretary.

Could it be...?

Uchiha Mikoto thought of a possibility, her body subconsciously tensing, her heartbeat inevitably accelerating.

But then she thought that with Natsuki’s strength, status, and looks, he wasn’t lacking in beautiful women.

Why would he take a fancy to her?

For a moment, she was both shy and deeply conflicted.

But she had to admit, Natsuki fit her aesthetic.

And his strength, status, and position were all flawless.

On the other side, the Jonin of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio all revealed expressions of pleasant surprise.

The Ino-Shika-Cho trio had always advanced and retreated together.

Nara Shikaku becoming a Hokage Secretary meant that all three clans now had a Hokage Secretary.

Although the Nara clan often acted as strategists, that was always temporary.

Becoming a Hokage Secretary meant it was permanent.

The significance was completely different.

Natsuki smiled.

Orochimaru hadn’t consulted him about the Research Department and the Hokage Guard Platoon.

But the Hokage Secretary Department was established at his suggestion.

Previously, Orochimaru found him and said that while he was conducting experiments, he would temporarily leave Konoha’s affairs to him to handle.

The problem was that Natsuki was also very busy and couldn’t stay in Konoha all day working for him.

So, after some thought, he proposed establishing Hokage Secretaries to help Orochimaru handle his work.

Especially those daily chores.

Incidentally, he suggested making Uchiha Mikoto a Hokage Secretary.

Orochimaru thought about it and agreed.

He actually disapproved of Shimura Danzo’s methods of targeting the Uchiha clan.

In his view, there were only two ways to deal with the Uchiha clan.

Either exterminate them completely or win them over.

Methods like Shimura Danzo’s, occasionally targeting them, would only accumulate their resentment.

When the moment of eruption came, it would be the time the Uchiha clan rebelled.

"Doesn’t that mean Natsuki now holds three positions?"

Nawaki suddenly thought of something and asked in a low, surprised voice.

Tsunade and Jiraiya were slightly taken aback, then realized.

Natsuki was now simultaneously the Anbu Commander, a member of the Hokage Guard Platoon, and a Hokage Secretary.

In a sense, his power was no less than the Hokage Assistant and the two Hokage Advisors. He had become a true Konoha higher-up.

"This is called ’the capable do more work.’ You should reflect on yourself."

Tsunade raised her hand and knocked him on the head. "You are both Orochimaru’s students. Why do you only have one position?"

Nawaki scratched his head, unable to refute.

Orochimaru treated him and Natsuki equally, without favoritism.

For Natsuki to have three positions obviously meant Orochimaru believed he was up to the task.

"I disagree!"

Shimura Danzo couldn’t help but stand up.

To be honest, although the establishment of the Hokage Secretary Department smelled of dividing their power, Orochimaru had at least maintained surface appearances and didn’t say it outright.

He could tolerate that.

Moreover, he felt that after he, Mitokado Homura, and Utatane Koharu had served for so many years, a mere few Hokage Secretaries posed no threat.

The problem lay in Uchiha Mikoto becoming a Hokage Secretary.

In Shimura Danzo’s eyes, this was absolutely impermissible.

Wouldn’t that make a joke of his and Root’s long-standing suppression of the Uchiha clan?

Most importantly, it went against his principles.

In his view, he had always inherited the ideology of his teacher, the Second Hokage Senju Tobirama.

That was, the Uchiha clan was an evil clan and must be guarded against at all times.

"Why do you disagree?"

Orochimaru frowned and asked.

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu exchanged a glance and quickly made a decision: to stay out of it.

To them, holding onto their power was more important than suppressing the Uchiha clan.

Neither of them wanted to offend Orochimaru.

"I agree with the establishment of the Hokage Secretary Department, but who becomes a Hokage Secretary is open to discussion."

Shimura Danzo wasn’t as reckless as before. "According to Konoha’s regulations, the two Hokage Advisors and I have the right to nominate and confirm."

"You indeed do."

Orochimaru looked at Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, asking calmly. "Two Hokage Advisors, do you agree?"

Shimura Danzo immediately winked frantically at them.

"We agree."

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu ignored him and said.

"???"

Shimura Danzo was instantly dumbfounded.

"Do you all agree?"

Orochimaru looked at the many Jonin again.

"We agree!"

The crowd said in unison.

Currently, there were only four Hokage Secretaries, and Orochimaru had explicitly stated it was tentative.

This meant they all had the possibility of becoming Hokage Secretaries.

No one wanted to miss such an opportunity.

"What else do you have to say?"

Orochimaru looked at Shimura Danzo and asked.

Shimura Danzo opened his mouth, ultimately sitting down with a frustrated expression.

What else could he say?

Could he make enemies of all the Jonin in Konoha?

Damn Orochimaru!

And Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, you will all regret this!

Shimura Danzo screamed inwardly.

"Orochimaru is indeed born to be Hokage."

Jiraiya sighed in admiration. "His methods are not inferior to Teacher’s at all."

"Using power to suppress people, acting according to the rules, and coupled with the fact that he is the Hokage, Shimura Danzo naturally can’t out-argue him."

Tsunade laughed and said.

She was very happy to see Shimura Danzo suffer a setback.

"Fourth matter, Yakushi Nonou will serve as the Vice Director of Konoha Hospital and the Director of Konoha Orphanage."

Orochimaru withdrew his gaze and returned to the main topic.

Natsuki raised an eyebrow.

He was somewhat surprised that Yakushi Nonou became the Director of the Konoha Orphanage.

Although she was the Director of the Konoha Orphanage in the original work.

Thinking about it carefully, he understood the reason.

The current Director was getting old and it was indeed time to retire.

But being the Director of the Konoha Orphanage wasn’t bad.

Anyway, there was no Shimura Danzo causing trouble now.

Natsuki thought of the Akatsuki organization’s orphanage.

Perhaps they could also teach Rokushiki to the orphans of the Konoha Orphanage.

Those who succeeded in their studies could join the Anbu.

And they would inevitably be fiercely loyal to Natsuki or Yakushi Nonou.

The meeting continued.

After Shimura Danzo fell silent, the remaining matters went exceptionally smoothly.

As it neared noon, Orochimaru’s first Jonin meeting after becoming Hokage came to a close.

Overall, most Jonin were very satisfied.

The appearance of new departments gave them hope for promotion.

As long as they performed excellently, they might just soar to the top.

And this was just the beginning. There would definitely be more opportunities in the future.

After all, many old departments would also undergo personnel changes.

Hokage’s Office.

Besides Orochimaru, the members of the newly established Hokage Guard Platoon and Hokage Secretary Department were all gathered here.

Additionally, there were Tsunade and Jiraiya, who held no positions.

"Natsuki."

Orochimaru spoke up. "Have the Anbu contact a construction crew to renovate three offices as the workspaces for your two departments."

The reason it was three offices was because Natsuki would have one all to himself.

After all, his current status was out of the ordinary.

"Yes, Teacher."

Natsuki responded immediately.

"Once the office renovations are complete, you can officially start working."

Orochimaru waved his hand and said. "You are all dismissed."

"Yes, Lord Hokage."

Nara Shikaku, Namikaze Minato, and the others said in unison.

Uchiha Mikoto glanced at Natsuki before leaving, but seeing that he hadn’t left, she didn’t say anything more.

In the end, only Natsuki, Nawaki, Yakushi Nonou, Tsunade, and Jiraiya remained.

"Orochimaru, are you planning to do no work at all as Hokage?"

Jiraiya teased.

For those who understood Orochimaru, his purpose in establishing the Hokage Guard Platoon and Hokage Secretary Department was very obvious.

It was nothing more than to save trouble, or to be lazy.

"Let them handle the minor matters."

Orochimaru said with a calm expression. "I have my own things to do."

He was referring to the Wood Release experiments.

Jiraiya and Tsunade had long known he was conducting Wood Release experiments.

But the new version of the Wood Release experiments wouldn’t involve ninjas from their own village, nor would there be any casualties, so they didn’t stop him.

Especially since Orochimaru had also said that once the Wood Release experiments succeeded, the greatest beneficiaries would be Nawaki and Tsunade.

Because they were Senju Hashirama’s grandchildren, naturally inheriting his bloodline.

Although their cells couldn’t compare to his, they far exceeded ordinary people’s.

This meant that if they were successfully transplanted, their Wood Release power would be stronger and closer to Senju Hashirama’s.

Tsunade had no interest in other matters.

But if Wood Release could be recreated without harming others, she definitely wouldn’t refuse.

"The only one who’s going to have a hard time is Natsuki."

Jiraiya patted Natsuki’s shoulder and joked. "Being stuck with a teacher like Orochimaru, you’re out of luck."

"This is what I should do."

Natsuki shook his head and said nonchalantly.

"It’s a pity Orochimaru beat me to it."

Jiraiya said regretfully. "Otherwise, I could have taken you as my student."

"Is it really appropriate for you to say such things in front of me?"

Orochimaru asked helplessly.

"I’m telling the truth."

Jiraiya said with a smile.

"Alright, we won’t bother you anymore. You just became Hokage. You definitely have a lot of things to do."

Tsunade waved her hand and added. "I’m taking Nonou to Konoha Hospital."

Yakushi Nonou had become the Vice Director of Konoha Hospital.

Whether it was notifying the other medical ninjas or changing offices, it all needed to be handled.

"Then I’ll be leaving too. Call me when there’s something."

Jiraiya leaped down and left the Hokage’s office through the window.

"Still the same as before. Not using the door."

Orochimaru shook his head and said.

Natsuki didn’t stay long either.

He still had to find a construction crew to renovate the offices for the Hokage Guard Platoon and Hokage Secretary Department.

However, after walking a few steps, he saw Uchiha Mikoto waiting at the end of the hallway.

He walked over.

"Natsuki."

Uchiha Mikoto said with a look of gratitude. "Thank you."

"No need to thank me."

Natsuki shook his head and said. "I believe that with your abilities, you are fully capable of handling the position of Hokage Secretary."

"But without your help, I wouldn’t have become a Hokage Secretary."

Uchiha Mikoto said with self-awareness.

Besides the title of an Uchiha genius, she didn’t have any advantages over other ninjas.

____________________________________________________

Read Advanced Chapters on : patreon.com/Kaizo247

~ Every 150 PS = Bonus Chapter

~ Push the Story forward with your [Power Stones]